.REVIEW: DEFIANCE by C.J. Redwine

Defiance

by: C.J. Redwine Series: Courier's Daughter Trilogy #1

Published: August 28th 2012 by Balzer + Bray

Kindle Edition, ARC, 416 pages

ISBN:0062117181 (ISBN13: 9780062117182)

*Review copy provided by Pub. in exchange for an honest review.

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.

A mix of Fantasy , Paranormal, and Dystopia, C.J. Redwine debut scores in the YA Fantasy genre! C.J. has an ability to suck you into the pages with an ease to her writing style.



In the land of Baalboden, behind a walled city, lives our young protagonist, Rachel. She has lived a life behind the walled cities never once touching her toes beyond the walls. The people of Baalboden live were woman must be protected by men at all times, never venturing far from their protectors, because what lies behind the city walls may be just as fierce as what lays beyond them.


Rachel's dad is a courier, a man who ventures beyond the protected walls, to deliver messages and such to other cities throughout the Wasteland. A very dangerous job, few are chosen, to be couriers, because of what lies beyond protected walls. A vile creature, whom rises beneath the ground whenever it senses prey, can destruct whole armies with one swoop of it's tale, or one breath from it's potent mouth. Rachel's dad has been on many courier jobs and always sets a date to return, but after this last mission, he doesn't return but instead is missing, and feared dead.

Rachel being under the care(protected) of a family friend, still believes her father will return and is still alive somewhere beyond the Wasteland. She has the urge to escape, so she may find him, but after being declared legally dead by the Commander, she is chosen a guardian/protector, although it is not the person whom has raised her along with her father, it is someone who has trained alongside her father, and was a childhood crush of hers. Logan McEntire is close to Rachel's age, he does whatever it takes to protect Rachel. Although, this story didn't really focus on the romantic aspect of their relationship, you can see a growing bond start to form between these two. Logan was sweet in caring for Rachel, but I had a hard time connecting to him. I really don't want to spoil it for you so I really cannot elaborate more of my feelings on this subject.


The Commander runs the city and is able to keep the city protected, but don't let him fool you into believing he is a good guy, he is far from that, and proves to everyone he does not tolerate or care for the people of Baalboden.

With Rachel's motivation and determination to overcome the Baalboden's wall and escape from the Commander, so she may find her father, we easily see her face fear, death, and more for the love of her father.Will she be able to find him in the vastness of the Wasteland and survive the vile creature? Read it and see...

I enjoyed this YA Fantasy.It drew me in easily and I enjoyed the mystery aspect of it. I liked the way Rachel, at such a young age, was able to face her fears and take on the Wasteland with determination.

My only gripe? I felt the adventure part of the story to be rushed at times and the battle scenes seemed to happen quickly, and wished more emphasis would be played on building up the scenes with the monster. Painting more pictures in my mind would of fleshed out greater imaginative scenes.


If you especially enjoy fantasy reads, or want to dip your feet in the genre, then I would recommend this book. I am looking forward to the second book in the series.


4/5 stars