The Divergent Series by Veronica Roth

from goodreads

3 stars

I don't know what it is but dystopian novels fascinate me. I think it is neat to see what societies the author creates and then think, how would our world now get to be the world in the books. What massive destruction or political takeovers would have to occur to get the people to be part of this society. I like that they make you think about your own morals and values and makes you question the status quo. It's nice when books make you think and challenge you to reaffirm what you hold dear. Although right now we seem to be swamped with dystopian novels, each one still allows us to have a conversation with ourselves and others. I think that is the whole point of reading. It helps you discover what type of person you are and what you look for in others.


***Possible spoilers*** (Though I will try not to say anything that would be a spoiler I may inadvertently. I know this is a series that people probably don't want to have spoiled so I totally understand if you want to read the books first and then read what I thought.)

Synopsis

It is Chicago after a completely devastating war. The city is divided into 5 factions Erudite (the wise), Abnegation (the selfless), Candor (the honest), Amity (the peaceful) and Dauntless (the brave). At age 16 you decide what faction to join. If you pass the initiation process you stay in the faction if not you are kicked out and become part of the factionless population.

Beatrice Prior (Tris) is from Abnegation. During her aptitude test she is told she is something that is a danger to herself and she needs to keep it secret. She shocks her family when she chooses a different faction. In her new faction she meets a boy named Four and together they find out secrets of their society and have tough decisions to make once the truth is known.

My Thoughts

Well, this is definitely no Hunger Games. I found with the Hunger Games I was sucked into the story from page one. It didn't take a long time for the author to set up the society and it got right to the action. The Divergent series on the other hand seemed to take the whole first book to develop the society. I found it to be slow paced and not as exciting as I was expecting it to be. Perhaps one reason why I wasn't over the moon with this series was because it was so hyped up. I heard only how awesome it was so I was expecting something that was going to blow my socks off. I didn't get that.

The first book in the trilogy, Divergent, was slow paced and really repetitive.  Tris feels guilty about leaving her faction, then feels strong in her resolve for choosing her new faction, then feels guilty again, then feels confident again. I was like, make up your mind, geish. The book left me with more questions than answers and just didn't hold my interest like the Hunger Games. I finished it because I was sure that the next book would be better as the society was already set up.

The second book, Insurgent, was definitely more action packed. The questions that I had after the first book were starting to be answered. I felt the author started to get into her writing groove as it was not as repetitive, though some of her descriptions of the make out sessions were very repetitive. Someone get that lady a thesaurus. This book shows the importance of honesty and forgiveness in relationships.

The third book, Allegiant, was really out of left field. She brought in a completely new story arc. It fit, but it left me with new questions. She almost needs to write a new book or series just dealing with the new revelations she brought into the society. I did feel satisfied with the ending. Some people were really upset, but I was o.k. with it. As a reader you always hope for happy endings for every character. In this case it didn't happen, yet it fit the story. And while my initial reactions was, dang that kind of sucks, I am not angry or feeling hurt, because it fit the story. Unlike an unmentionable character's death in Downton Abbey. Don't get me started about that! (If you have seen season 3 you know exactly what I'm talking about. I am still unimpressed. Though after seeing season 4 I am a bit less upset.)

On the whole I liked the series. It is not my favourite series but it was o.k. It gives you a lot to think about. Should we faction ourselves? Is it good to focus on one characteristic or embrace many characteristics. Are some personality traits better than others?

Even though I did enjoy it, there were times that I got frustrated with the main character. Tris has a hero complex, where she thinks she is the only one who can do things and that she needs to do it herself. I found her to be immature at times. I know she is only 16 but she still doesn't need to be so whinny and self-sacrificing.

There are some plot holes or questions that weren't completely answered. During the whole series I wanted to know more about what society was like outside the city. What did those living outside the city really think about those in Chicago? Perhaps Roth is leaving room for another series set in the outside. I know that knowing that information is not really important to the story, but it would be interesting to know.

This series is definitely a 14+ series. It has a bit of a harder edge to it. And while there is no blatant sex, somethings are eluded to making it more appropriate for older teens. I think girls may like this series more because of the romance component but, there is enough action that would hold boys' interest. A teen reader would probably rate the series higher than what I did. My nieces loved it. I guess I am becoming a true adult!