Review: Allegiant by Veronica Roth [Divergent Trilogy, book 3]

Warning: Don't read this review if you haven't read the first two books in the Divergent series beforehand!

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 explosive conclusion to Veronica Roth's #1 New York Times bestselling Divergent trilogy reveals the secrets of the dystopian world that has captivated millions of readers in Divergent and Insurgent. (via Goodreads)

I loved the first two books in the Divergent series, and I'd been counting down until the release of Allegiant – the final book in Veronica Roth’s bestselling dystopian trilogy. Unfortunately, however, I was disappointed.

It’s hard to explain why without giving too much away, but I found that Allegiant had a completely different tone to its predecessors. It was in fact so different, and so unsatisfying, that I truly struggled with the first 80% of the novel. I found the events boring, frustrating, and far too removed from the dystopian society which I'd come to know and love.

By the time Allegiant reached its climax, I’d developed a sort of indifference to everything that was going on, and I even found it difficult to remember why I had loved the characters so much in the previous instalments. It felt as if my reactions had been watered down, and all I could think was, ‘huh’, although I really wanted to care more. I even met that controversial bit which has many Divergent fans throwing tear drenched tissues into bins and cursing at Veronica Roth with a surprising degree of apathy.

So, overall, I found Allegiant to be an anticlimactic end to an otherwise superb series. At some point, I might go back and read all three books simultaneously, just to see if it makes a difference. For now, though, this will have to do.

Rating: 2.5 / 5

Review: The Transfer (a Divergent short story) by Veronica Roth

Warning: Don't read this short story (or this review) if you haven't read the first two books in the Divergent series beforehand!

More Four! Fans of the Divergent series by #1 New York Times bestselling author Veronica Roth will be thrilled by "The Transfer," the first of four new short stories told from Four’s perspective. Each brief story explores the world of the Divergent series through the eyes of the mysterious but charismatic Tobias Eaton, revealing previously unknown facets of his personality, backstory, and relationships. (via Goodreads)

Being a Divergent fan is great, isn't it? We get the last book in the trilogy next month, a high-profile film next year, and a whole set of short stories told from Four's point-of-view!

The Transfer is the first short story to be released (if you don't count Free Four, which was available for free on the internet a few months ago before it was subsequently pulled. It'll be re-released as an eBook in the UK on 26th September). It illustrates Tobias's life prior to becoming a Dauntless initiate; before he became the boy that Tris knows and loves. Indeed, he's certainly a very different person – here he is a scared, timid boy who is at the complete mercy of his tyrannical father, Marcus.

Altogether, The Transfer is a fantastic short story which will both shock and delight its readers. I can't wait for The Initiate!

Rating: 4 / 5

Review: Insurgent by Veronica Roth [Divergent Trilogy, book 2]

One choice can transform you, or destroy you. 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. (via Goodreads)

Well, this is more like it!

While Divergent took me around a week to finish, I read Insurgent in just over 24 hours! It's safe to say, then, that this is definitely my favourite out of the two. There were so many occasions in which I felt absolutely compelled to read on, and I hated having to emerge from my Kindle to do things like sleep!

The stakes are even higher in Insurgent, and the plot is a lot faster. Many of the events which happen at the end of Divergent are brought into wider context and are addressed in some fashion, and Tris must figure out ways to deal with the repercussions of her actions. The results are mind-blowing, exciting and, occasionally, tragic – I lost count of the amount of times I muttered, 'Oh my God' and fist-punched the air!

And I continue to love these three-dimensional characters; particularly Four. Like Tris, I crave his presence and savour their interactions. Their romance is probably my favourite out of any young-adult novel I've read (and, for once, there's no love triangle!). There are also many new faces, as the reader is transported directly into the heart of new factions (and non-factions) only mentioned in Divergent.

I truly admire Veronica Roth for creating such a world. It's unique, well-timed, full of wisdom, wit, intelligence, and it's completely unpredictable. Plus, with Insurgent, she's managed to accomplish what a lot of authors haven't – she has composed a central novel in a trilogy even better than the first.

Now, just two parting thoughts:

1. Why, oh why, isn't Allegiant out until October? I need more... stat!
2. I have a serious Post-ridiculously-great-read Hangover. What the hell am I going to read next?!

Rating: 4.5 / 5

Review: Divergent by Veronica Roth [Divergent Trilogy, book 1]

In Beatrice Prior's dystopian Chicago world, 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 alongside her fellow initiates to live out the choice they have made. Together they must undergo extreme physical tests of endurance and intense psychological simulations, some with devastating consequences. As initiation transforms them all, Tris must determine who her friends really are–and where, exactly, a romance with a sometimes fascinating, sometimes exasperating 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 unrest and growing conflict that threaten to unravel her seemingly perfect society, she also learns that her secret might help her save those she loves . . . or it might destroy her. (via Goodreads)

When I finally read The Hunger Games series last year, I was pleasantly surprised by how much I ended up enjoying it (I think I read all three books in a week!). So, because of that, I've been intrigued by what other bloggers and readers have been saying about Divergent. But it wasn't until I found a used copy for sale at a mere 20p that I seriously considered reading it.

My experience of Divergent is mixed. Although I didn't particularly like Tris at the beginning, she grew on me as the novel progressed. I enjoyed watching her relationships with the other characters unfold, and I particularly looked forward to any encounters with Four. Tris is strong, brave, and knows what it takes to survive in such an unstable environment (much like Katniss), so she makes a good role model for the target demographic.

There's also no mistaking the quality of Roth's writing style, which I loved for its vivid, cinematic tone. I felt everything Tris goes through, and saw everything through her eyes in remarkable detail. I also bookmarked several pages, just incase I want to revisit them for their descriptions or their wisdom.

However, as I've hinted, I didn't have a complete love affair with Divergent. It just seemed a little too slow, and much of the time I wondered when the build-up would finally reach boiling point. But I realise that all this detail is necessary, and this has lead me to assume that Divergent is actually the prequel to the really exciting stuff. For that reason, I am eager to read the next book, Insurgent, which I'll probably start as soon as I've posted this review!

Altogether, Divergent is an absorbing, wise, and occasionally romantic tale of survival against the odds. If you're wondering what the next Hunger Games will be, it'll probably be this – Divergent is also being made into a film starring Kate Winslet (who happens to be my favourite actress!).

Rating: 4 / 5

ETA: I've changed my rating from 3.5 to 4 as, a week later, I still can't get this book out of my mind!