Book Review: Veronica Roth's "Divergent"

I am a huge fan of dystopian fiction, so I am probably about to give a bias review on this title. However, my love and passion for the genre could make me more picky and critical of it just as much. Regardless I will press on and take from it what you will.

It seems that dystopian fiction is slowly turning into the new vampire with Young Adult fiction, with such titles as "The Hunger Games" (which I have yet to read), "Matched," and now "Divergent" by Veronica Roth.

I had just finished reading Condie's "Matched" when I had discovered Roth's "Divergent," which was recommended to me by a co-worker at the bookstore at which I work. Reading a few chapters in I was disappointed at first. It seemed to be a knock off of "Matched." Opening up with a ceremony and the similar dilemma of choice being granted to the protagonist. However, where "Matched" pursues more emotional boy drama, "Divergent" takes a more tough as nails approach to dystopian fiction. Imagine the part of Orwell's "1984" when Wisnton is taken to the Ministry of Love...but, the whole book.

There is murder, fighting, action and of course the right amount of drama. There are parts where it drags towards the middle, but in my opinion that just makes you lower your guard for the grand conclusion to book one of a trilogy. Once I was about 80% though the book, I found multiple emotions being aroused at once. I felt hate, rage, and sadness in the same moments. It was brutal. I felt like I had just come from a rejuvenating work out at the gym after finishing the book. My brain felt fresh and new, like I had just woke up well rested and ready for the day.

This book is a must read, it's Young Adult book so the print is big and it's just dense enough to get the juices in your head flowing without giving you a headache. It's one that you could wake up on your day off and say, "I want to read a whole book today" and do it. So do it.

WARNING: After reading the book, DO NOT read the first sentence of the acknowledgments. It almost ruined the whole book for me.