Notes

Beatrice Prior lives in a future version of Chicago where there are five distinct factions. Each faction thinks one virtue is best: Dauntless think bravery is keen, Erudite love knowledge, Abnegation is pro-self-sacrifice, Amity hearts friendship, and Candor is into telling it like it is. Beatrice grew up in an Abnegation family. But when she turns 16, she decides to join Dauntless—because they're daring and even as her test result showed that she was Divergent, meaning she doesn't really fit in with any one faction.

Along the way, Beatrice takes a new nickname—Tris—and meets a range of people. There are new friends like Al, Will, and Christina; new enemies like Peter and his evil minions; and new teachers, like the scary Eric and Four. Tris has to compete to get into Dauntless, all while hiding that she's really Divergent. So, pretty much the usual high school experience.

Then, Tris figures out that the Erudite faction wants to overthrow the Abnegation government. And they're going to do so by mind-controlling the Dauntless army. But Tris doesn't get brainwashed (because she's Divergent), so she destroys the villain's plan, and rescues everyone. Except for her mom and dad, who die to help her.