My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I’m writing this review after rereading Divergent by Veronica Roth for the second time. Nothing beats the high of reading a book for the first time, but there is a sort of respect when you know where it’s headed.
Divergent is one of those novels that you think about for weeks after you’ve read the last line. It makes for a fantastic discussion with friends and other readers.
Beatrice Prior lives in a society divided into five factions, each based upon a facet of one’s personality (selflessness, intelligence, bravery, honesty, and kindness).
Beatrice is a member of Abnegation, which values selflessness, but after she turns 16 she is required to take an aptitude test and to decide which faction she’d like to spend the rest of her life. She could choose to remain with her family, or leave them behind forever. The results of her aptitude test aren’t very helpful. Beatrice is Divergent, which means she shows aptitude for more than one faction. Divergence is dangerous, because Beatrice can’t be controlled.
Her decision to transfer into Dauntless, the faction that values bravery, is the catalyst for everything that follows. She assumes a new identity, but struggles reconciling her new life with her old one. Though the plot is riveting, and the world building is fantastic, it is not because of these things that I call Divergent a favorite.
Tris’ journey to discover the true meaning of selflessness and bravery is compelling. Her realization that it is wrong to define people by just one thing is inspiring. The books are very much about labeling and stereotyping.
The characters’ response to fear was also fascinating. In Dauntless, the initiates are required to face their fears in fear landscapes, a simulation to bring their fears to life. (If you get a chance, you should read about Veronica Roth’s inspiration for the novel, because it’s all very interesting.)
Tris is such a dynamic character. She is pretty hardcore. She’s so very real, because she makes decisions that aren’t always based upon doing “the right thing.” While she sometimes regrets her choices, she realizes there is no going back and instead learns from her mistakes and moves forward.
I truly believe Divergent is a must-read because there is so much to be taken from it’s underlying themes and symbolism.
Have your read this book? Please share your thoughts!
*DIVERGENT MOVIE REVIEW – to be posted soon.
Just wanted to let everyone know I will be taking a short break from blogging. I’m currently on Spring Break, and decided to take the rest of the month to begin preparing all upcoming posts.
Meet 
What would you say to teen writers who struggle with completing their drafts?
I recently read 
I don’t know what I’d do without Feedly, the app on my iPhone which allows me to read the most recent posts of every blog/website I follow. Any free time I have throughout the day is usually spent on Feedly or Twitter. Anyway, I read so many great articles that I often can’t resist the urge to share them. Below I’ve listed some of the best posts I’ve read within the past few weeks. Check them out if you’re interested.
I think we’d all like to justify our excessive TV watching.
2. Take note of the carefully constructed plot.
The camera is a Canon EOS Rebel T3. The above picture is of a beautiful tree in my backyard a little before sundown.
In honor of Valentine’s Day, I’ve decided to put together a list (in no particular order) of my favorite YA romances. It was very difficult to choose, and I’m sure there are many more I haven’t yet read.