The Transfer
Author: Veronica Roth
Year of Release: 2013
Genre: Dystopia
Sequel(s): The Initiate, The Son, The Traitor
What motivated you to read this book?: I love Tobias! If Veronica wrote an entire series about him, I wouldn't complain.
Book Version: ebook
Where did you get the book?: pre-ordered from Barnes & Noble
Favorite Character: Tobias Eaton (duh!!)
Least Favorite Character: Marcus Eaton
Thoughts on Cover: I like how it has a "guy" feel to it since it is about a very masculine character. (With that said, though, I do not think the covers of the actual novels are feminine at all. I believe they appeal to both sexes.)
This review contains spoilers!
Since Tobias is not only my favorite character in this trilogy, but also one of my favorite fictional characters ever, I LOVED learning more about him. He was so different as an Abnegnation faction member. It made me realize how much he changed between the time he transferred and the time Tris transferred. I love knowing that characters evolve and change over time. It was very sad and heartbreaking to read about Tobias's relationship with his father and learning that his father forced him to do many things: how to take the aptitude test and more sadly, forcing Tobias to stay in his room out of fear that he'll ruin his reputation. How completely absurd, pathetic, and selfish is that?!? And as a result, Tobias didn't have any friends and everyone thought he was mentally ill. Poor Tobias. If that's not worse enough, it was so upsetting to read all the parts that involved his actual fear of his father. Nobody should fear their father. Nobody. However, it was interesting to see more of Tobias's vulnerable side.
I found it humorous that Tobias even considered briefly choosing Amity. I cannot see the Tobias I know from Divergent and Insurgent being in Amity. I was also quite surprised to read that he freaked out a little on the train ride to Dauntless and cowered on the ground. Then again, as I mentioned earlier, the Tobias in this novella is definitely not the same Tobias he is 2 years later when he meets Tris. I also found it interesting how Tobias hadn't really made his choice as to which faction he was going to join until the last minute just as Tris did.
It was fun comparing the start of Tobias's initiation and the way he handled it to the start of Tris' initiation and the way she handled it. Tris was the first one to jump off the building while Tobias's fear resulted in him being last. Tobias even felt a little sick afterwards! Poor thin!! Tris didn't want to be known as Beatrice among the Dauntless and Tobias didn't want them to know of his real name. The fear landscape was the last thing Tris did during her initiation, but it was the first thing Tobias did during his. It was also funny reading the part where Amar was introducing himself as an instructor knowing that Tobias would be doing the exact same thing for Tris's group of initiates.
I liked seeing how Tobias handled his fear landscape for the first time, (It makes me want to re-read how he handled it again later when he shows it to Tris.) and how he was expecting there to be more obstacles. It was also cool to finally find out who gave him his nickname. I was growing curious.
Overall, I was very, very pleased with this novella. I'm definitely in Divergent mode and am highly awaiting the release of Allegiant!!! Cannot wait to see what happens! PLEASE!! DON'T KILL OFF TOBIAS! I also can't wait to read the rest of these novellas. I'm sure they'll be just as awesome, if not better!!!
