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)

Surprisingly engrossing

Purchased on a whim, mostly due to our family's liking of Hunger Games, Divergent isn't necessarily better, but it certainly is a well written, engaging, and though provoking book. Playing with ideas of class conflict, political power, and group thinking, it explores a future world gone wrong through the eyes of a sixteen year old girl who doesn't quite fit anyone's mold. While it is more clich?? than the aforementioned, including more teen love focus, it is, nevertheless, worth adding to one's library. As is the case with a good series, it has forced the prompt purchase of book two.

On a performance note, Emma Galvin's narration is first rate, matching the book extremely well. Voicing for a sixteen year old, I was left wondering just how old Emma herself is. She is able to bring excellent emotional, tonal and pitch range to her voice, and to set off other characters in a way which makes the story easy to listen to.

soft story is too unbelievable

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

I like listening to stories, no matter how far-fetched they are. in the end its a quick listen that I could have done without.

What do you think your next listen will be?

a friend tells me book two gets much better. but instead I might get into book 2 of the passage trilogy.

Did the narration match the pace of the story?

the narration did well. some bad writing in parts made her reading awkward. (badly written sentences)

Did Divergent inspire you to do anything?

no...

Any additional comments?

its hard to look past the broad strokes this story painted over all the how's and why's for this society's becoming. basis human tendencies don't allow this type of thing to happen and make it very hard to believe.

Great Dystopian Romance

Move over vampire hearts and flowers, dystopian romances are here to stay. This was a great story about a girl discovering who she really, learning a lot of herself and love. The book kept me intrigued. There were times I didn't want to stop listening. There was action, sweet romance, and a few heart wrenching moments. Overall a great book.

Well done!

Much more satisfying than the book, and the narration is excellent, very much in character.

I could really relate to the character, Tris

What did you love best about Divergent?

I could relate to the character, Tris being a Police Officer helps me relate and express what Im feeling.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Divergent?

The bond between Tris and her parents, her strength and will to be strong on her own. Tris had no one but her self to move forward with until she met Tobias.

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

No I have not

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

no, sometimes the material was sad or not uplifting , have to change it up.

It aint Hunger Games

What did you like best about Divergent? What did you like least?

For all the hype, I expected more. I understand why young folks are so captivated by these books, its because they are written for elementary students. I have read better much better. The book was not bad just not worth all the hype. In short very predictable.

I didn't want it to end!

I didn't want it to end! I'm starting the next book now! I can't wait to see what happens!

If you like Hunger Games, this is a must read!

The book is awesome on its own and Emma Galvin reads with insight and passion. She does a great job!

Want to dive into the 2nd book

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

Yes, it was a recommendation from a friend to me and I appreciate her for it.

What did you like best about this story?

Learning that all the factions have truth in today's world and everyday life.

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

Learning new things about someone you know well, shows that you can never know someone absolutely.

just goooood

this is a good book and series already bought the other two books and will enjoy hearing them