My Love-Hate Relationship with Divergent Trilogy

Someone is always underrated, isolated and an underdog in a story. To be honest, I was not very impressed by the movie version of Divergent. “Okay, pretty good dystopian genre.” Too common, I say. There wasn’t even a curiosity came in my mind like “How did the author manage to write the point of views?” I wasn’t interested at all.

I am not into reading over-hyped books, so the Divergent trilogy wasn’t on my list, though I have to admit that the faction idea (Amity, Erudite, Abnegation, Dauntless, and Candor) is so creative still didn’t get me hooked until I got a copy of the first book for FREE. ( Yes! For FREE. Heaven isn’t it?) When a co-bookworm offered me to pick books that were on her shelves, I was like “Maybe it’s good to choose something, not in my interest so I can try them and won’t waste any money at all.”

I didn’t know that that will be the beginning of my love for Tris and Four (main characters).

The first sentence of the book activated my imagination 100%. I felt like I was Tris, walking in the middle of the road of the Abnegation with people wearing gray clothes, silent and delicate. The Abnegation sector was picture perfect in my mind. It was like an old place I’ve been before (but not really). It was a rare moment that I got to watch the movie first but didn’t help me in imagining the story. Mostly, when I watch the film and get to read the book after, I can picture what exactly is in it. Divergent was completely different. The movie version exaggerated a level in portraying the simulation and surroundings. The book was plain but perfect.

I am so hooked to the point that it contradicts all of the things I said before. I love Divergent (I love Four, especially). I love Veronica Roth, so I bought the next three books in the series—Insurgent and Allegiant (and FOUR: A Divergent Collection. Who cares, I love Four!).

Reading the second book was a fast read for me. The interest and appetite were still in my heart, so I immediately read the third book after. I’m so thirsty to know what is outside the fences, what will happen to Caleb and Tris, what will happen to the factions.

Until…

I…DIDN’T READ ALLEGIANT ONLY TO BE DISAPPOINTED.

Veronica Roth messed up the plot. There was so much potential in the story aside from coming up with genetically pure and genetically damaged.

And the most disappointing part was when after Tori died, her love-of-all-time-divergent-brother was alive outside the fences. (This really didn’t make any sense for me. She even killed Jeanine as her revenge.) I am so disappointed to the point that I’m so done. But since I’m the kind of reader who finishes everything I’ve started, I have no choice but to end it.

Disappointment continues to run in my blood. Especially when it was stated that Four wasn’t divergent and that he only has this kind of gene that makes him active in a simulation which was kind of a horrible idea, horrible as his true name Tobias.

It hurts me more when Tris sacrificed her life for Caleb who betrayed her. Caleb didn’t even think of sacrificing his life for Tris, so why bother to sacrifice hers for Caleb? (Dumbest character I’ve ever known)

And because of Tris’ dumbest decision ever, she died.

We journeyed with Tris (Some kind of special divergent who ended up in ashes) to know that she will not end the story like how it started? Why Veronica Roth? Why?

(EMOTIONS EVERYWHERE…)

The point of views didn’t even make any differences. I needed to turn the page back to know if it’s Tobias or Tris. (Terrible, weird that Four sounded exactly as Tris. I wouldn’t want to read any stories of Veronica Roth that has two POVs.)  The only beautiful and teary moment in Allegiant was when Peter wanted to erase his memories (My Peter, Oh Peter)

I had different feelings and emotions through this series. Finishing the series was still one of the best moments in my life. Though it made me feel a longing for more and ranting everywhere, I can always go back to book one and stop there—just there.

The greatest lesson of Divergent is decisions might save or kill you. Proven with Four who lived and Tris who died regardless of how good or bad they’ve done.

I still highly recommend this series though I know there are much better dystopian genres floating out there.  (You’ll just have disappointments and further disappointments to come along.)

For Tris,

            I wasn’t expecting your death. On the other side, I understand that you chose to do it because dying for your love is worth it. Your death will forever be a burden for us. Your heart is as pure as your genes. Your life is everlasting in our world. And as we finish the book, the story you started will forever continue somewhere in our minds.