Friday, June 14, 2013

Divergent by Veronica Roth



Divergent by Veronica Roth
Reviewed by Siobhan G.

Who are you? This is the question Divergent, by Veronica Roth, forces you to ask yourself. In a distopian future, Beatrice Prior must ask herself the same question, and it will determine her whole future. For in this new world, when you turn sixteen, your life changes. You are forced to choose one of the five factions. Abnegation-for selflessness, Dauntless-for bravery, Amity-for peace, Candor-for honesty, and Erudite-for intelligence. It’s of the utmost  importance to remember: Faction Above All. To be factionless is a fate worse than death. Beatrice must ask herself weather she want to stay in the Abnegation faction, with her family, or the Dauntless faction, which she’s always been curious about and feels she belongs. Though before choosing, you must be prepared. There is a aptitude test. This will test your mental functions to tell you which faction the computer thinks you are most suited for.  Beatrice isn’t very nervous about the aptitude test. She doesn’t think her outcome will affect her choice. For now, she is most concerned about choosing her faction. Beatrice has never really been a selfless person, at least not in the eyes of the Abnegation. Her curiosity and natural instincts of self-preservation always got in the way. And you know what they say “Faction before family”. Which would be so much easier for her to believe, if she didn’t have the tiny seed of selflessness buried deep inside her.    
    As the aptitude test rolled along, more pressure was upon her. Beatrice cautiously walked into a mirror filled room, and sat in a dentist like chair. Then blackness. When she awoke her test administrator warned her of her Divergence. That she must not tell a soul. But why? Was Divergence something to be ashamed of, or afraid of? Suddenly her choice of faction was more crucial than ever. Will Beatrice survive her Divergence?
    I loved this book. It was intense and exciting. The author always kept a fast pace so the book was never boring. It was almost as if the book had engulfed you into the story. For example the choosing ceremony. I was glued to the pages as Beatrice walked on stage and chose her faction. After reading the book I realized how much freedom we have. We live in a world where everyone can express their opinions and have their own values. Whereas in Divergent the characters are deprived of this right. I would recommend this book to teens and young adults looking for an action/adventure book.

Honnorable mention books:
  • Insurgent by Veronica Roth (second book of the Divergent series)
  • Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
Out of my Mind by Sharon Draper

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