Friday 28 September 2012

Review: Defiance by C.J Redwine


  Defiance
  Author: C.J Redwine
  Publisher: Atom
  Publication date: September 6th 2012
  My rating:  4.5 stars

 
Rachel’s world is confined to the protective walls around her city. Beyond them are violent wanderers, extreme terrain, and a danger straight out of legend: a beast called the Cursed One that devastates everything in its path.

When Rachel’s father goes missing, she is desperate to search for him. But her attempts to flee the city bring her to the attention of its overbearing ruler. His efforts to control her make the world within the walls seem as dangerous as that outside.

Her only chance at escape is Logan. Once her father’s apprentice, and now her only protector, he feels that helping her might mean losing her completely. But if he can put his feelings aside, they might be able to save more than Rachel’s father. They might be able to break down the walls, and set their people free.

Defiance was a book that was on my priority to acquire list ever since I first came across it earlier this year. The gorgeous cover and enticing premise instantly captured my attention. I’ve had certain issues with paranormal books where they just haven’t appealed to me, but I had a feeling Defiance would be different and different it certainly was.

The city of Baalboden is under the regime of the Commander and his brute squad. Whatever he says goes, if you step out of line or one of his guards catches you there are always consequences. Rachel finds her back against the wall as soon as her father is declared dead, he went to the wasteland and never returned, and now that it has been 90 days and there is still no sign of him it is up to the Commander to officially declare him dead. But Rachel still hasn’t given up hope. She decides to make it past the Commander and his guards to the wasteland. But the Commander has something up his sleeve, no matter how hard Rachel and her deemed Protector Logan try he always seems one step ahead. He arranges a deal with Rachel which she has to see through otherwise all those closest to her, lives may be at risk.

I’ve been having quite a bit of luck recently with strong independent female main characters and Rachel ends up being another great female character that I can add to this list. At first she did jump into situations without thinking things through consequently putting other people’s lives on the line. But you still have to remember that she is only 16 years old. As the story progressed she grew on me a lot more, I liked the character that emerged, she was still head strong, but there was a fierceness about her which I admired. My original assumptions about her as a selfish 16 year old flew straight out of the window as she matured rapidly.

I liked how Redwine made Defiance a dual pov book, Rachel was an interesting character, but I loved getting into Logan’s head too! He was one of the sweetest gentlemen, I loved how meticulous he was with everything he did; planning, checking and triple checking things, how he put his body on the line for those closest to him, I think he definitely made it to my favourite literary crushes. I hope in the next book we learn a lot more about his back story, he certainly had a shady past, which I’d like to delve a lot deeper into.

The Commander was a right piece of work; he was a character which had a constant buzz around him, as he always had something up his sleeve which would have me stunned or so worked up that I just wanted to punch him. He’s definitely a character you love to hate; I can’t wait to see what he has in store for us next.

Defiance is a brilliant debut novel from Redwine, its pace and endless surprises will be sure to keep you captivated. Logan and Rachel were two characters that brought so much, that it was hard not to form a close relationship with both. I honestly can’t wait to read what Redwine has planned next for these fantastic set of characters.

Final Verdict
Best case scenario; you read this book and fall madly in love like I did.
Worst case scenario; you decide to not read this book and miss out on one of the best debuts this year.


14 comments:

Maja (The Nocturnal Library) said...

Oh, man, my luck with strong independent female characters has been exactly the opposite lately. I just can seem to find one believable enough. I'll just trust you and give Rachel a chance.
Like you, I've had my eye on this book for a while now, and it makes me feel so much better to know that you liked it. I'll be reading it very soon.
Amazing review, love.

Unknown said...

Ah!! Need this book! Sounds awesome, has great reviews, and on top of that it also has a pretty cover.

Jenny said...

YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY JASPRIT!!!! I loved this book so much too! I was a huge fan of the dual POV as well, it was so nice to be able to get in Logan's head and see how he felt about Rachel. Plus he approached things so differently than she did, and I liked getting to follow both of them as they figure things out:) I cannot wait for book 2! Beautiful, Beautiful review!

Anonymous said...

I'm so happy to hear that you enjoyed this book too, Jasprit. I had a few tiny issues with it, but overall I did really enjoy it too. Rachel and Logan were such amazing characters. Logan totally stole my heart with his gentleman nature!
Lovely review, Jasprit.
I can't wait for the next book! :)

Krazzyme(Young Readers) said...

LOL! Love how your final verdict is just how I imagined Logan to pimp this book!

Logan was awesome and you're right I'd love to find out more about his backstory! LOVE your review


Krazyyme @ Young Readers

Heidi@Rainy Day Ramblings said...

Hey girl! Hope you had a fabulous trip! Hoping to see some pics! I have been meaning to check this out. I am all for a strong heroine and a sexy counterpart. I am getting so I really love the dual POVs. It seems like we have had a bunch of fantastic debut author releases this year, I will be sure to try and get this read.Have a great weekend!

Livvy said...

After your review, Jasprit, I'm feeling much more positive about reading this book. I need to get my hands on it sooner rather than later since Keertana's review made me feel a little wary.

However it does sound like something that would appeal to me, and I truly love paranormal books, so I'll be keeping this on my wishlist.

I do adore the cover like you! And a strong female lead; yet another tick on my list of needs.

Great review! :)

brandileigh2003 said...

I agree, Rachel was a great and strong main character.
Glad you enjoyed.
Brandi from Blkosiner’s Book Blog

Keertana said...

YOU'RE BACK FROM PRAGUE! :D I need pictures, missy, of both that beautiful city and your beautiful smile...just sayin'! ;) Anyway, I'm so glad you enjoyed this one, Jasprit! While I wasn't a big fan of it, I can feel your excitement over this debut just from reading your review and I wish I had enjoyed it more now. Perhaps I'll have better luck with the sequel though! *fingers crossed* I also LOVE your final verdict - adorable and very fitting considering Logan's POV! ;) Yet another simply fantastic review, dear! :D

Teresa Mary Rose said...

I am so glad you enjoyed this book. I too fell in love with the cover and I am really hoping to get to it sometime soon. Great review!

Teresa @ Readers Live A Thousand Lives

Sam (Realm of Fiction) said...

I agree about the Commander. Usually the villain is just, you know...there. But Commander Chase really made my blood boil. I'm pleased you enjoyed this as much as I did. Amazing review as always, Jasprit! :)

Suzanne (Parabooklover) said...

I'm glad you really enjoyed this Jaspirit. Like you, I was really looking forward to this one, but I just couldn't get into it and it became a dnf. Neither Rachel or Logan appealed to me at all. I really just didn't care what happened to them so I felt I couldn't continue.

Eunice said...

Fantastic review, Jasprit! I'm glad you enjoyed this. I really enjoyed this one too. I didn't like Rachel right away too and I was a little annoyed by her actions on the first parts but I loved how she grew and developed throughout the story. I did end up really admiring her too. Logan is a sweetheart! Haha! I enjoyed being in his head too. :)

Anonymous said...

To read, or not to read... That is the question. Before I was a bit conflicted because of the mixed reviews, but I think I'll have to give it a go because of your review, Jasprit! Fabulous review and thanks for convincing me, love! The characters sound perfect- fascinating, compelling, and altogether wonderful.

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