valeriew's review against another edition
4.0
Pretty good book. The love triangle. Ugh. Poor Rylan!!!! And in not so sure about the prince. I love that she is the best guard he has.
roseice's review against another edition
2.0
Noo, the cliches are ringing in my ears, and all the high-pitched predictable plot points!
I think I may need to bench teen fiction for a little while, because it's way too tough to find something actually well written and way too easy to be deceived by awesome-sounding summaries.
I must say of this book: Alexa was a very irritating main. She is amazing! The best fighter ever, and she's a girl! Wow, woww. Um, I got really tired of every character enforcing her AMAZING SKILL and never being convinced of it myself. She's a trope. She may have skill with a blade, but she never does anything amazing with it. Nothing about her stands out, regardless of the author's pain-staking attempts to make it so. She's just a formulaic character, and her formula has been written way too many times.
I would've had a bit more endurance for her too, if she had humility. She's constantly thinking to herself: "ahh yes, I AM the best, but even *I* can't fight a sorcerer! Alas, no NORMAL human can, so it's okay I can't! But if ANYONE could, it's, without a doubt, me~"
Japanese has a way to illustrate such narcissism, and it's kind of fun: add the honorific -sama to "I." It's incredibly arrogant to refer to one's self as "watashi-sama," or "Lord I," (which doesn't even make sense in English) but maaan is that the impression I got of Alexa. If she spoke Japanese, she'd totally pull that.
Anyway, I'd just like to say that I'm fully convinced that Alexa thinks Damian has piercing blue eyes, piercing, piercing, piercing. I really don't think it's a necessary descriptor for his every appearance and every look. Please calm down.
I think I may need to bench teen fiction for a little while, because it's way too tough to find something actually well written and way too easy to be deceived by awesome-sounding summaries.
I must say of this book: Alexa was a very irritating main. She is amazing! The best fighter ever, and she's a girl! Wow, woww. Um, I got really tired of every character enforcing her AMAZING SKILL and never being convinced of it myself. She's a trope. She may have skill with a blade, but she never does anything amazing with it. Nothing about her stands out, regardless of the author's pain-staking attempts to make it so. She's just a formulaic character, and her formula has been written way too many times.
I would've had a bit more endurance for her too, if she had humility. She's constantly thinking to herself: "ahh yes, I AM the best, but even *I* can't fight a sorcerer! Alas, no NORMAL human can, so it's okay I can't! But if ANYONE could, it's, without a doubt, me~"
Japanese has a way to illustrate such narcissism, and it's kind of fun: add the honorific -sama to "I." It's incredibly arrogant to refer to one's self as "watashi-sama," or "Lord I," (which doesn't even make sense in English) but maaan is that the impression I got of Alexa. If she spoke Japanese, she'd totally pull that.
Anyway, I'd just like to say that I'm fully convinced that Alexa thinks Damian has piercing blue eyes, piercing, piercing, piercing. I really don't think it's a necessary descriptor for his every appearance and every look. Please calm down.
kimreadsthings's review against another edition
I got to 27% and I just can't anymore.
Problems:
* Literal rape houses
* Annoying patriarchal posturing meant to be perceived as noble and endearing (must the brother always protect the sister...even when she is actually better at fighting?!?)
* Complete lack of world building
* One dimensional characters
* None of this makes any sense! (see bullet #3)
At 20%, the MC mentions that this book takes place in a jungle. Interesting to note since that hadn't been mentioned at any point so far in the story. That's about the extent of the world building that occurs by that point in the story. There are 3 main countries/nationalities, I think, and they don't like each other and are at war. That's as much as there was by 27%.
An evil king takes all of the country where this book is set's boys and makes them fight in the army. It takes all of the girls to live in rape houses where they are forced upon night after night and forced to produce more boys for the army or more girls for the "breeding houses". Great.
For some inexplicable reason, the MC and her brother, whose parents were murdered by the evil king's forces, specifically choose to join the Prince's personal guard. To get close to him and kill him?! Apparently not. Apparently they take their guard duty seriously (and they think he is a terrible person, too!) I am telling you. This book makes no sense.
