Review: Defiance by C.J. Redwine

Author: C.J. Redwine
Title: Defiance
Publication:August 28, 2012
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Genre: Fantasy
Pages: 416
Rating: 4 out 5
Source: Publisher via Edelweiss


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.

Thoughts: Interesting read that has piqued my curiosity. Logan and Rachel are two complex characters, neither is what they seem. He is a tech-savvy geek on the surface but deep within is a fighter. Rachel has it harder because in Baalboden, females are not allowed the extensive education that males are given. Women are meant to be domesticated and Rachel is anything but that. She is spirited, strong-willed and loyal. Her impulsive nature starts something that threatens everything she holds dear, and she must learn to rely on the one person she detests, Logan. Now, that circumstances have brought them together, they may discover they are not as immune to each as they believe. 

Defiance is told from the perspectives of Rachel and Logan. I like that both of the characters are strong and each bring a different talent to the story. I was unaware that this was going to be a series and have some questions. I want to know why the Commander hates Logan so much and the origin of the Cursed One. What the heck is that thing?  Rachel and Logan, together make a great team, especially after they realize that they have misjudged one another. She thinks Logan unfeeling about her situation and he thinks her impulsive, stubborn that she hates him. Each one of them has been dealt a cruel hand by a tyrant ruler, who is greedy for power and control. The world that Redwine has created is pretty cool; my favorite part is the tree hopping because it reminds me of this scene from the movie House of Flying Daggers. These characters are not one dimensional, they have depth and tenacity. The writing is well paced with the speed of the action in the story. I think this is a great fantasy read with courageous leading heroes for both male and female readers.