Friday, October 25, 2013

Allegiant (Divergent #3) by Veronica Roth Review & ALTERNATE ENDING


Allegiant  (Divergent #3) by Veronica Roth
 
This is a young adult dystopian novel (Rated PG-13)
 
 
(One Lonely Heart)
 
 
Book Summary
 
One choice will define you.

What if your whole world was a lie?
What if a single revelation—like a single choice—changed everything?
What if love and loyalty made you do things you never expected?


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

Another disappointing series ender and I had high hopes. Let’s just say that I understand an author creativity and imagination are their own. However, at some point you must consider the reader. Maybe you don’t change your storyline, but you can consider if that is the ending is the only way to achieve the stories goals.

I will say my rating is emotional and not the author technical skill at crafting a well told story. It just was too much for me to bare not to show my displeasure in my rating.
I can’t possibly say more without spoilers, so if you haven’t read yet, don’t unless you want SPOILERS.
SPOILERS – below this line
I actually like the dual POV. That didn’t bother me much. And I can understand why Tris had to be the one to go in and release the memory serum. That is in her character.
However, David shooting and killing Tris didn’t further the story in anyway. I believe if an author decides to kill off an important character, there ought to be good reason. This felt very much like Andrea Cremer killing off a boy to solve a love triangle in the Nightshade series instead of letting the girl make a decision. This act by an author makes a reader reluctant to read anything in the future by him or her. NO one wants this devastation after following a series for so long. One year in between books.
So what happened after Tris’s death that made it necessary to kill her? Well let’s see. The troops didn’t rally to achieve a goal they weren’t sure of until her untimely death. Four/Tobias didn’t become a better man or make significant changes in his life as a result of her death. So what was the point? Shock value?
Some might say it was a way to show how one overcomes grief. That had already been achieved with Tris parents’ death, Uriah, Will, etc. This didn’t need to happen to show that.
Everything that came after Tris’s death still could have been achieved with her remaining alive. Personally, I wish they both died like Romeo and Juliet or they both lived rather than one to remain behind to grieve.
On a side note, I hate when author’s leave things open. Did Tris and Tobias have sex in that room or what? I can’t believe the author was cowardly enough to leave that for the reader to decide but had no problem giving Tris the ax.
In the end, I can’t support this series by ever recommended it. Nor will I see the movie in theatres or buy the DVD. I waited a couple of years to read this series as each book was released. I can wait however long to see the movie (if I still care by then) on cable as a part of my normal cable bill.
Audio Review
Emma Galvin and Aaron Stanford narrated. Aaron Stanford did an amazing job. Emma did a reasonably good job except I had a hard time discerning between Tris and Four in her narration which is quite a problem.
If you hated the ending as much as I did, I wrote on the fly about a half an hour after I finished an alternate ending. I don’t claim to be an author or Veronica Roth. My words are constructed half as well. And I may have series grammar or spelling issues. However, you will get an idea how with out much change I have altered the ending with Tris still alive. Much of the ending can remain the same. I didn’t spell out parts that were in the story. I only put the parts that I would change. You’ll get the idea. Enjoy. (my book boyfriend pic is below)


FAN FICITION ALTERNATE ENDING


TOBIAS

 “Where is everyone?” Amar says….

I see Cara….. That’s not what concerns me… “What is it,” I say… “Where is Tris?”…

Her eyes fill with tears and a tale spills from her mouth that I don’t want to believe. “Where is she?” I demand again and she turns shuffling through the halls with what looks like pain in each of her steps. I long to run. I need to see with my own eyes, but it takes forever and no time at all to get there.

Tris is lying in a bed as still as stone. Her pallor is pasty and grey. Just like Uriah, she looks as if she is sleeping. I reach for her hand and it is warm. The coma they put her in to stop the swelling on her brain could save her life but at what cost.

