Defiance (Defiance, #1)

Jan 12, 2013 Blythe rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: i-want-it-right-now, hurry-up, judge-a-book-by-the-cover, highly-anticipating-2012, i-need-this-book, netgalley-edelweiss-arc, 2012-reads, 1-star, disappointments, i-totally-saw-that-coming, snark-bait-ooh-ah-ah, take-your-insta-love-and-leave, doesn-t-deserve-the-hype, read-reviewed

Honestly, I am shocked by the large number of glowing reviews Defiance has gotten thus far. Once again, it looks like I'm the black sheep, here to reign my terror on fangirls and fanboys all over Goodreads, and give my honest opinion on what I thought of the overrated mess known as Defiance.

In the city of Baalboden, Jared Adams is declared dead by the ruthless Commander, and Jared's daughter, Rachel, friend, Oliver, and apprentice, Logan, are gathered to the hearing of his will. In Jared's will...more

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Aug 14, 2012 Zoey rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2012-release, cover-love, dac-challenge

Defiance doesn't waste any time at throwing you right into the story. Once Commander Chase declares her father dead, Rachel Adams wastes no time in trying to come up with a plan to find him. Of course, Logan McEntire (Anyone think of Myra McEntire? I do.) doesn't plan to let her leave the "safety" of Baalboden on her own. Defiance is certainly filled with plenty of action, which is something I think a lot of dystopians are, oddly enough, missing.

Because Defiance is written in dual POVs, we get...more Defiance doesn't waste any time at throwing you right into the story. Once Commander Chase declares her father dead, Rachel Adams wastes no time in trying to come up with a plan to find him. Of course, Logan McEntire (Anyone think of Myra McEntire? I do.) doesn't plan to let her leave the "safety" of Baalboden on her own. Defiance is certainly filled with plenty of action, which is something I think a lot of dystopians are, oddly enough, missing.

Because Defiance is written in dual POVs, we get to experience both Rachel and Logan's thoughts and experiences when they're separated. While I think Redwine handled the dual POVs very well, when I stopped reading and returned quite a bit later, it was hard to tell whether I was reading from Logan's perspective or Rachel's perspective for a page or two. The characters themselves are very easy to love - Logan and Rachel are both fighters in their own way, both heroes. Rachel is stubborn, sometimes impulsive, and very determined. Logan calculates things, makes plans. Together, they work perfectly to level each other out. But sometimes they just didn't have unique voices in their narratives.

When it comes to the romance between Rachel and Logan, however, I wasn't really satisfied. It felt a bit rushed to me, even though I know it wasn't since Rachel and Logan have known each other since forever, basically. The tension between the two of them in the first half of the book is written perfectly - but then suddenly I feel like it fizzled out. The two of them are still perfect for each other, of course. I just feel like there could have been more.

Speaking of more, the only other issue I had was the world-building. It's easy to see that the world Rachel and Logan live in is dangerous. But I didn't really understand the world itself at all. That's always been an issue for me, so maybe it wouldn't bother anyone else.

And Commander Chase. I spent half of the book wishing I could punch him in the face. He's a merciless, power-hungry, mysterious leader. I can't wait to find out what's really going on with him in the next book.

Overall: With strong characters - that also know they need help from one another - and action-packed chapters with smooth writing, Defiance is a dystopian you don't want to miss out on. 4 stars. (less)

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Aug 30, 2012 Mitch rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

A thoroughly melodramatic misfire that ends like a B-grade Godzilla movie. Yeah, that definitely describes Defiance to a tee, I don't think I've been bashed so hard so many times over the head with manufactured emotions since, well, ever. Whether it's the melodramatic overwriting, the cruel, harsh, cookie cutter dystopian landscape, the one note antagonist, or all the awful things that happen to Rachel in the first chapter of this seventy one chapter mess, wow what an annoying book. I'm sure tho...more A thoroughly melodramatic misfire that ends like a B-grade Godzilla movie. Yeah, that definitely describes Defiance to a tee, I don't think I've been bashed so hard so many times over the head with manufactured emotions since, well, ever. Whether it's the melodramatic overwriting, the cruel, harsh, cookie cutter dystopian landscape, the one note antagonist, or all the awful things that happen to Rachel in the first chapter of this seventy one chapter mess, wow what an annoying book. I'm sure those who have no problems being told how to feel by paragraphs of obtuse language will have no problems loving this, but as for me, no thank you.

I like books that are subtle with their emotions, Defiance announces it with as much finesse as the lumbering Cursed One that wanders around and kills people like the prehistoric fire breathing dinosaur that it is. See chapter one basically, where every third sentence tells me in a variety of maudlin ways how depressed Rachel feels that her father hasn't come back and is presumed dead. In fact, it's so overwritten I had to figure out he's been missing for sixty days from two lines of dialogue ... yeah, that would've helped me understand Rachel's worry. Instead, apparently Redwine thinks emotions are best conveyed and measured by the number of synonyms of and similes for sad she can cram into a chapter. Except sometimes, they don't even make sense. One of Logan's lines, for example, is 'I’d rather combine every element on the Periodic Table and take my chances with the outcome than humble myself before the Commander.' What does that even mean? When a book is so overwritten that I'm supposed to feel emotions just because, I'm not impressed.

Then, there's the whole contrived and not well thought out dystopian setting created solely to elicit more emotions. Basically, a whole bunch of Cursed Ones woke up, destroyed all of modern society, except the government manages to kill all but one before it collapses, and the survivors, living in fear of an attack by the last surviving monster, are now crammed into a bunch of towns protected by the soldiers who killed the other Cursed Ones. Got it? Ok, except Rachel just happens to live in the misogynistic town, where all the woman hate is supposed to make me feel sorry for her. Yeah, no dice, I have plenty of sympathies for real life women in situations like that, but for a fictional book, I expect the dystopian setting to have a point, like, I don't know, social critique, besides just the, yeah, how horrible, sympathize with her! Sympathize! (There's no point to the misogyny here, sorry.)

And now let's talk about the leader of this town, Commander Chase. Want to know the cheapest, laziest way to write a villain that'll guarantee universal loathing? Write him with what I like to call kick the puppy syndrome. That's right, Chase is evil just because, so of course he's going to be cruel and ruthless enough that he's willing to do anything to get what he wants, heck he'll even kill minions and kidnap pregnant women just to make a point. Except, even though Rachel and Logan constantly remind me of how evil he is, and maybe this is because I'm a guy, but by the halfway point of the book I started pushing back against their Chase is an evil bastard obsession. Like in one scene, the Cursed One attacks and causes a stampede, Chase rides out to confront the monster, and one guy gets trampled by his horse. Bummer. Rachel and Logan's response? What a horrible person to run down one man in a mass panic to save everyone else. But, you know, I see the Commander doing exactly what he has to do to save the rest of the town, and this fixation on how evil Chase is and needs to go just shows me Redwine is unwilling to tackle the potential complexities that could've been with the character and took the easy way out instead.

