Book Review - Allegiant

Title: Allegiant
Author: Veronica Roth
Series: Divergent (book 3)
Publisher: Harper Collins Children's Books
Release Date: 22 Oct 2013
ISBN-13: 978-0007524273

Synopsis
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.

My Review
I am a massive fan of this series and have been counting down until I could read this one. I then got sent a copy by the publishers (thank you soooo much Harper Collins!!!) As I've been doing NaNoWriMo this month I have had hardly any time to read and so this has been ongoing for 2 weeks, and it's been so hard. I have wanted to do nothing but sit and read this book but I had to keep stepping away. But now I have done it, I've finished, and I have been left a broken shell of a human. My heart has been ripped out, stomped on and put back in again. 
I did see some spoilers online, no matter how much I tried to avoid them they were there, I didn't even open any webpage that said it was to do with Divergent, but some people's post titles were full of spoilers and you can't miss those on the blogger dashboard. So I read this sitting on the edge of my seat, constantly waiting for something to happen, dreading it all the time and wondering exactly how it would happen and who it would affect. (I hope I am being vague enough that I don't ruin it for anyone else.)
I actually made time to re-read Divergent and Insurgent before I picked this one up, in fact I read both of them in one weekend, i luckily got them in before November started. Which meant that going into this book the rest of the events and people were fresh in my mind. I find I enjoy books so much more when I have a full idea of everything that's going on.
This book is told from 2 perspectives: Tris and Tobias (Four), I was quite excited to read from Tobias' point of view as he has been one of my favourite characters in this series and I wasn't disappointed overall. He is definitely not the same character we started out with, he has grown, changed, developed. At some points he seemed a little weaker, I was used to the strong, self-certain Four that we meet in book 1, but I got used to his softer side and started to appreciate his weaknesses and insecurities just as Tris did. 
Tris has also changed, she has gone from uncertain transfer, to reckless dauntless girl willing to run head-first into any situation, to a real mature young lady, who still just wants to do the right thing but lets others in to help her too. 
We still have a host of other characters that we have come to know throughout the series, Christina, Cara, Caleb, Peter and more, but then we have a host of new faces from beyond the fence, beyond the control of the Factions, Factionless and it's uprisings. And I enjoyed discovering this new area with Tris and her friends. 
The writing in this book was just as beautiful as the previous two. Roth has a way with words that makes you feel like you are being swept up into the story and taken on a journey. I felt like I was part of the action, I felt Tris' emotions and pain, I wanted to rally at her side and hug her when things didn't work out. 
I also love the way she presents Tris and Tobias' relationship, there is none of the 'insta-love', or obsession or whiney teens, they argue, they talk, they lose control, they make mistakes, they become friends, they are not perfect. But it feels real, it feels natural, it shows you that no relationship is perfect, but if you put the effort in, it can work.
I absolutely adore one quote that sums up their relationship, from Page 372:
"I fell in love with him. But I don't just stay with him by default as if there's no one else available to me. I stay with him because I choose to, every day that I wake up, every day that we fight or lie to each other or disappoint each other. I choose him over and over again, and he chooses me."
I mean, how beautiful is that, it's like poetry, magic in the written word. My heart is melting. 

Now for SPOILERS!!!!! 
If you don't want anything given away don't read past here. I will not hold back, you have been warned!!! Skip down to the 'Spoilers over' alert to see my rating.

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So, the story is all exciting and powering along, people are leaving, dying, being killed, plans are being formulated on all sides, things are happening and it's all very action packed. But Oh my goodness, I can't believe she did it. 
How could she kill her? She started it all, she is the story! I just can't. I finished this book in my lunch break at work today and was literally crying in the staff room. I had to go back to work 5 minutes after reading the last page and I just couldn't function. I literally had one of those moments where my world was shattered but everyone else was carrying on around me and I couldn't understand how they could. I had to stop and catch my breath. I felt broken.
I honestly thought Tris would live. The spoiler I mentioned above that I saw before I read the book was that a main character died, so I was partially prepared, but I thought it would be Christina or maybe even Four, I hoped it wouldn't be Four, but thought it might be. But I never considered that she would get rid of Tris. That took me totally by surprise. 
Even up to the point of her final moment I was convinced somehow she would get out of it, survive somehow. But no, she was taken away, struck down and I couldn't believe it. But in some ways that made it all the more beautiful and the story just that bit more powerful. This book really did leave me breathless and hurt and angry and hopeful and sad and happy and totally devastated. It made me feel, it made me care. It completely sucked me in, I was invested and there was no way out. 

I thought the ending was beautiful, I loved Tobias' tribute to Tris, it was perfect. Just *sigh*.

It feels like I have said goodbye to a close group of friends but I know I can always go back and visit and they will welcome me back. And I can enjoy the journey with them again. 

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SPOILERS OVER!!!! 

SO overall I have to say that this series is firmly in my 'all time favourites' pile. It will always hold a place in my heart and i will rave about it for years to come. I cannot wait for the films and I know I will re-read them a number of times.
Just beautiful. Veronica Roth - you are one hell of a writer.

My Rating