Shon Review Divergent

Title / Author: Divergent by Veronica Roth
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books
Year Published: April, 2011
Series: Divergent, Book 1
Genres: Young Adult, Dystopia, Romance, Science Fiction, Fantasy, Fiction
Source: Bought (Book Outlet)
Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Other Titles from this Author: Insurgent  & Allegiant

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.

My Review

So, the other day, I find myself watching The Divergent Series: Allegiant Official Trailer, with my mouth wide open. I was like, W.T.F. I'm watching!

There are a couple of things about that trailer that I have to get off my chest before I review Divergent. First, when they went over the wall, why did it look like they were on Mars? Second, I'm happy that Tris' hair is closer to way it was in the book. Third, they changed the name of the movies. It is no longer Allegiant: Part 1 & Allegiant: Part 2 but Allegiant & Ascendant. Who came up with that?

Allegiant is my least favorite book in the series. (Check out our Taylor Swift Book Tag to see how I feel about Allegiant). But then I think for those who did not read the book, you will think this is what the book is about. That brings a smile to my face. A least they will never experience the pain of reading Allegiant.

Anyway, after watching the trailer I decided to re-read Divergent. (Like I don't have enough books on my ever growing TBR; to go back and re-read a book I have read at least 5 times. But in my defense, this is my first time reading an actual book, all the other times I read it on my cell phone).

I remember when Divergent (the movie) was coming out, Wendy was so excited for the movie that she went out to buy the book. For weeks all I heard was Shon read the book. I'm the type of person who likes to watch the movie first, then read the book. I feel some what let down if I read the book first. There is way too much information and detail in the book, that you just can't fit it all into a two hour movie. So, when the movie came out on Blu-Ray, I bought it. After watching the movie, (which I freaking love) I read Divergent for the first time.

O! M! G! I forgot how much I love this book. If only the other two books in this series could be good as Divergent. I'm sad to say that after Divergent, the series when down hill and by the time I finished reading Allegiant, the series was six feet under.

Anyway, let's talk about all that is good and wonderful about Divergent. I'm not going to lie. This book start off very slow. The first 52 pages are a complete snooze (Zzzz). Basically, it introduces each faction. I've seen and read multiple times and I still get them mixed up or confused with each faction. This is also where we meet Beatrice (Tris) and her best friend Christina.

When Christina shouted, "They're jumping off!" the story finally picks up. We meet Eric and the most important hero of the story Four.

On a side note, Four was my first book boyfriend. It's sad because I love Four in Divergent and Insurgent but by the time I got to Allegiant I WANTED HIM TO DIE! But who am I kidding, by the time I got to the middle of the third book, I wanted everyone to die just so I could end the pain from reading Allegiant.

I'm sorry, I got sidetracked there. Okay, back to the review. Once Trish and Christina jumps off the train, they are joined with their new fraction. They receive basic training and scored throughout the three phases. I like how the author take the time to show you how Tris grow as a character. It is one of the moments I love as Tris discover who she is as a person as we see the first spark between her and Four.

During the second part of training, we discover what Tris really is. But I'm sure you can guess from the title of the book what she is but it's at this point we find what it means and what she can do.

On another side note, you should read Four (book 3.5). Because it is during part two of training where the romance between Tris and Four develops. I really enjoy seeing their romance from Four's P.O.V. I feel because Four is older than Tris, he has a better understanding of what was happening. It is cute to see what he is thinking.

As the story moves forward, you find out that something is wrong and our two main characters works together to save their world.

Veronica Roth has written the story very well. Once you get past the slow start, the story moves along nicely. I like how she was able to incorporate the real world into her world. A good storyteller can incorporate a bit of facts and truth into their story so you don't feel the story is unrealistic.

I highly recommend Divergent and Four. I also highly recommend that you stop reading after you read Divergent and Four.

-Shon