Defiance Review

Defiance by C.J. Redwine
★★★★☆
Release Date: August 28, 2012
Publisher: Harper Collins: Balzer & Bray
Age: YA
Genre: Adventure, Fantasy, Action, Romance, Friendship
Format Reviewed: ARC
Source: Publisher via Edelweiss
Buy it: Amazon | Barnes and Noble

Within the walls of Baalboden, beneath the shadow of the city’s brutal leader, Rachel Adams has a secret. While other girls sew dresses, host dinner parties, and obey their male Protectors, Rachel knows how to survive in the wilderness and deftly wield a sword. When her father, Jared, fails to return from a courier mission and is declared dead, the Commander assigns Rachel a new Protector, her father’s apprentice, Logan—the same boy Rachel declared her love for two years ago, and the same boy who handed her heart right back to her. Left with nothing but fierce belief in her father’s survival, Rachel decides to escape and find him herself. But treason against the Commander carries a heavy price, and what awaits her in the Wasteland could destroy her.
At nineteen, Logan McEntire is many things. Orphan. Outcast. Inventor. As apprentice to the city’s top courier, Logan is focused on learning his trade so he can escape the tyranny of Baalboden. But his plan never included being responsible for his mentor’s impulsive daughter. Logan is determined to protect her, but when his escape plan goes wrong and Rachel pays the price, he realizes he has more at stake than disappointing Jared.
As Rachel and Logan battle their way through the Wasteland, stalked by a monster that can’t be killed and an army of assassins out for blood, they discover romance, heartbreak, and a truth that will incite a war decades in the making.

I really enjoyed this story, it kept me up at all hours of the night to finish just one more page and I woke up each morning anxious to get back into the story. I was infatuated, enthralled, and I couldn't get enough.

Defiance is an adventure, it's a dystopian-esque, it's fantasy, and it's suspense. It has a frustrating love story, a mysterious premise, and characters that I would follow if given the choice. The slight political turn the book takes was enough to make me hooked and dying to read the next installment.

"I am a weapon, now. I embrace my rage." -Rachel

I did find Rachel's character to have a few screws loose. She seriously lost it a few times, even when losing it was warranted, she was still kind of scary and insane. She was raised to take care of herself in a world where women are inferior and must always be accompanied by men outside of their homes. The men in the story are shocked to find that Rachel can wield a weapon and they often underestimate her. But, she lets her emotions override her sensible side and was frequently left with regret and questions. She's a great character and a strong person, but she isn't my favorite female lead.

"One day soon the commander will realize just how strong he's made me." -Rachel

Logan is a conflicted and thoughtful character. Left with this massive responsibility and thoughts running wild in his mind about right and wrong he faces his obstacles analytically. Throughout the book he contemplates Best and Worst case scenarios in his head. I love that the POV switches from chapter to chapter, C.J. creates flawless transition from one mind to the next.

"I brush my lips against her ear and whisper promises I'll die to keep."- Logan

The world that C.J. Redwine builds in Defiance is a grueling and dark place where monsters live and terrorize the citizens. The desperate people of Baalboden look to a leader that is just as dark and menacing. He rules through fear and punishes those who stand up to him. He is ruthless and cruel and makes an excellent villain. The book does have a fantasy element and kept me hooked on the story and the multiple possible outcomes.

Defiance is a great action packed read. It's hard to put down and easy to get lost in. C.J. Redwine does a miraculous job trapping the reader into her story that moves at a constant speed. I felt like it had a likeness to Marissa Meyer's Cinder, just the city set up felt familiar and I think fans of Cinder will enjoy this book! I also believe this is a book that will have a large following and fan base, I know I'm a fan!!