The Faction-based Society in Divergent Trilogy Book 3: Allegiant

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.

Review:
From the very beginning of Divergent we see Tris's struggle that she feels like she isn't good enough for Abnegation, and that she believes her first instinct is to protect herself. Remember when Christina is hanging over the chasm and AL pulls her up and Tris wishes she could be more selfless? Guilty about her parents dying for her, guilty about killing Will, and wanting to make it right. So the fact that she sacrifices herself for Caleb, and everyone else who's lives would be completely erased and rewritten shows her growth as a character. Because at this point in the story it costs her something... it costs her forgiveness and giving up her future with Tobias.

As interesting as it was stylistically to switch chapters between Tris and Tobias's point of views, that creates a disjoint: there is none of the continuity of the first two books. Once you're immersed in Tris's narrative, her chapter ends, and suddenly you are forced to remove yourself from her brain and try to enter Tobias's head. Also, the style of voice for each character isn't quite differentiated enough to really allow this separation to fully take place.

The themes presented in this book. We finally get to figure out exactly who is pulling the strings in this new Chicago reality and what motivates the government. It is pretty creepy. In some ways I felt like it was a demented episode of The Truman Show. Creepy. There is the theme of the problem that comes about when those in authority take it upon themselves to manipulate others for "the common good." What is that exactly, and is it ever okay to take away someone's autonomy or freedom to protect it? There is a huge theme involving genetic research. Who are we when we discover that our genes are not "optimal?" Do our genes make us who we are or are we a product of our life experiences? So many fascinating things to thing about.

So, this is a book that may end up thrown across a lot of bedroom walls when the ending arrives. Be prepared for that. But also be prepared for a beautiful story of a people overcoming great odds to find some degree of autonomy and happiness in an incredibly messed up world.