Review: Allegiant by Veronica Roth

Allegiant (Divergent #3) by Veronica Roth
Publication Date: October 22, 2013
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books
Format: Hardback
Number of Pages: 526
Buy: Amazon | Barnes and Noble
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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.

I've been in a reading slump lately. For the last few months it has taken me at least two weeks to finish anything. But this-I finished in two days. Not sure if it's because it's the first YA I've read in months, since YA usually are quick reads. I will admit I was nervous about reading this. I heard a lot of people hated the ending, and it even made people who heard about it before hand refuse to read it, and I even know of someone who doesn't even want to see the movie. Although I had decided I didn't want to know how the book ended, I ended up reading reviews a few days before I started the book and then ended up spoiling myself. Not that I had already somewhat guessed the ending.

Sitting here hours after I finished the book, I'm still not sure how I feel about it. I wouldn't go as far as I thought it was amazing, but it was almost there. I didn't like the multiple POVs. Both Tris and Four's pov were too similiar. I couldn't really tell them apart. During Four's chapters I had to keep reminding myself whose chapter it was. I've never really been a big fan of the guy's POV in YA books. They are tricky and most authors can't nail them down. And the truth behind the factions and even what exactly Divergent is was disappointing. I was hoping, no expecting for more.

Another thing is Tris and Four was constantly in a bad place with each other. It tore my heart apart. I wasn't a big fan of Four's characterization in the novel either. He was this amazing, strong guy in the first two. But because of certain revelations he became this broken person, unsure of himself. I loved Tris' growth though, and the growth of hers and Four's relationship.

I don't want to go too much into detail and spoil the book for anyone. But the ending was so tragic and heartbreaking, even knowing it ahead of time. I wanted to scream and cry. Even wanting to cry my eyes out.

I know most people hated the ending. Said it was pointless, and ruined the series. But it made sense to me. The book is about self-sacrifice, love, betrayal, and family. Thinking back on the last two books there was foreshadowing. And everyone should remember this is dystopian fiction. This genre isn't about romance and happy endings. Veronica Roth made a bold move, and I respect her for that. She knew that it would upset people. Maybe it wouldn't of hit so hard if the romance didn't seem to be the core of the series.

Rating: 4/5

 

Review: Fragments by Dan Wells

Fragments (Partials, #2) by Dan Wells
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Publication date: February 26th, 2013
Number of pages: 564 pgs
Format: Paperback
Purchase: Amazon | The Book Depository

Kira Walker has found the cure for RM, but the battle for the survival of humans and Partials is just beginning. Kira has left East Meadow in a desperate search for clues to who she is. That the Partials themselves hold the cure for RM in their blood cannot be a coincidence--it must be part of a larger plan, a plan that involves Kira, a plan that could save both races. Her companions are Afa Demoux, an unhinged drifter and former employee of ParaGen, and Samm and Heron, the Partials who betrayed her and saved her life, the only ones who know her secret. But can she trust them?

Meanwhile, back on Long Island, what's left of humanity is gearing up for war with the Partials, and Marcus knows his only hope is to delay them until Kira returns. But Kira's journey will take her deep into the overgrown wasteland of postapocalyptic America, and Kira and Marcus both will discover that their greatest enemy may be one they didn't even know existed.

The second installment in the pulse-pounding Partials saga is the story of the eleventh hour of humanity's time on Earth, a journey deep into places unknown to discover the means--and even more important, a reason--for our survival.

These books tend to be quite long, but I don't mind so much since they are highly interesting. This is the sequel to Partials and even more interesting than the first.
It's narrated by Kira and Marcus. They both go on their own fascinating and interesting journeys. We never really got the feel of who Marcus really was, but in this one, you can see there is so much more to him than love interest to Kira.

We also get a sense of the partials through different eyes, Marcus and begin to understand them a bit more than we did prior to this book. When something or someone is viewed through different people, you can see different observations and angles to them.

I think one of my favourite things was hearing from Samm's POV. It wasn't often, but it was delightful because I wasn't really a fan of him in Partials, but I came to a new understanding and appreciation from this book. Not only do you see that he has trouble with emotions and actions that makes certain things heartwrenching. I really enjoyed his interactions with Kira and I loved them more and more as you begin to see the start of something... just a tweek between the two of them. I would definitely approve.

