Book Recap: Defiance by C.J. Redwine (ARC)

Cover Inspection:
Oh, I love this cover. It's attractive.
And it fits the main character's personality.

SUMMARY (book description based on 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.

BOOK REPORT CARD: 

Cover	3.5
Plot	2.5
Writing	3.0
Characters	3.0
Ending	3.0
Overall Rating	3.0 Very Good! (89% to 92%) * highest rating possible is 4.0

LOCATION/SETTING:
The story is set in a dystopian world. There is safety within the walls of the city. Outside those walls is a dangerous wasteland. The culture inside the walls, however, is oppressive, especially to women as they are expected to be submissive and dependent on the men in their lives.

MAIN CHARACTERS:
Rachel is the daughter of Baalbodens best tracker and courier. She's stubborn, independent and headstrong, Basically, Rachel is everything the women of Baalboden are NOT supposed to be. She is a bit of a tomboy, preferring weapons rather than pretty, frilly things. Logan, on the other hand, is her father's apprentice. The two are complete opposites. Logan is logical and calculating. Rachel is impulsive, passionate and emotional.

WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT:
Rachel's father, Jared failed to return in the city. People think he's dead. In her father's last will, he assigned Logan, his 19 year old apprentice, as Rachel's protector. Both Logan and Rachel believe Jared is still alive, and so they search for him.

LOVE:
I liked the alternating first person POVs between Logan and Rachel. This is one of those alternating POVs that is not confusing at all. I loved it as the reader is given the chance to get a glimpse of what the characters are feeling, seeing, and thinking.

In this book, Rachel and Logan are always fighting, and testing each others limits. There's some sort of cute animosity (or competition?) between these two characters. But then again, they are the epitome of the saying opposites attract. I love the way these two depend on each other. They're each others strength and weakness.

On the scale of vileness, the villain in this book (the Commander) will probably be ranked number one. The Commander is an excellent villain. He may be likened to a mushroom - sprouting anywhere and everywhere spreading his evilness, terrifying Logan and Rachel whenever he can. This isn't like other books where the characters meet and fight the big boss only at the end of the story. The Commander was present at every step of the way.

I loved that Rachel developed some darkness in her as the story developed. It was initially disturbing actually, because she became sort of bitter as she matured. She made stupid mistakes that almost cost not only her life. Nevertheless, at the end of the story, she managed to hold on to hope, and this is partly due to Logan's love and guidance.

NO LOVE:
The pacing was inconsistent. I loved the first half of the book. The author did a wonderful job of introducing the readers to her version of dystopia and the way it works. But somewhere in the middle, the story slowed down. Then the story picked up eventually near the end.

I also wanted to read more about Logan and Rachel's relationship. It didn't really "blossom." While their relationship was established, they didn't have much alone time. Hence, not many kissy scenes (or not as many as I would've like).

FAVORITE CHARACTER:
I liked Logan. He's a wonderfully refreshing love interest. Sometimes, I get so sick of leading men that are arrogant, bossy, and obnoxious. Logan is their opposite. He's nerdy - the periodic table kind of nerd. He's the kind of guy who has a tendency to trip on books. He's all about logic. But he is also caring and thoughtful. There were scenes where he is depicted as awkward and clueless on the rules of courtship. He is adorable!

FAVORITE LINE:

from Logan's POV -- 

...the distance between us opens a hollow space inside me that can only be filled by her. I don’t know how to explain it, and I don’t bother trying. It’s enough to know I need her like I’ve never needed anyone else. 

*insert swOOOOn here*

MUSINGS:
Although Defiance is a dystopian story, it reads like a fantasy book. (There were monsters in this story.) The book is filled with action from start to finish. It is also relatively violent - gun shots, brutal fighting, and burning necks with hot metal. There is some romance without taking over the story. Defiance is story about hope, responsibility, and first love. I would recommend it to those who loved Blood Red Road by Moira Young and Under The Never Sky by Veronica Rossi.

DOODLES:
No trailer found.

AUTHOR'S WEBSITE:

C.J. Redwine

SIMILAR READS:
Blood Red Road by Moira Young

Under The Never Sky by Veronica Rossi

CONTENT REVIEW:
profanity: moderate
violence: moderate - heavy
sexual content: mild
mature themes: moderate
age recommendation: 14+