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)

So good.

I'm a huge fan. Divergent is fantastic, and holds its own. Can't wait for more.

Really good!

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

Yes. This book reminded me of books like the Hunger Games and The Giver, but is still completely unique and interesting.

What did you like best about this story?

I really liked the different characters as well as the world Roth created.

What about Emma Galvin’s performance did you like?

I enjoyed the way she conveyed emotion. I could really feel what the character was feeling. The only downside was that when two characters spoke back to back, it could be a little hard to tell them apart.

Loved Every Second of It

This audio book moves really quickly. The story is well written. It is descriptive, but it does not bore the reader with mundane details. I found myself wishing for a longer commute just to see what would happen next. The combination of action, suspense and romance mixed with a message that rings true here in the present makes for an excellent listen. Hopefully, the next book in the series will be just as good.

Fan-freakin-tastic!

Wow, I don't listen to many young adults books but I glad I stumbled over this series. It was completely awesome and just addicting as Hunger Games. Divergent is a future society where the population is divided up into five groups of factions based on societal virtue. Abnegation ( the selfless ), Candor ( the honest ), Dauntless ( the brave ), Amity ( the peaceful ), Erudite ( the intelligent ). Beatrice Prior is an Abnegation born faction member, at the age of 16 one gets to pick which virtue they value most and can change factions. Both Beatrice and her brother Caleb surprise everyone by leaving they native factions and we journey through Beatrice training in her new faction and watch become the famous Tris. While training Tris comes to realize there is something wrong with the society's set up of the five factions.
Beyond Credit worthy!

If you like the Hunger Games...Divergent's for you

Great story...interesting characters...lots of action and a believable love story. Very entertaining for the whole family (over 12). We can't wait for the next book in this series.

Dystopian Chicago

Another YA dystopian book, with the main plotline being choosing a "career" with one of five factions at age 16. Each of the factions has a specific job within their society. Beatrice Prior is the main character, and we follow her from just before her choosing until the end of her training. There is, of course, a love interest involved for Beatrice, calling herself "Tris" when training started. I did enjoy the book, having bought it for my grand daughter, and read it mainly to prepare for the movie version. I would have liked to know what event (or events) caused the fence to be built around Chicago and the population to be divided into five factions. Perhaps it will be covered in one of the other books in the series.

Good book!

I really enjoyed this book, I just wish I had known that the next book will not be out until May of 2012. I hate to wait!

Very enjoyable

Any additional comments?

I read this because the movie was coming out and my girlfriends were all excited as each of them read the story. The premise pulled me in instantly and Tris becomes a character that is easy to love. I really enjoyed the audiobook but don't expect to read just the first book of the series and part ways if you're not impressed. They leave off on both of the first two books at a place that doesn't wrap up the story so you can't just stop, you have to keep going. This is a three-book commitment or nothing. If you're the type that enjoyed The Hunger Games, you'll enjoy this series. I liked the characters and the premise better than the Hunger Games but I found the ending disappointing (and I didn't like the third book of the Hunger Games either).

great voice

I enjoyed the book and I am an adult. Great performance. vvvvvvv vvv vv vv

Very close to Movie

This was very close to the movie, I enjoyed it but I like the movie version better. To me the voice reading the book doesn't match the voice in my head of the Tris, the voice should be stronger and habe more power behind it.
Overall good book.