Book Review: Allegiant - Veronica Roth

Over all, it was an entertaining enough series...though if I'd actually tried to read it, rather than listen to the audiobook, I don't know if I would've continued it beyond the first book. I don't know, the whole concept about damaged genes versus pure genes....just not appealing. As I said after reading the first book, I'll still watch the movie. Who knows, the story may come across better in that medium.

But honestly, this is one of those series/books that, looking back, wouldn't have mattered if I'd ever gotten to it or not. I have a long, long list of books to read and I'm sure there are plenty on there that I would've enjoyed more than this. 

Overall thought on the series - Meh, it was ok. If she writes any other novels, I'm willing to give them a try.

From the GoodReads website: "What if your whole world was a lie?

What if a single revelation—like a single choice—changed everything?
What if love and loyalty made you do things you never expected?

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.

Told from a riveting dual perspective, Allegiant, by #1 New York Times best-selling author Veronica Roth, brings the Divergent series to a powerful conclusion while revealing the secrets of the dystopian world that has captivated millions of readers in Divergent and Insurgent."

Book Review: Insurgent - Veronica Roth

Ok, MUCH better than the first book. Really kept my interest all the way through and the ending succeeded in making me want to start the third one right away. Now, I'm actually excited to watch the first movie when it's released to DVD. 

I can't say that I'm surprised that the second book is better than the first. There was A LOT of build up for A LOT of characters. I can't decide if one would be able to skip the first book and jump right in with this one or not. I kind of want to say no, you do have to get through the first one just because of all the back story needed to understand why some people feel the way they do, and why some of the things happen the way they do. I'm looking forward to the third book to really understand what's going on beyond the wall.

From the GoodReads website: "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.

New York Times bestselling author Veronica Roth's much-anticipated second installment of the dystopian Divergent series is another intoxicating thrill ride of a story, rich with hallmark twists, heartbreaks, romance, and powerful insights about human nature."

Book Review: Divergent - Veronica Roth

Ok, I had wanted to read this for some time and never got around to it. Since I heard about the movie being made, it slowly eeked up to the top of my To Read list. And finally, now that the movie is out, and with the help of a coupon to use Audible for three months for $0.95, I was able to read, er, listen to it.

From the GoodReads website: "In Beatrice Prior's dystopian Chicago, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue - Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). On an appointed day of every year, all sixteen-year-olds must select the faction to which they will devote the rest of their lives. For Beatrice, the decision is between staying with her family and being who she really is - she can't have both. So she makes a choice that surprises everyone, including herself.

During the highly competitive initiation that follows, Beatrice renames herself Tris and struggles to determine who her friends really are - and where, exactly, a romance with a sometimes fascinating, sometimes infuriating boy fits into the life she's chosen. But Tris also has a secret, one she's kept hidden from everyone because she's been warned it can mean death. And as she discovers a growing conflict that threatens to unravel her seemingly perfect society, she also learns that her secret might help her save those she loves.... or it might destroy her.

Debut author Veronica Roth bursts onto the literary scene with the first book in the Divergent series - dystopian thrillers filled with electrifying decisions, heartbreaking betrayals, stunning consequences, and unexpected romance."
This is actually more of a 3 1/2 stars (out of 5) rating for me. I liked it, but I didn't love it. The first 60% was just so slow. I understand there's a need for character and plot development, and knowing that this is a series is the only thing that kept me going on it. It's a good thing I listened to the audiobook because if I was reading it, I probably would've stopped. 

As I've said before, I love YA Dystopian reads, and I'm sure I'll love the second book more than the first one. I was actually considering not seeing the movie until it got down to the last quarter of the book. 

Going back to my character development comment, there are a lot of main and secondary characters that you're introduced to in this book, and they all play an important role in the story at some point. 

One thing that I'm wondering about is that it sounds like it takes place in what used to be Chicago. And so far, that's the only area that has been mentioned in the book. What about the rest of the world? Are these the only people left at this time? Does every city operate with these five factions? Was that explained at some point and I missed it? 

In any case, I am set to see the movie and ready to read the next book.