Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books
Release Date: Reprint edition (February 28, 2012)
Format: Paperback
Pages: 576
Source: Purchase
Genre: YA Dystopian, Book to Movie Adaptation
Review Date: September 17, 2012
Rating: 5 bookmarks
Book 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.
Release Date: Reprint edition (February 28, 2012)
Format: Paperback
Pages: 576
Source: Purchase
Genre: YA Dystopian, Book to Movie Adaptation
Review Date: September 17, 2012
Rating: 5 bookmarks
Book 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.
Divergent was a really good read. This story takes place in post-apocalyptic Chicago. The world building was pretty spot on. I felt that the details were consistent and I felt as though I could "see" the surroundings. The city has been structured into five “factions,” intended to cure civilization’s failures. Each faction has a specific set of traits and has their own purpose in society. The one thing I felt was missing, is, what is going on outside of Chicago? Has every major city setup in factions? Not sure what made me wonder that, but I did. I wish it were addressed, even for a sentence or two. Maybe we'll get more history in Insurgent.
In this world at 16 you're an adult. You choose your faction and how you want to live. This is a big ordeal for a young person still growing and learning themselves. That age is a bit young do be forced into making such a life changing decision,but then again, it's part of the story. It's part of what makes this kind of story so appealing.
In this world at 16 you're an adult. You choose your faction and how you want to live. This is a big ordeal for a young person still growing and learning themselves. That age is a bit young do be forced into making such a life changing decision,but then again, it's part of the story. It's part of what makes this kind of story so appealing.
On the day of the Choosing Ceremony, Tris chooses Dauntless as her faction. Leaving her selfless Abnegation mother, father and community behind. Not only is Tris Dauntless, she's secretly a forbidden “Divergent,”. Those who are Divergent are believed to be in great danger and are told to keep their Divergence a secret. I like Tris, she's smart, brave, thoughtful, and even though she had changed factions, she strives to retain the good qualities of the Abnegation faction.
Between the Dauntless initiation, jealous "frienemies" and enemies, an Erudite attack, Tris and Four's manage to forge a romance. It's really cute and light. Even though the teens have experienced some heavy situations, this relationship managed to stay in the teen realm. I'm glad it wasn't some heavy romance going on while Tris was trying to make it through initiation. That would have been so unrealistic. Their relationship was both believable and timed perfectly.
The other initiates are from all factions. Some are from Erudite, some are from Candor, mostly it's those who grew up in Dauntless. In the beginning there was one initiate from Amity, but they didn't last two seconds. All of the different factions and personalities mixed together during initiation keeps the story diverse and transforming. All of these young people grow during the initiation. Some for the good, some for the bad.
This story is, dynamic, fast paced, smart, complex yet easy to understand and digest. This is a perfect book for book club. I think you could get hours of conversation out of this book!
I met Ms.Roth at the RT Convention back in April. She seemed very nice and smart. Sort of an intellectual type, which explains alot about her writing style.
I'll be picking up Insurgent for next month's reading list!
A few of my favorite quotes from the book:
“I have a theory that selflessness and bravery aren't all that different.”
“We believe in ordinary acts of bravery, in the courage that drives one person to stand up for another.”
Between the Dauntless initiation, jealous "frienemies" and enemies, an Erudite attack, Tris and Four's manage to forge a romance. It's really cute and light. Even though the teens have experienced some heavy situations, this relationship managed to stay in the teen realm. I'm glad it wasn't some heavy romance going on while Tris was trying to make it through initiation. That would have been so unrealistic. Their relationship was both believable and timed perfectly.
The other initiates are from all factions. Some are from Erudite, some are from Candor, mostly it's those who grew up in Dauntless. In the beginning there was one initiate from Amity, but they didn't last two seconds. All of the different factions and personalities mixed together during initiation keeps the story diverse and transforming. All of these young people grow during the initiation. Some for the good, some for the bad.
This story is, dynamic, fast paced, smart, complex yet easy to understand and digest. This is a perfect book for book club. I think you could get hours of conversation out of this book!
I met Ms.Roth at the RT Convention back in April. She seemed very nice and smart. Sort of an intellectual type, which explains alot about her writing style.
I'll be picking up Insurgent for next month's reading list!
A few of my favorite quotes from the book:
“I have a theory that selflessness and bravery aren't all that different.”
“We believe in ordinary acts of bravery, in the courage that drives one person to stand up for another.”
 Me and author Veronica Roth @ RT Convention 2012. | |
