In this science-fiction book, the world is divided into five factions, each named after a virtue that they possess. The factions are Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent.) At the age of sixteen, each person must take a test and decide which faction they belong too. For Beatrice, the heroine, this means staying with her family or being who she really is. Of course, there is a romance. Of course, Beatrice, or Tris, as she renames herself, realizes that her society isn't really as perfect as it seems. In other words, all the typical elements of a sci-fi plot- a dystopian world, "heartbreaking betrayals, stunning consequences, and unexpected romance" (from jacket.) And yet, I still really enjoyed this book. The society depicted in it is different then other societies written about. At the beginning of the book, it not only seemed perfect to the characters, but to me, the reader, as well. In most sci-fi books, the reader immediately sees that the society is not perfect, though the main character may think it is. In this book, the imperfection of the society is not that easily discovered. But quickly you realize it's a horrible, cruel world. Especially the faction that Tris decides to join. Trouble strikes when Tris becomes a Divergent, meaning that it is possible that she could be in any of three factions. She must choose. This was a great book, and I really loved it. I looked forward to reading the sequel, Insurgent, which comes out in May. 487 pages, 5 stars.
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