In the last book in the series - the main character has gone from divergent where she learned she was different, special, and because of this - in danger. Then, insurgent, where Tris and friends fight the evil leaders of various factions fighting for power. And now Tris is an allegiant - as in allegiant to the original purpose of the city: to raise up an army of divergents and send them out to help heal the world. The book begins with the characters first under scrutiny for their treasonous acts - revealing the truth - which they are excused. Some stay to form a rebel group to fight the faction less, while Tris and a few friends are commissioned to scout out the outside world. They are picked up and brought to a compound (Chicago O'Hare), where they learn their whole city has been part of an experiment by the Bureau of Genetic Welfare to heal the genetically damaged. They learn that city was part of an experiment trying to raise up more genetically pure. This future world was in its current state because in an attempt to eradicate unwanted behaviors, gene experimentation had been performed - but they quickly learned the mistake of this for if one gene was increased (let's say curiosity and learning) another was compromised (compassion). What ensued after generations was a division in humanity between the "genetically damaged" and the "genetically pure". The compound Tris becomes a part of is desperately trying to keep the experiments alive, at all costs, for seeming good - but Tris and her friends find the Bureau's deception and control just as evil as all they have lived through thus far, and decided to fight.
What I liked: I have enjoyed the series, following the characters in this future world. I liked how the author answered my questions of what happened after that, and what happened after that .... (I tend to to want extended endings, like when Lord of the Rings had like fifty endings it seemed, and I needed them all). The author wrapped up neatly, philosophically, and with some redemption - just how I like it. I liked the idea of a world within a world - it was a good plot twist. The idea of the "genetically pure" and the genetically damaged" while simple and too overt in the way they operated on their belief systems: "I'm better" and "There's something wrong with me" - is very much like the world today. It got me thinking not about racial/class/ etc. divisions but how people in this world like to consider themselves as good (or better than others) or damaged - while the whole point of needing Jesus is recognizing that we are all damaged - we all need help, not because we aren't good enough - but because we are worth it.
What I didn't like: A lot actually. I have lots of questions about this third book - it seemed to have too many inconsistencies. Like Tris and Four's relationship - it was so sweet, and suddenly Four is the one making bad decisions and they are having weird trust issues. They resolve this and realize they have to "choose to love" each other each day - and I don't buy it because 1) they are a bit young to already be having to choose to love each other, and 2) I have a thing about that sentiment of choosing to love someone. The tension in the people seems to be a take off on the 1970 blue eye/brown eye experiment - it's a bit too manufactured for TV - the genetically damaged versus the genetically pure. Some things didn't work logically either. Like the idea that many generations didn't venture out of the city - the book explained that a few did, and had their memories reset - but it wasn't believable that more wouldn't try - isn't it human nature to explore? Or that no character in the book made the connection that the genetically pure people were bad too - making lopsided decisions without compassion or remorse - exhibiting the same problems as the genetically damaged. Also, I'm not sure I liked the flip-flopping point of view between Tobias and Tris - I think I preferred one character's, and keeping Tobias a bit mysterious. I didn't like the killing off of the main character either - maybe it had to be done, but the good-bye scene between Tris and Four was so obvious that their plan that didn't appear so dangerous, was going to end with one of them dying. It was a made for film moment - and thus done terribly with extremely sentimental out of place lines about love and worth, giving such closure to their relationship that is wasn't believable. (Whereas the parting with Caleb was much more believable because it was in an instant, caught by surprise moment - as life is..)
Quotes:
"...we cannot possibly be as large as we feel . . . so small as to be negligible" (upon realizing their city's size in relation to the world)
"Isn't looking at the result of a belief a good way of evaluating if it's true?"
"I know what people who are stained with violence look like."
Terrible lines:
"Just leaving so that you can have the last word, that's really mature!"
"So is being suspicious of someone's motives just because she's pretty... I guess we're even."
"I stay with him because I choose to, every day that I wake up, every day that we fight or lie to each or disappoint each other. I choose him over and over again, and he chooses me."
Cheesy ending sentiment that I liked:
"Life damages us, every one. We can't escape that damage. But now, I am also learning this: We can be mended."
Rating: 4 of 5
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