• Divergent

  • By: Veronica Roth
  • Narrated by: Emma Galvin
  • Length: 11 hrs and 11 mins
  • 4.4 out of 5 stars (37,814 ratings)

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Divergent  By  cover art

Divergent

By: Veronica Roth
Narrated by: Emma Galvin
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Editorial reviews

It is a very rare thing to witness the beginning of a writer’s career and know without a doubt that the first little book is going to launch a worldwide craze, a la J.K. Rowling or Stephenie Meyer. Such is the terrifying yet enviable position of Veronica Roth, who sold this debut novel to a HarperCollins imprint before she even finished college. She also sold the film rights to Summit Entertainment, owner of the Twilight film saga, on the strength of pre-publication buzz alone. The first in a planned series, Divergent is beyond question the best thing to happen to young adult literature in a very long time. More realistic than Harry Potter and less moony-eyed than Twilight, Roth has crafted a world and a protagonist that are easily engrossing and definitely worthy of our long-term attention.

Part of the credit for such charm belongs to narrator Emma Galvin, herself somewhat a newcomer. The young upstart has already garnered praise for her interpretations of Winter’s Bone, the first book spin-off from the Glee television series, and Stephenie Meyer’s recent novella. Galvin is genuinely edgy and emotive, not a trace of sugar to be found in the dialogue or her rendering of it. She captures the bold but conflicted spirit of the main character, Tris, with convincing personality and a real sensibility for the fast-pacing learning curve into which Tris launches the year she turns 16. After being raised in a clan whose primary characteristic is its devotion to selflessness, Tris defects, choosing a life of bravery from among the five factions that comprise her dystopic Chicago. She must pledge the faction, and go through several rounds of training eliminations before becoming a true Dauntless.

Tris is a complex, down-to-earth character with a lot of soul searching to do in a clan where hobbies include jumping from moving trains and tossing knives at small objects resting on the heads of friends, and there are no second chances. Veronica Roth has built a remarkable situation with strong potential for a longevity that will remain fresher than the sum of its parts, and Emma Galvin has this bull of a new series firmly by the horns. This book is confidently going places far beyond the fanatical mindlessness of young adult marketing, and in a hot minute, grownups will not have to feel one iota of shame for having fallen in love with it alongside their less discerning teenagers. Megan Volpert

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)

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What listeners say about Divergent

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  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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    21,915
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    10,470
  • 3 Stars
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  • 4 Stars
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  • 3 Stars
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  • 2 Stars
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  • 1 Stars
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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Was really interesting

I wish it was more based on the dystopian struggle but it was interesting and engageing regardless of the main path of the story

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Amazing, captivating, exciting story! Love it!!

This book is well written and thought out. I love how she incorporated a love story in it.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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loved it

narrator was great, story was great. I could see it play out in my head as I listened. loved it

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

A Little Too Predictable but still worth listening

It was a little too much Twilight and Catching Fire. A young girl, stronger than she thinks she is, can't believe the handsome boy(s) find her attractive, making bad choices which cause extra drama to those around her. (Let's not forget all those DRAMA conversations in her head)

All that said, I don't regret buying it and still enjoyed the plot and story-line. I was still trapped by the story and looked for breaks so I could listen some more. The next 2 seem to get the whole "teenage girl in trouble making bad choices" worse which just like Catching Fire I bought all 3 and listened anyway. Once I post this review I am planning on buying the next one. Yes I must be a glutton for punishment. :-D

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

The next Hunger Games!

If you could sum up Divergent in three words, what would they be?

Great storyline, excitement, well written

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

Absolutely! And the sequel was just as good if not better!

Any additional comments?

Highly recommend. I can't see where this won't be made into a movie. Entertaining and worth the $$

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Great Story!

This was a good story. An original concept that was very well written. I can't wait for the final book.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

not as good as hunger games

What did you like best about Divergent? What did you like least?

The premise (societal tribes based not on family of origin, religion, or homeland; but instead based on personality type) , although not profound, was interesting. The obvious truth (in my opinion) is that everyone is Divergent--no one can be defined just by one predominant trait such as courage, intellectualism, selflessness, or amiability. I did not see the protagonist as being all that special just because she had traits of several "factions". I like books that are series (especially audio books) because of their length and their ability to keep me engaged for a long long time before I have to search for and choose another book. However, this is the only series I have ever started where I did not feel at all compelled to buy Book 2 or Book 3. I finished, I was engaged, I didn't hate it.....but one book in this series was enough.

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

Not really. Maybe it would be more enjoyable to high school age readers.

What does Emma Galvin bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

The narration was good, no complaints

Did Divergent inspire you to do anything?

Stop reading the series after book #1.

Any additional comments?

As many other readers, I was told to read this because it was like The Hunger Games. I really think Hunger Games was more interesting, the characters more complex and real, and the writing compelled one to continue reading until the very last of Book 3

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

5 Stars!

This novel was beautifully written. The storyline was so well crafted, it's really amazing. The society they live in is a wonderful idea and concept. To be honest I took the the test and my faction result was Amity, ( I thought I would fit there perfectly)! I would recommend this book to people who love fantasy ideas because this book completes that! Emma Galvin, the narrator has a very soothing voice and is easy to listen to! I think she was perfect for narrating Tris. Overall this book was one of the best and interesting!

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Much better than the movie

Who was your favorite character and why?

Tris was my favorite but she should be everyone's favorite. Four was a close second.

What does Emma Galvin bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I struggle with female readers for some reason, but Emma kept me stuck to the book the whole time. She did a great job.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Spoiler: Her mother giving up her life so she could live on. Very moving of how to be brave.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Fun story

Entertaining and an interesting thought experiment. Not quite as well done as The Hunger Games, but still worth it.

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