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Rating:
Have I ever introduced you guys to my meh-o-meter before? No, I promise, this isn't an innuendo.
If
you've been reading my blog long enough, you know my brain is messed
up. Big time. The meh-o-meter is just one way the mess manifests
itself. The meh-o-meter doesn't help at all with the overall rating
of the book, but it does help shape my review. Basically, it's the
number of times my inner voice goes..meh whilst reading a book.
This
meh can be an indication of a cliche character, a badly written
scene, a plot hole, annoying dialogue/characters.
To put it into perspective, while reading Finnikin of The Rock, one of my all time favorites, my meh-o-meter was no where in sight. While reading The 5th Wave, a highly aggravating book for me, my meh-o-meter was sky rocketing.
And then there is Divergent.
And then there is Divergent.
Insecure MC? Meh.
Awkward dialogue between Tris and Four? Meh.
Characters over analyzing each other out loud to build characterization even though those could be delivered in a much subtler way? Meh.
World building? Meh.
Awkward dialogue between Tris and Four? Meh.
Characters over analyzing each other out loud to build characterization even though those could be delivered in a much subtler way? Meh.
World building? Meh.
Writing? Huge meh.
Ending? Yup, you guessed it.. Meh.
Now to be fair, some of these need to be further addressed Like the writing for example. It isn't at all terrible, it gets straight to the point. But you know whose writing does that too in a much more layered way? Suzanne Collins. Now, I promise this will be the first and last comparison I ever make between the two books because, other than Tris and Katniss rhyming together, both of them have nothing in common. But if I read an excerpt from any of Roth's other books, I wouldn't be able to tell it's her, and for a book that was as hyped as Divergent was, I was expecting more. The action delivered, though. There was more than enough to go around, and if anything, this was a highly entertaining read. There was always something happening.
And the MC, Tris Prior? I didn't hate her, but some of the things she did truly annoyed me. Most of all was how she felt insecure about her looks. Now, I can't stress this enough, but I DON'T like reading about female characters insecure about their body. Not because it's unrealistic, or wrong. Absolutely not. Whatever you think of your body is up to you, but I would love to read about a girl who feels confident in her skin for a change. Having Tris complain about her bony body made me uneasy. I have this theory, which may or may not be true, that having more female characters that are confident in their bodies will in return encourage girls to feel like it's OKAY to be secure. That it's okay to like what you see in the mirror.
But I'm not limiting Tris to what she thought of her looks. She was a very brave character, and I loved that about her. Jumping off a seven story building? That's some badassery right there. I couldn't imagine doing the same.
The idea of factions was hard to get my head around. Plus, too many aspects of the world building was left unclear. Was this faction thing nation wide? Was this only in Chicago? How did it happen? Maybe it was explained, and I just didn't notice. I tend to do that.
Aaand the romance. For a book so high on my meh-o-meter, the romance was surprisingly done well. There has to be sufficient reasons as to why two characters might like each other. I understood why Tris did. Four was someone I'd like to date. He balances attractiveness with likability. He was mature, and charming, and very smart. But often, with first-person books, I keep wondering why the other person is attracted to our narrator. Here, it wasn't the case. I could see why a guy like Four would be interested in Tris. Roth put in enough scenes to explain that, and so the romance developed nicely, without the insta-love that is a trademark of so many books.
The ending was one of my least favorite parts. I can't pin point what it is that I didn't like. I guess that throughout the novel, I kept expecting the ending to pick things up, and make me understand just why this book is so hyped. That wasn't the case. It was at parts rushed, somewhat predictable and too simple for my liking.
Final words: Liked it, but it didn't live up to the hype.
Did you read the book? Then let's discuss the hell out of it!
P.S: Do NOT click the button bellow unless you've read the book. It might get spoilery.
Good review. I actually just reread (well, listened to) this book and my initial 5-star rating doesn't feel so accurate anymore. I still liked it, but this time around I was just picking apart all the stuff that didn't make sense, you know? Alas!
