Divergent

Divergent

by Veronica Roth

In the future, the people are separated into five distinct and different factions.  Candor see the world in black and white and always tell the truth.  Erudite live to learn and prize information above all things.  Amity live to be happy and joyful.  Dauntless respect only the brave and love danger and fighting. Abnegation sacrifice everything for the good of all.

Beatrice has lived in the Abnegation faction her entire life, but she's never felt like she belongs.  She's not nearly as giving as her parents and her brother has always been kinder than she.  But now she's turning 16 and she has a choice to make.  She can choose to stay with Abnegation and spend her life living selflessly for others or she can become Dauntless and learn a more physically demanding life, but one that does not force you to give up comfort... or love.

As she struggles with figuring out who and what she is, she also finds herself having to fight against the world around her... a world that is not as ordered and orderly as it seems.

Final thoughts: I got this as an ARC from the ALA Midwinter Conference and I've got to say that I am sooo glad I didn't have to wait for this book!  While I've worried over the new trend in dystopian YA fiction, this one is totally worth checking out and possibly keeping by your side for always and ever.  I LOVE this book.  Beatrice (Tris) is such a real character.  She's full of conflicting feelings and emotions, but her real personality is always true and constant.  She's a cross between Katniss's badassness (The Hunger Games) and Cassia's honesty and love (Matched). The romance is awesome.  The story is strong.  The only bad thing is that it is the first of a trilogy, so now I have to wait for the next book.  Completely wonderful and fantastic.

Rating: 5/5