Defiance by C.J. Redwine - Book Review

Defiance by C.J. Redwine Series: Defiance Trilogy #1 Published by: Balzer + Bray on August 28th, 2012 Pages: 403 Format: Hardcover Genre: Fantasy Source: Purchased Rating: 4/5 Buy the Book   or    Add it to Goodreads!
FROM 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.

MY THOUGHTS:
If you didn't know this about me already, I am a compulsive book buyer. It is impossible for me to go anywhere without purchasing a book, and if I don't go somewhere, I go to Amazon. It's bad, but I figure it's a better buying problem than most people have! Anyways, Defiance is another book that's been sitting on the TBR shelf for...well, we will just say quite awhile! I'd been craving a good fantasy book, and this was a light fantasy read for me but I loved it.
I've never read a book that had legit dragons in it until I picked up Defiance. Let me just say, IT WAS AMAZE-BALLS! I never ever would have though I would enjoy reading about Dragons, but it was just so bad-a. 
I was a little unsure about the alternate POVs at first, because I feel like when authors do that, it's really a hit or miss for me. But C.J. Redwine did a fantastic job switching between Rachel and Logan, and I didn't once have to wonder who I was reading from. I thought they both had unique voices, and I quickly grew to love them both. Rachel is such a bad-a. Gosh, sorry. That's the second time I've used that word in this review, but it's the truth. She the type of heroine who puts her feelings on the back burner, and just kicks some butt in a world where woman are all prissy little sissies. She has quite the little attitude, and it just made me relate to her even more, because apparently, as I've been told many times, I have the same type no matter how endearing and sweet I may sound! I couldn't imagine having to be taken care of by the guy who had rejected me when I professed my love for him, like Rachel did with Logan. Of course, a bit of time has passed since that happened, so Rachel hardened herself against Logan. I was not expecting Logan to begin forming feelings for Rachel, and the fact that he did made me love him even more. I giggled so many times reading his reactions to Rachel's appearance or his inner debates on what to say to her. He was like the girl of the relationship, and it made me wonder if guys really act this way in their head in real life. It's hilarious! This relationship is a slow burning romance, which is hard to find in YA these days. Most of the time, it's insta-love, but Defiance had none of that. Waiting for them to finally get together had me flipping the pages at an extra fast pace!
I also really loved the close relationship that both Rachel and Logan had with Oliver. He was such an awesome character, even if he always made me hungry for bakery goods! Every single time he talked about wanting to be a grand-daddy, my heart swelled with warmth!
Defiance is not lacking in the action department. I mean, how could it with Rachel being such a bad-a?! (Geez! Up to three times now!) Plus the villain is extra super malicious, and some of the things he did in this book really made me mad!!! I can't mention it, because it would be a major spoiler, but GOSH WHY DID THAT HAVE TO HAPPEN TO THAT PERSON?!?!?! There, that's all I'll say about that. But the non-stop action kept the momentum of the plot flowing, and kept me wondering at was going to happen next. 
Overall, I thought Defiance was a great read, and I'm glad I finally got to pick it up. I cannot wait to see what happens next in Deception. I made sure I ordered my copy the second I finished Defiance, and I'm sad it hasn't arrived yet. Don't let the Fantasy genre shy you away from this book. It is very light, and a great introduction to the genre if you're interested! I give Defiance 4 out of 5 stars!! :)

 

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