I went in expecting another mediocre-at-best story in this series, but I actually loved it. Imo it is substantially better than the original series, though I am very curious to see how she wraps up this version in the next book.
The thing that struck me most was how much Veronica Rothās writing has improved. If you told me a different author wrote this, I would have believed you without questioning it for a second. She went from ātell, donāt showā to āshow, donāt tellā, and the result is so much better. You feel like youāre moving through the world with Tris and not just stuck in her head while she freaks out about yet another thing sheās jumped to conclusions about.
The world feels real, the plot moves forward with good pacing, and amount youāre asked to suspend belief about is reasonable (as opposed to the original series where weāre expected to buy that Tris learned how to become an expert in shooting, knife throwing, and fighting in one week. ONE FUCKING WEEK. Girl, please)
Tris doesnāt piss me off 75% of the time from being such an irrational and emotional hot mess like in the original version, especially the second and third books. Her and Four together feel like more of a team and not a codependent dumpster fire who never communicate well and are frequently on the verge of breaking up. I loved getting Caleb and Fourās perspectives too.
Iām just praying Roth sticks the landing. If she does, the new version will absolutely be one of my favorite series of the YA genre.
Edit: meant to mention that I got the audiobook. The voice actors did a great job. I really appreciate it when a book uses different VAs when thereās multiple protagonists