Good for teens to adults - MUCH better than the movie - recommend!!
I am an adult and a prolific reader. However, I am not one to criticize grammar, use of commas, etc. Then again I didn't spend thousands of dollars on English Lit in college either....but that's anther topic. Instead, I will stick with storyline and character development, which to me, is what makes a book worth reading. I can overlook any imperfections if the people and story are well thought out and it flows. This does.
An enjoyable book to read; I found it to be well done from an author who is young herself and this is her first novel.
I don't want to go into too much of the story itself so I will stay away from most of that, but the story is interesting and admirable that Ms. Roth took what she sees around her today and pushed it to the extreme of a future societal possibility. By that I mean, at some time in the future, society has separated into 5 factions and the "factionless" - ones who fit into none of the others(and no, it has nothing to do with race). If you look at society you can clearly see who they are already.
Tris, the main character, must choose her faction when she turns 16. A big decision that effects not just her but her family. The story revolves around her coming of age and finding herself. Since the series was written for teen - young adults, I found it a good thing. Self doubt and trying to figure out who you are and what clique you want to be in was part of growing up, until you realize that no clique is really YOU in total, and that you are part of them all. Can we say Divergent? - someone who doesn't conform so strictly to one faction but carries traits of several, if not all; aka - human. As we all found in our own younger years, some of the restrictions we were born into were not for us...but what did we want? This turmoil, her choice, what she goes through, all is a way for her to grow. There are some questions answered, and others arise. The characters are well thought out in the book for Tris' journey. As a trilogy goes, the end leaves you wanting to proceed with #2 "Insurgent". I have also read it. I must say it was better than "Divergent". I suppose in part, it is due to the fact that characters and storyline were already established. The story gets more involved, again it answers questions and raises others with some twists and turns along the way. I was impressed the author was able to make excellent little "life lessons" within it so well, especially since it is aimed at young readers. They cover, guilt, self deprecation, humility, depression, power, suicide, sacrifice, consequences both expected and unintended and much more.
The book ends making you look forward to #2 - "Insurgent", which being a series, is expected. "Divergent" really is required reading before it, IMO. I just started #3 and so far, it is just as good.
In the end I have enjoyed what I have read and it all starts here with "Divergent".
* I would have given it a 5 star but it had a little too much "does he like me?","His touch made me warm" comments for me, but nothing as repetitively boring as 50 Shades. Then again, it is aimed at younger readers with all those same thoughts, so I over looked it. It really thinned out before long and went on with the story, so maybe it should be 5*?
IM) -in the end - big books but quick reads, and enjoyable for even us older folk.Read full review
