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Defiance #3
Deliverance
Everything hangs in the balance, and nothing is certain: Rachel has been kidnapped by enemy forces and is being taken to Rowansmark while Logan, imprisoned and awaiting trial, is unable to leave Lankenshire. Separated from each other and their Baalboden comrades, each must find a way to achieve what they desperately want: to rid their world once and for all of the Commander and the tech that controls the deadly Cursed One.
Fighting through her pain and embracing the warrior she’s become, Rachel will do whatever it takes to escape her enemies’ clutches and join Logan in his fight. But when she learns a secret that changes everything, she realizes that escaping Ian and his tracker friends is no longer an option if she wants to save the people she loves. Instead, she’ll have to destroy Rowansmark from the inside out—if she can survive the journey through the Wasteland.
Logan needs allies if he wants to thwart Rowansmark’s power grab and rescue Rachel. But securing allies will mean betraying his beliefs and enlisting the help of the man he hates more than anyone: Commander Jason Chase. Driven by his fierce love for Rachel and his determination to make their world safe, Logan may be just the weapon the city-states need to defeat the Cursed One.
But as Rowansmark bears down and uneasy alliances are tested, will Rachel and Logan’s love for each other be enough to surmount the unbelievable odds against them?
Fighting through her pain and embracing the warrior she’s become, Rachel will do whatever it takes to escape her enemies’ clutches and join Logan in his fight. But when she learns a secret that changes everything, she realizes that escaping Ian and his tracker friends is no longer an option if she wants to save the people she loves. Instead, she’ll have to destroy Rowansmark from the inside out—if she can survive the journey through the Wasteland.
Logan needs allies if he wants to thwart Rowansmark’s power grab and rescue Rachel. But securing allies will mean betraying his beliefs and enlisting the help of the man he hates more than anyone: Commander Jason Chase. Driven by his fierce love for Rachel and his determination to make their world safe, Logan may be just the weapon the city-states need to defeat the Cursed One.
But as Rowansmark bears down and uneasy alliances are tested, will Rachel and Logan’s love for each other be enough to surmount the unbelievable odds against them?
470 pages, Hardcover
First published August 26, 2014
94 people are currently reading
8381 people want to read
About the author
C.J. Redwine
26 books4,036 followers**Please read my FAQ before sending any requests: http://cjredwine.blogspot.com/p/faq.html **
C.J. Redwine loves fairy tales, Harry Potter, and going to the movies. If the novel writing gig ever falls through, she’ll join the Avengers and wear a cape to work every day. To learn more about C.J., visit her website at www.cjredwine.com
C.J. Redwine loves fairy tales, Harry Potter, and going to the movies. If the novel writing gig ever falls through, she’ll join the Avengers and wear a cape to work every day. To learn more about C.J., visit her website at www.cjredwine.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 436 reviews
December 20, 2014
so.. can we start a fandom now?
August 29, 2014
Spoilers
Meh, not awful but not all that good either.
-I was bored most of the way through, there wasn't much of an interesting plot, the majority of the book was spent on characters walking around, running away, or making lame threats. There was nothing that kept me hooked.
-I didn't really care about Logan or Rachel, I found them both quite dull. The only time I kind of rooted for Rachel was whenever Ian or one of her captors acted self righteous or abusive, other than that I didn't like her much.
I hated all the torture, abuse and starvation Rachel had to put up with, whilst Logan was all comfortable and fine and dandy. It's annoying how the heroine is always the one who has to suffer in all these YA books whilst the hero just has a grand old time. Why not the other way around for once?
-Rachel on a number of occasions put her life at risk to protect Logan, whilst in comparison he didn't do much for her. One person shouldn't be risking all for the other, either they both should be sacrificing themselves or neither, otherwise the relationship comes across as unbalanced. By the end I was convinced Logan wasn't all that in love with Rachel, what else was I meant to think when he didn't sacrifice himself in any way for her whilst that was all she did.
-I rolled my eyes whenever Rachel or Logan made threats/promises of revenge when it was clear they were in no position to do so, for most of the book the bad guys had the upper hand so their threats came across as immature and daft.
-Ian was a prick and a half. He thought because he'd suffered it gave him the right to murder thousands, destroy cities and kill children. Everything was about him and his pain, he didn't give a fuck about anyone else. What he went through was nothing compared to the damage and pain he caused, he was such a hypocrite. He really deserved to suffer but instead he got a quick death. The dick.
-The world was quite bleh, there was nothing engrossing about it. The few spread out cities in between all the forest/wasteland, the weird tanniyn/lizard creatures, and the nonsensical technology — it just wasn't interesting.
-Rachel barely interacted with any other female character, it took almost half of the book for there to be any dialogue between two female characters, and that dialogue ended up being an antagonistic conversation so that didn't really count. Rachel pretty much only had proper conversations with male characters. Whereas Logan's POV had him interacting with male and female characters — if it could be written that way for the hero then it shouldn't have been too difficult for the heroine to interact just as much with females as well as males.
-I liked that there were no silly love triangles.
A mediocre read at best, there wasn't anything that really stood out — the plot was tepid, the world was uninspired and the characters were generic. The trilogy as a whole will probably only entertain those who enjoy the run of the mill, typical YA post apocalyptic/fantasy type novel.
Meh, not awful but not all that good either.
-I was bored most of the way through, there wasn't much of an interesting plot, the majority of the book was spent on characters walking around, running away, or making lame threats. There was nothing that kept me hooked.
-I didn't really care about Logan or Rachel, I found them both quite dull. The only time I kind of rooted for Rachel was whenever Ian or one of her captors acted self righteous or abusive, other than that I didn't like her much.
I hated all the torture, abuse and starvation Rachel had to put up with, whilst Logan was all comfortable and fine and dandy. It's annoying how the heroine is always the one who has to suffer in all these YA books whilst the hero just has a grand old time. Why not the other way around for once?
-Rachel on a number of occasions put her life at risk to protect Logan, whilst in comparison he didn't do much for her. One person shouldn't be risking all for the other, either they both should be sacrificing themselves or neither, otherwise the relationship comes across as unbalanced. By the end I was convinced Logan wasn't all that in love with Rachel, what else was I meant to think when he didn't sacrifice himself in any way for her whilst that was all she did.
-I rolled my eyes whenever Rachel or Logan made threats/promises of revenge when it was clear they were in no position to do so, for most of the book the bad guys had the upper hand so their threats came across as immature and daft.
