2012: #1 Divergent

Title: Divergent

Author: Veronica Roth

Format: Paperback

Pages: 496

Release Date: May 3, 2011

Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books

Source: Personal Copy

My Thoughts:
I could not put this book down. I read about 3 chapters during IDR (Independent Daily Reading) with my 9th graders on a Friday, and to be honest, I kind of forgot about the book. Then, on the following on Monday I had jury duty. I brought this book along and finished the entire thing within 4 hours.

It is fast-paced and very easy to understand. Despite the fact that Roth is constructing an entirely new society, the breakdown of characters and her "faction" was easy to grasp.

Along the similar lines of The Hunger Games trilogy, Divergent is set in futuristic North America (Chicago). Rather than states, the country is broken into 5 factions that each believe a particular human trait is to blame for the failure of society. Our main character, Beatrice, was born into the Abnegation faction that sees selflessness as the cure for human kind. Abnegations saw people from before as being selfish; therefore, society could not function properly.


At the opening of the book, Beatrice is faced with a tough decision: stay with her family in Abnegation, or transfer to a new faction. To aide kids in their decisions, tests are given to them to determine their subconscious tendencies. Typically, these tests will show that you belong more with one faction than any other. In Beatrice's case, however, she does not clearly fit into one. She is divergent, which we come to find is dangerous and basically a death sentence, should anyone find out.

This first book in the trilogy follows Beatrice in her journey to discovering who she really is, all the while unearthing some starting revelations about the only world she has ever known.

Seriously.. I could not stop reading. Divergent pairs action, danger, and romance beautifully. Roth is able to give us "eek" moments followed by passionate and heated exchanges between hormonal teens fighting for their lives.

What really fascinates me about this book, apart from its awesome plot lines, is the additional information Roth offers up in the back. Along with quizzes to determine what faction YOU are, Roth gives us insight into the inspiration for the novel, which surprisingly was phobias! The research she put into understanding fears and human nature is evident in the well-constructed tasks the initiates take part in, as well as Roth's descriptions of the factions and their founders.

Second in the series is Insurgent (review coming soon!), and the third book is due in early 2013. People speculate it will be title Convergent, but time will only tell.

Movie rights have been purchased for this book, so look for a trailer soon!

Book Trailer: 

Until next time, happy reading!
KF