I don't have a problem with Rachel or Logan, the characters, but honestly the tough orphan girl with emotional problems and the possessive guy who won't admit his feelings are a dime a dozen in young adult books, particularly dystopians. It's the way they're written, angst filled, melodramatic, that annoys the hell out of me. When you have a male character in a dungeon, bruised, battered, broken ribbed, nose bloodied, weak, feverish, lethargic, sore - seriously stop. If every page is riddled with oversentimental tripe, honestly, how can I appreciate the parts I actually want to care about, like the two major character deaths? Instead, I'm rolling my eyes at the cartoonish way Logan escapes from the dungeon by using a portable drill to dig a tunnel under a wall Wile E. Coyote style. Oh, and the point of view alternates between chapters (which are fairly short) except Rachel and Logan sound ... almost exactly the same. I can tell Logan apart when he's talking about logic, science, or plans, but when he's narrating, talking about the plot, his voice, sounds the same as Rachel.

I think I'm gonna skip the many plot holes, which are the least of this book's problems, except to say in one scene, Rachel shoots an animal, jumps on top of it, slices its throat, flips it over ... and realizes it's a boar! Hmm I wonder what else it could've been. Nah, the only thing remotely enjoyable about this cheap tearjerker is watching these woe is me characters get one upped by the one note villain. 2.5/5.(less)

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Jul 30, 2012 ♥Rachel♥ rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: arc, edelweiss, 2012-debut-author-challenge, favorites

*“It’s probably my job to tell you life isn’t fair, but I figure you already know that….So instead, I’ll tell you that hope is precious, and you’re right not to give up.”

Seventeen year-old Rachel Adams can’t believe it when all the searches are called off, and her father, Jared, is declared dead. He is the best tracker/courier for the city state of Baalboden. Rachel’s heart is crushed with grief and despair, but she knows deep down that if anyone can make it in the Wastelands that lie beyond th...more

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Aug 09, 2012 Sam rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: best-covers, arc-or-galley, dystopia-or-pa-favourites, dystopia-or-post-apocalyptic, fantasy-or-paranormal, fantasy-or-pn-favourites, favourite-boys, romance, fantasy, dystopian, steampunk

3.5 stars

In C. J. Redwine’s Defiance, dragon-like creatures prowl in the ground beneath the Wasteland, waiting to erupt from the earth to claim their victims. Protected from the flames of the so-called Cursed Ones, the citizens of Baalboden remain strictly within the walls of their city and comply to the rules of the brutal Commander Chase. Among them is Rachel Adams, a young girl quite unlike most Baalboden females for she is able to brandish and use weapons with skill. When Rachel’s father fai...more 3.5 stars

In C. J. Redwine’s Defiance, dragon-like creatures prowl in the ground beneath the Wasteland, waiting to erupt from the earth to claim their victims. Protected from the flames of the so-called Cursed Ones, the citizens of Baalboden remain strictly within the walls of their city and comply to the rules of the brutal Commander Chase. Among them is Rachel Adams, a young girl quite unlike most Baalboden females for she is able to brandish and use weapons with skill. When Rachel’s father fails to return from a courier mission, Commander Chase announces him dead, yet Rachel refuses to accept it. In an effort to prove her father is still alive, she attempts to leave Baalboden to track him down… and to find out what exactly it was that prevented him from returning in the first place.

With promises of a fierce and durable main character, an action-packed plot and an interesting blend of speculative genres, Defiance was one of my most anticipated debut novels of the year. I enjoyed immersing myself in this almost post-apocalyptic-type world, where cities were scattered around the Wasteland and rounded off with walls and gates. The world-building was substantial enough to capture my interest. Although there are several grey areas, as well as a handful of specifics that refuse to make sense in the bigger picture (like the existence of the Periodic Table), I imagine a lot is yet to be uncovered in the books to come.

Rachel is, to a certain extent, exactly the character I hoped she would be: steadfast, kick-ass and resilient. It is easy to appreciate her at first, especially as Baalboden’s Protectorship scheme has resulted in a mostly meek and obedient female population. As the book progresses, however, her stubbornness and recklessness become a little irritating at times. There is definite potential for improvement, which is probably a good thing. Despite moments of exasperation of my part, I enjoyed her strong character overall and admired her determination.

Where Rachel is a little impulsive and erratic, Logan, the love interest, is her opposite. His logical approach and methodical manner is, I imagine, crafted in such a fashion so as to balance Rachel’s personality. This worked well. The romance is believable and well-paced, and maybe even my favourite aspect of the whole book. The emphasis on the romantic plot is quite great at times however, so that might be a turn-off point for some readers, but being a romance junkie myself, I loved it. My only criticism of Logan’s character is his constant ‘Worst Case Scenario’ and ‘Best Case Scenario’ predictions. Although quite fitting at first given his personality, with repetition it becomes incredibly irksome.

Despite my feelings being a little scattered here and there, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and look forward to the sequel. Defiance is quite an impressive debut novel, with light elements of fantasy and dystopia and an interesting set of characters. This is a promising start to a new series.

(This review also appears on my blog)(less)

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Dec 17, 2012 Maja rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012-favorites, made-me-cry, alternating-povs, cover-lust, debut-author, favorites, just-another-book-crush, open-ending, own-a-dtb, review-copy, role-models, ya, atom, reviewed-in-2012

Well, it seems I can still enjoy dystopian after all! Now, this statement (and my delight) may seem a bit odd to those of you who don’t know me very well, but I was never a big fan of the (sub)genre in the first place, and there are only a handful of dystopian titles that I actually loved. (Tahereh Mafi’s Shatter Me trilogy and Ann Aguirre’s Razorland are the only two that quickly come to mind.) I was more than a little surprised and more than a little thrilled when I was able to add Defiance to...more Well, it seems I can still enjoy dystopian after all! Now, this statement (and my delight) may seem a bit odd to those of you who don’t know me very well, but I was never a big fan of the (sub)genre in the first place, and there are only a handful of dystopian titles that I actually loved. (Tahereh Mafi’s Shatter Me trilogy and Ann Aguirre’s Razorland are the only two that quickly come to mind.) I was more than a little surprised and more than a little thrilled when I was able to add Defiance to this very short list.

The story is equally divided between two points of view, Rachel’s and Logan’s. These characters won me over in a heartbeat. Rachel, our heroine, is a strong, independent, stubborn girl in a society in which girls like her shouldn’t exist. While her peers sat demurely with their mothers or their Protectors and learned embroidery, Rachel was secretly being taught how to survive in the wilderness by her liberal father. Logan is her father’s apprentice, a brilliant young inventor who was orphaned as a boy when his mother dared walk the streets without her Protector and was whipped to death on the town square. As much as Rachel hates living under the Commander’s iron fist, Logan hates it even more because when he looks at their leader, he sees the man who murdered his mother.

