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