SPOILERS BELOW!!*********************
4 or 5 stars? Well, I am heartbroken. For sure. But, I am not sure I am completely disappointed. Did I get what I hoping for out of this book? No. I must have read Divergent and Insurgent at least 7 times. I read them quickly, with excitement and adrenaline, and I read them slowly trying to relish every word. As I read Allegiant, I sometimes rushed along with the momentum, thinking that I will re-read and take the time to truly think about each sentence next time. But, I honestly do not think I can re-live that again. I forced myself to finish the book, not wanting to believe what had happened. I wish this book was released after the Divergent film, because I am not even sure I can put myself through this tale again knowing of Tris' death.
Do I think it was the wrong ending? I'm not so sure. I like happily ever afters. A lot of reviewers have applauded this ending for being messy and brave, and difficult. But, we have plenty of dramas and heartache in our lives. When I read a book, or watch a movie, I do steer towards feel-good ones, even if they are not realistic. It is a nice escape, and I don't think there is anything wrong with wanting that. I also think, that in this case, it would have been interesting to see Tris face a normal life. As long as we have known her, she has had a fire within her to do something big and meaningful. And she was amazing! But, her whole existence was to be an instigator. To intervene, make bold choices, to take risks, make sacrifices, and try to fix things. She was told over and over again that she was unique, special, and powerful. I think it would have been more challenging for her, more brave even, to just be normal in the end. I say this because I think that is a part of the process for most young adults becoming adults. So many of us are told that we can be whatever we want to be, and do whatever we want to do, and that is great. Every child should have the self-confidence to follow their dreams. But, the reality is that we do not all grow up to be the astronaut, the NFL player, the movie star, or the Nobel Prize winner that we dreamed we would be. Instead of feeling like failures, or being disappointed with ourselves, at some point the majority of us have to be brave enough to be ok with just being normal. We have to find contentment and happiness with what we do achieve, and choose to make a difference in even the smallest ways, because it is cumulative. I think that would have been Tris' grown up moment. She was not invincible, and she could have chosen to be content with the work she had done, and worked toward change in a less self destructive way. It would have been a significant character development to show, and she never got there. So, I regret that for her. But, she was a hero. Maybe that was the best she could offer the others. And it certainly was the most harrowing and dramatic contribution to the story.
There is a part of me that does find closure with this story though, and respect for Veronica Roth's story telling. Tris' motivations were strongly linked to her mother all along. While she also thought about what her father would want her to do, with every new revelation she made about her mother in Divergent and Insurgent, you could see her direct her actions toward emulating her. Throughout Insurgent, she was focused on finishing her mother's work. In Allegiant, as she uncovered the rest of her mother's story, it was clear what she truly felt she had to do. She had no other choice. It was always her driving force. I thought her mother's choice to be "normal" and live in Abnegation instead of finishing her work to help the genetically damaged in the Fringe was extremely compelling. I don't know if Natalie was taking the harder path to turn away from the conflict outside and try to be "normal", or if it was easier for her to choose that path and relinquish herself from the feeling it was her obligation to save the world. She still made a difference. She still saved lives and helped others. But, she helped herself too. I admire her for that. But, at the same time, it was clear that she had unfinished business, and Tris felt a deep devotion to completing that work. It was something that Caleb was never going to be capable of doing, so it had to be Tris. It had to. And it required sacrifice. That was her choice.
