The BookFetish Blog

Let’s get this out of the way now. I’m going to do something here I rarely do, and give you a disclaimer up front: This review WILL contain MAJOR spoilers for Allegiant. If you do not want to be spoiled- including knowing how the book ends- DO NOT READ ANY FURTHER. You have been warned.

Allegiant is the final book in Veronica Roth’s Divergent trilogy. It picks up just after the ending of Insurgent. Divergent was one of my 2011 Bookish Bests, and I devoured it in a day.  Insurgent was, I thought, a perfect sequel, with the right amount of emotion and action, and it teed up the start of Allegiant perfectly.

And while I don’t feel nearly as strongly about the ending of this series as I did say those vampire books or the Hunger Games trilogy- in other words, I didn’t want to throw this book across the room- it still left me disappointed.

One last warning:

***************MAJOR SPOILERS BELOW**************

It took a lot more for me to get into Allegiant than the first two books. That could be because of all the things going on in my life when this one was released, and just not having much time to sit down and read. Still, it took me almost two weeks to finish this book, which is not what I expected.  It wasn’t that the book wasn’t interesting, it is more that I was “meh” about it until the last 150-200 pages or so.

Unlike the first two books, Allegiant is told in part by Tris and in part by Tobias.  I often found myself flipping back to the beginning of a chapter to verify the voice of that chapter, because if I didn’t pay close attention, it would throw me when it switched narratives.  And since that wasn’t a tool employed in the first two books, I wondered what made Roth choose that path.

Then I got to the end. And the heroine DIED.  Don’t get me wrong, in the Harry Potter books, I didn’t expect Ron,  and Harry, and Hermione to make it out alive. Knowing JKR and all those she had killed off prior to the end of Deathly Hallows, it wouldn’t have completely surprised me if  Harry had died, but since he was “The Boy Who Lived”, I didn’t really expect it.  To this point, Roth hadn’t pulled punches, either, and it would not have surprised me if Tobias had not survived.

But to kill Tris?  That explains the two voices to the story. It couldn’t have ended quite the same way if it was only Tris telling the story. While I understand it in part- sacrifice for the greater good is a theme throughout the books, after all- it really disappointed me because it took this great voice, this brave and funny and stubborn heroine, and turned her story into Tobias’.  And we have enough heroes.  The alternating voice just so the end can be Tobias’ reflection on his life without Tris and how he goes on without her really takes away from the first two books for me.  It doesn’t do Tris, as a heroine, justice.

So there you have it.  Was it a good trilogy? Yes. Would I have been more accepting of Tris’ death if the whole trilogy had been told solely in her voice? I think so.  The disappointment for me is in truly feeling her voice was robbed by the ending of the series.

Hello all- it’s time for this week’s download of all the things I’m mulling over in my head.

If you’re doing NaNoWriMo, I hope it’s going well for you.  If you’re doing Movember…. well, I hope you find a way to stay presentable.  Just kidding- it’s for a good cause, so go for it.

I’ve been reading Allegiant this week.  It’s not been grabbing me like I thought it might. But I finished Snow White Must Die and Tuesday evening, I am going to sit down and write some blog posts I’ve been putting off.

I saw a play Wednesday night.  It is Steve Yockey’s latest, PLUTO.  I saw a director’s rough cut at a local theater, which means I was in one of the first audiences to see it anywhere. Absolutely phenomenal. Days later, I’m still thinking about parts of it.  It packed an unexpected emotional punch, and I highly recommend you see this if you have the opportunity. Opening night here sold out, and early reviews? People are loving it. So GO!

Do you feel like you take care of yourself like you should?  I feel like I do about 80% of the time, and it is the 20% that I don’t that is causing me angst- crazy allergies, a plateau in weight, just not feeling as good as I could. So this week, I am recommitting to taking care of me. I haven’t been to the gym in three weeks, and one way or another, I am getting in at least one workout this week, with a goal of getting completely back in my groove.  I love this fall time of year- but it is easy to get complacent. So I made a healthy dinner in the slow cooker today, and will be able to have filling, nutritious food on hand this week, which is a good start.

I’m still struggling with some of this opening up stuff, but that is  a part of why I do this column. There are places, that, if I start to go there in this segment, I’ve committed to going deep with. This is not one of those weeks where I am going to hit anything terribly heavy, but I’m musing over some things in my head, and I expect that in the next few days I’ll start to have things come together for next week.

Until then- enjoy what’s left of your Sunday, and get ready for some book reviews in the coming week.

I’m writing the Sunday Win(e)d Down sans the wine- too much going on today to have time for a glass, or even anything more than a quick post.

As usual, reading is first on the update. I’ve started Divergent and I just got my hands on Laurel Osterkamp’s new book for her upcoming blog tour, so I’m very happy about that.  I haven’t reviewed I Am Malala yet, but look for that later this week.  I’m still listening to Snow White Must Die, and this is one of those instances where I kind of wish I was reading the book because I could probably read it faster than I can listen to it.

