Review: Allegiant

Info:
Title: Allegiant
Author: Veronica Roth
Series: Divergent #3
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books
Publication Date: October 22, 2013
Source: Purchased.


Synopsis: 
The faction-based society that Tris Prior once believed in is shattered—fractured by violence and power struggles and scarred by loss and betrayal. So when offered a chance to explore the world past the limits she’s known, Tris is ready. Perhaps beyond the fence, she and Tobias will find a simple new life together, free from complicated lies, tangled loyalties, and painful memories. 

But Tris’s new reality is even more alarming than the one she left behind. Old discoveries are quickly rendered meaningless. Explosive new truths change the hearts of those she loves. And once again, Tris must battle to comprehend the complexities of human nature—and of herself—while facing impossible choices about courage, allegiance, sacrifice, and love. 

Told from a riveting dual perspective, Allegiant, by #1 New York Times best-selling author Veronica Roth, brings the Divergent series to a powerful conclusion while revealing the secrets of the dystopian world that has captivated millions of readers in Divergent and Insurgent.

Review:
I almost don't even know what to say about this one. Unlike a lot of people, my lower rating is due to the middle, not the end. I liked each book in this trilogy a bit less than the previous one. Divergent - loved it! Insurgent - pretty good, but the characters started to annoy me. Allegiant - I kind of stopping caring about the characters a much about a third of the way through, which is probably why I didn't mind the ending.

My main issue with this book was the characters. Tris and Tobias really got on my nerves in the middle. Like so many of their issues could have been solved by just talking to each other instead of shouting and walking away. I realize that they are both meant to be flawed characters, but that doesn't mean I don't get to be annoyed at them!

I also felt a bit bored through the middle part of the book. I'm not sure why, there were even explosions. Maybe that was part of the problem. The book went from one high action to the next and maybe I didn't have enough time to recover from one action sequence before the next and it all blurred together. I'm not sure on that one. But it took me like a month to read this one and I read Divergent is a couple days.

I also wasn't a fan of the alternating POV. I generally don't really like this, so nothing against Veronica Roth. Although I did think it was weird to suddenly switch to alternating POV in the final book of a triology. I kind of understand it now, but I can't say I liked it.

And the ending! I'm going to try to keep this spoiler-free. I can see why some readers were angry, but I actually wasn't. Partly because I was annoyed with the main characters and had started to feel an emotional distance from them. Partly because I was prepared. I didn't have it spoiled for me, but I knew something big and bad was coming, so I think I prepared myself for that unconsciously. And finally, I like books with sad endings. One of my favourite books I read in english class was Ethan Frome, which has one of the most depressing endings I can think of.So some combination of these meant no anger, no throwing the book across the room, no screaming and, amazingly, no tears. That truly is amazing. I cry during sad country songs I've heard a hundred times (like Holes in the Floor of Heaven and Don't Take the Girl).

Overall, I though Allegiant was ok. I definitely felt like this series slipped downhill as it progressed. On it's own, I didn't think Allegiant was anything that special, but the series overall is still worth reading. Divergent is still one of my favourite books.

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Review: Insurgent by Veronica Roth

Info:
Title: Insurgent
Author: Veronica Roth
Release Date: May 1, 2012
Publisher: HarperTeen

Blurb:

One choice can transform you--or it can destroy you. But every choice has consequences, and as unrest surges in the factions all around her, Tris Prior must continue trying to save those she loves--and herself--while grappling with haunting questions of grief and forgiveness, identity and loyalty, politics and love.

Tris's initiation day should have been marked by celebration and victory with her chosen faction; instead, the day ended with unspeakable horrors. War now looms as conflict between the factions and their ideologies grows. And in times of war, sides must be chosen, secrets will emerge, and choices will become even more irrevocable--and even more powerful. Transformed by her own decisions but also by haunting grief and guilt, radical new discoveries, and shifting relationships, Tris must fully embrace her Divergence, even if she does not know what she may lose by doing so.

"New York Times" bestselling author Veronica Roth's much-anticipated second book of the dystopian "Divergent" series is another intoxicating thrill ride of a story, rich with hallmark twists, heartbreaks, romance, and powerful insights about human nature.

My Thoughts:

Veronica Roth continues to wow me in this book. Starting where Divergent left off, we see things go from bad to worse in the world of Tris. Her actions at the end of Divergent set off a chain reaction, both in her world and in herself. I am so in love with the world that Veronica Roth has created! I'm sure I'm not the only one who has contemplated what faction I would choose. I'm torn between Amity and Erudite. Although both have their downside.

We get to learn more about the other factions in this installment, since Tris spends time in Amity, Erudite and Candor. You might be surprised to learn just how committed Amity is to keeping the peace! I really enjoyed learning more about the factions that didn't have a major role in Divergent.

Insurgent was a wild ride. There were a couple plot twists that really threw me. In fact, at one point I had to stop reading on the bus because I was so angry at one of the characters! And the ending was great! I can't wait for the next book!

There was a downside to the book that made me enjoy it slightly less than Divergent. Tris was a much harder character to like in this one. I'll cut her some slack because she's grieving, but she does a few things that make me want to yell at her. She lies quite a bit and I'm not always sure that it's necessary. Although perhaps it was. And then there is her at-times rocky relationship with Tobias. There are so many times I just wanted to say to them "Be nice to each other!" But that's probably why I lean toward Amity.

Overall, I loved Insurgent almost as much as Divergent. If you read and loved Divergent, you've got to read Insurgent. I promise you won't be disappointed!

Did I mention that Veronica was super nice to me when I got her autograph at the Smart Chicks Kick It tour stop in my city?

On the Cover:

I like the cover and how it follows in the theme of the Divergent cover.

Rating: 4.5 Hearts

Source: Bought from a bookseller.

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Don't Just Take My Word For It: Burning Impossibly Bright

Review: Divergent by Veronica Roth

Blurb:

In a future Chicago, 16-year-old Beatrice Prior must choose among five predetermined factions to define her identity for the rest of her life, a decision made more difficult when she discovers that she is an anomaly who does not fit into any one group, and that the society she lives in is not perfect after all.

My Thoughts:

 Wow, so I definitely understand what all the fuss what about. Divergent was awesome! This is the kind of book I want to push on all my friends! I've already told my boyfriend he needs to read it and strategically placed it on his nightstand. I'm dying to read Insurgent now!

Fangirl gushing aside, this book really was awesome. I was sucked right into Tris's world and I feel like Tris is a friend. I rooted for her throughout and stood in awe of her when she did things I'm not sure I could have done.

Four was also amazing. I thought his character was well done and believable. No sickenly perfect boys here! Four was real and believable and all-around awesome! The secondary characters were well done as well. I liked Christina and Caleb and Tris's parents.

My absolutely favourite part of this book was the world. I love dystopians, but I thought Divergent was especially well done. The structure of the factions, the lack of a cohesive society between the factions, the factionless as second-class citizens; I loved it all.

I also loved the non-stop action. From the Choosing Ceremony to the finale, I was always dying to know what happened next! Speaking from experience, this is not a good book to start reading right before final exams!

The blurb from goodreads seriously does not do it justice!

On the Cover:

 I like the cover. The symbol really catches your attention and it's a nice change from the 'girl in a dress' covers I've been seeing lately.

Favourite Character:

 Tris! She was so awesome, brave and all-around badass!

Rating: 5 Hearts!

Source: This book was purchased for my personal collection.

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Bonus: You can take the faction test on Facebook. I was Dauntless. Very surprising. I always thought I would be Erudite. Or Amity, except I picked the knife because I'm a chicken. Wait, I'm Dauntless? Oh dear.

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