Imagine living in future dystopian Chicago. You are isolated from the rest of the world, no way out. Society has drastically changed. Previously, the government has decided to create five factions (social divisions): Abnegation, the selfless; Amity, the peaceful; Candor, the honest; Dauntless, the brave; and Erudite, the intelligent. These factions create the city’s function with their unique responsibilities.

At the age of 16, the children born into their factions are given a choice to change factions or remain in the same. Before this event (the Choosing Ceremony) begins, each 16-year-old goes through an Aptitude test, which consists of virtual simulations. Based on their results, the teens will find out the faction that best suits them.

The point of view is from the protagonist, Beatrice. Her background makes for a strong exposition, which gives a strong connection between her and the reader. The story begins with Beatrice as an Abnegation member, with a loving family. Her main responsibility in this faction is to practice selflessness. Beatrice feels like an outsider in doing this. As she sees fellow community members and family members putting others before themselves without hesitation, readers get to know her and all of her feelings. An example of this is when Caleb, Beatrice’s older brother, gives a Candor man on the bus his seat without a second thought (Loc 94). Beatrice does not understand how he can act in that way.

After Beatrice’s Aptitude test ends, Tori, the lady administrating it, says, “People who get this kind of result are…are called…Divergent” (Loc 298). When Beatrice finds out that this means her test results accounted for three different faction choices, she is faced with a daunting task. Her rare scenario leaves her the decision of leaving her family or staying with them. She hesitantly decides to switch factions. Her decision affects the rest of her life and relationships as she tries to keep her Aptitude results a secret. People who are “divergent” are likely to voice their own opinions and do what they want. Because of this, the government wants these people dead, so she must fly beneath the radar.

The conflict that Beatrice receives after her faction switch is unbearable. She explains, “My father’s eyes burn into mine with a look of accusation” (Loc 581). This is her last look of her father before she leaves with the new faction. The reader continues to connect with Beatrice through her struggles in her new faction. As she goes through initiation (proving that she is fit for her faction), she meets a few friends. These friends are key to helping Beatrice in her struggles against bullying by other initiates. Most of the initiates do not approve of a Stiff, the nickname for an Abnegation member, switching to this faction. As Beatrice struggles to prove herself, each and every character going through the initiation process is clearly defined. The reader learns the personality of each character inside and out.

Along with strong character development, the setting drives the plot along. From an author who grew up in a Chicago suburb, the book could not be more accurately detailed. Every scene is clearly defined, which puts a reader directly in Beatrice’s mind. As one begins to see the future Chicago through Beatrice’s eyes, the story becomes alive. With every great moment in the book, there is a strongly defined setting to keep things as realistic as possible. Beatrice explains, “The building that was once called the Sears Tower-we call it the Hub-emerges from the fog, a black pillar in the skyline” (Loc 93).

Veronica Roth’s dystopian novel, Divergent, is nothing short of perfection. With her creative writing degree and Chicago background, she cleverly put together a strong book driven by character development and accurate setting. Every reader that enjoys adventure, suspense, and tension will be happy to know that this is just the first book in a series of three. As soon as someone picks up this book, he/she will never put it down. The book will keep the reader wondering what is next. There is no stopping point in this well-developed book. From the first line, “THERE IS ONE mirror in my house” (Loc 65), the reader is caught in a web of curiosity, later to be explained through characters and setting.