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)

Wow!!!

This is a great story with strong characters and a wonderful setting of what a future here in America could be .

MUST READ

What did you love best about Divergent?

Everything! I'm jealous of people that haven't read it yet because I'd love to experience the story again for the first time. Can't wait for the movie!

What about Emma Galvin’s performance did you like?

She wasn't overly dramatic. She changed her voice and inflections a bit for each character but it wasn't too extreme.

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

My eyes teared up multiple times both in happiness and sadness. The book is so well written that you truly feel as though you know the characters.

Emma Galvin is an amazing Narrator!

wonderful book! makes you really feel like you are in the moment with the characters!

Well written YA saga

Too much teen introspection and too little action for my taste. I skipped two thirds of the book and was still able to follow the plot.

loved it from beginning to end.

I decided to read this after watching the movie and while I loved the movie there is always that part that can't stand up to the book. I liked parts of the movie better than the book but again the book is better with the details. Even the narrator, Emma Galvin, was good and even sounded like the actress who played Tris in the movie. I can't wait to get started on Insurgent!

Very suspenseful

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

Outstanding, suspenseful, entertaining

What other book might you compare Divergent to and why?

Hunger Games because they're similar

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

No, but my students did!

Any additional comments?

I have found that with my students boys like this book better than Hunger Games. Girls seem to like Hunger Games.

I Like This Book Probably More Than I Should

For some reason this book just hit a chord with me, and I'm not even sure why. The factions don't really make a whole lot of sense, neither do the motivations of many of the characters. But I guess I just liked the trials and tribulations of the main characters, and the idea of a "Dauntless" gang/cult. It has a lot of "Hunger Games" in it, if that helps. For those that have seen the movie, the movie is fairly faithful to the book, but you'll just learn a lot more about the characters in the book, and there were some significant differences in the movie to streamline the plot. Otherwise though, if you liked the movie, you really should read/listen to this book.

BEST

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

This is the best book I have EVER read! Yes! I can't wait to read the rest of the series and see the movies!!

Do yourself a favor and read this book.

Would you listen to Divergent again? Why?

Of Course. It's a great book. The only thing I would change would be to cut back on the lovey stuff. Other than that Awesome book!!

What did you like best about this story?

I like it that there is another book to listen to and learn more on Tris and Tobias.

What does Emma Galvin bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

She's a great narrator. She brings Tris to life.

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

No, just left me wanting more.

The Young Adults are growing up so fast

Aside from the occasional adult, the under 18's are pretty much left alone in this world. Although there is no blatant sex or nudity, I was surprised at the sensuality suggested in a few parts, and definitely did not like the continuing suggestions of young adults getting tattoos to fit in. A rapidly-paced storyline kept this book interesting for me, although it was somewhat predictable.