Monday 4 November 2013

Review: Allegiant by Veronica Roth



Title: Allegiant
Author: Veronica Roth
Publisher: Harper Collins
Release Date: 22nd October 2013
Source: Bought
Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Description: One choice will define you. 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 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.

Allegiant is ambitious, thought provoking, shocking and most of all its heartbreaking. The final book in The Divergent trilogy is one hell of a conclusion. Reading this book is like watching a train crash. It a story carries with it an impeding sense of doom. You know something is coming that you are powerless to prevent but you can’t stop watching the events unfold. It’s a maelstrom of emotions that will tip you over the edge.

Reactions to Allegiant have been very mixed with a lot of hate for the direction Veronica Roth took the story in. It’s an ending that will divide people for sure. So a word to the wise, this book isn’t one that carries a happy ending. It’s a story about brave individuals fighting for a better world. As a result there are going to be consequences. Personally, I loved this book even more than Divergent and Insurgent. The plot of Allegiant goes in a very unexpected direction than the previous books of the trilogy. Roth shifts the focus from the factions to what lies outside the fence. As Tris and Tobias venture outside their comfort zone they discover that the outside world is not exactly the paradise they were expecting. It’s out of the oven and into the frying pan for our brave heroes. The outside world is full of revelations and the truth is not going to set them free. Decisions are made and battles are fought.  The story is riveting and will keep you glued to the pages.

Allegiant and The Divergent trilogy are not just books for meant for escapism and entertainment. Roth is an exceptional storyteller whose words and characters have a profound effect. These characters are thrust into extraordinary situations and their feelings and actions are thought provoking. Allegiant explores morality, humanity, anger, resentment, love, power and selflessness. It explores the perception and importance people place on identity. The revelations and events affect each of the characters in different ways. There is no one-way to look at the issues. How Tris feels about certain events is very different from the way Tobias reacts.  Roth ensures that multiple view points are incorporated in to the narrative allowing the reader to form his or her own opinion about the world and what it all adds up to.

The truth is a constant presence in Allegiant.  Plenty of secrets are exposed.  The revelations added another layer to the complex tapestry of Divergent.  A lot of blank spaces were filled in. The evolution of society into the factions system was addressed. We also get to learn more about the serums and Tris’s mother.  The revelations changed some of the characters and their opinions, driving them to making difficult decisions.

Tris is a selfless woman who will do anything to protect her friends.  I love how much Tris has grown over the course of the books. She has so much strength both physically and mentally. She is a force to be reckoned with. Her drive to always do what she believes in is a respectable trait. In Allegiant Tris is stuck in-between a rock and a hard place and she has to make some tough calls.  She has to fight for the people she loves and the consequences are devastating.  I don’t necessarily agree with the actions that Tris, Tobias and the other took. I was apprehensive reading about what was going on. Although I don’t agree with some of the events Roth has made sure that the motivations of the characters were clear. I understood where they were coming from and why they did what they did. I felt like their actions were in line with their personalities. Overall, I understand why Tris’s and Tobias story ended as it did. It made sense given who they are.

We get to see a lot more Tobias in this instalment, since the story is told from a dual point of view.  On a small note, there was not a lot of distinction between Tobias and Tris voices. Sometimes I could tell whose account I was reading. We get to see how Tobias sees Tris and his complicated feelings for his parents. Tobias goes though a bit of an identity crisis and doesn’t necessarily make the best decisions. The romance between Tobias and Tris sees a bit of conflict but they are always devoted to each other. Christina is a supportive friend to both Tris and Tobias. Caleb also plays major roles in this story.

Allegiant is a fantastic book full of emotion and consequences. A fitting conclusion to a brilliant story.

2 comments:

  1. I liked Allegiant more than Divergent and Insurgent as well. Even though I'm still not really a fan of the series, I thought the ending was perfect for it.

    Great review and I'm glad that the ending didn't spoil your feelings towards the series.

    ~ pdbkwm

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  2. oh thank goodness! I am now excited to read Insurgent and Allegiant. :) Great review!

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