Book Review: Allegiant by Veronica Roth

*This is the third and final book in a series. If you haven't read Divergent and Insurgent. Then don't read this review as there are spoilers. 

Buy This Book   
Final book in the Divergent series.  
Pages: 526
Published: Oct 2013
Genres: YA, Dystopian, Romance

Goodreads 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.
 
Review...
One of my favourite things about Divergent and Insurgent, is that there was so much action. Things kept happening and it was so fast paced, and fun to read. So I should have known that for the last book in this series. The author would take away all my favourite things, and give me somewhat whiny Tobias perspectives in return.

Dont get me wrong, I actually liked the book. I very much enjoyed Roth's writing style. It also explained everything, giving answers to all my questions. The relationship between Tris and Four also got more complicated, and it was interesting to see their struggle. Both with their relationship and as individuals. There was a real effort to make things and reactions realistic and honest, and I did appreciate that.

However there were many things that made me dislike this book. Firstly I found Four to be really different then he was in previous books. This may be because we got chapters from his perspective, but it still felt strange. Also I felt like the relationship between Tris and Four was sometimes a bit cheesy, and uncomfortable. Some of the things they did and thought, really surprised me.

Up until around the 400 page mark, everything felt very drawn out. The plot was predictable, and there was very little action. I had to push myself to read on, which is the opposite of how I felt reading Divergent. It was also sometimes hard to distinguish which perspective I was reading, because they weren't distinctive or different enough.

Another complaint I have is that I felt we saw very little of the side characters. They seemed really interesting but only made quick appearances in what was basically the 'Tris and Four Show'. And let me tell you, I changed the channel often.

One thing I am happy about is the end. It was where things finally picked up, and got interesting. I felt somewhat content finishing the book, and was happy with most of the events leading up to the very end. Even the one that some people are incredible mad about, and many have been spoiled about.

All in all, I'm disappointed with the book as a whole. But I did like it, and was happy with how the series ended. 

3/5 

Book Review & Talk: Insurgent by Veronica Roth

Written by Veronica Roth
Pages: 525
Published: May 2012
Genres: Young Adult, Dystopian, Fantasy, Romance

Second book in the Divergent Series.

Goodreads Synopsis...
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.

My Review...
Where to begin with this book. Well I guess we can start by talking about how amazing this book was. It was so much fun to read, and just as fast-paced as divergent. The writing style was again very good, and easy to follow. And things just kept on happening, all the time.

Something that surprised me was the darkness that seeped into these covers. Because of certain events that occurred in the first book, Tris the main character was a very different person. She was still strong, but she allowed herself to be affected by the things that happened. I really enjoyed this, it helped to not only grow her as a character. But to also make her less of a robot and more of a real and likeable human.

There were also moments that made me laugh out loud. Maybe they weren't exactly funny. But there was definitely some awkward and very good sarcasm.

However this book was not ALL good. The answers I was looking for in the first book, were not given here. None at all! Nothing new was revealed, and I have to say that two books is too long to string me along. Also although I liked the enclosed environment that was present in the first book, as it helped to focus on the story. I would have liked to see a greater exploration of the setting, which didn't really happen. 

The ending was also a little bit annoying because although it offers that cliff-hanger, that makes me want the next book SO bad. It was not a surprising ending, and was a tad anti-climactic.  

I really enjoyed this dark, action-packed book and definitely recommend you read it. I cant wait for the next book in the series, which had better provide some answers.

I give this book a 5 out of 5! 
 
If you have read this book and want to discuss it with me, then watch the video below and head to my YouTube page: bookswithdylan

Book Review & Talk: Divergent by Veronica Roth

Written by Veronica Roth
Pages: 487
Published: May 2011
Genres: Young Adult, Fantasy, Dystopian, Romance

Goodreads Synopsis...
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.

My Review...
Divergent is one of the most action packed, and fast paced books, Ive read in a long time. Things happen so quickly, you wont even have time to get to the edge of your seat.

The characters are described very well, and let you easily imagine what they would look like. The setting is very dystopian, and very dangerous. It adds to the pace, and makes strolls in the book, a little bit nerve racking. There are some world building holes, but theres 2 more books in the trilogy to fix that.

Some other problems I had with the book, was that it was really hard to like the main character sometimes. The writer made her into a very distinct and unusual person. And so it took some time to get to like her. However, this distinctness was sometimes lost, and the main character took on the usual, dystopian tough girl persona.

There were also some characters who were only skimmed over, and who we didnt get to see in depth, but have no fear, more books are near!

This was just such a fun and engaging book, it was so easy to read. And it was SO fast paced! I definitely recommend it to you.

5 out of 5!

If you have read this book and want to discuss it with me, then watch the video below and head to my YouTube page: bookswithdylan