Divergent by Veronica Roth

Publication date: May 3, 2011
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books
Pages: 487

   Beatrice's dystopian world is divided into factions that emphasize the qualities they value most. There is Amity (the peaceful), Candor (the honest), Dauntless (the brave), Erudite (the intellegient), and Abnegation (the selfless). The day is coming up in which she must decide which faction she wants to join. But her test results that help determine which one she would fit in come inconclusive. She is a Divergent. She is warned to keep this a secret, or terrible things would happen.
  
   When the time comes, she renames herself Tris and chooses Dauntless. Even after surviving a cut-throat, bloody initiation ceremony, she soon comes to discover there are things surfacing that could destory her perfect society. It could threaten countless people and disturb the illusion of peace...and she can help stop it.

   I have heard a lot of good things about this book. When I picked it up, I was a skeptic. But HOLY MOLY this was a good book! I fell in love with everything about it! The well built characters, the story, the writing, the romance, the action, and the suspense.
   
   Tris was a kick- butt character, and you can't help but do anything but root for her. She is really strong and survives against all odds and shows everyone that she is not to be underestimated. I love underdog stories, and hers fits in perfectly. No one would believe the only transfer from Abnegation, "the Stiffs", would even be able to make it through the first round. Her determination and strong will is something to really look up to.
 
  I also really liked the society Veronica Roth has created. It is still your dystopian society (read: corrupted), but in brought to life in a totally new way. It also proved to me how no matter how hard anyone tries, there is no perfect society.
   
   The author really knows how to capture the reader's interest! It is packed page to page with action and suspense. She traps me in her fictional world through every part, and I would inwardly sigh every time I had to put it down! If you like the Hunger Games, you will probably fall head over heels for this one. (But don't let that lead you to the thought that they are alike! They are unique and wonderful in their own ways!) If you wait as long as I have to read this, you just may want to berate yourself for not picking this up any sooner! The sequel, Insurgent, comes out in May. (YES, MAY! I CAN'T WAIT THAT LONG! Wish me luck!)

-Palak
Plot: 5/5 stars
Cover: 4/5 stars