Jaime's Review of Defiance by CJ Redwine

Defiance

C.J. Redwine

Hardcover: 416 pages

Release Date: August 28, 2012

Publisher: Balzer+Bray (Harper)

ISBN: 0062117182

Source: ARC from the Sacramento/San Francisco Book Review

Rating: Obsessed

From Goodreads.

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.

So at first glance reading the synopsis you’d think ooh cool a fantasy novel right? And that’s what Harper is calling it; a fantasy trilogy which it is but, its’ so much more! There’s a dystopian edge to it as well and let’s just say those are two of my favorite genres. Needless to say I am completely obsessed with this book and C.J.’s writing is stunning! Absolutely breathtaking! She had me hanging on the edge of my chair with the action, cringing at the douchebag bad guy Commander Chase (who btw is way worse than Warner from Shatter Me IMO!!!!!!!)  and swooning like an idiot during the what did CJ call it in the acknowledgements? Oh yes awkward kissing scenes lol! Yeah my heart did little flips and yep I cried surprise, surprise. ;)

One of the things I loved the most about this amazing story was the multiple POV’s! We got the story from both Rachel and Logan. I honestly think this made the book better. With Rachel’s you got passion, anger, despair, and a strong desire for revenge/redemption and in Logan’s you got logic, plus the anger and passion, and a little something extra I can’t quite put my finger on. I absolutely loved his POV I think it may have been my favorite he made me feel all the things! Oh and did I forget to say there’s a dragon like creature? Yep it doesn’t have wings but it’s scary as hell!  Back to the real bad guy though Commander Chase; I stated above that in my opinion he’s worst than Warner in Shatter Me and, I stick by it. This man has no redeeming qualities at all and he’s not good looking. He’s old and cruel and doesn’t care who he kills. He literally gave me the heebie jeebies I mean skin crawling chills!

It was really hard to choose a passage I think I had about 20 post-it’s marking pages in this one but I decided to share a small passage from Logan’s POV.

Her skin warms beneath my hand as her anger fades into something tentative and soft.

“I should have told you what I was doing.” My thumb traces a path across her cheekbone, catching another drip of water. “I should’ve trusted you. I’m sorry.”

“No, I’m sorry. Sorry I misjudged you. Sorry I got us caught tonight.” She sways closer to me.

My gaze wanders to her lips, and I can’t see anything but a thin trail of water gliding over her skin, gathering at the corner of her mouth, and then slowly drifting toward her neck. She raises one shaky hand and presses her fingers against her lips. Her breath catches, a tiny sound that makes me realize how close I’m standing to her.

Warmth rushes through me, and I dip my face toward hers.

“Logan?” Her voice is soft, but the sound of my name slaps some sense into me.

I jerk back and swear.

Ok so I think y’all can see I’ve found another favorite. Yep I will suggest this one just like I suggest Maria V. Snyder’s Study series because it is THAT good and it NEEDS to be read!!!!

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