"Defiance (Defiance, #1)" by C.J. Redwine

5 out of 5 stars

Read December 23 to 24, 2013


Pages: 416
Published: August 28, 2012
Publisher: Balzar + Bray


When Rachel's father never returns from his courier mission, he is declared dead. Rachel does everything she can to make the tyrannical leader believe her father is still alive, but nothing works. In her father's will, he hands Rachel's guardianship to her father's closest friend: Logan. Neither of the two are happy. Rachel professed her love to Logan two years ago, and he didn't feel the same. The only thing they have in common is their desire to leave Baalboden.


The two eventually learn to trust each other, but they still feel uncomfortable. When they try to escape the city, they are separated. Logan is sent to the dungeons and Rachel is forced to travel out in the Wastelands with one of the city's best guards. Logan is able to break free and catches up with Rachel after a few days. Once Logan catches up, he finds the guard dead. He learns that Rachel killed him out of self-defense and has found the burial ground for her father.


With the help from two people from a tribe in the Wastelands, they make their way back to Baalboden. Once they get back, the city is attacked by a vicious monster that has terrorized the city for decades. The city is destroyed and many people are killed. Rachel, Logan, and the rest of the survivors must find a way to live in the Wastelands, as they have no clue what to do.


Rachel
I thought she was amazing! She knew what she wanted to do and refused to let anyone stop her. I also felt SOOOO bad for her. She told Logan that he loved her, but he told her that he didn't feel the same. They she has to live with him and they both feel awkward. Especially when Rachel has to go to the ceremony where a man would choose her to be his wife and Logan sees just how much she has changed in two years.


Logan
Half the time I wanted to smack him and the other half I wanted to hug him. He was stupid to try to deny his feelings for Rachel and not tell her. But he was just so smart and handsome and I was in love with him!!


Jared
He doesn't really appear in the book alive, only in flashbacks. He was really secretive, but a great father to Rachel and mentor to Logan. I wonder if he shipped the two of them. I hope we learn more about him in the next two books!!


Overall, this book was amazing and different than others I've read. Usually, in books, when the girl tells the boy that she loves him, he says that he loves her, too. But in this one, the boy rejects the girl. And a few years later he realizes that he was dumb, and it might be a little too late. I can't wait to read the next book in this trilogy!!!!