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)

I enjoyed it.

I am not a teenager but still enjoyed this book. The story held my attention and had me rooting for the main character Tris. Am looking forward to book two coming out in May 2012.

What self traits do you most value?

This book had us asking questions of each other and the world around us. What do you most value? What traits dominated our past? Our future? Can't you be brave and honest and peaceful and smart and even selfless at times? and all at once? What if you had to narrow it all down to one and focus on it forever?

We found ourselves deciding which faction to join and both decided like many others that we too were Divergent.

Just do yourself a favor and listen to this before it's made into a movie ( You know thats coming ) and be super cool like the first Twilighters. A awesome book for all ages.

An Incredible Surprise

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

The story was intriguing and inspiring.

What other book might you compare Divergent to and why?

I could compare this to The Hunger Games Trilogy or The Uglies Trilogy.

Which scene was your favorite?

I liked the way they described the divergent area. It was quite interesting.

Any additional comments?

One of my students told me about this book and I am so glad that he did. It is a great story explaining how a community can not live with just one trait but how those with multiple traits can be dangerous to others. It is an amazing story that can open up anyone's eyes. I couldn't put it down and instantly downloaded the second book and am disappointed the third book isn't out until the fall of 2013.

Slowly, but surely, you will not be able to stop

If you could sum up Divergent in three words, what would they be?

Not Hunger Games.

If you’ve listened to books by Veronica Roth before, how does this one compare?

This was the first book of Veronica Roth that I listened to.

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

At first, I found her voice to be a bit monotone. As I continued, I actually found it rather soothing. She brings more life to the characters throughout the series.

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

I was pleasantly surprised when Tris jumped first. I didn't think she had it in her, but once she did, I gained new respect for her.

Any additional comments?

With only three books to the series, I highly recommend everyone taking the time to listen to all of them. It's worth it.

Unexpectedly Good

Divergent was a well-narrated and unexpectedly good story. It felt like some weird cross between The Hunger Games, The Giver, and The Wind Singer, which are all in their turn rather good stories. But Divergent is much better paced than The Hunger Games and the narrative style is less grating, and the narrator does a decent job with the characters and their emotions. Maybe this isn't a life-changing, box-office-record-breaking story, but totally worth a listen!

Great story

Any additional comments?

I really enjoyed the story and I think the narrator did a great job doing a 16yr old girls's voice w/out it being an annoying child's voice. However, she does not do very well changing her voice for the other characters. Having said that though, I'm still a fan of the story and it was still very easy to listen to. You just really had to pay attention to see who was saying what.

Awesome!

What did you like about this audiobook?

Loved it! The story line is novel and keeps you on the edge of your seat. Almost as good as The Hunger Games!!!! Can't wait for Insurgent!

Surprisingly good

What did you love best about Divergent?

Took a chance and was rewarded.

Who was your favorite character and why?

The characters are well rounded and interesting.

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

The overall performance is well done, the lead character well portrayed.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

It's just simply a good story with thoughtful concepts that relate to people (society) as a flawed, but perhaps salvageable concept.

Any additional comments?

A good read.

Excellent first book in a series

This is the first of three book in a series about a world where people are divided into groups based on their predetermined skills and interests. The great majority have one major skill group, but a very small few have more than one. These are the divergent and they must keep their multiple skills a secret. The protagonist is a young divergent girl. This first book in the trilogy details her selection of a skill group and the training she receives. If a person does not graduate from their training, they are outcasts and must live life underground, shunned and destitute. Lot of pressure on a person to graduate. There is animosity among the groups. Some think they are superior. Some think they should take over all. There are a few twists in the plot, especially at the end, which leads to the next book in the series.

I really like the first book, Divergent. The second was not as good and I was not able to finish the third. I am still glad, however, that I listened to the first book. It was well written, had good character development, was interesting and had superb narration.

Similarities to the Hunger Games? Twilight?

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

Based solely on this novel, probably not-- it's not really the style of story that binds me. It's a perfectly good story, particularly if you like more "political" intrigue.

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

It's not my story to change. It would be presumptive of me to suggest changes. My personal tastes lead more toward action and horror. This seemed to be more oriented toward a coming-of-age girl story. Perfectly fine for what it is, but not my front choice.

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

Probably the protagonist. It's mostly a POV piece.

Could you see Divergent being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

No more than "Hunger Games" or "Twilight". And cast some as-yet-unknown-but-talented actors.