Common Sense Media Review
By Sandie Angulo Chen
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Exciting, violent dystopian thriller is original, addictive.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 73 parent reviews
Parents say the book is an engaging and thought-provoking read that features a strong female protagonist and a captivating plot set in a dystopian world. However, many reviewers express concerns about the violence and sexual content, suggesting it may not be suitable for younger readers, especially those under 12 or 13, and emphasize the importance of parents pre-reading the book to make an informed decision for their children.
- strong female protagonist
- engaging plot
- concerns about violence
- parental guidance suggested
- age recommendations vary
- thought-provoking themes
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
Based on 565 kid reviews
Kids say this book is an engaging and action-packed read with relatable characters and a gripping storyline, though it contains significant violence and some mature themes, including brief romantic encounters and language. While many recommend it for teens around 12 to 14 years old, some suggest caution due to graphic content, emphasizing that it may not be suitable for younger or less mature children.
- relatable characters
- action-packed
- significant violence
- mature themes
- recommend for teens
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
In the Chicago of the distant future, society has willingly segregated itself into five "factions:" Abnegation (the selfless), Amity (the kind), Candor (the honest), Dauntless (the brave), and Erudite (the intelligent). All 16-year-olds take an aptitude test revealing their true faction and then choose one to join -- regardless of which one they were born into. When Abnegation-born Beatrice Prior's results are inconclusive, her tester informs her she's a "divergent" and should never mention her results to anyone. Believing herself too selfish to be any good in Abnegation, she chooses Dauntless, where she rechristens herself Tris. During the dangerous bloody Dauntless initiation process, she develops feelings for her handsome, mysterious instructor Four, who never fails to challenge her to perform her best, even as others grow jealous of her unexpected skills. And Tris beings to realize being a Divergent has both advantages and disadvantages.
Is It Any Good?
Roth, who wrote the book as a college student, has earned a tremendous amount of first book buzz, and the hype is well-deserved. She uses some devices that fans of dystopian novels will recognize -- a compartmentalized society, a misfit protagonist, dangerous secrets, and a cliffhanger ending -- but still manages to create an unstoppable plot that's remarkably original. Tris is a refreshingly smart and self-possessed 16-year-old protagonist, and readers will fall in love with her leading man right along with her. But the romance, while as swoon-worthy and fluttery as you'd expect from a teen novel, is actually secondary to the book's deep messages about identity and controlling societies. This is an impressive and provoking start to what should be a fascinating series.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about why so many books are coming out about teens growing up in dangerous futuristic societies, like Matched or The Hunger Games. Is the dystopian genre becoming overcrowded? What does this book have in common with other books you've read?
What did you think of the level of violence here? Does the fantasy setting make it easier to handle -- or are there details that you found disturbing? Is violence in books different than in other media, like movies or television shows?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Science Fiction
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : HarperCollins Children's Books
- Publication date : May 3, 2011
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 14 - 17
- Number of pages : 496
- Last updated : March 18, 2026
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