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)

Sooooo much better than the movie!

Listened to this book in 2 days! Couldn't help myself. It def clarified the many questions I had while watching the movie

Thoroughly ENjoyable

Any additional comments?

I knew within about three chapters what faction I would be. This is the sort of fun I enjoy from this sort of novel. Like with Harry Potter, part of the fun is in Sorting, and Divergent has their factions. I love that it really all comes down to choice, and that there are always surprises, even to the characters. I found it amazingly simple to fall right into the narrative. I was transported pretty instantly with this novel, and it didn't let me go.

There are so many surprises in Divergent that I found perfectly pleasurable. Sure, I made guesses (some right along with Tris) about things, and often, I was completely wrong. Things that surprised her surprised me, and it was a joy to be caught off guard like that.

The events of Divergent are intense, and Roth does a great job of taking the reader along in Tris's shoes as things happen. She engages the senses often and well. I experienced things with Tris. It's a great journey.

I do just want to go on record saying I adore Tris. Even so, my favorite character by far was Four. His story was so engaging, mostly because he did remain such a mystery for so long. Tris is second, though.

Entry-level Sci-Fi

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

If the friend wanted to get into Sci-Fi for the first time and hadn't read The Hunger Games, yes. This is clearly derivative of The Hunger Games, but it does have some differences. I love Sci-Fi and I also really liked The Hunger Games (although I recognize the books faults). I consider this book 'Sci-Fi with training wheels.'

Excellent as expected

Usually the voice reading the books never really gets the attitudes, moods, ect correct when they are voicing a character. The girl voicing Tris is spot on. Not only was I convinced that it was Tris talking but I was very impressed with her ability to portray Tris in voice form.

KEEPS YOU LISTENING....INTERESTING, EXCITING!!!!

Have you listened to any of Emma Galvin’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

NO

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

YES

Any additional comments?

I liked this a lot, it really kept me listening, and hating when it was time turn it off and go into work.....I hope there is a sequel left me wanting more, wanting to know more about Triss...and what will her life become..... interesting ideas about what government could be like.....I would have liked to have had it read with different voices for each person...but it was still very enjoyable to listen to, very much along the same lines as Hunger Games but then again not....very good... i promise you won't be disappointed!

Wow!!!

This is a great story with strong characters and a wonderful setting of what a future here in America could be .

MUST READ

What did you love best about Divergent?

Everything! I'm jealous of people that haven't read it yet because I'd love to experience the story again for the first time. Can't wait for the movie!

What about Emma Galvin’s performance did you like?

She wasn't overly dramatic. She changed her voice and inflections a bit for each character but it wasn't too extreme.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

My eyes teared up multiple times both in happiness and sadness. The book is so well written that you truly feel as though you know the characters.

Emma Galvin is an amazing Narrator!

wonderful book! makes you really feel like you are in the moment with the characters!

Well written YA saga

Too much teen introspection and too little action for my taste. I skipped two thirds of the book and was still able to follow the plot.

loved it from beginning to end.

I decided to read this after watching the movie and while I loved the movie there is always that part that can't stand up to the book. I liked parts of the movie better than the book but again the book is better with the details. Even the narrator, Emma Galvin, was good and even sounded like the actress who played Tris in the movie. I can't wait to get started on Insurgent!