-Ian was a prick and a half. He thought because he'd suffered it gave him the right to murder thousands, destroy cities and kill children. Everything was about him and his pain, he didn't give a fuck about anyone else. What he went through was nothing compared to the damage and pain he caused, he was such a hypocrite. He really deserved to suffer but instead he got a quick death. The dick.
-The world was quite bleh, there was nothing engrossing about it. The few spread out cities in between all the forest/wasteland, the weird tanniyn/lizard creatures, and the nonsensical technology — it just wasn't interesting.
-Rachel barely interacted with any other female character, it took almost half of the book for there to be any dialogue between two female characters, and that dialogue ended up being an antagonistic conversation so that didn't really count. Rachel pretty much only had proper conversations with male characters. Whereas Logan's POV had him interacting with male and female characters — if it could be written that way for the hero then it shouldn't have been too difficult for the heroine to interact just as much with females as well as males.
-I liked that there were no silly love triangles.
A mediocre read at best, there wasn't anything that really stood out — the plot was tepid, the world was uninspired and the characters were generic. The trilogy as a whole will probably only entertain those who enjoy the run of the mill, typical YA post apocalyptic/fantasy type novel.
December 8, 2014
I can't wait already! So many things can happen, I'm going crazy just thinking about it. And Quinn too! Any Quinn fangirls here?
Update: wow. That was one helluva ride. I can't believe it's over already. I'm going to miss this series that got me caught up in a whirlwind of emotions.
Update: wow. That was one helluva ride. I can't believe it's over already. I'm going to miss this series that got me caught up in a whirlwind of emotions.
August 7, 2015
3.5-4 stars
The Defiance series by C.J. Redwine is one I've been meaning to read for a while. Dystopian books can be hit or miss, but I kept hearing good things about the story and characters. One thing I wasn't prepared for, though, is how dark and gritty these books actually get. The author is not afraid to make her characters experience pain, suffering, and heartbreak; she pushes Rachel and Logan past their limits and there were times I could hardly stand to read it. Themes of revenge, justice, grief, and guilt are explored in detail, and the characters are tested emotionally and physically in ways I hope never to experience.
Set in a desolate future, humanity has been ravaged by what's referred to as the Cursed One, a dragon-like creature who erupted straight out of the earth. The people left unharmed are now hidden within city-states, their only protection a wall and a cold dictator who promises that he has a way to keep them safe. In this new world, girls are subservient and coddled, never allowed to speak for themselves, but Rachel determines to be heard. Her father, on a mission to another city-state, has been declared dead by the Commander, but Rachel doesn't believe it. There's more at stake here than what she's being told. It's when the Commander sends her and Logan, the outcast boy she's always loved, on a mission to retrieve a mysterious package, that events start unfolding in ways neither could have ever anticipated.
My favorite part of the series is Rachel and Logan's character growth. They are not the same two teenagers at the end of Deliverance that they were in Defiance. Through their journey across a scary wasteland they face death and war at every turn. Logan - socially awkward, incredibly smart, obsessed with chemical equations, the perpetual underdog - is forced into a leadership role that he never expected. People who never gave him a second glance are now trusting him with their lives and in the hopes that he can protect them against a vicious beast and the evil intentions of the Commander. Logan feels a lot of pressure and doubts his abilities as a leader, but time and again he proves why people should put their faith in him. He's such a good guy, down to his core, and is always determined to make the right decisions. He's young in age but grows into a man by the end of the series. Rachel, likewise, is a captivating character. She's fierce and loyal to those she loves, and she's always, always a fighter. She doesn't want to be treated as a little girl but as an equal. Rachel experiences more than her fair share of loss in these books, and she has to endure things that her mind can't always make sense of. The second book, Deception, was a struggle for me at times because it wasn't easy to be in Rachel's head. She grows more and more numb, trying to block her pain and not allowing herself to grieve. It's hard to not want to reach into the book and shake her a bit, to make her feel something again. She's so broken and bent on revenge, that darkness just seems to drag on and on. But in Deliverance I finally found that connection to her again. It had been a difficult journey for her mentally, but the realizations she makes about the type of person she is and wants to be are beautiful to read. There's a difference, she learns, between justice and cold-hearted revenge.
The romance between Rachel and Logan is certainly a highlight. They are absolutely devoted to one another and they're faith in each other never waivers. The first book is probably my favorite because their relationship is just so adorable, the one light in this dark series. Seeing Logan fumble for the right words and the softness in Rachel's attitude she only shows him were beyond sweet. Surprisingly, the amount of romance actually lessens with each book; while they share many scenes in Deception, Rachel withdraws inside of herself more and more, making romance between the two difficult, and in Deliverance they're actually separated for nearly 400 pages. Yet I love that through it all they know they can count on their love. It always rings solid and true.
C.J. Redwine also creates compelling secondary characters, of both the good and bad kind. The villains are complex and well-rounded, even as most of the time I wanted to strangle them. I like that I was able to feel such strong emotions toward them. There's a vicious cycle of violence in this world, everyone with their own motivations and hurts and past grievances; they all believe they have a right to vengeance, some whose reasoning is more warped than others. The strongest of the supporting cast are Quinn and Willow, a fierce brother and sister duo who look out for Rachel and Logan through every turn. They're amazing fighters and even better friends.
While I do feel the pacing could have been tighter, ultimately this is a series with amazing character growth and unique enough worldbuilding. I recommend it for fans of darker dystopians and for those who like a strong romance that doesn't overtake the plot. I'm definitely glad I finally picked up this series!
This review can also be found at Love at First Page.
The Defiance series by C.J. Redwine is one I've been meaning to read for a while. Dystopian books can be hit or miss, but I kept hearing good things about the story and characters. One thing I wasn't prepared for, though, is how dark and gritty these books actually get. The author is not afraid to make her characters experience pain, suffering, and heartbreak; she pushes Rachel and Logan past their limits and there were times I could hardly stand to read it. Themes of revenge, justice, grief, and guilt are explored in detail, and the characters are tested emotionally and physically in ways I hope never to experience.
