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Seventeen-year-old Tate is about to make her parents’ dreams come true. Unfortunately for her, their dreams foretell her death.
Eager to explore more of the Estilorian plane and prove her abilities, Tate goes against her parents’ wishes and leaves the area of protection surrounding her home. Her choice puts her on a deadly path…one that leaves her alone, severely injured and battling for her life.
Her possible savior arrives in the form of Zachariah, a male who has removed himself from Estilorian society for more than fifty years. Fighting an unexpected connection to Tate, he must decide whether saving her life is worth destroying his.
As Tate struggles to find a way home, she ends up drawn into a dark Mercesti plot involving multiple murders and a powerful ancient artifact. With the unpredictable Zachariah as her only source for aid, she’ll soon find out if her abilities are strong enough to help her defy her Fate.
Eager to explore more of the Estilorian plane and prove her abilities, Tate goes against her parents’ wishes and leaves the area of protection surrounding her home. Her choice puts her on a deadly path…one that leaves her alone, severely injured and battling for her life.
Her possible savior arrives in the form of Zachariah, a male who has removed himself from Estilorian society for more than fifty years. Fighting an unexpected connection to Tate, he must decide whether saving her life is worth destroying his.
As Tate struggles to find a way home, she ends up drawn into a dark Mercesti plot involving multiple murders and a powerful ancient artifact. With the unpredictable Zachariah as her only source for aid, she’ll soon find out if her abilities are strong enough to help her defy her Fate.
285 pages, Paperback
First published April 28, 2012
32 people are currently reading
1990 people want to read
About the author
Raine Thomas
44 books983 followersRaine Thomas is the award-winning author of more than 20 bestselling romances spanning contemporary romance, Sci-Fi romance, and YA fantasy romance. She's a hopeless romantic with a background in the fields of mental health and wedding planning...two areas that intersect far more than one would think. She's also a book fiend, grammar nerd, and editing Red Queen, depending on who you ask.
Be sure to follow Raine on BookBub (https://www.bookbub.com/profile/raine...) to be among the first to learn of any sales, and hop over to her website for your first free read!
Be sure to follow Raine on BookBub (https://www.bookbub.com/profile/raine...) to be among the first to learn of any sales, and hop over to her website for your first free read!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 82 reviews
March 29, 2012
The first thing I have to say about this book is what an AMAZING cover! I know I know, “don’t judge a book by it’s cover”. But, we ALL initially do it, so whatever. The cover blew me away and I honestly didn’t expect it to be better than the covers of the Daughters of Saraqael trilogy. After reading Defy, the cover felt even better because it portrayed Tate impeccably.
Now, onto the actual review.
One of my favorite things about this installment (and there are plenty) was being able to explore the Estilorian plane. Raine takes us out into the forests of the plane and it is amazing. Another thing I really enjoyed was all of the new characters! So many new characters and all of my old favorites are back and are being shown in a new light. There is something about the way that Raine introduces new characters, they’re all interesting and I can’t wait to read their individual stories *cough cough especially Tiege*. The love story was incredibly sweet & I loved everything about it. This new trilogy also has an “xmen” sort of feeling with all of the new characters and their special abilities. Needless to say, I was hooked from the beginning and the ending was explosive with a ton of action.
I LOVE that these books get better and better. It's honestly a readers dream to be able to see what happens in the future with characters that you adore.
This book releases on April 30th, which gives you plenty of time to read the prequel trilogy: Daughters of Saraqael (if you haven’t already). If you have read it, then you can occupy yourself by reading an extra estilorian short story “The Prophecy”.
Now, onto the actual review.
One of my favorite things about this installment (and there are plenty) was being able to explore the Estilorian plane. Raine takes us out into the forests of the plane and it is amazing. Another thing I really enjoyed was all of the new characters! So many new characters and all of my old favorites are back and are being shown in a new light. There is something about the way that Raine introduces new characters, they’re all interesting and I can’t wait to read their individual stories *cough cough especially Tiege*. The love story was incredibly sweet & I loved everything about it. This new trilogy also has an “xmen” sort of feeling with all of the new characters and their special abilities. Needless to say, I was hooked from the beginning and the ending was explosive with a ton of action.
I LOVE that these books get better and better. It's honestly a readers dream to be able to see what happens in the future with characters that you adore.
This book releases on April 30th, which gives you plenty of time to read the prequel trilogy: Daughters of Saraqael (if you haven’t already). If you have read it, then you can occupy yourself by reading an extra estilorian short story “The Prophecy”.
April 14, 2012
MY REVIEW
My initial reaction when approaching this book was trepidation, as its a sister series to the Daughters of Saraqael, I thought maybe I would have to have read that series first. Then I saw the Glossary at the beginning of the book and thought "oh no I will never remember all these facts when reading the book" but I was pleasantly surprised as you don't really need lots of those facts retained as everything is explained in the actual book as the story progresses.
I loved all the characters, the unrequited love between Sophia and Quincy, the sibling love and rivalry between Tate and Tiege, as well as the brotherly/sisterly love between all the cousins. It is a believable story too, you believe that Tate's character would sneak off even though she was told not to.
I enjoyed how the story unfolded and was told from more than one perspective, it flowed brilliantly.
The ending is left in such away that we know that there is much more to come...and that's a great thing too.
So did I enjoy the book? YES Would I recommend it? YES Would I read more by Raine Thomas and more of this series? Yes I plan on reading the Daughters Of Saraqael Series and if I had book 2 of the Firstborn Series I would read it right now!
So don't just put it on your wishlists put it on your buy it list!
Available 30th April 2012.
My initial reaction when approaching this book was trepidation, as its a sister series to the Daughters of Saraqael, I thought maybe I would have to have read that series first. Then I saw the Glossary at the beginning of the book and thought "oh no I will never remember all these facts when reading the book" but I was pleasantly surprised as you don't really need lots of those facts retained as everything is explained in the actual book as the story progresses.
I loved all the characters, the unrequited love between Sophia and Quincy, the sibling love and rivalry between Tate and Tiege, as well as the brotherly/sisterly love between all the cousins. It is a believable story too, you believe that Tate's character would sneak off even though she was told not to.
I enjoyed how the story unfolded and was told from more than one perspective, it flowed brilliantly.
The ending is left in such away that we know that there is much more to come...and that's a great thing too.
So did I enjoy the book? YES Would I recommend it? YES Would I read more by Raine Thomas and more of this series? Yes I plan on reading the Daughters Of Saraqael Series and if I had book 2 of the Firstborn Series I would read it right now!
So don't just put it on your wishlists put it on your buy it list!
Available 30th April 2012.
July 11, 2024
I have been reading a lot of murder stories, which are some of my favorites, but when I read Defy by Raine Thomas, I was more than ready for a change of pace. I am familiar with the Estilorians because I have been reading the series and lovin’ every minute of it. You might not get the fullest enjoyment of the story unless you begin at the beginning with The Prophecy, but I read it out of order and was hooked.
The pain was unimaginable.
…and that was the opening sentence. I was immediately hooked….again.
Defy: To challenge the power of; resist boldly or openly; to defy parental authority.
And that is how Tate ended up alone in the jungle and met Zachariah and Nyx. Poor Zachariah. You might think poor Tate because of the way Zachariah treats her, but he doesn’t know any better and he fights the attraction he feels for her.
The world that Raine Thomas has created is richly developed and the characters are sure to grab at your heartstrings. I love that the Estiloreans no longer have feelings…you know, like us humans. It made me think of Lucifer and how he had to learn what it meant to be human…and so do the Estilorians.
I loved walking step by step with Tate as she was forced to grow up. The characters that surround her have their parts to play and I loved getting to know them.
Even though it had been a while since I read the earlier books in the series, everything came back to me quickly. That only happens when I loved the stories so much they stuck in my head, whispering in my subconscious, saying, READ MORE. I am happy to say that I will, because Raine Thomas made sure I have the rest of the series on hand.
I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Defy by Raine Thomas.
See more at http://www.fundinmental.com
The pain was unimaginable.
…and that was the opening sentence. I was immediately hooked….again.
Defy: To challenge the power of; resist boldly or openly; to defy parental authority.
And that is how Tate ended up alone in the jungle and met Zachariah and Nyx. Poor Zachariah. You might think poor Tate because of the way Zachariah treats her, but he doesn’t know any better and he fights the attraction he feels for her.
The world that Raine Thomas has created is richly developed and the characters are sure to grab at your heartstrings. I love that the Estiloreans no longer have feelings…you know, like us humans. It made me think of Lucifer and how he had to learn what it meant to be human…and so do the Estilorians.
