Review: Allegiant by Veronica Roth

ISBN: 9780062024060
Source: Purchased
Format: Hardcover
Series: Divergent #3
Release Date: October 22, 2013
Goodreads  |  Amazon
*Please note that this review may contain spoilers for the first two books. Click for spoiler-free reviews of Divergent and Insurgent*

     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 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.

     REVIEW:

Allegiant certainly picks up right where Insurgent leaves off - right in the thick of things after the society learns something big. Don't worry, calm down, I won't spoil it because there may be some of you who are reading Insurgent now and haven't had that bombshell dropped on you, or haven't read this series at all yet.

I'm going to give you two contradictory statements right now: I LOVED this book. But. I was a little put off by the premise and the way things changed at the end of book 2. I know. How is that even possible? I don't know, don't ask me, ask this book why it made me love it so much!!! No, but really, I don't think the turn Allegiant took was a bad one. I think it was insanely clever, but I don't think it was fleshed out enough, and I kind of felt like I was reading a book from a different series. I wish some of the big reveals had been revealed in the the previous books because this "bombshell" literally changes everything.

With that being said, I still think that except for a lack of world building (which sucks because you kind of figured in the first two books that the world building was pretty damn great), I thought Roth pulled it off really well and I really did love it. I feel so bad for Tris and Four by this point because I feel like they never really get to just be together. There is always something going on, some life or death situation ruining what they have together - not to mention Four was being a total dick most of the time in Allegiant so I'm sure that didn't help either. I did, however, enjoy the fact that though there was a bunch of Tris-Four-ness in Allegiant, I didn't find it to be as relationship- and character-driven as the previous two, and it really focused on the plot and the intended resolution. It's nice to read a teen novel and it not be all about the hot boy.

Let's talk about the ending (without spoiling it, people!). I know many, many of you hated the ending. I didn't. I think it was fitting. I imagine that if I hadn't known what was going to happen prior to reading the series (thanks a lot Goodreads reviewers), I may have been angry, too. But I guess that's where it's better that I did know - I was able to look at it in a different way. Please, don't misunderstand me. Leading right up until the thing that happened, even though I knew it was coming, I was a little bit in denial, shaking my head as I was reading, thinking "this cant be how it ends", so I can understand the feelings that came along with reading the ending for the first time as a hardcore fan with not a clue as to what is about to happen. But I don't hate Roth for what she did. I think what she did was brave, just like what certain characters in the actual story did was brave.

So, aside from how I feel about how the blogging/reading community feels about the ending, this is how I, myself, felt about the ending: NOOOOOOO *sobs for 12 minutes alone on the couch* *wipes face, looks back down at book to try to continue reading* NOO, NONONONO *sobs for at least 7 more minutes*

No but seriously, I have NEVER in my entire life cried this hard over a book. I was kind of on the fence between giving this book a 3.5-4 star rating. I generally bump up a book half a star if it makes me cry, because I figure if it made me cry, it means I cared at least a little bit about what was going on. But the way this one had me going, and the actual ending itself (not just the fact that I cried, because it really was pulled off so well) definitely bumped this one up to a 4.5, and it totally deserves that.

I'm not going to lie, I still get a little weepy when I talk about this book. When I first finished it, I caught myself starting to cry a little bit at random times during the day at work over the next couple of days. My fiance read these books a little bit after I did and he kind of knew how it ended too. Needless to say he didn't have the same reaction I did, but we talked about it a lot and I even got weepy when talking to him conversationally about it. Immediately following finishing Allegiant, I wanted to re-read the entire series, so I picked up Divergent and I just couldn't do it. I was not emotionally ready. I still don't know if I am.

What I'm trying to say is that I don't deny this book's faults, but regardless of them, I loved this book. The premise of the third book felt like an entire different series, and if it was a separate series, I think it would've been really amazing - it just didn't fit with the first two books in the series that it actually belonged to. I don't deny any of these things, but I loved this book anyway.

RATING: ★★★★ 1/2

Tonight is the premiere of the Divergent movie and YES I will be there, with bells on! Just FYI, I'm going to the 10 p.m. (Eastern) showing, so 1. I will be unavailable to the world between 9:30 and 1:00  2. Hit me up on Twitter to talk movie-stuff after it is over or tomorrow! But seriously, I don't know how I am going to get through this movie. I couldn't bear to pick up the books, I don't know if I can watch it on the big screen either without dying inside.

So tell me what you thought of Allegiant - WITHOUT spoilers, please, for those participating who haven't read it! And be totally honest. Brutally honest if you must. Okay, don't be brutal, I'm quite sensitive, but say what you mean, please. A lot of people really did not  like this book. I'd love to know more about why now that I have read it and can form my own opinion about it. And if you did love it, please tell me why also. I have been dying to discuss this book ever since I finished it and now is the chance! Let's talk!

A.

Top Ten Tuesday: Spring (TBR) Cleaning!