Set in a desolate future, humanity has been ravaged by what's referred to as the Cursed One, a dragon-like creature who erupted straight out of the earth. The people left unharmed are now hidden within city-states, their only protection a wall and a cold dictator who promises that he has a way to keep them safe. In this new world, girls are subservient and coddled, never allowed to speak for themselves, but Rachel determines to be heard. Her father, on a mission to another city-state, has been declared dead by the Commander, but Rachel doesn't believe it. There's more at stake here than what she's being told. It's when the Commander sends her and Logan, the outcast boy she's always loved, on a mission to retrieve a mysterious package, that events start unfolding in ways neither could have ever anticipated.
My favorite part of the series is Rachel and Logan's character growth. They are not the same two teenagers at the end of Deliverance that they were in Defiance. Through their journey across a scary wasteland they face death and war at every turn. Logan - socially awkward, incredibly smart, obsessed with chemical equations, the perpetual underdog - is forced into a leadership role that he never expected. People who never gave him a second glance are now trusting him with their lives and in the hopes that he can protect them against a vicious beast and the evil intentions of the Commander. Logan feels a lot of pressure and doubts his abilities as a leader, but time and again he proves why people should put their faith in him. He's such a good guy, down to his core, and is always determined to make the right decisions. He's young in age but grows into a man by the end of the series. Rachel, likewise, is a captivating character. She's fierce and loyal to those she loves, and she's always, always a fighter. She doesn't want to be treated as a little girl but as an equal. Rachel experiences more than her fair share of loss in these books, and she has to endure things that her mind can't always make sense of. The second book, Deception, was a struggle for me at times because it wasn't easy to be in Rachel's head. She grows more and more numb, trying to block her pain and not allowing herself to grieve. It's hard to not want to reach into the book and shake her a bit, to make her feel something again. She's so broken and bent on revenge, that darkness just seems to drag on and on. But in Deliverance I finally found that connection to her again. It had been a difficult journey for her mentally, but the realizations she makes about the type of person she is and wants to be are beautiful to read. There's a difference, she learns, between justice and cold-hearted revenge.
The romance between Rachel and Logan is certainly a highlight. They are absolutely devoted to one another and they're faith in each other never waivers. The first book is probably my favorite because their relationship is just so adorable, the one light in this dark series. Seeing Logan fumble for the right words and the softness in Rachel's attitude she only shows him were beyond sweet. Surprisingly, the amount of romance actually lessens with each book; while they share many scenes in Deception, Rachel withdraws inside of herself more and more, making romance between the two difficult, and in Deliverance they're actually separated for nearly 400 pages. Yet I love that through it all they know they can count on their love. It always rings solid and true.
C.J. Redwine also creates compelling secondary characters, of both the good and bad kind. The villains are complex and well-rounded, even as most of the time I wanted to strangle them. I like that I was able to feel such strong emotions toward them. There's a vicious cycle of violence in this world, everyone with their own motivations and hurts and past grievances; they all believe they have a right to vengeance, some whose reasoning is more warped than others. The strongest of the supporting cast are Quinn and Willow, a fierce brother and sister duo who look out for Rachel and Logan through every turn. They're amazing fighters and even better friends.
While I do feel the pacing could have been tighter, ultimately this is a series with amazing character growth and unique enough worldbuilding. I recommend it for fans of darker dystopians and for those who like a strong romance that doesn't overtake the plot. I'm definitely glad I finally picked up this series!
This review can also be found at Love at First Page.
July 30, 2014
4.5 Stars
DELIVERANCE WAS AMAZING!!! A.B.S.O.U.L.E.T.Y AMAZING!!!!
I have been on my toes, waiting impatiently for the final book in the DEFIANCE series to be released. Then when it finally landed on my door step, I jumped for joy!! My UPS man probably thought I was crazy because I was acting like a nut, jumping up and screaming in glory! I instantly tore it open and was in a moment of pure bliss!!! I was hugging it, and petting it, and staring it, and then I was reading it, and finally, I was LOVING IT!!! Are you starting to see the full depth of my love for this series...lol?!? :)
THE PLOT...
Leaders are at their breaking point, Cities are crumbling, people are dying, and war is on the horizon. The Cursed Ones, the fire breathing monsters that live under the earth have destroyed the world that once was. And now people live in walled in Cities under the rule of they're Leaders, all hoping just to survive if The Cursed Ones surface from underground. Most people just want safety, security, and a reliable Leader that can be trusted to look out for the people, and not just himself. But everything is about to change, for everyone.
Rachel and Logan have been separated, both fighting the same battle for the same goal, but in different locations. And are both willing to do the unthinkable to come out on top of this impending war!! But it won't be easy, as they've both been left broken, shattered, and striped away from everything they love. But one thing is for certain, they're not giving up, and their determined to keep fighting until the very last drop of their blood is shed. Until they are breathless and have no strength left to go on. But they are not there yet, and they don't plan on it!!!
*RACHEL*
Rachel has been kidnapped by Logan's sadistic estranged brother Ian, and is being forced against her will to make the long tiresome journey to Rowansmark to receive pain atonement for her so called "Crimes" and to await Logan's arrival with the stolen tech that every one's been fighting for. But Rachel is beaten down and her body still recuperating from Ian's last plot that killed many, and left others burned and deformed by the white phosphorous bombs that Ian and his tracker accomplices from Rowansmark had laid out for her group to suffer through the pain atonement that he thought Logan and Rachel deserved. Her body is wearing down and she barely has enough strength to make the long trek through the Wasteland, let alone take on Ian and his trackers. But she has no choice if she has any chance at stopping the Commander and bring down Rowansmark before it's to late. And she'll need every bit of healing and strength she can get, but Rachel's journey is just getting started, and it's going to be deadly!!!!
*LOGAN*
Logan thought he lost it all when his families secrets were finally revealed. He thought his world was shattered to the breaking point. But he finds out just how wrong he is when Rachel is taken from him by his estranged brother Ian. And that's when Logan's world explodes into a world of unbearable pain and torture. He is prepared to do the unthinkable to get Rachel back. Even sell his soul to the devil, in which he may just have to do if he has any chance of building allies in different Cities, Leading a march on Rowansmark to free Rachel, bring justice to his insane brother, stop a sadistic Leader, and end the Commander once and for all. His final battle has just begun, and if he has any chance of surviving and bring any peace to their world, he'll have to be prepare to defeat them all, or die trying!!!
Overall, DELIVERANCE was epic, totally EPIC!! It tied up a lot of loose ends and emerged into a direction that I was HIGHLY satisfied with. I loved the writing, the character development and growth, the action and adventure that never stopped, the swoony unforgettable romance, and everything else that C.J. Redwine delivered in this book. It's a series that will stay on my shelf and in my heart for years to come!!
