Allegiant (Divergent Series, 3)

I want to start off by saying two things; one, there will be spoilers, and two, I didn't like this series overall. I found the first book interesting, but halfway through I was asking myself, "now what?" There wasn't lead up to anything, Tris was just trying to get into Dauntless, and it looked like she was heading that way, she was Divergent, but it didn't mean anything. All of a sudden the Dauntless become an army and people die and some secrets start to arise. Even the plot at the beginning seems forced. The faction system really doesn't seem flawed and there is a general happiness. Obviously the factionless seem like they will be an issue, but oppressed people always are. The second book starts to reveal more secrets without providing answers. Everyone is rallying against Janine, woo hoo, right? Tris is a prisoner, which isn't surprising since she doesn't come across as smart that often, although we are constantly told she is. Janine dies, factionless rise to power, and Evelyn is an evil dictator. Were you surprised? I saw that one coming from a mile away. the hole series was predictable (don't even get me started on the big reveal that Four is actually Tobias, as soon as the existence of one other Abnegation-turned-Dauntless was revealed it was clear they would hook up). By the first page of this book I knew Tris had to die and Tobias had to live. there was the shift to two narrators which means we have to get rid of our primary one. This book was considerably less predictable in the details because they did not follow from the rest of the story. We are basically told everything we thought before was a lie, like second semester of Organic Chemistry. There is a bunch of weak science, sob stories, more people dying. Basically if there is someone you really like, they die. Now, it sounds like I should be giving a one star rating for this, but I liked not knowing what to expect for once. I finished the book and did not have the same reaction as to Harry Potter and the Hunger Games, I didn't want a stupid happy ending. Tris died as a sacrifice (which was predictable, the series did lead up to that), but the greatest part about it was that it was unnecessary, she had gone off the deep end and pulled the exact same stunt she did with the Erudite, and this time it killed her. We finally have a protagonist that cracks under the pressure of grief and becomes human. Katniss went insane, but she always kept a sense of good judgement and it payed off, Tris thought she was doing what was best all the time, and it didn't pay off. She wasn't strong without Tobias, because he was the only one who believed in her, she never fully believed in herself, and that is why she died. Yes there is bad science in this book, and it was frustrating as all heck, but it is easy to attribute it to the plethora of lies being told. Honestly, I was glad that by the end of Insurgent Tris didn't "wake up" with a gun in hand like Janine finally mastered the simulations and she was now part of the Erudite army of mindless slaves and had just killed Tobias. Although, maybe that would have been a cool end. It really is the conclusion to a different story, but I feel satisfied, though frustrated, and the epilogue didn't make me want to destroy my tablet. The serums were overplayed, the history lessons were too similar to Hunger Games and very forced, and technology didn't seem to have advanced enough for some 300 or so years into the future. I recommend reading this book to finish the series, it is worth it for that, but it really isn't the best book. I almost didn't read it because the rating was so low, but I am glad I did, so maybe my five stars will help bring up its rank so people at least notice it.

