28 October 2013

Allegiant (Review)


Divergent: Allegiant | Veronica Roth
Published by: HarperCollins, October 22nd 2013
Genres: YA, Dystopia
Pages: 526
Format: Hardback 
Source: Purchased

One choice will define you.

What if your whole world was a lie?
What if a single revelation—like a single choice—changed everything?
What if love and loyalty made you do things you never expected?

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


Let me just start by saying that my mind, heart, and soul was convinced that Tobias would be the one to die. I was so relieved when I found out he didn't that I cried so much my throat hurt. It wasn't a fun night to be around me.

Allegiant felt like a step down from Insurgent and Divergent in some ways, but I think that had a lot to do with having to get to know a completely new setting, new people, and a new reality. It went in a totally different way than I expected and I was disappointed in both the story and myself for expecting it to go the way I expected it to. Whew, that's a lot of usage of the word 'expect'. I'd geared myself up for it ending a certain way - they'd go outside the fence, greet death and terrible things, some would die along the way, but eventually they'd triumph and create factions in the new world. Oh how I was wrong.

There were days when I couldn't read this book. I had to put it aside and read something else because it was just so overwhelming. But it was as torturous as the other two books and consistent in character and voice so ... I'll just assume the unexpected everything made this book less impacting to me. I wanted to know about the city I'd invested myself so fully in, not this flimsy paradise compound in the middle of hell. I hoped, at least, they'd be forced to live on the fringe and that would bring in new conflicts and dangers. Nope.

Never the less, I was still wrenched with emotion, torn apart with anguish at Tris and Four's arguments, and thrilled with fights and combat at times (though not enough!! This is what it was missing) like I was in both Divergent and Insurgent. And the ending felt right, like it was the only way it could have ended. I just wish the middle had had a bit more ... something.

God, this was meant to be a mini review. This is a full on ramble. I haven't even got out what I wanted to say yet:

Some books are bigger than others, not in size but in what they contain, how they make us feel, and the meaning they hold for us. This is one of them.

To sum up the trilogy: 

Agonising, heart-pounding, unforgettable.


Allegiant:
★★★

The Divergent Trilogy:
★★★
(4.5 stars)

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