Book Review: The Transfer by Veronica Roth

The Transfer
Divergent #0.1
Author: Veronica Roth
Reading Level: Young Adult
Genre: Dystopian
Released: September 3rd 2013
Review Source: Purchased

More Four!
Fans of the Divergent series by No. 1 New York Times bestselling author Veronica Roth will be thrilled by ‘The Transfer’, the first of four new short stories told from Four’s perspective.

Each brief story explores the world of the Divergent series through the eyes of the mysterious but charismatic Tobias Eaton, revealing previously unknown facets of his personality, backstory and relationships.

We all want to know his story. We want him, we care for him and we all want to know every detail of his life. We all want to know more of Tobias ‘Four’ Eaton.

The Transfer was a beautiful and well written short story of Four’s childhood along with his toughest decision. We can better understand why Four is scared of his father and the reason behind his choice of picking Dauntless as home. We get to see life the way he sees it.

The story begins at the moment when Tobias emerge from the simulation. Asking if he is pleased with his result, Tory is the person that tells him that he is the one that has to live with the choices he makes.

Four grew up being scared of his monstrous father. Tobias’ father keeps him away from the others to protect his reputation. Tobias is the outcast at the Abnegation table. Everyone believes there is something wrong with him. No one suspect that his father is the one with the issue. While reading, I had flashbacks of ‘A Child Called It’. Poor Tobias, he survived such tragic childhood. His father is an abusive and manipulative individual. Tobias only hopes to be free from his father and this is when he becomes free – choosing Dauntless.

In this short story, we found out about his transfer to a new beginning. I cried during his transfer. Tobias was finally free from his father. “He looks stunned. I smirk a little. I did it, I put that expression on his face”. HE IS FREE! God, the happy tears soon comes to stop when his fellow initiates begin to test him. Tobias is soon nicknamed ‘Stiff’ for his lack of knowledge but is soon changed due to his results of the fear landscape simulation. “We should come up with another name for you… Something tougher than ‘Stiff’”. With a new record, Four gets the courage to stand up for himself, “My name is Four,” I say. “Call me ‘Stiff’ again and you will have a problem”. GOD FOUR IS BADASS. I cannot wait to learn more of him!