Find my reviews on Blogger ~ Reviews by Bookish Sarah 
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 For me, Divergent was like walking out of your front door to a sunny Spring morning after months of gloomy days filled with pouring rain. So much of the YA books I have chosen to read lately have been monotonous, boring, or just so-so books that leave me wanting. Thank you, Veronica Roth, for this novel. I was a late-comer to the brilliance that is Divergent, but I am here now. 
 Where? Chicago. When? Hell if I know. Why? No flippin' idea, and I don't really care. 
 Picture this: Post-apocalyptic Chicago. Society has divided into five factions in order to avoid war in the future. Amity: The Peaceful, Candor: The Honest, Dauntless: The Brave, Erudite: The Intelligent, and Abnegation: The Selfless. Each was cultivated to symbolize the different reasons the founders of these factions believed to be behind war and ultimately the downfall of past civilization(s). 
 On an appointed day each year, 16 year olds are to select which faction they are going to pledge and devote the rest of their lives to. It's not to be taken lightly - and once you choose, you can never go back. 
 For our protagonist, Beatrice ("Tris") Prior, that day is now. Tris is nervous and afraid, torn and confused. She wants to stay with her family in Abnegation, but doesn't feel that she is as devoted to being selfless as the rest of her family. It all comes down this: sacrificing who she is to be with her family, or living a life apart from them to let her true self shine through. When the time to choose is finally upon Tris, her choice surprises everyone (including herself). 
 In the midst of the initiation/training process and learning to make it on her own (with the help of some friends and a love interest), Tris learns things she never expected to. The society that has always seemed flawless from the outside is cracking open from the inside. Pretty soon, secrets and lies are spewing out like a geyser. Tris has been keeping a secret of her own; a secret that could be her only hope for survival. It's time to take a stand. 
 "I have a theory that selflessness and bravery aren't all that different." 
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 I've had this book on my to-read list for ages. I pushed it further and further back until last month. It was recommended to me by oodles of people. It's won awards. I see it all over the place! In January I had a giveaway on my blog for some of my favorite reads of 2011, and I asked my entrants what their favorite read of 2011 was. After looking at every single entry, I can say without a doubt that about 75% of them said Divergent by Veronica Roth. So I couldn't put it off any longer. It was time, and I am so glad I finally got around to it! I was totally missing out! 
 I have seen this book compared to The Hunger Games about 1,000 times. I agree, it's got that essence, maybe blended with a little bit of Matched, but altogether different. I won't compare Divergent to THG and say one was better than the other, because honestly, they are both amazing for their own reasons and although they have the same feel to them, they are much too different. 
 Romance. When I was about halfway through Divergent, I began to wonder. I knew there was supposed to be a romance storyline going on somewhere... but I was terribly confused as to who, what, when, where, and why. I thought it was Al, Will, Peter, or Four. It wasn't clear for a long time (for me anyway) who it was going to be. I hadn't read any reviews in-depth enough to know who it was. I try to avoid spoilers at all costs. Anyway, back to my point... Once I finally knew who it was for sure, and it progressed into something more intense, I was completely enthralled with this couple. The air between them was crackling with tension of all sorts. There was a very raw, very passionate feel to their relationship. I have to say, I don't think I've ever been so fangirly over a hero out of a YA book before. Er, YUM! 
 The characters were simply amazing. Multi-dimensional, inspiring, and genuine. It was easy to feel the emotions each one was experiencing all throughout the book. Ms. Roth has quite a way with words and details. She is absolutely genius. 
 The plot was a perfect blend of action, suspense, romance, and soul. The pace was amazing! I am always worried with books over 350-ish pages long (especially when it's the first in a series) that I am going to see a lull in the pace. Thankfully, Ms. Roth knows what she is doing. It was nearly impossible for me to put this one down. I read it for hours one day and then my husband forced me to stop to run an errand (I almost cried, I tell you!), so I ended up staying up til something like 5AM to finish it. It was definitely worth losing sleep. :) 
 The climax and ending were amazingly well done. It wasn't a terribly evil cliffhanger. I had just the perfect amount of satisfaction with how it all came to a head. I think this would be a great stand-alone novel just as much as the first in a series. 
 All in all, I think you need to read this book. I don't care who you are, what you normally read, what bad you may have heard, just read it. Veronica Roth gave us an amazing debut with a powerfully moving message. It's entertaining, fun, filled with meaning and emotion. It's unique, but everything you could want in a YA dystopian. The romance and action will leave you begging for more. It was certainly the case for me! I was upset that I had to wait for Insurgent before I even finished Divergent. I could tell from the very beginning that this would end up on my favorites shelf. Now... is it May yet? 
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 Book source: Personal collection 
 Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books/HarperCollins