Divergent

Veronica Roth's Divergent is like a loyal companion that stuck by me during the unpredictable ride of middle school.

Tris Prior's journey felt strangely familiar, like a reflection of my own struggles—moving from vulnerability to discovering an inner strength I never knew existed. Roth crafted Tris into more than just a character; she became someone I looked up to, a personal source of motivation. The whole faction system, sorting people based on traits, hit close to home, echoing my own battles with fitting in.

In the maze of adolescence, Tris's rebellion and acceptance of her divergence felt like a reassuring… show more.

If there’s anyone left in the world who hasn’t already read Divergent, this book review is for you!

I really enjoyed the 1984 Orwellian undercurrent to this YA dystopian series: Governments colluding, suppressing information, and covering things up; it did something to rally my inner dissident. 

The premise of being tasked with training inside your fear landscape seemed undeniably original back then, and even the factions that people were forced to conform to were fascinatingly apt. 

Regardless of the above, it’s not the worst fictional universe to hang out in, given the pages dedicated to the mysterious Four, and maybe… show more.

As a former teacher, I loved the idea of the aptitude test, but of course this test is different.

Divergent follows the story of Tris, who has a choice to make among the different factions of her nation. I love this plot. I also enjoyed the twist and turns of the day of her choosing. I might not have been brave as her. LOL.

Also, I appreciate that Tris and Four had a slow-burn romance. The world felt believable, and Tris learns her decisions can bring consequences, not just to herself but also to those she cares about. Sometimes we… show more.

In Divergent, every teen has to take a test and be placed into one of 5 “factions” depending on their skills or personality. Beatrice (Tris) gets Dauntless – the cool one – with bold tattooed heroes and lots of fighting. But as she struggles to find her place and face her fears, she learns the truth about the flawed system and her place within it.

Divergent may not be on some YA reader’s list, but I believe the story pushes the limits in a unique way.

Veronica Roth takes a fresh approach to a dystopian world rooted in themes such as segregation and choice—which are issues facing today’s culture. Determining ones values involves decisions which set the course for one’s future.

Choosing honesty, bravery, kindness, selflessness, envy, revenge, or selfish control define who we will become.

In Divergent, Tris, Tobias, Caleb, and others will have to make choices for themselves. Each will face moments of selflessness and courage when they follow their heart—with good… show more.

One of my favorite sci-fi novels is Divergent. Her exploration into phobias and the depth of the futuristic world she created was fascinating to read about. I have said in the past if readers like Divergent, they would like my book. I definitely found some inspiration in this classic sci-fi. It is absolutely worth the read.

The faction system in the book, and series, is brilliant and I think most people would find their place and live quite comfortably. I identified as a Divergent and I believe it represents a number of creatives and intuitives that are popping up in society today. Though this book is a few years old, it has never been more relevant. Teens are changing the world by insisting on inclusion, diversity, and adaptability. They are so fluid and open; the older generations should really wake up and pay attention. There are millions of Triss Priors out there!

Veronica Roth’s dystopian novel takes place in a futuristic Chicago divided into five societal factions. While it is an alternate reality in Chicago, the Windy City is not a backdrop to Roth’s trilogy, but a living, vital part of the story. As Tris Prior navigates how she fits into the world, a new Chicago comes to life. The five factions meet at The Hub (Willis Tower), characters routinely hitch rides on the L, and scenes unfold at dystopic versions of Navy Pier, the Hancock Building, and The Bean. The Midwest’s biggest city is so infused throughout Divergent, that the… show more.

I love strong female protagonists and Tris doesn’t disappoint. I love when she does the same physically demanding stunts the guys do without batting an eye. What a tough cookie! I didn’t mind the romance, but that’s not really my thing. The story was intriguing enough to make me wonder what had happened to create this world, and I was always rooting for Tris to find out answers to the questions she had.