
Author: Veronica Roth
Pages: 487
Published: May 3rd, 2011
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.
Debut author Veronica Roth bursts onto the literary scene with the first book in the Divergent series—dystopian thrillers filled with electrifying decisions, heartbreaking betrayals, stunning consequences, and unexpected romance. (from Goodreads.com)
There are five factions in the world that now exists, separating the population not by riches, religion or color, but by human qualities. Those that are selfless, like Beatrice's mother and father, belong to the Abnegation faction. Those who are brave, like the kids from school who jump from moving trains and scale ridiculously high buildings, belong to the Dauntless. At the age of sixteen, you must choose which faction to join. Beatrice must decide to stay with her family in Abnegation, or choose another. But, Beatrice has never been very selfless. Still, she isn't sure if she can leave her family in Abnegation when "faction before family" are the practices of the people.
Divergent is one of the best dystopian novels I have ever read. It seems that while all of these dystopians are being published in the wake of The Hunger Games, none of them quite live up to it's unique, addicting plot. However, Divergent has joined the ranks of The Hunger Games with Beatrice/Tris's strength and Veronica Roth's brilliantly, prosaic writing. From the moment I opened the front cover, I was addicted to the lines running through every page. With action and thoughts that I could relate to, Tris is a most marvelous character. She knows she doesn't quite fit in among the Abnegation, but it's all she has ever really known. Divergent is the story of Tris and her journey through a life that she isn't sure is right. She is selfish and kind and one of the bravest characters I have ever seen grace the pages of a book. She looks at the world like she can conquer it, no matter that she is small, no matter that she is weak at times, she will do whatever she must.
Divergent is full of so many wonderful things, amazingly developed characters, a beautifully bittersweet plot and a love that wiggles it's way into an action packed story. The twists and turns will pull and shove you through the dark and light that is Divergent. Making you wish for so much, but never letting you know if you will get your wish. Veronica Roth's debut novel is brilliant and lovely and the depth of beauty in her words made me feel the book and experience the amazingness that is Tris and this new futuristic world where anything is possible.

