Sunday 23 September 2012

Book Review - Divergent (re-read)

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 read this in May last year and loved it. I wrote a review then, which you can read here.
With the release of Insurgent I wanted to go back and re-read this one. I was surprised by how much I had forgotten so this was actually almost like reading it fresh.
I still loved Tris as a character, I knew she would be kick ass, but I also felt like I got to know her better this time, Like I had a basic idea of her from reading it last year so this year I could look at her closer, and I saw just how complex and real Veronica Roth made her. Tris has a fierce determination, a deep passion, a cool level-head, and a hardness to her that she draws on when things get tough, but at the same time a softness that cries out for acceptance and love. She seemed so much more this time through.
Four also offered other sides to him, of course this time through I already knew his secret, I had remembered that, but it didn't spoil it for me, in fact it allowed me to realise why he acts the way he does and see what a good heart he really has. 
The whole initiation process was exciting and i loved the mix of characters and factions as they try to settle into a whole new life. Once again i felt like I was in the world, it was all so clear to me. I'm even more excited to read Insurgent now. I finished this in about half a day, it's so addictive, hard to put down and walk away from.
I remembered why there was so much hype about this book and why I had it lodged in my brain as a favourite! 
I highly recommend this book and I'm sure book 2 will be just as good.
Thank you Veronica Roth for creating such a treasure!

My Rating
   

6 comments:

Celeste said...

I love this series. I really would love to go back and re-read it too but there are just some many books out there that I haven't read yet.

Unknown said...

I just started reading the book last night. I'm hoping it will be good. It's a concept that seems familiar to me. Maybe a little Hunger Games in its 13 Districts each with its own personality?

I'm about to release my own book next month. Would you like to review it for me? The first two chapters are on my web site.
http://monicajwolfson.blogspot.com/

barmybex said...

Celeste - I know what you mean, I haven't been re-reading anywhere near as much! But I started Insurgent and couldn't really work out what was going on so I had to revisit this one and I'm glad I did. Sometimes it's worth it.

Monica - yeah a lot of Dystopians have Districts/factions/areas etc just the way they work, but Divergent stands on it's own merits!
Congrats on writing a book. I can't accept it for review at the moment - I have 20 outstanding books for review - I am so behind!!!
Plus I am easily creeped out and a mass Virus just isn't my thing. Sorry. I wish you all the best of luck with your book. :D

Unknown said...

I had to stop reading Divergent because so far two pages are damaged and all black in my paperback version including the page after she selects the brave team. I had to contact the publisher and they are sending me a replacement book. So, that book is on hold.

Thanks for checking out my website. I do appreciate it. Can you recommend anyone you think has the time or interest to review? I read reviews especially ones posted on Good Reads or amazon, etc. before buying a book. Sometimes they influence me, sometimes they don't. I think it depends on how big a fan I am of the author.

barmybex said...

OH no!! I'd be going mad needing to know what happened, I hate it when you get faulty books. Hope you get the replacement soon.

I will have a look through blogs I follow etc, and see if I come across anyone who would read it for you.

brandileigh2003 said...

Just finished and enjoyed as well.
Happy reading,
Brandi from Blkosiner’s Book Blog