Review: Divergent by Veronica Roth

When a series is suggested to rival the Hunger Games, it better be amazing.

That's what I thought when I began reading Divergent, by Veronica Roth.  This book, which is the first in the Divergent Trilogy, has received a large amount of hype.  So much that the movie rights have already been purchased, even though the book has only been out for 1 year.  Needless to say, I began reading the book last week, ready to pick it apart and criticize it.

Did it live up to the hype?

YES!

The novel started a little slow;  It didn't grab me and pull me in from the first page.  Also, the beginning is eerily similar to the beginning of the Hunger Games.  There is no doubt that Roth was inspired by Suzanne Collin's series.  The main character, Beatrice or Tris, is a strong, young female, and, of course, there is a love interest. 

That is where the major parallels between the two end. Once I got past the first 100 pages (it is almost a 500 page book), I could not stop reading. The dystopian society that Roth creates is far-fetched, but extremely intriguing.  The action is non-stop, and the romance is realistic and mature, without overshadowing the real plot or becoming annoying.  The characters are extremely well developed and dynamic.

I highly recommend Divergent to readers who are interested in dystopian science fiction.  While there is a female main characters, the gentlemen will enjoy it because of the action, and also because Tris kicks some major behind.  The ladies will also enjoy this book for the same reason, but will love the romance, because the love interest of Beatrice will make you swoon.

I've moved on to the second book, Insurgent, and I hoping that it is even better than the first.

Unfortunately, the third book won't be released until 2013.  I forsee that I will enjoy the first two so much, that the wait for the third will be excruciating.  

The End is Near!

Don't blink, or you may miss the remainder of the school year.  It is swiftly approaching!

• All library materials must be brought back by May 25th, so we can complete inventory by the end of the year.  The library will remain open until the end of the year for student computer and resource use.
• Open Library will occur from 3-4 on May 16th and May 23rd.  These will be the last two Open Library dates for the year.

Looking for some good summer reading?  Check out the American Library Association's list of 2012's Notable Children's books.  The list is divided into Younger, Middle, and Older Readers, so choose appropriately!