When Rachel’s father disappears outside the town limits, where there are no guarantees of safety and a huge monster, the Cursed One, preys on the unprotected, Rachel and Logan will have to go against the Commander to bring him back.

Now that I think about it, the worldbuilding wasn’t nearly as complete as I’d have liked it to be, but in all honesty, I got so caught up in the action and the romance that I completely failed to notice until much, much later. In retrospect, there really should have been more background, more explanations offered. What little there was, however, I liked well enough.

The romance was multilayered and complicated, just the way I like them, and I was feeling things along with Rachel and Logan from the very first page. There were, however, hints of a love triangle in the last part and I fervently hope that C.J. Redwine won’t take that road and that she’ll continue to build the wonderful, honest, warm romance between Rachel and Logan without unnecessary drama.

I need Logan. Not because he could plan our way out of this. But because on some basic, soul-deep level within me, he is the solid ground beneath my feet. The one who will move mountains to keep his promises. The one who looks at me and sees.

Which brings me to Logan himself, (again) and let me tell you, he is one amazing guy. He’s not just Rachel’s love interest, he is a hero in his own right. I love that he’s both a skilled fighter and a brilliant inventor, and that he knows exactly what his goals are and what sacrifices he needs to make to accomplish them.

My hat’s off to you, C.J. Redwine. I can’t wait to see where you’ll take them in the next book.

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Jul 23, 2012 ☆Jessie☆ (Ageless Pages Reviews) rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: dystopia-or-postapocalyptic, young-adult-fiction, edelweiss-arc, arc, fantasy, 2012-reads, 2012-reviews, reviewed, utterly-underwhelming, here-be-monsters, what-is-this-nonsense

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3.5 out of 5

There's a lot going on in those three-hundred-odd pages, the first-of-a-new-series by author C.J. Redwine. Defiance boasts a mix of several genres and subgenres, two decently flawed and interesting narrators and protagonists, and one of them a strongish female main character, as well as plenty of action and adventure to lure in readers and keep them invested. Like my other 3.5/5 ratings, I want to stress that I really enjoyed this, parti...more Read This Review & More Like It On My Blog!

3.5 out of 5

There's a lot going on in those three-hundred-odd pages, the first-of-a-new-series by author C.J. Redwine. Defiance boasts a mix of several genres and subgenres, two decently flawed and interesting narrators and protagonists, and one of them a strongish female main character, as well as plenty of action and adventure to lure in readers and keep them invested. Like my other 3.5/5 ratings, I want to stress that I really enjoyed this, particularly after the rough beginning, but just thought it could have been better with a little time and finesse. As it is, there's a lot to enjoy about this easily read, fast-engrossing young-adult novel. Uneven pacing, character issues aside, I am pretty impressed with C.J. Redwine's debut novel, and think it will find a wide audience. Defiance, at its best, is an inventive, creative and unpredictable novel, and for me, that was enough to merit an somewhat enthusiastic review.

The setting of tyrant-controlled Baalboden and the destroyed world Rachel and Logan live in is both a strength and a weakness for Defiance. The interesting mix of fantasy with flightless dragons (or "the Cursed One") and the post-apocalyptic clues/vocabulary ("periodic table" "algorithms" "Pythagorean theorem") make this world seem like it's possible version of the real world rather than a pure-fantasy imaginary land. But sadly not enough detail or worldbuilding is provided to for readers to form a clear, believable picture of what lead to this apocalyptic scenario or the picture the current conditions that the characters live in. What we do know about it/Baalboden/the world before the Cursed One comes early in the novel, and then bare lip-service is paid to creating a plausible current situation as much more time and attention is given to Rachel and Logan's struggles against the Commander and their alternating inner monologues. This is a first in a series so I am sure more detail and concrete answers are on the way, but the omission and neglect of information often got in the way of my truly being involved in the story.

Much like the setting, Rachel is both a credit to and a flaw for Defiance. (It doesn't help that her "voice" and that of Logan's can read almost interchangeably for the majority of the novel.) She's presented as a strong, headstrong girl in a misogynistic, patriarchal world that misuses and mistreats its women so it's obviously very easy to root for her, but she's also careless, self-absorbed, and stubborn beyond belief. The respective backstories for both her and Logan are delivered somewhat clumsily in infodumpy dialogue, but Redwine outgrows that early on and it doesn't overshadow the the narrative for too long. I like flawed characters, I appreciate them much more than a perfect protagonist with no life or vivacity, but Rachel can sometimes be very frustrating to read because she is so determined to make her own way without telling anyone or trusting her family.

It's also frustrating for me that Rachel is literally the only girl in her walled city-state that can defend herself - it can make her bloodthirsty and dangerous personality look a bit inorganic for the novel and its setting. Surely Jared can't be the only parent who wants his daughter to able to defend herself in a world where a woman can be flogged to death for going outside without her "Protector"? That quibble aside, Rachel does eventually grow up and change for the better throughout the novel, so it's impossible to call her a one-dimensional character or even stagnant. I have high hopes for this character and her further characterization in the future books, as well as for fellow females Willow and Sylph to grow into more than just cardboard cutouts.

A strong-ish female protagonist, an interesting mix of fantasy and tech, dystopia and post-apocalyptic scenarios all make for a unique novel in the vein of The Hunger Games, etc. Fans who aren't too picky about their worldbuilding and detail with find much to enjoy here, especially those who enjoy bittersweet teenaged romance. The beginning is the roughest part to enjoy and get into, but once things start to gel together, it's easy to get lost in the story at the heart of the novel. (less)

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Sep 26, 2012 Keertana rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: debut-author-2012, why-the-hype

Rating: 2.5 Stars

If I had to describe Defiance in one word, it would be ‘forgettable.’ Like so m any books before it, Defiance has all the right ingredients to be an incredible novel, from its heart-stopping cover to its kick-ass heroine to its intriguing plot, but somehow, it just didn't work for me. I went into this novel with low expectations, simply because so many trusted reviewers had given this a low rating, and I absolutely have to agree with them. Defiance, far from being a defiant...more

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Aug 29, 2012 Katy rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

4.5 stars - What an awesome, awesome book filled with intense characters, constant action and gripping story development that had me sucked in from beginning to end and stirred so many emotions from me.

Before I begin, I want to point out that there has been a NUMBER of dystopian books out lately, and I read just a great deal of them, so no, this book is not tremendously different from your typical dystopian book. So I do think people who were disappointed in Divergent and Delirium and similar b...more

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Aug 22, 2012 Giselle rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: arc, ebook, dystopia-or-post-apocalyptic

In a futuristic setting with walled-in cities to stave off a monstrous killing machine, Defiance is a mix of dystopian and fantasy that has a very interesting premise, although its characters did leave me feeling kind of uncomfortable, as well as annoyed.

