7 Reasons You Should Care About YA Hit "Divergent"

Unless you’ve been hiding under a rock for the past two years, you’ve heard about Divergent, the young adult fiction series by Veronica Roth that’s been taking the world by storm. Divergent finally hits the big screen this month, on March 21st—here’s seven reasons why you care.

1. Divergent is all about defying societal restrictions and choosing your own path.

Via Divergent / Summit / DJ Judd

The world of Divergent is broken into five major clans, called factions, who live by their own code. Erudite favors intelligence and learning; they're the scientists and doctors, the researchers and historians. Amity faction believes in kindness and hospitality— they provide food for the other four factions. The Candor value honesty and truth above all else, which serves them as leaders in law and politics. The Abnegation faction favors self-denial and sacrifice, and serve as selfless governors of a post-apocalyptic world, while the brave Dauntless faction serves as a military defense force for keeping the peace. Every member of the Divergent society is sorted into one of these five factions based on their own innate characteristics— however, every once in a while someone Divergent pops up who doesn't fit into just one category, but instead reflects two or three of these characteristics. Tris is identified as "Divergent" early on, and ultimately faces the ramifications of not fitting into a prescribed role in a society that relies entirely on a rigid structure and order at all costs.

2. Tris Prior is the female YA protagonist you've been waiting for.

Via Divergent / Summit / DJ Judd

Don't get me wrong, Katniss utterly kills it, but Tris (Shailene Woodley) has more agency and drive than just about any female young adult protagonist we've seen yet. While characters like Katniss and the more obviously problematic Bella are easily swept up into circumstances beyond their control, Tris chooses a new life and even a new name for herself because she knows she doesn't fit in to the box her society has placed her in. How's that for a role model?

3. Four is the perfect blend of heartthrob and hero.

Via Divergent / Summit / DJ Judd

In a lot of other YA series, this would be higher in the list, but it's a testament to the Divergent series that the romantic subplot takes a back seat to the real, pressing issues facing Tris. Still, she finds a solid ally in the conflicted, brooding Dauntless instructor Four (Theo James). Don't think that Four is just a pretty face though— he's one of the most fearless leaders in Dauntless, incredibly skilled at hand-to-hand combat. Moreover, he's a thoughtful, smart leader. And, if you're a Downton Abbey fan, you'll recognize Pamuk actor Theo James— rest assured, he doesn't expire as quickly as his Downton character does.

4. Jeanine Matthews is a chilling villain you shouldn't underestimate.

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Jeanine (Kate Winslet) is the head of the Erudite Faction, which values mental acuity over all else. As a result, Jeanine is a ruthlessly practical, quick-witted force to be reckoned with. The Dauntless faction prides itself on bravery and combat skills, but you can bet that, with someone as smart and conniving as Jeanine, Erudite is one step in front of its enemies at every turn. Jeanine isn't your average antagonist, so be prepared for twists at every turn.

5. The supporting cast is awesome too

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Shailene Woodley's Tris is the center of the Divergent series, but there's plenty of room for other well-rounded, solid characters— just take Christina (Zoë Kravitz), a Candor transplant who's open and direct manner initially takes Tris off-guard, or Peter (Miles Teller), Tris's Dauntless rival who'll do anything to rise to the top of his class. Maggie Q breathes life into Tori, a Dauntless leader who takes an early interest in Tris, while Jai Courtney is the intimidating Eric, an aggressive young Dauntless upstart. Ashley Judd and Ansel Elgort play Tris's mother and brother respectively, each with their own secrets to protect.

6. Post-apocalyptic Chicago looks amazing.

Via Divergent / Summit / DJ Judd

While many young adult franchises happen in an unrecognizable post-apocalyptic world or some other generic setting, Veronica Roth tied Divergent to her native Chicago, and it pays off— locations like the Navy Pier Ferris Wheel, the John Hancock Center, and O'Hare International Airport all make important appearances. There is a lot of urban decay on display in the trailer, and while you don't *have* to be familiar with Chicago to understand what's going on, it definitely helps to up the stakes.

7. The action sequences look incredible.

Via Divergent / Summit / DJ Judd

Tris's new life in Dauntless means we'll get combat training, weapons montages, chase scenes, intense battle sequences, and a city-wide game of "Capture the Flag" that's sure to look cool over the backdrop of a decaying Chicago, while virtual reality training sessions are sure to make for a few jump scenes as well. Divergent is a fast-paced futuristic adventure, and the action only ramps up in the following books, so get excited now. Move over, Hunger Games—there’s a new YA juggernaut in town