I don't even know where to begin with my love of this book. I first read Divergent on September 3, 2011. Yes, I read it in one day I just couldn't put it down. And since then I have read twice more, once in April of 2012 and then again in March of 2013. Three reads, one day to read the book each time, it is that good. I don't even remember to eat when I'm reading it that's how wrapped up I get even knowing how it will end. Really there is no other word to describe Divergent other than masterful. It's simple masterful! 
 Divergent is a story that takes place in dystopian Chicago about 16 year old Beatrice Prior. The world has been divided into five factions and when kids are 16 they must take an aptitude test to determine if they should stay in the faction they were born into or choose a new one. Beatrice struggles with her decision and when she makes a choice she is faced with a highly challenging initiation that she must complete in order to not end up factionless. She changes her name to Tris and embarks on a journey that will not only change her but the world around her and everyone she knows, including her hot trainer Four that she can't seem to get out of her head. When it comes down to it Tris will have some tough decisions to make and the world's fate may just rest of her tiny shoulders. 
 FAN-FREAKING-TASTIC! Roth wrote a genius novel about typical teenage thoughts and emotions and threw them into this amazing dystopian Chicago and made it all believable! Every single page had meaning in it and completely enthralls a reader. Because when you look at the bare basics of the story, take out the factions, take out "Chicago" take out initiations and all you have is a teenage girl that is growing up. Brave at times, selfish at times, uncertain at times. You have Tris that is skittish around boys and around her feelings and her emotions. You have a girl that grows into her own skin. You have a typical teenager. And really I think that is why I part of me Tris so much. Sure she is strong but she is vulnerable and is unsure of her place anywhere which is what teens go through on a daily basis. Basically Tris' experience in the initiation as a hardcore puberty/growing-up and it is pure awesomeness! One of the best female leads in a book by far. Very few compare to her in my eyes and that is a testament to Roth's talent. 
 Now in every good book where there is a good female lead you need a good male to counter the female. And let me tell you Divergent isn't lacking with the perfect counter for Tris. Ah Four...he just makes me want to sigh and smile and be hugged by him. Absolutely perfect male lead for this series. I honestly can't think of anything better than him for a book of this caliber. He is definitely tough and a hard shell to crack, but when that shell is cracked you can tell he cares with his whole heart because he really is a softy but had to make himself to survive. His interactions with Tris are so fired with energy you kind of need to fan yourself even if nothing is going on. It's hard to write chemistry and yet that is exactly what Roth has done for these remarkable characters. 
 And did I mention the story and the action? There is something going on at every corner whether it be the physicality of the initiation, the drama of the initiates, or the navigation of relationships. There is never a dull moment but there also isn't any clutter either. Sure a lot is happening at once but it is paced in a way that makes sense and lays out the story and series in the best way possible. Even in an end that could have seem abrupt in some books, appears to be even paced and well thought out. 
 Basically Divergent is one big gush fest of awesome! Veronica Roth is awesome! Tris is awesome! Four is awesome! The secondary characters that aren't all secondary are awesome! Divergent is awesome! Like I said, one big love fest of awesome. NOW READ IT IF YOU HAVEN'T!