But to be fair, I bought it based on its comparisons to the Hunger Games. I loved Suzanne Collins' trilogy and am just as stoked for the movie as the other billion fans who already have their tickets in hand.
Veronica Roth's book is not The Hunger Games.
That doesn't mean it isn't good. It is. Very much so. It just took me a little while to shake The Hunger Games comparisons and recognize that the similarities kind of end after "dystopian future."
Beatrice Prior is part of a society that has maintained its peaceful existence by separating citizens into five factions, formed on the basis of their virtues. On her sweet 16th birthday, Beatrice must decide if she will stay with her parents in Abnegation, or forsake her virtue of selflessness for Dauntless bravery.
In a choice that surprises even herself, Beatrice abandons her parents.
But becoming Dauntless isn't easy. If the gruelling initiation phase doesn't kill her, her attraction to one of the Dauntless leaders might.
I'm not sure how I feel about this book. I finished it a couple of days ago, and have been mulling on it ever since. I wasn't as connected to the characters as I wanted to be, though "Four" held his own in the brooding romantic interest category. The chemistry between Beatris and Four was believable, even if it took a while to get there. And I think Beatris' character arc was well done.
Veronica Roth can absolutely write, and I definitely see the mass appeal of the story. Maybe I just wasn't as ready for a dystopian future book as I thought I was. Not blown away - but impressed enough to get the second book in the series, Insurgent, which is due out...soon?
- Dawn
The Book In My Bag Today: Rot & Ruin, Jonathan Mayberry
I've not read that book yet, but I have heard good things about it and I understand your point of view. I LOVE the Hunger Games too and I probably would compare it too. I'll have to look into this book.
ReplyDeleteKrista - if you do, please let me know what you think :-)
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