BOOK REVIEW | DIVERGENT (DIVERGENT #1) BY VERONICA ROTH

Title: Divergent (Divergent #1)
Author: Veronica Roth
Genre: Young Adult Dystopian
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books
Date Published: February 28, 2012 (First published: April 25, 2011)
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 97800662024039
Pages: 487
Rating: ★★★★★

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, Tris also learns that her secret might help her save the ones she loves . . . or it might destroy her.
  
My Review
I have heard so many things about "Tris & Four" and how much people love Four and swoon over him. I never understood why, until today! In this first installment of the Divergent Series we follow Tris' story of not knowing where she belonged and finding herself along the way.

This society is divided into 5 factions. Abnegation (selfless, helpful, governing), Erudite (thirst for knowledge), Amity (Peacefulness, kindness), Candor (Honesty, straight forward) and Dauntless (The protectors). Everyone falls into these categories and the way they find out is by an aptitude test. Beatrice (Tris) happens to not fit into one category therefore is considered a "Divergent" and that's a problem for some people.

We follow her as she struggles to understand who she is and we see the important relationships she has developed along the way and her family has a few surprises up their sleeves as well.

I loved reading this book. I was just so taken by this story, it really made me think about what choices I would have made in a world like that. I'm excited to continue with the series. I'd recommend this for any age. It's got lots of action, some romance, and it's just all around very enjoyable to read.