I am sad and angry, pissed and hurt. She may not live and for what? A brother who would have let her die? I want to yell at her and break up with her for doing this to me again. It didn’t matter she survived the death serum. It didn’t matter she saved us all… again by releasing the memory serum. She was damn lucky David wasn’t a good shot. He hit her in the chest causing one of her lungs to collapse. The other bullet hit her in the leg which was the worst blow. She collapsed and hit her head hard on the edge of the box and then the corner of the table as she went down. We know this by the evidence of her blood that stained those areas. And no one is sure she will survive.
~
Several days later…

We stand around Tris bed. The doctors have stopped administering the drug that has kept Tris from us. Work continues around the compound to teach those survivors the new truth that will stop the propaganda about “damaged genres” and I could care less. I haven’t slept well since coming back and finding the girl I love on the brink of death. Christiana has offered to hold vigil for me but I have refused just in case. Just in case she wakes up. And I want to be there when and not if she does. I haven’t eaten much except for a muffin or sandwich someone brings to me every now and then. And I only eat it because what use will I be to Tris if I’m dead from lack of eating or drinking.

Although the drug had been stopped several hours ago, the doctors said it would take time before she would wake up. And when her fingers flutter in my hand, I reluctantly called the others to let them know she was coming around. Part of me wanted to be selfish and keep this just for myself, but that’s not who I am.

When her eyes flutter open, I feel tears in my own. I blink them back hastily, not wanting to miss a moment through blurred vision. I long to be the first person she sees. I still hold her small hand not able to let that go. It’s been a constant reminder that she is still alive.

She blinks and her eyes don’t land on me. I try not being jealous of that. She surveys the circle of us, Christiana, Cara, Zeke, Caleb and me. When her eyes find mine I wait… and wait. Nothing. There is no recognition of me in her eyes. She looks back at Caleb and says his name.

The doctors who were huddled on her right side start taking her vitals. I can see they want us to leave but know we will not. I will not.

“Beatrice,” Caleb replies.

She gives him a small smile. Then it fades when her eyes drift to her hand, the one that I still hold. I realize that my grip has tightened in my fear of what her next words might be. I let go a little because I don’t want to hurt her.

She looks up at me before snagging her hand away. “Who are you?” And my world falls away.
~
I’m not sure how much time has passed. Tris doesn’t remember anyone but her brother. I want to laugh at the unfairness of it all. It was because of him she was in this state. But that doesn’t matter. The doctors explain that she has damage to her short term memory. And by short term they didn’t mean a few hours or days. They meant a few years. She doesn’t remember the choosing ceremony or me. She doesn’t remember her parents’ deaths.

Caleb has been the one to explain these things to her and not me. She doesn’t know or trust me yet and my heart continues to break.

Christiana has tried to be a friend to me. She’s even tried to explain that Tris will come around and that a love like ours won’t die. I want to believe her, but Tris won’t even allow me to visit. She is grieving again over the loss of her parents. And even though Cara has been explaining her past and me, she has refused to see me yet.
~
Two and a half years later

“How is your mother?” Tris asked.

“Fine, I guess.” It is weird to have my mother back or that we will share space.

Those thought die away as I look back at the girl. She is still small but her color is back. She looks a lot healthier.

It took a long time for Tris to allow me to get to know her. She is the same but different. She is the same with her determination. At the compound, once she was released from the hospital, she requested to see all the footage they had on her life including seeing her parents’ death. Still she didn’t seek me out even though I was sure she had to have seen our moments together.

I’d come close to taking the memory serum, not wanting to see Tris and not be with her. But Christiana save me from that fate. She had been right.  It would have been a cowardly way out. So biding my time with calm over the city, I persisted in my pursuit of her. We went on our first date a couple of months ago and it was strange but nice. She got to know me and I’m getting to know her. I don’t get to see her every day because she’s chosen to be a part of the police force which fits. I’m not at all surprised by her choice. However, she’s guarded with her heart. She’s only allowed me a hand full of dates. Part of me thinks that Christiana has convinced her to give me a chance. And I resent that she’s allowed Christiana and Caleb back in her life but not me. But the other part of me doesn’t care. I believe that if she loved me once, she will love me again.

With her standing so close, I long to pull her close and kiss her. I know better though.

Today, I’ve convinced her to go on this date because I’ve told her I wanted to face a fear. I’ve also explained that she loved doing this. That fierce nature of hers burns bright. And I’ve missed it. It’s been a few weeks since I seen her. She’s been busy doing this and that as she explained in those very words. As much as that bothered me, I’m still trying to be patient.

