Four: A Divergent Collection by Veronica Roth [Review]

Written by: Veronica Roth.

Published by: HarperCollins.

Format: Hardback.

Released: 8th July 2014.

Rating: 5/5.

Official synopsis: "Complete your Divergent library with Four! Fans of the Divergent series by #1 New York Times bestselling author Veronica Roth will be thrilled by Four: A Divergent Collection, a companion volume that includes four pre-Divergent stories plus three additional scenes from Divergent, all told from Tobias's point of view. Readers first encountered Tobias as "Four" in Divergent. His voice is an integral part of Allegiant. Readers will find more of this charismatic character's backstory told from his own perspective in Four: A Divergent Collection. When read together, these long narrative pieces illuminate the defining moments in Tobias's life. The first three pieces in this volume—"The Transfer," "The Initiate," and "The Son"—follow Tobias's transfer from Abnegation to Dauntless, his Dauntless initiation, and the first clues that a foul plan is brewing in the leadership of two factions. The fourth story, "The Traitor," runs parallel with the events of Divergent, giving readers a glimpse into the decisions of loyalty—and love—that Tobias makes in the weeks after he meets Tris Prior."

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This year has been a very exciting year for fans of Veronica Roth and her epic trilogy. Not only did we get to finally see the world of Divergent come to life in March/April (dependant on where you live in the world, seeing as the movie industry seem to love delaying films here in the UK...) with the release of the first movie in what is promising to be a visually beautiful and epic series of films but we also get to go deeper into the mind of one of the best characters in the series. Four!

When Veronica first announced that she was writing four short stories about, well... FOUR, I was so pumped! I loved the trilogy so so much that it didn't matter what it was Veronica was writing about, so long as it went back into that world be it before Four meets Tris or after or whatever it was, I didn't care, I would be happy. I just wanted more, more, more. I genuinely cannot get enough of the world that Veronica created. And as well as that I always liked Four, in fact I downright loved him, especially the more we got see of him, so to get inside his head, even more than we did in the chapters he narrated in Allegiant was an exciting prospect and I couldn't want to get started.

Fast forward to July and thanks to Barnes and Nobles in America I now have a signed Veronica Roth book... Yes! SIGNED! I squealed with excitement and danced like a nutjob but I loved it and I love my copy! I wanted to go and meet her when she came over here last November to promote Allegiant but I couldn't make it thanks to work, and then when I went to the Divergent premiere earlier this year I just couldn't get close enough which was a shame, so I finally got a signed copy which makes me happy!

We start things off with last years The Transfer, which was initially published just before the final instalment in the trilogy. It follows Four when he was still Tobias, living in Abnegation with his horrid father, Marcus. He's scared and alone and knows he must get away. When I got my copy, I was in two minds as to whether I should re-read it or not, seeing as I had read it when it was released on its own and I decided against it so I could get on with the other three new stories.

The Initiate was the first new look into Tobias' head as goes through Dauntless initiation. Parts of it felt a bit like a sense of deja vu, as some sections are pretty similar to the initiation process Tris went through in Divergent. However, with Four's voice, this little niggle soon disappeared and I found myself really being sucked in to Tobias' head. I also really like that with this novella we get to see his initial reactions to his fear landscape and the moment he earns the name he had when we first met him. Something I also loved was seeing Eric as the underdog. Throughout Divergent it seems like Eric has some kind of power complex and is wary of Four and here we see why, because Four was so much better than him in initiation.

Now, The Son really trounced all my expectations. I had thought it would revolve around Marcus. Didn't we all? But no, it's different and I really liked that it gives us a real insight into what is to come in the main trilogy as Four learns that his mother isn't actually dead and that she is already trying to recruit him into her Factionless folds. 

And finally The Traitor brings us up to speed, overlapping with key scenes from the first book of the trilogy. It was great getting Four's initial thoughts about Tris, what he thought she was like, how much he liked her. It was just fun to see and it also answers an age old question that I know has plagued me for so long.... How did some of the Abnegation know the Dauntless were going to attack them one day? The answer lies within The Traitor.

Before the book is over however, there are three fan favourite scenes from the first book written from Four's point of view and I loved that little insight too. Things like that are just so fun to read, aren't they?!?!

Overall, Four is a great addition. Casual readers might not be that fussed about it, and I've seen a lot of reviews where people have said that they feel these short stories add nothing to the story, that they are pointless and just an excuse for HarperCollins and Veronica to make more money. But I couldn't disagree more. For big fans of the series, like myself, this little collection gives an insight into one of our favourite characters. It shows him grow from a scared boy, terrified of his father and of the violence he has faced, into a strong, confident, dark and brooding young man that sweeps Tris Prior off her feet and helps save the city. It is a definite read for the people who are obsessed with everything Divergent. 