As for your discussion points:
I probably would have chosen Erudite, because I'm just such a nerd. Or maybe Amity, since I love baking and stuff. I think Tris works well in Dauntless. I mean, she obviously did well in their whole initiation period, so it's fine with me. As for which faction should be in charge... I have no idea. How about a council that involves leaders from each faction?
I did see the trailer and it intrigued me more than I expected. Still not getting too excited about it, though.
Great review, Reem! Reminds me that I have to take out my dusty copy to re-read the 2 books as preparation for Allegiant's release. I am not sure if I would enjoy Divergent as much as I did when I read it 2 years ago. All I'm sure is that Book 2 is meh.
Now to answer your questions:
1. Amity- I want a stress free life. But that doesn't mean that I am not tempted to become Erudite or Abnegation. Becoming Erudite would mean that I will have a legal excuse to constantly bury my nose in books. And becoming Abnegation would suit my selflessness (ahem) and lack of vanity (ahem).
2. Of course. All the daredevil stuff that she'd done already merits for outstanding bravery. I maybe annoyed with all the crazy things Dauntless people do (no regard for self-preservation) but I can't help admiring their badassery.
3. I think I will have vote for Candor. I am so tired of dishonest politicians. It's high time that the world is ruled by sincere and transparent leaders.
4. Not yet. Except for Kate Winslet, I do not know the actors and actresses casted for the movie. :(
Great review! I've read this book before, but haven't reviewed it, although I do remember liking this one :) I think the least 'meh' about this book was the action, just because I could feel the adrenaline, and the scenes felt real to me (to an extent, at least). I thought the romance was pretty solid, but I could have done with a little less awkwardness and a little more sure-footedness. Both Tris and Four felt like they wanted something but didn't do much about it, and I can't even remember why! D: Anyway, I remember liking Insurgent less, but since you're very Reem and unpredictable, I think I'll look forward to your review of that one if you do get to :D
SPOILERY DISCUSSION
1. Well, I'm a weak ass. Too weak to jump off of buildings, too weak to tell the truth every time, too weak to pursue knowledge outside of books without being forced to, and too weak not to indulge. But I think I can handle picking fruits and frolicking in a peaceful bed of flowers or something. So yeah Amity, maybe XD
2. Oh yes. Tris was Dauntless through and through. I never even had doubts during the initiation process thing.
3. Hmmm.... Can't they all just work together?! I mean, they all have strengths, but they all have weaknesses, so why not just put their strengths together so that they're more of a force to be reckoned with? And that way, no one thinks they're inferior. I say give even the bloody factionless a voice, for a change.
4. YES! I am so going to watch this movie (this has nothing to do with the fact that Theo James OHGODS). His interviews are hilarious.
Ha! I'm not really encouraged to read the second book but I will.. eventually. I agree though, the romance was pretty solid. And four was nice. And The James is just.. GOOD GOD HE'S HOT!!
So you know, I have THAT to look forward to *wink*
Weak asses for the win! Bravery is overrated anyway. Did Amity die? DID THEY?! No they didn't. That's cause they're a bunch of awesome hippies who don't care about anything.
She was very brave, and she's definitely a dauntless, I just think that the odds would have been against her had she not been Divergent.
They do all work together,, I think.
OHGODS is spot on, I think.
It is? Yeah, many people said that. Considering the first book is a meh to me, the second will be BLEEEKHH. :P
Yaaay for Amity! They're awesome. We'll be faction roommates :P
They do have no regard for their lives, and that annoys me. I don't like those kids in the streets that joke and stand in front cars or whatever. It's not funny. Not the slightest bit.
Yeah, but I always think that you have to be a little sweet spoken to win people over and be a leader . *ahem* me *ahem*
I know, right? I always rate books too high, only to deduct stars later.
I'm very tempted to be an Erudite, but you know, it sounds too stressful. Amity sounds cool. I think that's probably the best thing, leaders from all factions.
I'm not either. A lot of YA movies have been let downs, so..
YES! It's obvious, isn't it? There's some weird stuff going on in there :P
And I agree, it was a good book, just not worth the hype. In my opinion, a lot of dystopians could have used that hype. Like Unwind (although it was published before divergent).
