I knew from the beginning that I would have trouble writing a decent review for this book, or rather, present a review that brings
anything new to the stands. Because really? All that stuff you've read about
Divergent up until now? All. True. In many cases, hype actually leads people to amazing books, such is the case with
Divergent.
In
Divergent, Veronica Roth depicts a "futuristic" world where people are entitled to a choice as to what kind of life they will live. However, there are only 5 choices, each faction abiding by their own rules and static lifestyles based on a different virtue. Beatrice Prior has lived the first 16 years within the asphyxiating walls of the Abnegation faction (the selfless), so when her aptitude test results suggest possible change, will she decide to leave all that she has known for something more exciting?
(this rhetorical question fails, because if you read on you'll know what she does :P)
Sigh. This whole book is just
SOLID. Roth has strung this book so tightly; not one word is out of place. It's just perfect. I wish I could just end this review right here, but I suppose some rationale is in order, to express why
this book is the bomb and that everyone should just stop reading this horrendous review (haha) and
PRE-ORDER Divergent!!!
(link directs to Fishpond, pricing at AU $14~)
Really? Please, don't
read any more reviews of this book. The less you know about it, the better. With that out of the way, I implore you to continue reading at your own risk.
Divergent is so
well-paced; it is so refreshing to read a book where I didn't
have to read the next chapter to finish the book, but rather, I couldn't
not continue reading. This book was unlike anything I've ever read before. I've read a few dystopians before, and while some of the foundations are familiar,
Roth has created a completely original world, with this idea of factions and CHOICE determining how you live your life, in a place that seems to work really well, until it turns out that it's just as flawed as our society.
Normally character development will either make or break a book, and I'm glad to say that
I loved the characters. They were all
distinct from one another, considering the larger than average "cast", and for that I am so grateful. Not only were they individual:
I found myself relating to their situations somehow; I laughed aloud at their interactions among themselves; I cried or gasped or gaped when something bad happened to a character. I'm being vague so as not to give anything away. I will acknowledge, though, that near the ending, I was so wrapped up in the action and adrenaline rushing through in the scenes, that some of that emotional impact is lost, just a bit (people who have read it already will know what I mean).
Beatrice "Tris" Prior, at the beginning, is a Stiff, just trying to face a new world outside her sheltered home, trying to prove to everyone and herself that she's capable of being Dauntless. Tris is strong and powerful even in her shortcomings and modest demeanour. She's able to adapt to circumstances, be concerned about who she is, stubborn about what she thinks she can be, leaving indelible imprints in my mind even after I turned the last page. Really, just a delightful protagonist, and though she makes so many crappy decisions, she's still got that likeability to her that's hard to resist.
The romances are not starcrossed! Hallelujah. The relationship between Tris and X (it's obvious once you read) is a slow progression, built upon a form of dysfunctional equals, which is hard to put in actual coherent words. X is strict, brave and intelligent, but also has weaknesses and faults. Their relationship feels real, and I just
love that while X is older than Tris, he is not just looking to hook up. Underneath all the tough exterior, he's actually almost sweet. Another relationship, between Tris' new best friend, and their mutual friend also runs along similar lines, and may hold even stronger emotional bonds to it. But I'll leave that to you to find out. ;)
The words in
Divergent just
oozes down the page: easy to read, even on a rough day, and this is a class example of
quality writing within the YA genre.
The end of
Divergent is just explosion after explosion. The whole book was such a ride, so hard to keep away from, but the last 100 pages? Even moreso. I was gasping and almost tearing-up left and center, so lost in the moments that I barely took the time to blink. Energy surges through this book, from start to finish. Oh, this book was just what I needed.
I'm SO glad that it is a part of a series! There are at least 2 more coming! Join me in my excitement by squealing of delight! :D