As ever, Roth's writing is fantastic. Engrossing and to the point, you're driven forward through page after page just wanting to see what Four will say or think next.

I for one loved this collection and quite honestly would read ANYTHING written in this world. I have fallen in love with the world of Divergent and I cannot believe this is the last time we get to venture into it. There is so much potential out there for the world. So many ways that Roth can explore it. Some would say it would be ridiculous, a blatant cash machine... But look at the likes of Cassandra Clare who pretty much only writes within the world of the Shadowhunters... It's worked for her and continues to do so. Imagine a collection of short stories about different divergents over the years? Or something to do with Edith Prior? There is so much more that could be done and I for would would love to get just another glimpse of what lies within the fence.

Waiting On Wednesday: Four - A Divergent Collection

Four: A Divergent Collection by Veronica Roth

publishes 8th July 2014.

"Two years before Beatrice Prior made her choice, the sixteen-year-old son of Abnegation’s faction leader did the same. Tobias’s transfer to Dauntless is a chance to begin again. Here, he will not be called the name his parents gave him. Here, he will not let fear turn him into a cowering child.

Newly christened “Four,” he discovers during initiation that he will succeed in Dauntless. Initiation is only the beginning, though; Four must claim his place in the Dauntless hierarchy. His decisions will affect future initiates as well as uncover secrets that could threaten his own future—and the future of the entire faction system. 

Two years later, Four is poised to take action, but the course is still unclear. The first new initiate who jumps into the net might change all that. With her, the way to righting their world might become clear. With her, it might become possible to be Tobias once again. 

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Veronica Roth comes a companion volume to the worldwide bestselling divergent series, told from the per-spective of the immensely popular character Tobias. The four pieces included here—The Transfer, The Initiate, The Son, and The Traitor—plus three additional exclusive scenes, give readers an electrifying glimpse into the history and heart of Tobias, and set the stage for the epic saga of the Divergent trilogy."

I fell completely head over heels in love with the Divergent trilogy as any long term followers of my blog will know. I was lucky enough to get a early proof copy back in 2010 before the book came out and since then I have been a mega fan of all things Roth and a certain Mr. Tobias "Four" Eaton. So this book is going to be right up my street, I just know it. The only problem I have is that this is the US cover so it'll take a bit longer to get to me but I have to have the US cover so it matches my hardbacks I also got from America because those covers slay! Flaw free! I am so excited! Roll on July! Only another month!!!

Competition: Win tickets to the UK premiere for DIRVERGENT!!!!!

First off, yes I know I've been quite lately, there's been a lot going on and I have been in a MEGA reading slump but I'm hoping that's over now, so you'll be seeing a lot of me in the very near future... anyway... EXCITING THINGS... Let's get on with it shall we?

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Have you ever wanted to go to a movie premiere? Sit alongside the stars of the film and watch it with them? Well, now you can because I have a very exciting opportunity for you today. Thanks to the amazing guys over at HarperCollins UK, I have a pair of tickets to give away to the UK/European premiere for the movie adaptation of Divergent!!! Cue lots of squealing... I for one am so excited for the film and cannot wait to see it! I'll be there, along with lots of other bloggers, so it's set to be an amazing day! Here is some more info about the premiere and about the Divergent Experience which is being held in London over the course of Saturday and Sunday! So exciting!!!

Experience the world of the hotly anticipated DIVERGENT movie in Leicester Square and attend the EUROPEAN PREMIERE!

On Saturday March 29th and Sunday March 30th Leicester Square will be transformed into the dystopian world of DIVERGENT, where fans will be invited to undergo initiation tests and, like Tris Prior, choose where they belong. Would you survive in Dauntless? Fans will be put through their paces with Dauntless training to see if you are brave enough to join their faction!

But that’s not all – we have a pair of tickets for the European premiere of DIVERGENT at Odeon Leicester Square on the Sunday at 1.30pm, attended by stars of the film Shailene Woodley, Theo James and Kate Winslet! So not only can you discover the world for yourself, you can walk the red carpet, mingle with the stars and watch the film before it’s released in the UK!

Enter here for your chance to win this once in a lifetime experience! If you aren’t lucky this time, you are still in with a chance - get down to Leicester Square early as we will also be giving out a limited number of premiere tickets to fans on both days!

The Divergent Fan Experience Timings

Saturday March 29th 
11.00am – 6.00pm

Sunday March 30th
11.00am – 12.00pm
3.00pm – 6.00pm

Premiere timings

Sunday March 30th 
Doors open – 1.30pm
Doors close – 2.30pm
Film starts 3.00pm

Now there are a few terms for this competition... 

