Review - Divergent (Veronica Roth)

Synopsis  

In Beatrice Prior's dystopian Chicago world, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue--Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). On an appointed day of every year, all sixteen-year-olds must select the faction to which they will devote the rest of their lives. For Beatrice, the decision is between staying with her family and being who she really is--she can't have both. So she makes a choice that surprises everyone, including herself.

During the highly competitive initiation that follows, Beatrice renames herself Tris and struggles alongside her fellow initiates to live out the choice they have made. Together they must undergo extreme physical tests of endurance and intense psychological simulations, some with devastating consequences. As initiation transforms them all, Tris must determine who her friends really are--and where, exactly, a romance with a sometimes fascinating, sometimes exasperating boy fits into the life she's chosen. But Tris also has a secret, one she's kept hidden from everyone because she's been warned it can mean death. And as she discovers unrest and growing conflict that threaten to unravel her seemingly perfect society, she also learns that her secret might help her save those she loves . . . or it might destroy her.

 - Goodreads.com

My Review

I don’t know why I put off reading this book for so long. Maybe it was the hype surrounding it, that made me assume it was going to be another Twilight fiasco...I don’t know. But all I can say is after reading it, WHY THE HELL DID I PUT OFF READING THIS BOOK FOR SO LONG!!?

If I could only have one word to describe Divergent it would be EPIC!! I had no idea how much I would enjoy it, but once I started reading I was hooked. This book has everything, suspense, romance, brutality, politics, the list goes on.

I’ve seen a lot of reviews where people have compared this book to The Hunger Games. I disagree. There are similar themes, and the way this book made me feel and react while reading it was similar to that of the Hunger Games series, symptoms including gasping, jaw dropping, sitting on the edge of my seat, holding breath in anticipation, not blinking and hyperventilation. As seen below:

But the two series are very different, and unique in their own way despite some similarities.As for an actual review, I don’t know where to start. I don’t really want to say anything particular about the book, in case I spoil it for someone. 

Overall Miss Roth did a great job of world building and giving each of the factions their own unique personalities which were visible through each characters action. The story was fast-paced but not in a way that you get lost and have no idea what is going on. All I can say is READ IT. Seriously, think of me as your trustworthy physician prescribing you a cure to all the mediocre books you have read lately. My advice, take 1 large dose of DIVERGENT every day until finished. The side effects (as mentioned above) are worth it.

Things I loved about the book:

• Everything!  Great writing, great pacing, great character development and great world building.

Things I didn't enjoy so much about the book:

• I only have one complaint. There were a few moments near the end (when it really seemed like there was no way out) that were a little to ‘convenient’ for my liking. But from people I’ve talked to, I seem to be the only one who feels this way.

My rating: 5/5

Feature and Follow and Blogger Hop

Here’s this week’s question: Where is the best destination reading spot for you? (Where do you like to go to read other then your home)

Feature & Follow is a blog hop hosted by Parajunkee and Alison Can Read. The purpose is to meet new people and gain more followers in the book blogging community.


I find it really hard to read in busy places, I just can't focus when there's so much hustle and bustle around, and so many interesting things to take in. So my favorite places to read are usually secluded areas, like the beach or parks. One of my favorite places to read is at 'MJ Savage Memorial Park' in Mission Bay. It's not exactly secluded, but the panoramic views are breath-taking, and you can look right out onto the ocean and see the Auckland skyline. Its a great summer-time reading place :)

MJ Savage Memorial Park

None of these images are my own, and credit is given to the original photographers. Image taken from (http://www.tripadvisor.jp

Q: What is your favorite classic novel?

Well this is super awkward, because to be honest I haven't read too many classics in my time, and the few I have read have been for school coursework which pretty much ruined the book for me. But I'd have to say 'Frankenstein' by Mary Shelley and Homer's 'The Odyssey', were both very enjoyable reads.

Do you want to join in the book blogger hop? More info can be found here @ Ramblings of a Coffee Addicted writer
 

Thanks for stopping by guys!

Top Ten Tuesday (5)

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by the amazing Broke And The Bookish.

Top Ten Best/Worst Movie Adaptations

Best

Hunger Games

I thought the movie stuck pretty close to the book...yes there were a few changes, but they weren’t deal breakers in  my opinion.

Warm Bodies

I felt the movie was much more light-hearted and funny than the book making it more enjoyable. The book was Ok, but unlike the masses I wasn’t that impressed with it. 

Coraline

I liked that the movie had the addition of Wybie, who wasn’t in the book. But overall Love the book, Love the movie. Enough said. 

The Princess Bride

I enjoyed the movie so much more than the book. The actors were so well chosen, and even though there are some obvious flaws with the movie, it is still one of my favourites that I watch now and again when I’m feeling nostalgic.

The Notebook

I don’t even know what to say. This movie was just amazing, and even to this day after watching it a dozen times it still makes me cry, I just didn’t get those feels from the book. Has your boyfriend been ‘notebooked’ yet?

Worst

My sisters Keeper

The ending was pure rubbish. I understand that they probably wanted the movie to have a happy ending, but the original ending in the book was SO much better.

Water for Elephants

                The movie was way to drawn out. I found myself fast forwarding whenever I could.

Holes

The movie just did not compare to the book. Its been a while since I’ve seen the movie, but I remember there being some major scenes and people missing which I felt disappointed with. 

Sisterhood of the Travelling pants

Again this movie just didn’t compare to the original book. The second movie they made was even worse.

Harry Potter Series

I did like the movies, but the books were just so much more superior in every single way. There was no way the directors were able to fit in every single detail into the movies, so there were quite a few bits and pieces missing in the movies which didn’t appease my inner HP nerd.