{Review} Defiance by C.J. Redwine

 

Defiance
by C.J. Redwine
Series: The Courier's Daughter (#1)
Pages:  403
Source:  Won
Available as of August 28, 2012
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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.

After reading a ton of raving reviews for Defiance, I had to pick it up. The hype surrounding this book doesn't do it justice. CJ Redwine did a fantastic job depicting the world where all fear The Cursed One.

Rachel's father hasn't returned home from his most recent mission. He was due back 60 days ago, but he hasn't arrived. The Commander declares him dead against her wishes and the reading of the will begins. She doesn't know what her father was thinking when he named Logan as her Protector. He could have chosen Oliver, but instead a 19 year old boy who barley supports himself.

I LOVE Defiance. Rachel was driven by her anger throughout most of the book. The Commander knew exactly how to get under her skin and he exploited it. Logan is an orphan who was declared an outcast by the Commander when his mother died. He is extremely intelligent and cautious when necessary.

The plot was fast-paced and never dull. I was sucked in from page one. However, there was one page about a third of the way in that almost made me put the book down. I was devastated. Luckily that didn't deter me for long. I was surprised multiple times by Rachel's determination and Logan's brilliance. I loved that I got to see the world through both of their eyes. Having multiple points-of-view really made this book. Seeing both sides helped in understanding both of the main characters in their entirety. 

Overall, Defiance was a stunning debut that left me begging for more. I can't wait for book two! If you enjoy action-packed, fast-paced, edge-of-your-seat reads, you should definitely give this one a shot. Well worth it!