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)

Easy listten

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

I've listened to some incredible books lately, but while this story was good and fast paced,I would say it was a little above average for me.

What other book might you compare Divergent to and why?

It compared with Hunger Games because of the futuristic setting,but the main characters aren't as easy to like.

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

She's wonderful, no matter what she does.

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

I thought it was sad to think families could be split so easily.

Any additional comments?

I was interested enough to buy the second book and am enjoying it as well.

Great Performance

Divergent is a great series but the performance in this audiobook really brings the story to life

Mature Themes Sensitively Handled

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

Divergent is one of those books definitely worth a second listen, as the listener will catch things not noticed the first time.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Divergent?

The ending struck just the right note with me, Clear character growth, drama, more to come, hope in the middle of dystopian despair. Details, of course, are left to the individual listener to find out.

Which scene was your favorite?

The book held my interest from beginning to end, not always easy to do.

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

There was a particular intervention between Tris and one of her new friends. Again, I can't give specific details because I don't believe in leaving spoilers.

Any additional comments?

Rated PG-13+ for mature and sometimes violent themes. Brief but respectful mention of religious practices is particularly noted in this book.

Dystopian society and coming of age

Would you consider the audio edition of Divergent to be better than the print version?

I don't know that the audio is better, but it's more convenient and allows a person to walk or drive while taking in the story.

What other book might you compare Divergent to and why?

Similar to the Hunger Games, Ferenhite 451, Gatica, they also are about a society on the edge, a disenfranchised group of people and the resiliency of human nature

What about Emma Galvin’s performance did you like?

Emma had a great voice for the characters. Her portrail of Trice was spot on allowing the listener to imagine that she was the character.

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

There were moments I laughed, cried, and lots of tension

Any additional comments?

A great start to this trilogy allowing the reader to know the characters, lifestyle, and experience the joy and fear of coming into their own as Trice. Well worth the read

Worth listening to

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I would recommend it. Was a good book and am starting on the next in the trilogy. Not as good as Hunger Games trilogy but still good.

Which scene was your favorite?

Rooftop jump and zip line

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Are you 'dauntless' enough to be Divergent?

Any additional comments?

Narrator voice really fit the lead character's age and did a great job. Only complaint about the book was that it was a little bit too "young adult" read. Doesn't transcend all ages like Hunger Games trilogy and Harry Potter series.

Love it

Love it it was a great story . I would most def recommend it to any one who likes futuristic . Love

Loved it . . . but . . .

Would you listen to Divergent again? Why?

The voice actress was amazing and the story was well written. Very fast read. BUT I'm worried about the rest of the series. I've heard from so many people that the third book is a let down. I loved this so much that I'm afraid to keep going.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Four for sure! I found myself near skimming to get to scenes with him.

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

No, but I liked her voice, pace, and inflection.

love it!

I love this series, and the narrator did a pretty great job! I can get swept away in this series over and over and still enjoy it as much as I did the first time.

Thank Goodness there wasn't a Love Triangle

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I already have! If you like any sort of YA fiction or dystopian societies, this book is really great! And the best part is, there's not a love triangle so you do not have to team up! Woo! I loved the strength of the girl protagonist as well as her ability to realize that this war is not about her. Although it feels she will play a significant part, I'm glad she is not the "special" one. There are a few things that are flawed though, like the fact this is all happening in one city. What happened to the others? That's what I'm really curious about, I hope the next book explains it well enough.

What other book might you compare Divergent to and why?

Everyone has the need to compare any dystopian literature to The Hunger Games, but in all honesty this one really isn't like it. If anything I would say it is a more well written Matched. Like Matched, there is a special ceremony at 16 (choosing versus matching) and the people are sorted into different ranks in society. However, while Matches falls into the cliches of romance with dystopian society second, Divergent's romance does not interfere with the main focus of the story.

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

I really liked Emma Galvin's reading of this book. She spoke words clear and concise, and I enjoyed her other voices for other characters. All in all a good reader.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

This would be a hard book to film adaptation (although I am aware they are already working on it), but my tag line would be:

Faction before blood.

Any additional comments?

Divergent is a really intense story with a different kind of female protagonist. In a YA world full of girls who are surrounded by boys, Tris is used to being a loner and has a hard time believing she can even have friends due to her selfless personality. I really liked the world Divergent created, and I hope it keeps up its fast tempo in the next book of the series, Insurgent. My only qualm with the book is the fact that this all seems to be happening in one city. What's happened to the world outside the city?? I have a feeling Insurgent may cover that ground now that they're heading out to the farms in Amity. That's going to be a really hard subject to explain though, and I fear that the reasoning may not be good enough for me unless all of the US is dead from nuclear explosion. Other than that though, the book is fascinating and has some good insight on human nature. Really liked it!

Captivating coming-of-age tale

Roth introduces us to a completely different society through the experiences of a teen-aged girl, who is becoming an adult within it.

Tris (or Beatrice, as her parents named her) grew up as Abnegation, the faction that values selflessness above all. She chooses Dauntless (the faction that values bravery) as the faction where she will live.

To assist the 16-year-olds to make this choice, the society requires a faction test, a guided total-emerson experience, in which the subjects make a number of decisions that indicate the faction they are most closely aligned with. The results are secret, for the teen's use only. But the teen's choice of faction is public, in a Choosing ceremony, after which the teens are whisked off by their chosen faction, perhaps never to see their friends and family again.

Tris' results are mixed. She tests out as Divergent, something she is warned to tell no one. If she is found out, she will be killed. The story takes her from her decision, on a journey to find out who and what she is, and what's wrong with her society.

Roth's narrative is fast-paced, her characters complex. She paints just enough environment around the action to make a complete picture in the reader's mind. She is descriptive without being florid. Based on the first book, I recommend this series for both teens and adults.

Emma Gavin has a bright, energetic, youthful voice which is perfect for Tris. As an audiobook, you can close your eyes, and let the story carry you away.