I loved walking step by step with Tate as she was forced to grow up. The characters that surround her have their parts to play and I loved getting to know them.
Even though it had been a while since I read the earlier books in the series, everything came back to me quickly. That only happens when I loved the stories so much they stuck in my head, whispering in my subconscious, saying, READ MORE. I am happy to say that I will, because Raine Thomas made sure I have the rest of the series on hand.
I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Defy by Raine Thomas.
See more at http://www.fundinmental.com
May 1, 2012
Wow! Talk about a whirlwind of a story! This book was intense (in a good way), and all the action and plot twists had me sitting on the edge of my seat. With character perspectives changing throughout the story, there never seems to be a dull moment, and I was beyond riveted.
Initially, I was concerned about how much of this story I would understand since I have not read The Daughters of Saraqael series (which I will soon remedy). I worried for nothing! There is a nice glossary of terms and descriptions of the different races in the beginning, and if there was a moment where backstory was needed, Raine summarized the past events nicely. All of the characters were new for me, but that did not prevent me from connecting to them, and I also enjoyed learning about the world and all the people in it. Essentially, nothing should stop you from reading this book!
I adored Tate. She is a free spirit and adventurer who craves to explore the unprotected areas surrounding her home. In moments of trial, she proved to be very resourceful and was able to fend for herself, which is something I always admire in a female lead. It is nice not always needing the male lead to swoop in and save the day (although there were a few moments that happened in this book- but it only made me swoon). That brings us to the male lead, Zachariah, otherwise known as Sparky, a name bestowed upon him by Tate. How could you not love a guy who lets a girl call him Sparky? Zachariah is a character shrouded in mystery, and events from the past plague him, forcing him to withdraw from society for over five decades. I liked his character from the very beginning, and learning more about him over the course of the story was a real treat. He has a tendency to be snarky, loves to overuse the word ‘bloody,’ and has a kraken as a companion, but that all just made up the amazing package (affectionately?) called Sparky. Tate is one lucky girl. My favorite parts of this story were the many interactions between Tate and Sparky, and I wish there could have been more! Their romance left me with a huge smile on my face, and I loved the chemistry between them. I hope we get to see more of these two in the next book!
Overall, this is a great read that you should not miss out on! Chocked full of action, adventure, plot twists, and romance, Defy is a book that will leave you wanting more. Raine is a talented writer, and I cannot wait to see what she has in store for us next!
Initially, I was concerned about how much of this story I would understand since I have not read The Daughters of Saraqael series (which I will soon remedy). I worried for nothing! There is a nice glossary of terms and descriptions of the different races in the beginning, and if there was a moment where backstory was needed, Raine summarized the past events nicely. All of the characters were new for me, but that did not prevent me from connecting to them, and I also enjoyed learning about the world and all the people in it. Essentially, nothing should stop you from reading this book!
I adored Tate. She is a free spirit and adventurer who craves to explore the unprotected areas surrounding her home. In moments of trial, she proved to be very resourceful and was able to fend for herself, which is something I always admire in a female lead. It is nice not always needing the male lead to swoop in and save the day (although there were a few moments that happened in this book- but it only made me swoon). That brings us to the male lead, Zachariah, otherwise known as Sparky, a name bestowed upon him by Tate. How could you not love a guy who lets a girl call him Sparky? Zachariah is a character shrouded in mystery, and events from the past plague him, forcing him to withdraw from society for over five decades. I liked his character from the very beginning, and learning more about him over the course of the story was a real treat. He has a tendency to be snarky, loves to overuse the word ‘bloody,’ and has a kraken as a companion, but that all just made up the amazing package (affectionately?) called Sparky. Tate is one lucky girl. My favorite parts of this story were the many interactions between Tate and Sparky, and I wish there could have been more! Their romance left me with a huge smile on my face, and I loved the chemistry between them. I hope we get to see more of these two in the next book!
Overall, this is a great read that you should not miss out on! Chocked full of action, adventure, plot twists, and romance, Defy is a book that will leave you wanting more. Raine is a talented writer, and I cannot wait to see what she has in store for us next!
April 11, 2014
Loved it! I think it took me two days to read Defy, but that is only because I had to work, tend to my children, eat, and sleep! I have read Raine's first series and eagerly awaited this trilogy to become available. I was lucky enough to get to read an arc, since I signed up to be a part of her blog tour... it killed me to have to wait almost two months to say anything about it!
Tate is a very endearing and relatable character, and Zachariah is my favorite kind of character. Strong, brooding, and manly. I loved their story and their chemistry.
I don't want to give anything away, but I will say that one of the things I loved the most was that I knew the characters from the first books. It felt like meeting up with old friends. I love that Raine kept the same feel of the first books, while still making the story fresh.
I also love that she shocked me at one point. I usually figure out what is going to happen next throughout a story, but I was taken by surprise this time and I really enjoyed it!
I also really want to learn more about Tiege! I don't know if he is going to get his own story or not, but I hope so!!!
Another home run for Raine Thomas!
Tate is a very endearing and relatable character, and Zachariah is my favorite kind of character. Strong, brooding, and manly. I loved their story and their chemistry.
I don't want to give anything away, but I will say that one of the things I loved the most was that I knew the characters from the first books. It felt like meeting up with old friends. I love that Raine kept the same feel of the first books, while still making the story fresh.
I also love that she shocked me at one point. I usually figure out what is going to happen next throughout a story, but I was taken by surprise this time and I really enjoyed it!
I also really want to learn more about Tiege! I don't know if he is going to get his own story or not, but I hope so!!!
Another home run for Raine Thomas!
August 18, 2013
Wow! What a remarkable world! First of all, Tate is just fabulous -from her eccentric hair to her vibrant personality! She is very brave, in her own defiant way, and really wants to prove herself and make her family proud. When she is in her most vulnerable state, along comes her hunky savior. Except he ends up being a rude, detached, possibly homicidal, jerk. I love how she seems to know just how to push his buttons and really enjoys seeing him on edge. He has absolutely no idea how to handle a girl as bold and beautiful as Tate. I can't wait to see what comes next in this story!
November 12, 2013
After the last series I read, I'm glad to say that I finally found a great series. Hahaha. This is a fast read. and so many few point of views. But, boy how I love every single one of the characters here. It said here that this book is the sequel from another series. You know, like Percy Jackson and The Olympians then we've got Hero of Olympus series. I'm tempting to read the previous series before this. Though I need to finish this one first. Going to the second book now :)
May 19, 2013
I jumped straight onto this series after reading daughters of saraqeal ( which i loved!!!) This series blew me away. The author created such a vivid world with strong and unique characters. This is one of my favorite series
November 7, 2013
Finally I'm going to read this one :)
June 5, 2014
a great way to continue the story :) I would be sure to read the first series before this one though or you'll be lost.
May 24, 2012
I have been planning in my head for days how I wanted to phrase my review; Defy was a book that I had been waiting for with fierce expectation! I will digress here for a moment… I am a HUGE Twilight fan; yes…yes…it is true. And when I have to wait for the next film installment, it is tortuous! lol. Okay, maybe a little overkill there:); but I use this as an example of my tortured apprehensive state, in waiting for the new Raine Thomas book! Alright, maybe I am being slightly dramatic, but I kid you not when I state, I loved Ms. Thomas’s Daughters of Saraqael Trilogy and now Defy in Firstborn Trilogy, book 1
Defy, picks up approximately 18 years later, after the sisters Amber, Olivia and Skye have made their transition to the Estilorian plane, betrothed to their soul mates. Defy is the story of the Firstborn daughter of Skye and Caleb, whose name is Tate. Now, I would like to say, I was unsure how I was going to make the emotional connection to Tate…(Yes, I really went this deep in thought on the subject) I had followed the trials of Amber, Olivia and Skye; really connected with them, especially Amber and well, I wasn’t sure if there would be room for someone new. , lol. But I said “If she is Skye’s daughter, she must be okay”:)
I was not disappointed. Where the lead female characters in Daughters of Saraqael, stemmed from pain, almost tortured backgrounds; disjointed, separated, not knowing who or What THEY were, and finding the strength to move forward into their destiny. Tate, knows exactly from where she came, who she is and is surrounded by love and affection and protection of her family and community. Tate, is shown to be a regular teen; well loved, nurtured and chafing at the bit to see what is outside the well meaning, but at times constricting, boundaries of home and family.
She has been trained by her parents, aunts and uncles, and she shows great prowess, skill and fortitude, but Tate is not allowed to venture past the restrictions her parents have set. She is upset by this and attempts different avenues to see what is beyond. But Tate is unaware of a prophetic dream had by her mother Skye, of her untimely death; and thus the entire family is determined to keep her from that fate.
