Why Did I Decide To Listen To This Book?
The audiobook of Divergent by Veronica Roth came in the mail as an unsolicited copy. Prior to listening to the audiobook, I had already read Divergent and it’s sequel, Insurgent. Y’all, I was actually a really big fan of Divergent when I first read it and so, I was curious if it would stack up to a re-read. I mean, you guys, I freakin loved the first and the second book, but sometimes I think maybe I confuse excitement with love. Also, the audiobook is narrated by Emma Galvin who is superb. So, I listened to Divergent and it turns out that FOR ME, the book holds up a second time around.
What’s The Story Here?
It is THE FUTURE right and like Chicago is divided up into these factions based on virtues. There’s Abnegation, Amity, Candor, Erudite, and Dauntless. To be outside of a faction is certain death. Each person gets sorted into a faction by taking a virtual reality sort of test when they become of age. Tris Prior, main character, starts the book as Abnegation, but honestly, she thinks she’s too selfish. And so, she goes into Dauntless. And also discovers that she is Divergent (there’s a lot of capitalized words here, I am noticing) meaning that she embodies more than one faction’s virtues and traits. Anyways, Tris spends the next few weeks training as a Dauntless initiate, making both enemies and friends and a friend-boy named Four also called Tobias. OH and it turns out there is an evil plot afoot by the Erudites.
What Did I Think Of Tris The Second Time Around?
She’s not QUITE as kick ass as I remember. See, listening to an audiobook forces you to a certain pace and you can’t just skip over things. Well, you can, but that defeats the purpose. Also, I felt forced to really pay attention in a good way. So, on this spin with Divergent I noticed that Tris gets beat up a hell of a lot. This is one violent book, and well, it made me a tiny bit uncomfortable just how violent it was. Like, Tris is constantly getting beat by males in fights and also by females and it’s awkward for me the listener because I kept cringing. However, I will say that I am still Team Tris. I liked her moxie. I liked that she dares to go into another faction even though being in Abnegation would be ‘comfortable’ for her. I like that even though she is the smallest initiate she is not cowed by the others. I think the girl is headstrong and courageous, thus I liked her.
Is Four Still Swoonworthy?
Bish, please. Of course he is. Although, I thought, LOL that I remembered MORE kissing from when I read Divergent but apparently I was wrong. There’s not as much kissing as in my imagination. Go figure. Anyways, Four’s still worthy of Tris’s love, and LOL while I was driving and listening to this, they were about to kiss but get interrupted and I literally said out loud – what a cock block. Thank goodness it was just me in my car.
How’s The Narration?
I really love Emma Galvin’s narration style. She has this sort of lower, serious kind of voice but she sounds youthful. I think she carries the perfect tone and pitch for Veronica Roth’s dystopian novel. I never zoned out or got bored while listening to Emma as Tris. The audiobook is produced by Harper Audio. It is 11 hours and 11 minutes long and definitely worth a listen while you’re going about your driving.
Sum It Up With A Gif:
Yes, this GIF is from the movie, I know how lazy. Yet, I chose it because you guys TRIS CAN’T BE CONTROLLED. Also, my love of this book can’t be controlled.
Disclosure: Review Copy Provided By Publisher
Other reviews of Divergent by Veronica Roth:
The Brazen Bookworm – “captured Beatrice’s voice perfectly”
The Guilded Earlobe – “Galvin’s pacing was precise”
A Foodie Bibliophile In Wanderlust – “I just didn’t care for this book”
Books by Veronica Roth:
Divergent
Insurgent
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I listened to Divergent on audiobook too! This review is such a relief because I was kind of disturbed by how dark and violent Divergent is, but everyone else just kind of shrugged at me when I mentioned that. I think it is definitely because I listened to it and couldn’t skim the violent parts!
Funny how re-reading can really change our experience with certain books, eh? It’s interesting because I read the Divergent series, like, immediately after reading The Hunger Games and for me, it just didn’t measure up. I didn’t hate the books but I definitely think my HG hangover was a big part of the reason I didn’t love them as much as I could if I read them now. I pre-ordered Allegiant and really want to give the series a second go-around, just to see how it stacks up now. I’m thinking that audio will be the way to go.
I only recently started getting into audiobooks, but now that I’ve heard of a couple people doing it, I really want to try using an audiobook to re-read a book I’ve already read. It’s such a cool concept, and I wish I had thought of it forever ago. I think I’ll try to do this next month, as I’m planning to re-read a few books.
Oh my goodness. I have had Insurgent sitting on my kindle since it came out. I need to get on it.. People are already doing re reads and I’m not even done with book two!
Four will always be swoon worthy, unless the movie ruins him for me. And if it does. I will litter in the theatre. #Rebel
I’m glad that Divergent held up on your re-read. I really love this entire series, and this first book is what started it all for me! The characters, the world, the story — everything just clicked for me. I’m glad the audio was enjoyable!