1) You have to be atleast 18 to enter, or if not you have to be accompanied by a parent/guardian.

2) You have to be able to make your own way to London, THIS SUNDAY, 30th March.

3) The competition ends on Thursday at 9am, simply because I have to get your info over to the publisher who will be getting in contact with you about the full info!

All you have to do to enter is leave a comment below with your email address broken up so for example empire-of-books [at] live [dot] co [dot] uk, just so you don't get any spam, AND your favourite scene from any of the three books in the Divergent trilogy! I'll pick the best one!

So what are you waiting for? You can be sat in the same room and Theo James!!! Who doesn't want that? I do!

Good luck, and see you there!

Allegiant by Veronica Roth [Review]

WARNING: Allegiant is the third and final book of the Divergent trilogy. That said this review WILL contain spoilers. I'm sorry but it's just so unavoidable, for reasons that, if you've read the book, you will understand. It is practically impossible to review this book without talking about major plot points that take place. If you have yet to read Allegiant, or even the first two books in the series, Divergent and Insurgent, then I beg of you, please do not read this review or you will have an awesome reading experience ruined and that sucks! Honestly, HUGEMONGOUS spoilers! Turn away!!!

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US // UK

Written by: Veronica Roth.

Published: HarperCollins.

Format: Hardback.

Released: 22nd October 2013.

Rating: 4.5/5.

Official synopsis: "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."

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Oh boy. Oh boy, oh boy, oh boy. Where on earth do I start? Please bear with me, there is just so much to talk about and process, it's unreal. 

So, for those that follow me on twitter, you'll know I have been banging on about the impending release of Allegiant for ages. I have been so excited about it, as I get for most concluding parts of a series or trilogy. Something about the wait for Allegiant though found me more impatient than I've been for the finale of a series since I read Mockingjay and the wait then was just a mere month as I was only introduced to The Hunger Games in the July as Mockingjay came out in the August. But with Divergent and Allegiant I've been there since the beginning. In fact, since before the book even came out! I was lucky enough to recieve a proof copy of Divergent from HarperCollins UK way back in March 2011 and at the time I thought it looked amazing but the idea didn't really grip me. And then like millions of others I actually started reading and instantly fell in love with this world of factions, serums and war.

Fast forward to May 2012 when Insurgent came out and it was even better, in my opinion of course, than the first book. Cue massive hysteria when it was announced that the third book in the series wouldn't come out right until the end of 2013... 18 months of no Tris, no Four/Tobias, no factions, no nothing. How would we cope? How would we survive? Well we did and that time went pretty darn fast.

So I guess I should talk about the book itself since that's what we're here for...

I'm not going to lie to you. Allegiant isn't perfect. It isn't and that is a fact. There has been a huge, massive, colossal backlash surrounding the book and I'll be honest I don't get why... Yes, the book's middle is kind of boring. Not incredibly boring, only slightly. I still felt the need to read on, to turn the page to find out what was going to happen next. Tris, Four and the gang leave the city to see what exactly is going on in the outside world and they're introduced to a world where war has raved America. An organisation has been tasked with working out where humanity went wrong and as fare as they're concerned it's all down to genes. Bad genes. They believe there is an answer in human DNA as to why war destroyed so much of the population and they believe that there is a way that they can fix it. That's exactly what the city is. It's an experiment and they've been under surveillance the entire time, their whole lives monitored in the name of science. Suddenly, Tris learns what it truly is to be a Divergent. Being honest, it's not as exciting to be a Divergent as I thought it would be, but overall it actually makes sense in the grand scheme of things and it does work with the story.

The whole science aspect of the story is kind of brushed over pretty quick and sometimes I did find myself getting a little confused. I think the science part was one thing, if the only thing that annoyed me about the book a bit. I'm not a huge science-fiction fan, I'm not. I just don't really get it that much. Sometimes it's good but other times it's not. It just felt a bit out of place in Allegiant. I get that it was part of the story and in a way it makes sense but at the same time it just felt weird. For the past two books it's been a strictly dystoian affair, so to throw a bit of sci-fi in at the last minute kind of threw me off a bit. It made the book seem a bit less dystopia which I didn't like.

Something I loved about the book though was the dual narrative. Now, I love Tobias, can't get enough of him, so it's perfect that he has a time to really shine in Allegiant. In fact, the narrative is pretty much 50/50 so we get to see both Tris and Tobias' opinions on everything. It also works because there are times where the couple are split up, doing different things, on their own little missions so to speak, so it's good that we don't just have to follow one thread and then hear about the other in past tense, a re-telling or whatever. It just made it feel so much more immediate which I liked.

