This tone of this book, the third in the story about Tris Prior, is different. Influential in this, I think, is the point-of-view which is split for the first time: between Tris and Tobias [Four]. Getting a male perspective is interesting, and I guess Veronica Roth took this approach to add more tension to the storytelling. It certainly highlights the lack of communication between the two. But at times, I lost track of whose thoughts I was reading: not a good sign.
The book is full of strong female characters, but not strong in a good way. Evelyn, head of the factionless; Edith Prior, Tris’s ancestor, whose mystery hangs over this third book. The world Tris knew in Divergent and Insurgent has been shattered by violence so she and Tobias set out, beyond the fence to find a new world. Except this is a book, so the new world is not going to be green fields. It is going to be violent and unequal too.
Unfortunately this reads to me like an author struggling to string her story idea out across three books, because publishers like publishing YA trilogies and Hollywood likes making film trilogies for teens. Allegiant could have done with some serious editing and sharpening-up. A disappointing book.
The first in the trilogy is Divergent, click here to read my review
… and the second is Insurgent, click here to read my review
Listen to an excerpt from the audio book of Allegiant here
Watch Veronica Roth interviewed by The Guardian here about Allegiant
‘Allegiant’ by Veronica Roth
SANDRA DANBY'S BOOK REVIEWS 
I really enjoyed Divergent but I dont think I will read the other two.
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If you enjoyed the first, don’t let me put you off! SD
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I’m currently reading Allegiant and I agree that I get confused in the middle of the chapters- I forget who it is that’s really having their POV being read. It’s not as dynamic as divergent or insurgent, and I have felt the stress and need emanating from the book of the author to try and keep up with the variation of male and female ways of thinking..But I’m not finished yet so I withhold judgement ’til then. (But what you’ve said has been true so far. I just hope the ending doesn’t suck.)
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I try to avoid spoilers at all costs, let me know what you think when you’ve finished reading it? SD
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Sure 🙂 I haven’t finished it yet since it’s my summer break and I’m hanging out with my cousins. But I’ll get back to you ASAP when I’m done with it 🙂
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Have a great summer! SD
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Hi, I finished reading Allegiant. I’m sorry I took long. So to continue my own opinionated criticism, I think the action was still pretty unpredictable this satisfyingly leaving me on edge at times. But most of the time, I get bored with all the genetic talk because it just goes on and on and it’s usually just the same thing. And everything else that happened between Tris and Tobias was, I guess, alright. Now, however, what happened during the epilogue (two years pass) is blurry. Though, yes, there has been major changes, I’m still wondering what exactly happened to all the information about the GD’s and GP’s. I’m also wondering what happened to Marcus… But I give it a seven out of ten.
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Hi, thanks for getting back to me! Yes, it’s difficult when there’s time between reading the different books so detail is hazy.. I haven’t seen the first film, have you? SD
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I haven’t seen the film yet but I’ve heard from my friends that it was alright 🙂
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I’ll definitely watch it when I get the chance. SD
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Wow you pretty much said everything I felt about this third book! “I lost track of whose thoughts I was reading: not a good sign.” Ditto. “Unfortunately this reads to me like an author struggling to string her story idea out across three books…” Yes! The third book felt so pointless to me. The only good part was the ending, but I think most people won’t like it. I agree, very disappointing.
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It feels a little as they were written with films in mind. SD
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As I have never read any of these books, I can only guess that you are right, Sandra. The author may well be the victim of the publisher’s trilogy demand.
Despite the hype concerning this trilogy, I have to admit that it isn’t even on my TBR list.
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I was hugely disappointed by all three. The idea was great, the execution felt rushed and simplified. A shame. SD
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Now I can understand the hype even less. It is definitely a shame. OK
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Although the change in POV sounds refreshing, I’m still in doubt whether Allegiant is worth it to read… It is a shame that some writers seem to care more about publishing than actually writing good books.
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Totally agree! SD
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