Divergent by Veronica Roth

 

Divergent by Veronica Roth
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books
Release Date: May 2011
Pages: 427

Summary Blurb from Goodreads:
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 Thoughts: 
AMAZING! That is the word that comes to mind after reading this. Divergent had so much hype that I was honestly afraid to read it, I didn't want my high hopes to be crushed. After reading the first few pages I knew that this would not only live up to my expectations but surpass them. This book was griping, thrilling, suspenseful, and even a lit bit romantic.
The story centers around Beatrice and her decision to leave her family and quiet selfless lifestyle. Beatrice lives in Abenegation, a faction where every member vows to be selfless and put others needs above their own. The world here is broken down into five factions and they each have their own values. Erudite lives off of knowledge, Candor believes that nobody should lie, Amity wants happiness and peace, and then there is Dauntless those who want strength and value bravery. Each child when they turn sixteen must take a test and determine what faction they want to live in. If they choose to leave their current faction, then they must learn to live without their families. Each faction also has an initiation and after choosing to leave her family Beatrice finds out just how hard Dauntless really are. Not only does she have to prove herself by jumping out of trains and learning how to fight, but she has to keep a very scary secret. Beatrice is a Divergent and the only thing she knows for sure is that if anybody finds out she will be killed. During her training news reports start coming out and their seems to be an enemy out to destroy her old faction. Politics play a big role in this book and it is very scary to see what some people will do to gain power.
I absolutely loved this book. I can not say that enough and I can not wait for the next installment. I will say that Roth is fearless with her characters and I am very scared to see what happens when Beatrice has to confront a few people that may not forgive her.
Fans of the Hunger Games please pick this up you won't regret it.