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I just wrote a review on this, and then it got deleted by some unknown bug in my system. Brilliant.

Here is the deal about Divergent. I originally refused to read it, because I was spoiled bigtime for the ending of Allegiant. What a bummer. But then I got a great deal on the box set, and I kind of bought it anyway. Then I proceeded to read the first book in one sitting - 6 or 7 hours that is (who's counting, right?). And I must say, I'm impressed.

Roth introduces us to yet another dystopian universe, this one similar to [b:The Hunger Games|2767052|The Hunger Games (The Hunger Games, #1)|Suzanne Collins|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1358275334s/2767052.jpg|2792775], although not quite as brutal (yet). I suspect it will get worse though, seeing as dystopians tend to go that way. I was very pleasantly surprised by the writing style in the book, it didn't feel like a writing style aimed for teenagers (which sadly were the case with both [b:Legend|9275658|Legend (Legend, #1)|Marie Lu|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1395855534s/9275658.jpg|14157512] and [b:Shatter Me|10429045|Shatter Me (Shatter Me, #1)|Tahereh Mafi|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1310649047s/10429045.jpg|15333458]). So thumbs up for that, because I was getting really tired of authors more focused on the love story than the tragic world around them. Not that Roth doesn't have a love story, but she actually manages to provide me with an enjoyable loves tory. Please don't turn it into a love triangle, please.

On with the point. The characters were very enjoyable, but not quite as well-rounded as I would have preferred. Don't get me wrong, they had both depth and were generally amazing, but they lacked somethingbut it might be because they are not Lannisters, Idunno. No but really. I feel as if the character arch of Tris were kind of forced on me, with all the decisions she had to make. I didn't suddenly wake up and see a completely different character, but I could see her change being sort of forced on by the choice she made at the Ceremony. What I liked most about Tris, is that even though she was completely in love with Four, she wasn't swooning over him - because that's my problem with most YA literature. They swoon too much. Tris shows that she can manage herself without Four, but she prefers not to, and that is a very different thing than being dependent on a man looking at you, Bella Swan.

When it comes to the plot, I was a little confused at first. I have this issue with a lot of dystopians (except for [b:Uglies|24770|Uglies (Uglies, #1)|Scott Westerfeld|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1358962036s/24770.jpg|2895388] of course) - there is no explanation as for why the world is as messed up as it is. Why are we entering a dystopian future, and why is this not happening in 201(insert number of choice). I need to know why. Was there a nuclear explosion? Were there oil-eating bugs? Did some mad political leader impose war on the world? And what about everything that is not the United States? What about Norway? Or China? No, but seriously. Even though you all think so, America is not the only country in this world.
But yes, the plot. There is a very nice dramaturgical arch, leading us into more and more excitement (and love) as the book progresses, and it has a nice little peak at the top. I think the ending may have been a little rushed, but not so much that I found it bothersome. All in all, a very good book, and a solid four out of five stars. I think I would have given it five out of five if I'd gotten some sort of explanation as to why.