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! Couldn't stop listening!

I loved the characters... especially Four! I got sucked in right away - the narration was fantastic and the story was interesting. At 2AM I was like "really? Am I still listening to this book!?" Just to give you a frame of reference, I have listened to hundreds of audiobooks AND I have NEVER written a review before. I felt the urge to do so after listening to this great book. I don't understand reviewers who say that it is trying to be the Hunger Games and doesn't measure up. It is its own story and is creative and leaves you anxiously awaiting the next installment. Cheers to Veronica Roth!

Too Young Adult for me

I had higher hopes after reading such positive reviews. The book was inconsistent at best. The conflict was very low hanging and seemed to resolve itself in the most predictable way.

I might have enjoyed it more if I was 12.

Not Divergent Enough

This book lacks qualities that will appeal to a larger audience than young teens. Even without the cover art, it's so reminiscent of "The Hunger Games" that it's hard to see more than a cynical profit motive behind publication of this trilogy.

First person voice here really limits the scope of the tale: just how much teenage angst is the reader willing to suffer? I'm far from a teen, yet I enjoyed the wider sociological and science fiction elements of a 'Hunger Games' or a 'Harry Potter'.

All that said, there is an appealing heroine here, and the basic premise of dividing a world into various factions is interesting in this first volume. I think teen fans of Katniss might well enjoy it. But don't expect the true nature of 'divergence' to be much explored.

Mix of Hunger Games and City of Ember

Story:
I enjoyed this story a lot, and I am looking forward to the sequel. This is a coming of age story about a girl who is struggling to find her place in a post apocalyptic society. She goes through many emotional and physical challenges, and by the end she has become a very well developed character. Great characters, and a very well thought out society and setting.
Blood and Gore:
There is quite a bit of blood and gore in this book. Rated PG-13
Swearing:
I don't remember any swearing, so if there was some it couldn't have been much.
Sex:
None.
Overall:
I recommend it though I couldn't help, but feel deja vu multiple times because this is so much like the Hunger Games and City of Ember. Recommended for 13 and above.

You won't want to stop listening

I purchased this on the reviews that said it was the next "Hunger Games" in the sense that it is a book written for teens yet interesting, imaginative and gripping enough for adults. The reveiws were absolutely correct! I listen to my audible books on my long runs. Let me just say that my runs were getting longer because I wanted to hear what would happen next and just didn't want to stop! Great narrator too! I certainly hope there is a sequel.

An author to watch.

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

I really enjoyed the performance of Emma Galvin, the way she brought it to life. The way, I could hear Tris's thoughts. This was a brilliant book written by an amazing mind.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Divergent?

I don't think that any one moment stood out, but what I most enjoyed was that there were no slow moving times, filler that made it feel like it dragged, no words were wasted as she described everything so clearly and crispy I could actually see it in my own head. This book is full of action and you want the book to never end.

What about Emma Galvin’s performance did you like?

Absolutely.

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

I did actually listen to it in a single day, this purchase was well worth it.

Any additional comments?

Put this book on your wishlist, it will be one of the wisest decisions you've made yet.

Great story!

What did you like best about this story?

I really enjoyed this story and the characters. As others said, it was very much an enjoyable book and I would most definitely recommend it! Great read for both the younger and older readers/listeners!

My only disappointment... is when it finally had to come to an end. Would love it to continue on!

AWESOME BOOK

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

I highly recommend this book! I just finished the Hunger Game trilogy and was craving something more.. and I found it here.

Worth the credit.

Wonderful Dystopian Novel

I was very surprised to find I liked this novel better than The Hunger Games. The manipulation of people is similar but I liked the fact that Tris was a fighter and was not afraid to be herself. The premise of the book was different too, although it had fighting and challenges, it was not the same arena style games that seem to be the theme in so many of dystopian books. I also ended up feeling like I knew Tris and 8 and understood why they were who they were. This author is amazing and I can hardly wait for the next book in the series.

Excellent

Would you listen to Divergent again? Why?

I have already listened to it several times. The narrator is excellent and the story is excellent. Sometimes stories are so good that I can ignore a bad narrator, but I usually don't listen again. This book had it all.

What did you like best about this story?

For young adult, fantasy, scifi fans this book had it all. A little romance, that wasn't over powering, a great story where the female lead wasn't some whining woos, but a believable flawed/fantastic person, excellent writing/imagery, and a good narrator. If you liked Hunger Games, you will like this book.

I cannot wait for the next installment.

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

Yes