Early Book Review: Defiance by C.J. Redwine
Book Stats:
Defiance by C.J. Redwine
(Book #1 of Defiance)
Source: ARC provided by publisher via Edelweiss
Format: E-book, 315 pages
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Expected Publication Date: 8/28/2012
Reading Level: Young Adult
Genre: Sci-fi, Paranormal, Romance
Goodreads Summary: 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.
First of all, can I just say that the cover is gorgeous? That's just how I imagined Rachel. The cover model looks like the embodiment of her personality: Determined.
Okay, I don't know if I expected too much out of Defiance but after reaching the last pages, I felt incomplete. There's something about the dilemmas in the book that didn't appeal any urgency to me. The book was very high on action but rarely delivered the adrenaline rush. Defiance, the given title stays very true to the heart of its story. It's about a girl who would defy all odds if necessary.
I think it's an interesting mix of dystopian and medieval fantasy. I was a little bit lost trying to find the middle ground on the seemingly advance technology and the primitive civilization that our protagonists, Rachel and Logan, seems to live in. I don't know whether to think this was in 1894 or 2020.
I think Rachel just landed #1 on my Top list of head-strong fictional women. I admire her tenacity because when she sets her mind on something, she will try to do everything in her power to get it. Of course, the head-strong characteristic doesn't always play out to be likeable. There's some times where I just wanna shake her because she's being stupid but for the most part, I think she's one to be admired. She's a tough cookie! Her upbringing consisted of weapons and fighting instead of dresses and table setting. Yes, she's a little bit of a tomboy.
Logan on the other hand is like the yang to Rachel's ying. He's cool, calm & collected compared to Rachel's burning passion and impulsivness. Underneath it all, we get a glimpse of the emotional turmoil over what he suffered as a child. I loved his loyalty over his proclaimed family. Although I can't say I fell in love with his character, he did make me swoon couple of times.
As weird as it may sound, the thing that I loved most about was the execution of the Commander's character. There were lots of deaths and pain caused by him. He was just plain EVIL and Ms. Redwine made sure to get that point across.
The nice surprise of this book was the dual POVs. I wasn't expecting that! It was like a 2-in-1 kind of deal because you do get separate adventures from Logan and Rachel plus you get to see their cutest little thoughts about each other. Sorry to say that the story did not really ring my bell but the characters we're good enough to stay invested in.. especially the budding romance.
Let me tell you that THERE IS NO LOVE TRIANGLE (so far) in this supposedly series. Can I get a hallelujah? Seriously, I was beginning to think no one would dare write one without! There isn't a lot of romance in this book to begin with but it's one where you can feel it throughout. Their relationship we're more like coming into terms of what they we're really feeling from the beginning and they didn't get there without any obstacles. Rachel and Logan's relationship reminded me of Romeo and Juliet. Not to say they're a tragic couple but the willingness to sacrifice their own lives just make it seem like they're star-crossed lovers who would moved heaven and hell for one another. Their growing relationship was as beautiful as it gets! I just wished it was given more spark since they're supposed to be a "hate that I love you" type of couple, you know, some fun and snarky comebacks would have sufficed.
There's some moments that would leave you going "WHAT?!" but still, the ending left me unresolved... and not in the way that I really wanted to know what happened next! With the way the it was written, it felt so rushed when it could have been an epic ending.. or a breath-taking cliffhanger. Overall, I did enjoy Defiance and I recommend dystopian lovers to try it out for themselves when it hits the shelves on August 28, 2012!
★★★★
Connect with the author:
Purchase/ Add to shelf:
Early Book Review: Defiance by C.J. Redwine
Book Stats:
Defiance by C.J. Redwine
(Book #1 of Defiance)
Source: ARC provided by publisher via Edelweiss
Format: E-book, 315 pages
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Expected Publication Date: 8/28/2012
Reading Level: Young Adult
Genre: Sci-fi, Paranormal, Romance
Goodreads Summary: 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.
First of all, can I just say that the cover is gorgeous? That's just how I imagined Rachel. The cover model looks like the embodiment of her personality: Determined.
