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)

Great book although YA genre. Better than movie!!

Good dystopian SciFi with an unusual premise and likable characters. Even if you've seen the movies the books are much better!!!

Excellent

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

Definitely, from the beginning to the end I could not stop listening.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Divergent?

The factor initiation.

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

No, but she was an excellent narrator.

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

Yes

disappointed - because there's no sequel!

i LOVED this book - great narrating, fun & intriguing ideas...but for some reason i was under the impression that i had bought book 1 of 3 - i'm so sad to find out that's not true :( It's a solo and I WANT MORE

Excellant Book

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

This was an awesome book. Was so awesome.

What other book might you compare Divergent to and why?

The girl with the dragon tatoo and/or The Hunger games, I could not put those books down, as well as Divergent. I didn't want to fall asleep, because I wanted to finish reading.

Which scene was your favorite?

all

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

Yes, It was so good.

Any additional comments?

Loved it!

Great story, monotone narration

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

No. I really enjoyed reading the books and was a bit disappointed to hear the sample narration. It was a bit monotone and lacking the nuanced delivery that I had hoped for.

Despite that, however, I am now on the second book and I am no longer as bothered by the narration. I'm trying to keep in mind that the story is from the perspective of a sixteen-year-old and as such, the delivery would not be the same as an older woman.

What did you like best about this story?

I like the characters and the world that the author has created.

Did the narration match the pace of the story?

Yes, it does.

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

No, but I rarely want to listen to an entire book in one sitting. As I mentioned, I did get the sequel, which is a good sign. I have stopped listening to other books after 10 minutes, so while the performance is not my favourite, it doesn't hinder my ability to enjoy the story.

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.