Ratings: 5/5
Synopsis: In Beatrice Prior's dystopian Chicago, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to particular virtue - Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and the 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.
Review: Sorry for the comparison, but Divergent largely remind me of The Hunger Games because that is one of the few dystopian book I've read. But I think Divergent brings something new to the table anyway, and Roth's writing style differed from Collins, so the comparison didn't hover in my mind whilst I was reading.
Now I understand what all the hullabaloo about Four was. He does sound fantastic and hot and just ideal. I half related to Tris, but not so much. I was able to relate to that wanting to be proper and good all the time but just couldn't. I could not relate, however, to her strength and ability to kill. I don't think I am strong or brave enough for that.
After reading, I couldn't help but which faction I'd choose if I lived in that world. I liked Erudite because I do like to learn. And I also liked Candor because I value honesty. But of the five factions, I will go for Dauntless, because I think they're the faction that teaches you to be most self-reliant and how to carry on.
All in all, Divergent was a nice surprise, and I think actually added value to my reading experience. I do love to venture in other categories/genres but I like it to take it slowly. My experience with The Hunger Games and Divergent has so far been good so I think I am going to read more of the same books.
Have you read Divergent? Which faction do you think you belong to or will choose to be part of?