Divergent (Divergent, book 1) by Veronica Roth
I give this book a 5.
Here is a story that is simple and yet compelling all at
once. It’s YA and I like it, no question, which is really saying something for
me.
As with all dystopian novels, there is a ridiculous
amount of struggle in this book, but if there wasn’t it wouldn’t be dystopian.
I don’t know if anyone else feels this way, but this story screams irony to me.
Factions are somehow established to keep order and bring peace to this world seemingly
built of wreckage, but the characters in the book don’t seem to realize how
their factions are flawed and will be their ultimate demise (just a prediction).
Beatrice starts out as a small and meek member of the
selfless faction and through a series of hard to imagine, understand, and
believe events ends up being, Tris, a semi femme fatale member of the brave
faction. There is a great deal of violence to this story that may be all shock
value, but I like action in my movies, so why not in my books. There are
several unanswered questions remaining when this book comes to an end, but I
didn’t feel like I was lost in my understanding. I know what I know about the
story and assume the rest will be explained later. Even if my questions are never
answered, I’ve enjoyed the intrigue.
While this is a great novel for teens, I wonder if younger
teens will be able to grasp the meaning of it all. I enjoyed the story
immensely, but could understand why someone who is either a true fan of
dystopian works or who isn’t a true fan of YA works might have problems with
it. In any case, I think it’s worth a read just to find out whether you like it
or not.
*I can’t imagine what Hollywood will do to this story on the
big screen. I’m a little scared.
This review has been posted to GoodReads.
If you’d like to obtain a copy of this book, try these
links: Amazon
| Barnes
& Noble.