NOTE: I received an ARC Paperback from Balzer + Bray for reviewing purposes. All opinions expressed are my own and are not influenced in any way!
July 6, 2014
Worst case scenario: This is the final book in this series. People will die.
Best case scenario: Epic conclusion filled with love, hope, redemption, butt kicking and kissing. LOTS and lots of kissing.
WIN!!!!!!'n
Best case scenario: Epic conclusion filled with love, hope, redemption, butt kicking and kissing. LOTS and lots of kissing.
WIN!!!!!!'n
November 2, 2014
I’m happy to say that I have followed this book from the very beginning. It has captured my attention yet I could not put it down.
Plot: So if you have followed this series, then you know what is going on. Rachel is in a war and captured, struggling to hang on. Logan is trying to get to her as well as dealing with secrets of his own. This plot fills in the reader with many secrets and answers. It has plenty of action so you will neither get bored or tired of it. I read page to page as fast as I could.
Rachel/Logan: The plot does switch between the two characters. It does flow well, giving a reader a good insight on what is going on in the moment with both of them. I can’t even begin to tell you how exciting it was to know Logan thoughts. I always wanted to be in his mind more and this story gives the reader the opportunity.
Ending: Well the ending gears up for this epic battle and its awesome. Things get resolved and the reader even gets a really nice ending. I couldn’t help but smile as I read the last few pages. In fact, I read them three times. Just so I can feel the feeling of love and peace.
Yes this series is DA BOMB and yes, you should go out and buy it. Deliverance is an excellent tale full of energy and achievement.
Plot: So if you have followed this series, then you know what is going on. Rachel is in a war and captured, struggling to hang on. Logan is trying to get to her as well as dealing with secrets of his own. This plot fills in the reader with many secrets and answers. It has plenty of action so you will neither get bored or tired of it. I read page to page as fast as I could.
Rachel/Logan: The plot does switch between the two characters. It does flow well, giving a reader a good insight on what is going on in the moment with both of them. I can’t even begin to tell you how exciting it was to know Logan thoughts. I always wanted to be in his mind more and this story gives the reader the opportunity.
Ending: Well the ending gears up for this epic battle and its awesome. Things get resolved and the reader even gets a really nice ending. I couldn’t help but smile as I read the last few pages. In fact, I read them three times. Just so I can feel the feeling of love and peace.
Yes this series is DA BOMB and yes, you should go out and buy it. Deliverance is an excellent tale full of energy and achievement.
July 31, 2014
***Review posted on The Eater of Books! blog***
Deliverance by C.J. Redwine
Book Three of the Defiance series
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Publication Date: August 26, 2014
Rating: 4 stars
Source: ARC sent by the publisher
Summary (from Goodreads):
Everything hangs in the balance, and nothing is certain: Rachel has been kidnapped by enemy forces and is being taken to Rowansmark while Logan, imprisoned and awaiting trial, is unable to leave Lankenshire. Separated from each other and their Baalboden comrades, each must find a way to achieve what they desperately want: to rid their world once and for all of the Commander and the tech that controls the deadly Cursed One.
Fighting through her pain and embracing the warrior she’s become, Rachel will do whatever it takes to escape her enemies’ clutches and join Logan in his fight. But when she learns a secret that changes everything, she realizes that escaping Ian and his tracker friends is no longer an option if she wants to save the people she loves. Instead, she’ll have to destroy Rowansmark from the inside out—if she can survive the journey through the Wasteland.
Logan needs allies if he wants to thwart Rowansmark’s power grab and rescue Rachel. But securing allies will mean betraying his beliefs and enlisting the help of the man he hates more than anyone: Commander Jason Chase. Driven by his fierce love for Rachel and his determination to make their world safe, Logan may be just the weapon the city-states need to defeat the Cursed One.
But as Rowansmark bears down and uneasy alliances are tested, will Rachel and Logan’s love for each other be enough to surmount the unbelievable odds against them?
What I Liked:
Wow. Just... wow. This book was incredible. I was speechless, when I finished. There was no way I could write my review minutes, hours, almost days after reading it. You know that feeling when a book is so powerful, it resonates within you? Like watching The Lord of the Rings trilogy, and reaching the end, and you're swept away, caught up in the moment, the very powerful moment. That was how I felt, after finishing this book. I knew, I just knew, after reading the description of the first book, reading about the author, seeing its cover, reading it, reading book two, reading book three... that this would be one of my favorite fantasy series. A powerful, remarkable one, at that.
Rachel has been taken by Ian, who is dragging her to Rowansmark. There, James Rowan will punish her for not turning over the device. Logan has been imprisoned in Lankenshire. He pleads his case with the officials of Lankenshire, and forms uneasy alliances with Lankenshire, and the Commander. Logan and his group travel from city-state to city-state, building an army to defeat James Rowan and Rowansmark. But the journey isn't easy for Logan, or Rachel. Trackers, tanniyn, betrayals, secrets, and failures stand in the way of being reunited and and seeking justice.
For once, I wasn't scared to read this one. I have a problem with conclusion novels, just like I have a problem with sequels. Sequels often have cliffhanger endings (like this one, with Rachel being taken by Ian, and Logan being captured in Lankenshire), so that makes the third book really tense and frightening to read. What if everything DOESN'T work out?! What if they never make it back to each other?! What if everyone dies!? The struggle is real.
But Redwine has a way of weaving a tale without making readers go crazy. Or maybe I was actually going insane, but in a controlled chaos kind of way. I just KNEW that Logan and Rachel would find their way back to each other. Even if it took nearly the entire book.
Even if both of them were basically in pieces by the end.
I promised myself I wouldn't peek at the ending of the book, and I didn't. I'm not in the habit of doing that (gosh, what an awful way to ruin a book! You have absolutely no context whatsoever!), but I was so tempted! But I didn't. The storytelling of this book is SO well-done. It's like there's another story within the series in this one book. Redwine is a natural storyteller, so it was easy not to peek at the ending. I wanted to keep reading and reading, not skip ahead.