As it started out I began to really like our female lead, Rachel. She was tough and confident, knowing how to take care of herself, unlike other women in this city. As the book progresses, I found she made a lot of impromptu decisions - trying...more In a futuristic setting with walled-in cities to stave off a monstrous killing machine, Defiance is a mix of dystopian and fantasy that has a very interesting premise, although its characters did leave me feeling kind of uncomfortable, as well as annoyed.

As it started out I began to really like our female lead, Rachel. She was tough and confident, knowing how to take care of herself, unlike other women in this city. As the book progresses, I found she made a lot of impromptu decisions - trying to escape without a strong plan in place for example - which pestered me a little, leaving cracks in the image of an intelligent and wise character I had thought her to be. Still, I didn't downright dislike her as a character, but I never grew to love her either. As for our male lead, Logan, he comes off as a very condescending love interest who acts more like he's highly irritated by Rachel than he's (apparently) falling in love with her. At one point during a rather unpleasant arbitrary conversation where she asks simply "What is that supposed to mean?" -- a phrase that I'm sure you, like myself, use regularly and are quite able to interpret -- his reaction is "Maybe if I enunciate clearly, she'll understand." Then when she doesn't fall for his lines: "Speaking slowly solved absolutely nothing."... This is about where I realized I'd gotten really disturbed by his personality and the fact that he was apparently the love interest we were meant to root for. I never grew to like him one bit, consequently making the romance in this book fall flat for me. Which is a shame because if not for my issues with these characters, this book could have easily blown my mind.

Luckily, the premise still kept me engaged. The slow moving plot in Defiance is actually done attractively and lets you savor the entrancing, yet terrifying world that we're introduced to. The leader of this city is an evil creep who will get under your skin as only a great villain can. Yielding power over this whole town, he's turned it into an old school anti-feminist culture reminiscent of an era way past gone. With a leader that dishes out executions if a woman dares walk through the market alone, the tone of the book is very dreary and distressing. I, myself, am a fan of darker reads so I did enjoy this world building quite a bit. I was also kept fascinated by the idea of a fire breathing beast roaming just outside the walls, giving the book a little fantastical feel. Throughout this story, we're switched between Rachel and Logan's POV, giving us a journey in both views, which is especially appreciated in cases like this where they're in two different situations, fighting for their lives. Once we get in the thick of it, it becomes a highly intense read that has just the right amount of action to keep you on your toes until the end.

Even though I wasn't taken by the characters, I still found Defiance's premise entertaining. There is a lot of bloodshed, and a dim future that makes us doubly curious about book two. I think fans of fantasy may just see themselves lost in this dangerous world.

--
An advance copy was provided by the publisher for review.

For more of my reviews, visit my blog at Xpresso Reads

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Jun 16, 2013 Melanie rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: dystopian-utopian, fantasy, kick-ass-character, oh-so-meh, romance, young-adult, could-have-been-so-much-better, action

See more reviews at YA Midnight Reads
'"He's coming."
"I don't think-"
"He is." I dig my nails into my palms and strain to see movement in the thickening twilight, as if by the force of my will I can bring him home.
Oliver squeezes my arm, but says nothing. I know he thinks Dad is dead. Everyone thinks so. Everyone but me.'

Told in the dual POV (Rachel and Logan), C. J. Redwine takes readers off in an action packed glory of a unique dystopian world with some gush worthy romance, thrilling action...more See more reviews at YA Midnight Reads
'"He's coming."
"I don't think-"
"He is." I dig my nails into my palms and strain to see movement in the thickening twilight, as if by the force of my will I can bring him home.
Oliver squeezes my arm, but says nothing. I know he thinks Dad is dead. Everyone thinks so. Everyone but me.'

Told in the dual POV (Rachel and Logan), C. J. Redwine takes readers off in an action packed glory of a unique dystopian world with some gush worthy romance, thrilling action and some annoying 'bad guys'. Defiance really shocked me with it's great technique of creating a world. While it took off slowly, Defiance was a winner in the end.

Baalboden. A world that is protected by walls all around the city. Beyond them is danger. Violent villains, rugged terrain and a danger that will kill at first sight. The Cursed One. When Rachel's father mysteriously vanishes, she will stop at nothing to get him back. But of course, nothing goes to plan... She must seek the help of some old friends.

I had some many mixed emotions about Rachel. At first I loved her, from reading that above quote, (which was her first dialogue) she seemed loyal, head strong and wilful. Yet under many other circumstances, especially ones where Rachel didn't have things go her way, she suddenly switched modes into this irritating, whiny little girl. Fortunately, she was overall an amazing protagonist that had a lot of excellent kick ass traits. In addition, I found that Rachel, and Logan have a nice blunt, and candid sense of humour. Now that is not something I mange to come across frequently enough.

Talking about Logan... He is FANTABULOUSLY AMAZINGLY LOVEABLE!! I mean seriously, he isn't the normal upfront guy who just wants to intimidate, tease and sneer his way through every situation. Logan is a beautifully constructed character that I loved throughout. While he kinda sucks at expressing his feelings and thoughts, he get there eventually, and I find it fairly amusing and 'his style'.

'"Are we going to talk about Melkin?"
"No."
"Let me rephrase that. What I meant to say is: We're going to talk about Melkin."

I really well and truly hate it when the romance drives the plot. It drives me crazy. Thankfully, while Defiance had a strong remove aspect on terms of gratitude, it didn't go on and on the ENTIRE time about childish love/like. Defiance placed it the romance to naturally that it didn't make it take over the plot but it still stuck the story together. He prepared for some hilariously awkward scenes!

One issue I had with Defiance was the plot and work building. I liked it, don't get me wrong, but I felt like it lacked twists, depth and complications. Dystopia itself has it's twisted societies that already enforce 'complicated-ness' but compared to other novels, I was expecting more juiciness. Moreover, the beginning was rather slow paced. While C. J. Redwine was attempting to illusion the setting, she overdid it a little. I admired how she described everything but less would still had been sufficient. Other than that, the concept was exclusive and the action was written with exceptional vivid imagery.

All in all, Defiance just met my standards. I've been balancing this among 3-4 stars but have settled with 3. I feel really stingy with my stars these days as I have given WAY too many 5 stars. (CP2, Shadow Kiss, My Little Pony...yeah...) Even so, I highly recommend this to The Hunger Games lovers and people who want some adorably romance!(less)

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Aug 15, 2012 Nafiza rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: high-fantasy, books-for-review, debut-authors-12, 2012, favourites

I’d like to start this review by saying that I loved this novel to bits. Well, okay, not to bits because I have no idea what bits have to do with loving. Or what the bits of a novel are or where that particular phrase comes from. Let me start again.

Defiance proved to be everything I look for in a novel that I read for entertainment. This is not to say that it is perfect and flawless but when you like something despite its flaws, I reckon it’s a good thing. A very very good thing. For me anyway.

