Series: Divergent (#3)
Author: Veronica Roth
Rating: 5/5
Genre: Dystopia
** spoiler alert ** (Plenty of spoilers ahead, proceed with caution.) So basically, there has been a lot of buzz about this book. About the entire Divergent series in general. It's very easy to fall into, and obsess about. But with the third book, it seems as if there have been two general reactions: acceptance and love, and outright hatred. I personally believe it to be mixed. I separated my reactions to the book into two components in my brain: the emotional, involved side and the critical, analytical side - and then I began to decide where my thoughts on Allegiant lie.
Emotional Side: Of course I was heartbroken. It was emotional turmoil, and I did in fact cry. There was a lot going on in this book not only with Tris, but with Uriah and also Four trying to decipher his future. Many people who were clamoring for a happy ending are going to be disappointed. (I did hope for a happy ending.)
That being said.
Critical Side: Maybe I was a little biased and angry when the book was over, but the more I thought about it, the more I realized that it still just wasn't as good as the previous two. I didn't dislike it only for the end, but for the entirety of the book. For one, the book lost a lot of what made it "Divergent." After the group left the compound to explore the outer world, the book morphed into typical dystopian. I could name so many series it suddenly became similar to: Partials, Birthmarked, (etc.) The plot became centered around genetics and GP's v, GD's. It wasn't that interesting, and the whole plot of the factions and the fate of Chicago was almost pushed to the back.
Then, new characters were introduced, and we were bombarded with either too much information or too little information. The entire backstory of Tris' mother was introduced in a rush, but there was still no clue given about what happened to the rest of the United States. Or even the rest of the world. We were introduced with the mysterious fringe, and the story described the rest of the US as the Wilds, but the characters ventured there about twice. Not much development or explanation there.
The dual POV was interesting at first, but after a while, I lost my interest in Tobias. He made some bad decisions, and overall he wasn't as intriguing as before. I disagree with the need for dual POV. It was probably introduced to show character development and growth, but Tris really should have been the star of the show. She was the one who grew the most, and I really felt like her character found itself. She started the series and she should have ended it. And that brings me to the last point, I didn't think that end was necessary. It wrapped the story up, but it didn't make much sense to me. What did Tris' death prove? She finally realized her desire to live, before she dies? It shows sacrifice? Maybe, but it wasn't truly necessary.
There just wasn't much substance to the story. It was written, and published. It will either be detested or lauded. Many people will support Veronica Roth's decisions with the books - and I do believe that the plot is the author's decision - but I don't agree with the overall direction the book took. I lost the mood and the trend of the books, and felt unsatisfied overall. I don't hate the book, but I certainly don't feel enthusiastic about it, and I don't know if I will continue recommending the series.
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