Wednesday, October 10, 2012

REVIEW: Divergent by Veronica Roth

Title: Divergent (#1)
Author: Veronica Roth
Genre: YA Dystopian Fiction
Publisher: Harper Collins
Release Date: October 3/2011
Acquired: Purchased
Goodreads: ADD

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.


I'm going to make this review short and to the point. I'm not usually a fan of writing lengthy reviews for books that are surrounded by so much hype, and have already accumulated umpteen amounts of reviews.

I picked up this book pretty much knowing exactly what I was in for (the joy and curse of reviews!). I knew that I had to leave behind my intense love for the dystopian mastery that was The Hunger Games, and start the Divergent trilogy with a completely open mind. With that said, and with a mind completely open to all possibilities, I was disappointed not even halfway through.

Like many other reviews point out, the back story for this book was lacking and almost non-existent. I felt disconnected from Beatrice ("Tris") very early on in the book, and spent the remainder of the book trying to find something to relate  and redeeming. Her character just came across as very bland and whiny, which was ironic, since the entire book is spent trying to convince the reader that she has rid herself of these exact qualities. The reader was suppose to believe that she's actually "evolving"-I just didn't buy it. If I were to use an analogy, reading about her character felt like trying to remember a dream that I had, but it's quickly slipping away-she just wasn't memorable to me.

As for her relationship with Four-didn't care for it. The numerous descriptions of Tris having a severely under developed body just rubbed me the wrong way-and picturing her with Four's older character just bordered slightly on perverted.


The climax of the story seemed a little "toy soldier-ish" to me. Almost as if I were reading a play instead of a "thriller filled with electrifying decisions[...]". The motives were poorly explained, and that could be on account of, again, the entire book having almost zero back-story explanation.

Ok, so much for this review being short. I didn't completely dislike this book. It was quick-paced and entertaining-just not in a way that made much sense. I am definitely going to be reading the other books in this series. It has to get better from here right ? *fingers crossed*



Read if you like:
The Maze Runner by James Dashner
The Mortal Instruments series by Cassandra Clare
Throne of Glass series by Sarah J. Maas
Dystopia

Key Themes:
adventure, survival, friendship, romance, political divide

13 comments:

  1. Sad you didn't like it so much. I absolutely loved it and have reread it several times. But I found many of your thoughts really interesting, like the one about the lack of back story. I hadn't really thought about it before, but you're totally right. :)

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    1. To each his own I suppose! And I totally respect the opinion of people who enjoyed this book-that's just the beauty of fiction or books in general, there really is something for everyone!

      Thank you for reading my review Frida. I'm glad you shared some of my same thoughts on it!

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  2. Oh too bad you didn't like this one .. I personally loved it but I was unfortantely very disappointed in Insurgent so I'm not planning on reading the third and final book in the series. Great honest review :)

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    1. Ohh man, I'm about halfway through Insurgent and I'm not loving it either. I may just have to stop after this one too! Uhh, so disappointing =(. Thank you again for your kind words!

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  3. Even after reading your review I still want to read this one. But thanks for sharing your review about this book. I hope that I like it.

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  4. Wow! I haven't read this yet and have read mixed reviews on it. I loved the Hunger Games and other dystopians and think this is such a unique idea with the factions. I appreciate your comments but still want to read this for myself! Thanks for sharing!

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  5. AHHHH so excited to read this book & see this movie! I am so intrigued by the plot and concepts this story brings together! Thank you for sharing your review!!

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  6. Ah, sadly I'm afraid I would respond the same way. I have a love hate relationship with popular YA books, I usually get around to reading some if the plot keeps me intrigued. It's best when I read it before the hype not knowing what it's about or anything! Then it really feels good..

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  7. i love this book .. it is one of my favorite ... is has everything love -action-... everything ... so sad that you don´t like it ...

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  8. to bad you didn't enjoy this book, at first I didn't enjoy this book too.

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  9. I can never really say anything negative about this book. From the plot to the characters to the original setting, Veronica Roth has definitely left an impression on her readers. The originality of the story struck me as soon as I started it and there's no doubt that that was true for a lot of people too. I loved the characters, I loved the plot, I loved everything about this book. CANNOT WAIT FOR ALLEGIANT!

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  10. I really love this book. Your review is nice. :)

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  11. i really dissapointed with this series..the ending is so bad...i meant divergent is a great book..but allegiant ? the worst ending ever...

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