Review: Divergent by Veronica Roth

Name of book: Divergent (Divergent #1)
Author: Veronica Roth
Publication: May 3rd 2011 by Katherine Tegen Books
Genre: YA Dystopian
Source: Paperback Borrowed

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.

-- My Rating --

-- My Thoughts --

     OK, I know. You are SHOCKED that I haven't read Divergent. I wanted to read it for so long, but other books always turned into priority. So, when one of my best friends bought a paperback, I BEGGED to borrow it! This book was not what I expected, and not all in a good way.

     Beatrice lives in a world where everyone is divided into five factions: The selfless (Abnegation), the peaceful (Amity), the intelligent (Erudite), the honest (Candor), and the brave (Dauntless). Beatrice has lived in Abnegation all her life, but now she is turning sixteen, and she has to choose which faction she will belong to, forever. Her choice will shock her family, friends, and even herself.

     Arriving at her new faction's headquarters. She is thrust right into the initiation to choose new members (only 9 of the 20 initiates are chosen). Beatrice knows that she has to work hard to earn her place between the others. But among the training and seriousness, Beatrice gets to make new friends, the lovely Christina, the sarcastic Will, and the oh-so-mysterious Four. Still, fate has a very different road for Tris (Beatrice) and she won't expect what is headed her way or whose way she is headed.

     Which faction does Tris choose? Will anything serious start between her and Four? And what are these factions hiding? Find out when you read this intriguing, action-packed novel, Divergent...

     OK, so I liked this book. I heard so much about it for years that I had to read it, sometime. I liked the idea of the book, it is not a typical dystopian and it was pretty believable. I liked the characters a lot, too. I liked Tris, I loved how brave she was. But I hated the way she hid from her own feelings. And Four, oh God, I LOVED Four! Isn't he just adorable? Brave, realistic, protective, mysterious, and charming! OH MY GOD!

     One thing that put this book OFF for me was the pace. I had to DRAG myself to finish this book. I finished the first 100 pages in THREE days, and the other 200 in only one day. After almost 1/3 through the book, the pace quickened and the action started. But the slow pace at the beginning was what kept me from giving it 5 stars.

      If you want an enjoyable read that will keep you on the edge of your seat, then Divergent is the ONE! And if you haven't already read it, you should or you are SERIOUSLY missing out! I can't wait to read Insurgent, watch out for my review!