Allegiant - Veronica Roth

'Divergent' and 'Insurgent' spoilers ahead.  Tread carefully.

A Spoiler Free Bit About the Book

The Edith Prior video only exacerbates the factionless/faction conflict.  But now they know that the Divergent have a mission.

Tris and Tobias have to search for their destiny beyond the city walls.

My Review

'Allegiant' for all its hype and buzz, started way too slowly.  I wanted to dive right in and search for the people outside the fence but no, there was a bit of stuff I had to get through first.  Stuff if I'm honest, I didn't quite see the point of.

Tobias's point of view threw me a bit.  At first I didn't like it at all.  It was really difficult to get used to.  I liked the way Tris saw him much more than the way he saw himself.  But of course I did love learning more about him.  Seeing Tris through his eyes was interesting too, it gave her a different edge.

The information flow was just right and I applaud Roth for this as there was so much for me to understand and wrap my head abound.  The pacing of the chapters was perfect as was the development of old and new character as usual.

If you've read 'Divergent' and 'Insurgent' you know how fond Roth is of killing off characters once they've served their purpose.  Well . . . prepare yourself.  I had many broken heart moments during 'Allegiant' where I went "No.  Well that can't happen."  But sometimes these are the best bits.

I cried multiple times during 'Allegiant' and again when I shut the book.  The trilogy only occupied a few months of my life which is such a small amount for a trilogy.  I'm sad I caught it right at the end but then again glad because I know the hype is just beginning.  I sped through all three, wishing I'd savoured the pages.

Evaluation

Plot - 9/10 - Still couldn't top 'Divergent' but I don't think anything can.

Way Plot Was Pursued - 9/10 - Liked where we ended up and how it all went.

Characters - 10/10 - I loved them all.

Style - 9/10 - Unsure about Tobias's point of view.

Pace - 8/10 - It started way too slow for a huge finale of a trilogy.

Would I recommend it? - Yes.  If you've got this far you don't have a choice but to finish the trilogy.

Would I look up the author? - Yes.  I can't wait till Roth writes more.  I'm even going to look into the little stories from Tobias's point of view from earlier in the trilogy.

Well, the 'Divergent' trilogy is over.  What a ride it was.

Molly Looby

Author / Reviewer / Blogger / Editor / Movellain / Wrimo / ZA Ready

Contact me about cool stuff here: molly.looby@hotmail.com

Insurgent - Veronica Roth

This review may contain 'Divergent' spoilers.  Read at your own risk.


A Spoiler Free Bit About the Book

Heading off to Amity headquarters with Tobias and Caleb, Tris knows one thing.
The Divergent are not safe.


My Review

'Insurgent' was so different from 'Divergent' but somehow it matched its brilliance.  The plot was extremely detailed and clever and I could hardly put it down.

Roth has an amazing talent and reading 'Insurgent' had bubbles of emotion filling me.  I felt everything Tris felt.  I can't even believe how attached I grew to Tris across the novel.

The new characters were as good as the old ones and their development was excellent.  Even knowing more about them, I still loved them.  Nothing seems to be able to put me off these characters.  I don't care what they do.  I'm committed.

In 'Divergent' we gain an understanding of Abnegation, Dauntless and Erudite, leaving Amity and Candor behind somewhat.  But don't worry about that.  'Insurgent' gives you a full understanding of all the factions which still even after reading 'Divergent', fascinated me.

A few lines in 'Insurgent' were phenomenal.  They stuck with me and rendered me speechless.  Just another one of Roth's talents.

I was left awed and gasping for the finale - 'Allegiant'.


Evaluation

Plot - 9/10 - didn't enjoy quite as much as 'Divergent'.

Way Plot Was Pursued - 10/10 - I wanted more info on the factions and I got it.

Characters - 10/10 - new and old all excellent.

Style - 10/10 - I can't praise Roth enough.

Pace - 9/10 - Although fast paced, at times you had to trek.


Would I recommend it? - Yes, of course.  All readers of 'Divergent' have to give 'Insurgent' a try.

Would I look up the author? - Yes, if there was anything for me to look up.


'Insurgent', though not as good as 'Divergent' was still a blast to read.


Molly Looby

Author / Reviewer / Blogger / Editor / Movellian / Wrimo / ZA Ready

Email me here about books, writing, zombies, vampires, werewolves, Movellas, NaNoWriMo, teen fiction and all of that awesome stuff: molly.looby@hotmail.com

Divergent - Veronica Roth

A Spoiler Free Bit About the Book

The world is divided into five factions: Abnegation, Amity, Candor, Dauntless and Erudite.  The selflessness, the peaceful, the honest, the brave, the intelligent.  At the age of sixteen you are tested to see which faction you have an aptitude for.  And then at the Choosing Ceremony you must pick one and if you chose to leave your family your faction become your new family - faction before blood.

We follow our protagonist, Tris Prior, born of Abnegation.  But she's sure she isn't selfless enough for it.

The Choosing Ceremony is only the beginning.


My Review

'Divergent' had cropped up a lot in the teen fiction community over the past few months and after hearing about it I knew it was one I just had to read.  I knew it was going to be amazing, so amazing I would become obsessed, or it would be overrated.  Well, let's just say a few chapters in I looked up and said to whoever was in the room at the time "this is going to be awesome".

I wasn't wrong.

My first love of 'Divergent' was our protagonist, Tris.  She was so real to me, doing what anyone would do and making good decisions.  She worries about weakness as we all do and yet again on some level she still wants to be helped.  Her battle between being brave and being herself sucked me in and kept me reading.  I connected with her from the off and the simple voice Roth gives her makes you want to follow her to the end of the universe and not just to the end of the book.  Tris worries about the truly important.  She knows what it means to be selfless and she knows what it means to be brave.  She was my perfect heroine.

The other characters too, stole my heart.  They were round and full and so real.  But what shocked me most was that they were so very quickly, meaning they had plenty of time to develop across the novel.  They were all different and relatable for different reasons.  And they all had sound motives which teenage fiction is sometimes lacking in my opinion.  I loved the ones I hated but not as much as the ones I loved and that if nothing else, is the mark of incredible characters.  Roth paints real friendships with their ups and downs and sometimes the characters broke my heart.

The universe in itself with its five factions was so interesting.  I just wanted to know more, wanted to know everything.  (I suspect I would be in Erudite.)  The idea is great and I loved how different the factions were in ideals and personality.  And of course how even with this system, humanity will always mess it up.

Th pace was excellent.  I could hardly put it down from the first sentence and the action was perfect.  It was so easy to follow even thought it was fast paced and I always knew who was throwing the punches.


Evaluation

Plot Idea - 10/10 - five factions, different from anything I've ever read.

Way Plot Was Pursued - 10/10 - I can't imagine the story being told any differently.

Characters - 10/10 - Rounded.  Different.  Relatable.  Loveable.

Style - 10/10 - loved Roth's peppering of short sentences and Tris's narration.

Pace - 10/10 - not slow at all, couldn't put it down.


Would I recommend it? - Yes.  It's without a doubt the next big thing in teen fiction.

Would I look up the author? - Yes.  Or I would if this wasn't her debut.  I certainly would.


'Divergent' was everything I wanted in a story.  I can't fault it.  The only novel so far I've given perfect ten all round.


Molly Looby

Author / Reviewer / Editor / Writing Coach / Blogger / ZA Ready / Wrimo