One day, Tate seizes the chance to slip out of her family’s sight to follow a trusted family friend and her cousin, who were training outside of the protected homestead. All seemed to be well, until Tate is captured and taken away by a huge Kragen, an Estilorian beast who is a great threat!
Tate is taken far away, and is greatly wounded, but a rogue Estilorian warrior who had been separated from Tate’s society for more than fifty years, helps her …but soon Tate is alone, newly healed, no shelter, food, family and no idea where she is, and this is the point where Tate moves away from being that young girl and sets out on the journey of survival. The book moves fluidly, and we see Tate battling the elements and surviving,; She leans on the training from her family, and as she is attempting to remain alive, a search is initiated by her twin brother Tiege, who will not believe his sister is dead. Also, throw into the mix, a Mercesti plot (really bad guys) and the stakes have now been raised. But Tate surprises herself by the fortitude and the skills she shows on her journey. Tate is also helped by Zachariah the lone warrior, who after leaving, soon discovers that there is an unexplained telepathic link between the two. Through this, he at the start begrudgingly aids Tate, but soon the two realizes that there is more to their relationship.
Defy details the journey of a young girl on the journey of becoming a great young woman defying the odds against her.
I could not believe that Ms. Thomas’s storytelling could get any better, but Defy is the proof. Well written, fluid, with major action it draws you in; and attraction between Tate and Zachariah was very intense, it literally kept me on the edge of my seat. I loved the interaction between the two, the dialogue and how they understood the other. Tate’s secondary power was being able to see when someone was lying; and with Zachariah, she saw what was true regarding him, even when he had actually believed the lie about who he really was inside…
This is an incredible read that I loved, I hated when that last page arrived…
So for now, I am back in that dark cage of “waiting” not very patiently:)…for the next Firstborn Trilogy book!
Must read!
May 13, 2012
Review by OBS Staff Member Annabell
I first became a BIG fan of Author Raine Thomas with her Daughter of Saraqael Trilogy, where I was introduced to the wondrous world of the Estilorians. My favorite book being Foretold, go Team Caleb and Team Skye! Upon getting news that Thomas was creating a follow up trilogy which would include the same characters I had come to love, I squealed with excitement and demanded the book as soon as I could! Defy is the first book in Thomas’s new Firstborn Trilogy and let me tell you, the book ROCKED MY SOCKS!
Tate is so much like both her parents, Caleb and Skye, which made me love her instantly. She is impulsive, far too trusting, and defiant much like Skye. She is also fiercely strong, good under pressure, and determined much like Caleb. Tate goes through a pretty tough journey through the book while attempting to find her way back home and I was impressed with how controlled she managed to remain of her emotions and temperament.
I was happy to see my favorites returning from the original trilogy: Amber and Gabriel, James and Olivia, and of course, Caleb and Skye. The Elders In-herit, Jabari, Uriel, Sebastion, and Knorbis are also back. My favorite is In-herit, I enjoyed his relationship with Clara Kate, who is the first born to Amber and Gabriel. It was fun to see how much In-herit was confused through Clara’s emotions and actions and how much he listened to Clara Kate and I liked how strong willed Clara is. I also enjoyed the slew of various new characters. I really liked Tiege, Tate’s twin brother. He’s so cute and loving and much calmer than his twin sister. I also was happy to read more of Quincy and loved his relationship with Sophia, first born to Olivia and James.
Zachariah was my favorite character of the entire book. He is extremely guarded, hot tempered, prideful and downright rude. He is also deadly agile, incredibly strong, and undeniably hawt! I couldn’t get to the scenes with him fast enough when I was reading. He had me cracking up and in the next sentence wanting to slap him. I so LOVED that he had a tomahawk as a weapon! I also really liked his connection with Nyx, a kragon (dragon-like creature on the Estilorian plane). I liked that they could communicate without words, just with emotions and expressions. They had such an intimate bond which was sweet and trusted each other without question. Nyx helped to show Zachariah’s more vulnerable side. Zachariah is such the anti-hero but it worked great against Tate’s optimistic and impulsivity.
I’m still Team Caleb *swoon* but Zachariah comes in at a close second Winking
The action was well done and one of my favorite scenes was when Tiege swopped in to fight against the Mercsti and took down Zachariah showing just how much like Caleb’s son he really is. The pacing doesn’t drag too much and the suspense, although at times too predictable, was built gradually as the scenes intensified. The characterization was developed with depth where readers can connect with them and relate to what they go through.
There were a few things that could use tweaking in upcoming books. Some of the dialogue sometimes sounded unlike the character who was speaking which made some of the dialogue come off choppy. There were times the pacing was a bit dragged because the story felt like it was being told too much over being shown to the reader. There was also a feeling of repetition when the same scenes where told from different characters and sometimes the details were a bit much. But for the most part, the book was well executed.
With loveable characters returning and new fun characters introduced, with action packed scenes and new budding romances, Defy is a great beginning to what seems to be a promising new trilogy!
http://openbooksociety.com/article/de...
I first became a BIG fan of Author Raine Thomas with her Daughter of Saraqael Trilogy, where I was introduced to the wondrous world of the Estilorians. My favorite book being Foretold, go Team Caleb and Team Skye! Upon getting news that Thomas was creating a follow up trilogy which would include the same characters I had come to love, I squealed with excitement and demanded the book as soon as I could! Defy is the first book in Thomas’s new Firstborn Trilogy and let me tell you, the book ROCKED MY SOCKS!
Tate is so much like both her parents, Caleb and Skye, which made me love her instantly. She is impulsive, far too trusting, and defiant much like Skye. She is also fiercely strong, good under pressure, and determined much like Caleb. Tate goes through a pretty tough journey through the book while attempting to find her way back home and I was impressed with how controlled she managed to remain of her emotions and temperament.
I was happy to see my favorites returning from the original trilogy: Amber and Gabriel, James and Olivia, and of course, Caleb and Skye. The Elders In-herit, Jabari, Uriel, Sebastion, and Knorbis are also back. My favorite is In-herit, I enjoyed his relationship with Clara Kate, who is the first born to Amber and Gabriel. It was fun to see how much In-herit was confused through Clara’s emotions and actions and how much he listened to Clara Kate and I liked how strong willed Clara is. I also enjoyed the slew of various new characters. I really liked Tiege, Tate’s twin brother. He’s so cute and loving and much calmer than his twin sister. I also was happy to read more of Quincy and loved his relationship with Sophia, first born to Olivia and James.
Zachariah was my favorite character of the entire book. He is extremely guarded, hot tempered, prideful and downright rude. He is also deadly agile, incredibly strong, and undeniably hawt! I couldn’t get to the scenes with him fast enough when I was reading. He had me cracking up and in the next sentence wanting to slap him. I so LOVED that he had a tomahawk as a weapon! I also really liked his connection with Nyx, a kragon (dragon-like creature on the Estilorian plane). I liked that they could communicate without words, just with emotions and expressions. They had such an intimate bond which was sweet and trusted each other without question. Nyx helped to show Zachariah’s more vulnerable side. Zachariah is such the anti-hero but it worked great against Tate’s optimistic and impulsivity.
I’m still Team Caleb *swoon* but Zachariah comes in at a close second Winking
The action was well done and one of my favorite scenes was when Tiege swopped in to fight against the Mercsti and took down Zachariah showing just how much like Caleb’s son he really is. The pacing doesn’t drag too much and the suspense, although at times too predictable, was built gradually as the scenes intensified. The characterization was developed with depth where readers can connect with them and relate to what they go through.
There were a few things that could use tweaking in upcoming books. Some of the dialogue sometimes sounded unlike the character who was speaking which made some of the dialogue come off choppy. There were times the pacing was a bit dragged because the story felt like it was being told too much over being shown to the reader. There was also a feeling of repetition when the same scenes where told from different characters and sometimes the details were a bit much. But for the most part, the book was well executed.
With loveable characters returning and new fun characters introduced, with action packed scenes and new budding romances, Defy is a great beginning to what seems to be a promising new trilogy!
http://openbooksociety.com/article/de...
May 13, 2012
As seen on Ed and Em's Reviews!
4.5/5 Stars!
Defy captured my interest after the first few paragraphs. I am not a huge fantasy lover, but I found myself really intrigued by the happenings in this strange world that Raine Thomas creates. Everything about it was unique. I've honestly never read anything like it.
I love how the author is able to write from both an adult and an adolescent point-of-view. Some authors really can't pull that off, but Ms. Thomas does with ease. I barely noticed the transition. The writing is brilliant. Turning my kindle off for a bit to sleep, do chores or eat was an almost impossible feat. That's how good and addicting the writing was.
