REVIEW: Allegiant


Book Title: Allegiant
Author: Veronica Roth
Series: Divergent, Book 3
Genres: Young Adult, Dystopian Fiction, Science Fiction
Format: Audible Audiobook

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Synopsis

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 meaningliess. Explosive new truths change the hearts of those she loves. And once again, Tris must battle to comprehend to complexities of human nature – and of herself – while facing impossible choices about courage, allegiance, sacrifice, and love.

**ORIGINAL REVIEW** Perhaps three stars is too many? There were moments in this book that I really enjoyed but my goodness there were HUGE chunks of it that I just couldn’t cope with. It was slow and dull and with such simple language it really needed more of a plot to compensate. During the plane ride for example, what should have been an earth shattering moment of revelation, was just meh!

Oh and the ending? What an anti-climax!

Plus side? The voice actor who played four was delicious to listen to!

**AFTER THOUGHT** Since watching the end of ‘How I Met Your Mother’ I have changed how I view this book. Perhaps the story was not really want I thought it was about after all? Maybe the story was about what happens next?

**THIRD REVISION** I wish I hadn’t read this book. I have decided I would rather not know their fate than have this be the ending. The first book meant this story was so full of promise and yet this is where things ended.

Does this book deserve more stars because of how much it has affected me? Nope. You don’t reward bad behaviour.

Please Note: This review has been copied over from Goodreads

2 Stars
Some adequate moments. Wouldn’t recommend.

REVIEW: Insurgent (Divergent #2)

Insurgent (Divergent, #2)Book Title: Insurgent
Author: Veronica Roth
Series: Divergent, Book 2
Genres: Young Adult, Dystopian Fiction, Science Fiction
Format: Audible Audiobook

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Synopsis

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.

New York Times best-selling author Veronica Roth’s much-anticipated second book of the dystopian Divergent series is another intoxicating thrill ride of a story, rich with hallmark twists, heartbreaks, romance, and powerful insights about human nature.

This book didn’t live up to  the first but still had plenty of twists and turns to keep me interested. Had I not been listening to it there would likely have sections that I would have skim read over, but I doubt I would have given up completely. Tris’ lack of self-belief and overall self-loathing was irritating. I wanted her to be strong, especially as there were people who needed her to be. If this had been book one, I wouldn’t have picked up the second but seeing as I powered through, the cliff-hanger did convince me to finish the trilogy. 

Please Note: This review has been copied over from Goodreads

3 Stars

REVIEW: Divergent


Book Title: Divergent
Author: Veronica Roth
Series: Divergent, Book 1
Genres: Young Adult, Dystopian Fiction, Science Fiction
Format: Audible Audiobook

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Synopsis

In Beatrice Prior’s dystopian Chicago world, 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 alongside her fellow initiates to live out the choice they have made. Together they must undergo extreme physical tests of endurance and intense psychological simulations, some with devastating consequences. As initiation transforms them all, Tris must determine who her friends really are—and where, exactly, a romance with a sometimes fascinating, sometimes exasperating 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 unrest and growing conflict that threaten to unravel her seemingly perfect society, she also learns that her secret might help her save those she loves . . . or it might destroy her.

Those who have read my other reviews know I rate more on enjoyment than I do quality of literature. When you are reading for pleasure that is all that counts, for me anyway.

I adored this book. It had me on the edge of my seat. I loved discovering the world, the characters, the tension. It ticked all the boxes I look for in a book. Yes, yes, dystopian fiction is all the rage but actually I have been into it since I was a teenager and first read ‘A Brave New World.’

I remember thinking, could ‘Divergent’ be better than ‘The Hunger Games’? (I mean the book, not the trilogy).

I try very hard not to let me feelings about the later books taint my view of this one, as well as the trailer for the film which just looks awful in comparison! I’m sticking with 5 stars for the memory of how I felt when I first read it.

Awesome.

Please Note: This review has been copied over from Goodreads

5 Stars