Genre: young adult fiction, Science fiction, Dystopian Fiction
Key Stage: Upper KS3/4 (contains references to more mature content)
Rating: ★★★★★
Divergent, Veronica Roth (2011)
Beatrice Prior’s world is ideal, where everyone fits in a faction suited to their personality. There’s Erudite, the intelligent; Abnegation, who are selfless; Candor, the honest; brave Dauntless and peace-loving Amity. Once a child reaches the age of 16, they must select a faction. Beatrice is torn between herself and her family- and a secret which weighs her down heavier than anything… After choosing her faction, she renames herself Tris, and along with her new friends she has to undergo initiation- a series of grueling tests which push them beyond their limits both physically and mentally, facing their worst fears.
The first in the trilogy, I found this engaging and couldn’t put it down (the cover is absolutely brilliant too!). I loved the thrills, but it also has underlying themes of friendship, new romance and character development. Tris’s character was really well created- she starts off in a modest family, but soon progresses into this fiery, stubborn and brave heroine who isn’t afraid to do what’s right. I would also say that Divergent is slightly better than the other two books in the series, Insurgent and Allegiant.
Reviewer: Muslimah, Year 9