By Sarah Beningfield
Divergent is the first book in a trilogy by Veronica Roth. It is a young adult dystopian novel, based in Chicago, sometime in the future in an imagined post-apocalyptic world.
In this futuristic world, society is split into five factions – Abnegation (selfless), Dauntless (brave), Erudite (intelligent), Amity (kind) and Candor (honest). Each faction represents a different aptitude or value and the citizens are born into whatever faction their parents choose. However, at the age of 16, the citizens take an aptitude test and are shown which faction they are most suited to. They are then able to choose to stay where they are, or they can change to a different faction.
Tris Prior is born to parents who are part of the Abnegation faction, and when she does her aptitude test, it is revealed that she has an aptitude for three different factions. She is informed by the test administrator that this means she is Divergent, and that it is a highly dangerous thing to be, in the context of this society. Tris has no clue what this means but she listens when she is encouraged to keep this new discovery a secret. She later chooses the Dauntless as her new faction, much to the despair and fury of her parents.
The rest of the novel is packed with action, adventure and of course romance, as Tris attempts to fit in with the fearless and brave Dauntless faction. She discovers what it means to be Divergent, but soon after this discovery she finds out, the hard way, that someone is attempting to destroy all those who are showing signs of divergence.
The novel is gripping, with a story line so believable that you will wish you could join their society and pick a faction. It may be aimed at young adults, but it is brilliant and will have any reader itching to buy the next book in the series.
The book has also recently been adapted for the big screen and the movie version has been a box office hit. I would advise reading the book before hitting the cinema though – the book is always better!
Next book in the Divergent series: Insurgent
Memorable quote:
“I feel like someone breathed new air into my lungs. I am not Abnegation. I am not Dauntless. I am Divergent.”
Readers who would enjoy this: Really anyone who enjoys a good, action-packed novel that will be impossible to put down from start to end.
Other books by this author:
Insurgent
Allegiant
Other books beginning with ‘D’:
Daisy Fay and the Miracle Man – Fannie Flag
Death With Interruptions – Jose Saramago (translated by Margaret Jull Costa)
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