The characters in this book are awesome. Tate has a great sense of adventure. I love her perspective. She doesn't have the best patience or self-control, but that's how many teenagers are. She likes danger and doesn't want to be held back. She wants to get her wings - both literally and figuratively. Her father, Caleb, is another great character. He truly loves his wife and children and will do anything to keep them safe and healthy. My favorite character would have to be Zachariah, though. He's sarcastic, and fierce, and loyal. He really learns to care for Tate. THEY ARE JUST SO SWEET TOOGETHER. OMG, I'M SORRY FOR THE SHOUTY CAPS, BUT I CAN'T STOP. Characters like Quincy, Sophia, Skye, Tiege only add more… awesomeness… to the book.
The fantasy aspects in this story are great. I love the families and their names. For the most part, they all have very original names that only contribute to the fantasy. And as you read, you get so involved in the plot that you can't help but picture all of the scenes in your mind. I love when a book can really pull out your imagination.
I also enjoyed that even though the blurb really makes the book sound like it revolves around one character, there are multiple stories within. It was unexpected, but extremely intriguing. The ways it's done is phenomenal. I really enjoyed reading from multiple characters' perspectives.
My only "issues" with the book were that I didn't really like the cover. I was worried that because I didn't like the cover that I wouldn't like the content of the novel. Sorry guys, but while it fit with the book, I just didn't think it looked very good. Also, I found four big spelling issues. Most likely, they were just from a typing slip-up, but they really stuck out to me. There were also a few grammatical issues that should've been seen by an editor.
After stalking searching the author's profile, I've come to find that there is a series that prequels this one. It's great that this reads like a stand-alone series though. I really enjoyed it before I knew there were prequels. They are about the parents of the main characters in this series. I LOVE WHEN AUTHORS DO THAT. MUST READ THEM NOW. I'm literally going to go buy them as soon as I have money.
Even with my little squiggles, I loved this book. I couldn't put it down! Tate and Zachariah are a great pair that are sure to make people swoon and laugh. I cannot wait for book two!
I received a free e-copy of this novel for a blog tour in exchange for my honest review.
4.5/5 Stars!
Defy captured my interest after the first few paragraphs. I am not a huge fantasy lover, but I found myself really intrigued by the happenings in this strange world that Raine Thomas creates. Everything about it was unique. I've honestly never read anything like it.
I love how the author is able to write from both an adult and an adolescent point-of-view. Some authors really can't pull that off, but Ms. Thomas does with ease. I barely noticed the transition. The writing is brilliant. Turning my kindle off for a bit to sleep, do chores or eat was an almost impossible feat. That's how good and addicting the writing was.
The characters in this book are awesome. Tate has a great sense of adventure. I love her perspective. She doesn't have the best patience or self-control, but that's how many teenagers are. She likes danger and doesn't want to be held back. She wants to get her wings - both literally and figuratively. Her father, Caleb, is another great character. He truly loves his wife and children and will do anything to keep them safe and healthy. My favorite character would have to be Zachariah, though. He's sarcastic, and fierce, and loyal. He really learns to care for Tate. THEY ARE JUST SO SWEET TOOGETHER. OMG, I'M SORRY FOR THE SHOUTY CAPS, BUT I CAN'T STOP. Characters like Quincy, Sophia, Skye, Tiege only add more… awesomeness… to the book.
The fantasy aspects in this story are great. I love the families and their names. For the most part, they all have very original names that only contribute to the fantasy. And as you read, you get so involved in the plot that you can't help but picture all of the scenes in your mind. I love when a book can really pull out your imagination.
I also enjoyed that even though the blurb really makes the book sound like it revolves around one character, there are multiple stories within. It was unexpected, but extremely intriguing. The ways it's done is phenomenal. I really enjoyed reading from multiple characters' perspectives.
My only "issues" with the book were that I didn't really like the cover. I was worried that because I didn't like the cover that I wouldn't like the content of the novel. Sorry guys, but while it fit with the book, I just didn't think it looked very good. Also, I found four big spelling issues. Most likely, they were just from a typing slip-up, but they really stuck out to me. There were also a few grammatical issues that should've been seen by an editor.
After stalking searching the author's profile, I've come to find that there is a series that prequels this one. It's great that this reads like a stand-alone series though. I really enjoyed it before I knew there were prequels. They are about the parents of the main characters in this series. I LOVE WHEN AUTHORS DO THAT. MUST READ THEM NOW. I'm literally going to go buy them as soon as I have money.
Even with my little squiggles, I loved this book. I couldn't put it down! Tate and Zachariah are a great pair that are sure to make people swoon and laugh. I cannot wait for book two!
I received a free e-copy of this novel for a blog tour in exchange for my honest review.
May 2, 2012
I don’t know about you but whenever an author I enjoy reading starts a new series of books I’m always fearful.
What if I don’t like them…what if they’re too different…what if the story isn’t interesting…what if…what if…what if?!?! I am very happy to say that I need not have been worried at all in this case! In Defy, Raine Thomas begins another wonderful saga filled with vivid characters, intriguing situations and enough twists and turns to keep any reader, old or new, glued to the pages.
This story begins 17 years after the Daughters of Saraqael trilogy left off. Our beloved characters, Amber and Gabriel, Olivia and James and Skye and Caleb, have had children of their own. And this adventure belongs to Tate. She is the daughter of Skye and Caleb and, together with her brother Tiege, has been protected most of her life. As the child of part human and part Estilorian parents, she’s different from the typical Estilorian and has led a more sheltered existence. But the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree as they say and she’s got her mother’s curiosity and spunk. She yearns to step outside her boundaries and see the world she’s never seen. And this is where the adventure begins!
This time we are led out beyond the borders, into a different world of barren land and dangerous places where dragons exist and bad guys run free. As always, the imagery is crisp and vivid, putting the reader right in the middle of the action. This book is written from several points of view which adds to the richness of the storytelling.
Tate proves to be a brave and intelligent character, using the skills taught to her by her family in her attempts to undo the consequences of the decision she made…the decision to to run off into the unknown. Although this is Tate’s adventure, we meet many new characters as well. The children of the Daughters of Saraqael are more like siblings than cousins and we are drawn in by their love for one another. Along the way, Tate also meets Zachariah, an Estilorian who’s been living away from his people for many years. Her emotions and the decisions she makes baffle him but he feels compelled to protect her. Zachariah (or Sparky as Tate calls him) has a mysterious past and a grumpy disposition. But, darn…I love him anyway! Tiege is her twin brother. He has a special connection to her and a brave heart. Sophia, the child of Olivia and James, battles to take control of her own abilities even as she tries to deny herself the love she wants. And, of course, there are bad guys…Mercesti who are looking for an ancient artifact to give them more power and who are not afraid to hurt anyone who gets in their way.
Ultimately, this is a coming of age story. But not just for Tate. Many of the characters have their lives move in directions they never expected. They develop skills they didn’t know they had, handle dangers they never imagined and they build relationships that shake their very foundations. Some even learn to trust and love.
I can’t wait to see what happens next!!
What if I don’t like them…what if they’re too different…what if the story isn’t interesting…what if…what if…what if?!?! I am very happy to say that I need not have been worried at all in this case! In Defy, Raine Thomas begins another wonderful saga filled with vivid characters, intriguing situations and enough twists and turns to keep any reader, old or new, glued to the pages.
This story begins 17 years after the Daughters of Saraqael trilogy left off. Our beloved characters, Amber and Gabriel, Olivia and James and Skye and Caleb, have had children of their own. And this adventure belongs to Tate. She is the daughter of Skye and Caleb and, together with her brother Tiege, has been protected most of her life. As the child of part human and part Estilorian parents, she’s different from the typical Estilorian and has led a more sheltered existence. But the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree as they say and she’s got her mother’s curiosity and spunk. She yearns to step outside her boundaries and see the world she’s never seen. And this is where the adventure begins!
This time we are led out beyond the borders, into a different world of barren land and dangerous places where dragons exist and bad guys run free. As always, the imagery is crisp and vivid, putting the reader right in the middle of the action. This book is written from several points of view which adds to the richness of the storytelling.
Tate proves to be a brave and intelligent character, using the skills taught to her by her family in her attempts to undo the consequences of the decision she made…the decision to to run off into the unknown. Although this is Tate’s adventure, we meet many new characters as well. The children of the Daughters of Saraqael are more like siblings than cousins and we are drawn in by their love for one another. Along the way, Tate also meets Zachariah, an Estilorian who’s been living away from his people for many years. Her emotions and the decisions she makes baffle him but he feels compelled to protect her. Zachariah (or Sparky as Tate calls him) has a mysterious past and a grumpy disposition. But, darn…I love him anyway! Tiege is her twin brother. He has a special connection to her and a brave heart. Sophia, the child of Olivia and James, battles to take control of her own abilities even as she tries to deny herself the love she wants. And, of course, there are bad guys…Mercesti who are looking for an ancient artifact to give them more power and who are not afraid to hurt anyone who gets in their way.