And to be honest, a lot happens in this book. It's nearly five hundred pages, but it never FEELS that way. This book feels like a TV show or something, in my opinion - meaning, it's highly engrossing and keeps your attention. Also, the descriptions are extremely vivid. Or maybe my imagination is highly active. But I could totally SEE this book happening, in my mind. I love the Redwine didn't just drag us through the mud. Rachel is struggling to escape, trying to stay alive, dodging Ian's temper and vengeance. It's literally life or death for her - if she wasn't wanted alive in Rowansmark, Ian would have killed her. And Logan - all of the unstable alliances that he has to make are tested. His decisions about the tech are constantly questioned. And he often questions himself, if he's doing the right thing by leaving Rachel to rescue herself, essentially.
One of the things that I really enjoyed about this book was Rachel's character development. I really liked her in book one, though I did think she was irrational and impulsive. In book two, she was extremely emotional, unstable, and bent on exacting her revenge on the Commander. I liked this raw side to her, but I wasn't a fan of what I thought was wallowing. In this book, Rachel is tested so much, in terms of survival. There is no room for feeling sorry for herself, or being in shock, or making excuses, or giving up. She has to save herself, and she has to help Logan destroy Rowansmark and the Commander. I LOVE that she wasn't all like, why isn't Logan coming for me, I'm more important than the whole world!? No, Rachel took matters into her own hands, and made decisions to protect herself. Her character development has been carefully spun throughout the three books. Redwine did this masterfully.
The same can be said about Logan. Logan is fiercely protective, always has been. But by the third book, he no longer has the one goal of protecting Jared's daughter. Protecting his people, his family, his girl, his life, holds much more significance. I love that Logan realizes that it's okay to be unsure, to be imperfect, to not always know.
The cast of supporting characters is wonderful! I especially like how much page-time Willow gets. I'm not sure if I liked her or not in the other books, but I REALLY liked her in this book. Same with Quinn. Frankie, Smithson, Nola, Adam... I even felt for the Commander, and Ian. It's amazing how you'll feel, so conflicted, when you get to know the villains of a story. Because to the villains, they are the heroes of their own story.
The romance - like I said, Logan and Rachel aren't physically together until the last fifth of the book. However, that doesn't mean that the romance, the love, the depth of their relationship isn't present throughout the book. I love that Redwine didn't focus on the physical nature of Logan and Rachel's relationship - though I wish there could have been a little more. I did want more scenes with Logan and Rachel. However, I do see why Redwine made the choices that she did, with the romance.
This is an extremely powerful novel, in many aspects. I love how this book focuses so much on choices, plans, survival, pain, healing. Rachel learns that revenge isn't everything. Logan understands that not be able to save everyone, or plan for everything, or shoulder all the burdens, doesn't make him a horrible leader. The implications of this book are so powerful and noteworthy. I wish anyone and everyone could read this book (series), to understand what I mean about pain and healing and overcoming.
I didn't really mention the world-building or the fantasy aspect because chances are, I covered that in book one or book two's reviews. But I guess I kind of had an epiphany in this book - this story is post-apocalyptic, so it happens on Earth, in our contemporary world, after a disaster. So it is fantasy, but post-apocalyptic. Neat!
Basically... I think this book is awesome. The series in general. Fantasy is my favorite genre, so naturally, I'm very hard on fantasy series. This one is amazing! Go read. *shoos*
What I Did Not Like:
Hmmm... I mentioned that I wanted more scenes between Logan and Rachel - and I'm not necessarily referring to the romance aspect. Their relationship is very solid, despite how much they've endured, and I wanted to just see them interact more. I don't think I'm explaining what I wanted very well... but maybe you understand what I'm saying.
Other than that, I'm doing the "feeling" thing with this one, not the "calculating", and it's a four-star read from me. No good reason, it just *feels* that way. Actually, 4.5 stars, but Goodreads and Amazon and Barnes & Noble don't do half stars.
Would I Recommend It:
Yes! If you've read the first two books, fear not, weary (hopefully not too weary) traveler! The third book does not disappoint. If you've only read the first book, it's totally worth your time and feels to read the second book and third book. Of the three, I think the second book is my "least favorite" - if such exists in this series. I LOVED the first book, really really enjoyed the third, and seriously liked the second book. That's my order of things.
And if you haven't started the series at all... you should fix that. Definitely binge-read the series, now that the series is (almost) over!
Rating:
4.5 stars. Technically, I'm leaving it at 4.5 stars and not rounding down to 4 stars. A satisfying and thrilling conclusion to a stunning series! I cannot wait to read Redwine's next books. If all of her books are so beautifully, brokenly written, laced with power and infused with pain and endurance, then I'm all about that!
Deliverance by C.J. Redwine
Book Three of the Defiance series
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Publication Date: August 26, 2014
Rating: 4 stars
Source: ARC sent by the publisher
Summary (from Goodreads):
Everything hangs in the balance, and nothing is certain: Rachel has been kidnapped by enemy forces and is being taken to Rowansmark while Logan, imprisoned and awaiting trial, is unable to leave Lankenshire. Separated from each other and their Baalboden comrades, each must find a way to achieve what they desperately want: to rid their world once and for all of the Commander and the tech that controls the deadly Cursed One.
Fighting through her pain and embracing the warrior she’s become, Rachel will do whatever it takes to escape her enemies’ clutches and join Logan in his fight. But when she learns a secret that changes everything, she realizes that escaping Ian and his tracker friends is no longer an option if she wants to save the people she loves. Instead, she’ll have to destroy Rowansmark from the inside out—if she can survive the journey through the Wasteland.
Logan needs allies if he wants to thwart Rowansmark’s power grab and rescue Rachel. But securing allies will mean betraying his beliefs and enlisting the help of the man he hates more than anyone: Commander Jason Chase. Driven by his fierce love for Rachel and his determination to make their world safe, Logan may be just the weapon the city-states need to defeat the Cursed One.
But as Rowansmark bears down and uneasy alliances are tested, will Rachel and Logan’s love for each other be enough to surmount the unbelievable odds against them?
What I Liked:
Wow. Just... wow. This book was incredible. I was speechless, when I finished. There was no way I could write my review minutes, hours, almost days after reading it. You know that feeling when a book is so powerful, it resonates within you? Like watching The Lord of the Rings trilogy, and reaching the end, and you're swept away, caught up in the moment, the very powerful moment. That was how I felt, after finishing this book. I knew, I just knew, after reading the description of the first book, reading about the author, seeing its cover, reading it, reading book two, reading book three... that this would be one of my favorite fantasy series. A powerful, remarkable one, at that.
