Defiance by C.J. Redwine Review

Defiance by C.J. Redwine
(Defiance, #1)
Release Date: August 28, 2012
Publisher: Balzer + Bray; 403 pages

While the other girls in the walled city-state of Baalboden learn to sew and dance, Rachel Adams learns to track and hunt. While they bend like reeds to the will of their male Protectors, she uses hers for sparring practice.

When Rachel's father fails to return from a courier mission and is declared dead, the city's brutal Commander assigns Rachel a new Protector: her father's apprentice, Logan—the boy she declared her love to and who turned her down two years before. Left with nothing but fierce belief in her father's survival, Rachel decides to escape and find him herself.

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.

I kind of want to know why I put this book off for almost a year. I had heard some people rave about this book, especially people whose opinions I really trust but I just never picked it up. After a friend convinced me to pick it up I am shaking my head at myself. I read this book in a matter of hours; I was sucked in all the way until I finished and then some. But what really matters is that I finally read it and I need more. Thankfully, I don't have that long to wait; the one plus on putting it off.

I really enjoyed the history between Rachel and Logan and also seeing the age difference (only three years, I think) but it's what happened in their pasts that make all interactions between them so much fun. Logan lost his mom and was basically branded a reject to the whole city. Rachel's dad took him in and trained him follow in his footsteps and with that, he became familiar with his daughter. Rachel, embarrassingly enough, declared her love for him and he denied her; ever since that day Rachel has done everything she can to avoid him and ignore him. If she can't do those than she's is anything but pleasant toward him. It's rather humorous.

Her father is declared dead when he never returned from the Wasteland after a mission. Each underage girl inside of Baalboden must have a Protector until she is chosen as someone's wife. She was certain Oliver would be named her Protector but her world was swept out from under her when, in fact, it was Logan who was named. It was in her father's Will whom he wished to be there for her. I can't even begin to tell you how giddy this made me because I knew it was going to be full of awkward and tense moments. Boy, I wasn't disappointed in the slightest.

The build up for their relationship was perfectly paced along with, like I said, many awkward moments. The more their feelings for each other started to show the more awkward things got. It's that moment when you're young and you like someone and you think they like you but you don't know what to do about it. Add to that living in the same house and being around each other all the time. Not to mention going behind each others backs with ways to escape the walls to try and search the Wasteland for Rachel's father. This was definitely one of my favorite aspects of the book.

His reaction to her in her choosing dress was beyond priceless. He is a guy and guys will oogle at breasts; it's just something they do. He tried so hard not to stare at her chest but how it was cut, his eyes couldn't go anywhere but there. His inner monologue was comical and completely Logan. If you didn't chuckle during this scene then shame on you.

The Commander is an asshole. There is no other way to describe him than that. Wait, that's not true - there's no nicer way to describe him than as an asshole. If I were to tell you how I truly felt about him this review would go from all ages to adult in a matter of words. I wish him the slowest, most painful, gruesome death ever created. He deserves worse but I don't know what else you could do besides leave him alive for days, but only barely and torture the hell out of him until his body just can't take the brutality of it all and puts him out of his misery. Even then, I don't think I'd be satisfied. Harsh, I know, but I'm being honest.

A good portion of this book both Logan and Rachel were separated; I didn't know how I'd make it through these sections but honestly, it was fascinating. Rachel is very strong and independent thanks to both her dad and Logan; they trained her to survive on her own and they did a tremendous job. The build up of the inevitable reunion was perfectly paced and made it so much sweeter when it happened.

The one thing I did not like about this that makes me a little skeptical about the next book is the set up for a possible love triangle. I really enjoy books that do not have love triangles because it's refreshing, especially with YA books. When I saw this I was so close to banging my head against my desk. I really hope it's me overacting and there's not a beginning of a love triangle in the Deception. I don't know if my heart could take it for Logan's sake.

I enjoyed this book a lot and if you haven't picked it up then you'll be kicking your butt just like I was.  It's a perfect blend for any Fantasy and Dystopia fans, like myself. Read this book now and you can go out to the store and buy the second without having to wait. Sadly, we'll have to wait for the third book together...