Defiance by CJ Redwine Review

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

What I say: Defiance was a strange one for me because it was so different to my expectations. At first I genuinely didn't know what to make of it. To be honest I had expected your typical assassin fantasy book, where the girl falls for the handsome, alpha male (which would have been fine, I love those type of books), but what I got was SO much more! Yes, Logan is handsome and he kicks butt, but he is also extremely clever and kinda geeky (he likes reciting the periodic table).

Set in a post-apocalyptic world, which seems more medieval than high-tech. Women are not allowed out alone and are the responsibility of a male protector. Rachel's father is missing presumed dead leaving her the unwilling ward of Logan (her former unrequited crush who is only two years older than her). Rachel is not into dresses or anything girly, she was brought up by her tracker/warrior/courier father Jared, his friend Oliver and his apprentice Logan.

I really enjoyed the love story because it didn't take the expected route - It wasn't all lovey-dovey, and Logan didn't try to go all alpha male on her. I also loved the dual POV's of Rachel and Logan, it really helped the story. The love story, although important wasn't the only part of the story. The story revolves around the war against the corrupt leader, a vicious monster and all kinds of subterfuge.

There were sections when I wanted the plot to move on a bit quicker (i.e. get to the smooches and fighting), but I enjoyed the story and liked how C.J. Redwine has set the plot up nicely for the sequel.

4 Shiny stars in my Sky!

My fav non-spoilery quotes:

• The proof that she'd rather risk a public flogging than spend time with me hurts more than I want to admit.
• Rachel dresses in the bathroom, and when she enters the living room, I take one look at her and feel as though all the oxygen has been suddenly sucked out of the air.
• What? It's true. He looks at you like he'd like to dip you in sugar and eat you up.
• and he - she points at me - is afraid revenge will kill you before he has a chance to really touch you.