In the society in which Beatrice Prior lives, people are divided into five factions: Abnegation, the selfless; Amity, the peaceful; Candor, the honest; Dauntless, the brave; and Erudite, the intelligent. Every year, all sixteen-year-olds must take an aptitude test that reveals which faction they are most compatible with. During the test they are placed in a simulation where they face different situations, and their reactions are evaluated. The next day they must reveal their chosen faction in front of the whole assembly. After choosing a faction, the initiates must complete an initiation program. They will only be accepted if they pass. If they fail, they become factionless and must live in poverty, doing jobs that nobody else wants to do. In this society, Abnegation is in charge of the government because they are known for being selfless. However, Erudite disagrees with this. They believe Abnegation focuses too much on helping the factionless and is not doing enough to make the city prosperous. As a result, tensions between these two factions are growing. Beatrice Prior was born into Abnegation, but she has always felt like she doesn’t belong there, unlike her brother Caleb. She knows she is not as selfless as the rest of her family. When the aptitude test approaches, she is unsure whether she should stay in Abnegation or choose another faction.During the test, something strange happens: her results are inconclusive. She somehow manipulates the simulation and is told that she is Divergent. The woman evaluating her test warns her not to tell anyone, because being Divergent is dangerous. Later, Beatrice shocks her family by choosing Dauntless. As her initiation progresses, the tension between Erudite and the other factions grows, and it becomes clear that something big is about to happen. I really love the concept of this book. The dystopian setting, the factions, their values, and the conflicts between them are very interesting. I remember watching the Divergent movies and being hooked by the story, but the movies never showed the ending clearly. That’s why I decided to read the book. The world-building is very well thought out and captivating. However, I found the characters a bit annoying. At the beginning I liked Tris Prior, but during the initiation she became very cliché. When she arrives, she surprises everyone by being the first jumper. Of course Tobias Eaton, the cold and very attractive instructor, notices her. Of course she is extremely smart and helps her team win capture the flag. Of course another initiate develops a crush on her, and of course she and Four start getting closer. I didn’t really like the beginning of their relationship because it felt very predictable and cliché. I don’t mind them as a couple overall, but the way their relationship started was a bit annoying to read. Some parts of the book were also a little boring, especially at the beginning of the initiation, because not much happens.I don’t really have a favorite character in the story. They are all okay, but none of them stood out to me. However, I really enjoyed the ending, when the story suddenly takes a very different and exciting turn. I’m excited to read the next book because I’m more interested in the overall storyline of the factions than in the romance between Tris and Four.

The movie is good but I don’t know why the book is so boring

Although my teen-years belong to the past, this book still holds a special place in my heart. I had to get older to realize that there are some flaws in world-building which raise questions. Sometimes the dialogues are a little off and I wonder if real people would have behaved the way Roth described certain scenes. I have to admit that Tris isn’t my favorite first-person narrator because her opinions on some topics don’t go well with me. She’s stubborn and that’s okay but the way she sometimes sees other people -especially her friends- doesn’t sit too well with me. And like in all young-adult books, the relationship with Four just builds too fast. But all in all, still an enjoyable book.

4.5 ★ In Triss' world, which is divided into five factions, the 16-year-old girl must choose one of these divisions to stay with for the rest of her life. Her decision ends up on Dauntless, the brave ones. Thus begins a new phase of her life, which could hardly be more different from her old one, especially when she finds out that she is divergent. Divergent was one of my first dystopian books and honestly, I really liked it! I normally never go for these genres of books and movies, but I was positively surprised. I liked the main character for once, which is great of course. I usually have some difficulties with them, but Tris really grew on me. I really liked Four too and always looked forward to new scenes with him. The tension between him and Tris.

Good enough to read the sequel... intrigued by the movie... let's wait!