Would it have been nice for us if she had released the serum, AND lived and reunited with Tobias? Yes. But, here is why I think that maybe wasn't the right way to go: Veronica Roth said that she first wrote Divergent from Tobias' perspective. Now I believe that this whole story is really about Tobias, and his growth. Not Tris. I really do. And, now that I see that, I think it was incredibly interesting for Veronica Roth to write the first two books from the perspective of a different character. To experience Four/Tobias through Tris' eyes, and then to experience him through his own voice, was a very complex and deliciously addictive ride. It was so multi-dimensional. She told his story from the way he saw himself, but also from how others saw him. From how someone who chose to love him saw him. In a very twisting way. I can't think of another character sketch (or really a fictional biography) told just quite like this. Tobias was always a broken person, way before he was told he was genetically damaged. I feel like this story is about how Tris facilitated him living through this tragedy and developing into the person he wanted to be. The leader he was meant to become. He had to learn to LET GO. Forgiveness, love, and trust. She completely affected how he interacted with the people and situations around him. This was about him making peace with a traumatic past and becoming an adult. And I never looked at this story like that until the end. I am grateful to Veronica Roth for creating such an interesting tale that was powerfully told. Even if I don't think I can reread and relish it all over and over again like I hoped I could.
I actually think my main disappointment with Allegiant was that Uriah's story fell short. I thought he was a very interesting and important character in Divergent. I was upset that his character was cut out of the film. In Insurgent, he was mysterious and delightful, and he helped us bear the phase of Tris, the downer. I loved that he was Divergent, but that he seemed different from the others. He was smart, and thoughtful. I was so sure that he was going to play a key role in Allegiant, and I am let down that it was only his body and memory that played a significant part. I really wanted to see more become of him. But, now that I feel like this was always about Tobias, I guess that really wasn't very important. Can't believe it is over! Worth the read, but keep tissues by your side!
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All 3 for you in this series
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From the Publisher
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| Divergent | Insurgent | Allegiant | Four | Divergent series four-book paperback box set | |
| Customer Reviews |
18,584
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58,696
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66,315
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12,646
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12,674
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| Price | $10.95 | $9.99 | $6.73 | $9.57 | $32.20 |
| The bestselling dystopian series that has captured the hearts of millions of teen and adult readers | Tris’ dystopian society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue in an attempt to form a “perfect society.” Tris must make a dramatic, irrevocable choice: To which faction will she devote her life? | As war surges in the factions of dystopian Chicago all around her, Tris attempts to save those she loves while grappling with haunting questions of grief and forgiveness, identity and loyalty, politics and love. The second book in the series. | This third installment in the series follows Tris and Tobias as they battle to comprehend the complexities of human nature—and their selves—while facing impossible choices of courage, allegiance, sacrifice, and love. | A companion volume that includes four pre-Divergent stories plus three additional scenes from Divergent, all told from Tobias's point of view. | This four-book set includes paperbacks of the three books in the Divergent trilogy, plus the companion volume told from the perspective of the immensely popular character Tobias, all wrapped up in a dazzling keepsake box. |
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| Divergent 10th anniversary edition | Insurgent 10th anniversary edition | Allegiant 10th anniversary edition | Four 10th anniversary edition | Divergent series four-book paperback box set 10th anniversary edition | |
| Customer Reviews |
18,584
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58,696
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66,315
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12,646
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12,674
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| Price | $10.99 | $11.99 | $9.89 | $9.79 | $34.99 |
| The bestselling dystopian series that has captured the hearts of millions of teen and adult readers | A special edition of the #1 New York Times bestselling series that captured the hearts of millions of readers and inspired a series of major motion pictures. Features exclusive content from Veronica Roth and beautiful reimagined cover art. | Celebrate the 10th anniversary of Divergent with a special edition of Insurgent, the second book in the #1 New York Times bestselling series. | This anniversary edition of third installment in the series features exclusive content from Veronica Roth and beautiful reimagined cover art from award-winning illustrator Victo Ngai. | Celebrate the 10th anniversary of Divergent with a special edition of Four. Readers first encountered Tobias as "Four" in Divergent and will find more of this charismatic character's backstory told from his own perspective. | Celebrate the tenth anniversary of the publication of Divergent with a special edition four-book boxed set. Each book in the set includes exclusive content from Veronica Roth and beautiful reimagined cover art. |
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Ink damage
Do not recommend you get two thirds of thr wat through and what appears to be ink is splattered all over the words.
Top reviews from other countries
This is the Story of My(Reading) Life
My heart is shattered across the floor
Reviewed in Canada on April 8, 2014