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)

Definitely Not Hunger Games - Disappointed

Not being a YA maybe I'm am missing something. I really wanted to like this but sadly could not. I enjoyed the Hunger Games Series but this book was noticeably deficient and lacking in so many different areas. The basic setting for the story is somewhat believable but the circumstances make no sense. Adults (what few there are) are portrayed as idiots. The story wonders around way to much and then brings everything together in the last 20 min. Characters show almost super-human skills. All this adds up to an unbelievable story. I kept listening thinking it would get better, it never did.

A Great Listen!

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

Yes, I would recommend Divergent to my friends. I found it very entertaining even as an adult listener.

Excellent

narration was wonderful and the story was riveting. action and suspense. I loved it!

Good, but Slow

This is a good start, but it's really slow and there wasn't enough context given about the world in which the story takes place. Perhaps the 2nd novel will give me more. Ms. Galvin's performance was acceptable: no where near the quality of Kate Reading.

Loved It!!

The story was great. A lot like the Hunger Games. If you liked that series, you'll love this book. Read it twice already.

Loved It

I really enjoyed this book. I believe it was written for a younger audience, but although I am over 50, I loved it!

A thought-provoking thrill ride...

This is one of my teenage favorite stories. The story makes you think of how different attributes intertwine and how we need different kinds of people to function in a society who wants to place in a box or tries to make us conform to other's standards. It's a rare story that l'd recommend to almost anyone.

Great book!

This is my favorite book series. I would recommend this book to young adults that are fans of sci-fi, romance, and action.

Good book....even for this old lady

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

Divergent is one of my Holiday pleasures and I enjoyed it! It allowed me to escape while I listened and I rank it as one of the better ones I listened to this year.

What other book might you compare Divergent to and why?

I do feel a similarity to the Hunger Games as it revolves around young people, is futuristic, and most the older people are evil or at least misinformed.

What about Emma Galvin’s performance did you like?

The reader was very interesting and had a clear concise voice that grabbed and kept my attention.

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

It was interesting enough to have listened to it in one sitting yet the length prevented that.

Any additional comments?

It was overall enjoyable for a fun and interesting Holiday read.

Great Story but Narration Mixed

What did you love best about Divergent?

This was a great story somewhat like "The Hunger Games;" female protagonist, sci-fi dystopia. Although it is probably geared more toward my young adult daughters, it was something we all enjoyed. We need more books with courageous young heroines.

What other book might you compare Divergent to and why?

If you liked "The Hunger Games" trilogy, you might like this. However, I thought this was a little deeper in meaning and therefore more intriguing.

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Emma Galvin?

The narrator was well cast in terms of gender and age. However, her delivery was choppy and a little hard to get used to.