Thursday, April 21, 2011

DIVERGENT :: A Bookanista Review (aka Veronica Roth = Genius)

Veronica Roth's DIVERGENT = Wow. That's all I have to say.

AND...

READ THIS BOOK!

This book is proof that you can write an outstanding story, with really tough characters, without using sex or swearing (okay, there are a few minor cuss words). And for a writer to be able to do that, she has to be a pure genius. So I guess Veronica Roth = GENIUS!

Blurb from Amazon:

In Beatrice Prior's dystopian Chicago, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue—Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). On an appointed day of every year, all sixteen-year-olds must select the faction to which they will devote the rest of their lives. For Beatrice, the decision is between staying with her family and being who she really is—she can't have both. So she makes a choice that surprises everyone, including herself.

During the highly competitive initiation that follows, Beatrice renames herself Tris and struggles to determine who her friends really are—and where, exactly, a romance with a sometimes fascinating, sometimes infuriating boy fits into the life she's chosen. But Tris also has a secret, one she's kept hidden from everyone because she's been warned it can mean death. And as she discovers a growing conflict that threatens to unravel her seemingly perfect society, she also learns that her secret might help her save those she loves… or it might destroy her.


And in the words of fellow Bookanista Veronica Roth--via Amazon again (these are precious words so read them twice!)

Q: What advice would you offer to young aspiring writers, who long to live a success story like your own?

Roth: One piece of advice I have is: Want something else more than success. Success is a lovely thing, but your desire to say something, your worth, and your identity shouldn’t rely on it, because it’s not guaranteed and it’s not permanent and it’s not sufficient. So work hard, fall in love with the writing—the characters, the story, the words, the themes—and make sure that you are who you are regardless of your life circumstances. That way, when the good things come, they don’t warp you, and when the bad things hit you, you don’t fall apart.


(By the way, this book comes out May 3!)


For more Bookanista reviews, check out:

Elana Johnson visits Dark and Hollow Places
LiLa Roecker gets silly over Spoiled
Christine Fonseca has a passion for Possession – with giveaway
Shannon Messenger marvels at Moonglass – with giveaway
Jamie Harrington adores Invincible Summer
Shelli Johannes-Wells is in the grip of Possession
Scott Tracey bathes in Blood Magic
Carolina Valdez Miller interviews Invicible Summer author Hannah Moskowitz
Jessi Kirby praises Playing Hurt
Shana Silver presents a Guestanista gushing over Between Here and Forever
Gretchen McNeil parties over The Anti-Prom
Carrie Harris sings out about Shift
Rosemary Clement-Moore applauds Abandon
Sarah Frances Hardy enjoys Me Jane
Matt Blackstone loves Like Mandarin
Corrine Jackson delights in The Duff
Stasia Ward Kehoe discusses Displacement

11 comments:

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Unknown said...

FIRST! I win! And I will read the book. I am just finishing up American Assassin, so I need a new book.

Shannon O'Donnell said...

I have this one, but haven't had a chance to read it yet. Soon!!! :-)

Matthew MacNish said...

What great advice at the end there, thanks Veronica! And thanks Bethany.

Carolina M. Valdez Schneider said...

AHHHHHHH! This just arrived in the mail.

And yes, I totally agree--if a writer can pull this off like Veronica clearly has, it's just pure magic. I can't wait to dive into it!!

Love Veronica's advice. So much wisdom in that.

Jemi Fraser said...

Wow! I have absolute chills from her words. Such power and truth! :)

SharePoint Intranet said...

That message at the end is killer man! Really enjoyed every bit of this post! Thanks!

Anonymous said...

I have this on pre-order and can't wait to get it.

I loved the author's advice at the end. It's important to stay true to oneself while attaining one's goals.

Deirdra A. Eden said...

I love your site and as I browsed your blog I decided to award you the Best Books Blog Award.
Go to http://astorybookworld.blogspot.com/p/awards.html and pick up your award.
~Deirdra
PS. Love all the reviews on your site. Keep up the good work!

Jo Schaffer said...

Need to read this!

A.L. Sonnichsen said...

Her answer to your question is incredible. Definitely words of wisdom.

Amy