Yes, I do remember now that you've mentioned it. Although the fact that they don't always stick to what their faction entitles worries me.
Ha! I think very few people would choose Abnegation. I don't want to be one of them, tbh :)
Candor aren't very deplomatic, I agree. But I find it hard that an entire faction would be so truthful, though, so there's that ;)
I know, right? I didn't like her before, when she was in Clooney's film, but she turned out to be really sweet.
I am avoiding your book thief review, btw, because I'm joining the read-along with the Midnight Garden in October. If you want to reread again?
Ahh, layered writing. You're right that Collins' writing does more on a level by level basis, but I did think that Roth's writing was still layered - just very differently. Hers has a lot of details that I don't think you'll get in a lot of other stories even if they embody the same straightforward writing style.
Huh, I don't remember Tris being very insecure about her looks. I always thought that she was kind of passive and accepting of them being potentially plain to the world. Reminded me of Jane Eyre in a way, who I wouldn't say was insecure so much as practical.
Ahh, the ending. Well, if you're looking for the story to pick up, the sequel certainly delivers... butttt, I could also see you getting really frustrated with Tris. Well, that's if you choose to pick up Insurgent! As for the ending here, well, it ends mid scene. It's a strange place to end.
Which faction would you have chosen? and Why?
Ha, I wouldn't be Dauntless either. No danger for me. Hehehe, sweet talking is one of your powers? Well, I can see that with your nicknames for us and all ;). You are smart! And bookish, no? So you *could* be Erudite. Lol me too on the selflessness part. Amity has a lot of flaws too - if you read the sequel. If not, I can let you in on some spoilers for them. They are chill and happy though. It's nice medium between all the other factions. I might choose Amity or Erudite. Probably the latter. I like learning for the sake of learning.
Do you think Tris deserved to be Dauntless?
Yeah, the Divergent aspect... though, okay, tell me this: what does fist fighting have to do with being brave? So Trist might not have made it into the top ten without her Divergent abilities, but besides the fear landscape, I didn't know that the tests were always the best measures...
Which faction do you think should be in power?
Lol Amity in politics is like the isolationists of the past. They would do nothing even if they were attacked - that's why you can't just have them. You make a good point on Ab and ambition - but if they're decently educated, I'd hope that their selflessness would lend to them recognizing this would benefit the others? Candor, nah. Can't have politicians who tell the truth, didn't ya hear? Erudite needs to be involved, not just as the military strategic leader. Dauntless should not be involved in the politics of it - what do they have to offer besides brazenness?
Did you watch the trailer of the movie? What did you think?
Not tacky or cheap, but it just doesn't describe the book very well. All it tells you of the plot is that being different = dangerous. And that's not really a completely accurate descriptor. It was nice to emphasize Winslet though.
I haven't been following your blog for very long but I already know that your brain is messed up haha (lol don't worry I'm just kidding :P)
I kind of agree with your review. I liked Divergent more than you appear to have, but I still thought that it wasn't as amazing as it was hyped up to be. It also wasn't very memorable, to be honest. I've read it twice now, and still I have trouble remembering exactly what happened. Okay, maybe my memory is just crap...
Yeah, the faction thing was explained! It's to do with what people thought was the cause of evil or something. e.g. candor thinks it's lying, abnegation thinks it's selfishness, dauntless thinks it's cowardice etc etc
SPOILER DISCUSSION BIT
1. I'd probably go Erudite. I just really like the idea of doing research and such. Even though they're slightly evil. mwahahaha. And yeah, I totally wouldn't fit in Abnegation. Like, as if I'm going to be completely selfless, man!
2. I think she probably did. I mean, as you said she did jump off that building :P But more than just that, I think she had an inherent bravery that manifests itself in different ways e.g. her standing up to Eric.
3. Yeah I definitely think all of them should be in power! That's kind of how it is right now (but yeah, Candor would do terribly...)
4. It was okay. I don't know, I wasn't as excited as other people by it. I do love Shailene though! She just seems really awesome. Also major props to her being Hazel in the TFIOS movie :D