Oh my goodness, this book. I'd read mixed reviews before going into Allegiant (although I somehow managed to avoid spoilers even though I was still active on websites where this book was discussed... thanks for being awesome, internet people!), so I was a little afraid this book might let me down. But it didn't. It definitely didn't. The beginning was a little slow for me, and other parts seemed really rushed, but I think part of that was from having to create an entirely new part of this world. Everything Tris and Tobias know is questioned, and everything has to be rebuilt from the ground up. I think there was a lot more telling in this book instead of things being inferred, but I'm not really sure how else it would have been done all in one book. The world-building was a little lacking in this book compared to the other ones, but it didn't bother me as much as it typically would. I did really enjoy that this story was told from two perspectives though. It was a little jarring at first - since the first two are solely from Tris' perspective, Tobias took a little bit to get used to. But then, I don't think this story would have worked any other way. Divergent and Insurgent were definitely Tris' story to tell, but this one belongs to both of them in so many ways. Tobias has issues that he has to deal with, and Tris has her own problems, and it wouldn't have made any sense for Tris to really be able to explain Tobias' problems and thoughts and actions. It was a risky choice, but I think it's one that definitely enhanced this last book. As I was reading this book, I felt like it had a Maze Runner feel to it. I don't want to spoil anything for either series, but I think people who have read The Maze Runner will understand. One of those "society isn't always what you think it is, we're doing this for your own good" kind of things. The pacing in this book was definitely very fast-paced, but I think the rest of the series is too so it wasn't off-putting. The whole series is a gigantic roller coaster ride, and this book was true to that. Especially with all of the feels. Oh, the feels. So many emotions on opposite ends of the spectrum that I should have been prepared for but wasn't really. So thanks for that, Veronica. You win. I don't want to say too much about the ending, because it's one I think everyone should experience on their own (if you haven't had it spoiled yet, keep avoiding those spoilers!), but I will say that I thought it was excellently done. It was risky, and I know quite a few people were outraged by it and hated the book because of it. I, however, think it remained true to the characters. After reading it, I don't think this series could have ended any other way. If you've read Divergent and Insurgent, you will definitely want to read Allegiant! It has its flaws, but I think it wraps up the series well. I mean, even the epilogue is true to all of the characters. Usually I hate the epilogues, but I enjoyed this one. Any fans of The Hunger Games or The Maze Runner series would most likely enjoy this series, as well as any fans of YA dystopias. 4/5 for this final book in an amazing trilogy!

Review 6* This is the third and concluding book to this fantastic YA dystopian series. Some readers hated it, but I loved it! Tris is a fascinating character. I really liked her from the start in Divergent. I love how her character has grown since the first book, although her tendency to throw caution to the wind at times had me shaking my head. She is quite hotheaded and independent, which I liked. Though there are other aspects of her that I don't like. I have been wanting to read this book ever since before it was published and pre-ordered my copy. Unfortunately, due to the hype surrounding the ending, I decided to hold off from reading it until the dust settled. I wanted to read the story without being influenced by other people's opinions. This was way back in 2014. Then, due to my large reading list, it got pushed further down and I never got around to reading it. However, with the movie due for release, I decided that now would be the best time to read it. I must admit that before I started it, I re-read the last chapter of Insurgent as a refresher. I sat down and began to read and was instantly pulled back into the story. This time, the story is told through the point of view of both Tris and Tobias (Four). This, I feel, gave the story more depth as we got to see what was happening when Tris was not in the picture, as well as when she was. It was also nice meeting Christina, Caleb and Peter (not so much) again, as well as other characters such as Uriah. There are also some new characters introduced too, such as Nita and David, who work for the Bureau of Genetic Warfare. The story is full of plot twists and surprises, which kept me hooked. It took me on a roller coaster ride of emotion. The dystopian world described in this book is extremely realistic and I found myself thinking that I could see something like this happening in the future (the Purity War and the subsequent genetic experiments that Chicago and other cities became). I found myself cheering Tris and Tobias as they dealt with the shock of their new reality, as well as the threat to their old lives. What got me thinking was if Tris and Caleb are siblings, why did his genetic makeup not have the same combination of being "pure" or "divergent" as Tris if they came from the same parents? I guess genes have a mind of their own. Another character that got me thinking was Peter. He has done some terrible things as an initiate for Dauntless. His ruthlessness and cruelty made me not like him. However, did he deserve a second chance? I am in two minds about that. It's nurture versus nature again. That ending. I can understand why Tris did what she did, it was her selfish selflessness that did it. Her character wouldn't have wanted her brother to die, even though she hated what he did by betraying her in Insurgent. Stories, like life, don't always have a happy ending (see Rose and Jack's story in Titanic). No one really likes a sad ending, that is why most authors write ones that end happily. However, life is not always happy, it is messy and riddled with ups and downs. Sometimes authors need to be brave and have endings that are not necessarily popular. However, these endings, although controversial, will stick with a person long after the story is finished. Tris's legacy for the people of Chicago was hope. Hope for a better life and a better world. I am now looking forward to watching the movie, although I have a sneaking suspicion the movie will be slightly different to the book. Movies usually are. Veronica Roth has written a fantastic story that takes the reader on a journey of epic proportions! I love her fast paced writing style and the flow is wonderful. I look forward to reading more of her books in the future. I highly recommend this Dystopian YA novel to everyone who loves this genre, or books like The Maze Runner and Hunger Games. If you haven't read Divergent, please do so; you will be in for the ride of your life! - Lynn Worton

