“One choice can transform you. One choice can destroy you. One choice will define you” encompasses an entire series of books in three simple sentences.

Veronica Roth’s Divergent series has been popular since her first book, Divergent, came out in 2011. This New York Times Bestselling Author continued on the legacy of the main character Tris Prior with two other books: Insurgent in 2012 and Allegiant in 2013.

This famous series drew in many teens and adults with its dystopian world, action-packed moments and a love story unlike any other. The premise surrounds a futuristic Chicago in which society is divided into five factions. As each person enters adulthood, he/she must choose a faction and commit to that group for life.

This was the first complete series I have ever read in its entirety, and I did so in a matter of months. I was so intrigued with the storyline and identified with Tris while reading. Since the first two books are narrated by Tris, I was able to make a personal connection to her struggles to find her true identity and her growing love for Four.

Allegiant, the last book, is very unique: the narration switches from Tris to Four, also known as Tobias, from chapter to chapter. Alternating the narration allows the reader to see inside Tobias’ mind, see what he sees and truly get a true sense of how he feels about Tris.

With the creation of this captivating series, Hollywood soon grabbed a hold of the books and ran.

The first book’s movie was released in 2014. Shailene Woodley plays Tris in the film, and I think she fits the role perfectly. Each actor that played the characters from the books seemed to be picked well; however, the film did not do the novels justice.

Divergent the movie is closer to the complete storyline of the first book than is the second movie, Insurgent, to its original book. The first film left out a few main characters that are key to advancing the plot in the other books. I believe one of the major book characters, Uriah, made a quick cameo in the films, but maybe the actor just fit the description in the book because I do not recollect hearing his name on screen.

The films make the situation seem like writers never read the other two books before making the first movie. They neglected to realize the whole story line would need to change completely if they left certain roles out. The ending to Divergent was altered as well, meaning the entirety of the second and third films would not match their books.

Although the alterations have enraged many fans, the movies are exceptionally well done on their own. Each movie is nicely developed, and the acting is up to par. The movie writers exploited the romance bit of the novels which did make the movies more appealing to a wide audience.  

As March 10 approaches, many people may be rushing to finish the exhilarating Divergent book series. On this date, the last book’s movie Allegiant will be released. There is no doubt the movie will not match its book. No rush is needed. 

Although I would suggest seeing both the movies or the books, I do not advise rushing the read the series just to see the movies: disappointment is sure to trump the preconceived excitement. The best advice I can give to someone who is intrigued by both media forms is to watch the movies first then read the books; however, choosing one form over the other will preserve the authenticity of the love for the series, for whichever version of the series one chooses.

By Maeonne Phillips

Five Seconds Of  Summer’s most recent release,“Sounds Good Feels Good” is gaining positive feedback from around the world. While their single, “She’s Kinda Hot,” blew away most of the 5SOS fans with their pop-punk comeback, the album all together is giving fans exactly what they wanted.

The band sends an encouraging message to teens around the world with their invitation to join “the new broken scene,” providing a different view on the rough times of a teens generation. They promote no matter how rough things can get or no matter what people say, “we’re alright, though.”

 More singles from the album, released Oct. 23, 2015, include “Fly Away,” “Jet Black Heart,” “Money” and “Hey Everybody.”

The band never fails to replicate their fans’ emotions with lyrics representing feelings of loneliness, heartbreak or even moving on. One of the songs on the album describes a situation of divorce, an inside look on how it feels to watch parents grow apart. It seems the lyrics from “Broken Home” are ones fans relate to most, as divorce is very common in this generation.

Other tracks can create a more positive message or even hopeful meaning such as the lyrics of “Fly Away.” The song describes the feeling of wanting to have a new start, traveling to see new things and leaving a small town.

Before the Australians, known as 5SOS,  released their first album in 2014 and even before they opened for One Direction on both the “Take Me Home” and “Where We Are” tours, the band was inspired by Alex Gaskarth, the lead singer of yet another pop-punk band, All Time Low.

All Time Low’s most recent album “Future Hearts,” released April 3, 2015,  goes along with the same vibe as “Sounds Good Feels Good,” which sets reflections of teens and their hardships. With singles like “Something’s Gotta Give” and “Kids in the Dark,” the band accomplished yet another perfect album.

With previous albums such as “Put Up or Shut Up” released July 25, 2006 and “So Wrong it’s Right” released September 25, 2007, All Time Low fans have yet to be disappointed.

The only change seems to be that the band has toned down their sound, as if leaning towards pop rather than pop-punk. Tracks, such as “Runaways” and “Cinderblock Garden” on the album “Future Hearts,” are not as heavy as tracks off the “Don’t Panic” album released in 2012. Songs off the album “Don’t Panic,” such as  “So Long Soldier” and “Choking on a Lifesaver,” show the difference in the directions the band has taken and the sound they are going for now.  As of now, All Time Low has possibly even matched sounds with 5SOS; however, the energy is still there, along with Gaskarth’s meaningful lyrics.

All Time Low has also kicked off a tour with Sleeping With Sirens and Neck Deep, which is a tour sure to bring in thousands of fans for the talent each band brings along. Both Sleeping with Sirens and Neck Deep have had successful album releases as well. Sleeping with Sirens released “Madness” March 17, 2015, and Neck Deep released “Life’s Not Out to Get You” on Aug. 14, 2015.

The tour is called “Back to the Future Hearts,” and while 5 Seconds of Summer has also announced their tour “Sounds Live Feels Live,” teens are struggling to find quick ways to earn money for tickets.