Onto characters! Tris is her usual, unfathomable self. One minute I'd find myself liking her again, agreeing with what she was saying and doing. And then others I was squirming in my seat as I read, almost not wanting to turn the page to see what stupid thing she'd do next. If anyone has seen the trailer for the movie adaptation of Divergent, due for release in March, then you'll see Janine (played by Kate Winslet) saying that she is a mixture of impurities and impulses and she's damn right. Something that is shown even more so in Allegiant is her impulses. She doesn't seem to think about the effects her actions will have on others. Not even Tobias. She just seems to act and then thinks later, oops, maybe I shouldn't of done that. She's so selfish. So obnoxious and you have to wonder at times when she does certain things why people want to be around her. It can be tiring to read as I so want to like Tris, I do. She isn't a particularly likeable character but this can be a good thing. It does make her real and it shows that even a supposed hero isn't perfect, no matter what it is they do. It is in turn something that does make her kind of likeable in a weird way. She's full of flaws and that's something that people need to learn.

Tobias now... Well, what is there to say about Tobias? He just exudes this masculinity that's needed, he's so different to Tris that they kind of work together. He's quiet, thoughtful and as he has been in the previous two books, brooding. He seems to think a lot more than he says, never giving too much away, and the fact that we get to read the book partly from his voice too adds to this and is something I personally loved, getting to see his internal thoughts, seeing that he's even more complex than we already know. He's not as strong as he seems, and this is a part of the story that does make me with it was just Tris narrating the story. He kind of loses some of his tough guy exterior and we see even more that it's just a front. I love Four and Tobias seems so far away from the guy that we first met during Dauntless initiation in book one. That said he still my favourite character in the trology. He doesn't share the selfish nature that Tris has, he contemplates everything before he does it, even when he helps rebels in the compound outside of the city who are determined to bring down the Bureau who are running the experiments - they've treated his life as entertainment, a problem that needs solving, and he has the power to do something about it, but still he thinks before commuting  And something I love about Tobias that Tris doesn't really have that much of is a conscience. Yes, she feels guilty about killing Will, but it kind of stops there. After things go wrong with the rebellion against the Bureau, Tobias is so full of guilt.

So much of Allegiant and indeed the trilogy itself is about choices. The choice to do what is right for one person, or the choice to do what is right for thousands of people. 

I like that we get to learn more about Tris's family and their history, stretching back to Edith Prior, or Amanda Ritter as she was known before she was entered into the experiment - I also liked the twist surrounding her mum and where she came from, what her purpose was in the city. Although I do wish we had seen more fighting in the book, more of a battle. Yes, there was a bit of battle, but nothing on the scale of those in Insurgent and at the end of Divergent. In places, I guess Allegiant was a little anti-climatic, just because everything kind of slotted in to place without have to be moulded to fit kind of thing.

And I guess I should also talk about the ending. The whole reason for the backlash. Now... there are those of us out there who believe that every book, every trilogy, series, and indeed every story, be it written or film, should end with a happy outcome. I've seen a lot of comments the last few days, in particular when I went looking for them after finishing the book about how Veronica has betrayed her readers. That she led us into a false sense of security only to pull the matt out from under us and leave us out to dry. I've seen comments that it is an authors DUTY to end a story happily as it gives people hope, in particular that YA fiction should he full of hope and happiness after the sadness that's proceeded it. Well I have one thing to say about that. I think it's bullshit. Absolute rubbish. I HATE that everything ends with a happy ending. It gets so boring, so repetitive. Yes, it's nice to know that love conquers, that good wins over evil and that everyone lives in the process but that's not giving people hope, it's giving people a false sense of reality. What I think people need to realise is that Veronica owes people no happy ending at all. It's her book. Her trilogy and she can end it as she see's fit. The way that any writer should be able to. 

In fact, I admire Veronica. It's a brave decision to kill of your main character. Big time. I doubt she did is flippantly and thought, well I wanna shock people. I bet she did it because it's the way she saw the trilogy ending. What people need to realise is, with these books and with books in the same vain, dystopian books, stories about war, is that bad things happen when you are at war. And people die. It's a fact. I don't see, personally, why that should be shied away from. Yeah, it would of been great if Tris hadn't of died and that her and Four lived a happy life after the factions and everything they've been through, that they had children and continued their lives. But the ending we got is just as good, I feel anyway. It's true to Tris' character. She acts on impulse and it's impulse, and her lack of consideration for what her actions do to others, that leads to her death. She sacrifices herself because she can't bear to see other people die for her, not after her parents, and I for one admire Tris as a character for that. She kind of redeemed herself although now poor Tobias has to go it alone.

