Book Review: Divergent Series
Divergent came to the big screen last March and while I intended to read the book before I saw the movie, with school and work that just didn't happen. It made it to my summer reading list and I finished the entire series.
Read it! If you're skimming for the short answer, my recommendation is to read this series. It's a 8.5/10, would recommend.
The main series is three books, Divergent, Insurgent, and Allegiant.
The story takes place in world where war has torn apart the rest of the planet and what is left of humanity live in the dystopian Chicago area surrounded by a giant fence. These people are divided into five factions or groups, each with a defining personality characteristic and position in society. The factions are Dauntless, fearless warriors who protect the city and act as police, Erudite, seekers of knowledge that work as scientists to create things to better their society, Candor, who speak the truth and act as judges, Abnegation who think of common good and run the government, and finally, Amity, believing in peaceful harmony as they farm the land and provide food for the whole society.
Now everyone at the age of 16 takes a test to figure out which faction they belong to. The main character, Tris, takes her test and finds out that she is Divergent, meaning that she has the traits of multiple factions. She chooses to leave her life in Abnegation to join Dauntless. There she learns to fight and falls in love with a boy named Four. Throughout the series you see their relationship develop and change with the tragedies that occur. The faction system breaks down in the first book leading is a massive upheaval throughout the society, the second book explores each faction in greater detail as they try to rebuild, and the final book -- leads to exploration beyond the city.
The series is exceptionally well written and enjoyable. As an avid reader I have read many books in which I could predict what would happen form beginning to end. Divergent is not like this at all. It has a uniqueness that keeps you wondering and plot twists you'll never see coming.
As a fair warning, the ending will not follow the path you want it to.
If you want more of the back story to Divergent I would recommend reading Four: A Divergent Collection which was released in early July of this year. It is not a continuation but a prequel to the main series from the perspective of Four.
All of the books I'd recommend with an average total score of 8.5/10!
My name is Maria Benjamin and I'm studying communications at the University of Michigan. My favorite actor is Tom Hiddleston and I love chocolate covered strawberries. Thanks for reading and follow me on twitter @janusajax or on tumblr if you get a chance. Want to read more of my posts? Click here!
