Saturday, February 22, 2014

Allegiant (Divergent #3) - Veronica Roth

 Allegiant (Divergent, #3)

Summary

Goodreads:  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.



Thoughts

I am actually not a huge fan of the trilogy (I can hear my cousin shouting in dismay from across the country).  This isn't to say I disliked the books, just that I don't connect to them the way other people seem to.   I think this is a thing that has to do with first person, and overall the writing style didn't work for me.  In general I don't do well with first person because I find it very limiting and there are a lot of things that come off clumsily when trying to point out other people's motivations.  This isn't to say it can't be done, just that it has to be done really well or it doesn't work.  I didn't make a note of it, so this might not have been specifically the problem I had with the writing style, but I very, very rarely like first person books.  I will say that in this book I had a REALLY hard time with the alternating POV's which is something I usually do ok with.  I found Tris and Tobias's voices hard to distinguish, and I'd only remember each chapter was a different POV when I was a couple pages into each chapter and realized things weren't making sense, which kept jolting me out of the story line.

Despite everything negative I've been saying so far, it really is a fun, action packed read.  It was also a lot of fun for me because I realized early on that is was set in Chicago, so it was great discovering all these places I see regularly (or in the spring when I stop hibernating inside of my apartment).  I've discovered that I actually really enjoy reading/seeing places I recognize.  And since I've moved here I've discovered there are a TON of books that are set here!  But of course that doesn't really mean much to the rest of you as I assume the majority of you couldn't possibly live here, and therefore could care less that the trains the Dauntless ride are the El.

I have to say I actually quite liked the ending.  I knew there were pretty much only 3 options as to what it could be since there's only one thing that could make people so upset, so perhaps it helped that I had warning and it wasn't a sudden discovery.  Again, the execution didn't necessarily work for me, but it did feel like this was where the trilogy as a whole was building to.  I'm also a masochist, so the more a book hurts me, generally the more I like the book.  Because I am a crazy person haha



Overall

This trilogy wasn't my cup of tea, but I can certainly see why other people loved it.  I just didn't connect to the writing style and the characters in the way I needed to.  I don't regret reading the series, it was definitely a fun time, so if you like the dystopia/post-apocalyptic genre and haven't read this series yet, I would definitely recommend it.

13 comments:

  1. Awesome review! Like you, I found that this series was not my cup of tea but I did enjoy the unique ending. Are you going to see the movie?

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  2. You know, I think I am! The movie theatre near me only costs like $5 and I'm interested to see what it looks like on screen since it's a pretty action packed book and I think? it potentially could be an awesome adaption. I dunno though, the trailers haven't sold me on it being awesome haha. What about you?

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  3. I am definitely going to see the movie, as Divergent was a very visual read and should be great translated to screen! However, I am not sure what to think about the actress that plays Tris. To me, she seems soft, definitely not as tough as book Tris. What do you think about the actress? I hope the movie is amazing, but am prepared to be a little bit disappointed. :)

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  4. You basically just summed up ALL my feelings about the film haha! I'm intrigued though as Shailene Woodley is going to be leading the biggest YA adaptions this year (excluding Mockingjay), as she's doing TFIOS as well. Which I think is really interesting (and while I haven't read TFIOS from what I've heard about it she seems a good fit for that adaptation)

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  5. I have very similar feelings to you about this series, Elizabeth--I thought the first book was very fun if you enjoy it like you would an action movie! That is, don't look too closely at the logic and such. I thought INSURGENT was kind of all over the place, though, and I haven't read this last one yet, but I did read the spoilers before I got spoiled accidentally. I could change my mind later on, but I actually think it's a really interesting choice of an ending, too. Whatever its faults, I respect the author for sticking to her guns over what she must have known would be a controversial ending.

    Wendy @ The Midnight Garden

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  6. kirstymariejonesstudioreadsFebruary 24, 2014 at 11:21 AM

    YES! Sorry, but I'm not really a fan of it either. I've tried getting into Divergent a few times, and I wanted to read it before the film, but nope. I just can't. So the film will probably be best for me, and I hate that. :( But dude, I love reading books that are set where you live, not many for me, but books mentioning Wales, and I'm just 'I like you'. I know, I'm shallow like that. ;)

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  7. Yeah I think it is going to be well suited to the screen (crosses fingers) because of how actiony it is. I actually can't remember what happens in Divergent vs. Insurgent back to back, but I get the vague feeling I'd probably agree with you on that. (There's a reason I usually don't end up successfully reviewing books in a series successfully haha). That was a smart way to go about it, at least that way you get to control how you find out haha!

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  8. Totally agree--I think it has the potential to make a really great film.

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  9. You know, some things are just better in film. I know this is not a popular opinion for any of these books, but I liked The Princess Bride,The English Patient, and Stardust better in film version. (Of course I also watched them before I read them, which only furthers my theory that I am more likely to enjoy a movie if I see it before I read the book)

    I totally know what you mean! Before I moved here I lived in Baltimore, so if anything was set there...it was generally not a genre I'd read (gang violence), and most things set in the South (where I grew up) are awful! Pat Conroy is the only author who comes to mind who consistently writes about South Carolina and it's portrayed realistically (but then, he's from there). I imagine it's much the same with Wales

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  10. I did really enjoy the first two books... this book here I think the author decided to take a big chance and it just wasn't successful with the readers. I will see the movie of course... I don't know about in the theater or not yet. But I will see it eventually.

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  11. Yeah I'm debating whether it's going to be a premiere or stay at home watch for me. On the one hand I've decided that there's a lot of energy at a premiere almost like being at a live performance that makes it a lot of fun...but on the other hand I'm not a true fangirl for this one, so we'll see.

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  12. Nice review. I typically DO like first person books, but I realize they're not everyone's cup of tea. I also like reading books that take place close to where I live. Granted since I live in podunk Alabama there aren't TOO many books set in central Alabama. But like you, I wasn't as terribly upset with the ending as most people. I like HEAs, but I see the need for endings that aren't always so upbeat. Especially after reading Veronica Roth's thoughts on the ending. Thanks for participating in the 2014 Series Enders Reading Challenge.


    Sandy @ Somewhere Only We Know

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  13. Yeah I definitely POV's are a really subjective thing as far as readers are concerned. When I lived in the South I had ONE book that was set where I lived haha! I do like both HEA's and things that aren't for very different reasons, but I agree - there's definitely a need for both.

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