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  • Divergent

  • Written by: Veronica Roth
  • Narrated by: Emma Galvin
  • Length: 11 hrs and 11 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (365 ratings)

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Divergent

Written by: Veronica Roth
Narrated by: Emma Galvin
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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

What the critics say

"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)

Featured Article: 20 of the Best Strong Fictional Female Lead Characters Who Will Inspire You

From feisty fiery females to women warriors, this list of audiobooks features the best stories and epic tales with strong fictional female lead characters that will inspire you.

What listeners say about Divergent

Average Customer Ratings
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    2 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

Not worth the time.

Every character seems to be these petty miserable people who constantly misunderstand everything they say to each other. Maybe I'm too old for this, but it feels like the entire book is written for junior high kids who are emotionally stunted and constantly angry at each other. The main relationship has zero depth; the ONLY time they get along being when they're making out.
Honestly, this one's not worth the time it takes to read it.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Second tier YA Sci Fi Dystopia

The premise for this novel is really cool: “the five factions.” However, the author doesn’t do much with the premise. Candor, and Amity are completely ignored. And for some reason the pacifist Abnegation faction is put solely in charge of this society, and both the Erudite and Dauntless factions agreed with this system of government? It doesn’t make any sense.

Rather than being FOR young adults, this book feels like it was written by a young adult. The plot is basic, there’s no big surprises or TWISTS. The bad guys are bad just for the sake of being bad. None of the characters have back stories to support their characters. The love interest doesn’t seem special to the main character, he’s just sort of available.

There’s also some tremendous violence,
especially near the end, and because the plot is so thin, it’s just shocking but not a satisfying “justified” type of violence. I can’t believe kids read this in school, instead of better quality books.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

Disappointed..

..even with lowered expectations.
I confess that I've never seen the film treatment and downloaded this title because - despite some truly annoying genre conventions - I actually enjoy YA Fantasy-SciFi. I realistically wasn't expecting high quality, but regardless this effort fell incredibly flat.
The book starts by establishing an intriguing matrix: a hypothetical future Chicago with divisions of society into five "factions" - each focussing on a specific "virtue" (intelligence, bravery, selflessness, etc.), each providing for a societal role, and each competing for predominance. 16 year-olds are made to select a faction and undergo training designed to reinforce the specific virtue with which they identify the most - so that they can provide that role in their community as adults.. it's ingenius, thought-provoking, and lays the groundwork for some fascinating potential plot evolutions.
Unfortunately, Veronica Roth instead chooses to beat her readers over the head with themes of non-conformity/independence, bullying and friendship, and confused romantic feelings. The writing is actually pretty capable (acceptable vocabulary/prose, well-plotted, well-described), but the blatant targeting of angtsy teen insecurities is too-often eyerolling.

Fortunately, a genuine strength of this recording is the performance. Emma Galvin reads with creditable diction, timbre, cadence, and voice-acting - but with an unusually admirable emotive tone. Her portrayal of 'Tris' is *excellent*.
The narration is by no means flawless (Galvin reads too slowly, for example) but the production quality doubtless improves the enjoyability of the story.

I rate 'Divergent' 5.5 stars out of 10. If you're really into the YA Dystopian genre ('Hunger Games', 'Maze Runner', etc.), it's a reasonable selection - but don't expect to be blown away.

[Please Note: The political plotline & resolution is melodramatic and straight-up stoopid]

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Divergent

It is beautiful I can't wait to start reading the next one. if anyone is having a hard time finding a book to listen too. I will say start with these. you will love is just has I do.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

not that much better than the movie

the characters in much better developed there's a lot more depth to the things that they do the movie was a good two-hour watch but it left out a lot of blanks

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1 person found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Absolutely riveting.

Great narration, story captures the mind and inspires the imagination. An adventurous story based around a strong female lead. It's absolutely fantastic and inspiring for young teen aged women, looking for a story about a bad ass female overcoming obstacles to become a true leader. A hard book to put down, engrossing from start to finish.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Too much time on kissing

The story would be so much more enjoyable if it didn’t have these constant interludes of kids kissing & misunderstanding each other.

Its the first time I honestly prefer the movie to the book.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Well Done

This story was well read by the narrator and the story was great and kept you wanting to listen

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Powerful story of love and loyalty

Excellent narration! On to part Insurgent. Triss is strong and brave. 2nd time reading

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

A Favourite

A favourite, just such a high quality read. The narration was toned properly; a lovely darkness that absorbed me as I engaged in the story.

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  • Grant
  • 2012-05-24

It's not for me. Loved it anyway.

Closet 50-year old-white-male fan here. The only reason I did not give it five stars is because there's a little too much teenage lip-meeting, hand-holding and waist-caressing going on for my taste. But the overall premise and storytelling is great. I devoured the second book right after I cruised through this one. Want. Third. Book. Now.

