Divergent, by Veronica Roth

 

At first, I didn't think I was going to enjoy this novel, because the choosing ceremony reminded me too much of Lois Lowry's The Giver, but it didn't take long for me to change my mind. I was quickly drawn into the action, into Beatrice's dilemma, and into her relationships with the people around her.

I appreciated how the author represented all five factions without favoritism. All five had positive and negative traits, allowing readers to decide which faction best represented their values. I found myself contemplating which faction I would choose. My initial thought was Euridite, because I love seeking knowledge, but I wonder if my love for peace is greater, putting me in Amity. I would definitely not choose Abnegation or Dauntless! Not sure about Candor, either.

Although the action was gripping, the relationships between the characters are what kept me reading. Roth really knows how to draw her characters and make them real. In fact, as much as I loved The Hunger Games, I think I enjoyed this story more because of that, and I can't wait to read Insurgent.