This Spring, I have big plans for my TBR! There is one new release and one eARC that I must make time for but I'm really going to focus on reading things I already own. The top ten books (or series) I am planning on powering through this spring are:

1. The Here and Now by Ann Brashares: The only eARC I have on my Spring TBR! I am so excited to read this book starting next week! I recently read Brashares' Traveling Pants series in its entirety at the end of last year and am definitely a fan, so I'm excited to read a dystopian novel by her.

2. Shadow Spell by Nora Roberts: The first of the new releases on my Spring TBR - it's actually coming out next Tuesday. I read Dark Witch when it first came out last year and really enjoyed it! My boss and I are reading these together as they come out and we both are super excited for this one!

3. The Iron Fey series by Julie Kagawa: One of my good pals Amber gave me the first three books in this series (because she's amazing) and I have been eager to finally start reading them. I wasn't planning on getting to them until the summer but I just don't think I can wait any longer, so I'm starting them in April instead.

 

4. Red Rising by Pierce Brown: A newer release that I purchased almost as soon as it came out. The reviews for it are fantastic and I can't wait to pick it up!

5. The Coldest Girl in Coldtown by Holly Black: Picked this one up on  a whim a while ago and haven't gotten around to it. Looking forward to a fresh take on the vampire thing.

6. A Classic: I know that is incredibly vague, but I don't know what classic I am going to read - just that I am going to read one. I actually am going to ask the blogging community for some suggestions and help in picking one, so if you have a minute, feel free to suggest one for me! I'd be so grateful for your opinions.

7. The Testing series by Joelle Charbonneau: I have the first two books in the series and the final book comes out right at the end of Spring, so my plan is to read the first two leading up to the release of the final one in June. The best part is - my fiance bought me this book for some gift-giving holiday (I think Valentine's Day) and he purchased the audio book for himself and we're going to read it together. This is great because he only recently started reading for pleasure and I finally feel accomplished as a blogger in getting someone "into reading".

  

8. The Grisha series by Leigh Bardugo: I also own the first two books in this series and my plan with these is same as my plan with the Testing. I am going to read the first two in the lead-up to the release of the third book at the end of Spring. This series is much anticipated for me and I can't wait to finally get into it!

9. Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein: Another one that I picked up on a whim long ago and have not been able to get around to. Hoping to read Rose Under Fire right after since I'm pretty sure they are companion novels. Right...?

And last but not least...

10. Heroes of Olympus series by Rick Riordan: I am actually in the middle of the first book, The Lost Hero, which is sadly taking me like a month to finish, but I will be making my way through the other three books in the series this Spring.

  

Okay, so which of these books have you read, or are you planning on reading any of them this Spring? Oh, and again, if any of you are feeling generous and want to suggest a classic (for someone like me who isn't really into them...), that would be great because I'm planning to read a classic this Spring.... I just don't know which one!

I'd love to see what books you're planning on reading this Spring! Leave your link below so I can pay you a visit too! :)

A.

Review: Insurgent by Veronica Roth

ISBN: 9780007442911
Source: Purchased
Format: Hardcover
Release Date: May 1, 2012
Series: Divergent #2
Goodreads  |  Amazon
**This review may contain spoilers for the Divergent. For a spoiler-free review of Divergent, click here**

     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.

     REVIEW:

Insurgent and I kind of have a funny history. I actually DNFed when it first came out a couple of years ago. It had been almost a year between finishing Divergent and the release date of Insurgent and I had basically forgotten all of the important stuff that happened in Divergent. So when I picked up Insurgent and felt a little lost, and frankly, a little bored, I gave up on the series altogether (I know, my pre-blogger self was pretty harsh).

Upon re-reading Divergent, I remembered what I liked so much about the story the first time around, and quickly began reading Insurgent. Honestly, and in my defense, I can see why I was a little bored with it last time. Though last time I barely got 50 pages in before quitting, so I guess it didn't really get a fair shot. I pushed through the kind of boring beginning and once the group was out of the Amity compound, things got really interesting.

Roth opened up a bit more with her world-building this time around. Not only do we get to see the Amity compound, but we get a look at the Candor, whom I find absolutely fascinating, and their compound, and a glimpse at some of the others. I find the factions in general to be really unique and I love how Roth shows us even more about them as the story goes on.

Though I did really enjoy this book, it was definitely my least favorite of the three. Tris began to get annoying about halfway through the book when she kept putting herself in bad situations while knowing there may not be a way out. I did feel as though Tris was more real and relatable in this one, though. In Divergent, I just couldn't believe that after being raised Abnegation that Tris could be so cold and uncaring toward others, and it was a real turn off for me. In Insurgent, she was dealing with a lot of difficult feelings and though she wasn't the strong, capable Tris we'd grown to love, she was still dealing with things in a real way, and I really respect Roth for that. For sometimes making difficult decisions or making a character act in a way that is real but not necessarily a character the fans will love.

There were so many twists and turns in this book and it really did keep my on my toes. However, while the plot was ever changing, the pace of the book was a little slower than I would've liked. Really though, while I found the pace a bit slow at times, Roth's writing is amazing and beautiful, and her prose more than made up for the pace.

