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)

A book I couldn't put down

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

I loved the way the author sets up the structure of the society and let's you feel Trice's emotion and the difficulty of going through her transition

What was one of the most memorable moments of Divergent?

The day she chooses which faction Trice will be in

Which character – as performed by Emma Galvin – was your favorite?

Trice

A good dystopia knockoff.

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

Divergent is in the top 25 of my audio reads.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Four was my favorite character. I liked his take-charge attitude.

What aspect of Emma Galvin’s performance would you have changed?

Voice was not strong enough for this story.

Simple but kind of worth going through.

Would you try another book from Veronica Roth and/or Emma Galvin?

Only if my fiance enjoys them. It's always nice to have another book to share.

Would you recommend Divergent to your friends? Why or why not?

I would recommend it to people first starting to read as a hobby and don't mind this genre. It's an easy read and it's story is as basic as a TV show.

What aspect of Emma Galvin’s performance would you have changed?

Emma Galvin's performance doesn't need to change, she did a fine job.

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

On my own no, but my fiancee made me... It didn't make for a good movie.

Any additional comments?

The lazy writing tricks are tough sometimes, for example: At the start of the book the main character walks around the world as if it's all new to her, as if she hasn't been living here her whole life. She even starts off looking in a mirror, so the writer can explain what she looks like. The forced secrets get cumbersome too, why can't anyone explain anything, because we need a mystery here, that is the definition of contrived. The most distracting, especially in the audio version is the complete lack of contractions, which instantly makes all conversations sound stunted.None of this will bother new readers. The story is good enough to push past them if you do see them, but barely.

Action, Fun, and Implausibility

Divergent is a romping action-adventure loving teenage fantasyland, complete with ziplines and capture the flag. I kept thinking of the lost boys' lair in Hook, except of course that Divergent takes on much more complicated issues, including assault, trauma, and child abuse, to name a few. Roth may fail at outlining a plausible society but she doesn't shy away from difficult moral dilemmas, which I found to be the most interesting aspects this book. If I decide to go on with the series (probably not), it would be to see how Roth follows through with how those who survived trauma and those who perpetrated it deal with the aftermath.

This book was a overall fast fun read that I would recommend for a plane ride or anyone really jonesing for YA action and romance.

Seemingly teen story with a twist

I have read Hunger Games before so some of the world seemed familiar but the storytelling is superb and leaves the reader much to think about current society.

riviting

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

Divergent is equal but very different to the Hunger Games.

What did you like best about this story?

Overcoming and dealing with fear is he big takeaway.

What about Emma Galvin’s performance did you like?

Emma gives a very comprehensive depiction of all of the characters. Emma handles the characterizations of older and younger men well along with creating distinctive separations between the girls who share Tris's age group. In addition, Emma brings the appropriate intensities and emotions to the events that make up the overall story.

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

This is the type of book that makes waiting 30 minutes for an oil and filter change an experience to look forward to.

A Great Start to the Series

This first book of the series is by far the best, a great story full of drama and intrigue. Worth a listen!

No bobble head main character here!

Would you listen to Divergent again? Why?

Divergent is a book that deserves a second read. The first time through, get the plot. The next read allows the audience to pick up on details and inferences missed with the first read.

What did you like best about this story?

The main character's courage and competitive nature stand out because they help her survive and thrive in a culture that does not value independent thought or action.

Which scene was your favorite?

When Beatrice learns her mother is Dauntless and Divergent is a favorite part. It is then that little pieces from earlier in the plot fit together.

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

Yes. One setting would have been nice.

Any additional comments?

At first, I felt the main character spent too long dealing with her internal conflict. But the secretive nature of the society along with the separation of the factions would have made a person soul search to find answers and a path.

Meh . . .

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

Not really, as there are better ones out there. This is more about being an awkward teenager than a cool story line. It was read fairly well, just didn't do it for me.

Great book

I love this book series. It's easy to read and follow. I love the strength of the main characters and their strive to overcome all obstacles that the government throws at them.