Divergent

By: Veronica Roth

Narrated by: Emma Galvin

Length: 11 hrs and 11 mins

Publisher's summary

In Beatrice Prior's dystopian Chicago, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue - Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). On an appointed day of every year, all sixteen-year-olds must select the faction to which they will devote the rest of their lives. For Beatrice, the decision is between staying with her family and being who she really is - she can't have both. So she makes a choice that surprises everyone, including herself.

During the highly competitive initiation that follows, Beatrice renames herself Tris and struggles to determine who her friends really are - and where, exactly, a romance with a sometimes fascinating, sometimes infuriating boy fits into the life she's chosen. But Tris also has a secret, one she's kept hidden from everyone because she's been warned it can mean death. And as she discovers a growing conflict that threatens to unravel her seemingly perfect society, she also learns that her secret might help her save those she loves.... or it might destroy her.

Debut author Veronica Roth bursts onto the literary scene with the first book in the Divergent series - dystopian thrillers filled with electrifying decisions, heartbreaking betrayals, stunning consequences, and unexpected romance.

©2011 Veronica Roth (P)2011 HarperCollins Publishers

Critic reviews

"Though Galvin’s narration is concentrated on giving Tris the perfect voice, she never neglects the secondary characters. Poignant moments with Tris’s mother and Four, her leader and love, are subtly nuanced to let listeners hear the terror Tris often hides.... listeners will hold their breath waiting to see if she can survive the day." ( AudioFile)

Factions that conform Except for a few that don't

A 1st for me, I like the movie better than the book. The author got a little too specific some time to the point where it didn't make sense or I had to read it a couple Times. However the characters were quite well defined. the story was well written the plot was easy to understand, over all s very good book.

Riveting story, outstanding performance!

I'm not usually into YA fiction, but this book was mesmerizing from beginning to end. Emma Galvin's narration was a perfect portrayal of a smart, brave, outstanding young woman in this imaginative story of a dystopian society that has split into factions. Beatrice becomes a leader in the faction she has chosen, and faces trials, victory, and loss as she makes her way in this strange landscape.

Second Time Listener - Still Love It!

I love this series, especially the first two books. Things get a little strange in the 3rd one. This series is a must-read if you love YA dystopian societies. It’s practically a classic. I was worried that the movies ruined the series for me, but thankfully, Emm Galvin’s narration did the trick and took me right back to the same feelings I loved when I read the series first many years ago.

Not bad, not great.

I always find dystopias interesting. The plot was great for the most part though the ending was a bit too perfect - written more for a movie finish (it's due out March 2013, big surprise). Still, enjoyable overall.

Page Turner

If I was reading lol great story that left me at the edge of my seat and ready for the second installment! Wonderfully written!

Engaging

Where does Divergent rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Middle

What was one of the most memorable moments of Divergent?

Although a common theme, there are twists and turns that kept me listening.

Which character – as performed by Emma Galvin – was your favorite?

At times, the main character annoyed me, but I still wanted to know what happened to her.

Good story.

Is there anything you would change about this book?

Just the long narratives of longing for the opposite sex. Some of it's ok. But over done in this series.

Would you recommend Divergent to your friends? Why or why not?

book yes audio no

Would you listen to another book narrated by Emma Galvin?

NO

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

yes

loved it!

I've read this series several times. It's a great story. worth reading time and time again. I love the performance too!

Possibly better than The Hunger Games!

Any additional comments?

Another YA Dystopian story. Each one we read has the same premise, collapse of current government, cut of from the rest world and other cities within the current country, some people live outside these strict and standard rules, ridiculous concepts and notions, and some super young individual taking on everyone for the sake of humanity.

Now, as far as this story goes. I really enjoyed it. Tris was strong, but not unbelievably strong. She had to push herself to survive her circumstances, and (most of the time) when she was feeling like a typical 16 year old, she would swallow down what she thought was weakness. She also had uncontrolled outbursts which were to be expected. I'm glad she was unsure of Four/Tobias in the beginning, and questioned his motives throughout, because if she was a giddy boy-crazy teenager, she wouldn't last two minutes in Dauntless and therefore there would be no story. I'm glad they came together fully in the end.

I enjoyed that Veronica Roth wrapped up the story enough that us readers don't have to read the next in the series for closure, but left enough mystery to drive us super fans further in. I'm super excited for the film production of this now that I've completed the book.

Addicting for Teens-Enjoyable for Adults

I was sucked in to the world of "Divergent" from the very beginning. I will not deny that I enjoyed it thoroughly. However, I only gave the story an overall three stars because, in the end, there were several "teen fiction-esque" moments and story lines that reminded me that I was not listening to a book written for adults, but rather teenagers. The love story was a bit too campy and unrealistic for me (given, I know it's fiction!), but the overall idea of the book was, without a doubt, enthralling! I do wish more aspects of the story had been fleshed out and written about in greater detail, but, I cannot deny that the author did do a good job.