Defiance by C.J. Redwine: 5 of 5 STARS YA Review

Defiance (Defiance #1) by C.J. Redwine. August 2012. Balzer & Bray. Goodreads.

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.

So I started this post back in the middle of March! Then life happened, a brain tumor was found, you know that kind of thing. Anyway, hopefully this review can make a little bit of sense.

I loved this book! It was exciting with action and enough romance to make me keep turning the page. Action romance books are my favorite. Defiance was mostly dystopian with a fantasy creature involved.

Speaking of which let’s talk about the villains. There were two. One was a man on a power trip and the other was a murderous creature. Both brought a certain fear to the read that kept things interesting and intense.

The city of Baalboden was very Medieval like with the women being forced to have a protector if they ever wanted to be in public. Rachel was unique in the fact that she was a trained fighter because of her dad. She was so smart too, though sometimes impulsive. To counteract her impulsiveness we had Logan. He was super smart and strong but also a thinker and planner. I won’t talk anymore about their relationship because it was fun to see how they got along or really didn’t.

Defiance is a must read for Young Adult readers who love adventure and romance stories. The 2nd book, Deception, is already out. Deliverance, book 3, releases August 26, 2014.

Content Ratings: highlight between ( ) for details
Sexual: mild ( kissing )
Language: none
Violence: moderate ( death, torture, blood, fighting, fantasy creature )

I received this book through Goodreads First Reads. I am not paid for my reviews. My reviews are solely my opinion.

BOOKS BY C.J. REDWINE
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