[REVIEW] Divergent

title: Divergent (Divergent #1)
author: Veronica Roth
genre: young adult, science fiction, dystopia
published: February 28, 2012 by Katherine Tegen Books (first published April 25, 2011)
my copy: trade paperback, 487 pages
purchase: Amazon | B&N | Book Depository
rating: 4 / 5 stars
goodreads

In Beatrice Prior's dystopian Chicago world, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue—Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). 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.

an oldie but goodie.

This is a reread.

I first read this waaaay back in 2014 when dystopian series were a thing and all we think about is this teenage chick who'll get stuck in an eternal love triangle and eventually save the day. And oh how I miss those days. I never went off the dystopian train though even though trends have changed.

I picked this up because I wanted to finally finish the series. I've had Allegiant since 2014 (or 2015. I'm not sure at this point) and haven't touched it and have no interest in it since coming across that major spoiler. But here I am rereading the first two books to finally get through with this series. AND even though it's a reread, even though I still know exactly how this will go, and even though I know that the second book will suck, I read it and enjoyed it 😊

5 Authors I'd Love to See in a Dystopian Author Panel!

just a heads up on who might be here.

Hello,

As I said, I'm back to reading and blogging. YAY FOR THAT! *virtually throws confetti* As I said before, thanks for keeping up with me. I'll be back for real next week when all these things are done. My undergraduate thesis defense will happen on Saturday (send prayers and wish me luck, thanks!).

ANYWAY, let me be random for a while and go have fun with this post. Let's talk about dystopian authors just because dystopian series are #fun (okay, they're not. they're thrilling. but still enjoyable to read). What I generally love most about dystopian series are the worlds the author creates (like how perfect it should be but 'nothing's perfect' so that #sucks) and how resistance group are organized and fight back.

Friendly reminder though, I honestly don't think I've read that much dystopian novels (at least I thought I was able to but later realized I haven't and I wanted to do this list). The authors might make you feel limited or something. I don't know. ANYWAY, I honestly can't remember much on some of the others books like the Legend trilogy and Shatter Me trilogy but let's just acknowledge how nicely they were made, okay? ALSO, one final note: I HAVE NEVER ATTENDED A BOOK CONVENTION (or anything related to it) with author panels because #internationalreader. Okay? :) I do know some (if not all) of them have sat down as panel members before. so yeah...

Let's get into this! I decided to divide my author panel into two: (1) Dystopian World & (2) Dystopian Resistance Group. I was thinking of a third one but... *shrugs* eh, lack of authors. it was dissolved. sorry.

Welcome to the World Domination Panel *evil laughs*. But seriously, writing a dystopian novel is like world domination 'cause you're creating you're own evil world and a resistance group overthrowing an evil government is kind of like world domination as well. (i'm not good with titles so let's just get over at how cringe-y and lame it is. and that i even explained it lamely. just how lame can i get?). But really, you can just call it the Dystopian Panel 'cause #cringey

panel 1

DYSTOPIAN WORLD

Pierce Brown | Neal Shusterman | Veronica Roth