Divergent by Veronica Roth

Synopsis: In Beatrice Prior's dystopian Chicago world, 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 alongside her fellow initiates to live out the choice they have made. Together they must undergo extreme physical tests of endurance and intense psychological simulations, some with devastating consequences. As initiation transforms them all, Tris must determine who her friends really are--and where, exactly, a romance with a sometimes fascinating, sometimes exasperating 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 unrest and growing conflict that threaten to unravel her seemingly perfect society, Tris also learns that her secret might help her save the ones she loves . . . or it might destroy her.

My thoughts: Meh. This one was a little complicated because while it didn’t catch me very much, I finished this book in three days. So, it’s kind of a dilemma here. This book reminds me so much of Hunger Games, from the time when the story happens – in a post-War U.S. where chaos is so strong and balance so delicate that only with a “tyrannical” or a righteous government will survive – to the main character – a strong willed girl – but it still had some subtle differences: comparing the first novel of both – because that’s what I’ve read so far – HG, despite the gruesome part of the deaths of the tributes, isn’t as visceral as in Divergent, because in this time she sees all the blood and loss on her party – I’m not going to tell who dies that is related to her, but it is still pretty strong.

Also in comparison, I think that Divergent is much better written than HG. I’m sorry, but this one isn’t only about what is on her head, all the abstraction. It’s still there, but not so explicit as in HG; in Divergent there was more talking, more activity and dynamic, making this one not that tiresome. It gives you some insight that aren’t only for the book, but actually for the future. For example: don’t ever settle for one thing or another; don’t let people label you, you can belong and fell belonged anywhere you want; don’t let anyone influence on your decision, but whatever you choose, face the consequences, no matter what they are.

As usual, I liked the strong girl character. I think it gives a good image to stimulate girls to be strong and face their fears. I started to enjoy this book near the end; before that It was in a bit of a slow motion, even though it had some pretty fearsome parts: like, jumping from a roof into a gigantic dark hole and maybe death.

It was predictable at some parts – like, I already knew who Four was before Tris figured that out – but all-in-all it wasn’t such a bad thing. I liked the ending and I’m looking forward to read the sequel. My only worry is that because writers discovered this gold mine, this goose of golden eggs – because, guys, these books sold like water, especially to YA readers – they won’t try to innovate it, and keep the same modus operanti as the writers from historical romances do – especially the ones who likes to write about Jane Austen’s era. Please, please, don’t do that! Don’t kill another book gender because of greed!

Rate:

and a half