I know nothing, at 27%, about the MC's personality. One of the boy side's of the triangle has barely been glimpsed or interacted with much. The other is your typical jerkface bad boy with the secret heart of gold. No thanks.
Also, I am always and forever peeved by skin color described as a food item ("His skin was the color of cream with a hint of melted chocolate stirred in.") Kayyyyyy. Seriously. Do not fall for the Starbucks Skin Scale Don't do it, folks.
Problems:
* Literal rape houses
* Annoying patriarchal posturing meant to be perceived as noble and endearing (must the brother always protect the sister...even when she is actually better at fighting?!?)
* Complete lack of world building
* One dimensional characters
* None of this makes any sense! (see bullet #3)
At 20%, the MC mentions that this book takes place in a jungle. Interesting to note since that hadn't been mentioned at any point so far in the story. That's about the extent of the world building that occurs by that point in the story. There are 3 main countries/nationalities, I think, and they don't like each other and are at war. That's as much as there was by 27%.
An evil king takes all of the country where this book is set's boys and makes them fight in the army. It takes all of the girls to live in rape houses where they are forced upon night after night and forced to produce more boys for the army or more girls for the "breeding houses". Great.
For some inexplicable reason, the MC and her brother, whose parents were murdered by the evil king's forces, specifically choose to join the Prince's personal guard. To get close to him and kill him?! Apparently not. Apparently they take their guard duty seriously (and they think he is a terrible person, too!) I am telling you. This book makes no sense.
I know nothing, at 27%, about the MC's personality. One of the boy side's of the triangle has barely been glimpsed or interacted with much. The other is your typical jerkface bad boy with the secret heart of gold. No thanks.
Also, I am always and forever peeved by skin color described as a food item ("His skin was the color of cream with a hint of melted chocolate stirred in.") Kayyyyyy. Seriously. Do not fall for the Starbucks Skin Scale Don't do it, folks.
bookladysreviews's review against another edition
3.0
Rating:3.5/5
I've been putting off writing this review for a really long time because of the fact that...my thoughts regarding Defy are really complicated.On the one hand I really enjoyed Defy but on the other hand,it had some things I didn't like.
First of all,I want to say that I read a lot of reviews before I started reading Defy.And most of them scared me.I read many negative things and truth be told they made me not want to pick it up.But the thought of a girl disguising herself as a boy really intrigued me and the fascination I felt only by reading the synopsis won so I started reading Defy.Going into the book,I was captivated.The first couple of chapters were promising and I couldn't wait to read what would happen next.I think anyone would be intrigued by the fact that the main character is a girl who disguised herself as a boy for the sake of surviving
And then everything turned complicated for me.I'll start with the things I liked even loved about this book.The world the author created was something really unique and different.I really enjoyed the beginning of Defy and loved the ending!The beginning was pretty intense and made me wanna keep reading.And the ending was so action packed and unpredictable.I really enjoyed the fighting scenes and the way everything was described.All the characters managed to survive and live in a world ruled by a deceiving,lying monster.Some of the people lived under awful circumstances and I think the author did a great job of describing them.What Alexa and everyone else did was admirable and really brave.Alexa herself was a really brave and caring character.She is strong,extremely loyal and talented.
I said that I immensely enjoyed the beginning and the ending of the book,but I can't say the same for the middle parts of it.Sometimes I liked what happened and sometimes the pace felt too slow for me.I was reluctant to keep on reading because nothing happened.Moving on to the next thing and probably the most important...for me.I'm a reader who really appreciates books with kick ass,brave and caring heroines.Great combination by the way.That's what motivated me to pick up the book.But this amazing,confident main character I met at the beginning of the book turns into this whining mess for a boy.It doesn't mean that what I said before about her isn't truth.I still believe she was an amazing main character but again...This change in her behavior really disappointed me.I don't know if other people felt this way but...I think that the author focused on the romance more than necessary.The middle parts of the book could have been more action filled and some twists could have changed everything.
