Defiance Review

Within the walls of Baalboden, beneath the shadow of the city's brutal leader, Rachel Adams has a secret. While other girls sew dresses 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 one who handed her heart right back to her. Left with nothing but a 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 had been lusting after Defiance for some time before its publication, not only because of the beautiful cover (Strong heroines for the win!) but also because I was intrigued by the summary and if I’m honest, the book had been hyped up a bit across the pond.  Thankfully, it was published in the UK and last year, I took a copy of the book on a cruise with me.  If you’ve ever been on a cruise, you’ll know that there is never a dull moment and ALWAYS something going on but you know what? When I picked up Defiance, all the activities went right out of the window as I couldn’t stop reading this book.

I LOVED the originality of some of the main ideas in the book, the mysteries presented to the reader and also the strong, protective vibes coming from Logan for Rachel.  Their relationship was enthralling and romantic from the start, made better by the history between them and the promise Logan made to her father.  I thought the world building was excellent and I may sound like a broken record here but it really did play out like a movie in my mind.

Whilst I thoroughly enjoyed the book, it wasn’t perfect and I did find a little bit of repetition that irked me.  If I’m honest, I also wanted Rachel to be stronger than she was, to not need a protector and I suppose in some ways she strived for that too.

What I like most about Defiance is that it reads like a standalone while at the same time, leaving a window of opportunity open for a sequel and guess what?!  THERE IS A SEQUEL, coming this year entitled Deception.  I pray to the Cover Gods that they DO NOT CHANGE the covers mid series as they are too awesome to be messed with.

Defiance is an impressive debut fantasy novel and the start of a thrilling new series.  If you like Game of Thrones, Throne of Glass, and Falling Kingdoms, then you are sure to like this one.

Defiance was published on 28th August, 2012 in the US and 6th September, 2012 in the UK.  To find out more about C.J. Redwine and her books, please click here to visit her website.