Allegiant (Divergent #3)

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.

*May Contain Spoilers*

Veronica Roth concludes her captivating Divergent series with the final book, Allegiant. After spending the first two books confined to a city where factions and power-hungry opinions rule, the main characters of the series decide to join the Allegiant and leave the city. They are (surprisingly) greeted by members of the Genetics Bureau and thus a new twist revealing a much bigger problem. 

Tris and Tobias share the point of view in this novel, each chapter referencing who is speaking, which does get quite confusing. When the concept of genetically pure versus genetically damaged is introduced, they each react a different way. Tris refuses to believe that genetically damaged people are any less equal to the genetically pure, while Tobias struggles to accept that he is not divergent and essentially damaged. At least, readers finally get a glimpse into the mind of Tobias. It connects readers to him to know the thoughts behind his actions, finally solidifying a bond that goes back generations. (Who didn't love her mom, Natalie?!) 

Tris is her strongest in this novel, with many difficult decisions to make that will ultimately hurt one group or another. She still acts a little immature and makes quick decisions without thought to consequence a few times in the novel, but Roth is writing a teenage character so can we really blame her? Probably not. The character/reader connection was strengthened through the discovery of some information about her mother and father. When Tris found out that her mother wasn't born in the city experiment, but joined later, readers witnessed a very emotional reaction, therefore, creating a deep-seated bond. 

The plot follows Tris, Tobias, Christina, Caleb, Peter, Uriah, and Cara out of the city experiment and into the Genetics Bureau, where it is revealed that there was a genetic war and the experiments were implemented to heal the genetic damage over time. Though they all struggle with their feelings about this new truth, they all agree that something must be done to change the the course of history and it will call for the greatest sacrifice of all. Quite a wonderful, angering, tearjerker, twister of a novel. 

Rating: 4.5/5 Cups

Teaser Tuesday (98)

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!



Allegiant (p.1)
   - Veronica Roth

She was shot during our desperate attempt to reveal the Edith Prior video to our city. At the time we had no idea what it would say, or that it would shatter the foundation we stand on, the factions, our identities.

Insurgent (Divergent #2)

I have done bad things. I can’t take them back, and they are part of who I am.

Tris has survived a brutal attack on her former home and family. But she has paid a terrible price. Wracked by grief and guilt, she becomes ever more reckless as she struggles to accept her new future.

Yet if Tris wants to uncover the truth about her world, she must be stronger than ever… because more shocking choices and sacrifices lie ahead.

*May Contain Spoilers*

Veronica Roth continues the epic Divergent trilogy with her novel, Insurgent. Immediately following the conclusion of book one, Tris and Tobias are looking for the truth with a side of revenge. With her parents both dead, Beatrice has only her brother and Tobias, but can they be trusted? Can anyone? 

Beatrice is the main character of this series and readers continue following her as she attempts to reveal the truth behind the attack on her home faction. With Jeanine Matthews trying to capture all Divergents (those who cannot fall under simulation), she and Tobias must try to survive. And Tris has really bad survival instincts. After she shot Will in the first book, she struggles to hold a gun. She's wracked with guilt. Especially the guilt that her parents died for her and their cause. Now she is losing grip on her will to live. Readers will connect with Beatrice based on these emotions as well as the continuing love story with Tobias. 

However, what Tris really needs (besides the will to survive and finish this) is the ability to trust. It's true that many people in this series have their own agenda. But lying to Tobias? Siding with a common enemy? I'm all for following your gut feeling and using logic to become one step ahead of the enemy, but at least tell the truth. How are fellow characters and readers supposed to trust Beatrice if she doesn't show trust in anyone else? Telling her allies what the plan is doesn't mean she has to let them stop her. Beatrice really struggles with accepting what she's done and what needs to be done. Not doing it, but actually owning up to it. I'm worried that this characteristic will be her fatal flaw. 

The plot of Insurgent follows Beatrice through her journey to find the truth behind the execution of an entire faction and the revolt leader, Jeanine Matthews. While Jeanine is trying to find the Divergent population to "save society," Beatrice discovers that there's a rather big secret being kept from the entire population. She decides to trust an enemy to look further into the matter while the factionless and non-traitor Dauntless join forces, planning to attack Erudite, the faction that protects Jeanine. And trust me, this secret will change how you view this series. But I won't tell you what it is... yet.

Rating: 4/5 Cups

WWW Wednesday (81)

To play along, just answer the following three (3) questions…

• What are you currently reading?

• What did you recently finish reading?

• What do you think you’ll read next?

          

01. Currently Reading:
Insurgent by Veronica Roth. The sequel to Divergent and the second book in the trilogy. It's such a gripping novel but the main character is evolving into a girl I don't know if I can relate to. We'll see how this one wraps up.

02. Recently Finished:
Rapunzel (Demon Tales) by Kerianne Coombes. A demon on a journey to keep a promise made to his dying mother comes across a Fey Princess locked in a tower. Love and adventure ensue. :)

03. Reading Next:
Codename: Chimera by J.K Persy. A murder mystery with a link to Ancient Greece. Sounds quite exciting.

Teaser Tuesday (94)

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!



Insurgent  (p. 424 on Kindle)
   - Veronica Roth

"What is it?" he says.
"I still can't fire a gun." I look up at him. "And after what happened in Erudite headquarters..."

WWW Wednesday (80)

To play along, just answer the following three (3) questions…

• What are you currently reading?

• What did you recently finish reading?

• What do you think you’ll read next?

          

01. Currenty Reading:
Rapunzel (Demon Tales) by Kerrianne Coombes. A novel about the meeting of a demon and a wondrous woman trapped in a tower.

02. Recently Finished:
Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare. The final installment in the Infernal Devices series. A wonderful wrap up of Tessa's journey to discover herself and help the institute of shadowhunters.

03. Reading Next:
Insurgent by Veronica Roth. The sequel Divergent where Tris continues after an attack on her home and family that ended the first book.