I feel like I have to start this review with a quick note...I know that a lot of people disliked this book, but I think it's mainly because they're upset at the ending. That's fine that you didn't like the ending because it's now how you thought, but please don't bash Ms. Roth, who is an amazing author. She has complete creative license to do whatever she wants. She can kill off whomever she wants, and write the story how she sees fit. And if this ending was how she imagined this series ending, then it's good enough for me. Was I upset at the ending, yes. Any rational person would be. I cried and cried, and then cried some more. I literally couldn't believe what just happened. But I also expected it in some ways (which I'll get to later in this review). So overall, I don't care if you complain about the ending, but just stop bashing Ms. Roth because there's a HUGE difference, at least to me, between bashing a book and bashing an author.
Anyway, I personally thought this book was fantastic. There were a couple of things that I really didn't like, which is why if I could, I would give this 4.5 stars. However, overall, I greatly enjoyed it, and am very sad that this series is over. Let's start with the dual POV first. I loved being able to read from Tobias's perspective (but seriously, who wouldn't). I honestly wanted to read more from his POV then Tris's. Ms. Roth did a very good job at showing us the real Tobias, who is completely separate from Four. He's not as strong as he would have the world believe. Tobias is suffering and unsure. This glimpse into his true character made the book so much more enjoyable for me, and his character much more realistic. War changes people, and I for one am grateful for the inside look. Tris is struggling just as much in some ways. However, she is stronger, and ready to take on whatever may come her way. She thinks things through, but at times acts rashly. Her character was also very realistic to me, and while I didn't like her POV as much as the previous two novels (which I think was largely because of Tobias's being in this story as well), it was still a great look into her mind.
This leads me to one of the things that I didn't like. I thought the dual POV was very poorly done. At first, I could easily tell the difference between Tris and Tobias's POV's. However, as the story progressed, it got harder and harder to tell who was actually talking. I found myself going back to the beginning to double check who was supposed to be talking because the voices sounded similar. Usually, you could tell who was who just by the setting that character was in, but when Tris and Tobias are in the same setting, it just got downright confusing. Dual POV is hard to pull off, but I was expecting a bit more from Ms. Roth on this front because I do think she is a great author that has an amazing talent.
Next up is the setting and plot. I will agree that this was one of the weaker aspects of this book, however it wasn't that weak. Granted, I didn't enjoy this book as much as the other two, but this is also a completely different book revolving around completely different terms. Chicago is changing after Jeanine's death and Evelyn's rise to power, and this isn't necessarily a good thing. This is a very fast-paced book, but there were times where it was lagging. These parts easily could have been cut out, and the story wouldn't have suffered in the slightest. At the same time, I flew through this book. I wanted to keep reading to find out what was going to happen next. The circumstances are different in this book, and I think Ms. Roth did an excellent job at pulling everything together. All our questions are answered except one (at least in my mind). We find why this all happened (and why there were factions), we find out about Edith Prior and Tris's mom, we find out what it actually means to be Divergent. Basically, we find out the truth. I know that some people really disliked this portion of the book, but honestly, I feel that what Ms. Roth did made a lot of sense. I think another reason I liked where Ms. Roth took this book is because it speaks to the science person in me. Being a Biology major in college, this whole thing just clicked with me in a way. I don't feel that in anyway was this a cop-out. While it could have been a little bit better researched in some aspects, it still was a interesting and creative direction to take the story.
Now onto the ending. First let me talk about this "sex" scene. I interpreted it as they did have sex. I'm not putting this under spoiler because you can go into any review already and find this out. However, it was confusing as heck by what she meant. I guess it's really up to the reader to interpret what they want, but this part of the book could have been done a whole lot better. This also goes for the romance in the book. I know that Ms. Roth put it in to appease readers (especially because of what happens at the end), but I thought a lot of times the romance was out of place, and just didn't fit very well. In my opinion, there was actually too much. The climax of this book blows you away. There's no way to lessen the blow or anything. You will cry and sob and think it's unfair. Should you not read this book solely because of this reason, no. You need to read the book. But just know that the ending will literally shred your heart to little itty bitty pieces, and you'll need at least a 2-3 day recovery period. This being said, I actually completely expected something like this to happen. Never once in this series has it been sunshine and rainbows, and to expect the ending of this book to change anything is silly. This book is about a war, and in war there are many many casualties. Sometimes people who you don't want to die, end up dying, while the people that you can't stand live long and happy lives. But again, this is exactly what happens in war.
Ultimately, I thought this book was great, and even though it wasn't as good as the previous two, I still thought it was an amazing end to this series. The title could have been better (I mean I even was coming up with other titles for this book while reading), but don't let other reviews hinder you from enjoying this novel. My best advice is go into this book with an open mind. Don't expect everything to work out perfectly and remember the world that this series takes place in. Our world isn't perfect, so you can' expect the ending to work out perfectly. I can't wait to see what else Ms. Roth writes because I know that she is a great author that has a tremendous talent.
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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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58,697
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66,315
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12,647
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12,674
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| Price | $10.95 | $9.99 | $11.14 | $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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58,697
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66,315
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12,647
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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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This is the Story of My(Reading) Life
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Reviewed in Canada on April 8, 2014