Some friends got me hooked on Scandal, so I’ve been binge watching that on Netflix this weekend.  And I’m seeing the Waterboys tonight, so I’m quite excited about that.

I had a big birthday on Friday. One that has made me think a little bit about the rest of my life, what I want to do with the rest of it, since there are parts of it that have not turned out like I planned or wanted it to.  Don’t get me wrong, it’s been a good life, but, as I’ve said before, reconciling what is with what I wanted isn’t necessarily an easy thing.

I’ve spent this weekend with family and framily (friends who are like family) so I can’t ask for much more than that, can I? Celebrating life with people you love- that’s a lucky thing.

So that’s this week’s brief post.

One of my favorite Chick-lit authors, Meredith Schorr, see here, here, here, and here, is participating in something I think is really cool, and I’m happy to be here to help promote it.  This is  your chance to experience some international chick lit.  Not only is Meredith participating, but another book I really liked, The Pollyanna Plan,  is also featured. See below to find out more about how you can read some great chick lit with some international flair!

Fasten your seatbelts and put your tray tables in the upright and locked position. Over the next few days, some of your favorite Chick Lit characters will be jetting across the Atlantic to visit with fictional friends on the other side of the pond.

The event kicks off on Monday, Oct. 21.

On Tuesday, Oct. 22, read about Stella from Fat Girls and Fairy Cakes and Chloe from Lying to Meet You as they travel across the Atlantic to visit each other.

On Wednesday, Oct. 23, it’s time to discover what happens when Emma from The Pollyanna Plan and Kim from Blogger Girl meet.

On Thursday, Oct. 24, Izzy from Izzy’s Cold Feet and Jamie from Finding Lucas will be taking you on a trip alongside their characters.

And on Friday, Oct. 25, Kate from Sealed with a Kiss and Pilar from In Need of Therapy will be chatting about their overseas experiences.

Here’s a little sneak peek at the fun, frothy books and sassy gals featured in our international promo, all of which are priced at $3.99 or less:

Finding Lucas by Samantha Stroh Bailey – Daytime talk show producer Jamie Ross is beyond fed up with her toxic bad boy turned metrosexual boyfriend. Spurred on by her gang of quirky friends, she goes on a hilarious, at-times disastrous, and totally life-changing hunt to track down the ”one who got away.” But are some loves best left behind? Available on Amazon.com http://www.amazon.com/Finding-Lucas-ebook/dp/B007VIIU6A/ Amazon UK http://www.amazon.co.uk/Finding-Lucas-Samantha-Stroh-Bailey-ebook/dp/B007VIIU6A and Kobo http://store.kobobooks.com/en-ca/books/Finding-Lucas/-wfpLcDV6keHZR-T80qCUg

In Need of Therapy by Tracie Banister – Handling the problems of hysterical hypochondriacs, lovelorn neurotics, and compulsive man whores is all in a day’s work for super-shrink Pilar Alvarez. But can she deal with her crazy Cuban family, a trio of unsuitable suitors, and a threat to her practice without ending up on the couch herself? Available on Amazon.com http://www.amazon.com/In-Need-of-Therapy-ebook/dp/B008N6Z36Y Amazon UK http://www.amazon.co.uk/In-Need-of-Therapy-ebook/dp/B008N6Z36Y and B&N http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/in-need-of-therapy-tracie-banister/1112265620?ean=2940015006889

Lying to Meet You by Anna Garner – Overworked New York fashion girl Chloe Lane has no time for a real relationship, but when her childhood pal asks her to play the part of his girlfriend in order to test a theory, she decides to go for it. The lies start piling up and things start getting crazy. Will Chloe be able to keep it together? Available on Amazon.com http://www.amazon.com/Lying-to-Meet-You-ebook/dp/B00EZR5M9I Amazon UK http://www.amazon.co.uk/Lying-to-Meet-You-ebook/dp/B00EZR5M9I and B&N http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/lying-to-meet-you-anna-garner/1116838753?ean=2940148616924

Sealed with a Kiss by Rachael Lucas – Kate breathes a sigh of relief when she’s dumped at her best friend’s wedding. When she takes a job on the island of Auchenmor, she’s determined to have a year off men, but that’s before she rescues Flora the seal pup with the help of Roddy, her mysterious new boss… Available on Amazon.com http://www.amazon.com/Sealed-with-a-Kiss-ebook/dp/B00BE9EUW0/ and Amazon UK http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sealed-with-a-Kiss-ebook/dp/B00BE9EUW0/  

The Pollyanna Plan by Talli Roland – Emma Beckett has always looked down on ‘the glass is half full’ optimists. But when she loses her high-powered job and fiancé, Emma makes a radical decision: from here on in, she’ll attempt to see the upside, no matter how dire the situation. Can adopting a positive attitude give Emma the courage to build a new life, or is finding the good in everything a very bad idea? Available on Amazon.com http://www.amazon.com/The-Pollyanna-Plan-Talli-Roland-ebook/dp/B00AFAW2GK and Amazon UK http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Pollyanna-Plan-Talli-Roland-ebook/dp/B00AFAW2GK