I...more I’d like to start this review by saying that I loved this novel to bits. Well, okay, not to bits because I have no idea what bits have to do with loving. Or what the bits of a novel are or where that particular phrase comes from. Let me start again.

Defiance proved to be everything I look for in a novel that I read for entertainment. This is not to say that it is perfect and flawless but when you like something despite its flaws, I reckon it’s a good thing. A very very good thing. For me anyway.

I expected Defiance to be straight up fantasy but it surprised me (tricked me!) by having dystopian elements, er, dystoapocalyptic elements to its setting. The settlement in which the story takes place for the larger portion of the narrative came into existence after some grand destructive event tore apart the existing civilization of days long past. Oh and as is more than insanely common to these dystopian novels, the status of women in this new civilization lies somewhere between roadkill and a precious jewel locked up in a vault. (I’m getting remarkably tired of this particular trope if you can’t tell.)

Defiance succeeds for me in its characterizations. Usually character development, while being important, does not constitute as the sole element that determines the success of the novel. But in this case, Redwine’s characters are so compelling and so intriguing, moving beyond the limits of the pages to occupy tangible space in your brain, that you cannot help but read their story and accompany them in their destiny determining journey. As a rule, I dislike novels where the chapters are narrated in alternating perspectives. I find them jarring and disruptive to the rhythm of the novel. Surprisingly though, this was not the case in Defiance. Perhaps it was because the way the novel was written or perhaps it was the way each chapter was constructed but whatever it was, I was never frustrated by perspective change. Logan’s voice was just as engaging as Rachel’s and it was both their voices coming together to create the cohesive story that is Defiance.

Let me take a moment to appreciate the title. It so succinctly describes the entire novel without giving anything away. The villain is not a grey villain, his motivations are not revealed to us, and he doesn’t have a backstory or anything that makes him remotely human. He is black in and out and you know what? I’m fine with that. I am fine with hating him as passionately as the novel calls for because had Redwine taken the modernist approach and given us a Loki, I don’t think I would have enjoyed the book as much as I did.

Rachel’s emotions are superbly expressed. Her wit and spunk are juxtaposed with heartbreaking vulnerability and immaturity. Her grief and the expression of it is realistic without resorting to unnecessary pathos. She is a flawed character and they are the best kinds. Her unraveling is convincing and I can’t wait to see how she develops in the next few books. The romance is heartwarming and while there is no overt love triangle throughout the novel, the beginnings of a very intriguing one begin to coalesce at the end.

So let’s see, complex characters facing complex conflicts, a rapid pace and a satisfying plot. Sweet romance that does not take over the primary narrative and a satisfactory conclusion (that whets the appetite for the next book in the series). This book has it all. For a debut, it’s remarkable. Strongly recommended.(less)

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Sep 14, 2012 ๑ஜ๑ Jαѕмιиє ๑ஜ๑ rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I really liked this book, I did, but not as much as I hoped. I had extremely high expectations, and sadly Defiance fell short.
Review to come..

Before reading the book:
"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"

*clicks to-read*
Yep, that was enough to make me want it.
Then I read the rest of the description.
Now I don't just want it. I need it. NOW!

7 likes · like · see review

Aug 16, 2012 Amanda The Book Slayer rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: kick-butt-heroine, ya

Check out Amanda the Book Slayer

Rating : 1.5 Stars

Recommendation : I really don’t think I can.

The first thing that comes to mind when I think of this book is Cover Lust! Seriously is that not an awesome cover? I mean it oozes Bad*ss and action packed right? I know that is exactly what I thought too. So for the Cover I am going to have to say it won all 5 Marks for getting noticed and wanting to read/buy. Way to go Marketing team!

I wish that I could say that what I found in the pages were up to m...more

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Aug 07, 2012 Zuleeza rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: debut-author-read-in-2012, dystopian-fiction, series-i-havent-finished, ongoing-series, arc

This review is also available on my blog, Qwerty

An ARC of this book was sent to me from HarperCollins through Edelweiss.

Meet the characters:

See the cover? That's freaking Rachel Adams. With her fiery red hair, skin-tight pants and billowing cloak.

Behind her is not a weird looking kitchen, but the Wasteland, infested with wingless dragon-like creature known as The Cursed One.

If you fall for this book for its cover, I can say that you'll get what you bargained for because not only the cover fits...more

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Aug 29, 2012 Katie rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: harperteen

C.J. Redwine's debut novel, Defiance, is one hell of a book. Full of action, suspense, romance, and an amazing world, it will have readers up late into the night devouring it.

Rachel has always been strong and brave. She was raised that way by her father. It's being scared and insecure that don't come naturally to her but those are the states she's in for a good portion of the book. Her life has been turned upside down and she is doing all she can to survive. Life will never be the same for her a...more C.J. Redwine's debut novel, Defiance, is one hell of a book. Full of action, suspense, romance, and an amazing world, it will have readers up late into the night devouring it.

Rachel has always been strong and brave. She was raised that way by her father. It's being scared and insecure that don't come naturally to her but those are the states she's in for a good portion of the book. Her life has been turned upside down and she is doing all she can to survive. Life will never be the same for her and she is forced to accept that. She must face the new life she is given and learn how to have hope for the future. She's definitely a kick-ass heroine that readers will fall in love with from the start.

Logan is your second narrator. He is a bundle of contradictions that readers will love trying to figure out. He is a very emotional guy but he doesn't know how to handle or show those emotions. He's smart, handsome, brave, strong, and above all, kind. He's so much more than your typical love interest. He's wonderfully fleshed out but there are some hints of some secrets even Logan may not know about himself. Readers will be kept guessing with this guy.

The secondary characters were a pretty good mix although some could use some development. Oliver is a doting grandfather type to both Rachel and Logan. Parts of his story are told yet some are left unexplained. Sylph is a loyal friend to Rachel but she is kept in the dark regarding most things. The Commander was the best secondary character (though I hated him.) C.J. Redwine has crafted one perfect villain with almost no humanity left. The Commander is one guy that readers will love to hate.

The plot doesn't pick up immediately but the world-building does. This is one fantasy world that takes very little to get sucked into. The backstory is completely interesting and even without a ton of action in the beginning I had no problem getting hooked. And when the plot does pick up, it does not disappoint. So much happens in Defiance it's hard to believe it all fit in a 416 page book. I could have definitely read a lot more.

As for the writing, C.J. Redwine has got herself a lifelong fan. Anything she writes in the future, I will read. The writing is so beautiful I found myself stopping and going back, just having to reread things. I tried to pick some good quotes but honestly I would be quoting the whole book. Just know that it's fabulous.

Overall, Defiance is a favorite of 2012. Fantasy readers will adore it and if you're not a fantasy fan, this book will convert you.(less)

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Aug 28, 2012 Butterfly rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Today, yessss it's out !!!! Anyone wanna read it with me???