I liked the epilogue at the end as well. It was good seeing Tobias a few years down the line, now that he's made a niche for himself in the world. He's still angry with Tris for leaving him, but he's trying to move on, to forgive her and the scenes at the very end are so beautiful that after the tears had already started a few chapters earlier with Tris' demise (yes I cried a bit because it was very beautifully written and emotional, so what...) they just flowed. I wish that there'd been more about the way people were adapting to life without the factions - that bit felt kind of rushed, they way no one was really bothered about it any more, that life went on with no questions asked. I felt that Evelyn's changes were very out of character but they were well written so that kind of makes up for it. But over all the ending was very good and I for one am satisfied. I know that in years to come I will re-read the trilogy again and again because my love for it is so great that even if I had hated the ending I would of still loved the trilogy regardless.

I know so many others will dislike the ending, but then I guess it's that way with every series, right? Some people hated the way JK Rowling ended the series with Deathly Hallows. Some people hate the end of Mockingjay. And now some people hate the way that Veronica ended the trilogy with Allegiant. But for those people there will be countless others that realise that at the heart of it all is a book that is well written and gives a good sense of closure, that no matter what their opinion of a book is, there is no good reason to give an author death threats like Veronica has been receiving this week. And that no matter what, an author only has a duty to themselves to write the story as they believe it and that will have to be good enough.

Buy from Amazon UK (UK edition)

Buy from Amazon US (US edition - the best cover!!!!)

The Transfer by Veronica Roth [Review]

Written by: Veronica Roth.

Published by: HarperCollins.

Format: eBook.

Released: 3rd September 2013.

Rating: 4/5.

Official synopsis: "More Four! Fans of the Divergent series by No. 1 New York Times bestselling author Veronica Roth will be thrilled by ‘The Transfer’, the first of four new short stories told from Four’s perspective. Each brief story explores the world of the Divergent series through the eyes of the mysterious but charismatic Tobias Eaton, revealing previously unknown facets of his personality, back story and relationshops."

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The Transfer is the first of four short stories in an episodic series about one of our favourite characters to come from Veronica Roth's Divergent trilogy. Four, or as he is also known Tobias, himself.

It is, as I've already mentioned, a short story. Amazon says it comes in at about 24 pages, but there's quite a bit packed in to this little volume. We meet Tobias back in his Abnegation life, with his father terrifying the life out of him. I really like that, and it looks like we're going to get more, we get an insight in to his thinking, his mind. We see the internal conflict going on as he tries to decide between factions and whether or not he can bear to stand the rest of his life under his fathers gaze and fists.

This is well written and very good, and whilst it is quite similar to Tris' own entrance to Dauntless life, it's great to get someone else's perspective, and well, you can never get enough of Four. I'm really looking forward to seeing how he develops into the character we meet in Divergent.

I for one cannot wait to read the next three parts of this little collection to get more of an insight into Tobias. There's a break in the release of these novellas next month because we get the biggie itself, the final book of the trilogy, Allegiant, and there's nothing in November so I'm guessing HarperCollins and Veronica think we need a month to calm down after reading the finale! So... The Initiate follows in December, The Son in January and finally The Traitor in February and then there'll be a bind up of all of them released in physical form, which I for one cannot wait for. I love the US cover because it looks exciting so I'll definitely be importing that in when it comes out in February!

ALLEGIANT UK cover art unveiled!

So last week the cover art for the US edition of Allegiant, the third and final book in Veronica Roth's incredible Divergent trilogy was unveiled and now we're on my home turf. UK cover, holla at me!

Now... I like it. A lot. It's got blue. It's got Tris. It's got feathers. It's great. I much prefer the blue to the US's orange but that's just because blue if my favourite colour. That said I prefer the US art just because it is so epic and I love the font they use for the titles. The font on this one just looks naff.

(All 3 UK covers...)

Either way, I can't wait! This is the first time we're getting the book in hardback in the UK and you just know this book s going to stand out! It's so much nice than the UK covers for Divergent and that horror that was Insurgent so at least there has been improvement. I'm still importing my Us hardback though. Couldn't not. I need that complete set. Roll on 22nd October! 

ALLEGIANT cover art!!!!

Argh! So the day has finally arrived, and I know my post is about 4 hours late but hey, ho, what can you do when you're stuck at work? Not a lot... That's what! Anyway! I am here now and I have to say wowwwwweeeeee!

I MEAN!!!!!! Come on! Look at it. Gah. It's so beautiful. The colour. The symbol. Oh my days, the symbol... it isn't a faction symbol!!!!?!?!?! Who would of thought it? So much speculation over whether it'd be the Erudite symbol or Amity and it's neither! What! Direct from Veronica's own blog (which can be found here...) we know that it's a new symbol and one which will obviously play a role in Allegiant. All I know is I cannot wait for that package to come in from Amazon US holding what is bound to be a stunning hardback! Cannot wait!

