Read: Divergent Series by Veronica Roth

The latest set of books that I couldn't put down (while on my stationary bike) was Veronica Roth's Divergent series.

I've identified spoilers below for those who'd like to skip that section, but I can't give away the ending anyway. Roth hasn't completed the third book in the series yet. Grr!
Well, let's review.

If you read the cover description on this book, you're probably thinking "this is soooo Hunger Games." And I would have to agree that there are a lot of similarities.

There's a female protagonist, Beatrice or "Tris," and a governmental system set up to control the masses using unpleasant means (ie. a dystopian society).  Tris is un-trusting of those around her, and for a good reason. Her parents didn't trusted her with some important information during her childhood.

But I would also add that there's an element of Harry Potter involved.

The citizens are sorted into different communities based on their personalities and vocational aptitude.While there's no "sorting hat" and the citizens are free to choose their community on their 16th birthday, their future is limited by their decision. Once they make their choice, they must favor aspects of their personality valued by the community and live with those people until they die.

Spoiler paragraphs coming up!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Skip to me with the green flag.

Like Harry, Tris chooses to move to a community of the brave (the Dauntless rather than Gryffindor) even though she is considered "Divergent," or doesn't favor any one personality trait over the other.

Once with the Dauntless, Tris makes friends and enemies like Harry at his school, but her enemies are not only a part of the other communities; they're also within the Dauntless.

In addition to Harry Potter and The Hunger Games, Roth's story utilizes the idea of "simulated realities" like in the popular movies Total Recall and The Matrix.

Although Total Recall and the Matrix have people plugged into a machine without their knowledge, Tris and her community of Dauntless are voluntarily injected with hormones and chemicals that make them face their worst fears and conquer them. Essentially, they're training modules.

However, like The Matrix and Total Recall, this altering of perceptions can and is used for evil purposes, but in this case by the Erudite (people who value intelligence).

...End of Spoiler

But beyond the obvious similarities with some big-time hits, Roth's writing is engaging. The characters are rich and complex. You can expect the unexpected from their "diverging" personalities (hardy, har, har).

I really feel for her characters just as much as Katnis. I hate when Tris hates, love when she loves, and I want her and her group of friends to survive the coming upheaval of everything they know. I want them to become the leaders of a new world order (in the non-Biblical sense).

I don't remember any language problems in the first two books. However, just like the Hunger Games, their is some violence, a few life or death situations, and a brief touch on sexuality.

So if you're an adult who likes fantastic realism, go for it! Because of the sexuality, and my religious persuasion, I would recommend the book for anyone 18 and up even though this series is meant for a teen audience.

And if you're thinking about a Christmas present, I'm sure these two books will please. I'm holding out for the third so I can potentially buy the set.

Why, Roth, why have you not completed the last book in the trilogy?!

Age Recommendation: 18+

Running Shoe Rating: 5 out of 5