@ Just so everyone knows I finished it hours ago but fell asleep and woke with running nose...f*ck
I'll come back to this one when I get to my laptop :)

5 likes · like · see review

May 08, 2013 Tabatha marked it as paused · review of another edition

Shelves: i-want-this-now, ebooks, 2013-challenge-120-books

I want this book, now! As in now now! I actually don't think I can wait till August!

4 likes · like · see review

Jan 01, 2013 Aqsa Herondale Carstairs rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

5 FREAKING STARS.

I LOVED IT.

Haven't read anything so strong, powerful and equally emotional in a long time.
The plot, the story, the characters, everything, was so powerful, it seeped into me, my brain, my mind and made me wept. I haven't cried since finishing Daughter of Smoke and Bone a couple of months back.(':
I LOVE Logan and Rachel. I can't wait to see what happens in Deception.

All I want to do to this book is:

~~Maybe I am already doing this in bed. But thats for me to know.~~

GO READ THIS BOOKS...more

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Aug 28, 2012 Donna {Book Passion for Life} rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: arc, for-review, from-publishers, ya-paranormal-romance

I'm not really sure where to start with Defiance because it's been a few weeks since I read it and I'm still a bit shocked by how much it surprised me. Before I started I guess I thought this book would be predictable, I thought I knew how the story would play out and I'm so glad to be wrong, because it was a very unpredictable and a fantastic read.

Rachel lives in a city where everything is confined. She's not allowed to wander on her own without a protector and nor is she able to show people h...more I'm not really sure where to start with Defiance because it's been a few weeks since I read it and I'm still a bit shocked by how much it surprised me. Before I started I guess I thought this book would be predictable, I thought I knew how the story would play out and I'm so glad to be wrong, because it was a very unpredictable and a fantastic read.

Rachel lives in a city where everything is confined. She's not allowed to wander on her own without a protector and nor is she able to show people her true nature. Her true nature is all thanks to her father - Jared Adams, who instead of allowing her to become a helpless women, trains her into becoming a deadly warrior. But when Rachel's father doesn't return home from a mission, everyone assumes he is dead and therefore Rachel is appointed a new protector and guardian - her father's apprentice, Logan. As much as Rachel hates Logan, deep down they have a connection that they keep hidden but, she knows he's the only one she can trust to help get her father back. But with the Commander taking interest in Rachel and The Cursed Ones who destroy everything in their wake making more appearances, can Rachel and Logan really take on this big a task of going into the Wasteland and rescue Jared Adams?

Defiance is one of them books that once you start reading, you don't want to stop. It captures you from start to finish and even when you're finished, you want more. Author C.J Redwine did a brilliant job creating a very unique and enthralling read, one that will have you melting at the brilliantly written point of views. Yes, you heard me. Defiance is told from both Rachel and Logan's points of view. How cool is that? I find that it's very rare to have both male and female points of views in a book like this. Usually it's more in YA contemporary books but, this is why this book is so special because you get both two very, very awesome characters points of views, both who take two very, very different journeys and I absolutely loved it!

Now talking of the characters, they were great. Rachel and Logan have some many lovable qualities, it's hard not to love them. Both of them are strong, stubborn and determined - both very good warriors and fighters, and both care about their loved one's more than anything. I think this is why they have such a good relationship because they can rely on one another and not only that but, they can see affection and love from the other. And Logan is totally swoon-worthy....Rachel is one lucky girl. ;)

I really loved this book in total, it's a breathe-taking read, one that is full of heart-pounding and exhilarating scenes and definitely an unforgettable journey, and I can't wait to for the next book.

A big thank you to Atom for giving me the opportunity to review this book.(less)

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Oct 31, 2012 Soumi(in love with Puck) Roy rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: arc-e-galley, review-copies, owned-copy, books-i-reviewed

When you read a dystopian novel, somehow you expect a kick-ass heroine, a bad-boy-yet-charming hero, action packed plot line, and when the dystopian mingles with a little bit fantasy, that definitely earns extra points.

Defiance is a rebellious story of a girl named Rachel, living in Baalboden, a city surrounded by deadly beasts called Cursed One and under the shadow of ruthless commander who is more interested in punishing people than ruling the city. When her father went missing on a courier mi...more When you read a dystopian novel, somehow you expect a kick-ass heroine, a bad-boy-yet-charming hero, action packed plot line, and when the dystopian mingles with a little bit fantasy, that definitely earns extra points.

Defiance is a rebellious story of a girl named Rachel, living in Baalboden, a city surrounded by deadly beasts called Cursed One and under the shadow of ruthless commander who is more interested in punishing people than ruling the city. When her father went missing on a courier mission and presumed to be dead, Rachel’s responsibility falls over Logan, a young apprentice of her father and the same boy Rachel gave her heart years ago, who instantly flung it back to her. However, Logan wants to escape the city but not at cost of Rachel’s safety, and Rachel is desperate to find her father, whom she believes to be alive.

The book was intense and action packed with promise of a gripping fast paced plot line. Baalboden more resembles to dystopian rather than fantasy, a city that is surrounded by high walls separating Baalboden from the wasteland and lost civilization scattering around it, also saves the citizens from being eaten by Cursed Ones.

“I'm no longer a daughter.
No longer a granddaughter.
No longer a girl with dreams. With hope.
I'm a weapon, now.”

Unlike other Baalboden girls Rachel was handy and deadly with weapon, a skilled worrier, also very impulsive and stubborn. However sometimes her behavior was annoying and selfish like everything she does recklessly and without thinking, which not only costs her, but also results in hurting people around her. By the way, her character improved with progress of the book, which decreased my irritations with time but I did enjoy her character.

“I ache to hear her tell me she loves me, but forcing her to put words to how she feels pushes her further into the silence she seems comfortable calling home now. I tell myself to be patient and understanding, but inside there's a longing only those words will fill, and it hurts to ignore it.”

If we consider Rachel as fire, Logan would the exactly opposite, the water. He was logical, cool minded who actually thinks and calculate before attempting something (Silly! That’s why he is an inventor). Rachel and Logan make just a perfect couple, complementing each other. The romantic development was quite grate and adorable. The way they discovers their feelings for each other is perfectly writing, even those small moments of self-realizations has been captured very well.

