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)

Another great dystopian read

Any additional comments?

The narrator does a great job with all the characters and is believable. The story is very creative and holds your interest. I am really looking forward to the last book, as the first two were great! It will be another series that I will be sad when it ends because you really want to stay in the characters lives.

Blatant Rip Off of Hunger Games, With More Food

I know this review will not be popular with the fans of the series so let me start by saying it's a good book and enjoyable. However, I cannot give it more than 3 stars because the book borrows heavily from the Hunger Games. To state otherwise is to turn a blind eye. Yes, the stories are different but much of the premise, symbolism and narrative centers around the same architecture.

There are some spoilers in here so if you want, stop reading and get the book. It's enjoyable and worth a listen. I am just starting book 2.

Let's recap the similarities

Dystopian society? Check
Government scandal? Check
Strong Female Lead? Check
Strong Female who is unusually skilled? Check
Factions/Districts? Check
Lead comes from one of the weaker/frowned upon districts? Check
Day on 16th birthday that will change the lead character's life? Check
Ranking system? Check
Female Lead is "amazingly" ranked number one, thinks it will be much lower but "surprise!" everyone is shocked by this? Check
Lead identifies with an Avian Icon? Check

The list goes on and on and at times was very distracting. "Wait, didn't that exact same thing happen in THG????" I found myself asking. For example, when Tris got the "ravens tattoo" I pretty much asked if Veronica Roth was honest enough to mention that her any of her inspiration was THG. At least Tris didn't get a mockingjay tattoo. For crying out loud, even the covers of the books are incredibly similar. I have read a couple articles about some ridiculousness of Roth writing this while she was in college. That's great and probably true to some degree but to ignore the number of story line plots that Roth "borrowed" from THG is insulting.

All and all, it was entertaining. I do take issue with Tris smelling every damn thing. I know the sense of smell is a big memory trigger and as a psych major, Roth is obviously integrating this but she goes on and on with what everything smells like. It makes me want to ask, "Just how big is Tris's schnoz anyway?"

Around the 30th chapter it begins to drag and becomes a teen romance novel but wraps up pretty well. The end is a bit anti-climactic but really it's just the middle of the second book rather than the end of the first.

With regards to the performance, the narrator was amazing. This is one significant difference with THG. The THG narrator was grating and miscast. This narrator was phenomenal and not overly dramatic. She did not make the performance about her narration which to me is the cardinal sin of narration.

Anyway, Roth probably should pay homage to Collins but that's just my opinion. Now if you'll excuse me I'm going to get back to writing this book I am working on about a girl named "Dottie" and her little Dog, "Otot" who get swept up in a hurricane and transported to the land of "Zo" where they follow the Green Brick Road to the Amber City while being pursued by the wicked witch of the Northwest...after that I have a great idea for a boy wizard who lives in a basement. He doesn't know he is a wizard until...oh hell, I'm taking this too far...

Interesting concept but veers off at the end

like so many sci/fi fantasy books, I enjoyed this right up until near the end. Then the author takes a turn that just doesn't fit with the rest of the story. Not great but some interesting twists on old ideas. Wish the ending had made more sense.

Loved it, and went in with a chip on my shoulder!

I saw all the great reviews and for some reason was still afraid this would be a poor Hunger Games ripoff. True, both books take place in a dystopian future world, but the stories are quite different, though both feature young female protagonists. Anyway, I thoroughly enjoyed the story, which was engrossing, exciting and left me wanting more. I can't wait for the follow up books.

Fabulous!

Especially loved the narration by Emma Galvin. Can't wait for the next book to come out! Story is very fast moving and the characters capture the imagination. I highly recommend this story.

An entertaining and compeling story

This is just a great story. This story is full of surprises and turns, and it keeps the listener interested until the final page. Very entertaining and well performed.

SO good & I'm a 'bit older' adult!

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

This book kept me very engaged.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Divergent?

I loved the section near the end when Tris sees her mother through different eyes. No longer mild and accomodating but strong, smart and self reliant - an example. And proving the depth of love & commitment between a parent & a child can be as strong as steel.

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

No I haven't but she was fantastic!

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

There were several but probably the most moving was the self sacrifce of her parents to save Tris and her brother so that Tris could do what she needed to do. Their concern for not only their children but for the innocent as well as the unknowing dauntless being used and the guilt that would follow their actions was a shining example of humanity at it's best.

Any additional comments?

Why does it need to be compared to anything? Different book, same genre as Hunger Games. enough said.

Completely obsessed with this book!

Any additional comments?

As a 30 something female, I read a variety of genres. I usually shy away from YA, but I have enjoyed Twilight and Hunger Games. This was a very good book. I read it several times and then decided to buy the audio version so I could listen and get stuff done around the house. I enjoyed the world the author created. It seems fairly plausible and I love the entire story. Following Tris through her journey was fascinating. The narrator did a very nice job. I felt like she really represented the characters and spoke the way I'd imaged Tris speaking when I first read the book. If you are looking for something similar to The Hunger Games but with it's own flair and no love triangles, this book is for you!

Captivating and Incredibly Unpredictable

Being an avid reader you get the feeling many story lines follow the same sort of equation...but this story took me by surprise. In fact nothing happened the way I was expecting and I quickly found myself cheering on the characters and biting my nails in anxious excitement. Although it skated over some moments I felt could have been more emotionally dramatic the characters and story could not have been better. I am very impressed and will certainly recommend this book to others.

As good as The Hunger Games and a little divergent

What made the experience of listening to Divergent the most enjoyable?

I thought that the narrator was perfect, for me she was Beatrice, she really bought the story alive.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Divergent?

The control room scene with Tobias near the end.

Which scene was your favorite?

Probably the above.

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

The deaths of the brave.

Any additional comments?

This is a great story, gripping and thrilling, enough like The Hunger Games to say that those who enjoyed that trilogy will enjoy this, but different enough to maintain interest.