Divergent by Veronica Roth

This book was recommended by students, and I gave it a rating of five out of five. The setting is in a dysptopian future where people are divided into five factions based on their character (i.e. bravery, honesty, etc.) Beatrice reaches the age of sixteen when she must decide the faction she'd like to join. She takes some tests and discovers that she is Divergent, which means she shows character traits from several different factions. She is told to keep this secret, because there are people who will kill her if they discover the truth. Although she grew up in a selfless faction, Beatrice changes her name to Tris and joins Dauntless, the brave faction. Four, one of the trainers, befriends Tris, but he tells her that the training is very different from the way it used to be. It is very competitive, and some of the initiates are seriously hurt. There seem to be conflicts developing between the different factions. Tris's divergence may be the only thing that can save the world.

The plot contains a great deal of violence as the Dauntless initiates compete to become number one. Imagine being stabbed in the eye with a butter knife while you sleep! Only ten initiates will be accepted, and the rest will become factionless. The plot has mystery as Tris discovers some truths about her parents, and the secret behind the faction conflicts is revealed. It builds to an exciting climax, and I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series, Insurgent.