Review: Allegiant

Allegiant
Author: Veronica Roth
Published: October 22, 2013
Hardcover, 526 pages
4 Gold Stars

(summary 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. 


Veronica Roth is a brilliant storyteller. She knows just which words to use to lure you in and just what plot points to keep you there. Divergent blew me away. It took me into a world that seemed so plausible yet scary as hell. A world divided and ready to fight. Tris made the hard decision to leave her family for the faction she belonged in and soon found herself a Divergent, hunted and dangerous. The second novel, Insurgent, explored the world around her, helped her fall in love with Four, and revealed secrets we never saw coming. Together in the final book, Tris and Four step out beyond the fence in hopes of getting answers, but only find more secrets, more rebellion and answers they may never be ready for. 

I anticipated this book since I finished Insurgent. Talk of the world beyond the faction made my mind go wild with possiblities. When they finally left the city, I had no idea what they would find, and I wish I could say I was just as excited when I found out what they did. Unfortunately, none of what played out was what I thought it would be, but that doesn't mean I wasn't drawn into the story just as well. Final books are hard to live up to the first ones. We expect a lot, we expect resolution, lots of fights and lots of love (at least I do). This novel opened up a whole new world of possibilities that I found  weren't explored. We stayed in the new compound, we barely got to know about the fringes and everyone ended up back in the city in the end. Nonetheless, Roth took some brave moves and took the story in a direction that we would not soon forget.

Told through the alternate views of Tris and Four, we finally have a real chance at getting into Four's head. At first, the chapters were confusing as I couldn't remember who was talking because I was so used to only hearing from Tris's head, but eventually I got the hang out it. Four wasn't as unique as I thought his voice would be, nor did he feel as strong as he did in the earlier books. It seemed like he almost lost himself while Tris was becoming everything she knew she could be. Their relationship had a few bumps, jealously rearing its ugly head, but there was no denying their love for the other. They are the type that would do anything for the other and that backfired a few times. Tris is still the bravest girl out there, willing to do whatever it takes to save those she loves, even if they've betrayed her in the past. She is strong enough to forgive her brother, Caleb, as well as earning the forgiveness from those she's betrayed in the past. Her story arc has been heartbreaking. She's had to do a lot to survive and endure death after death. Somehow though, even i the end, she never falters, especially since she knows what she has to lose. Four may only have four fears, but I think Tris is the one who has overcome her fears and continued being brave. Tris and Four were separated for most of the book, which made the two points of view nice so we could follow them both. A lot happened to them outside that fence as they tried to turn their city back into what they thought worked before. Enemies sprang up from everywhere and unlikely heroes fought against them. 

This book was nothing short of epic, though there were some scenes that could have been deleted or sped up, and Roth went out with a bang. Bravery and sacrifice have been following Tris since the beginning and if anything, her character had the hardest decisions to make. The other characters I loved made sure they had their say in this book and helped every way they could to get through the final task. Tris and Four's relationship took some hits, but their love kept them strong. Even when they were apart, the other was always on their mind. This series could have finished stronger, but I'm still impressed with everything Roth has done. This will easily become a hit with a lot of fans, even more so after the movie comes out. I can't wait to see what else Roth has in store for us.

“There are so many ways to be brave in this world. Sometimes bravery involves laying down your life for something bigger than yourself, or for someone else. Sometimes it involves giving up everything you have ever known, or everyone you have ever loved, for the sake of something greater.

But sometimes it doesn't.

Sometimes it is nothing more than gritting your teeth through pain, and the work of every day, the slow walk toward a better life.

That is the sort of bravery I must have now.” 

Feral Fridays: Short Stories & Novellas

I haven't participated in Feral Fridays before, but I love reading what the girls over at Book Nerd Reviews have to say on Fridays, so I thought I'd put in my own opinion. This is a fun meme where we discuss different topics and get the chance to rant away.

This week we're talking about what we think of short stories, novellas, and novel extras.

Novellas have easily become one of my favourite part of new series. A lot of authors have been joining in on this trend. It's the perfect opportunity for them to explore their characters and settings with more depth than the novels allow. Usually these novellas are told through the perspective of a secondary character, or act as deleted scenes from the novels. It gives the readers a chance to see some behind the scenes action, learn more about their favourite characters, and get even more excited for the next book in the series. They are a nice little tidbit that doesn't cost much, or is sometimes free, that make the wait for the next novel a little more bearable.

