In a future time, the city once known as Chicago has been divided into five factions: Abnegation, Candor, Erudite, Amity, and Dauntless. Developed to counter the selfishness, duplicity, ignorance, aggression, and cowardice believed to lead to conflict and war, each faction has a specific societal function. Beatrice has grown up with her family as a member of the selfless Abnegation—the faction designated to make decisions in the interests of all. But as the time approaches for choosing her faction for life, her aptitude test shows her to be a rare Divergent—someone with equal affinity for multiple factions. Warned to keep the results secret—the government believes Divergents are dangerous—Beatrice weighs the expectation that she will stay in the faction of her birth against her uncertainty and desire before deciding to join Dauntless. Beatrice must adapt quickly to the thrill-seeking and confrontational style of her new community. Starting with a name change to Tris, she works hard to meet the initiation demands, knowing failure means being relegated to the pariah status of Factionless. Tris is surprised at her innate talent even as she struggles to meld expectations of ruthlessness with her ingrained model of selflessness. As she moves deeper into the Dauntless community and a romantic relationship with her initiation instructor, the mysterious Four, Tris becomes aware of secrets and conspiracies that threaten to wreak havoc upon the balance of power among the factions and the population of the city. Equal parts social commentary, action, intrigue, and romance, this dystopian novel is a compelling page turner. (Age 13 and older)