Ultimately, this is a coming of age story. But not just for Tate. Many of the characters have their lives move in directions they never expected. They develop skills they didn’t know they had, handle dangers they never imagined and they build relationships that shake their very foundations. Some even learn to trust and love.
I can’t wait to see what happens next!!
May 2, 2012
I don’t know about you but whenever an author I enjoy reading starts a new series of books I’m always fearful.
What if I don’t like them…what if they’re too different…what if the story isn’t interesting…what if…what if…what if?!?! I am very happy to say that I need not have been worried at all in this case! In Defy, Raine Thomas begins another wonderful saga filled with vivid characters, intriguing situations and enough twists and turns to keep any reader, old or new, glued to the pages.
This story begins 17 years after the Daughters of Saraqael trilogy left off. Our beloved characters, Amber and Gabriel, Olivia and James and Skye and Caleb, have had children of their own. And this adventure belongs to Tate. She is the daughter of Skye and Caleb and, together with her brother Tiege, has been protected most of her life. As the child of part human and part Estilorian parents, she’s different from the typical Estilorian and has led a more sheltered existence. But the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree as they say and she’s got her mother’s curiosity and spunk. She yearns to step outside her boundaries and see the world she’s never seen. And this is where the adventure begins!
This time we are led out beyond the borders, into a different world of barren land and dangerous places where dragons exist and bad guys run free. As always, the imagery is crisp and vivid, putting the reader right in the middle of the action. This book is written from several points of view which adds to the richness of the storytelling.
Tate proves to be a brave and intelligent character, using the skills taught to her by her family in her attempts to undo the consequences of the decision she made…the decision to to run off into the unknown. Although this is Tate’s adventure, we meet many new characters as well. The children of the Daughters of Saraqael are more like siblings than cousins and we are drawn in by their love for one another. Along the way, Tate also meets Zachariah, an Estilorian who’s been living away from his people for many years. Her emotions and the decisions she makes baffle him but he feels compelled to protect her. Zachariah (or Sparky as Tate calls him) has a mysterious past and a grumpy disposition. But, darn…I love him anyway! Tiege is her twin brother. He has a special connection to her and a brave heart. Sophia, the child of Olivia and James, battles to take control of her own abilities even as she tries to deny herself the love she wants. And, of course, there are bad guys…Mercesti who are looking for an ancient artifact to give them more power and who are not afraid to hurt anyone who gets in their way.
Ultimately, this is a coming of age story. But not just for Tate. Many of the characters have their lives move in directions they never expected. They develop skills they didn’t know they had, handle dangers they never imagined and they build relationships that shake their very foundations. Some even learn to trust and love.
I can’t wait to see what happens next!!
What if I don’t like them…what if they’re too different…what if the story isn’t interesting…what if…what if…what if?!?! I am very happy to say that I need not have been worried at all in this case! In Defy, Raine Thomas begins another wonderful saga filled with vivid characters, intriguing situations and enough twists and turns to keep any reader, old or new, glued to the pages.
This story begins 17 years after the Daughters of Saraqael trilogy left off. Our beloved characters, Amber and Gabriel, Olivia and James and Skye and Caleb, have had children of their own. And this adventure belongs to Tate. She is the daughter of Skye and Caleb and, together with her brother Tiege, has been protected most of her life. As the child of part human and part Estilorian parents, she’s different from the typical Estilorian and has led a more sheltered existence. But the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree as they say and she’s got her mother’s curiosity and spunk. She yearns to step outside her boundaries and see the world she’s never seen. And this is where the adventure begins!
This time we are led out beyond the borders, into a different world of barren land and dangerous places where dragons exist and bad guys run free. As always, the imagery is crisp and vivid, putting the reader right in the middle of the action. This book is written from several points of view which adds to the richness of the storytelling.
Tate proves to be a brave and intelligent character, using the skills taught to her by her family in her attempts to undo the consequences of the decision she made…the decision to to run off into the unknown. Although this is Tate’s adventure, we meet many new characters as well. The children of the Daughters of Saraqael are more like siblings than cousins and we are drawn in by their love for one another. Along the way, Tate also meets Zachariah, an Estilorian who’s been living away from his people for many years. Her emotions and the decisions she makes baffle him but he feels compelled to protect her. Zachariah (or Sparky as Tate calls him) has a mysterious past and a grumpy disposition. But, darn…I love him anyway! Tiege is her twin brother. He has a special connection to her and a brave heart. Sophia, the child of Olivia and James, battles to take control of her own abilities even as she tries to deny herself the love she wants. And, of course, there are bad guys…Mercesti who are looking for an ancient artifact to give them more power and who are not afraid to hurt anyone who gets in their way.
Ultimately, this is a coming of age story. But not just for Tate. Many of the characters have their lives move in directions they never expected. They develop skills they didn’t know they had, handle dangers they never imagined and they build relationships that shake their very foundations. Some even learn to trust and love.
I can’t wait to see what happens next!!
May 1, 2012
There is no measure for the amount of love I have for the Estilorians. This world is unique, exciting, and completely entertaining! I’ve been counting down the days for the release of Defy and my patience (okay the lack thereof) was totally worth it. I bought the book, settled down in a comfy position, and prepared myself to be wowed. And boy was I ever WOWED.
The story takes off right away bringing back characters that I adore from The Daughters of Saraqael trilogy and introducing a whole bunch of amazing new ones. I love that we get to experience several different stories at once and how everything comes together perfectly.
Tate is so much fun. She’s curious and she longs for adventure and to prove her own strength. She knows the rules, however she also knows how to bend them. Seemingly innocent fun turns into disaster. Now she’s far from home, alone, and injured. (Great job, Tate.) Then enters Zachariah (hello, hottie.) Only thing is, he’s more interested in getting away from Tate than rescuing her. (Well crap.) He’s been on his own for more than fifty years, so naturally being “stuck” with a 17 year old who calls him out on his lies (a part that I FREAKING LOVE!) is a little annoying for him. He doesn’t know what to make of Tate seeing as he’s never met another Estilorian like her. Their connection/relationship is definitely entertaining.
I’m really looking forward to finding out what’s going to happen between Sophia and , Clara Kate and , and Tiege and . Things are going to get even more exciting I just know it!
Okay who can tell me they don’t want this?
Raine Thomas is one of my favorite writers. She has a gift for bringing us into her world of endless possibilities. Her characters will become a part of you and you will dream of Becoming an Estilorian too.
I can’t wait to journey back to the Estilorian plane in Shift!
The story takes off right away bringing back characters that I adore from The Daughters of Saraqael trilogy and introducing a whole bunch of amazing new ones. I love that we get to experience several different stories at once and how everything comes together perfectly.
Tate is so much fun. She’s curious and she longs for adventure and to prove her own strength. She knows the rules, however she also knows how to bend them. Seemingly innocent fun turns into disaster. Now she’s far from home, alone, and injured. (Great job, Tate.) Then enters Zachariah (hello, hottie.) Only thing is, he’s more interested in getting away from Tate than rescuing her. (Well crap.) He’s been on his own for more than fifty years, so naturally being “stuck” with a 17 year old who calls him out on his lies (a part that I FREAKING LOVE!) is a little annoying for him. He doesn’t know what to make of Tate seeing as he’s never met another Estilorian like her. Their connection/relationship is definitely entertaining.
I’m really looking forward to finding out what’s going to happen between Sophia and , Clara Kate and , and Tiege and . Things are going to get even more exciting I just know it!
Okay who can tell me they don’t want this?
"He didn’t kiss her. No, that was far too sedate a term for it. He claimed her."I mean seriously, THAT IS SMOKIN’ HOT. I love it.
Raine Thomas is one of my favorite writers. She has a gift for bringing us into her world of endless possibilities. Her characters will become a part of you and you will dream of Becoming an Estilorian too.
I can’t wait to journey back to the Estilorian plane in Shift!
