 |
 |
January 31, 2014
This book is exactly what you expect it to be. A quick, enjoyable, not too challenging YA novel.
Our heroine Beatrice lives in a future dystopian version of Chicago where there are five factions in which all people live. Each faction represents and lives by a core value. The peaceful interaction between the factions and specific tasks performed by each are the core ways this future society has been formed and how it’s stayed together for so long. Except now, things seem to be shaking apart. And Beatrice is at the age where she must choose a faction, whether that be to stay in her own or jump to another. However, she realizes she’s not completely committed to one faction like most people are. She possesses characteristics of many of them, which makes her DIVERGENT and thus....very dangerous to the system.
The book has plenty of cool action, a well-developed romance, neat futuristic elements, and it’s packed with tough, gung-ho characters. The obvious and appropriate comparison is to “The Hunger Games”. If you liked Katniss’s adventures, I’m sure you’ll dig Beatrice’s exploits.
As I think back on reading this one, I realize I had a bit of a hard time becoming fully immersed and infatuated with the book because I never could decide to which faction I’d belong! A couple seemed possible but not perfect and I just never saw where I fit. Perhaps I’m also...DIVERGENT! And I didn’t absolutely love the character Beatrice so there was little emotional connection for me. On the other hand, I thought Katniss was pretty annoying most of the time, but I still read and enjoyed all three “Hunger Games” books. This series also has two more books - “Insurgent” and “Allegiant”. But I don’t expect to read those unless I catch them on a special price on kindle. I guess that speaks volumes on how I felt about “Divergent”. If you can catch it on a good price and you dig futuristic dystopian novels, definitely go for it!
**I don’t recall much swearing or anything too offensive. Lots of gun play, some killing. There are a few pretty intense bullying scenes. An on-going romance with kissing. Best for mature teens and adults, basically the same audience as “The Hunger Games”.**
Our heroine Beatrice lives in a future dystopian version of Chicago where there are five factions in which all people live. Each faction represents and lives by a core value. The peaceful interaction between the factions and specific tasks performed by each are the core ways this future society has been formed and how it’s stayed together for so long. Except now, things seem to be shaking apart. And Beatrice is at the age where she must choose a faction, whether that be to stay in her own or jump to another. However, she realizes she’s not completely committed to one faction like most people are. She possesses characteristics of many of them, which makes her DIVERGENT and thus....very dangerous to the system.
The book has plenty of cool action, a well-developed romance, neat futuristic elements, and it’s packed with tough, gung-ho characters. The obvious and appropriate comparison is to “The Hunger Games”. If you liked Katniss’s adventures, I’m sure you’ll dig Beatrice’s exploits.
As I think back on reading this one, I realize I had a bit of a hard time becoming fully immersed and infatuated with the book because I never could decide to which faction I’d belong! A couple seemed possible but not perfect and I just never saw where I fit. Perhaps I’m also...DIVERGENT! And I didn’t absolutely love the character Beatrice so there was little emotional connection for me. On the other hand, I thought Katniss was pretty annoying most of the time, but I still read and enjoyed all three “Hunger Games” books. This series also has two more books - “Insurgent” and “Allegiant”. But I don’t expect to read those unless I catch them on a special price on kindle. I guess that speaks volumes on how I felt about “Divergent”. If you can catch it on a good price and you dig futuristic dystopian novels, definitely go for it!
**I don’t recall much swearing or anything too offensive. Lots of gun play, some killing. There are a few pretty intense bullying scenes. An on-going romance with kissing. Best for mature teens and adults, basically the same audience as “The Hunger Games”.**