Divergent

Divergent by Veronica Roth, 487 pages

Holy cow was this a good book! Set in a post-apocalyptic Chicago (Lake Michigan is now a marsh! The Bean is all rusty!), Divergent tells of Beatrice, a 16-year-old girl who must choose one of the five factions in which to spend the rest of her life. Should she stay in Abnegation with her parents, putting the needs of others eternally before her own? Or should she take the daring step into Dauntless, where bravery (and daredevil lunacy) is prized above all else? This is a fascinating look at how, despite all efforts to quash conflict through structure and segregation, war will find away, as well as a quick-paced tale of rebellion against the idea of fitting into a pre-ordained box. Fans of The Hunger Games will like this one, which features a heroine who's smart, brave and selfless, but not quite as harsh as Katniss (I'd put Beatrice at about a 7 on the Katniss-Bella scale). Can't wait for the second book!