I left Prince Damian for last because I'm not sure if I like him yet.He seemed like a spoiled brat but everything is not what it seems.He went through so much and it wasn't easy for him to trust Alexa.Not only did he keep so many things from her but he also betrayed her in the worst way.I can understand why but still...He had his good moments though so I guess I'll need to read the second book and decide if I like him or not.
Overall,Defy was an a good read.I didn't love it but I didn't hate it either and I hope with all my heart that the sequel will be better,more developed and action packed that this one was.And I really can't wait for it!
I've been putting off writing this review for a really long time because of the fact that...my thoughts regarding Defy are really complicated.On the one hand I really enjoyed Defy but on the other hand,it had some things I didn't like.
First of all,I want to say that I read a lot of reviews before I started reading Defy.And most of them scared me.I read many negative things and truth be told they made me not want to pick it up.But the thought of a girl disguising herself as a boy really intrigued me and the fascination I felt only by reading the synopsis won so I started reading Defy.Going into the book,I was captivated.The first couple of chapters were promising and I couldn't wait to read what would happen next.I think anyone would be intrigued by the fact that the main character is a girl who disguised herself as a boy for the sake of surviving
And then everything turned complicated for me.I'll start with the things I liked even loved about this book.The world the author created was something really unique and different.I really enjoyed the beginning of Defy and loved the ending!The beginning was pretty intense and made me wanna keep reading.And the ending was so action packed and unpredictable.I really enjoyed the fighting scenes and the way everything was described.All the characters managed to survive and live in a world ruled by a deceiving,lying monster.Some of the people lived under awful circumstances and I think the author did a great job of describing them.What Alexa and everyone else did was admirable and really brave.Alexa herself was a really brave and caring character.She is strong,extremely loyal and talented.
I said that I immensely enjoyed the beginning and the ending of the book,but I can't say the same for the middle parts of it.Sometimes I liked what happened and sometimes the pace felt too slow for me.I was reluctant to keep on reading because nothing happened.Moving on to the next thing and probably the most important...for me.I'm a reader who really appreciates books with kick ass,brave and caring heroines.Great combination by the way.That's what motivated me to pick up the book.But this amazing,confident main character I met at the beginning of the book turns into this whining mess for a boy.It doesn't mean that what I said before about her isn't truth.I still believe she was an amazing main character but again...This change in her behavior really disappointed me.I don't know if other people felt this way but...I think that the author focused on the romance more than necessary.The middle parts of the book could have been more action filled and some twists could have changed everything.
I left Prince Damian for last because I'm not sure if I like him yet.He seemed like a spoiled brat but everything is not what it seems.He went through so much and it wasn't easy for him to trust Alexa.Not only did he keep so many things from her but he also betrayed her in the worst way.I can understand why but still...He had his good moments though so I guess I'll need to read the second book and decide if I like him or not.
Overall,Defy was an a good read.I didn't love it but I didn't hate it either and I hope with all my heart that the sequel will be better,more developed and action packed that this one was.And I really can't wait for it!
zozoisgolden's review against another edition
3.0
Ahhhhh, where to start.
http://i.imgur.com/EuasM4r.gif
I give this book some props for the Fantasy and action....didn't disappoint me too much.
But what pissed me off WAS HOW WHINY ALEXA IS. LIKE ARE YOU F******* KIDDING ME WOMAN?!
You're supposed to be a strong, emotionally put together soldier and not Bella Swan 2.0. I mean I get that it's fine to be emotional sometimes, our emotions do get the very best of us. But this girl had the WRONG sort of emotions to feel at the wrong times. Like to be honest, it felt like she only mourned her brother for like 5 seconds before lusting after the Prince's ass.
And I honestly didn't get how she trusted him so easily. Maybe because I'm not a trusting person but I don't see how you can easily jump again to follow someone like a puppy after they've manipulated you like so many times already. He lied and tricked her more times than I can count and yet, she still trusted him. LIKE WTF?!
http://i.imgur.com/OEU13m5.jpg
I admired her loyalty. I didn't understand how guys were falling for her as a man though........just shove that into the box of things that will never be answered.
