Allegiant by Veronica Roth

Genre:  YA Dystopian

Divergent Series, Book 3

Veronica Roth's website

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Note:  Do not read this review if you haven't read the first two books.  In fact, while I might not come right out and spoil it, I'll easily put two and two together for you to figure it out on your own.  Read at your own risk.

Description (taken from 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.

I've been waiting to read this one based on my reaction to the second book's ending.  The shocking revelation in the second one made my opinion of this series plummet.  And I was guessing things that turned out to happen in the third book.  Divergent series, let me introduce you to the movie Gattaca; I think you two will get along well.

Tris and Four have had their ups and downs in the series, but they decide to start the third chapter of their saga with honesty.  And it works for a bit, at least until things get complicated.  Evelyn is still in control of the city and forbidding people from leaving it to explore the world beyond.  But Tris worked so hard to reveal the hidden world beyond that she's not going to stop until she's out there.  But what does this new world hold?  Will it make life easier and better?  Or will it make it worse?  The truth hurts...

Opening up this faction-filled world to the real-world beyond was pointless in my opinion.  It suddenly made everything they were fighting for pointless.  Instead of being courageous heroes, they've become ants: destroy a couple and it really doesn't matter in the grand scheme of things.  That's how I feel about the big reveal.  But the story's still good.  I had things figured out but in reverse (you might know what I'm talking about if you've read it already).  And the big thing I really want to gripe on right now would reveal too much of the story.  So suffice it to say that I didn't agree with how this story turned out.

This series is full of plot rides that keep you going and entertained.  And while I enjoyed the ride, I thought the twist of the story was kind of dumb.  Gah...

Insurgent by Veronica Roth

Genre:  YA Dystopian

Divergent Series, Book 2

Veronica Roth's website

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Description (taken from Veronica Roth's website):

One choice can transform you—or it can destroy you. But 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.

Tris's initiation day should have been marked by celebration and victory with her chosen faction; instead, the day ended with unspeakable horrors. War now looms as conflict between the factions and their ideologies grows. And in times of war, sides must be chosen, secrets will emerge, and choices will become even more irrevocable—and even more powerful. Transformed by her own decisions but also by haunting grief and guilt, radical new discoveries, and shifting relationships, Tris must fully embrace her Divergence, even if she does not know what she may lose by doing so.

First off, I have to state that the Divergent series is one of the most thrilling, action-packed dystopian series out there.  I enjoyed it, however like the first novel, I still had some issues.  This book picks up from where Divergent left off.  We also get to learn a little more about what it means to be Divergent.  And as we meet new people, get to know old, our loyalties will be tested, and we must pick a side in the end.

My biggest problem with this series is Tris.  I do not like her character a whole lot.  I had this issue with the first novel, but I just feel like she doesn't show any emotion, and she's pretty much nuts.  And unlike the first novel, I really did not like the dynamic between Tris and Four in this novel.  The whole let's make out, now let's keep secrets, let's not tell each other anything, but hey we can keep making out, but I don't know if we really like each other, but hey kissing's good.  It got old for me.

As far as the plot goes, Veronica Roth does an excellent job at seeding in bits and pieces for the reader to figure things out.  As for me, I had the plot figured out from the beginning (like the first novel).  However I don't really have any predictions for the next novel because I'm too busy scratching my head thinking, "Say what?  That really just happened?"

Go read these books if you like dystopian novels.  They're jam-packed with action, and you really won't be disappointed (even if my review makes you feel that way).

Challenges:  TBR Pile and Dystopian Reading Challenges

Divergent by Veronica Roth

Genre:  YA Dystopian

Divergent Series, Book 1

Veronica Roth's website

Amazon | Book Depository | Goodreads

Description (taken from Veronica Roth's website):

In Beatrice Prior's dystopian Chicago, 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 to determine who her friends really are—and where, exactly, a romance with a sometimes fascinating, sometimes infuriating 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 a growing conflict that threatens to unravel her seemingly perfect society, she also learns that her secret might help her save those she loves… or it might destroy her.

I've finally read it...  The book that's been sitting on my shelf for the longest.  And I enjoyed it.  Granted it was a little weird and bizarre.  Entering a world where mottos like "Faction over blood" and such is just hard for me to think about.  And I had a very hard time in the beginning with Tris because she showed absolutely no emotion.

Tris grew up in Abnegation where you devote your life to helping others.  Anything and everything you do is for someone else, not yourself.  And if I were in her shoes, I'd want to get out as soon as possible also.  Because I'm really selfish...  But thinking about the factions, I'd probably best fit in with the Erudites because I very much value knowledge.  But back to the book, I found the plot predictable, and I do have a few predictions for the next book.  Also, I never really understood what "divergent" meant.

What did I love about this book?  Th dynamic between Tris and Four.  Absolutely loved how that played out.  And the ending.  My eyes were pretty much glued to the book from halfway on to the end. I think all fans of dystopians would enjoy this read (and probably not get as hung up on some things as I did).  And I'm definitely planning to read the second one because I feel this series is only going to get better with each book.

Challenges:  TBR Pile Challenge and Young Adult Reading Challenge