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)

Wasn't what i expected.... it was better!

Very good descriptors and story flowed well. easy to follow with good storyline

Very well performed

I saw the movie before I read the book, which is backwards of my usual standard. I liked the movie, but I really loved the book. Emma Galvin did a fantastic job and her voice is pleasant to listen to. The story is thought-provoking and insightful and I look forward to listening to more by her.

Pretty good

The story is cliche but decent. My main problem is with the voice actress, she is very monotone, uses the same basic voice for all of the characters, and has too old of a voice to be playing a 16 year old

Love!

This kept me on the edge of my seat the whole way through. I finished in 2 days and work a full time job! The performance was great as well!

Loved every word

Any additional comments?

I finally jumped on this bandwagon. I loved this book so so so much. I love the meaning behind the story and you can't help but fall in love with Tris And Four and their slow burning story. Also thought the narrator was an amazing fit.

Listen Carefully

The first time I listened to this I wasn't a huge fan, but I think it had to do more with what I was in the mood for then the book itself. I wasn't expecting something so dark the first time I read this book, but going back in the second time and knowing what to expect I liked it a lot more. .

Great drama but some aspects I can't stand

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

Sure. It made a few days at work go really quick. The drama was good and it held my attention

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

The first half of the story was excellent and I was figuring this was going to be one of the best stories I've listened to. The second half started with never-ending romance writing (by itself I can tolerate) but then came the self-righteous moralizing and I wanted to break my phone out of indignation. Every military, police and security group worth its weight in salt values physical and mental toughness and many of the most successful people's throughout history instilled a lot of this toughness growing up and as rights of passage. Of course you don't want to cause PTSD, but every fiction-writer and TV producer forcing this "being mean in any way means you're evil" morality down our throats is disgusting. I wanted to enjoy a story of people surviving a super brutal right of passage and what they would face defending the city or whatever. Instead I got the message "treating people anything like this is bad... they should be ashamed". I'm annoyed.

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

No

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

Sure. Hopefully I can tolerate the moralizing.

Any additional comments?

No.

Good premise.... Poorly authored/edited/narrated

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

Not really. Depends on the friend I guess. It's too much of a teen love story for me. It does not satisfy that Hunger Games type I'm looking for.

What did you like best about this story?

The idea is great. The beginning is good. I think this could have been really great in the hands of a great author like maybe JK Rowling. Or Christopher Paolini.

What three words best describe Emma Galvin’s voice?

Average. Uninteresting. Inexperienced.

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

Yes I plan to. This may be the first time that the movie is better...

Any additional comments?

This book left me wanting for more. I wanted to be immersed in the world. I'm not interested in the teen mushy love story. There is major stuff going on in this world and they are worried about teen relationships?! I guess that's what 16 year olds are prioritizing. Still not something I will read again. I don't think I will read part two or three based on the reviews.... I've got 12 min left in the audio that I will at some point later today finish.

A colorful story.

The way Beatrice heart races when she is about to jump on to the train as a newly admitted dauntless. makes my heart jump 😊

Awesome storyline, impossible to put down!

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

I listen to a LOT of audio books, Divergent was one of those books that I stayed up all hours of the night because I couldn't help it.

Who was your favorite character and why?

It's written to make you love Tris, Four and the others. The author is great at portraying the unique personalities and struggles.

Which scene was your favorite?

Right after the choosing ceremony when reality hit and Tris chose to fight by not holding back anything.

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

Several, there were tears and laughter with the characters.

Any additional comments?

This is a great start of a series, so easy to get sucked into this book and their world.