The wind whips around us as we stand on the platform. We are alone now, our friends down below.

I turn to look at her. Her small frame eclipses mine. Hers full of wonder and excitement. Mine lacking courage and full of fear.

She smiles and it feels like she hasn’t forgotten us. But I know different. “You’re going to love it,” she says with conviction. She’s holding the contraption that is the only thing that will save me from sure death. “Go face first.”

I still and turn back to face her after looking out over the daunting ledge. She steps over to me. On auto pilot, I lean down and into her because there was something in her words that takes me back to a past I thought I lost. I pause when I catch myself. I don’t want to spook her or stop this moment which feels like it may change things forever.

In a voice that is hesitant yet strong, she says, “Only Four…” And I’m not sure she is referring to my name or to the number of fears I had. “Only you… I’m beginning to remember.” Her mouth presses to mine in a kiss I thought I’d never feel again. I am so stunned, I barely hear her explain that her memories had started to come back in pieces. Although the doctors had explained that might be a possibility, with so much time passing, I didn’t think it would ever happen.

“Get in,” she says with a grin as bright as the sun.

And I do. Despite it all, this feels like a new beginning. It finally feels like I can move on. It finally feels right. And face forward, I zip line to my friends to await our future, too await the girl of my dreams. And nothing seems impossible. And it feels like I’m flying. And I am. I’m a high with the knowledge that life doesn’t have to end when bad things happen. Persistence, patience, kindness and understanding can get us all through anything and everything if we will let it. And I look back to chance a glance at the girl who changed my life forever.


My book boyfriend Tobias (as if it would be anyone else)


View all my reviews

*Disclaimer - I am not the owner of this picture. I found it on the web for causal fun use on my blog for which I receive no compensation. If this picture belongs to you (you are the copyright owner) please let me know and I will remove it.

14 comments:

  1. 1EEEEEEEEPPPPPPPPPPPPPP >_< so excited to start reading! Great review

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  2. Your ending is Wayyyy better and more emotionally fitting for this couple. I really enjoyed your analysis of this final book. I will not be recommending this series anymore as the ending was too traumatic for my liking. I will also not read the new novellas as this ended my love affair with the series

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    1. Thanks. I couldn't let it end the way she did. It just spoiled the whole series for me. :)

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  3. Thank you for writing this! This is how is should of ended!

    From now on when I think of Allegiant, this is the ending I will remember :)
    xoxo

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    1. That's so sweet. But true, not for my ego but for the simple fact it should have had a HEA.

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  4. Wow, you should rewrite the whole book Terri. That was amazing! Loved what you did there and it gave me goosebumps.

    I wish that really happened.

    Jeann @ Happy Indulgence

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    1. Thanks Jeann. I think I could have made Four/Tobias not come off so sappy, LOL. I really wish it happened to. I've earsed in my mind her ending. Sorry VR, there your creation but my enjoyment.

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  5. This is such a better ending. I wish the book really ended this way

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    1. Me too. It's so sad she felt the need to end it that way without much consideration to her fans. So sad. And thanks btw.

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  6. Thank you for it. I've been crying and have problems to sleep after reading Veronica's final. At least, you gave me hope and I can think that it all happened this way you wrote. Cheers from Brazil :)

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    1. Thanks!!! Glad to hear from you. I hope this helps. In my mind, it happened this way.

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  7. This is 10 times better than Veronica's ending and you did it in an hour and a half, she had 1 year and put that trash ending together. Well done, if I ever reread Divergent, insurgent and Allegiant I'll be stopping once Tris takes Caleb's place and just imagine your ending happened! Much better ending and actually makes sense. It feels "right" and not forced. You still have some heartache that clearly VR wanted but without the shock factor. I fear Veronica was looking only for the publicity, because it didn't make sense for Tris to die the way she did. Tris defeats the unbeatable "death serum" but dies from bullets, really after everything she's lived through, that's how VR thought she should die? So damn frustrating!

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    1. Thank you so much. It was a series I loved and found the ending to be terribly disappointing. I hope I was able to ease your pain. :)

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