Review: Defiance by C.J. Redwine

Title: Defiance

Author: C. J. Redwine

Reviewed by: Cassie

The Fairies Say: Fierce and fascinating!

Summary (from Goodreads.com)

Within the walls of Baalboden, beneath the shadow of the city's brutal leader, Rachel Adams has a secret. While the 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 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.

Defiance begins with Rachel with her surrogate grandfather Oliver waiting and desperately hoping for her father to return. When he doesn't and the guards scrape the heavy gate closed, the Commander declares Jared Adams dead. And now, against the wishes of Oliver, Rachel, and Logan, Rachel is under the care of Logan.

Rachel is extremely fierce and amazing. Literally. She actually isn't afraid to use her knife, and I really admired her for that. I've said in the past I really wish I could read about a crazed, psychotic angry-girl. As the book progresses you'd think, Well Cassie, she kind of is . . . BUT that's the issue. Kind of. She's only crazy angry. She's not psychotic. That's a good thing, right? In some parts yes, but it makes reading her POV less interesting. I'll admit, at first I despised her character. She felt all "Oh shame frilly girls, how weak! MUST BE STRONG AND OFFENSIVE."
And then she actually did something fierce that I would never ever do and she earned respect.

The other characters now?
Logan - Okay so at first I was like, OH. Dark blue eyes you say? Dark blonde hair? YUM. But then I was thinking, and his personality is so WACK! For example, in the beginning he's sort of an angry, broody guy. Then he turns awkward and protective. Then he turns wicked smart inventor and super careful. And then he's part inventor part Rambo.
I have to say though, if you decide to read this READ THE CLAIMING CEREMONY. From Logan's POV. I died laughing. He sounded so much like my dad.
The other characters are well depicted. You'll hate the Commander. You'll love Oliver. Etc.

The world was a bit confusing. My big question is HOW EXACTLY DID HUMANITY REVERSE?? Women, needing Protectors? Hmph. Tyrant? City-states? Yet somehow there's some technology.
However, I still think it was fascinating and you should most definitely try this!!

Thanks for stopping by!
xoxo
Cassie