Rachel has been taken by Ian, who is dragging her to Rowansmark. There, James Rowan will punish her for not turning over the device. Logan has been imprisoned in Lankenshire. He pleads his case with the officials of Lankenshire, and forms uneasy alliances with Lankenshire, and the Commander. Logan and his group travel from city-state to city-state, building an army to defeat James Rowan and Rowansmark. But the journey isn't easy for Logan, or Rachel. Trackers, tanniyn, betrayals, secrets, and failures stand in the way of being reunited and and seeking justice.
For once, I wasn't scared to read this one. I have a problem with conclusion novels, just like I have a problem with sequels. Sequels often have cliffhanger endings (like this one, with Rachel being taken by Ian, and Logan being captured in Lankenshire), so that makes the third book really tense and frightening to read. What if everything DOESN'T work out?! What if they never make it back to each other?! What if everyone dies!? The struggle is real.
But Redwine has a way of weaving a tale without making readers go crazy. Or maybe I was actually going insane, but in a controlled chaos kind of way. I just KNEW that Logan and Rachel would find their way back to each other. Even if it took nearly the entire book.
Even if both of them were basically in pieces by the end.
I promised myself I wouldn't peek at the ending of the book, and I didn't. I'm not in the habit of doing that (gosh, what an awful way to ruin a book! You have absolutely no context whatsoever!), but I was so tempted! But I didn't. The storytelling of this book is SO well-done. It's like there's another story within the series in this one book. Redwine is a natural storyteller, so it was easy not to peek at the ending. I wanted to keep reading and reading, not skip ahead.
And to be honest, a lot happens in this book. It's nearly five hundred pages, but it never FEELS that way. This book feels like a TV show or something, in my opinion - meaning, it's highly engrossing and keeps your attention. Also, the descriptions are extremely vivid. Or maybe my imagination is highly active. But I could totally SEE this book happening, in my mind. I love the Redwine didn't just drag us through the mud. Rachel is struggling to escape, trying to stay alive, dodging Ian's temper and vengeance. It's literally life or death for her - if she wasn't wanted alive in Rowansmark, Ian would have killed her. And Logan - all of the unstable alliances that he has to make are tested. His decisions about the tech are constantly questioned. And he often questions himself, if he's doing the right thing by leaving Rachel to rescue herself, essentially.
One of the things that I really enjoyed about this book was Rachel's character development. I really liked her in book one, though I did think she was irrational and impulsive. In book two, she was extremely emotional, unstable, and bent on exacting her revenge on the Commander. I liked this raw side to her, but I wasn't a fan of what I thought was wallowing. In this book, Rachel is tested so much, in terms of survival. There is no room for feeling sorry for herself, or being in shock, or making excuses, or giving up. She has to save herself, and she has to help Logan destroy Rowansmark and the Commander. I LOVE that she wasn't all like, why isn't Logan coming for me, I'm more important than the whole world!? No, Rachel took matters into her own hands, and made decisions to protect herself. Her character development has been carefully spun throughout the three books. Redwine did this masterfully.
The same can be said about Logan. Logan is fiercely protective, always has been. But by the third book, he no longer has the one goal of protecting Jared's daughter. Protecting his people, his family, his girl, his life, holds much more significance. I love that Logan realizes that it's okay to be unsure, to be imperfect, to not always know.
The cast of supporting characters is wonderful! I especially like how much page-time Willow gets. I'm not sure if I liked her or not in the other books, but I REALLY liked her in this book. Same with Quinn. Frankie, Smithson, Nola, Adam... I even felt for the Commander, and Ian. It's amazing how you'll feel, so conflicted, when you get to know the villains of a story. Because to the villains, they are the heroes of their own story.
The romance - like I said, Logan and Rachel aren't physically together until the last fifth of the book. However, that doesn't mean that the romance, the love, the depth of their relationship isn't present throughout the book. I love that Redwine didn't focus on the physical nature of Logan and Rachel's relationship - though I wish there could have been a little more. I did want more scenes with Logan and Rachel. However, I do see why Redwine made the choices that she did, with the romance.
This is an extremely powerful novel, in many aspects. I love how this book focuses so much on choices, plans, survival, pain, healing. Rachel learns that revenge isn't everything. Logan understands that not be able to save everyone, or plan for everything, or shoulder all the burdens, doesn't make him a horrible leader. The implications of this book are so powerful and noteworthy. I wish anyone and everyone could read this book (series), to understand what I mean about pain and healing and overcoming.
I didn't really mention the world-building or the fantasy aspect because chances are, I covered that in book one or book two's reviews. But I guess I kind of had an epiphany in this book - this story is post-apocalyptic, so it happens on Earth, in our contemporary world, after a disaster. So it is fantasy, but post-apocalyptic. Neat!
Basically... I think this book is awesome. The series in general. Fantasy is my favorite genre, so naturally, I'm very hard on fantasy series. This one is amazing! Go read. *shoos*
What I Did Not Like:
Hmmm... I mentioned that I wanted more scenes between Logan and Rachel - and I'm not necessarily referring to the romance aspect. Their relationship is very solid, despite how much they've endured, and I wanted to just see them interact more. I don't think I'm explaining what I wanted very well... but maybe you understand what I'm saying.
Other than that, I'm doing the "feeling" thing with this one, not the "calculating", and it's a four-star read from me. No good reason, it just *feels* that way. Actually, 4.5 stars, but Goodreads and Amazon and Barnes & Noble don't do half stars.
Would I Recommend It:
Yes! If you've read the first two books, fear not, weary (hopefully not too weary) traveler! The third book does not disappoint. If you've only read the first book, it's totally worth your time and feels to read the second book and third book. Of the three, I think the second book is my "least favorite" - if such exists in this series. I LOVED the first book, really really enjoyed the third, and seriously liked the second book. That's my order of things.
And if you haven't started the series at all... you should fix that. Definitely binge-read the series, now that the series is (almost) over!
Rating:
4.5 stars. Technically, I'm leaving it at 4.5 stars and not rounding down to 4 stars. A satisfying and thrilling conclusion to a stunning series! I cannot wait to read Redwine's next books. If all of her books are so beautifully, brokenly written, laced with power and infused with pain and endurance, then I'm all about that!
August 9, 2014
This is one of my favorite dystopian/fantasy series. I was at the same time, excited and really nervous about reading this final book in the trilogy. Even though this was a satisfying conclusion, I was still sad to have to say goodbye to these characters who have undoubtedly managed to snag a spot in my heart.
