by Elizabeth Reed, assistant editor

Everyone’s talking about it–there’s at least one fangirl in every classroom who gushes about it at the slightest mention of tattoos or chocolate cake. I’m talking about the book “Divergent” by Veronica Roth, whose movie adaptation has recently come to theaters.

I hadn’t really known about the book until I saw a movie trailer advertising when it would break into theaters–sad, right? After watching the trailer, not only did I want to watch the movie, but I wanted to get my hands on the book. In general, I’m not a fan of watching the movie before reading the actual book.

I had heard many people comparing the book to “The Hunger Games,” a book series by Suzanne Collins, but while reading “Divergent,” I did not find any similarities other than a dystopian society where people are set into different areas–factions, if you will.

The novel is set in future Chicago where their society is divided into 5 factions based on virtues: Abnegation, Candor, Erudite, Amity and Dauntless. “Divergent” is about a 16 year old girl, Beatrice Prior, who has to choose a faction to live in the for the rest of her life, leaving behind her family if she chooses another faction than the one she grew up in. While going through a test to help decide her faction, her test results are inconclusive; a rare occurrence that shows Beatrice what she really is, leaving her to make difficult decisions along the way to choose a life for herself and protect it as well.

I finished the book in two days.

Needless to say, the book was a fast read with enticing details that create a world around you as you read. Though there is romance, I definitely wouldn’t classify this as a just-for-girls book; the main character goes through triumphs and tragedies that create an all-around lovable character.