Okay, I don't know if I expected too much out of Defiance but after reaching the last pages, I felt incomplete. There's something about the dilemmas in the book that didn't appeal any urgency to me. The book was very high on action but rarely delivered the adrenaline rush. Defiance, the given title stays very true to the heart of its story. It's about a girl who would defy all odds if necessary.
I think it's an interesting mix of dystopian and medieval fantasy. I was a little bit lost trying to find the middle ground on the seemingly advance technology and the primitive civilization that our protagonists, Rachel and Logan, seems to live in. I don't know whether to think this was in 1894 or 2020.
I think Rachel just landed #1 on my Top list of head-strong fictional women. I admire her tenacity because when she sets her mind on something, she will try to do everything in her power to get it. Of course, the head-strong characteristic doesn't always play out to be likeable. There's some times where I just wanna shake her because she's being stupid but for the most part, I think she's one to be admired. She's a tough cookie! Her upbringing consisted of weapons and fighting instead of dresses and table setting. Yes, she's a little bit of a tomboy.
Logan on the other hand is like the yang to Rachel's ying. He's cool, calm & collected compared to Rachel's burning passion and impulsivness. Underneath it all, we get a glimpse of the emotional turmoil over what he suffered as a child. I loved his loyalty over his proclaimed family. Although I can't say I fell in love with his character, he did make me swoon couple of times.
As weird as it may sound, the thing that I loved most about was the execution of the Commander's character. There were lots of deaths and pain caused by him. He was just plain EVIL and Ms. Redwine made sure to get that point across.
The nice surprise of this book was the dual POVs. I wasn't expecting that! It was like a 2-in-1 kind of deal because you do get separate adventures from Logan and Rachel plus you get to see their cutest little thoughts about each other. Sorry to say that the story did not really ring my bell but the characters we're good enough to stay invested in.. especially the budding romance.
Let me tell you that THERE IS NO LOVE TRIANGLE (so far) in this supposedly series. Can I get a hallelujah? Seriously, I was beginning to think no one would dare write one without! There isn't a lot of romance in this book to begin with but it's one where you can feel it throughout. Their relationship we're more like coming into terms of what they we're really feeling from the beginning and they didn't get there without any obstacles. Rachel and Logan's relationship reminded me of Romeo and Juliet. Not to say they're a tragic couple but the willingness to sacrifice their own lives just make it seem like they're star-crossed lovers who would moved heaven and hell for one another. Their growing relationship was as beautiful as it gets! I just wished it was given more spark since they're supposed to be a "hate that I love you" type of couple, you know, some fun and snarky comebacks would have sufficed.
There's some moments that would leave you going "WHAT?!" but still, the ending left me unresolved... and not in the way that I really wanted to know what happened next! With the way the it was written, it felt so rushed when it could have been an epic ending.. or a breath-taking cliffhanger. Overall, I did enjoy Defiance and I recommend dystopian lovers to try it out for themselves when it hits the shelves on August 28, 2012!
★★★★
Connect with the author:
Purchase/ Add to shelf:
Book Stats:
Great review :D I got denied on Edelweiss, unfortunately, but I'll be definitely checking this out when it comes out. I'm glad there isn't a love triangle in it, but also somewhat disappointed that the author didn't invest a lot in the romance. Well, I'll have to wait and see what I think of it :D
ReplyDeleteNew follower!
Have a great day,
BEatriz
Yes, it was pretty mellow for my liking but it was likable all the same.
DeleteThank you! xo
Thank you for your great review. I love a strong female character. Your review is the first that I have had the pleasure to read for this book.
ReplyDeleteAw thank you!
DeleteSending your invites with come as no surprise that personalized labels
ReplyDeleteremoval has become one of the almost pop optional decorative procedures uncommitted.
To make your Marriage ceremony more adorable, you decision by a
supporter, a home appendage, a co-worker, or even a complete unknown?
These reasons are called contraindications, next
30 days, the handled locks will drop out.
My weblog ... food labels
obviously like your website however you have to test the spelling on quite a few
ReplyDeleteof your posts. Many of them are rife with spelling issues and
I find it very bothersome to inform the truth then again
I'll definitely come again again.
my web-site viagra
Great review!!! This sounds so awesome!!! The characters all seem super engaging and romance sounds so sweet!!!! I am really looking forward to the release of this one. Thanks for sharing!!
ReplyDelete