Kaitlyn Turner Staff Writer
“Divergent,” the first novel written by Veronica Roth, eclipses nearly all other teen fiction novels currently on the shelves.
Roth provides a fast-paced read revolving around a strong female character set in a dystopian society—much like the author of the critically acclaimed series “The Hunger Games.”
Beatrice Prior, the main character, lives in a futuristic Chicago. At the age of 16, the people of this future take an aptitude test and choose a faction to live in for the rest of their lives based on what trait suits them a best.
There are five factions, each of which occupy a different part of the city. These are: the Erudite, who value knowledge; the Amity, who value peacefulness; the Candor, who value honesty; the Abnegation, who value selflessness; and the Dauntless, who value bravery. The factions were created to ‘keep the peace,’ which is a key if not contradictory factor in the events to come.
When Beatrice, from Abnegation, was tested to find out what faction she’d be best in, it was discovered that she was an anomaly—instead of having an aptitude for one faction, she had tested suitable for three. This anomaly is what earns Beatrice the undesirable label of divergent. Her lack of a definitive answer allows her to switch factions to Dauntless, prompting her name change to “Tris”.
Due to her Divergence, Tris has to hide from the formerly unknown evils of her society. The city that Tris thought was peaceful and perfectly functioning is filled with corrupt leaders and “accidental” deaths of other Divergents, simply because they can’t be controlled with the serums the government uses against the population.
Tris could be able to end the brewing conflicts that threaten to destroy her old life and everyone in it.
The book is filled with insane action and heart-breaking accidents, all of which make it difficult to put down. Not one chapter lacks excitement. I give it 5 stars.
Other books in the “Divergent” series, “Insurgent” and “Allegiant,” are just as great, if not better, than “Divergent.” Readers can see these reviews in the future at pcdpinnacle.com.