This book is the 3rd in a series that began with "Divergent". As in the first and second books, number 3 tells us what is happening to the world of Chicago and also provides us with a peek into what lies outside of Chicago. The same moral questions are asked or presented for deep thought, but the author really avoids much interpretation and allows the reader that work. The love story is really simple and while it might interest young readers, it seems to be lacking the depth that would make it really interesting to an adult, unless you want to pull up the memories you have of first loves, hurts, and all that. The ending is not very surprising, but overall the series was good enough that I would read it again. But, I am an aging dystopia story addict of sorts, so you will have to make up your own mind about it. I even have the next book pre-ordered! It's a story that is worth a read.

And so with book three of this controversial dystopian tragedy saga, we reach the epic finale. Within a handful of opening chapters, Four and Tris have both learned who they are, what they really are, and what they can do about changing it. Ms Roth's writing style has not really changed throughout the trilogy's duration, apart from a slightly original change of perspective which, generally speaking, alternates from one chapter to the next from Four to Tris, and back again. New friends, enemies and unknowns are introduced to the reader with frequent alacrity by the author to widen the spectrum of the story telling. By the half way mark there have been no massive emotional shocks (ie deaths) but the reader is jolted out of their chair by one or two (or three) massive revelations which will guarantee the mature reader a long, lengthy and hugely enjoyable read. A lot of reviewers have criticised the story as dark, depressing and unnecessary violent. It is easy to assume this comment is valid on one level, but given the dark (ie broken) nature of the world the story is set in, one canâ(tm)t genuinely expect anything bright and rosy to emanate from the words which magically appear (and then disappear) on your kindle screen. If anyone is to blame for pitching such a less than flavoursome tale at our younger generation it would be the publisher and not Ms Roth herself. And who are we to suggest that within a handful of decades, this tale set in the alternate United States of America wonâ(tm)t compare favourably to the miraculous work of JRR Tolkien? That was set in middle Earth which was on the edge of cataclysmic death, destruction and the loss of everything its inhabitants knew and loved. It was a dark and stirring tale which featured battle scenes of violence, cruelty and remarkable gruesomeness. One difference is that in Tolkien's world the reader knew who the bad guy was right from chapter two. (Chapter one focused on Bilbo's eleventy first birthday). One could say the reading experience in this dystopian tragedy is enhanced given that the reader, and even the characters in question, donâ(tm)t learn the identity of their true enemy until well into book three. Kudos to the author for that. I am just passed the half way mark of this book. I hereby award it four stars. I have heard favourable comments concerning the book's ending, so i may well update this review in a collection of heartbeats. But read on, keep the faith, trust no one apart from those you love. And please, Four and Tris, stay true. Stay true. BFN Greggorio! --------------- Ok the book is finished. And so am i. The ending of this book will shock you. Many will not like it. I loved it. I was stunned by it. I was hurt by it. And i was emotionally destroyed by it. The final fifty or so pages of this remarkable trilogy are the most surprising and unexpected pages you will read this year. But like i said earlier, a broken and severely damaged world wonâ(tm)t produce a garden variety fairy tale. Shakespeare, eat your heart out. Well done, and thank you, Veronica Roth. Full marks for this new age, genius piece of story telling.

The story keeps you hooked all till the end, so many different plots, twists and unexpected turns. Totally worth reading the last book especially when the last movie was cancelled 🙂

This book is AMAZING! I loved everything in it, the characters, the plot, the setting.... The ending is unusual, unexpected and really different from other fantasy/young adult series (you know, "and they lived happily ever after to the end of their days in the new world they've created"), it's refreshing! I can't wait to see what Veronica will publish next!