Book review: Allegiant

Allegiant by Veronica Roth

Description from Goodreads (below) can be found here along with other reviews. Add me on Goodreads! Because this book is a sequel, it will naturally contain some spoilers for the first two books (reviewed here and here). Reader beware!

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.

I'm not sure this will be much of a book review -- I only have a few non-spoilery things to say. But I do want to post about it because I've been dying to talk to other people who have read it, so let me know if you have!!

There were a few things I loved about Allegiant. Through this book, you get to learn a lot more about Tris's family, especially her mom. I loved seeing Tris kind of realize that her mother was more than just a mom -- that she had a life outside of being a mother to Tris and Caleb. And that her mother had more to her than just Abnegation teachings. This part of the novel was just so honest and real to me.

I also loved the further development between Tobias and Tris, as well as between each of these characters and other friends, like Christina. Again, I thought Roth handled the relationships really truthfully -- not smoothing over hard things too easily and really letting the characters work through all that they've been through together.

That being said -- a LOT of fans are unhappy about the way the series ends. I think most of the unhappiness comes from one particular scene near the end (if you've read it, I'm sure you know what I'm talking about). Personally, that scene is one of the few revelations I don't have a problem with. There was a lot in the plot of this book that I didn't like very much -- I felt like I'd been tricked sometimes. But I think when I was feeling that, that's what the characters were feeling, too. So maybe it's well done, and I just don't like it. Ha. There's a few more things I didn't like, so if you have read this one, let me know!!

Overall, I enjoyed the characters and their development, but I can't say I love where the series went in the third book. I still recommend the series -- it starts out incredible, and every reader I've talked to has reacted differently. It evokes strong reactions! So give it a try if you like dystopians. It's definitely worth a read!

All right, so who out there has read this one? What did you think? Be careful of spoilers in the comments -- I'll answer via email so we can talk without fear of spoilers!