Mundie Moms

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Book Review: DEFIANCE by C.J. Redwine



Published by: Balzar & Bray
To Be Released on: August 28th, 2012
Purchase from: Harper Teen | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | IndieBound 

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. -quoted from Harper Teen

What an absolutely stunning debut! C.J. Redwine's writing is poignant, her storytelling is mesmerizing and her world building is incredible. I loved everything about this book. DEFIANCE is a well crafted story that had my complete attention from the moment I started it, and it still has me wanting to crawl back through it's page long after I've finished it. It's one of those books that takes you on an incredible journey, introduces to you unforgettable characters, treats to a story unlike one you've read about before, and gifts you with moments of romance, heartbreak, action, and well, defiance.

It's that defiance, or as I like to refer to it as stubbornness, that makes Rachel a stand out character for me. Her defiance is one of her greatest strengths and biggest dawn falls. She's an incredibly strong women who thinks quickly on her feet, is fiercely independent, and has this loyal devotion to those she loves. I admired her and the choices she makes in this story. Regardless of some of the not so fun consequences she deals with from her actions, I found myself relating to her often and cheering her on. Had I been in her shoes, I would have done many of the same things she did. I loved feeling like I really got to know her as a character. She came to life for me in so many ways. It wasn't just the fact she acted more like a tom boy vs the obedient women those of her time were expected to be like, but the comfort she had in her own skin is one of the things I loved the most about her! She embraced the women she is and the girl her father raised her to be, despite not having a mother around for her. I seriously loved her for that.

I also liked understanding why when I first met her she had her emotional wall up, and getting to see her slowly but surly bring it down further and further the more I got to see Logan and Rachel interact. Logan, WOW, what an amazing hot boy with sword. I loved him as much as I loved Rachel, because again I felt like I really got to know him. His honesty with his insecurities with himself made him both vulnerable in ways I don't always see a main character/hero mention, and it made him relatable and realistic, because I got to know him and understand him. I loved seeing him grow from a little bit of unease in his new roll to the fierce, loyal protector other people saw in him. He truly is the perfect match for Rachel. These two have an amazing chemistry, and it was such a breath of fresh air to see them work through their feelings of hurt, of insecurities, and watch their relationship grow into something strong and immovable. C.J. Redwine rocks with sizzling character chemistry and writing hot scenes!

Character wise, DEFIANCE has solid, dimensional characters that allowed me, the reader, to truly understand them. It wasn't just the two main characters I enjoyed reading about, but the other characters who are apart of Rachel and Logan's world. I connected with them on emotional levels despite the fact I didn't grow up in this time period, nor have I dwelt with most of the things Rachel and Logan do. I felt like I understood the reasoning behind their motives, I got what drove them to action, as well what motivated them emotionally. The characters complimented the storyline perfectly, and I loved getting caught up everything that goes on within the pages of this book. 

C.J.'s world building is seriously awesome. I love, love, love reading books that have a timeless feel to them, and have a world that is historic, and yet unique and creative to the story it's apart of. It's unlike any other world, yet similar to a few of my other favorite reads this year. Once again I am in awe over this year's debut books that I've fallen in love with. This is one book that stands out among the many YA books I've had the pleasure of reading not just this year, but as a whole. I highly recommend this book. I could go on and on about my love for it, but I'd either end up spoiling something or boring you guys to death over my list. If you haven't already, go pick this one up! I can guarantee you, you will find this book near the top of my top ten list at the end of the year. This book is phenomenal. I want more!


Don't miss my Defiance blog tour/ interview stop from earlier this morning with C.J., here

5 comments:

  1. I am so glad you liked it as much as you did! I read the first part of the book on Harper Collins and immediately put it on my TBR list. I can't wait to get it and finish reading what I started. Fabulous review!

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    1. Thank you Crystal! I'm so happy to hear you loved it as much as I did as well. I'm so excited there's a sequel to this book. I can not wait to dive back into this world.

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  2. Couldn't agree more with your review. I totally loved this book too.

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  3. Oooh... This book looks interesting :) And it's by a Debut Author? Ok I'm going to read it :D And thanks for the review ^^

    Cleo Rogers (Plumbing Puyallup)

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