The Divergent series has taken the world by storm. Well, it has taken the teen world by storm. Once again, I gave in and read a Young Adult novel series. I'm still proud that I resisted Twilight, but I can't make fun because I loved the Hunger Games. Veronica Roth's series was the latest sensation that, like the Hunger Games, takes place in a dystopian society with a brave female heroine.
The premise: in a futuristic Chicago, society is divided into 5 factions, each representing a different virtue. The Abnegation value selflessness, Candor value truth, Erudite are scholars, Amity want peace, and Dauntless are brave to the point of recklessness. At age 16, everyone takes a test to determine which faction they are best suited for and then decide at the choosing ceremony which faction to make their new home. In her aptitude test, Beatrice Prior learns she is Divergent and could fit into several different factions. She is warned that if anyone finds out about her Divergence she could be in danger so at the choosing ceremony she leaves her Abnegation family and pledges her allegiance to the Dauntless.
The first book focuses on Tris trying to prove herself to her new daring faction and culminates with the strife between two factions coming to a head in a catastrophic way. It's hard not to get sucked into the story as the "perfect" society begins to unravel. I thought the romance aspect was a little too in-your-face, but at least it veered away from the love triangle formula used by other trilogies in this category. I can't wait to see the movie version when it hits theaters next month!
3 out of 5 stars.
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