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324 people found this helpful

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  • Katherine
  • 2012-10-06

I loved this book! It's NOT the Hunger Games

I almost didn't get this book due to all the reviews that compared it to the Hunger Games. Thankfully I didn't think it was anything like HG. Yes it's a YA book about a Dystopian society with a female lead, but to me that's where the similarities end.
Don't get me wrong, I loved the Hunger Games too but I didn't want to listen to another cheap rip-off.
I thought the story was interesting, fast paced, unique, well written and thought provoking. I was also happy to learn it didn't involve another love triangle. (thank you Veronica Roth)
I'm looking forward to the 2nd and 3rd book in this series.

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169 people found this helpful

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  • Cinnamon Brown
  • 2012-08-10

Emma Galvin is fantastic

My to-read pile is astronomically high. In fact, it takes up a whole bookshelf at home. Funny thing about accepting books for review, oftentimes your own books tend to get less priority. Now that I've taken to listen to audiobooks in my driving and walking time, however, I find that I'm actually able to get to some of the books I've heard so much about and experience them for myself. DIVERGENT by Veronica Roth was such a book.

DIVERGENT popped to the top of my list after a friend finished reading The Host by Stephenie Meyer and was looking for another post-apocalyptic type dystopian. Everything we could find suggested trying DIVERGENT next. I thought the cover looked pretty (you know me) so I suggested it to my friend. A few days later she had finished DIVERGENT and the second in the trilogy Insurgent and just wouldn't stop raving about it. I sighed and traded an Audible credit in for the book mainly to get my friend off my case.

Holy buckets! DIVERGENT is an excellent read/listen!

Beatrice Prior has just turned 16 and as such will get to take part in the Choosing Day - the day that she chooses a faction to spend the rest of her life in. There are five factions (learning about them is half the fun of the first part of the book), each with their own guiding principles. Beatrice starts as Abnegation - a selfless faction who believe in viewing and doing for others before themselves. But, is Beatrice really Abnegation? Can she spend the rest of her life living selflessly, never thinking about herself, and always putting the needs of others first?

DIVERGENT follows Beatrice as she struggles to make a decision, makes that decision, and then struggles through the consequences that her decision entails. While this is all happening, Beatrice learns that her perfect society may not be as perfect as it claims. Something dangerous is approaching and it seems to be tied to the Divergent.

I'll have to admit, I came into DIVERGENT expecting a light read with some neat dystopian elements. I was surprised by how real Roth made the story. Beatrice's emotions are the real emotions I would expect from a girl in her situation, with her actions staying fairly true to the actions I would expect her to take. Just because this is a young adult novel doesn't mean that Roth spares us the pain and difficulties that come from living in parts of this society. She doesn't glaze over the terrors that some of the characters have to live through, instead putting them out in the open and letting us experience the world right along side Beatrice. This is probably the one thing I loved most about DIVERGENT.

With some great action sequences, a fantastic storyline, and really good drama and tension, DIVERGENT is an excellent read for anyone looking to escape for a while. This won't be a walk in the park, but I can pretty much guarantee that once you've finished it, you'll be clamoring for the next book in the series.

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87 people found this helpful

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  • FanB14
  • 2013-01-29

Another Dystopian YA Entry

The world is divided into personality-type factions and at age 16, Triss must choose to stay in her family's sector, or venture on her own path. Action-centered drama unfolds with teen love story and fight to save the world. Not as good as the Hunger Games, but better than "Matched," by Condie.

Narrator, Emma Galvin is fantastic. Sounds 16, has confident, strong voice and nice inflection with changing tone.

In Comparison with other Dystopian YA Novels:
Hunger Games: A
Divergent: B- (action)
Matched: C- (girly)
The Giver: D (creepy)

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84 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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  • Joey
  • 2011-12-31

Another great young adult book

I'm not sure what it says about me as a 32-year-old, but I have really enjoyed quite a few young adult books in the last few years. This is another one that's worth the read no matter what age you are. I always love to see a strong female lead and this book fits the bill. I've read a lot of dystopian books, but this one still manages to be unique.

The book reminds me of the Hunger Games series in many ways, but the book is different enough that it's not derivative. If you read the Hunger Games and liked it, just go ahead and get this one, you'll almost certainly like it, too. I can't wait for future installments of the series to come out.

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77 people found this helpful

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  • Theodore
  • 2012-08-19

Very much enjoyed this!

While simply perusing the website I found this gem. I can see why there are so many positive reviews for this book because it was done exceptionally well if you’re into this genre. This book is simply a darker version of “The Hunger Games” if you ask me with a stronger female lead.

The similarities between this book and “The Hunger Games” are startling I must say. The narrator did justice to the title itself and coupled with the story had you gripping the edge. There are some parts of this book that literally gets your mouth to drop and your eyes to widen. Also, when the action picks up, the action really picks up and the author creates such interesting imageries that left me quite impressed. This is just a fun listen if you ask me, with the right combination of poignant moments and fun, light moments.

If you enjoyed "The Hunger Games" or books within that genre you will simply love this book... if you didn't enjoy "The Hunger Games" though, I suggest you pass on this on.