Allegiant is due 22nd October, and the UK cover is yet to be unveiled!

Are you excited for Allegiant? What do you think will happen? Who do you think will survive! The answers are so close and yet so far away!

Allegiant tagline unveiled!

So the official Divergent facebook page just officially unveiled the tagline for Allegiant, the third and final book of the trilogy which comes out on 22nd October! This is the tag that will appear on the cover (for the US artwork anyway, but I shall be getting a US hardback anyway so can't wait!!!)... 

One choice will define you. GAH!

What do you think? Do you like it? Comment below! I like it. I just can't wait to read it. Be sure to look out for the cover which is being unveiled this week... 9th May I think! :D

Divergent 3 finally gets a title...

Eep. I've been waiting for this day for ages. The day that the title for the third and final book in the Divergent series will finally FINALLY be announced!

I'll be honest, part of me had hoped for it to be called Convergent, just because I like that word. But Allegiant it is and Allegiant it shall be. I just cannot wait to read it. The cover is being unveiled next month and the book itself is out, as you can see above, on 22nd October! Can't wait!

What do you guys think of the title? Do you like it? Are you excited to read it, regardless of what it's called?

Divergent Movie News: Four is cast...

I am a huge fan of the Divergent books... well the first two that are out already, and I am dying for the third one which isn't out until October (welp...) but we also have the Divergent movie to look forward to. It starts shooting in the next few months and is due for release next March and there is obviously a lot of excitement surrounding the project. There's a big ol' Divergent fandom out there and it's growing by the day, and as with other fandom's they're quite protective over the series and want to make sure things are done right.

And casting is a very important thing to members of any fandom! 

We already knew Tris had been cast. Actress Shailene Woodley with play the lead. And we know that Kate Winslet is due to appear in the film somewhere, somehow, many suspecting she'll play Tris's mum or Jeanine...

Well now we have Four! There's been a lot of rumours about Four. Alex Pettyfer has long been mentioned to be in the running and a few weeks ago someone said he'd been confirmed and there was a bit of an uproar. Personally, I don't think Alex is right for the role, and thankfully neither did the makers of the film. Because one Theo James has now been cast as Four. Check him out below looking all moody and dark - kind of Four-ish, right? He is 29, so 10 years older or so than the character... but it's the movies, they can make people look older, so why not younger?! I personally think he could be good. He looks a bit like I imagined Four, only a bit older but that, like I already said can be sorted out.

What are your thoughts on Theo? He was in The Inbetweeners Movie a few years back and was good in it. I for one just cannot wait to see this film!

Divergent 3 gets official release date

Another trilogy is coming to a close this year. The Divergent trilogy by Veronica Roth. I cannot explain my pure and utter love for these books. Divergent = Amazing. Insurgent = Incredible. I cannot wait to see how Book 3 ranks. For months there has been speculation. About the title. When it's going to come out. What will happen. And now we are getting closer to knowing the answer to all of those questions. We now have an official release date... and a placeholder cover to go "OOOH" at... I hope the cover ends up being that kind of colour. Had envisioned purple... but I like this shade of colour...

Anyway... It is out on...

22nd October!!!!

Yikes I am excited. Eep.

Insurgent by Veronica Roth [Review]

WARNING!!!! Insurgent is a sequel, and I can't talk about it without talking about key points of the first book, Divergent, so if you haven't yet read it, please do not read this review or the spoilers contained within!! There may also be some spoilers for Insurgent, as it's so tightly woven it's hard not to... But I'll try my best!

Written by: Veronica Roth.

Published by: Harper Collins.

Format: Paperback.

Released: 1st May 2012.

Rating: 5/5.

Official synopsis: "One choice can transform you—or it can destroy you. But every choice has consequences, and as unrest surges in the factions all around her, Tris Prior must continue trying to save those she loves—and herself—while grappling with haunting questions of grief and forgiveness, identity and loyalty, politics and love. Tris's initiation day should have been marked by celebration and victory with her chosen faction; instead, the day ended with unspeakable horrors. War now looms as conflict between the factions and their ideologies grows. And in times of war, sides must be chosen, secrets will emerge, and choices will become even more irrevocable—and even more powerful. Transformed by her own decisions but also by haunting grief and guilt, radical new discoveries, and shifting relationships, Tris must fully embrace her Divergence, even if she does not know what she may lose by doing so. New York Times bestselling author Veronica Roth's much-anticipated second book of the dystopian Divergent series is another intoxicating thrill ride of a story, rich with hallmark twists, heartbreaks, romance, and powerful insights about human nature."

