Book: Defy
Author: Sara B. Larson
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Genre: Children’s Fiction; YA
Summary:
Watching her parents get murdered changes Alexa forever. This is the catalyst for her transition from Alexa to Alex, as she has to hide her true self and pretend to be a boy to survive. With the help of her twin brother Marcel, and her natural skill in fighting, she ends up as one of Prince Damian’s personal guards.
After an assassination attempt, Alex works closer to the Prince where she realizes her attraction to him. When he is kidnapped, he forces his kidnappers to bring along Alex and her fellow guard and closest friend, Rylan. She eventually finds out that both men know who, and what she truly is, and that both care about her.
Because of her family’s legacy, Alexa is the only one who can defeat the black sorcerer who stands in the way of freedom and peace for the kingdom of Antion. But a battle rages within her: can she trust Prince Damian despite his many secrets or should she entrust her heart to her true friend Rylan?
Review:
I will not lie. It was difficult going through the first few chapters of this book. I couldn’t digest mentally and emotionally the idea of girls as young as 5 being herded into a breeding house like animals to produce children for the army of Antion. Plus the repeats! I can’t count the number of times Damian’s olive skin and blue eyes were mentioned, to my annoyance.
That said…..
I still loved Defy. The story has a good plot, full of political intrigue and a strong heroine, all that I look for in these kinds of books. Plus the use of sorcery… lately we’ve been inundated with vampires, zombies and mermaids so having sorcery as a new factor is refreshing.
Some parts of the story reminds me of (books) Twilight, Hunger Games and The False Prince but overall, it still comes out strong on its own
I like the main characters. Alexa is one hell of a fighter and it was nice to see that underneath all that bravado still beats the heart of a woman. And that although her world falls apart repeatedly and all those she loves are killed, she still has the inner strength left to do what she has sworn to do: to protect the Prince and his kingdom.
I like both Rylan and Damian equally for their loyalty, bravery and open heart. But Damian gets more sympathy because he is so much like Alex. He has lost so much, so many of those he loves, and has a secret so big he changes everything in the end.
What broke my heart were Marcel and Jude….They deserve more. I truly felt the loss. On the other hand I cried tears of joy when Damian gives Alex her due.
Intrigued enough? Pick up this book with an open mind but expect to cringe at some points that you wish to never see happen in real life EVER. Losing sleep to read DEFY was absolutely worth it.