After the dramatic and cruel ending of Deception, I needed to be back with these characters. For about 80% of the book, Rachel and Logan were separated. While the die-hard romantic in me was not very pleased by that, I have to admit that these two needed the separation because they needed to grow without the presence of the other. Growing was exactly what both Rachel and Logan did. Rachel will always be one of my favorite heroines. She was bold, fiesty with a dash of vulnerability. She is one of those characters who grew throughout the trilogy, and she developed the most in this book. I was incredibly proud of how much she had come through since the first book. In Deliverance, Rachel also managed to channel her guilt and anger over the multiple deaths in a positive way and to hence, become an even stronger character. She was also a character who was beyond independent and was smart when it came to the decisions she made. Logan too needed to mature more in this book, especially given the circumstances he found himself in and I couldn't help but cheer on him. He has always been a sweet and responsible young man and that hasn't changed one bit. We knew from book one that Logan was very intelligent, but his intelligence and strategic mind really shone through in Deliverance. These were two main characters that you can't help but root for because of their personalities. The Defiance series also has a terrific secondary cast who are as well developed as the primary characters. It's very rare to have the secondary characters play a pivotal role as the main characters as in this series.
The Commander, the main villain, in Deliverance was still his twisted, manipulative self. We get to know more of his back story and while it was heartbreaking, it didn't forgive all his sins and didn't wash out all the blood his hands were soaked in. We also had another character who deceived both Rachel and Logan in the previous book who was even scarier this time around. He was the kind of villain you couldn't help but hate because of how cold-blooded and terrible he was. The villains in Deliverance were truly cruel villains who made my blood boil and my spine tingle in fear. The plot was, as expected, action-packed with lots of shocking revelations being made. I'll admit that it did seem to slow down towards the middle, but I was honestly so invested with these characters that the lagging middle didn't bother me as much. This was a bloody and gruesome finale which ultimately culminated in a climatic battle that was not only emotionally draining, but also satisfying in every way, especially with my OTP being back together. While Rachel and Logan were not physically together for most of the book, there was absolutely no denying the strength of their emotional bond. These two were perfect for each other and what I've always loved about them is how they make each other stronger in multiple different ways.
There is honestly nothing else I can say about this brilliant series other than, read it right away, especially if you're a fan of strong characterizations, swoony romances and solid fantasy world building. The Defiance trilogy is not a trilogy I will hesitate to recommend to readers.
September 16, 2015
Logan Mcentire with his friend Willow plan to break into Rowansmark to disable/change the technology that calls and repels the Tanniyn Dragons, rescue Rachel, take James Rowan out of power and defeat the Commander once and for all. Will they succeed? Can Rachel escape from Logan's crazy brother Ian and help Logan out to deliver them from their dire predicament? Read on and find out.
This was an amazing conclusion to the Defiance Trilogy by C.J. Redwine. It had tons of action in it, and some romance. I enjoyed checking out this YA fantasy trilogy out. If you like these types of stories set in a dystopian setting, check it out for yourself. This book and the rest of the series can be found at your local library and wherever books are sold.
This was an amazing conclusion to the Defiance Trilogy by C.J. Redwine. It had tons of action in it, and some romance. I enjoyed checking out this YA fantasy trilogy out. If you like these types of stories set in a dystopian setting, check it out for yourself. This book and the rest of the series can be found at your local library and wherever books are sold.
July 13, 2014
This book was amazing. Every page of it was awesome.
There was fighting and swoons and laughter and some twists I didn't see coming. It was absolutely every single thing I could have wanted for book 3.
I doubt I'll ever write a better review than this, but maybe when I binge read them all in the future, I'll have better words.
Thank you for this phenomenal story, CJ.
**Huge thanks to Balzer + Bray and Edelweiss for providing the arc in exchange for an honest review.**
**Squishy hugs to Rachel from The Bookcase for sending me the physical arc**
There was fighting and swoons and laughter and some twists I didn't see coming. It was absolutely every single thing I could have wanted for book 3.
I doubt I'll ever write a better review than this, but maybe when I binge read them all in the future, I'll have better words.
Thank you for this phenomenal story, CJ.
**Huge thanks to Balzer + Bray and Edelweiss for providing the arc in exchange for an honest review.**
**Squishy hugs to Rachel from The Bookcase for sending me the physical arc**
Read
June 19, 2015This trilogy ended with a bang. Well...a few of them actually. My arm was hurting and my back stung vicariously. Talk about pain and suffering! Poor characters. My favorite character in this was actually the father and I love exploring the new cities or city states or whatever they were. Nice conclusion to the series.
July 7, 2018
I read a review before starting saying this was the worst book in the trilogy and I was skeptical to believe them because the last book was pretty good. Well...it was the worst of the trilogy. I lasted about 32 pages before loosing all hope.
At least in the last book they were moving around, but in this book Rachel is kidnapped. Logan is on trial and teams up with the Commander to find Rachel. It felt like nothing was moving forward. Logan was like 'I miss Rachel, I want her back.' but there was not a lot of action. I get you need to plan, but please cut to the chase.
I never (mostly) want characters to die in books, but in this I wanted Rachel to die and I honestly didn't care what happened to Logan. I never felt anything for them as characters or being a couple. Rachel is hollow with no emotion, but at the end (I didn't finish it, but I flipped around a lot) she just said she'd become a warrior and she was able to push through. Agh. Yeah, sorry, but that doesn't cut it. I don't think that being a warrior could have really helped her with her issues. I know she could fight, but I'm not sure I'd consider her a warrior. None of the characters impressed me too much. I was able to flip around this book and still have a general sense of what is happening, meaning this book was super thick and it was lacking substance. It's one of those books where if you took out the parts that mattered the book would be a whole lot thinner.
At least in the last book they were moving around, but in this book Rachel is kidnapped. Logan is on trial and teams up with the Commander to find Rachel. It felt like nothing was moving forward. Logan was like 'I miss Rachel, I want her back.' but there was not a lot of action. I get you need to plan, but please cut to the chase.