However, overlooking the small flaws, Defiance was overall a very good read for me and I immensely enjoyed it. The premises and setting has enthralled me as well. I will definitely be waiting for the sequel, which I believe to be equally breath taking.
(less)

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Aug 28, 2012 Lili rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: arcs-i-own

4.5 stars

Baalboden is a walled in city that thrives under the command of Commander Chase and fears The Cursed One that resides underground in the Wasteland. Here, the women must be given a Protector at age sixteen. They cannot leave their home without said escort and when they turn seventeen, a man will court them and they will become a wife. Such a thing is necessary to the survival of a colony of people that do not leave the walls. One of the few people that is able to leave the walls is couri...more 4.5 stars

Baalboden is a walled in city that thrives under the command of Commander Chase and fears The Cursed One that resides underground in the Wasteland. Here, the women must be given a Protector at age sixteen. They cannot leave their home without said escort and when they turn seventeen, a man will court them and they will become a wife. Such a thing is necessary to the survival of a colony of people that do not leave the walls. One of the few people that is able to leave the walls is courier Jared Adams, Rachel’s father, and he never returned from his last mission…

DEFIANCE is a book that I had trouble putting down. It’s very easy to slip into the Baalboden dystopia because you truly feel for the characters. Rachel is a strong heroine. At such a young age, she does her own thing and will not allow herself to behave and look to men to save her. Jared raised her with the knowledge of self-defense and instructions that she can always be independent. With her fiery red hair, skin-tight pants instead of skirts, and billowing black cloak, she is a force to be reckoned with. (Just look at that amazing cover and you’ll see how kickass Rachel’s character truly is).

Logan McEntire sees too much of his mother in Rachel. When he was a young boy, his mother was lashed to death for breaking the law and wandering into the market without a Protector. He simply cannot let Rachel meet the same end. A brilliant inventor and big-hearted protector, Logan cannot allow Rachel to know his true feelings for her because Jared was so willing to help him after his mother’s death and he didn’t want to bite the hand that fed him. Thus, he gently let her down when she once admitted to being in love with him. Their relationship had never been the same, but Logan will stop at nothing to protect her now that she is in his custody. He cannot fail, especially because everyone expects him to.

Together, the two of them will take you on a survivalist’s journey of a lifetime, all while evil Commander Chase breathes down their neck. The Commander’s evil tendencies oozed off the pages and filled you with rage. While he is a man that nobody can respect, his characterization was spot-on and he is one villain that’ll make your shiver whenever he makes an appearance.

Redwine expertly created her characters and the world surrounding them, making their journey easy to follow and completely unforgettable. The romance was believable and you watched both characters slowly mend themselves before they realized that they are capable of loving each other, even with Jared’s disappearance.

A must read for any young adult reader, this is a debut to look forward to in 2012. With an ending that you’ll never see coming, you’ll practically be begging for the sequel. Redwine exploded onto the young adult writing scene with a story unlike any other.(less)

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Oct 12, 2012 Kristalia rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: reviewed, review-which-needs-rewriting

Final rating: ★★★/★★★★★

First of all, i loved that it was action filled, was interesting and entertaining. Also, i can't call their love insta love because they knew each other for long and already had feelings.

It might have been better if the book actually explained more about the world, for example, how Cursed One came into existence. I guess it will be revealed later in next books. But i did find the idea with Protectors interesting, even though it made woman be controlled all their lives. Jus...more

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Dec 13, 2012 Mishma Nixon rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: cover-lust, kick-ass-heroine, favourite-heroes, favourite-heroines, beautiful-girls-on-cover

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Defiance is one of the books,that I can never judge whether I like it or not.I don't know what to say about it overall,so I'll talk about it bit by bit.

1.The Cover-One of the major plus points of the book,is it's cover.It gripped me from the first glance.It's not a beautiful cover or something,but it makes you want to buy it.The cover itself makes you predict that the book will be action packed.Did the book satisfy the cover?In my opinion,no.

2.The alternate P.O.Vs-Now this was what saved the boo...more Defiance is one of the books,that I can never judge whether I like it or not.I don't know what to say about it overall,so I'll talk about it bit by bit.

1.The Cover-One of the major plus points of the book,is it's cover.It gripped me from the first glance.It's not a beautiful cover or something,but it makes you want to buy it.The cover itself makes you predict that the book will be action packed.Did the book satisfy the cover?In my opinion,no.

2.The alternate P.O.Vs-Now this was what saved the book.I've always liked alt.povs,from Across the Universe,where I found it for the first time.The change of povs made me understand the characters and situation better,if not saved the book from being boring.

3.The characters-Here's where Redwine made either a great mistake or a wonderful creation.Rachel at first glance,seemed as someone,I'd really admire.I thought that I've found another Rose Hathaway in her.But she changed unexpectedly.Where is the fiery,immature girl,I immediately liked?She went from being the kick-ass heroine we always adore to that hollow,broken girl who does nothing but get saved.

And then there's Logan.First of all,I have to say he's the type of a character that I really respect.But it didn't make me love him or something.He was really sweet at times,but annoying too.I should say that I expected more from him.

So there you go,both the main characters disappointed me.So no matter how great the others were-for an example Quinn,Willow and Nola were greater than Rachel and Logan for me-it made the book lose it's depth.

4.The Romance-At first there were loads of tension between both of them.Then when they get separated from each other,they realize they are in love.Finally when they confess it to each other,they can't keep their hands off each other.
I mean,come one guys,be a little realistic.

And there are times where Logan seems a little bit overprotective.I've always considered it sweet,but I don't think many agree with me at that point.

5.The Story line-Needless of how disappointed I was by the way it was at the middle of the book,the plot was awesome.Hats off to your creativity,Ms.Redwine.The end was a little rushed,but it helped to recreate the adventure and awesomeness the middle part of the book lacked.

So overall,I enjoyed Defiance greatly.If it isn't for the lack of adventure I expected from it,I am sure I would have given it 5 stars.
I still don't know whether I love it or not,but this is not going to be a book that I'll yearn to read again.(less)

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Aug 30, 2012 Marie rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Cover is gorgeous, the book however was somewhat disappointing.

It was nothing like I thought it would be.

To be honest I was kinda bored right the way through it and I had no feelings whatsoever for Logan. Yeah I liked the fella but that was it. I did admire Rachel right through the book she had that determination, courage and strength that made you route for her throughought he story and it made me happy when the douche of a commander ran at the end cowering with his tail between his legs.

But...more

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Jun 28, 2012 Whitney rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: arcs, ebooks, lick-this-cover, edelweiss, 2012-favorites, just-loooooved-it, kickass-heroines, kickass-heroes, neat-plot, that-ending-omg

You can also see this review on my blog here. c:

This story follows the female protagonist, Rachel Adams, in the city of Baalboden--where every women at the age of seventeen must have a "Protector", to go with her everywhere and...well...protect her--she gets some troubling and devastating news that her father has not come home from a courier mission. Refusing to believe that he's dead, Rachel sets out on an adventure beyond the "Wall" surrounding Baalboden and into the Wastelands. But her new Pr...more You can also see this review on my blog here. c:

This story follows the female protagonist, Rachel Adams, in the city of Baalboden--where every women at the age of seventeen must have a "Protector", to go with her everywhere and...well...protect her--she gets some troubling and devastating news that her father has not come home from a courier mission. Refusing to believe that he's dead, Rachel sets out on an adventure beyond the "Wall" surrounding Baalboden and into the Wastelands. But her new Protector, Logan McEntire--a boy she had fallen in love with a couple years back, but refused her--won't let her go into the wilderness alone. But what stops him is the Commander, and he plans to take down Rachel's plans.

