Divergent by Veronica Roth

Summary: 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 was lucky enough to get a chance to read this book a little early. And I know it’s super teasery of me to post this review a little over a month before the book gets released, but I want you all to be on the lookout for it when it comes out!

Okay, now on to the review:

When it comes to dystopian novels/trilogies, everyone’s searching for the next big series, right? In Divergent, I think debut author Veronica Roth did an excellent job of living up to the job of creating something new and exciting that people are going to seriously love.

I went into the book doing my very best not to expect anything. I wasn’t looking to be blown away, but I have to admit, I was. Once I started reading, I didn’t want to put it down (and I didn’t, until I realized it was 6AM and I was fighting to keep my eyes open).

Some dystopian novels I’ve tried to read were instant turn-offs because they were trying too hard for that edge. Roth’s world is simple, but that didn’t make it any less exciting. For pretty much the entire book (and it’s a big one) I was on the edge of my seat. It was intense, filled with action and excitement and of course, love.

Beatrice has lived her entire life as part of a faction that prides itself on selflessness. But in her world, when you turn sixteen, you have an important choice to make.

Remain where you are, or switch factions?

All her life she’s been taught not to expect anything, not to ask for anything and to appreciate what little she has. So, when it comes time for her to make her choice and decide where she’ll go in the future, she’s certain she’ll remain where she’s always been; doing what she’s always done.

That is, until the day before her choosing when she learns something about herself that pushes her to make a decision in the heat of the moment that isn’t at all what anyone expected.

Suddenly she finds herself in a new place, with people she doesn’t know, and is forced to reevaluate everything she knows about herself.

The chain of events that Beatrice’s choice sets off will keep you turning pages to find out what happens next. The action pretty much does not stop, and Tris is right at the heart of it – fighting boys, shooting guns and eventually saving lives.

She makes a transformation from beginning to end. Growing and discovering who she’s actually meant to be. She faces her biggest fears and learns how to stand up for herself in a world where it doesn’t matter if you’re male or female in a fight.

For someone who’s lived their entire life thinking of others first, it’s not easy for her to start thinking of Tris as number one. She makes a few friends though, people who help her with that, because they’re going through the same thing she is.

And then there’s Four… Oh, let me swoon for a second. He was definitely one of the great things about this book. He’s all mysterious and tattoo’d and pierced. And, well, in the beginning… he’s not very nice. At least, that’s the way it seems… The mystery behind him will definitely draw you in, because the boy’s got some secrets you’re gonna want to know. Trust me.

In the end… I found my heart pumping, my eyes wet and I had to stop myself from going back to the beginning and reading it all over again. As far as I’m concerned, Roth did it right. I can’t wait to see what she has in store for these characters next!

Divergent will be in stores on May 3, 2011!

In the meantime, head on over to Facebook for an exclusive video and excerpt from the book! Or check out the other reviews over on Goodreads!

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