Defiance by CJ Redwine

Book:  Defiance

Author:  CJ Redwine

Publisher:  Harper Teen

Date:  August 28, 2012

Source:  Publisher via Edelweiss

My grade:  A+

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.

MY REVIEW

Initial reaction

Awesome!  And I would fight disgusting, fire-breathing beasts too if it landed me a hottie like Logan!

Title and Cover

I loved them both.  The cover is so representative of the book and the girl on the cover actually IS the main character, Rachel.  And it’s gorgeous!

What’s the Story?

So, this book is sort of dystopian/fantasy like.  It takes place in an alternate world but I felt like it could have been my world, ya know?  So, there’s a tyrant king who rules with an iron fist, but he keeps all the people safe from the Cursed One, this gigantic fire-breathing beast that can completely destroy everything.  Sort of like Godzilla.  So our hero and heroine, Rachel and Logan, will be fighting against the tyrant and the beast, naturally.

Now, if you’re thinking that this sounds like any other fantasy/dystopian YA plot line, you might be a little bit right.  But this is not like any other book!

The plot was literally NON-STOP!  And dear Lord, the heartache these people suffered!  And the plots, twists and turns in the storyline were so wonderful.  There was so much action in this book that I did not want to put it down because I couldn’t wait to see what would happen next.

The characters were also great.  They were so well-written.  They had a lot of depth and even though each character was flawed in his or her own way, I grew to love most of them throughout the book.  The hardships these people suffered were devastating, yet many of them kept on fighting and surviving.  It was very inspiring.  I thought Rachel was such a strong lead female character.  She was independent and at times too stubborn for her own good, but she was also smart and strong and passionate.  Logan was a geeky tech nerd, but he was so smart and so good and I loved his unwavering loyalty toward those he loves.

This book is part of a series and I’m dying to read what happens next, but it still wraps up nicely In the end.  There is no strange cliffhanger drop off in the last sentence.  No, the story comes to a natural resting place and she ties up the books plot well while still leaving the overall storyline going.

This book really has everything.  It is well-written, with strong characters and a plot that is action-packed and full of heart.  I am so, so glad that I read this book.  And now I can’t wait to get my hands on the next book.

The Soundtrack

Mary’s Song by Taylor Swift

Even though there are some modern references in this song that don’t quite fit, the sentiment in this song works perfectly for Rachel and Logan.  The same is true for the next song.

The Gauntlet by The Dropkick Murphys

 

A Change is gonna come by Lauryn Hill

This song makes me think of Logan and his difficult childhood.

Blow Up the Outside World by Soundgarden

This song just sort of captures the way Logan and Rachel fight against the powers that be.

The Final Grade

My final grade for this book is an A+.  This is a smart, fast-paced novel that is full of action but has a lot of heart.  I closed the book feeling like I knew and loved the characters and hopeful for the next installment.