Flash back twelve months, and the bloggosphere was a-buzz with word of a début novel from some woman called Veronica Roth. It was called Divergent, and it came in riding the wave of distopian fiction that has been steadily increasing after the success of The Hunger Games. But... Divergent wasn't, and isn't, like those other books that just ride the wave. Divergent was the one that broke the wave and brought it crashing to shore with a smash.

Fast forward to today, and now it's time for Insurgent to crest the wave and smash into all of our lives.

I'm not going to beat around the bush here. You need to read this book. It's not a case of "you probably should... it's good you know," it's a case of you simply must! No two ways about it. 

Tris' life is in even more danger than before. She, along with Tobias (Four), her brother Caleb, and Tobias' estranged father Marcus, have barely escaped the city with their lives. Erudite are everywhere, with their mind-controlled Dauntless soldiers, they are on a mission to hunt down the Divergent rebels, and they will stop at nothing.

I really only have one grievance with Insurgent. For me, it's as near to perfection as a book can get, especially a sequel, a second book, the middle of the trilogy no doubt, which is always tricky territory. I had wondered whether Veronica would be able to do it again. And while she has, there is one part of the overall plot that's bugging me a little bit. It is quite spoilery... so I have changed the colour of the text, so if you've read the book you can just highlight it and read, otherwise, if you want to read it regardless, you can just highlight it anyway... So many Divergents! Yeah, I know there have been several over history within the world the books are set in. But it kind of annoys me that here's Tris, this girl who has to hide because of what she is, because the way in which her brain works, and then... ooh... here's another Divergent. And another. And another. And another. I just... I don't know. For me, it kind of detracts from the whole "we need a hero" feel. We need a leader, someone who leads us through the plot, into the pending mass revolution, the final battle and I don't really get that feel any more. I kind of feel like that aspect of the book, of having the protagonist has kind of been taken away. And while it may sound major, for me it's not. It's just annoying really!

Regardless of that though, Insurgent truly is a beauty of a book. The writing is taut and rich, the prose engaging, and the characters just as flawed and real as loveable as ever. Tobias is my favourite I think. He's so complex and you can never really get a true hold of him, which is something I like in a character. We all love a bit of mystery right? I love when authors have a true ability to make you care about the characters, and it's something that Roth seems to have down to a tee! I don't just care about these characters, I love them! So much so that at times I was nearly pulling out my hair in frustration (at their actions...), feeling for them in their grief (we're at war folks, and people are going to die...) and grieving for them. I actually liken reading this book in particular to my reading experience of Mockingjay. Both in terms of character and of plot. We are at war, and war is exhausting. Reading Mockingjay was an emotionally exhausting experience, one I have re-encountered with Insurgent. And while people may say "but Ryan, why read a book that makes you feel miserable?" Well... because while it does get me down a little, they are so well written and just so beautiful in the whole. A good book does leave a mark on you, regardless of what it's about, and boy does  Insugent hit the mark and stay there!

Plot wise, despite my earlier point, the book is incredibly strong. The whole faction aspect is even more ingenious when looked at now, after Insurgent. The way they all interact with one another, they way they think of one another. Erudite in particular. Whilst I am part of Team Erudite UK for the release of the book, I will say I would like a transfer! They really are not nice! Ha. 

Only downside apart from my earlier point is the cover. I'm not going to lie, I really do not like the new UK look for the books. I just don't. They're nice, but they're not right. To be honest, I'm glad I read Divergent before the cover was released. I'm not one for judging a book by its cover, I don't agree with it. But the new covers make it look chic-flic gone futuristic, and it just doesn't suit these books. The US covers though... Spot. On. Hence why I have ordered a copy from America which I cannot wait to have in my possession. Whilst the UK cover is better in person, I'll give it that, it's just still not right. I am hoping, and praying that Haper Collins might just change the cover back, I doubt they will but a guy can hope right?

I'm going to close this review off now, it's already over 920 words long... Oops! I, quite simply, cannot wait for the third and final book (which I want, for some odd reason, to be called Convergent!! Don't ask why... just seems like it'd fit). I get the feeling that bigger things are to come and I cannot begin to imagine what can happen after the events in Insurgent. A knowledge long hidden has been released, and the consequences may be dire. One thing is for sure, the next twelve months need to hurry up and fast forward!

My thanks to the lovely Rosi at Harper Collins for my review copy. You're a star for organising this whole thing. Team Erudite UK! Woop woop!

Buy from Amazon UK

News: Cover art for UK Insurgent revealed!

Today is the day I've been waiting for for a while now. When we found out that we weren't getting the same cover as the US for Veronica Roth's anticipated sequel to Divergent, I for one was a little narked. How could HarperCollins change what was so beautiful? The US cover (which can be found here) is awesomesauce. Well today, the cover for Insurgent, as it will be released in the UK in May is finally here... and surprisingly I like it!

