Friday, May 9, 2014

Allegiant by Veronica Roth ~ Review

Title: Allegiant
Author: Veronica Roth
Publication Date: October 22, 2013
Pages: 526
Genre: Young Adult, Dystopian, Science Fiction

Rating: 5 goddamn stars

Summary: 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. 


I'm completely overwhelmed with sadness. To see the Divergent series come to an end, and the way it came to an end, it's just too much. Seriously. Veronica Roth look at what you've wrought....



I just can't even... But I must.

This book started out with the POV of not only Tris, but also Tobias (4). At first, I was conflicted over this. I know Tris by now, I know how she operates and what she wants and what she needs. Honestly, I've thought about getting inside Tobias's head, obsessing over what makes him tick. Really, who hasn't thought about getting into the other protaginist's head? (Twilight, people. Midnight Sun.) So at first, I loved it. I was squealing like a pig at the county fair. And then, and then.... It just became unappealing to me to be inside of Tobias's head. I wanted Tris back, like for good back. I think the main problem I had was differentiating between Tris and Four's voice. They sounded very nearly the same in many of the chapters. 

We're introduced to a lot of new characters, some I enjoyed and others I really could've done without. Tris and Four react to these characters differently, which drew out the book as we went back and forth to witness these scenarios. While I loved that Tris had finally learned to become confident in herself and her abilities, I was utterly despondent to find that Four lost himself in this book. Upon receiving some shocking news, Four completely shuts down and I wanted to rage at him, much in the same way Tris did. I thought it was an inaccurate character development but hey, I'm not the author. 

Aside from that, I really loved Allegiant. It brought everything Tris and Tobias had gone through to a new level of intensity. While many believe the second book in the trilogy acted more of a filler than anything else, I think (in conjunction with this segment) that it acted more as a point of reference for Tris' character growth. It provided the much needed space to really understand Tris and to see exactly what her path has done to change her psyche, both physically and emotionally. But not only did this book pack a punch for Tris but it also gave me a good beating as well! Tears were rolling people! I can't even remember the last time a book made me cry… (oh wait, no, Marley and Me did quite the number on me the last I even attempted to finish the book.)

I truly wish a different ending had happened, but at the same time, I highly commend Mrs. Roth for taking the leap. Bravo, Mrs. Roth, I eagerly await your next novel.

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