My first experience with novellas was the Soul Screamers series by Rachel Vincent. In between the last three books, Vincent took the opportunity to get us pumped by releasing short stories, without any spoilers, written from the point of view of characters we hadn't had a chance to hear much from. Some of these were characters I loved, like Tod (Reaper), and others were less likeable characters, like Sophie (Never to Sleep), who became more likeable after experiencing the story through their eyes. Many more authors followed this trend. Julie Kagawa released a couple of stories from The Iron Fey world, allowing us readers into the minds of both Puck and Ash (before Ash got his own novel). Sophie Jordan gave us a look at Az's life in Breathless, set in the world, and Veronica Rossi made me fall in love with Roar and Liv even more in the Under the Never Sky novella, Roar and Liv. Lauren Oliver gave her supporting characters the spotlight in her Delirium Stories, giving Annabel, Hana, and Raven their chance to add to the story. Tahereh Mafi showed us that Warner wasn't as bad as we all thought he was in Destroy Me. Then of course there is Veronica Roth, who is coming out with a collection of short stories told by Four, giving us a first hand look at his history and life.
Firelight

The great part about these novellas is that they tend to add something to the overall story. You don't miss anything by not reading them, but when the author references them subtly in the novel, you pick up on it. It's a fun little extra that gives you a chance to learn more about characters that don't control the story. When you are used to seeing everything from one character's perspective, it's nice to get to know those who are helping that character get to their goal, and find out what their own end goals are.

I love forward to novellas almost as much as I look forward to the next novel in the series. They can make you care about someone you thought you disliked, or just let you swoon over a nice little romance scene that didn't make it into the novels. Either way, I think they are a great extra to series and I'd love to see more of them.

Are you a fan of novellas? Do you read them? Let me know!

Best Series of 2012

In continuing with my year end round up, following my Best Stand Alones of 2012, it's time for my list of favourite series of 2012. These include both new and already begun series that I just couldn't get enough of. In fact, this list could be longer since I loved most of the books I read this year, but I'll keep it to five for now. 

Before I Wake by Rachel Vincent: Kaylee Cavanaugh is my favourite heroine. Her journey has been long and she's been to hell and back, but she still has so much strength in her and I know the final book in this series will be epic. If you're unfamiliar with Vincent's work, then what are you waiting for? The Soul Screamers series is definitely the most underrated best series there is.

Legend by Marie Lu: This series is sure to be a great addition to the dystopian craze. Understated and well-written, Legend tells a story from both sides, leaving us wondering which one is really the bad one. I can't wait to see where this series will go next after such an incredible debut.

Insurgent by Veronica Roth: What is there to say about Divergent? Roth is an incredible author and this series keeps you on the edge of your seat wondering where this world is going. Insurgent is certainly not a filler second book and makes you crave the last installment. Can we just get the name of it pretty please all ready?

Starters by Lissa Price: Another interesting take on dystopian and sci-fi fiction, Starters is like a Cinderella story for the end of the world. I hope there will be more information about the Spore wars in the sequel, Enders, and I can't wait to see where Callie's journey goes.

Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver: In a world where love is a disease, finding it can be the death of you. After Lena escapes into the wild, her life changes drastically and we get to see the before and after of it. Another non filler, I know Requiem, the finale, will be well worth the wait.







I've read a lot of series this year and I plan on reading a lot more. I'm always up for suggestions!

YA Crush Tourney Time

It's about that time again kids!

Last year The YA Sisterhood started one amazing tournament: Crushes from our favourite YA novels. For months, it was all gorgeous boys and swooning all over blogs, Tumblr, and Twitter. Graphics arose showing half naked men pleading for your vote. Too many good reasons to vote for all of them and I'm sure we all had our favourites. Jace Wayland took the title (well deserved) so this year there are big shoes to fill! There will be some newcomers, old favourites, and underdogs rearing to take the throne.

Here are my top picks:

Nash Hudson (Soul Screamers Series)

Tod Hudson (Soul Screamers Series)

Peeta Mallark (The Hunger Games)

Zachary Moore (The Shift Series)

Four/ Tobias (Divergent)

Noah Shaw (The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer)

Number Four (I Am Number Four)

Alex (Delirium)

Ash (The Iron Fey Series)

Adam (Shatter Me)


Nominations are now open, so please nominate your favourite boys and then Vote. Vote Vote!