With a dreaded cliffhanger, moments that will make you swoon, and action-packed adventure, this book is a worthy sequel to Partials.

I cannot wait until the conclusion to this series is in my hands ASAP.  I yearn to see how things come to an end for each and every character.

Rating: 4/5

Review: Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas

Crown of Midnight (Throne of Glass, #2) by Sarah J.Maas
Publisher: Bloomsbury Childrens
Publication date: August 15th, 2013
Number of pages: 432 pgs
Format: Paperback
Purchase: Amazon | The Book Depository

Eighteen-year-old Celaena Sardothien is bold, daring and beautiful – the perfect seductress and the greatest assassin her world has ever known. But though she won the King’s contest and became his champion, Celaena has been granted neither her liberty nor the freedom to follow her heart. The slavery of the suffocating salt mines of Endovier that scarred her past is nothing compared to a life bound to her darkest enemy, a king whose rule is so dark and evil it is near impossible to defy. Celaena faces a choice that is tearing her heart to pieces: kill in cold blood for a man she hates, or risk sentencing those she loves to death. Celaena must decide what she will fight for: survival, love or the future of a kingdom. Because an assassin cannot have it all . . . And trying to may just destroy her.

Love or loathe Celaena, she will slice open your heart with her dagger and leave you bleeding long after the last page of the highly anticipated sequel in what is undeniably THE hottest new fantasy series

I would say CROWN of MIDNIGHT is one of the most anticipated sequels for 2013, and boy did it deliver. It was everything I could have wanted and more in a sequel to this series. Nothing is left unturned, if anything, it only amps up the whole story-relationships and character developments than ever before.

In THRONE of GLASS it opened up the story, we were introduced to our main characters, he plot and Celeana's first adventures to becoming the King's Champion. In CROWN of MIDNIGHT though, the stakes are raised, you discover more about these characters than you ever felt was possible. Just when you think you know everything or what will happen---  you are then thrown through a loop and the unexpected happens. With this book, expect heart palpatations, an intense journey, unexpected revelations and juicy twists and turns.

The romance is definitely knocked up a notch or two, which I'll be into more detail soon. I adored Celeana in the first book, but in this book.. you begin to understand her so much more. She does what she needs to do to survive, and sometimes you think she is heartless, and then get shocked when she does actually have a heart. She'll do things you never saw coming, find herself in situations and do certain acts that will tear your heart out.
Dorian is someone who I felt was in the first book, but was just there. I didn't have many feelings in regards to him or his relationship with Celeana. I felt bad for him because I had a feeling she just didn't feel as strong about him that he did with her, and it would be best if he let her go.
In this installment, I begun to really adore him. His whole personality came out so much more, discovering things about him that even HE was shocked about with the discoveries. I also felt that he should be loved by someone, even if it wasn't to be with Celeana. I just hope that somehow, before this series ends that he finds someone who loves him as much as he does her.

Now Chaol. I have loved him since the first book. He might have acted like a jerk, but boy, in this second installment to this story, you see so much more of him, and boy was it joyous. His relationship with Celeana has to be one of my favourite things about this book, and I have a feeling it's something which is only going to grow and grow over the course of the rest of then series. There is no point denying it now for those who have read it.  These two... OTP, love of each other's lives. They may have had previous loves, but this is the REAL DEAL people. No holds bars. It's romantic. Terrifying. Angsty. Full of hope and joy. Tears and pain. It's everything you want, everything you can't live without even if it hurts sometimes.
I look forward to discovering what is in store for these two come book 3. 2014. Come to me!

*cough* THAT cliffhanger? I knew it. But come on.. to leave it like that was just absolutely excruciating especially since we have to wait a year for the next book to be released.

Sarah has done an amazing job with this series thus far. I have never been one for High Fantasy, until THRONE of GLASS.  I am glad I picked up that first book one day in the bookstore and met these terrific characters.

If you haven't read this series yet, set everything down. Go and order it PRONTO.  You will not be disappointed.

Rating: 5/5