Review - Divergent

Divergent, by Veronica Roth

I've been slack on my challenge reading, but here's another review for The Story Siren's 2011 Debut Author Challenge.

I began this book cautiously, afraid it wouldn't live up to the hype. But. Y'all. It does. I devoured this book, and immediately passed it on to my husband, who also blew through it. And I can't wait for the sequel! I hope Veronica Roth is a quick writer.

So on to more specific comments: the plot wasn't anything groundbreaking, but it was a solid treatment of a classic dystopian story, well-paced and with enough action to keep you moving through the story. Particularly for a first book in the series, I thought Roth's pacing was spot-on. She gave you enuogh of a story and resolution to feel satisfied, but left a lot more ground to cover and definitely left you wanting more. I loved Roth's characters because for the most part they seemed real -- flawed and conflicted. The progagonists were relateable and sympathetic, even when were making me mad. And while the antagonists made me want to punch them in the face, they seemed like characters not characatures. I enjoyed the romantic storyline as well, and the fact that it grew rather than appeared. And thank you, thank you, thank you Ms. Roth for NOT putting in a love triangle.

Overall, a highly recommended first book from a fantastic new author.