Allegiant (Divergent #3)

 

 Author: Veronica Roth
Series: Divergent Trilogy
Pages: 526
Challenge: Goodreads Challenge 2014, 2014 Book Bingo Challenge
Genre: Sci-Fi, Dystopian
Acquired: Borrowed from friend
Rating: ★★★½

*****

Goodreads Summary:

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 Thoughts:

Allegiant continues the stories of Tris and Four and their journey to understanding and uncovering more about the world that they live in. As they travel outside the fence and observe the differences from the world they came from they meet people that soon shatter everything that they have known about themselves and where they live. Throughout the book, Tris and Four make alliances, enemies, and friendships as they uncover the truths about their world and slowly try to put the pieces together of their own existence.

In the ending of the trilogy, Allegiant is told from both the point of views of Tris and Four. Although this took some time to get used to, I liked seeing into Four's thoughts and having a better understanding of him as a person aside from what Tris saw on the outside. Though I appreciated the different POVs I did at times get confused and have to continually look back to the beginning of the chapter heading to see who's POV I was actually reading. So the POVs were both loved and hated.

Problems with the book? Well the POVs as I said, as well as Four's character. I really needed him to man up and be the tough badass Four that I remembered. In this book I felt that he was incredibly less intimidating, less tough, and altogether a bit soft. Although seeing into his true nature, personality, and personal thoughts was a nice touch at times, I need the Four from Book 1 to be there and he sadly wasn't there for most of the time.

I also a more favorite scene or part to mention would be the whole trying to get into the weapons room scene. It was the most interesting and exciting part of the book and I liked it well enough despite the outcome which I felt could have been avoided but still made for an interesting scene.

Overall the plot was good, although at times I came to find the book a bit boring . I found myself wishing things would hurry on along and get to the point or the next action scene especially during the first half of the book.

The ending of the book didn't surprise me being that I was spoiled from a completely random Youtube video but overall the book as a whole was okay. Despite some of my issues the book was good ending to the series and I plan to read more of Veronica Roth's work as she publishes them. I give it ★★★½ stars and would recommend this series to anyone looking for a sci-fi/dystopian series with a strong female character and a different and exciting plot line that will keep you guessing throughout the entire series.

*****

Embrace

 

 Author: Jessica Shirvington
Series: The Violet Eden Chapters
Pages: 369
Challenge: Goodreads Challenge 2014, 2014 Book Bingo Challenge
Genre: Paranormal
Acquired: Library
Rating: ★★★★

*****

Goodreads Summary:

It starts with a whisper: "It's time for you to know who you are..."

On her 17th birthday, everything will change for Violet Eden. The boy she loves will betray her. Her enemy will save her. She will have to decide just how much she's willing to sacrifice.
Dangerously exciting and darkly romantic, EMBRACE is a compelling novel of good and evil, seductive desires and impossible choices. A centuries old war between fallen angels and the protectors of humanity chooses a new fighter. It's a battle Violet doesn't want, but she lives her life by two rules: don't run and don't quit. If angels seek vengeance and humans are the warriors, you could do a lot worse than betting on Violet Eden.
LINCOLN: He's been Violet's one anchor, her running partner and kickboxing trainer. Only he never told her he's Grigori--part human, part angel--and that he was training her for an ancient battle between Angels and Exiles.
PHOENIX: No one knows where his loyalties lie, yet he's the only one there to pick up the pieces and protect her after Lincoln's lies. In a world of dark and light, he is all shades of gray.
Two sides: Angel or Exile.
Two guys: Lincoln or Phoenix.
The wrong choice could cost not only her life, but her eternity...

  *****

 My Thoughts:

Embrace follows the story of a seemingly normal girl named Violet Eden who is trying to deal with the reality that she is actually half-angel and half-human. The same goes for the guy that she thought she would fall in love with. The book follows Violet's journey of deciding to accept or not accept who she is becoming. Along the way she copes with learning the reality that the world is not all that she thought it was, with it being filled with good and evil paranormal beings and creatures. When big problems start to arise will Violet be able to make a life-changing decision that will affect her for the rest of her existence or will she opt out of all of it and choose to try to go back to living a normal life like before.

I found the main character, Violet, to be a confused and defiant individual from the start of the novel. I really wanted her to come to terms with who she was to make things easier for herself. I also wanted her to make more decisions for herself and with herself in mind. She also held many grudges for too long in my opinion (but these reasons where explained and cleared up later in the novel as the story progressed).

So any other interesting characters? Umm YES Please! Phoenix! I absolutely loved his character and how he cared for Violet even though it was against his nature and existence. He was definitely one of my favorite characters!

I also liked that the story was told though the view point of Violet; I felt that it suited the story well. I would also be interested to see the story through Lincoln's POV. I think that it would be interesting to see his side on everything also.

Although Violet changed throughout the novel, I constantly debated on if I really liked her character. To like her character or not to like her character. I think I chalk it up to it being the first book in a series so her character was meant to be confused and naive since she hasn't really started to grow as a character yet. I also came to find the book a bit predictable. I found myself guessing on what would happen next and came to be right about 80% of the time.

The ending of the book didn't end with a crazy cliffhanger but it did elude to bigger and badder events to come in the next books or the series. Despite everything you have read about my problems with the predictability and conflicts with Violet's character. I actually enjoyed this book and plan to continue on with the series eventually. I give it ★★★★ and would recommend this to anyone looking for an ok/standard start to a paranormal series involving angels.

*****

"Waiting On" Wednesday (WoW, #4)

 "Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine that highlights upcoming releases that we are eagerly awaiting!

This week's selection is:

Panic

Author(s): Lauren Oliver

Series: Standalone
Publisher: Harper Collins
Publication: March 4, 2014

 Goodreads Blurb:

Panic began as so many things do in Carp, a dead-end town of 12,000 people in the middle of nowhere: because it was summer, and there was nothing else to do.

Heather never thought she would compete in Panic, a legendary game played by graduating seniors, where the stakes are high and the payoff is even higher. She’d never thought of herself as fearless, the kind of person who would fight to stand out. But when she finds something, and someone, to fight for, she will discover that she is braver than she ever thought.

Dodge has never been afraid of Panic. His secret will fuel him, and get him all the way through the game, he’s sure of it. But what he doesn't know is that he’s not the only one with a secret. Everyone has something to play for.

For Heather and Dodge, the game will bring new alliances, unexpected revelations, and the possibility of first love for each of them—and the knowledge that sometimes the very things we fear are those we need the most.

What books are you "Waiting On" this week?