Blogger Girl by Meredith Schorr – Kimberly Long has two passions: her successful chick lit blog and Nicholas, her handsome colleague down the hall. But when her high school nemesis pops onto the chick lit scene with a hot new book and eyes for Nicholas, Kim has to make some quick revisions to her own life story. Available on Amazon.com http://www.amazon.com/Blogger-Girl-ebook/dp/B00EDTLDSW Amazon UK http://www.amazon.co.uk/Blogger-Girl-ebook/dp/B00EDTLDSW B&N http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/blogger-girl-meredith-schorr/1116358028?ean=2940148503125 and Apple iTunes https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/blogger-girl/id686654939?mt=11

Izzy’s Cold Feet by Sarah Louise Smith – Izzy is engaged to Greg, who is everything a girl could want. The trouble is – all she can think about is the men she loved before she met him. In the week leading up to her wedding day, Izzy is forced to ask herself who she loves the most. And, given the choice, who would she want to spend her life with? Available on Amazon.com http://www.amazon.com/Izzys-Cold-Sarah-Louise-Smith/dp/1909841005/

Amazon UK http://www.amazon.co.uk/Izzys-Cold-Sarah-Louise-Smith/dp/1909841005/ B&N http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/izzys-cold-feet-sarah-louise-smith/1116263752 and UK Nook http://uk.nook.com/ebooks/izzys-cold-feet-by-sarah-louise-smith/2940045154499

Fat Girls and Fairy Cakes by Sue Watson – TV Producer Stella is over worked, over weight and under fire battling to balance family, career and those weighing scales. In the past she’s always found comfort at the bottom of her mixing bowl but now the most delicious lemon sponge with zesty frosting has no effect. However, life is about to get even tougher… and Stella has to face some truths about herself, her life and her future. Available on Amazon.com http://www.amazon.com/Fat-Girls-Fairy-Cakes-ebook/dp/B005L92JB8 and Amazon UK http://www.amazon.co.uk/Fat-Girls-Fairy-Cakes-Watson-ebook/dp/B005L92JB8

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:

Tuesday, Oct. 22

Stella will be on Anna Garner’s blog http://libby-mercer.blogspot.com/ and Chloe will be on Sue Watson’s blog http://fatgirlsandfairycakes.blogspot.com/

Wednesday, Oct. 23

Emma will be on Meredith Schorr’s blog http://meredithschorr.com/blog/ and Kim will be on Talli Roland’s blog http://talliroland.blogspot.com/

Thursday, Oct. 24

Izzy will be on Samantha Stroh Bailey’s blog http://samanthastrohbailey.blogspot.ca/ and Jamie will be on Sarah Louise Smith’s blog http://sarahlouisesmith.com/

Friday, Oct. 25

Kate will be on Tracie Banister’s blog http://traciebanister.blogspot.com/ and Pilar will be on Rachael Lucas’s blog http://rachaellucas.com/blog/

And here it is, the second installment in my efforts to be a more consistent blogger.  I’ve decided to name this the Sunday Win(e)d Down, wherein I pour a glass of wine and tell you some of the many things in my head.  First up, READING! I blogged a review and interview  and a review of a recounting of how Al Qeada got one over on our CIA in 2009. I finally posted my review of Debora Geary’s latest book. Progress, people! And hopefully more to come this week.

I finished Dorcas Good: Diary of a Salem Witch and honestly have no idea how I want to review this book.  I can’t decide yet how I feel about it. I read  I Am Malala this week, and I have a lot to say about it, although I’m still getting thoughts together.

In other news, I’m exhausted.  I had to travel for work this week and a bad dream Thursday night led to a very early and very long Friday that I’m still not over yet.  But I also brought my mom into town to see Rod Stewart in concert last night. When I took her back to Alabama today, I got to pet some donkeys, and that’s a phrase I never thought  would write, so here’s to interacting with nature.

Friday is my milestone birthday, and in my exhausted state I had a bit of a freak out last Friday when I realized “In one week, I’ll be…” It will be interesting to see how I handle this week and the actual day.  I’ve scheduled Friday as a vacation day, and my cousin and I are going to hang out doing whatever we feel like.

I’ve been neglecting working out- so I am planning to get back to that this week as well. Tuesday. Tomorrow is entirely too crazy to do it. But now I’ve said it out loud so you can all call me on it if I don’t do it.  Taking care of me is an important thing- and the photo  of me with the donkeys highlights in stark detail that I’m not doing enough to care for myself.

So that’s it for today- I couldn’t back out of my commitment to  blogging at least once a week the Sunday after I announce the commitment.  I’ve had no time to be contemplative this week, so this is all you get.

Until next time.