May 9, 2012
I really enjoyed this book. It centers around 17-year-old Tate. If you have read "The Daughters of Saraqael" series, Tate is the firstborn daughter of Skye and Caleb. This book takes place 18 years after "The Daughters of Saraqael" series ends. Tate, her brothers and sisters, and her cousins are considered a new class in the Estilorian world, because their mothers, Skye, Amber, and Olivia, are half human. This new class is called the Kynzesti. Skye and Caleb, Tate's parents, have the gift of seeing into the future through their dreams. After they both experience dreams warning them of danger regarding Tate, they do their best to protect her. Despite their attempts, Tate leaves the area of protection that surrounds their home and finds herself in a dire situation. Her twin brother Tiege is determined to find her, even though everyone else believes she is dead. Tiege and his cousins, Sophia and Clara Kate, along with Iniherit one of the Estilorian elders, and Quincy, who has been a close family friend, set out to find Tate. Tate encounters many life-threatening situations in her quest to return home, and ends up connecting with Zachariah, who saved her life. In spite of his gruff manner, he ends up helping her, and a romantic relationship between Tate and Zachariah ensues.
The Estilorian fantasy world that Raine Thomas has created in her books is brilliant, enchanting, and exciting. It reminds me of YA fairytale. The books is filled with excitement, danger, and adventure, and mythological creatures like kragens and korrigans. As far as romance, Raine does not disappoint in this area either. The story is fast paced and leaves you anxious to find out what is going to happen next. If you love fantays, fairytales, and romance, mixed with some action and adventure, then you will enjoy Defy. This was an excellent and amazing first book in a series I am looking forward to following.
The Estilorian fantasy world that Raine Thomas has created in her books is brilliant, enchanting, and exciting. It reminds me of YA fairytale. The books is filled with excitement, danger, and adventure, and mythological creatures like kragens and korrigans. As far as romance, Raine does not disappoint in this area either. The story is fast paced and leaves you anxious to find out what is going to happen next. If you love fantays, fairytales, and romance, mixed with some action and adventure, then you will enjoy Defy. This was an excellent and amazing first book in a series I am looking forward to following.
May 12, 2012
Defy is the first novel of a trilogy of young adult fantasy and romance. This is the story of Tate, a young Kynzesti who loves adventure and who wants to prove herself. She feels capable of confront everything the world throws at her. She soon will be eighteen and new abilities will be a part of her. By circumstances she couldn't control, she is taken from her family. When this happens she will get to know a mysterious been called Zachariah, and from that point their lives will be linked forever. Tate will find herself in danger and Zachariah will be her protector.
This is a book about love, romance and family bonds. Tate is a great character, she is strong, smart and driven. Also, she is ignorant, but who isn’t at some point of their lives. She is a character who develops, that is always a plus. She is fun, resourceful and created with an unique personality.
This book shows Tate’s first adventure, the first time she abandons safety. The characters supporting the action on the story are strong enough to be individuals inside her story. To me, her cousin Sophia is a character who easily could be translated on a story of her own. Tiege,her twin was relevant for his abilities and strong bond with Tate. I would like to see in the future more about the other Kynzesti.
Raine Thomas has a wonderful imagination. She created fantasy with structure which it is not an easy task. She created a logical world with a structure that can be diversified in a plethora of stories, it has no boundaries.
Her writing style is one you wish to read. Her book immerses us, the readers on a magical world.
Rating:5 out of 5 , great reading for all those who love fantasy and good YA. My review was based on the attributes of this book completely.
Don't forget to follow this one with the second book: Shift. The preview promises a great story!
This is a book about love, romance and family bonds. Tate is a great character, she is strong, smart and driven. Also, she is ignorant, but who isn’t at some point of their lives. She is a character who develops, that is always a plus. She is fun, resourceful and created with an unique personality.
This book shows Tate’s first adventure, the first time she abandons safety. The characters supporting the action on the story are strong enough to be individuals inside her story. To me, her cousin Sophia is a character who easily could be translated on a story of her own. Tiege,her twin was relevant for his abilities and strong bond with Tate. I would like to see in the future more about the other Kynzesti.
Raine Thomas has a wonderful imagination. She created fantasy with structure which it is not an easy task. She created a logical world with a structure that can be diversified in a plethora of stories, it has no boundaries.
Her writing style is one you wish to read. Her book immerses us, the readers on a magical world.
Rating:5 out of 5 , great reading for all those who love fantasy and good YA. My review was based on the attributes of this book completely.
Don't forget to follow this one with the second book: Shift. The preview promises a great story!
April 7, 2012
Today's review is on Defy (Firstborn #1) by Raine Thomas
If you are a follower of my blog you know that I have read Thomas' Daughters of Saraqael series, and you know that I enjoyed each and every one them. Not knowing what to expect from Defy, I was happy to discover that I had no need to worry about anything.
Though time has obviously passed since the three sisters had become pregnant with their first children, Thomas' writing flows flawlessly into this next series. You can not help but to continue to fall in love with the new major players or swooning with the possibility of love in the air.
Wanting to keep all of the children safe, they have not been allowed to leave the area surrounding their homes. And even though Tate knows deep down that she should obey, she knows that she can take care of herself. Unfortunately when she is unexpectedly taken by a strange creature that she has never before seen, she realizes that perhaps she cannot. Thankfully she has one saving grace.
Zachariah isn't much for emotions, after all he is an Estilorian. But when Nix; his "pet", brings back the female as a gift for him, he has to do something to save her life. In doing so, he unknowingly creates a bond with her and now he just can't seem to keep her out of his head. She is annoying, weak, selfish, and the best thing to ever become a part of his life.
Through various bouts of danger; some of which may cause Tate her life, Zachariah has been able to help her. But when she is finally captured by the Mercesti will he be able to get there in time?
I have to confess that I will be anxiously awaiting Shift, book 2 of the Firstborn Trilogy.
4 of 5 stars
If you are a follower of my blog you know that I have read Thomas' Daughters of Saraqael series, and you know that I enjoyed each and every one them. Not knowing what to expect from Defy, I was happy to discover that I had no need to worry about anything.
Though time has obviously passed since the three sisters had become pregnant with their first children, Thomas' writing flows flawlessly into this next series. You can not help but to continue to fall in love with the new major players or swooning with the possibility of love in the air.
Wanting to keep all of the children safe, they have not been allowed to leave the area surrounding their homes. And even though Tate knows deep down that she should obey, she knows that she can take care of herself. Unfortunately when she is unexpectedly taken by a strange creature that she has never before seen, she realizes that perhaps she cannot. Thankfully she has one saving grace.
Zachariah isn't much for emotions, after all he is an Estilorian. But when Nix; his "pet", brings back the female as a gift for him, he has to do something to save her life. In doing so, he unknowingly creates a bond with her and now he just can't seem to keep her out of his head. She is annoying, weak, selfish, and the best thing to ever become a part of his life.
Through various bouts of danger; some of which may cause Tate her life, Zachariah has been able to help her. But when she is finally captured by the Mercesti will he be able to get there in time?
I have to confess that I will be anxiously awaiting Shift, book 2 of the Firstborn Trilogy.
4 of 5 stars
December 27, 2015
I loved this series. I have read the original series which was about how the parents of the firstborns met and fell in love. This series is actually about each couple's first born child. This was an amazing spin off. I loved it so much that I wanted more. Second born, third born, why not? But let me go back a bit.
The Daughters of Saraquel were triplets raised as humans and ascended when they were old enough. When ascended, they took over their roles and turned into amazing women who each found their true love. This series continues by following each couple's first born child. Each couple's first born child will go on an adventure that they will not forget. They will learn loss, love, pain, happiness and more. It was a spectacular series. I wouldn't have asked for more since it was perfect. The only thing I would ask is can I have some more? I want to keep reading about how each first born grow up as well as their siblings.
This author is just incredible at creating a world that's brand new and still beautiful even though there's loss, pain, heartbreak mixed with the good things, love, happiness and family. It's on my top 3 series of the year. Perhaps the century. Give it a try and you won't regret it.
The Daughters of Saraquel were triplets raised as humans and ascended when they were old enough. When ascended, they took over their roles and turned into amazing women who each found their true love. This series continues by following each couple's first born child. Each couple's first born child will go on an adventure that they will not forget. They will learn loss, love, pain, happiness and more. It was a spectacular series. I wouldn't have asked for more since it was perfect. The only thing I would ask is can I have some more? I want to keep reading about how each first born grow up as well as their siblings.
This author is just incredible at creating a world that's brand new and still beautiful even though there's loss, pain, heartbreak mixed with the good things, love, happiness and family. It's on my top 3 series of the year. Perhaps the century. Give it a try and you won't regret it.
June 27, 2013
Raine Thomas has this amazing ability to make even the most trivial of sentences hook you to the story. Even though the book doesn't have a lot of sexy to its romance, it still manages to capture your heart and keep a hold of it.
It's not easy to create fantasy worlds that seem real and elaborate, but this book manages just that. The magic and abilities of the characters never seem out of place or far fetched. And the strong characters with their interesting personalities easily tug on your heartstrings.
