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)

Fun story

Entertaining and an interesting thought experiment. Not quite as well done as The Hunger Games, but still worth it.

Entertaining

I found the book enjoyable. The author does a good job of painting a picture of the world she created. I am looking forward to reading the next book.

Looking for a good book in between Hunger Games

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

This is in my top 5. It was suggested by a friend after I finished the Hunger Games series and it hasn't disappointed me. I am looking forward to the next book.

What did you like best about this story?

I love the main character (Tris). She has this Katniss feel about her, but she is her own person, smarter. The story puts her into good situations.

What three words best describe Emma Galvin’s voice?

At first I thought this was one of the voices from The Help. Emma's voice is good. The only thing I would like to see it different voices from each character.

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

Tris falling for Four and finding out about where her mother came from.

Any additional comments?

I think the book is great. I am really happy I got into the series.

Exciting for young readers

This was an exciting story to read and listen to with my students who are learning English. They just finished it and are asking for the next one in the series.

A popular read for a good reason.

I have chosen a few books that had gained rave reviews and I was disappointed and left wondering if I had read the same books they were cheering about...this one however did live up to the Hype for me. It did remind me somewhat of Hunger Games, another of my favorites, in tone and it involved teenagers living in a desparate world and making extreme choices with maturity and courage.

My own children are older than the ones here and this ole lady still liked it. I was entertainted and drawn into the story very easily. I look forward to reading this entire trilogy and would suggest it for others, teen to adult.

Great book although YA genre. Better than movie!!

Good dystopian SciFi with an unusual premise and likable characters. Even if you've seen the movies the books are much better!!!

Excellent

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

Definitely, from the beginning to the end I could not stop listening.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Divergent?

The factor initiation.

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

No, but she was an excellent narrator.

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

Yes

disappointed - because there's no sequel!

i LOVED this book - great narrating, fun & intriguing ideas...but for some reason i was under the impression that i had bought book 1 of 3 - i'm so sad to find out that's not true :( It's a solo and I WANT MORE

Excellant Book

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

This was an awesome book. Was so awesome.

What other book might you compare Divergent to and why?

The girl with the dragon tatoo and/or The Hunger games, I could not put those books down, as well as Divergent. I didn't want to fall asleep, because I wanted to finish reading.

Which scene was your favorite?

all

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

Yes, It was so good.

Any additional comments?

Loved it!

Great story, monotone narration

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

No. I really enjoyed reading the books and was a bit disappointed to hear the sample narration. It was a bit monotone and lacking the nuanced delivery that I had hoped for.

Despite that, however, I am now on the second book and I am no longer as bothered by the narration. I'm trying to keep in mind that the story is from the perspective of a sixteen-year-old and as such, the delivery would not be the same as an older woman.

What did you like best about this story?

I like the characters and the world that the author has created.

Did the narration match the pace of the story?

Yes, it does.

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

No, but I rarely want to listen to an entire book in one sitting. As I mentioned, I did get the sequel, which is a good sign. I have stopped listening to other books after 10 minutes, so while the performance is not my favourite, it doesn't hinder my ability to enjoy the story.