Quick-Fire Duel Review: Defiance (Courier's Daughter Trilogy) by C.J. Redwine

Reading level: Ages 13 and up
Hardcover: 416 pages
Publisher: Balzer + Bray (August 28, 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0062117181
ISBN-13: 978-0062117182
Buy the Book: Amazon

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.

At a Glance:

Amy: I had read enough Goodreads reviews, and read the excitement on Twitter, to know this book was going to good. Just reading the synopsis, I knew it was something I would love.

Rachel was a very strong character, she had to deal with a lot of grief, yet she used it to her advantage. She was tough, but the girly girl part of her would creep up now and then.


Andye:  A dystopian that reads like high fantasy, Defiance is full of action and adventure. With a strong heroine, a nerdy-yet-kick-butt hero, a horribly villainous "protector," and.....oh yeah.....a dragon, this is a book that grabs hold of you in the beginning and doesn't let go until you close the last page.

Amy: I wasn't going to mention the dragon Andye, you're ruining the surprise!

Andye:  Dragon?  What dragon?  

Cover:

Amy: I really like the cover, she is not in a dress for one. I love that you can see Baalboden barely visible at the bottom. The model is beautiful, perfect for Rachel.


Andye:  Agree!



Action:

Andye:  This book is FULL of it. Action, that is. Rachel and Logan are constantly having to fight, whether it's the Cursed One, the Commander, assassins, or other hostile cities, there's not a moment of rest for these two.

Amy: Oh' yeah, the action is non-stop. It was a very fun read.


Romance:

Andye:  I liked the romance, but it wasn't one of my favorites. Logan was kind-of socially awkward when it comes to what a girl needs, which was endearing, but not exactly.....hot, haha. The build up just wasn't there for me, but it was sweet.


Amy: I liked the romance. I agree with Andye though, Logan was a little strange. Really he was a nerd/geek that like to invent stuff. I liked Logan a lot, no butterflies though.


Heroine:

Amy: Rachel was awesome. She was beautiful and fierce. Rachel was a great heroine, while keeping her femininity.


Andye:  I loved Rachel, but she could get a little depressed and lose focus sometimes, not that I blame her. Not that I'd say it to her face, cause she'd totally kick my butt.

Hero:

Amy: I loved Logan as the hero. Most of the time he would be completely sensible, so when emotion took over (especially where Rachel was concerned) it seemed somewhat unnatural for him. It was sweet to read about him trying to be Rachel's knight in shining armor.


Andye:  Logan is a tech-head that could slice you into pieces with his sword, or build a bomb to blow you up. It was cute to see him try to puzzle out his feelings for Rachel, when they didn't makes sense scientifically.  Logan's one of those guys who I wouldn't necessarily be attracted to myself, but I'd love him for my daughter.  Make sense?


Favorite Supporting Character:

Andye:  OLIVER!! Oh Oliver....What's not to love about an old man that will take in stray children who need love?

Amy: Oliver. He was  second father to Rachel and was very caring.


Something(s) we loved:

Amy: I loved the setting and the city of Baalboden. C.J. Redwine did a fantastic job of describing everything, so I could really picture the city.

Andye:  I loved the setting and the world that C.J. created. I loved how treacherous everything was, and that there's a mystery that's just out of my reach of solving.

Something(s) we hated:

Amy: That it ended. Oh, and very sad part that I can't mention.

Andye:  Honestly, I didn't really like the dragon. It didn't make sense to me that if the dragon saw people as a food source that it would come up and shish-kabob everyone. Unless he liked them blackened, that is.

Cliffhanger? 

Amy: Oh my goodness...

Andye:  WHOPPER!

Would we recommend it?

Andye:  Yeah, definitely! I think this is a book that most people will enjoy!

Amy: Absolutely! It's on my bookshelf of favorites.

Will we buy/keep it?

Andye: I got this one from the library. I probably won't buy it until the whole series is out, to see if I like it all.

Amy: Most likely


Rating:

Amy: 


5 out of 6



Andye:

4 out of 5 :P



Book Doppelgangers:

Andye:  Incarnate by Jodie Meadows, Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi

Content:

• Sexual Content: Some kissing - Minor
• Profanity: None
• Violence: Moderate

For more details check out Defiance on Parentalbookreviews.com