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Friday, May 20, 2011

Review: Divergent by Veronica Roth


Beatrice Prior lives in a dystopian Chicago society.  This society is divided into five different factions, all with specific ideas and purposes.  Beatrice’s family live among the Abnegation who are taught to always be selfless.  But at the age of sixteen, Beatrice, along with every other sixteen year old, is given a test.  This test determines which faction she is most compatible with.  Then she is allowed to choose to stay with her family and faction or abandon them for a faction more to her liking.  Beatrice has never felt like she belonged with the Abnegation, and when her test results show inconclusive, labeling her a Divergent, she is more confused than ever.  Her choice to accept the Dauntless as her new faction brings difficulty and fears she never thought possible and forces out a strength and courage she never realized she possessed.  Beatrice will need every bit of that strength and courage to live through the challenges and enemies that face her.   Her seemingly perfect society is unraveling and her label as Divergent is a death sentence.

This book is fast paced and full of action.  I know a book is well written when I can’t put it down and I can’t stop thinking about it.  Another sure sign is when I forget to review because I’m so caught up in the story and then I have to go back to make notes for the review.

(just as a cautionary note:  I'm going to use the word love way too much.  I can't help it.)  

I love Tris.  I love how she feels like a real person.  She battles with who she thinks she is and  where she thinks she fits in.  She wants to be loyal but she isn't sure who to trust.  Tris has never had to face fears outwardly, she has never had the opportunity to assert herself and I loved watching as she used the quiet strength she found with the Abnegation to develop strength with the Dauntless.

I love the way Tris comes to a knowledge of just how strong her mother is.  As teenagers, we think we know everything, but as we come to the experiences of adulthood, we start to see just how little we actually do know.  We generally find that our parents really were much smarter and stronger than we gave them credit for.  I also love the sacrifice of Tris's mother, how she loved her daughter so much she was willing to give her life.  The devotion of mother to child touched my heart strings.

And Four?  Wow, stud of a guy.  He is awesome.  Loved the focus on inner strength and using your head to overcome fears and weakness.  I felt like I was getting to know Four right along with Tris.  

I love the underlying messages in this book.  The idea of factions (segregation) where people focus on becoming only one thing, is so interesting.  It's found now, it was found all throughout history.  Yet really, being only peaceful, or only brave or only smart makes one so lop-sided.  We need a good balance of all attributes to really gain a stable society.  Segregation always brings people thinking they are better than others and then an eventual putting down of those considered weaker.  When in reality, it takes all kinds of people and ideas to make this world go round.

This was a book I wanted to talk to somebody about.  I still do!  The violence in this book is high, and at some times, uncomfortable for me.  I tend to be on the sensitive side when it comes to violence.  Overall though I found this book captivating, exciting and thought provoking.  

And, if you couldn't tell, I really did "LOVE" it.  tee hee  hee

36 comments:

  1. I'm looking forward to the sequel too, T.B.! Thanks for your comments. :)

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  2. I love love loved this book. I fee like I say that a lot but it's true. It's just such a good all-around book: characters, writing, world building with a realistic enough tone to really engage the reader.

    I'll stop while I'm ahead but it IS a wonderful read.

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  3. I really liked this book as well. However, it wasn't a 5 for me. I was really missing a dominant 'villain', and there really wasn't one which is usually a staple for dystopians. I do think the characters were done amazingly well. And I loved that I felt uncomfortable at times. I think that's what stands out the most for me. And it worked perfectly.

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  4. I enjoy reading this book too. And like you I can't put it down and it took awhile to write my review because I'm too absorbed with the story that after reading I can't still leave its world.

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  5. So glad you enjoyed this! I loveloveLOVED Divergent too! Aren't you relieved this is a series? :)

    Here's my <a href="http://readmebookmarkmeloveme.blogspot.com/2011/05/review-divergent.html>review</a>

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  6. Oh my... I want to read this book SO badly! Especially after your review!

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  7. Thanks for the review. I have heard so many great things about Divergent. I currently have it on my tbr pile and look forward to reading it.

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  8. This one is sitting on my shelf, just waiting for me to devour it. Was the violence on par with Hunger Games?

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  9. @Lisa: Yes! I'm going to enjoy following Tris and Four through a series. I'm anxious to know what happens!

    @Logan: I'd say the violence in Divergent is more like the violence in the last book of Hunger Games. The first two Hunger Games books had a way of letting you know things were violent without getting right in your face. (mostly) This violence was very in your face. Descriptive. But I did devour it.