The magic was good and the plot was really great but what destroyed it was the teenage angst that cannot seem to ever be left out for some reason.
http://i.imgur.com/EuasM4r.gif
I give this book some props for the Fantasy and action....didn't disappoint me too much.
But what pissed me off WAS HOW WHINY ALEXA IS. LIKE ARE YOU F******* KIDDING ME WOMAN?!
You're supposed to be a strong, emotionally put together soldier and not Bella Swan 2.0. I mean I get that it's fine to be emotional sometimes, our emotions do get the very best of us. But this girl had the WRONG sort of emotions to feel at the wrong times. Like to be honest, it felt like she only mourned her brother for like 5 seconds before lusting after the Prince's ass.
And I honestly didn't get how she trusted him so easily. Maybe because I'm not a trusting person but I don't see how you can easily jump again to follow someone like a puppy after they've manipulated you like so many times already. He lied and tricked her more times than I can count and yet, she still trusted him. LIKE WTF?!
http://i.imgur.com/OEU13m5.jpg
I admired her loyalty. I didn't understand how guys were falling for her as a man though........just shove that into the box of things that will never be answered.
The magic was good and the plot was really great but what destroyed it was the teenage angst that cannot seem to ever be left out for some reason.
goaskalix's review against another edition
5.0
4.5 Stars.
Ack. So good. So, so, so good. I need more. Right now.
I've been interested to read this book for what seems like months now, because it's one of my two favourite genres, and damned if I wasn't thrilled with the result of all that waiting.
Engaging, endearing, and thoroughly entertaining, I feel like this is one that I'm going to have to go out and get a hard copy of and cram it onto one of my shelves.
Loved every single word of it.
Reread: January 2015
Ack. So good. So, so, so good. I need more. Right now.
I've been interested to read this book for what seems like months now, because it's one of my two favourite genres, and damned if I wasn't thrilled with the result of all that waiting.
Engaging, endearing, and thoroughly entertaining, I feel like this is one that I'm going to have to go out and get a hard copy of and cram it onto one of my shelves.
Loved every single word of it.
Reread: January 2015
livingin_ficiton's review against another edition
3.0
Spoilers ahead. Reader beware
Splendid writing? Check
Interesting world-building? Check
Magic and sorcery? Check
Hot boys everywhere? Check check check
Romance? Hmmm…meh
While everything about this book was good I have just 2 qualms:
1. The romance between the leads didn’t feel genuine or rather I didn’t feel it at all. Like if the guy dies I wouldn’t bat an eyelash.
2. What is it with this author who likes killing all the characters I love?
MAJOR SPOILERS AHEAD!!
We are literally 2 chapters in and I’m in love with her brother Marcel. How much he cares for her is so beautiful. And guess what happens 30 pages in…? Yup. He dies. I continued to mourn his death up-till the end.
And then we have Jaerom. Why would you kill him?! He was so cute with his ‘little boss’ and loyalty to her.
I don’t know if I have the heart to continue this series. Let’s see.
Splendid writing? Check
Interesting world-building? Check
Magic and sorcery? Check
Hot boys everywhere? Check check check
Romance? Hmmm…meh
While everything about this book was good I have just 2 qualms:
1. The romance between the leads didn’t feel genuine or rather I didn’t feel it at all. Like if the guy dies I wouldn’t bat an eyelash.
2. What is it with this author who likes killing all the characters I love?
MAJOR SPOILERS AHEAD!!
We are literally 2 chapters in and I’m in love with her brother Marcel. How much he cares for her is so beautiful. And guess what happens 30 pages in…? Yup. He dies. I continued to mourn his death up-till the end.
And then we have Jaerom. Why would you kill him?! He was so cute with his ‘little boss’ and loyalty to her.
I don’t know if I have the heart to continue this series. Let’s see.
scolt81's review against another edition
2.0
The idea is good, and the story begins in a compelling manner. But the rape houses are horrible beyond explanation. And our strong hero turns into a besotted girlie girl with no sense. I DNF.
bookscrystals93's review against another edition
4.0
Good book. A little slow at times but makes up for it in the end.