Divergent

"One Choice Can Transform You"

At first I wasn't sure if this book/ series would interest me which is why I only have the first book in my collection. I know there is a big following for this series and I kept hearing that this book is just like Hunger Games which kind of turned me away because I wasn't the biggest fan of that series. After reading this first book, I don't think this book is anything like The Hunger Games series. I actually enjoyed this first book a lot more than Hunger Games. I might need to read Hunger Games again but at this point I definitely like Divergent better. This book is all about the struggle to fit in. Not only fitting in but feeling like you belong. It's one thing to fit in but to actually feel like you belong and are a part of something, that is a different and uplifting feeling. Today's world is all about following the latest trends to fit in with the "in crowd". You can struggle all you're life to "fit in" but sometimes you will never feel like you actually belong. Sometimes you might feel the most comfortable with a group that isn't the most popular but that's okay if you personally feel like you belong there. In Divergent, Tris "fit in" in Abnegation but she never felt like she belonged until she made the choice to become Dauntless. As dangerous as this choice was, she knew it was the right one and I respect that. 

I also respect the sexiness level of the book. Tris is a 16 year old girl and she is dealing with 16 year old feelings, especially when it comes to Four. I thought the way their relationship blossomed was actually very realistic. Starting out with subtle flirtations and transitioning into something more. Granted the boyfriend/ girlfriend title seemed to come a little quick but sometimes when you know it's right there shouldn't be any holding back. I am actually very excited to see where this relationship goes. 

The only similarity I can see between Hunger Games and Divergent  is the barbarity of it all. I thought all the teenage killing in Hunger Games  was pretty gruesome. Also, I hadn't been exposed to anything like that before. Granted there wasn't too much killing in Divergent but all the fighting and kids getting beat up was a bit overwhelming. I know it's just a book but I am  a softy when it comes to physical fighting. I mean I could barley watch Shia get beat up in Lawless  or an MMA fight on the television at Buffalo Wild Wings the other day, but that's besides the point.

Overall, I thought this book was very entertaining. I was quite surprised that I liked it so much and I honestly cannot wait to see the movie now. I'll read the other books a little later in the challenge so look for those reviews coming soon. 

S.