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)

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.

Interesting

Let me start by saying I know this falls under YA and I am not so YA anymore. That said, it was an enjoyable book overall. Here are my details. What started out as a narration style that nearly grinded my interest to a halt, I ended up being OK with it as I allowed myself to realize she was going for the plain teen who is confounded by much. As someone who involuntarily fixates on things, I found the many, slightly varying, pronunciations of "Erudite" pulling me out of the story. Though I did appreciate the smooth delivery and elevation in tone and speed when necessary. For this story, I am more interested in the societal structure, the pieces that make it up, and the history than what I felt was a poorly expressed or displayed romance. This may be considered a *SPOILER*: How did she not know who Four was when he's only two years older? It seemed like mostly everyone knew everyone else in their own factions. Again, overall a good story despite my nitpicking.

Quickly sucks you in

Would you consider the audio edition of Divergent to be better than the print version?

I'd read either the audio or kindle version. I listen mostly on my commuter bus ride because I get carsick when I read.

What did you like best about this story?

The characters were believable and you could get emotionally invested and care what happened to them. I don't know why but I'm a 60 year old with a PhD and I love young adult stories like this.

Any additional comments?

If you loved the Hunger Games, Brandon Sanderson's Mystborn series, you'll love this book, too.

Excellent Book

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

This was my first audiobook and it was amazing. I never thought that listening to book was so relaxing.

Who was your favorite character and why?

My favorite character has to be tobias the way he loves Tris. He make her do stuff that are out of this world.

What about Emma Galvin’s performance did you like?

Yes they way she uses different accents for every character

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

When tris and four where alone in the room making out and saying that they love each other.

Amazing! Couldn't put it Down!!

I had just finished the Hunger Games Trilogy for the third time and really wanted something similar that would grab me as fast as HG did and not let go! Yes, it does have a Dystopian society and a 16 year old female heroine, but that is as close as the comparison goes.
A post apocalyptic Chicago that is now populated by 5 Factions that exemplify positive
Human qualities and run the city together with each in their own niche. Dauntless ( Bravery ), are the city's protectors. Abnegation ( Selflessness ), run the government. Erudite
( Knowledge ), are the researchers and scientists. Candor ( Truth ) are the Justice system.
Amity ( Peace ), are doctors and food suppliers.
Once the teens reach their 16th birthday, they have to choose whether to stay in the
faction they were born into, or switch to another faction and move away from their family and all that they have known.
Tris, finds herself, at the beginning of the book, facing this decision. It makes you wonder
what you would do in her shoes, which faction you would choose. Would you move away from your family. It's a tough choice and you are privy to all of Tris' thoughts as she makes her choice and follow her on an unbelievable adventure. Tris is tough and determined although slight in stature. She isn't without faults, but I like that in a a hero.
I don't want to give too many spoilers, but the book is extremely well written and keeps you wanting to keep going from chapter to chapter. The pace is quick. There is action and
intrigue. There is romance and danger.
I found that I really liked Tris as the central character. She is smart, brave and selfless.
She isn't the strongest, but she finds ways to get things done. I really felt for her as she
tries to navigate the new things that come along in her life. But for some reason, her character did not draw the same kind of emotion out of me the way Katniss did in HG. I haven't figured out why that is, but I am re-reading Divergent again to see if I can figure out why. I have already read Insurgent and eagely await the Final Chapter.
One thing that I really loved with the Audio Book is the Narrative by Emma Galvin. She was perfect for Tris and really brought her to life and the world around her. Emma sounds young enough to be Tris and captured her emotions and determination fantastically.
If you loved The Hunger Games, then by all means pick this up, spend the credits. Its
a fantastic story with a great character who has lots to discover, and uncover. Enjoy!!