Allegiant by Veronica Roth Narrator: Aaron Stanford, Emma Galvin
Published by Katherine Tegen Books on October 22, 2013
Length: 11 hrs and 55 mins
Genres: Dystopian, Young Adult
Format: Audiobook
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.
Julie’s Review
Allegiant is definitely stirring up feelings and strong reactions among Divergent series fans. I tried to avoid reading reviews until I read the book but even just scrolling through my social media feeds, I could see something severe was going to happen. I had an idea of what it might be, and while I was on the right track, I didn’t quite guess it. This is going to be a spoiler-free review.
I really liked the explanations in the beginning of Allegiant after the group went outside Chicago’s city limits. The truth about the factions in Chicago and the existence of the Divergent made so much sense to me. That part got scientific and I enjoyed that. I liked that this was a smart book. I always wondered why the scenario with the factions was going on only inside Chicago. While reading the first book I wondered whether the rest of the country still existed in this world, or if it was all a wasteland with Chicago being the last with a civilization. So I found the additional world building in Allegiant to be very satisfying.
However, the remainder of the book, leading up to the epic ending, was very political and a bit dull with all the strategy and discussions. I get that it was necessary, but it dragged for me. I also had a lot of anxiety since I knew something awful was going to happen, but I didn’t know what or when. I had even more anxiety when I realized what was going to happen, and that it was going to happen soon.
The relationship between Tris and Tobias went through some tests in this book but the two of them are so strong together that I believed that they could work through anything. I did like how Tobias was less than perfect in this book. In the past he always seemed to be the best at everything, to me at least, so I liked to see him being more vulnerable. Though, the ending was more than anyone should have to endure.
So, that ending. On one hand it makes perfect sense. I wouldn’t have expected anything less from this character (no spoilers here). But on the other hand… OMG!! Yes, it was an epic way to end the trilogy, but was it truly necessary? The end goal would have been accomplished with or without that something awful, even if the author says it was in the plan all along (you can read about it on her blog, but DO NOT read it if you haven’t read the book yet unless you want the ending spoiled). I do agree that this character’ journey throughout this series was leading up to this decision, and this choice really did define this character. BUT, making that choice was the defining moment in this character’s development. The actual outcome could have been different and wouldn’t have changed the strength of that choice. Yes, that epic ending was powerful and so so painful. And yes, that makes this ending so dramatic. But I don’t agree that it was absolutely necessary. I’m just going to leave it at that.
A lot of fans got so worked up about that ending. While I didn’t hate it, I also didn’t love it. I agree with you that it wasn’t necessary to achieve what Veronica is trying to achieve. And I don’t think that Tris deserved that kind of death. It was too nonsensical. She could’ve died for a more heroic reason rather than being shot. Le sigh.
I have this one waiting for meeeee!!! Can’t wait to pick it up! 🙂
Rebecca @ Love at First Book recently posted…Hanukkah: A Top 10 List
Fluck! I want to read this regardless of the polarized reviews, I guess that’s how it is for series enders. Thanks for the review, despite your minor gripes, I’m still excited to read the epic ending. Happy weekend!
Braine Talk Supe recently posted…A Shot of YA: Broken by CJ Lyons
After all those negative reviews, I am happy to see someone who liked some of this book. great points.
jenniferbielman recently posted…Stacking The Shelves #52: Born in Blood
Yes. This x1000.
While I’m livid at the ending and I agree with you that it didn’t need to happen like that, there were other problems with this book. The middle dragged on. I found myself skimming because I was disinterested. While I liked the idea of the dual POV, it wasn’t well done IMHO. Tris and Four should have each had very strong, clear voices and I didn’t find that they did. So, there were some things I liked about this book, but there were a lot more that I found disappointing.
One of these days I might even get around to writing a review about it.
kimberlyfaye recently posted…Series Spotlight & Giveaway: The Uni Files by Anna Bloom
I think the audio helped with making the POV work better since there were different narrators. They did feel like different voices and perspectives that way. I don’t know how I would have felt reading it though.