Divergent (Divergent #1) by Veronica Roth

In Beatrice Prior's dystopian Chicago, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue—Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). On an appointed day of every year, all sixteen-year-olds must select the faction to which they will devote the rest of their lives. For Beatrice, the decision is between staying with her family and being who she really is—she can't have both. So she makes a choice that surprises everyone, including herself.

During the highly competitive initiation that follows, Beatrice renames herself Tris and struggles to determine who her friends really are—and where, exactly, a romance with a sometimes fascinating, sometimes infuriating boy fits into the life she's chosen. But Tris also has a secret, one she's kept hidden from everyone because she's been warned it can mean death. And as she discovers a growing conflict that threatens to unravel her seemingly perfect society, she also learns that her secret might help her save those she loves… or it might destroy her.

Okay, I finally got to read this book and see what all the fuss is about. I have to admit the fuss was pretty accurate. I really enjoyed this book and the almost 500 pages just flew by for me.

In the book Tris is who we follow in this adventure. I really did like Tris, but found her quite difficult and almost too stubborn at times. She was smart, but sometimes you just wanted to shake her to make sure some of those braincells were working. Granted she was in a completely new world and discovering how to think for herself, so I can understand why it took her so long to finally start to take someone else's advice. Still... it frustrated me from time to time. So, I'm glad her counter was Four. I really enjoyed his character and can't wait for more of him. Of course this also means that those who crave romance within these adventures won't be sorry. ;)

The world is in a sense a typical dystopian. Formed out of fear, and ruled by that fear. In this one you have factions and the faction-less which reminded me of a caste system. One, once chosen, becomes your family and station in life. What makes this dystopian and other successful dystopians is that it sometimes hits close to home and you can see it happening in society today if we let fear win. Think of the labels we place on others and then on ourselves. Think of how hard it is to shake a label once it is placed. It is just in this world, the definitions are more clearly defined.

I give this book 4 stars. The book ends with a bang. The ending isn't a cliffie, but I guarantee you will be wanting the next one ASAP.

I was given this book by the lovely Ashley of The Bookish Brunette. Now do I hug her or curse her for given me another series to covet? ;) HUG!!