Sunday 29 May 2011

Book Review - Divergent

Title: Divergent
Author: Veronica Roth
Publisher: HarperCollinsChildren'sBooks
Release Date: 3 May 2011
ISBN-13: 978-0007420414

Synopsis
One choice can transform you. Pass initiation. Do not fail…
In sixteen-year-old Beatrice Prior’s world, society is divided into five factions – Abnegation (the selfless), Candor (the honest), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent) – each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue, in the attempt to form a “perfect society.” At the age of sixteen, teens must choose the faction to which they will devote their lives.
On her Choosing Day, Beatrice renames herself Tris, rejects her family’s group, and chooses another faction. After surviving a brutal initiation, Tris finds romance with a super-hot boy, but also discovers unrest and growing conflict in their seemingly “perfect society.” To survive and save those they love, they must use their strengths to uncover the truths about their identities, their families, and the order of their society itself.

My Review
I have read so many good reviews about this book, so when I saw it in my local bookshop yesterday I decided I had to have it to read. I'm really getting into the whole Dystopian Novel genre and was looking forward to this one.
Tris has just turned 16 and so must choose which Faction she will spend the rest of her life with. Should she stay with her family or choose another path. That one decision will change the rest of her life and her perspective. Tris must face bullies, romance, deadly tests, laughter, tears and everything else you could ever want.
Short response to this book is just WOW!, Let's just say that it is a 480 page novel and I finished it in less than one day. 
I loved the book and immediately felt like the place was really real, I could picture everything and see it happening. I was fascinated by the idea of a faction for different qualities, so separated by lifestyle and belief but still interacting with each other in every day life. 
Tris was a great character, we really see her grow throughout the book and discover more of who and what she is. She has her moments of weakness but overall is a strong female character, which I find refreshing to see. She has to make a lot of tough decisions and I could feel her pain and felt like I was with her throughout.
I can't say too much about other characters as it will give away the story, but I will say that 'Four' is amazing and I would love to meet someone like him in real life. *melts*
The writing flows very well and considering it is a debut novel, there is no first book nerves or flaws. Veronica Roth is an amazing story-teller and I can't wait to see more from her.
This book is set for a sequel and I can't wait to read more from this world.
I would say that there are a few moments of violence and some other issues that may scare/disturb younger readers so I would recommend this one as 14 up maybe.

My Rating
I would give this book 10/10, a truly breath-taking novel from a brand new author. Step back everyone, Roth is here!  

4 comments:

T.B. said...

I loved Divergent! I agree, the whole world was so amazing, and Tris really felt human. She was never really sure if she made the right choice. I thought the romance was done really well too. Can't wait for the sequel! Great review!

Cory K said...

Veronica Roth really is here. She's amazing! I loved Divergent also. Great review! Don't be a stranger; stop by my blog and say hi! I'm not sure if we're fellow followers, but I follow you!

Looking forward to hearing back from you,
Cory @ Anti-Drug Reads

Amy said...

I really like the look of this. Great review.

Amy@adumbration (new follower)

http://amysadumbrations.blogspot.com/2011_05_01_archive.html

barmybex said...

Thanks everyone. :D Was such an amazing book.

Cory I am your follower too :D

Amy hopping over to you now. :D