Tif Takes On The Hunger Games vs Divergent

Have you ever been in a book club when a member compares your current read with a popular book?  A popular book that just so happens to be one of your own favorites?  And, you kind of gasp just a little bit like you cannot believe they just did that?  Well, that was me recently with the book Divergent by Veronica Roth, and the comparison was to The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins.  Well, that got me thinking ... how does Divergent compare to The Hunger Games in the book blogging world?   I asked and I think I got my answer.

Let's first start with a little background information . . .

The Hunger Games features a world made of 12 districts, made up essentially of needs (i.e., transportation, fishing, lumber, etc.).

Divergent's world breaks down into 5 factions (or, in my opinion, technically 6 when you consider the factionless), separated by personality traits (i.e., honesty, knowledge, selfishness, etc.).

Both of these worlds essentially put people into categories.  When people are put into boxes, they are meant to break free of them!

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The Hunger Games is led by Katniss Everdeen, a strong young woman who has learned to survive in her imperfect world.

Divergent is led by Beatrice Prior, a young woman who comes to discover that she is stronger than she initially gives herself credit for.

Both of these girls can kick your butt anyday!

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The Hunger Games is really about survival, but love does come into play in a triangular fashion.

Divergent is also all about survival and love falls into her lap along the way.

Yep, survival and love in both.

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Despite all these similarities, there is only one winner for me if I absolutely have to choose one:  The Hunger Games.  I found the categorization into resources more believable than personalities.  I thought the writing was better.  And, I thought the entire series was strong.  Granted, I am not quite done with Allegiant, the third in the Divergent series.  However, I devoured The Hunger Games within days ... for the entire trilogy.  The Divergent series began dragging for me with Insurgent and I don't find myself drawn to the story as much as I did with The Hunger Games.

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Thankfully, my vote is not the deciding factor.  I now turn to some fellow book bloggers to share their views on the two trilogies . . .

Kate from Midnight Book Girl

Hunger Games, hands down. I really loved Divergent, but I did not like book 2 or 3. I kind of felt like Roth didn't really have a vision for where the story was going. I think Collins is just better at world building. 

April from The Steadfast Reader

Yep, a thousand time The Hunger Games. Admittedly, I only read 'Divergent' (this is how much more I prefer The Hunger Games) the reason behind it was that I couldn't relate. The stunts that the Dauntless had to perform seemed reckless and unnecessarily dangerous (that's not bravery, that's stupidity). But, then I'm not the key demographic either. :) I also agree with Kate from Midnight Book Girl that Collins did a much better job at world building. I'm all about the world building.

Kayla from Bibliophilia, Please!

I loved The Hunger Games, but I couldn't get into Divergent. I found the world-building a bit harder to believe because the factions didn't really make sense to me. I also didn't have the connection with Tris that I had with Katniss. I've heard that Insurgent is a better book than Divergent, but I doubt I'll ever read it.

Monika from A Lovely Bookshelf on the Wall

I read all of the Hunger Games straight through. Could not put them down, couldn't wait to read the next book, was SO GLAD I'd waited until all three were out before ever starting the series for that very reason. ;) Divergent was very good, I enjoyed it, but I haven't been as compelled to read on. I want to, eventually, but no feeling of "I MUST find out what happens!!!" you know? So for me, Hunger Games wins.

Tanya from Girlxoxo

Another vote for THG. In Divergent I think the premise behind the society didn't make sense. And it only got more nonsensical at the end of Insurgent. I haven't read the final book in the series yet though.

Melissa from Palmer's Picks for Reading

It took me two tries to get into The Hunger Games....and once I did, I enjoyed it and Catching Fire. But Divergent sucked me right in. I found Tris to be an interesting and complex character...strong and intelligent. I liked Four and wanted to watch their relationship grow. There were times in the three books that I wanted to smack both of them but I could not put these books down.

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When I put out this little call for an opinion, I really did not expect to see such an overwhelming response to one trilogy over the other.  I really thought it would be more of a battle.  Alas, it was not and the winner is . . .

THE HUNGER GAMES by Suzanne Collins

Now, it is your turn to weigh in.  Which series do you prefer:  The Hunger Games or Divergent?  Why?

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Tif is one of the creators of Book Bloggers International 

and can be found on a regular basis over at Tif Talks Books.