“We believe in ordinary acts of bravery, in the courage that drives one person to stand up for another.”
The Blurb:
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.
IMO:
I’ve been meaning to read this book for a very long time now. For some reason, I always get distracted by other books, especially new releases, that I always forgot. This week, I finally put my foot down and commit myself to read this book.
I’m glad I did. It was indeed a long time coming. What a dystopian world Ms Veronica Roth has created! It was definitely unlike any other. It was kind of unnerving to think of a future divided through perceived personalities. To put the faction first before a blood member. Faction before blood.
Tris is a wonderful character. Even though I do not agree with some of her thoughts and actions, I find myself understanding why she decides to do the stuff she does. Those differences make her seemed real. A flawed individual struggling to discover herself and find her rightful place in their world.
At the very instant that Tris and Four met, I’m quite sure that he’s her future partner. They complement each other well. At first, I was wondering why the hell his name is Four? I didn’t like it but when I learned his real name is Tobias, I decided that I prefer Four better. Atleast, it has history.
The Dauntless initiation is a wild ride. Starting from jumping off the train onto the roof up to the fear landscape, it was all crafted beautifully. The scenarios are interesting, intriguing and at times, heart pounding.
The main conflict was brilliantly formulated. I was on the edge while reading the last few chapters. The emotions I felt were on varying degrees of happiness, hatred, sadness and gratification.
If I had something to complain about, it will be the lack of back story. The setting is our world in the future, not another world. Of course, I would like to know how Chicago ended up that way. Is the whole of US and the world divided in factions too? I’m hoping these questions will be answered in the other books.
Quotes:
Damn. This book is so freakin' quotable. I think while reading I keep on stopping just to highlight the quotes that I really like. Sharing to you guys my favorite quotes below:
“Becoming fearless isn't the point. That's impossible. It's learning how to control your fear, and how to be free from it.”
“I have a theory that selflessness and bravery aren't all that different.”
“A brave man acknowledges the strength of others.”
“Politeness is deception in pretty packaging.”
“It must require bravery to be honest all the time.”
“...there is power in self-sacrifice.”
“Human beings as a whole cannot be good for long before the bad creeps back in and poisons us again.”
“Human reason can excuse any evil; that is why it's so important that we don't rely on it.”
“Lies require commitment.”
“Humans can't tolerate emptiness for long.”
“Those who seek peace above all else, they say, will always deceive to keep the water calm.”
"...those who want power and get it live in terror of losing it. That's why we have to give power to those who do not want it."
Conclusion:
For a debut novel, Ms Roth certainly did well. The book was thrilling, surprising and truly captivating. I’m ready for Insurgent!
A
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