Divergent by Veronica Roth Pages: 576
Published by HarperCollins on May 3, 2011
Genres: Dystopian, Love & Romance, Young Adult
Source: Bought
This first book in Veronica Roth's #1 New York Times bestselling Divergent trilogy is the novel the inspired the major motion picture starring Shailene Woodley, Theo James, and Kate Winslet. This dystopian series set in a futuristic Chicago has captured the hearts of millions of teen and adult readers. Perfect for fans of the Hunger Games and Maze Runner series, Divergent and its sequels, Insurgent and Allegiant, are the gripping story of a dystopian world transformed by courage, self-sacrifice, and love. Fans of the Divergent movie will find the book packed with just as much emotional depth and exhilarating action as the film, all told in beautiful, rich language.One choice can transform you. Beatrice Prior's society is divided into five factions—Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). Beatrice must choose between staying with her Abnegation family and transferring factions. Her choice will shock her community and herself. But the newly christened Tris also has a secret, one she's determined to keep hidden, because in this world, what makes you different makes you dangerous.Supports the Common Core State Standards.
The Book
I have no idea why on earth it took me so long to finally get around to reading Divergent. I loved the book. The movie was good too, but as usual, I thought the book was better. It was both a blessing and a curse to have read the book right before I watched the movie. It was cool because I was really pumped up and excited with the story fresh in my mind, but at the same time- the book was fresh in my mind. So every time they deviated from the story line, I instantly noticed. The book was wonderful in it’s own right. This is one fast paced story line. The action never stopped. I couldn’t believe how much stuff happened in just one book. I mean we went from setting the stage in this new dystopian world all the way to war in one book. It was a lot. I loved Tris. What I love the most about her was what made her a Divergent in the first place. She questions things. She can’t be labeled. And she doesn’t just accept answers on their face value. She wants to know why, and I would be lying if I said that I was any different. And like Tris, it has gotten me into trouble a time or two also. I’m going to spare you some of the details about what happens plot wise, because I am assuming that I am last person in the YA world to read this book. There were so many things that I liked about the book. I loved watching Tris adapt to dauntless. She really is pretty incredible. She isn’t automatically great at everything she tries, but she is not afraid of working hard and practicing. and she is really brave. I also loved seeing how some of the other dauntless initiates handled the faction change as well. Al was really interesting, and what happened with him made me so sad.
The Movie
I thought the movie did a great job with the sets and making Veronica Roth’s world come to life. I thought they did a fantastic job portraying the different factions. I thought the castings were also great. They were just how I pictured the characters in the book. Tris was fantastic in the movie, just as plucky and brave as she was in the book. Four, Christina and Peter were also all wonderful. (or wonderfully awful in the case of Peter.) Eric was also creepy as heck. I was super pleased with all of the castings and the world building and the factions. I also thought the relationship between Tris and Four was really well done in the movie. Four was hot! Some smaller storylines were cut out and shifted around for the sake of getting everything into the movie. That didn’t bother me too much. Like I said, there is a TON of stuff that happened in this one book and at 500+ pages, I knew there is no way all the details would make it into the film. But a couple of changes irked me a bit. I was really disappointed that the “test” was cut short. And maybe the most disappointing of all was that we barely got to see Al. We didn’t get to see anything about him and Tris, and we didn’t get to see how he struggled with the initiation. I thought that would have added to the movie overall, and it was a part that I really enjoyed in the book, so I was bummed that they cut that whole storyline out. One change that I was pleased to see, was that they didn’t really make notice of Tris’ plain or not so pretty appearance. When Four admitted that Tris was not that pretty in the book, it made me sad, so I was happy I didn’t have to relive that in the movie. The obvious change in the ending of the movie was surprising, but I am not sure whether I am annoyed with it or if I like it. I think that might have been a good choice movie wise, but I am still such a fan of staying true to the book. I am still conflicted on this one. It turned out pretty cool, but it was so, so different.
Overall
Both the movie and the book are great! I really, really enjoyed reading and watching Divergent. I think it is going to be a huge hit for the trilogy in theaters. A lot of people are saying that they like it more than the Hunger Games movies, and I don’t know if I would go that far, but I do love the first movie and book a lot. I can’t wait to read the second book because I honestly have no idea where Veronica is going to take the series. I thought the war would come at the end of the second book, but now I am super excited to see what else she has in store for us in books 2 and 3. Bottom line: the movie was great, and I thought it was pretty perfectly cast, but the book blows the movie out of the water. 
