Veronica Roth’s debut novel, Divergent, is one I started hearing a buzz about months ago, when the Advance Reader Copies (ARCs) were making their way to bloggers I follow. When the book arrived a few weeks ago, I tore it open and started reading. In forty-five minutes, I had read the first ten chapters. In less than twenty-four hours, I had finished the book.

Set in a dystopian Chicago, the city is now divided into five factions. Each faction serves its purpose in society. At sixteen, citizens undergo testing and choose the faction with which they will align themselves for the rest of their life.  Sixteen year old Beatrice makes a choice that changes her destiny- and that of her world- forever.

Yes, Divergent is young adult.  If you like the science fiction or adventures/thrillers, this one is still worth a read, even though the characters are high school aged. In Beatrice (or Tris, as she becomes known after choosing her faction), Roth has, thankfully, given us a heroine more along the lines of Cassandra Clare’s Clary in the Mortal Instruments series than Bella from the Twilight Saga. Tris is smart and brave, but also has her insecurities. She’s relatable, but also someone to look up to- which is important for the book’s target audience.

Roth gives us just the right amount of action, drama, and romance.  We care about the characters and what happens to them.  She’s set up a perfect start to this trilogy, and here’s hoping she maintains this momentum for the remaining two books. I’m already looking forward to Book 2.