Mainstream-Mini Review: Allegiant By Veronica Roth

Allegiant

(The third and final installment in the Divergent Trilogy)

Published Oct. 2013 By HarperCollins Children's

Goodreads Choice 2013 Winner

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.

~ MY REVIEW ~

First I have to say, I LOVED Divergent and Insurgent was equally as good. It hadn't been since Harry Potter 7 that the wait for the next book in a series was so bad. I waited a year for Allegiant, suffering through all the BEA 2013 hype it got. AND I AM SO LET DOWN. I struggled greatly to get through this one, and quite frankly only finished it because the other books were so good. I think once the novelty of the new world wore off, I was just annoyed. Without the distinct feel you get from a faction based society there isn't much left for this book. I loved Tris while she was becoming Dauntless, and meeting Four, and uncovering thick plots. But Allegiant just wasn't the same. I guess I'm on the fence about this one, but I'm glad I can take it off my 'currently reading' list

Mainstream-Mini Review: Hereafter by Kate Brian

Hereafter

Book 2 in the Shadowlands Series

Published Oct. 2013 By Disney-Hyperion

Rory Miller thought her life was over when a serial killer set his sights on her and forced her into witness protection. But a fresh start on Juniper Landing Island was exactly what she and her family needed. For the first time in years she and her sister hang out at the beach, gossip about boys, and party together. She's also made friends with a local clique--including a magnetic and mysterious boy named Tristan. 

But Rory's world is about to change again. Picturesque Juniper Landing isn't what it seems. The truth about the swirling fog that rolls in each morning, the bridge that leads to nowhere, and those beautiful locals who seem to watch Rory's every move is more terrifying than being hunted by Steven Nell. And all Rory ever wanted was the truth. Even if it means learning that she can never go home again. From the best-selling author of the Private and Privilege series comes the second novel in a heart-stopping trilogy about a girl who must pick up the pieces after the only life she's ever known ends.

~ MY REVIEW ~

Hereafter was much better than the first book in the series. I didn't feel like it suffered from Book 2 syndrome at all. Maybe because so much of Book 1 was setting up the scene for all the meat of this series and I found it too predictable. In Hereafter you get to connect more with the characters and experience the beginnings of Rory's new life. It was much less predictable than Shadowlands, and I actually had some difficulty guessing who was at fault. I do like the concept of this series, and for that reason alone I will continue it. There is much in store for Rory and the other Lifers. Kate Brian certainly is good at bringing the drama in her novels.