Sunday, December 8, 2013

Allegiant


by Veronica Roth

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. 
That gif pretty much sums my feelings up about this book. I pretty much have no words and I probably shouldn't be writing this right now because it definitely gave me one serious book hangover. For those of you unfamiliar with the term "book hangover..."
Personally, I think that picture pretty much explains how a book hangover feels perfectly but a lot of times it also includes "the inability to start a new book because you're still living in the last books world." Anyways, despite all this I find my self writing this review/rant. You may want to take a moment to prepare yourself before reading on. I suggest sitting down, perhaps a seat-belt or something, additionally I invite you to add your feelings about this book to the comments below, and I wish you luck in making it through this, may the odds be ever in your favor and all that. And here we go...
Crap. I don't know where to start now. I'm supposed to start reviewing this now I announced it and everything. I don't know what to start with. Crap. Well, I suppose I shall begin with Tris and Tobais and the characters. I really love them all and they all grow so much in this book. They all develop on a deeper level and grow so much more than even in the first two books. It is beautiful. They are beautiful. However, I grew to almost dislike Tris just a little bit, as well as Tobais. This book was strongly focused on the flaws and extremes and really brought those out and while I think that all characters should have flaws to make them realistic, I felt that their admirable qualities were too absent to the point where they almost became quite unlikable and realistic. They were unbalanced. Wow that all actually turned out to be coherent and an accurate thought filled analysis. I am proud of myself for not just fangirl ranting all over this...so far. Ok, writing. Well I don't have too much to say about the actual writing technique and voice because I felt that yet again Veronica did a good job and I have to admit I got so swept away by the story its self that I wasn't being too critical of that part and I really didn't care at the time. So I guess props for sweeping me away that much! Oh, and here is where it gets a little messy. The plot. I almost hated it. Almost. The pacing was good but then at the end the whole pace thing just kinda fell apart. Then throughout the rest of the story there was just way too much going on at once. I get it it was a chaotic time, there was a lot going on. But, there were so many thing that were just thrown in and then that didn't really effect anything or didn't really go anywhere or went somewhere and then were forgotten for the rest of the book. For example, Amar's sexual orientation, all of the sudden it was like he is gay and likes George but that was totally random and it didn't help the story or impact anything in the story and plot. Then you have David's relationship with Tris's mother. It kind of hints that there was something deeper going on there before Tris's mother went into the experiment but then it never really tells you exactly what was happening there and again it really didn't impact the story or plot line. It was a big deal for a little while then it was never really talked about ever again. I don't know. There were just so many little things happening at once it was a little distracting. Again, I get it the chaos that is logical for that situation but there were so many things that were unnecessary or just felt like they didn't go any where or do anything! However, MEGA points for the killer twist ending! I have a few gifs to express my feelings over the end and just how I felt in general after finishing the book. And yes I let exactly one tear fall...

For starters, initial thoughts directed at Veronica upon reading that killer part...
and:
Then my general emotions upon finishing and reading that killer part:
and of course the gif that I opened with. Overall, it was total awesomesauce despite its flaws, and it is totally emotionally taxing (in the best of ways). I highly recommend reading it and the entire series and I think it appeals to a very wide and extensive audience. It might just be that perfect holiday gift for someone you know! *wink wink* You can buy it through Liberty Bay Books by clicking the hyper-linked title and make sure to add it on Goodreads! Oh yeah and I give it 5 out of 5 stars!






9 comments:

  1. I actually thought that the reference to Amar's sexual orientation was a throwback to the strong themes of stifled identity throughout the book. He even said that he had to keep it a secret because the Bureau wouldn't like that both he and George weren't going to be reproducing with their perfect genes. It all ties back to the Divergents having to stay hidden because the Erudite were trying to kill them for who they were. Is that too much of a stretch?

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    1. No, I think that is a good analysis. I don't know that is just how I felt after reading it. It was one of the things that while I found it valuable in the moment it didn't exactly impact the story strongly in the long term and there was already so much going on I felt like it was almost too much going on so that was something that could have been either cut out or tied in a little better. *shrugs* But that is just my opinion.

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    2. That's very true. I guess I'm just a lover of subtle symbolism :)

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  2. I did think maybe Amar and George were a bit random. I felt so cheated for Tori that George was still alive! She nearly DIED trying to avenge George...and there he was, alive. Meanie. ;) Okay! I'll calm down. But as for the pacing, I actually enjoyed it. I was very surprised at what was outside the fence. I mean! NOT what I was expecting. I still loved it. It got very twisty and turny, but I wasn't confused. I loved Tobias' fall from grace, not because I wanted him to, but because I think it showed a lot of his character -- and a lot of everybody's character. The effect of having him NOT be Divergent was huge to him. And I think that's how it is for us, too. Like, if someone tells you "something's wrong with you", it really does affect how you live. Anyway! I'm writing myself another mini-review. XD Loved reading your thoughts, too! This is half the reason I adore book-blogging. I can talk about it with my friends! :)

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    1. Interesting Insight! I agree with the whole George and Tori thing. I also liked that he "fell from grace" but I felt a little like everyone did at once and then there was almost too great a lack of grace. I totally agree with what you said about the "something's wrong with you" thing affecting our lives in a huge way. But that is just how I felt/feel. I know I have a minority opinion when it comes to this book. ;) I loved your review of the book and that is my favorite part about this whole book-blogging thing too! :) I will be looking forward to your next review and or post!

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    2. Okay, quick fangirl moment: BROKEN GLASS METAPHORS! Personally, when I read the part about the genetically damaged people having "something wrong with them," my mind totally flipped to this book that I found on my parent's bookshelf called "Yes, Your Teen is Crazy." It was all about teenage psychology and how teenagers are susceptible to peer pressure and risk-taking because their UNDER-DEVELOPED brain was making them be illogical. And then I was like, wait, I'M a teenager. I feel logical. I feel like I'm justified in all my decisions. And, suddenly, you're telling me I'm damaged? That part of the book almost made me flail. NINA GOT IT RIGHT! And Tobias... oh my goodness. I totally sympathized with his anger. And I thought his "fall" was a BEAUTIFUL part of his character development (OMG. His "Fall"? More symbolism! I just can't...)

      I absolutely loved the plot twists. Keep you on your toes, right? And while there were a few loose ends (I was personally very interested in what happened to Susan) I was very satisfied with the overall arch.

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  3. I love everything you just said... x)

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  4. Haha. Thanks :)

    I'm trying to write a review for a book right now, and this is totally messing with my train of thought. But I LOVE discussing things, so it's all good.

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    1. Ugh! I know isn't it awful and amazing at the same time?! Yay for discussions!

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