Divergent by Veronica Roth

In Beatrice Prior's dystopian Chicago world, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue--Candor, Abnegation , Dauntless, Amity, and Erudite. On an appointed day of every year, all sixteen-year-olds must select the faction to which they will devote the rest of their lives. For Beatrice, the decision is between staying with her family and being who she really is--she can't have both. So she makes a choice that surprises everyone, including herself.
During the highly competitive initiation that follows, Beatrice renames herself Tris and struggles alongside her fellow initiates to live out the choice they have made. Together they must undergo extreme physical tests of endurance and intense psychological simulations, some with devastating consequences. As initiation transforms them all, Tris must determine who her friends really are--and where, exactly, a romance with a sometimes fascinating, sometimes exasperating boy fits into the life she's chosen. But Tris also has a secret, one she's kept hidden from everyone because she's been warned it can mean death. And as she discovers unrest and growing conflict that threaten to unravel her seemingly perfect society, she also learns that her secret might help her save those she loves . . . or it might destroy her...

I put this book off for ages- what a mistake! It lives up to the hype and more!

What I loved:
Tris-  I admired her determination and drive! At times she really frustrated me with naivety and her inability to take direction but she was genuinely a good person. I loved how supportive she could be when needed and how she honoured the actual principles of Dauntless without losing the best parts of Abnegation.
Four- What an intriguing character! Hard to discuss him without spoiling it! I loved that I was able to guess the secret and still be intrigued and surprised. I liked how Four was withdrawn and low key but knew how to command respect and always seemed to be adhering to the basic principals of Dauntless
Side Characters- I loved the side cast! All the new Dauntless initiates were so diverse and had such contrasting motivations it was interesting to see how they coped with the pressures of initiation. I especially loved how Tris interacted both the Dauntless initiates and the Transfers. I liked getting to see the Abnegation people even briefly and I liked all the little insights in to the other sections through the side characters.
Setting- The setting was heavily influenced by the concept and the plot, each section had a part of the city. I liked how Abnegation was laid out and how Tris explained how the city was laid out as a whole. I'm really intrigued by what the rest of the world is like outside of the city and how they became the way they are!
Concept- I really liked this concept of Dystopia! I liked how it was based on personality not jobs or wealth. I loved the 5 different sections- very clever personality divisions. It was all explained really well seeing as it was Tris's point of view and she only had personal experience of two of them. My friend and I spent ages discussing which section we'd be in.
Fear landscapes- I loved this idea! It was a clever way to rank the initiates and really revealed the deeper fears that everyone has. I think it also showed the true meaning of Dauntless- not the absence of fear itself but the courage to work through the fear.

What I didn't love as much:
Character decisions- I loved Tris but my gosh she was told to lie low and she just didn't! She didn't seem to have any self preservation! I also disliked some the inevitable decisions
No Principles- Some of the initiates were so ruthless and cruel and  they got away with it. Fearlessness is not cruelty!

I loved this book- I can't believe i put it off for so long! Both my friend and her dad borrowed it while we were on holiday!

Did you love Divergent?
Much Love!
Lettie
Xxxx