Review: Divergent by Veronica Roth

Divergent by Veronica Roth

Hardcover, 487 pages

Published May 3rd 2011 by Katherine Tegen Books

Source: Purchased

Buy the Book: Amazon : B&N : Goodreads

From Goodreads:

In a future Chicago, 16-year-old Beatrice Prior must choose among five predetermined factions to define her identity for the rest of her life, a decision made more difficult when she discovers that she is an anomaly who does not fit into any one group, and that the society she lives in is not perfect after all.

I actually put off reading this book for a while. There was such a strong hype about it and I tried to stay away till it died down a little. Well. That never happened. All the excitement about it now is as strong as it has ever been, especially with book 2, Insurgent, coming out tomorrow. Divergent topped the NYT's Bestseller's List yet again last week. Yes, it is just. That. Good.

At first I had issues relating to Tris, after the first couple of chapters I could see where her personality and perspective were coming from. There's a resounding quality to her, inner strength. Just when you think she has nothing left in her, she finds courage that I didn't even realize she had. The choices she makes from chapter 1 exemplify this.Tris dares to go against the grain in a society of factions ran by strict rules of how life is supposed to be. This is why they fear her. Tris doesn't fit within their plan and has to realize just how "outside the box" she is. I see a path of a true leader heading her way...

The plot in this book really sets it above others. There are many books that fall within certain patterns in this aspect and I can usually guess what is going to happen next. Not this book. Divergent is more than a name in this aspect, it is the plot paths you take along with the characters. Several times I had to stop, say "Wait, what?", and read back a few lines. I honestly was not expecting several incidents. The book keeps on this roll right to the end and you will feel absolutely breathless when you put it down for the last time. Be prepared for this amazing roller coaster when you start this book, because it will keep you hanging on till the end! High potential for a "one-sitter" label.