Amazing book!
It's not easy to create fantasy worlds that seem real and elaborate, but this book manages just that. The magic and abilities of the characters never seem out of place or far fetched. And the strong characters with their interesting personalities easily tug on your heartstrings.
Amazing book!
November 2, 2012
Tate is a beautiful girl in an excellent novel,DEFY, written by Raine Thomas. A glossary is at the beginning of the book.It is very helpful getting to understand the story and characters. Great storyline and wonderful characters. An excellent description of this fantastic world. I enjoyed this book very much and plan to pass it on to my granddaughter. A wonderful read, thank you.
Erma J. Steppe
Erma J. Steppe
February 5, 2013
Wow Raine Thomas did it again! What an amazing sequel to her previous trilogy. First I would like to say that Caleb and Skye were always my favorite couple! I was really giddy about the fact that the series started out with their firstborn Tate. "Sparky's" and Tate's connection is spunky and fun. Their chemistry is as fun as Caleb's and Skye's. Overall a great read!
Read
August 12, 2025This is my favourite book in the Estilorians series, as well as one of the best-written ones. Unlike the other books in the Firstborn trilogy, the romantic angst in this one isn't so extreme, so I find it much more enjoyable to read, but it is also more slow-burning and realistic than that of the romance in the Daughters of Saraqael trilogy: a very nice balance.
April 28, 2012
This book was not for me.
September 19, 2017
I absolutely loved this book so much it was great I love tate and her attitude and how she calls someone as big as zachariah "sparky" They are so cute together and I think it was no accident that Nyx brought tate to zachariah. Nyx the matchmaker So yea I loved this book alot
July 13, 2021
A great read full of drama, suspense and characters that you will love.
April 30, 2012
It is often said that when you love something it usually is hard for you to say why you love said thing because how can you explain perfection in just a few words, right? Well, this is how I felt about Defy. It was brilliant. It was such a breath of fresh air with it's unique blend of intensity and humour. It had mystery, intrigue, depth, romance, and an amazing cast of characters. Defy does not disappoint as it is the first book in the follow up series to the Daughters of Saraqael trilogy which in it's own right is such an interesting and unique YA fantasy/Romance trilogy with it's introduction to all things Estilorian. Estilorian being beings with special powers who had to remove themselves from human society and who eventually became the stuff of what myth and legends are based on. In Defy we get to learn more about Estilorian society and it was beyond intriguing.
In Defy I think that Raine Thomas does a really great job at expanding the Estilorian world for the reader and it has to be said that she truly has an imagination that is out of this world. Her twists on traditional fantastical elements never cease to amaze me. The creatures she creates, the landscapes described, and the abilities/characteristics of the beings and people in this novel really are amazing and truly transport the reader to a whole new world in their mind and really what is a better testament to excellent world-building, right?
The characterization in Defy is also pretty incredible. Every character is so well developed. They are so complex that there is not one instance in which you feel like you truly know it all about a character. New things always keep coming to light and I love it when an author can persistently keep you guessing and on your toes about what really is going on underneath the surface in a character's life. It is the mark of truly good storytelling for me and this book had that in abundance and I loved it. The secondary characters in this book are all so charming and strong and determined to try to do the right thing. I fell in love with the newly introduced cast of Estilorians, too. And the main characters in this novel are a riot. Tate and Zachariah are so much fun and it is really surprising because throughout the novel they are facing danger at every corner, from beginning to end; but their personalities always remain so strong, stubborn, willful and funny and I thought it was really great to read about. To say that I liked them doesn't even begin to express the amount of love I had for these characters by the time I finished reading this book. Which leads me to the romance in this book.
Tate and Zachariah have a chemistry that is off the charts. It really is. I thought their banter was hilarious because they are just both so slick, clever, passionate and fearless and what I loved about them is that they both have incredibly strong personalities and it truly works for them because they challenge each others perceptions at every turn and it wasn't instantaneous love either. It took them a while to get to know each other and every word of it was fun. And what is really great about this book is that there are also two other big romances brewing in this book amongst the secondary characters which were also incredibly compelling, interesting, and humorous. Raine Thomas just knows how to do romance and I think she outshines herself in Defy. Tate and Zachariah especially were flawless. They just were. No other way to put it really.
Besides the really great characterization, world-building and romance. What I loved about Defy the most had to be it's exploration of emotions with it's special emphasis on what self consciousness and arrogance can do to a person's perception of self. A lot of the characters in this book including the main characters go on an incredibly journey of self discovery and battle not only physical danger but psychological danger, as well. It was really interesting to get into these characters head and to see how they would overcome these struggles that they had with themselves and when you add to that a backdrop of an incredibly scary cast of villains/dangerous landscapes and twists at every turn, you truly have yourself a very adventured filled book in every sense of the word.
My Rating: 5/5
In Defy I think that Raine Thomas does a really great job at expanding the Estilorian world for the reader and it has to be said that she truly has an imagination that is out of this world. Her twists on traditional fantastical elements never cease to amaze me. The creatures she creates, the landscapes described, and the abilities/characteristics of the beings and people in this novel really are amazing and truly transport the reader to a whole new world in their mind and really what is a better testament to excellent world-building, right?
The characterization in Defy is also pretty incredible. Every character is so well developed. They are so complex that there is not one instance in which you feel like you truly know it all about a character. New things always keep coming to light and I love it when an author can persistently keep you guessing and on your toes about what really is going on underneath the surface in a character's life. It is the mark of truly good storytelling for me and this book had that in abundance and I loved it. The secondary characters in this book are all so charming and strong and determined to try to do the right thing. I fell in love with the newly introduced cast of Estilorians, too. And the main characters in this novel are a riot. Tate and Zachariah are so much fun and it is really surprising because throughout the novel they are facing danger at every corner, from beginning to end; but their personalities always remain so strong, stubborn, willful and funny and I thought it was really great to read about. To say that I liked them doesn't even begin to express the amount of love I had for these characters by the time I finished reading this book. Which leads me to the romance in this book.
Tate and Zachariah have a chemistry that is off the charts. It really is. I thought their banter was hilarious because they are just both so slick, clever, passionate and fearless and what I loved about them is that they both have incredibly strong personalities and it truly works for them because they challenge each others perceptions at every turn and it wasn't instantaneous love either. It took them a while to get to know each other and every word of it was fun. And what is really great about this book is that there are also two other big romances brewing in this book amongst the secondary characters which were also incredibly compelling, interesting, and humorous. Raine Thomas just knows how to do romance and I think she outshines herself in Defy. Tate and Zachariah especially were flawless. They just were. No other way to put it really.
Besides the really great characterization, world-building and romance. What I loved about Defy the most had to be it's exploration of emotions with it's special emphasis on what self consciousness and arrogance can do to a person's perception of self. A lot of the characters in this book including the main characters go on an incredibly journey of self discovery and battle not only physical danger but psychological danger, as well. It was really interesting to get into these characters head and to see how they would overcome these struggles that they had with themselves and when you add to that a backdrop of an incredibly scary cast of villains/dangerous landscapes and twists at every turn, you truly have yourself a very adventured filled book in every sense of the word.
My Rating: 5/5
August 8, 2012
I first became a BIG fan of Author Raine Thomas with her Daughter of Saraqael Trilogy, where I was introduced to the wondrous world of the Estilorians. My favorite book being Foretold, go Team Caleb and Team Skye! Upon getting news that Thomas was creating a follow up trilogy which would include the same characters I had come to love, I squealed with excitement and demanded the book as soon as I could! Defy is the first book in Thomas’s new Firstborn Trilogy and let me tell you, the book ROCKED MY SOCKS!
Tate is so much like both her parents, Caleb and Skye, which made me love her instantly. She is impulsive, far too trusting, and defiant much like Skye. She is also fiercely strong, good under pressure, and determined much like Caleb. Tate goes through a pretty tough journey through the book while attempting to find her way back home and I was impressed with how controlled she managed to remain of her emotions and temperament.
I was happy to see my favorites returning from the original trilogy: Amber and Gabriel, James and Olivia, and of course, Caleb and Skye. The Elders In-herit, Jabari, Uriel, Sebastion, and Knorbis are also back. My favorite is Ini-herit, I enjoyed his relationship with Clara Kate, who is the first born to Amber and Gabriel. It was fun to see how much In-herit was confused through Clara’s emotions and actions and how much he listened to Clara Kate and I liked how strong willed Clara is. I also enjoyed the slew of various new characters. I really liked Tiege, Tate’s twin brother. He’s so cute and loving and much calmer than his twin sister. I also was happy to read more of Quincy and loved his relationship with Sophia, first born to Olivia and James.