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  10. Nice review! I still haven't had a chance to read this one but I'm really looking forward to it. :)

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  11. I just go a copy of this book in the mail earlier this week and am planning on digging into it tomorrow. I'm glad to hear that there's depth to the story in addition to action. Thanks for the review. Now, I'm more excited to read it than before. :)

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  12. Thanks for the review. I have read so many great things about this book Divergent. Looking forward to read it soon.

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  13. Thanks for a great review!
    I haven´t read it. I'm so looking forward to read this book.
    Another dystopian book that I want to read is Enclave by Ann Aguirre.

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  14. This book was totally amazing. I couldn't stop reading it. I love the characters. I loved Four. I may buy the hardback copy since I have the paperback and it got a bit damaged.

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  15. I'm glad you loved it. I have this book on my shelf but I haven't gotten a chance to read it yet. I hope I love it as much as you did.

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  16. Yeah, you guys should totally read it if you haven't already.

    @Kara: I hope you love it too! :)

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  17. I have DIVERGENT in my TBR pile (no, really, it's a pile in my room.) Your review makes me want to snatch it up and stay up all night reading it. Great review.

    Amy // amyismyfriend at aol dot com

    GFC= Amy (ArtsyBookishGal)

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  18. I just got this book and am dying to read it. Glad you loved it.

    Now i really want to read it. I've heard such good stuff about it.

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  19. I want to READ THIS BOOK! I've heard nothing but awesomeness! I can't wait to get it!
    tfalick(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  20. It seems most people have chosen to comment on this post. It comes as no surprise since this book has become so immensely talked about in the readers' circles! :D

    This book is DEFINITELY on my TBR list, but I am sticking to a strict ARC schedule, so I have to put it off. But your review makes me want to read it that much more! Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us! :D

    159. Romance Author Buzz (US)
    Thank you SO much for the giveaway opportunity – hope you have a SPLENDID Summer this year! :D

    ~Hira~
    GFC Follower: ~Enamored Soul~
    Email: Enamoredsoul(at)gmail(dot)com

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  21. Great review! Divergent has very interesting and unique story.Tris seems an amazing character.

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  22. I've read good reviews on this book. It's currently on my wishlist! Your review makes me want to read it even more!

    reviewsbyabby at gmail dot com

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  23. After reading you review, it make me want to read this book more. I can't wait to read it!! Great review :D

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  24. I SO want to read this book. I've only ever come across good review for it and after witnessing your enthusiasm for it,I want to read it all the more. Great review!

    Sarah

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  25. Commented on Divergent review

    meganmcdade2008@yahoo.co.uk

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  26. Great review I could tell you really loved it. I have this on my TRL I keep going to buy it but never do. Think am going pop it further up my TRL :)

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  27. Ok, so I still haven't read this book yet but I WANT TO SO BAD. I have not heard one bad thing about it. It sounds like a very thought provoking read.

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  28. I can NOT wait to read this book. All I've heard about it has been amazing.

    Bekka

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  29. I have this book and am dying to read. Now i want to read it even more. Can't wait. Everyone seems to love this book!

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  30. I like Tris too. Female protagonists in books are usually so gorgeous yet self-effacing that it gets a little ... predictable at times. It feels cliche when authors do that.

    But I was really glad that Tris wasn't perfect, she was average looking yet she didn't have a self-esteem problem.

    Like you said, Four is cool. I wonder why most reviewers always refer to him as Four, is it spoiler to reveal the other name?

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  31. I read this book a couple of months ago and I liked it. I can't say I loved it because I wasn't "book drunk" as I call it. It means that I love the book so much that I can't forget the events, characters, some lines even thought it's been a couple of days since I finished the book. Don't get me wrong, there's nothing wrong with the characters; I liked Tris and Four. Well, the concept was quite original, except for the Hunger Games and I am Number Four feel. When Tris or Four said "Four and Six... I like that" or something like that, I was gaping, because I thought "that is SOOOO I am Number Four."

    So I guess we can only say that everyone has different opinions. Oh, but your review was great; you were able to clearly state the points and characteristics you love about the book.

    BTW, even though I didn't love the book, I still can't wait to read Insurgent. With all the buzz and Insurgent activities, it's hard not to get affected!

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  32. I liked this book cause it was different cause in the couple of Dystopian novels i have read are all the same.

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  33. I am SO excited to read this. And Insurgent! I just started reading dystopian and have read so many great reviews just like THIS ONE! Thanks so much for the wonderful review. You make me want to read it so much more!

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  34. i don't like Tris, i don't hate her either. She's fine. (a bit immature imo. myb she's still young. hmm)

    and i LOVE the violence in this book. Ms. Roth wrote them perfectly! exciting!

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  35. I totally agree with you! This is one of the best books I've ever read! It's fast paced and well written with awesome characters. Four is my absolutely favorite :D

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