Review: Divergent (Divergent, #1) By: Veronica Roth

Title: Divergent
Author: Veronica Roth
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books, 487 Pages (May 3rd 2011)
From: the Publisher, Thank You!

Synopsis: In Beatrice Prior's dystopian Chicago, 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 to determine who her friends really are—and where, exactly, a romance with a sometimes fascinating, sometimes infuriating 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 a growing conflict that threatens to unravel her seemingly perfect society, she also learns that her secret might help her save those she loves . . . or it might destroy her.

Review: 5 Stars - Divergent by Veronica Roth is hands down the best book I've read so far in 2011. It’s thrilling and unique with an amazing story that will suck the reader in and leave you gripped until the very last page, leaving you begging for more. Roth is without a doubt an amazing new talent within the young adult community and Divergent is the must read book of the year.

Divergent is told from the voice of the female lead character – Beatrice, who lives in a divided society. People are born into one of five fractions – Candor (honest), Abnegation (selfless), Dauntless (brave), Amity (peaceful) and Erudite (intelligent). Beatrice happens to be Abnegation and in a world when you become 16, you are tested and must finally select where you will live for the rest of your life. Stay where you are or become who you feel you’re really, truly meant to be. However, once you choose there’s no going back. If you choose a fraction that’s not what you were raised in, you give up that life and your family forever.

Beatrice or Tris as she calls herself is such an incredible character. I couldn't imagine going through many of things she does, or if I’d have the strength or guts to do even half of the things she came to do. I liked how she was loyal and challenged herself and her beliefs and went after what she felt and knew was the right thing to do. A huge part of the strength she finds in herself comes from the friends she meets and the impact that they have on each others lives. She learns that maybe all isn't as it seems and that somehow, someone needs to make a stand.

It was easy to put myself right into the middle of things in this book. I felt that I was a fly on the wall amid Roth’s dystopian Chicago. Her amazing descriptive writing flowed seamlessly and I found myself quickly becoming emotionally invested and attached to her characters. With the turn of the last page I was extremely tempted to begin from page one all over again and read it straight through, back to back! Everything about this book sticks with you for hours, days, weeks and months after reading, and trust me that’s far from a bad thing.

Divergent is in one word amazing!! If I’m being totally truthful here, amazing doesn't even cover it. It’s epic, it’s a must read and I’ll be pushing this title on others until they pick it up and read it! Roth has it all in this title and then some. With characters you can’t help but become attached to, a story that’ll have you gripping the edge of your seat, a fascinating new take on the dystopian genre, descriptive settings you’ll find yourself sitting right in the middle of, with ease and a romance that’s smoldering hot… I mean what are you waiting for? Seriously, what are you waiting for, go pick it up now, you won’t be disappointed in the slightest, promise. And with that, I’ll be sitting with bated breath for the continuing story in the next book within the Divergent series – Insurgent – May 2012. Enjoy!

FTC Disclaimer: I did NOT pay for this book, nor have I been compensated at all in any way or means for reading and writing this HONEST review.