OF NOTE: I listened to this book just AFTER I listened to “Einstein’s Relativity” (which I thought was just plain painful to listen to) so my review might be a bit skewered (positively) because the thought of that other book is fresh in my mind….

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68 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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  • Chris - Audible
  • 2012-05-10

Ender's Game meets The Hunger Games...

...…but way better than both. This book was recommended to me by a fellow editor shortly after I finished The Hunger Games series, and I was skeptical. Could I deal with another YA dystopian fiction? Will this teen protagonist waver and worry and be as clueless as the last one? As it turns out, I COULD deal with it, and our heroine, Tris, is one that I’d prefer to have on my side when the government finally takes over.

Apart from the obligatory love story (Yeah I know: it’s YA, I should have expected it), Divergent is a solid dystopian adventure story. There is a lot of action and violence, which keeps things interesting. Tris is generally a good person who sometimes lets her emotions take over, which strikes a good balance. My favorite thing about her is that when she sees a problem, she acts; she has a lot of courage, and she’s not afraid to put it on display.

The world they inhabit (a divided, worn-down Chicago of the future) is very interesting and well-drawn, though a lot is left mysterious, which I'm sure is all set-up for the remaining books in the trilogy. The narrator is good, but she could have been a bit more dynamic in terms of voicing different characters. I thought this was a great first entry in the series, and I’m looking forward to starting the sequel soon.

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61 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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  • Middle School Teacher
  • 2012-07-02

Need a Hunger Games fix?

What did you love best about Divergent?

I'm a middle school teacher, and I chose this book because I had seen some of my students reading it. Soon I was gripped by all that Tris and her friends were going through, guessing some plot turns, surprised by others, but so involved that I had scarcely finished Divergent before I had to purchase the sequel (Insurgent). Like Hunger Games, it has a female protagonist who must prove herself as a fighter, who is wracked with strong emotions, who must cope with the changes that come because of love, and who is in the middle of a world ripe for revolution.

I found Tris to be likeable, complex, and believable, and the situation her society is in more interesting than the one in Katniss' world because the evil is more insidious. It is easy to see why the enemy leader believes in a particular cause and why the various forces choose as they do.

Sometimes, I grew a little weary of the problems that could have been easily solved if people had not kept secrets from one another, but the world Tris grew up in has trained her to accept the idea of dangerous secrets. I also found the way the different elements of society were leveraging power to be a compelling plot element.

What other book might you compare Divergent to and why?

I think anyone who liked Hunger Games should be all over this series as their next fix. However, I actually l liked this better than Hunger Games in many ways. There are more interesting characters, and the various elements of society are less black and white in their motivations and alliances. The puzzles Tris must solve is complex and so are her strategies for solving them.

Although there is violence and some of it is very cruel, I found it less disturbing than some of the Hunger Games violence, which was often sadistic and bizarre.

What about Emma Galvin’s performance did you like?

I found her completely believable and engaging. Tris being a relatively small girl, she needed a voice with some child-like elements, but Galvin was also believable as Tris developed into a leader.

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

I did not want to stop listening! The minute it was over, I bought the sequel.

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59 people found this helpful

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    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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  • Robert
  • 2012-03-14

I am not a YA fan; I am not a YA fan; I am not a Y

Dang, when will I ever learn. I am just Not a fan of YA books. Twilight had to be good, right? Look at all the kudos. Hunger Games had to be good right? Divergent had to be ... well not for me. NONE OF IT!!!

I'M A GROWN UP NOW!!!

Robert, stop reading these books.

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47 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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  • Deanna
  • 2012-05-31

Couldn't Put It Down

This was an awesome book. I stayed up way too late listening to this book and plowed through quickly. There never seemed to be down time or slow moving part of the book.

Many people compare it to The Hunger Games and I can understand why: Strong female lead, dystopian setting, a single forced choice that changes the life of main character, combat and quarrel. If you enjoyed the first book of The Hunger Games it is worth picking this book up.

I have nothing but praise for the narrator, she did an excellent job and was a good choice for this novel.

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  • Client d'Amazon
  • 2021-09-25

Good read and good to listen too

I really liked the performance of Emma Galvin. Especially her interpretation of four. I recommend, if you like the dystopic youth novel type.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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  • Client d'Amazon
  • 2020-04-19

Excellent !

L'histoire est très sympa et le livre est très bien lu ! Je ne connaissais pas cette actrice, mais je vais me pencher sur sa filmographie !

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  • Lilouuu91
  • 2015-08-23

Parfait

Considérez-vous la version audio meilleure que la version papier ?

La version audio est très bien ! Je trouve que la voix d'Emma Galvin correspond très bien à l'image que je me suis faite de Tris.

Avez-vous pu écouter l'une des performances de Emma Galvin auparavant ? Quelle comparaison pouvez-vous faire ?

Non c'était le premier livre, cependant j'aurais le plaisir de l'entendre à nouveau dans la suite "Insurgent"

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