Set in a future image of Chicago where a 16 year old girl called Beatrice is living in a world where society is split up into five factions where each of them are dedicated to the cultivation of a set virtue. One day every year, all sixteen year old's have the burden of selecting one of these factions to which they will devote the rest of their lives to. Beatrice makes a decision that surprises herself and her family. Renaming herself as Tris and with her fellow initiates, have to undergo physical tests of endurance and intense psychological simulations with devastating consequences that determine whether they are cut out for their chosen faction. If they are not, they are cast aside and become factionless. Tris has the struggle of determining who her real friends are and an unexpected romance blossoms between herself and a initiate trainer named Four who holds a secret, like him Tris also is hiding something from everyone around her. She has been warned several times that revealing this secret could cost her her life...
Okay so I confess that when I began to read this book I couldn't help but compare it to the Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins. Now don't let that put you off reading it! I can assure you now that it pans out in a different direction. Tris to begin with is portrayed as a timid girl who has lived a sheltered life and followed in her older brother Caleb's footsteps. It is only at the Choosing Ceremony where you see that Tris becomes this brave young girl who has to make the decision of her life. Her character evolves very quickly and she proves to those who perceive her as this little shy girl during the initiation tasks in her new faction, that she even surprises herself of what she is capable of. Tris' romantic interest Four, who I find is most mysterious, and (embarrassingly) sexy kind of 'teacher' figure. You remember them hot gym teacher's you would eyeball at school during P.E? Yeah that's pretty much my take on him. Overall, I found that the book captured my imagination and gave me insight into what possible futures could eventually occur in centuries to come- like any dystopia genre book does. It gives the reader a great sense of mystery and suspense, there is never a dull moment...except when you realise you've finished the book and desperately need the sequel Insurgent!
