07 Mar Book Review: Divergent by Veronica Roth

Dystopian YA had a huge moment in the early 2010s, and Divergent was one of the biggest names to come out of it. It takes the classic elements of the genre—strict societal divisions, a rebellious protagonist, and a dangerous conspiracy—and blends them into a fast-paced, action-heavy story. While it doesn’t break entirely new ground, it delivers a thrilling ride that’s easy to get caught up in.

What’s it about?

In the future, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to a specific virtue. Abnegation values selflessness, Amity values peace, Candor values honesty, Erudite values knowledge, and Dauntless values bravery. At sixteen, every citizen must take an aptitude test to determine which faction they truly belong in. They can choose to stay in the faction they were born into or transfer to another, but once they decide, there’s no going back.

Beatrice Prior was raised in Abnegation, but she has never felt like she truly belonged. When her aptitude test results come back inconclusive—meaning she fits into multiple factions—she learns that she is something rare and dangerous: Divergent. This label marks her as a threat to the system, though she doesn’t fully understand why.

On the day of the Choosing Ceremony, Beatrice shocks her family by leaving Abnegation and joining Dauntless, the faction known for its reckless bravery. She renames herself Tris and throws herself into the brutal initiation process, where only a handful of recruits will be allowed to stay. Training is intense, involving dangerous physical trials, psychological simulations, and tests of fear. Those who fail will become factionless, living as outcasts with no protection or purpose.

As Tris fights to prove herself, she forms unexpected alliances and begins falling for Four, her mysterious and intimidating instructor. But she also starts noticing cracks in the system. Erudite, the faction of intelligence, is growing more powerful and seems to have its own agenda. When Tris uncovers a conspiracy that could destroy everything, she realizes that being Divergent might not just be dangerous—it might be the only way to survive.

What This Chick Thinks

The faction system is a cool concept, but it has its flaws

The idea of sorting people into factions based on personality traits is interesting, and the book does a great job of establishing the distinct identities of each group. Dauntless, with its thrill-seeking, daredevil mentality, is especially fun to explore. The rigid nature of the factions makes for built-in tension, especially when Tris begins questioning why the system exists in the first place.

That said, the faction system doesn’t hold up to much scrutiny. People are rarely just one thing, and the idea that society could function with such extreme divisions is a bit far-fetched. The book tries to explain this by revealing that the system is more about control than natural human tendencies, but it still requires a bit of suspension of disbelief.

Tris is a solid protagonist, but she can be frustrating at times

Tris is easy to root for—she’s brave, resourceful, and determined to find her own identity. Her transformation from a quiet, self-effacing Abnegation girl into a fierce Dauntless fighter is one of the strongest parts of the book. She isn’t instantly good at everything, and her struggles during training make her feel more relatable.

However, there are times when her decision-making feels inconsistent. She can be reckless to the point of being self-destructive, and while that fits with her new Dauntless identity, it sometimes makes her hard to understand. That being said, her flaws make her more believable, and her growth throughout the book is satisfying.

The romance works, but it’s predictable

The relationship between Tris and Four has good tension. He’s tough, closed-off, and clearly hiding his own secrets, while Tris is trying to prove herself in a world that constantly tests her. Their bond develops through mutual respect rather than instant attraction, which is refreshing.

That being said, the tough-but-secretly-soft mentor figure falling for the new recruit is a familiar trope. While their romance is enjoyable, it doesn’t add much that hasn’t been seen before in YA dystopian novels.

The action keeps things moving

Divergent is packed with action, from brutal initiation fights to intense psychological simulations. The Dauntless training scenes are some of the book’s strongest moments, giving a real sense of the physical and mental challenges Tris faces. The pacing is fast, and there’s rarely a lull in the story.

The final act of the book shifts into high-stakes conflict, with a major reveal about the true purpose of the faction system. The last few chapters raise the stakes significantly and set up an explosive sequel.

Final Thoughts

Divergent is an exciting, high-energy read that delivers on action and suspense. The worldbuilding is engaging, even if it doesn’t always make perfect sense, and Tris’s journey from sheltered Abnegation girl to fierce Dauntless warrior is fun to follow. While the romance and dystopian elements feel familiar, the book still stands out thanks to its strong pacing and compelling protagonist.

If you’re looking for a fast-paced, dystopian adventure with plenty of twists, this is a solid choice.

Rating: 7.5/10

Try it if you like

• The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins – Another dystopian novel with a strong heroine, deadly competitions, and a corrupt ruling system.
• Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard – A world divided by status, a girl who doesn’t fit into the system, and a rebellion brewing beneath the surface.
• The Maze Runner by James Dashner – A survival-based dystopian thriller with action, secrets, and a protagonist trying to uncover the truth.