Book Review: Defiance by CJ Redwine

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.

Released:   28th August 2012
Part of a Series:  Book 1, Defiance
Published by:  Atom
Source:  Review Copy from Publisher
Links:  Goodreads  /  Amazon.co.uk  /  Amazon.com   

My Review

9 out of 10

Firstly, let me tell you a little bit about Rachel  and the world she lives in.  Rachel was brought up by her father; her mother having died shortly after she was born.  They live in a society where there is a leader called a Commander whose word is final and the women do not have many choices or opportunities.  Until they are of 'claiming' age, they are not to be outside of their house unless they are accompanied by a male protector.  When they are of 'claiming' age, there is a ceremony where they are claimed by a male companion, get married and set up family.   The women are brought up not knowing or wanting any different, apart from Rachel.  Rachel, bring brought up single handed by her father, was brought up leaning sword fighting, how to defend herself and how to survive beyond the walls where they live (in secret, so people other than herself and her father do not know she has been brought up differently to everyone else).  Rachel is a very strong character and will do anything for her father.  Her father is a tracker (who are sent outside the walls of their city and is a very dangerous job) and when he fails to come home from a mission, Rachel is determined to find him no matter what.  I loved how strong the character of Rachel is and how strong she becomes throughout the story. 

Then you have Logan.  Logan worked closely with Rachel's father, also as a tracker and have known the family for many years.  There is a bit of romance here (which you find out at the very start of the novel) and it is clear that Logan is attracted to Rachel and has been for many years.  I loved watching the development of the relationship between Rachel and Logan.  Will they/won't they and how they got on with each other as the story went on.  

What is keeping them inside the city walls?  The Cursed One.  I won't go into all about that as I do not want to spoil the story for you but its scary....

The story was very slow paced until nearly the end when there is a lot of action.  There is a lot of build up story at the beginning and seeing Rachel preparing for what she needs to do.  I liked how, when it got to the action scenes, the chapters got shorter.  Reading wise, when I get to read shorter chapters where there is a lot of action it really goes help me keep pace with the action and feel that same sort of urgency as the characters do.  The story is split into to perspectives; Rachel's and Logan's.  It is alternate chapters so you see the story through Rachel's eyes for a chapter and then switch to see through Logan's eyes and so on.  

When I got to the end of the book, there were definitely a few things that I am very much looking forward to learning more about.  Certainly, more about the historic relationships with some of the main characters...  

A really great action packed read that I would highly recommend.  

Best wishes

Debs