Divergent Book Review

Image from Amazon

In a recent Shopaholic Saturday I bought Divergent by Veronica Roth and slightly proclaimed my love of Young Adult novels. I personally really like them because they are quick and easy to read and aren't as graphic as some "grown up" books. Could you imagine if Hunger Games wasn't edited for the younger crowd?? Those would have been some pretty graphic fight scenes that would have probably caused me nightmares for months!! ANYWAY Divergent falls into the Young Adult category and is a dystopian (aren't THEY taking over the world) novel.

Overview:

Divergent is set in dystopian Chicago which has been divided into 5 Factions. The story follows Beatrice Prior a 16 year old who has to decide if she wants to stay in the Faction she was born in or choose another. Once she has made her choice she has to complete a brutal initiation or risk becoming one of the Factionless (the lower class who are shunned by Faction members). Beatrice struggles with her decision throughout the story and is ultimately faced with a huge challenge that could ruin the "perfect" society that the government has tried to create. 

My Thoughts:

At first I was a little worried that Divergent was going to be a wannabe Hunger Games, however, I kept hearing that it was amazing so I decided to pick up a copy when I was in need of a book to read. It is fast paced and definitely NOT Hunger Games. Beatrice is a character that I know my 16 year old self could have related too. She had to choose between doing what would make her parents and family happy and doing what was best for her, as well as sticking up for whats right or not challenging authority. She's smart and sensitive and ultimately has to decide how she's going to be true to herself.

Naturally there are some comparisons to Hunger Games (dystopian, challenging the government, etc.) but Divergent definitely has a mind of it's own. 

This is the first of a planned trilogy -- the second Insurgent is already out and next in line of books to read!! If you want to see a review of Insurgent let me know in the comments below!Also, let me know if you've read Divergent. What were your thoughts? What are you're feelings on the whole Young Adult novel take over of society? Let me know!!