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Red Iza
I always watch the movies first and read the book afterwards – otherwise, you’re guaranteed to be disappointed. Thanks for the post !
Ria@aBookishEscape.com
ERMERGERSH!!!!! I’m a HUGE Divergent fan and yes you are the last person in the YA world to read this…LOL okay so I’m totally with you I loved the book and I loved the movie even though they LEFT so much stuff out!!
**spoilers ahead**
Like Christina is supposed to grab the flag and they didn’t even show her bond with will…and Peters epic butter knife scene! I think Edward had like ONE line in the whole movie but he is going to play a HUGE ROLE in the next :0) OH AND at the end WTF!!! That sooooo did not even happen Four was ALONE!!! OH and they didn’t round up Abnegation it WAS OPEN FIRE!!
GAH!!!!!! lol sorry I did love it though!! Both book and movie, I am also onboard of the “Divergent is better than Hunger Games” train…Mostly because Tris has a trillion more redeeming qualities than Katniss…Alright doll I’m out have an awesome weekend!!
Rowena
This was a great post. I was nodding along to everything you said and I completely agree with everything. There were things that I had wished made it into the movie (Tobias wanting Tris to not call him Four, for one thing) but even with the changes, I was very pleased with the movie. I really liked the book as well so all in all, this first installment of the series was a complete delight for me.
Michelle @ Book Briefs
I was too Rowena. I knew some changes would have to be made, and I was happy with the result. The book was awesome. I can’t wait to see what is going to happen in the next one.
kindlemom1
I loved the first book so I am super excited to watch the movie now as well, in fact I read this just so I could watch the movie when it came out. 😉
Christina T @ Creating-Serenity
Ha! If it makes you feel better I JUST finished this one. I loved it also and instead of doing a normal review wound up doing the top 10 things I loved. I just loved that much of it!!
I also have not seen the movie and I’m glad I’m going to wait. I want to support the book but this is one where I knew I probably didn’t want to see it right after reading, although, you have me curious about the ending now!
Great review!
Michelle @ Book Briefs
I can’t wait to see what you think of it Christina. I thought it was really well done but I feel like I was extra picky about it because I watched it 5 days after reading the book. Maybe you have the right idea about waiting. haha
Valeria @ A Touch of Book Madness
Wow! I’m glad you did this! I haven’t read, nor watched the movie yet. But I’m planning to, really soon! I just need to know what all the fuss is about. And now, it’s hard for me to wait.
Michelle @ Book Briefs
Yay! I am glad that I am not the only one that has yet to read the book. The book is so great, you would love it. I can’t wait to see what you think of it Valeria 🙂
Mia Hayson
I love love love love love Divergent but I haven’t had a chance to see the film yet! Super excited though. 😀
Michelle @ Book Briefs
I think you will like the movie. It was well done!
Greg
I really liked the movie, but have not read the books (so you’re not the last one :)The movie made me more likely to read the series since I want to know what happens next, and I know there’s so much in the books that got left out of the movie. I know there was a lot of controversy about book three, but I may still read these to get the full story. It sounds like from your post that they changed the ending, so now I’m curious about that. 🙂
Michelle @ Book Briefs
I think it is a great movie, and looking back I think Movie first and book second would be the better order. (and I almost never say that!)
Christy
A couple weeks ago I read the trilogy back-to-back because I wanted to be finished before I saw the movie. I regret doing that. I really liked Divergent, but the 02nd and 3rd book had me so annoyed. So I haven’t even watch the movie yet. I learned my lesson. lol.
Michelle @ Book Briefs
My friend just finished the trilogy and told me that I would probably be upset with book 3. I have steered clear of reviews for books 2 and 3 because I wanted to go into this series blind because it is so popular so now I am super curious about the next books.
Sarah
I can’t believe it took you so long to get around to reading Divergent! I also really enjoyed it, but wasn’t sure if the movie would be as good. After reading your review, I think I’ll check it out!
La La in the Library
I loved this entire trilogy much better than the Hunger Games trilogy. Although I do admit I liked The first Hunger Games book better than Divergent. My son has read THG books,but not these. I am hoping he will read them this summer. 😀
Sue @ Crushingcinders
I loved Divergent too. Reading the book just before the movie is risky but we all live on the edge! I had at least a year between the two and I thought the movie was well done.