Back
Veronica Roth: Divergent (2011, Katherine Tegen) 4 stars

‘Divergent’ is the first in a trilogy of dystopian, YA novels by Veronica Roth. The …

Review of 'Divergent' on 'Goodreads'

4 stars

Well, there goes pacing myself for bookclub. YA dystopian books seem incredibly popular, probably brought on by the success of Hunger Games. Divergent reminded me of it quite a bit, yet it is very different.

The basic premise is that there are different factions that live in a dystopian Chicago. The main character, the very compelling Tris, doesn't quite seem to fit in with her own faction, the selfless Abnegation who basically form the government, and decides to join another faction when she turns 16. Her initiation into the new faction, her contacts with the other initiates, some good folks, some very bad, and the overlying story arc of factions on the brink of war, are very fast-paced, full of action, and interesting story turns.

The only thing I probably did not care for all that much was the love story part. That was a bit too sickening sweet and did not always make sense to me.

Still, a very solid 4 stars, and I cannot wait for Insurgent now, to find out how the story continues. Very cliffhangery end!