This week I finally finished reading Allegiant. I don’t know why I’ve been reading so slowly lately, but I feel like everything I read takes forever to finish! As I’m sure you know, Allegiant is the 3rd book in the much-hyped Divergent series by Veronica Roth. “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.”
I feel like the books were all good, but maybe I didn’t connect to them in the right way, because I didn’t fall in love with them like everyone else did! I do really enjoy the way Roth writes and the action in the books keeps them interesting, but I wouldn’t rate this series as high as Harry Potter or the Hunger Games! Maybe the problem is this book itself. Divergent was a good book, Insurgent wasn’t bad, but Allegiant had its problems. The main problem was that the two main characters both told the story. Every time I picked up the book I would forget who was narrating. When two characters narrate a book, their voices shouldn’t sound the same and they shouldn’t necessarily be in the same place! It made it too difficult to tell who was speaking. Also, I found myself thinking that the life outside the fence theme was a lot like another dystopian series I also read – the Delirium series.
While it was interesting to find out the origin of the factions and the society that the characters lived in, I think this book could have been better. And while I didn’t hate the ending, I still might have liked it better if it ended differently.
1. What are you reading right now? Tell us about it.
I have this book on my kindle and just started reading it.
2. Out of the 16 books that will be turned into a movie adaptation, which one are you most looking forward to seeing this year? (Article Link)
Despite my above review, I still want to see Divergent. I also want to see The Fault In Our Stars, The Maze Runner, and Gone Girl, all of which I have read.
3. What was the worst book you’ve ever read?
According to my Goodreads book list, there is one book I hated so much that I gave it zero stars – and reviewed it. It was called Vaginal Birth After Cesarean: The Smart Woman’s Guide to VBAC, and here’s what I wrote about it:
It took me less than a day to read this book. It was awful but I couldn’t put it down. Apparently, in 1996, VBAC was the norm and doctors encouraged it. This book is actually about how decide whether to go along with this or to choose a repeat c-section; however it was horribly biased towards choosing a c-section, stressing the problems that may occur with a VBAC and minimizing problems that may occur with a c-section. I only wish that the medical climate was so pro VBAC today.
4. What foods or beverages have you spilled on a book while reading? Anything good?
I rarely eat or drink while reading!
5. Do you pictures characters as popular film or tv actors? Or do you create a whole new person in your head?
Usually I don’t picture characters as actors, unless the movie has been cast and the actor gets into my head – like while reading Allegiant I was picturing Tris as Shailene Woodley. And even though her dad was only mentioned in Allegiant, I pictured him as Tony Goldwyn.
6. Out of all the authors you’ve read books by, whose brain would you want to pick the most?
I’d have to say Jodi Picoult, who still remains my favorite author. I am inspired by how many brilliant novels she has written.
Have a great weekend!