Allegiant

(I waffled between 3 and 4 stars on this but I decided to round up to make up for Veronica Roth getting actual threats from batshit fans.)

First of all, when I started reading this I realized that I remembered baaasically nothing from [b:Insurgent|11735983|Insurgent (Divergent, #2)|Veronica Roth|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1325667729s/11735983.jpg|15524542] and VRoth really, really expected me to do so. I had to go back and read a plot summary online because she really just jumps right in there. I suspect this book would reward those who had read the first two books more closely (and/or more recently) than I did?Anyway. I felt super validated to learn that the faction system is part of a genetic experiment, because from Book 1 I've been saying that the faction system is BONKERS and I don't understand how any society would evolve to do that. Well, I guess if scientists brainwashed them with serum. Sidenote: this book uses the word serum a LOT. Uhh... I enjoyed getting to look behind the curtain at the Bureau of Genetic Welfare. I wasn't super into all the talk of genetic purity and serum and whatever. I mean the concept is fine. There was just a lot of talk about genetics. IDK. Not my jam. I did like the talks about life after factions and learning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the different factions. It felt like an extended Seventeen magazine personality quiz. (Which IS my jam.)I liked seeing Tris & Four's relationship and the way they dealt with ~challenges~ and ~jealousy.~ It felt both teenage and mature, appropriate for teens who have been through some tough shit.I guess what people are mad about is mostly that Tris sacrifices herself in the end? But I thought it was appropriate. I mean, she came from Abnegation. Also I just honestly am not that attached to Tris or Four so it didn't have a very strong emotional impact on me. If I cared more about Tris, I'm sure I'd be sadder... but would that make it a bad ending? IDK. I mean I can't talk because I threatened to go into Victorian mourning if the ending of Breaking Bad didn't shake out the way I hoped it would. But since I'm not as involved with this trilogy... eh.What else... Four's grieving process rang very true to me.

Anyway you should probably read this if, like me, you don't want to be left out of the discussion about popular YA books!! Or if you've already read the other two!! But otherwise, I'm not really gonna call this a must-read or anything!!