Review: Defiance by C.J. Redwine

Defiance
(Defiance #1)

Author: C.J. Redwine

Publication Date: August 28, 2012

Publisher: Balzer + Bray

Genre: Dystopian

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Synopsis:

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.

My Thoughts:

I really enjoyed this novel.  After the first chapter I was completely hooked and could barely put it down.  It reminded me a lot of The Inheritance Cylcle, only with a bit more romance (not that I don't love Eragon and Aria, because I totally do) and some tech.

Trying to find a new fuel source, fifty years ago people released something they never knew existed.  These creatures destroyed mass population areas with the fire breath.  Only those who were living in the middle of nowhere were left unharmed.  Now, people live within the protection of cities guarded by their leaders and the remaining beast leaves them mostly unharmed, but under the strict tyranny of the people who are supposed to protect them.

This is quite the "coming-of-age" novel. The evolution of Rachel Adams, the main character, from the time mentioned when she was fifteen even up to the end of the book is fast but believeable.  At fifteen, she was a gulliable girl who believed in a fairytale ending, but could take down grown men in a fight.  She had her heart broken, but was determined to only get stronger from it.  Then, a series of events happen that make her question herself, her abilities, her decisions and even her moral system.  Some of these get compromised and some end up excelling.  By the end of the novel, Rachel is almost unrecognizable as the same girl she was at the beginning, but she is unsure if it is for the better or worse.

Logan McEntire is a genius with technology and was Rachel's father's apprentice.  He suffered at the hands of their tyrant Commander (who believes women are pretty much useless and need to be escorted everywhere, lest they be raped in the middle of the street or something).  Logan inwardly hates the Commander, but up until now only had a faraway plan to get out of the city that he never felt welcome in, other than from the Adams' family.

I loved this book.  It was dark and lots of tough decisions about life and death in extreme situations happen, which made the characters question themselves.  It was a trek of self-discovery for them, I found, and really just not letting go of what you love and not letting moments pass you by - you never know when or if you will have another one.  It is a coming to terms with death of loved ones, rebellion against worse than a dictatorship and above all, knowing yourself when the time comes.  I would definitely recommend this book.

 

Review: Defiance by C.J. Redwine

Defiance
(Defiance #1)

Author: C.J. Redwine

Publication Date: August 28th, 2012

Publisher: Balzer + Bray

Genre: Fantasy

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Synopsis:

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.

My Thoughts: I wasn't sure what to expect going into Defiance. I certainly wasn't expecting what I got, which was a kick ass ginger with a few anger issues (I think she had a good reason for it) and a cute techie guy who can hold his own when he has to. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book, although there were a few things that were somewhat predictable (I knew she'd have to be in the Claiming for example, as soon as I heard about it and that she was just a bit young for it.) there were still many things I wasn't expecting that happened.

Defiance is told from two different points of view. The first one is of Rachel, who I couldn't help but feel bad for. She loses her father, even though she's sure he's still alive and wants nothing more than to go looking for him in the Wasteland. Then the Commander (many bad names for him) takes everything else from her. He basically turns her into a monster who can't trust anyone. She is full of so much anger that she doesn't feel that she deserves love from anyone any more. She does though. Considering everything she's put through, she is still strong and wants to survive for as long as she can. Although she does get a bit carried away with her need for revenge, like I said, she's an angry person. She also stubborn and red-headed *yay!*

The second point of view is Logan. He's an orphan and an inventor. He turned Rachel down when she told him she loved him at 15. He is then made to be her protector and suddenly finds himself falling for her, but he already screwed up his chances for that, right? All he wants is to escape Baalboden. The Commander murdered his mother for breaking the law (leaving her home without a man to go to market and get some food for her starving son, because the Commander refused to let another man claim her after her husband died). He'll take any opportunity to get justice for his mother. He becomes Rachel's fathers apprentice and also believes that he's not dead and wants to go searching for him, but now he's been assigned Rachel's Protector and can't just leave as easily as he could before.

Both characters have their own issues they are trying to work through, both are extremely uncomfortable around each other ever since Rachel was 15 and Logan turned her down. But, they do have their mutual hatred for the Commander to unite them. The Commander is a terrible guy. He is the law, only because he can keep The Cursed One away and no one else can. He is basically on a huge power trip and manipulates people to get what he wants and then disposes of them. Life means nothing to him and he wants something from Rachel and will do anything to get her to do what he wants. He might bite off more than he can chew with her though.

Overall this is a really good fantasy read. It can almost be categorized as a dystopia as well, making me like it even more. C.J. Redwine does a really great job creating a world that you can get lost into and characters who you'll root for. The world development is pretty good, I had a clear image in my head while reading. The good thing, there's going to be more! If you're a fantasy reader or really like dystopia-like books, you should definitely check this one out!