Now, it's not as striking but man does it look cool! I have to say that I think the new look is growing on me! What do you think? Whatever the cover looks like, I'll be rushing to read this when it's out! Check out the official blurb below:

"One choice can transform you—or it can destroy you. But every choice has consequences, and as unrest surges in the factions all around her, Tris Prior must continue trying to save those she loves—and herself—while grappling with haunting questions of grief and forgiveness, identity and loyalty, politics and love.
Tris's initiation day should have been marked by celebration and victory with her chosen faction; instead, the day ended with unspeakable horrors. War now looms as conflict between the factions and their ideologies grows. And in times of war, sides must be chosen, secrets will emerge, and choices will become even more irrevocable—and even more powerful. Transformed by her own decisions but also by haunting grief and guilt, radical new discoveries, and shifting relationships, Tris must fully embrace her Divergence, even if she does not know what she may lose by doing so."

And while you're at it, check out the new cover for Divergent which is being re-released in February in line with the new look!

News: Cover art for Insurgent by Veronica Roth is revealed!!!

Now readers of EoB may have seen that I reviewed Divergent by Veronica Roth. Since then I have been dying for Insurgent, the second book which is out in May 2012. I for one cannot wait and now the cover has been revealed and it is stunning. Featuring the emblem for one of the factions, Amity, it's a corker and I cannot wait. It has an autumny feel to it and it makes me want to read it on a cold wet rainy November night. Don't ask me why. I'm weird like that... Anyway... cover time...

Divergent by Veronica Roth [Reviews]

Written by: Veronica Roth.
Published by: Harper Collins.
Format: Paperback.
Released: 
Rating: 4.5/5.

Official synopsis: "She turns to the future in a world that’s falling apart. For sixteen-year-old Tris, the world changes in a heartbeat when she is forced to make a terrible choice. Turning her back on her family, Tris ventures out, alone, determined to find out where she truly belongs. Shocked by the brutality of her new life, Tris can trust no one. And yet she is drawn to a boy who seems to both threaten and protect her. The hardest choices may yet lie ahead… A debut novel that will leave you breathless."

Every once in a while, you read a book that literally, and for real, leaves you breathless. And Divergent is definitely one of those books!  

A dystopian epic, that doesn't really have that much of a dystopian feel (I didn't really get that post-apocalyptic, post-mass-murder/war/horror) but dark and futuristic nonetheless, the book hurtles along at a brilliant pace. From start to finish, Roth doesn't let go of you, or your mind for one second. Reading the book is both effortless and a little demanding. To start with there is a lot to take in and to try and remember. The whole faction situation is a little confusing to start with, but once you remember Erudite are the smart ones, Candor the honest, and Dauntless are brave/courageous/stupid it soon becomes second nature.

Personally I love the whole faction situation. The whole "make a choice at 16 that will affect you for the rest of your life" really resonated with me. It shows that sometimes a choice, no matter how minor you think it is at the time, can have cataclysmic consequences that can affect you immediately or in the long run, and boy does Tris, or Beatrice as she is known as for the first few chapters of the book, learn this the hard way! There are five factions in all, as I've already mentioned there are Erudite, Candor, Dauntless and also Amity (who favour the peacefull side of their personality) and Abnegation (who value selflessness above all else). At 16 you have to decide which faction you want to live in, the one that you most value, but it's not as easy as that. There are personal implications to think about. Do you stay in the faction you are already in, and live your life as it has always been, possibly a lie if you don't truly belong. Or do you leave everything you ever know to fulfill your own personal needs, and leave your family, never to see them again?

After a terrifying aptitude test to help the teens to decide what faction they want to live in for the rest of their life, they go through a fairly brutal choosing process. I won't spoil this for you because it hit me when I read the book and I hope that it makes an impact on you too! And the initation process, too, isn't an exactly nice experience either. Again, I won't spoil that for you, you'll have to read the book to find that out!

Roth's writing is beautiful. I've said before, and I'll say it again, I'm not really a fan of first person novels. They just don't do a lot for me. So a book has to be special for me to really make such a massive connection to it, and Divergent did just what I asked for! It enthralled, it shocked and above all it made me actually feel a part of the action, which sometimes other first person narrative's fail to do. I read this book a couple of months ago and re-visited it a week or two ago now after I read something rather disappointed and wanted something I knew I could trust and I only loved it more. 

I for one am very excited to see what happens next, in the second book, Insurgent which is out in 2012. Roth has created something special which deserves to stand the test of time. I recommend this book for everyone really. Male, female. Old, young. Just read it at whatever cost. This series looks set to be exciting and breath taking so don't waste another moment to get started!

My thanks to the lovely people at Harper Collins for my copy!

Buy from Amazon UK

Buy from Amazon US