Let's talk about the ending of Insurgent. Okay, not about what actually happened, but the fact that I was pretty confused even though I had re-read the last chapter several times to try to get a better grasp on what was going on. I had to ask some friends and fellow bloggers to reassure me that this was normal. I didn't want to go into Allegiant while missing something big and important. Turns out I wasn't missing anything and it was totally okay to be confused because what happened after was ever crazier. But I still loved it!

RATING: ★★★★ 1/2

Overall, I really loved Insurgent and literally picked up Allegiant immediately after finishing it... well after I re-read the ending a few times first. More than anything, I love Roth's writing style and a big part of my love for this series is because of her beautiful, poetic way of telling a story.

What did you think of Insurgent? Did you love it like I did? Also, the Divergent movie comes out this week! How many of you are going to see it on Thursday night!? Let's talk - tell me what you think!?

A.

Review: The Battle of the Labyrinth by Rick Riordan

ISBN: 9781423101468
Source: Purchased (re-read)
Format: Paperback
Series: Percy Jackson and the Olympians #4
Release Date: March 6, 2008
Goodreads  |  Amazon
See my reviews for all books in this series

     SYNOPSIS:

Freshman orientation is about mastering new things, but this is ridiculous. Percy didn't expect that in his first week at school, he would have to face a squad of demon cheerleaders. And the dangers are far more than scholastic: Kronos's armies are threatening even the relative safety of Camp Half-Blood. The fourth installment of Percy Jackson and the Olympians deals out action, surprises, suspense, and gripping characters.

     REVIEW:

The Labyrinth has to be one of my favorite myths of all. I was so excited to start this book because, like Annabeth, I'm so wildly intrigued by the endless possibilities of the Labyrinth... not that I'd go exploring without some guidance though, haha. I particularly enjoyed this book because I didn't remember a lot of the smaller details, so playing the guessing game on some things was fun to experience again.

And Percabeth! So many important things happen for Percabeth in this books and I just LOVE it. Kind of mad about the little love-"square" that was going on there considering it was about a 15-year-old (my wittle Percy! He's too young!), but Percy's confusion over most things having to do with relationships was pretty cute so I can deal.

Once again, there isn't much left to say about these books. They are all fun, even a bit educational (on Greek Mythology, of course) while continually making us fall in love with Percy, Annabeth and all of Camp Half-Blood!

     RATING: Really Liked It! ★★★★ 

This is definitely my favorite so far out of the the first four in this series, though you and I both know book 5 blows everything out of the water. Have you read this far into the series yet? What did you think? Did you enjoy the Labyrinth as much as I did? Can't wait to hear from you!

A.

Review: The Titan's Curse by Rick Riordan

ISBN: 9780141382890
Source: Purchased (re-read)
Series: Percy Jackson and the Olympians #3
Release Date: April 24, 2007
Goodreads  |  Amazon
See my reviews for previous books in this series

     SYNOPSIS

IT'S NOT EVERYDAY YOU FIND YOURSELF IN COMBAT WITH A HALF-LION, HALF-HUMAN.
But when you're the son of a Greek god, it happens. And now my friend Annabeth is missing, a goddess is in chains and only five half-blood heroes can join the quest to defeat the doomsday monster.
Oh and guess what. The Oracle has predicted that not all of us will survive...

     REVIEW 

Can I be totally honest here? Besides Percy and Annabeth, who will always hold a place in my heart, my favorite parts about this entire book were Artemis and Apollo. Other than Athena, they are my absolute favorite of the gods and I really enjoyed having them be a part of this story (especially Apollo who I imagine being really hot).

We are introduced to some new characters in this book who (kind of spoiler alert?) end up being really integral to the series later on: Bianca and Nico DiAngelo, young demigods who are found at a boarding school by Grover and saved by Annabeth and Percy. I had a hard time finding sympathy with Bianca and I can say she wasn't one of my favorite characters, but... oh Nico. I remember the first time I read this series, I had a hard time connecting with Nico, so I took some time to really focus on him while reading this book, and I connected with him a lot more, if not exactly as much as I'd hoped to. Really, my problem is that I had a hard time with his "development" at the end of this book and into the next, but I suppose that is a story for another review.

I thought the pacing was a bit off in this book in that it seemed to start off slower than the others. Honestly, all of the books start off real slow, spending a lot of time building up to real action and plot resolutions, but this one seemed to take the longest. With that being said, we see a lot of set up later in the book for some major things happening later in the series, and with the characters maturing and the writing somehow getting better, it was pulled off very well, all in all.

RATING: Pretty Good! ★★★ 1/2

Books 3-5 of this series are where things really start to get good. I especially think so because the characters are getting older, and apparently the older I get, the harder time I have connecting with MG (who woulda thunk?!). While a bit slow (as usual), I really did enjoy The Titan's Curse and can't wait to talk to you about the next two books in the series, which I especially love.

Have you gotten this far in the series yet? What did you think of The Titan's Curse? Let's talk about it!

A.