Zachariah was my favorite character of the entire book. He is extremely guarded, hot tempered, prideful and downright rude. He is also deadly agile, incredibly strong, and undeniably hawt! I couldn’t get to the scenes with him fast enough when I was reading. He had me cracking up and in the next sentence wanting to slap him. I so LOVED that he had a tomahawk as a weapon! I also really liked his connection with Nyx, a kragon (dragon-like creature on the Estilorian plane). I liked that they could communicate without words, just with emotions and expressions. They had such an intimate bond which was sweet and trusted each other without question. Nyx helped to show Zachariah’s more vulnerable side. Zachariah is such the anti-hero but it worked great against Tate’s optimistic and impulsivity.
I’m still Team Caleb *swoon* but Zachariah comes in at a close second ;)
The action was well done and one of my favorite scenes was when Tiege swopped in to fight against the Mercesti and took down Zachariah showing just how much like Caleb’s son he really is. The pacing doesn’t drag too much and the suspense, although at times too predictable, was built gradually as the scenes intensified. The characterization was developed with depth where readers can connect with them and relate to what they go through.
There were a few things that could use tweaking in upcoming books. Some of the dialogue sometimes sounded unlike the character who was speaking which made some of the dialogue come off choppy. There were times the pacing was a bit dragged because the story felt like it was being told too much over being shown to the reader. There was also a feeling of repetition when the same scenes where told from different characters and sometimes the details were a bit much. But for the most part, the book was well executed.
With loveable characters returning and new fun characters introduced, with action packed scenes and new budding romances, Defy is a great beginning to what seems to be a promising new trilogy!
Tate is so much like both her parents, Caleb and Skye, which made me love her instantly. She is impulsive, far too trusting, and defiant much like Skye. She is also fiercely strong, good under pressure, and determined much like Caleb. Tate goes through a pretty tough journey through the book while attempting to find her way back home and I was impressed with how controlled she managed to remain of her emotions and temperament.
I was happy to see my favorites returning from the original trilogy: Amber and Gabriel, James and Olivia, and of course, Caleb and Skye. The Elders In-herit, Jabari, Uriel, Sebastion, and Knorbis are also back. My favorite is Ini-herit, I enjoyed his relationship with Clara Kate, who is the first born to Amber and Gabriel. It was fun to see how much In-herit was confused through Clara’s emotions and actions and how much he listened to Clara Kate and I liked how strong willed Clara is. I also enjoyed the slew of various new characters. I really liked Tiege, Tate’s twin brother. He’s so cute and loving and much calmer than his twin sister. I also was happy to read more of Quincy and loved his relationship with Sophia, first born to Olivia and James.
Zachariah was my favorite character of the entire book. He is extremely guarded, hot tempered, prideful and downright rude. He is also deadly agile, incredibly strong, and undeniably hawt! I couldn’t get to the scenes with him fast enough when I was reading. He had me cracking up and in the next sentence wanting to slap him. I so LOVED that he had a tomahawk as a weapon! I also really liked his connection with Nyx, a kragon (dragon-like creature on the Estilorian plane). I liked that they could communicate without words, just with emotions and expressions. They had such an intimate bond which was sweet and trusted each other without question. Nyx helped to show Zachariah’s more vulnerable side. Zachariah is such the anti-hero but it worked great against Tate’s optimistic and impulsivity.
I’m still Team Caleb *swoon* but Zachariah comes in at a close second ;)
The action was well done and one of my favorite scenes was when Tiege swopped in to fight against the Mercesti and took down Zachariah showing just how much like Caleb’s son he really is. The pacing doesn’t drag too much and the suspense, although at times too predictable, was built gradually as the scenes intensified. The characterization was developed with depth where readers can connect with them and relate to what they go through.
There were a few things that could use tweaking in upcoming books. Some of the dialogue sometimes sounded unlike the character who was speaking which made some of the dialogue come off choppy. There were times the pacing was a bit dragged because the story felt like it was being told too much over being shown to the reader. There was also a feeling of repetition when the same scenes where told from different characters and sometimes the details were a bit much. But for the most part, the book was well executed.
With loveable characters returning and new fun characters introduced, with action packed scenes and new budding romances, Defy is a great beginning to what seems to be a promising new trilogy!
August 28, 2012
This is the first book in the Firstborn trilogy. Set in the world of the Estilorians, Defy is a story about Tate, a seventeen-year-old girl who is the first-born daughter of an Estilorian father and a half-Estilorian/ half-human mother.
Tate grows up in a protected environment with her siblings, parents, relatives and cousins. While her parents, uncles and aunties train the children to learn about defense, Tate never fully grasps the reasons behind why she and her siblings and cousins must live in an area that is heavily protected by enchantments. Being young, stubborn and impulsive, she ventures outside of the realm of protection one day, and discovers that living away from home is actually not as easy or fun as she has once perceived.
The Firstborn trilogy is set at a time that is about eighteen years after the battle happened at the end of the Daughters of Saraqael series. Since many characters in the Daughters of Saraqael series also appear in the Firstborn trilogy, I think it would be a better experience to read the Daughters of Saraqael series before reading this book.
Tate is a character that I find memorable and adorable. She is not the easiest to like, and when you see her do things recklessly, you’d probably shake your head and scream, “what are you thinking…” Yet, she has this sense of humor that would just cheer you up and even when you know she is not behaving at her best, you’d just want to overlook her shortcoming and give her a justifiable excuse for her misbehavior.
Tate’s journey to find her way home is full of hazards and perils. As she struggles to survive, she meets Zachariah, a male who has removed himself from the Estilorian society for more than fifty years. Zachariah is physically strong, and because of his past, he has a tendency to include the word “bloody” in almost every sentence that he verbally communicates. I find him a little weird at first but as I learn more about what he has been through, I start seeing him as someone who is fiercely loyal, genuine, clever and reliable.
I really like the Estilorian world created by Raine Thomas. While there are different classes of beings living on the Estilorian plane, I never find the descriptive details confusing or overwhelming. I like that each class has their own special abilities and that the classes are meant to work together to create synergy.
With evil beings attempting to grow their power for greed and torture, Tate, Zachariah and many others must work together to hopefully outwit the evil. But this time, the evil ones are more cunning and they won’t stop… until they get what they want.
Personally, I find Defy creative, romantic and enjoyable. This is an exciting story that leaves me wanting to read more. Fans of the Daughters of Saraqael series will definitely not want to miss this remarkable continuation into the adventurous world of the Estilorians.
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This post was originally published on LeisureReads.com.
A copy of the book was provided by the author for review purposes.
Tate grows up in a protected environment with her siblings, parents, relatives and cousins. While her parents, uncles and aunties train the children to learn about defense, Tate never fully grasps the reasons behind why she and her siblings and cousins must live in an area that is heavily protected by enchantments. Being young, stubborn and impulsive, she ventures outside of the realm of protection one day, and discovers that living away from home is actually not as easy or fun as she has once perceived.
The Firstborn trilogy is set at a time that is about eighteen years after the battle happened at the end of the Daughters of Saraqael series. Since many characters in the Daughters of Saraqael series also appear in the Firstborn trilogy, I think it would be a better experience to read the Daughters of Saraqael series before reading this book.
Tate is a character that I find memorable and adorable. She is not the easiest to like, and when you see her do things recklessly, you’d probably shake your head and scream, “what are you thinking…” Yet, she has this sense of humor that would just cheer you up and even when you know she is not behaving at her best, you’d just want to overlook her shortcoming and give her a justifiable excuse for her misbehavior.
Tate’s journey to find her way home is full of hazards and perils. As she struggles to survive, she meets Zachariah, a male who has removed himself from the Estilorian society for more than fifty years. Zachariah is physically strong, and because of his past, he has a tendency to include the word “bloody” in almost every sentence that he verbally communicates. I find him a little weird at first but as I learn more about what he has been through, I start seeing him as someone who is fiercely loyal, genuine, clever and reliable.
I really like the Estilorian world created by Raine Thomas. While there are different classes of beings living on the Estilorian plane, I never find the descriptive details confusing or overwhelming. I like that each class has their own special abilities and that the classes are meant to work together to create synergy.
With evil beings attempting to grow their power for greed and torture, Tate, Zachariah and many others must work together to hopefully outwit the evil. But this time, the evil ones are more cunning and they won’t stop… until they get what they want.
Personally, I find Defy creative, romantic and enjoyable. This is an exciting story that leaves me wanting to read more. Fans of the Daughters of Saraqael series will definitely not want to miss this remarkable continuation into the adventurous world of the Estilorians.
--
This post was originally published on LeisureReads.com.
A copy of the book was provided by the author for review purposes.
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