For me, this book was very easy to get into. And I loved it instantly. Mostly because I love the idea of a YA book set in medieval times. But other than that, it was very enjoyable! The suspense from the first page kept me interested from the very get go, and I couldn't put it down!

The plot is definitely something different, but not different enough to where I actually want to call it original. But it's close. ;) I could picture every action-packed moment in my head easily and beautifully. There was not a dull moment in this book, and I wasn't expecting anything less than that.

Rachel is totally bad-ass. Sure, she has her stubborn moments, but it's understandable because she's damn determined to find her dad. I loved that she knows how to fight in a world where the women are always being protected. But she can very much protect herself, her father made sure of that. I think the only thing I didn't much like about her, is her hair. I've read about a lot of red-heads, and it's just getting tiring... :/ and most of them are pretty weak heroines. D: But that's the only thing I don't care for about Rachel.

As for Logan, he's totally a hero that I could fall in love with, and I did. <3 He's kick-ass, handsome, and a fighter. And he fought through hell for Rachel, even when he didn't think he loved her. And I admired that about him. And when he did come to terms with his love for her, it was sweet and just...ugh. <333 So tender.

Commander Chase is every bit of evil as it gets. I hated him, once he opened his mouth for the first time, I hated him. He was conniving, manipulative, and spiteful. And I hope he gets what he freakin' deserve in the next book. That's all I'll say about that. -_-

I'm glad the romance wasn't really rushed in this. And to be honest, there wasn't much romance anyway. There's a couple kisses in there, C.J. didn't really put any detail in there, which kind of was a downer. :c Nothing steamy or spicy, just plain. The action was too good for me to really think about the lack of romance in this really. So, I didn't care much for it. For once. Haha. ;3

I give this book five stars, because it deserves the hell out of them. I enjoyed this book a lot, and can't wait for the next one. Which it'll be longer since I read this two-month in advance. D: Damn... Also, a bunch of thank you's to HarperCollins and Edelweiss for approving me to read this digital ARC. :D(less)

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Feb 21, 2013 Valeria Andrea rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: english, youngadult

2.2*'s. Well, this is awkward.
To start this, I'll kind of quote This beloved Phrase by Neil Gaiman, from The Sandman, Vol. 9: The Kindly Ones.

“Have you ever wanted to Love a book for its cover? Horrible isn't it? It makes you so vulnerable. It biases you and it opens up your Cover Lust and it means that the beautiful cover can get inside your Nook and mess it up. You build up all these TBR Piles, you build up a whole Book Schedule, so that nothing can hurt you, then one stupid book, no differe

...more

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Aug 27, 2012 Jodi Meadows rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: books-i-love-beyond-reason

I tried several times to start this review with something clever or profound, something that would let you know I mean Serious Business about this book. But every time I tried, I ended up with something like OMCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC!!!!!!!

In case that wasn’t clear enough for you: I love this book.

There were so many things that thrilled me about DEFIANCE, from the characters to the worldbuilding to the gorgeous prose that pulled me so deep into the story I never wanted to leave. DEFIANCE was one of...more I tried several times to start this review with something clever or profound, something that would let you know I mean Serious Business about this book. But every time I tried, I ended up with something like OMCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC!!!!!!!

In case that wasn’t clear enough for you: I love this book.

There were so many things that thrilled me about DEFIANCE, from the characters to the worldbuilding to the gorgeous prose that pulled me so deep into the story I never wanted to leave. DEFIANCE was one of those rare perfect-for-me reads.

The story is told from two points of view, Rachel and Logan, and the story belongs to both of them equally. Both characters have their own plotlines, development, and voices. The last is especially important to me because with the both characters narrating in first person and present tense, keeping up with who’s speaking could get confusing. You never have to worry about that with DEFIANCE. Though every chapter header warns you who’s narrating, it’s almost not necessary. C.J. does an amazing job giving the characters distinctive voices and styles.

The title, too, plays an important role in the story. Both Rachel and Logan are defiance personified. They refuse to let anything stop them from achieving their goals. No matter what obstacles are thrown in their paths — and terrible things do happen — they never give up. And I love that.

Regarding the worldbuilding, I think most of you know how much I admire a good genre mash. DEFIANCE is set in a post-apocalyptic world. The city-state of Baalboden is a terrible dystopia. Logan invents brilliant pieces of tech that might be found in a science fiction novel. And the things that caused the apocalypse and still threatens the world today? DRAGONS. Add some romance to that — and a few delicious almost-kissing scenes — and you’ve got a book with all my favorite genres perfectly blended together.

For anyone looking for a deep and exciting read that stretches beyond the typical boundaries of genre, DEFIANCE is for you.(less)

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Aug 17, 2012 Tatiyana White rated it 1 of 5 stars Recommends it for: no one that has ever been born, may be born, be born again, or reborn

Recommended to Tatiyana by: someone who clearly doesn't know me

Shelves: extemely-annoying-character-s, i-wouldn-t-read-the-second-one, it-hurt-to-try-to-finish, pretty-covers-garbage-stories, series-that-should-just-stop, what-the-f, unhealthy-relationships, could-not-finish

Anyone with an expectation of ill-manufactured and mawkish drama, vague and flimsy world building, somewhat competent storytelling, and a set of coldly contrived characters will find their love match in Defiance.

This melodramatic affair, shellacked in a surprising amount of both physical and verbal abuse, has left me thoroughly unimpressed.

::full review pending::

8 likes · like · see review

Aug 31, 2012 Deniz rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy, ya

I think the book is awesome because I felt such strong emotions the entire way through

for M & K !
NO one has ever entertained me better with their review battles!

i guess its about 3.5stars

What an emotional roller-costar ride! totally fun to read.
I didnt mind the melodramatics or that some characters were a bit one dimensional.
i was screaming squealing and shouting through the whole book which i read in more or less one sitting.
sadly i didnt care for the end at all

a full review will follow...more

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Crazy for Young A...: Defiance (Defiance #1) by C.J. Redwine → Start Date: July 20th, 2013	17	13	Jun 17, 2013 04:34pm
Possibility of a love triangle??? ( PLEASE NO!) - for those who read it	11	72	Jun 13, 2013 12:23pm
More in the series?	14	72	Apr 17, 2013 11:26am
YA Buddy Readers'...: Defiance by C.J.Redwine/Start Date:February 22nd	13	14	Feb 24, 2013 09:38am
YA & TEENS BO...: Defiance by C.J. Redwine	3	20	Jan 11, 2013 01:58pm
YA Buddy Readers'...: Defiance by C.J. Redwine → Start Date: December 11, 2012	67	34	Dec 15, 2012 08:04am
Shut Up & Read: Defiance by C.J. Redwine - October	8	41	Nov 22, 2012 08:16pm

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Defiance (Defiance #1)

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