ARC Review: CJ Redwine - Defiance

CJ Redwine - Defiance

• Pub Date: August 28, 2012
• Publisher: Balzer + Bray
• Format: Hardcover, 416 pages
• Age Range: Young Adult
• Source: ALA

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.

This one was pretty good. It's a bit different. I liked the premise. It's a bit dark and gritty, and I enjoyed that too. My only real complaint was that it got a bit draggy at the end there. They're always being followed and tracked, and I got tired of hearing about when Logan knew it was safe because of the birds and stuff. I also didn't really care about the love story part of this one. Rachel is so tough and independent. I didn't really feel anything about whether or not they got together. Oh well.

Either way, I did like reading this one. It took a while, and there were a couple times where I got a few good chunks read at once. It's more about finding time right now than being bored with the books, so there's that. It's a pretty good debut, that's for sure.

Bottom line: If you like some fantasy that reads a bit like a dystopia, try this one out.

Rating: 

3.5 / 5 book sharks