Divergent

Had you asked me a week ago, how to spell divergent, I would have started with the letter D. Today, though, I think it starts with the letter A.

Yep.

That's right.

How do you spell Divergent?

A-M-A-Z-I-N-G

I know, I know. I'm a little late to this party. But my TBR is ginormous. And it took me a minute to make my way to Divergent, by Veronica Roth.

And what a hot mistake that was. If you haven't read it yet, because it's not at the top of your TBR? BUMP IT, ASAP. Don't wait another month, another week, another day. Because I'm telling you now, I will say I told you so. And I'll stick my tongue out and wag my fingers from my ears, too.

Okay, so you start off learning that there are these five factions: Dauntless (the brave), Candor (the honest), Erudite (the intellectual), Amnity (the peaceful), Abnegation (the selfless). When you turn sixteen, you have to take a test which will indicate which faction you're fitted for. (Though, the decision is ultimately yours to make.) But the test is sooooo super cool, and also sooooo super creepy. When Beatrice's test began, I was sucked into the book with no chance of escape.

The choices Beatrice (aka Tris) makes and the consequences that follow are stunning to read. I found my heart rate increasing and my mouth hanging open on several occasions. And not only from Tris's actions. All of the characters are complicated and intriguing. Oh--and I don't think I've ever hated a character as quickly as I hated Eric. Seriously, you'll see. Just wait. Even typing his name gives me a little venomous charge in my veins.

The world building is . . . Honestly, I find myself at a loss with how to explain how thorough and brilliant and seamless it is. Well, I guess I just did. But still. Those words barely do Veronica's talent justice.

Basically, what it comes down to is this: Divergent is one part Hunger Games, one part Ender's Game, one part Lord of the Flies, and eleventy bajillion parts phenomenal. If you're one of the few who haven't read it yet, you need to fix that situation, PRONTO. (Or, go read Carol's review, if that didn't convince you. Seriously, I dove into Divergent within ONE day of reading it.)

PS. Debra Driza (Houndrat) is having a Divergent Faction-of-the-Week Challenge. CLICK HERE to check it out :)