25. Insurgent

Book #25: Insurgent
Author: Veronica Roth
Published: May 1, 2012
525 Pages
5 Gold Stars

(summary from Goodreads)

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.


As soon as I put down Divergent, I knew I'd be hooked on this series. I've read my fair share of dystopian novels after falling in love with The Hunger Games, and this is the only series that even compares to Collins' masterpieces. So when the second book in the series hit the shelves, I knew I had to read it right away. And boy was I not disappointed!


Roth has created a society that seems perfectly logical. In fact, it seems downright utopian. The futurist city of Chicago has been separated into five factions, each representing a trait that those belonging to them believe is what could save the world from war. Tris, born to Abnegation (the selfless) has picked Dauntless (the brave) and is stuck in the middle of a brewing war. While dealing with the grief of her actions in Divergent, she struggles to find the will to live and some alone time with her boyfriend, Tobias. 


Tris's voice is realistic and haunting. Her suicidal tendencies are heart wrenching and true. She is ashamed of herself for killing one of her friends and no longer feels like she is needed in the wrold. She would gladly sacrifice herself for the war, convincing herself that it's the right thing to do. She cannot even look at a gun as it brings her back to the moment she shot Will, and I know that this is the way someone would truly act in that situation. Tobias and Tris's relationship is a roller coaster of emotion. They love each other, but throughout the novel the relationship is tried and tested. It's a nice change from most young adult novels where the only thing that usually goes wrong in a relationship is a love triangle. Tris is going through a hard time and both her and Tobias have different information swimming through their brains and it ends up hurting the other. Tobias is gentle with Tris, even when she does not ask for it, and it's my favourite trait of his. 


Tris is just as stubborn as me, so it's nice to see the way it makes others feel since it's hard for me to know how my actions affect others. Roth writes her characters brilliantly to go along with the action packed plot.  There isn't a moment where you want to put this book down. If not for work, I'd have had it done the first day. This is truly the book to recommend to any The Hunger Games fans. 


“We both have war inside us. Sometimes it keeps us alive. Sometimes it threatens to destroy us.” 


“People, I have discovered, are layers and layers of secrets. You believe you know them, that you understand them, but their motives are always hidden from you, buried in their own hearts. You will never know them, but sometimes you decide to trust them.” 

The Post In Which I Spread The Love For Team Amity

“It’s not just about banjos and apple-picking. It’s about cultivating strong relationships and trying to understand each other. Oh, Amity.” -Veronica Roth


She couldn’t understand how the Dauntless always rough-housed with each other, how the Erudite always competed with each other, how the Candor always had heated arguments and how the Abnegation could let their tormentors continue making fun of them.  To her, being peaceful was easy.  Happiness was just a hug away, just a smile away.

Peacefulness and happiness were everything.

There are only five days left until Insurgent comes out(!) and in celebration of the release date, Veronica Roth and Harper Teen have assigned a faction for each of the five days left. For anyone who has no idea what I'm talking about, Divergent is a teen dystopian novel based in a futuristic Chicago that has been broken up into five factions: each representing what they feel could have helped the downfall of the last civilization. Abnegation: the selfless, Dauntless: the brave, Candor: the honest, Erudite: the knowledgable and Amity: the peaceful. Our main character, Tris, is Divergent, a dangerous thing that means she belongs in more than one faction. It could be her downfall, but she is using it to bring the world back to its utopian beginning.


Now, I believe that I would be Divergent, feeling as though I belong in a few of these factions, but above all I feel like I belong in Amity. The Amity look at life through rose coloured glasses. They believe that love, happiness and being kind to others will make the world a better place. I couldn't agree more. I don't like fighting, arguing, or not living in peace. I feel the most peaceful when I am writing or reading, as some might feel peaceful in a garden or art studio. We are creative and spread love through our words, art and actions. Kindness will always come back to you if you put it out there. Amity teaches us to forgive, pick people over possessions, and to know ourselves not based on what others think. It is important to me to keep a peaceful mind, to try and overcome the feelings of rage I may feel or the stress that may come with life. A hug never hurt anyone.

#TeamAmity
Divergent
Veronica Roth