I never (mostly) want characters to die in books, but in this I wanted Rachel to die and I honestly didn't care what happened to Logan. I never felt anything for them as characters or being a couple. Rachel is hollow with no emotion, but at the end (I didn't finish it, but I flipped around a lot) she just said she'd become a warrior and she was able to push through. Agh. Yeah, sorry, but that doesn't cut it. I don't think that being a warrior could have really helped her with her issues. I know she could fight, but I'm not sure I'd consider her a warrior. None of the characters impressed me too much. I was able to flip around this book and still have a general sense of what is happening, meaning this book was super thick and it was lacking substance. It's one of those books where if you took out the parts that mattered the book would be a whole lot thinner.
February 29, 2016
Ahhh... A perfect ending for a perfect book :)
I am content.
When I first began this series, it was pretty good; but now it's really good. This book had a very very very very good ending which makes me happy because most series have lame and/or unsatisfying finishes. Deliverance made me like the characters a whole lot more; I feel like they have more personality, and you also get a feel for what they're dealing with. (Besides, the romance between secondary characters didn't hurt)
*sly smile*
Anyways, I liked how Rachel wasn't very cray-cray in this book. We didn't get to see her kick butt (like, at all), but there's nothing wrong with simply being a damsel in distress every once in a while :D And Rachel was a very likeable damsel in distress.
And LOGAN. Damn, that boy is simply perfecto. It's super incredibly awesome the way he takes leadership and everyone follows him because he's absolutely amazing <3 <3 <3
I am very glad all the bad humans are dead (unfortunately some good humans died, too) and while I don't feel like the Commander's death was painful enough, I am still okay.
LONG LIVE ROGAN. OR RAGAN. WHATEVER YOU WANNA CALL THIS OTP.
BTW, the epilogue was so perf <3
I am content.
When I first began this series, it was pretty good; but now it's really good. This book had a very very very very good ending which makes me happy because most series have lame and/or unsatisfying finishes. Deliverance made me like the characters a whole lot more; I feel like they have more personality, and you also get a feel for what they're dealing with. (Besides, the romance between secondary characters didn't hurt)
*sly smile*
Anyways, I liked how Rachel wasn't very cray-cray in this book. We didn't get to see her kick butt (like, at all), but there's nothing wrong with simply being a damsel in distress every once in a while :D And Rachel was a very likeable damsel in distress.
And LOGAN. Damn, that boy is simply perfecto. It's super incredibly awesome the way he takes leadership and everyone follows him because he's absolutely amazing <3 <3 <3
I am very glad all the bad humans are dead (unfortunately some good humans died, too) and while I don't feel like the Commander's death was painful enough, I am still okay.
LONG LIVE ROGAN. OR RAGAN. WHATEVER YOU WANNA CALL THIS OTP.
BTW, the epilogue was so perf <3
December 16, 2014
Honestly, I would have liked to have given this final chapter in this series a higher rating. It wasn't bad, it just wasn't nearly as interesting as the other two. For starters, there's way, way too much arguing on one character's part that another needs him in order to succeed. I kept thinking, "how many times are they going to replay this same argument before they move on?" Secondly, the internal struggle Rachel feels toward Ian also gets old. She tells us over and over again why she's motivated to want to kill him, and I'd have rather see her actions speak for themselves. I think that's also why the book feels a little long--it's 460 pages and I think reducing these two things (plus all of the lovey-dovey ness as Logan thinks about Rachel being away from him and Rachel thinks about Logan being away from her) could have helped it move much more quickly and been a little shorter. And, I was really intrigued by Connor, a new character, but he only gets a relatively minor side role in the whole affair. She does wrap up the series well though and you do feel a bit of closure to the problems of the Tanniyn and the struggles to use them for power (or avoid them at all costs).
December 23, 2014
I feel like two stars is bad, but according to Goodreads it means "It was ok". So...it was ok. The majority of the book was just people working through their feelings and issues, which can be done well but was mostly repetitive and annoying...And the same dialogue over and over, sometimes reworded but sometimes pretty much verbatim. Same people getting in the same arguments multiple times, or people going over the plans or their vengeance desires in their minds over and over...
The last bit was hard to get through. I feel like a first grader. Bleeeeeech. So mushy. And not nice feeling mushy. A "REALLY? REALLY?" mushy.
The first book had a lot of cool world-building potential. Second and third, the world got bigger and less interesting. And the entire feel of the first was lost.
The last bit was hard to get through. I feel like a first grader. Bleeeeeech. So mushy. And not nice feeling mushy. A "REALLY? REALLY?" mushy.
The first book had a lot of cool world-building potential. Second and third, the world got bigger and less interesting. And the entire feel of the first was lost.
February 24, 2016
Okay, so the ending was good, but not good enough to make up for the torture I went through to complete this book.. it was slow, and boring, and way too detailed... the kind of detail that makes you scream: "I get it!! Now move onnn!!!"
More than half of the book wasn't enjoyable or fun to read.. what a shame.
More than half of the book wasn't enjoyable or fun to read.. what a shame.
March 25, 2018
Just finished this book today and throroughly enjoyed this book and series as a whole! I don't think I was as emotionally invested in book three as I was in book two but it was still fantastic. I did feel the ending was a little rushed in some areas but I thought everything kind of wrapped up nicely. I did enjoy the very last chapter with Logan and Rachel though. My favorite part of this series was for sure our two main characters and I just really enjoyed their relationship and interactions and it made me very emotional.
I can definitely understand why people wouldn't enjoy this series but it's something I really enjoyed. I really loved the characters, I loved C.J. Redwine's writing and it kept me interested and wanting to keep going. It may not be everyone's cup of tea but definitely a solid four stars for me. 💗
I can definitely understand why people wouldn't enjoy this series but it's something I really enjoyed. I really loved the characters, I loved C.J. Redwine's writing and it kept me interested and wanting to keep going. It may not be everyone's cup of tea but definitely a solid four stars for me. 💗
November 27, 2017
much better than the first 2 books
August 17, 2024
This was definitely the best of the three. I think it's because Rachel finally grew a personality that wasn't irksome.
August 22, 2015
You can also find my review here on my blog!
Delivarance, the final book in the Defiance trilogy, was everything I wanted.
Deliverance was a non-stop read that I couldn't put down. The conclusion to the series picks up right where Defiance left off and never slowed down. Not only was the story and world intricate, but also interesting. With Rachel and Logan separated, the reader saw both sides of the fight and knew parts of the plot that Logan or Rachel might not have known. The dual perspective that C.J. Redwine introduced in the first book really came into play here and made the book so much better.
When you look at the each title of these books, they truly represent what will happen in the novel. The first book centers around a two defiant teenagers against the government of the city state the live in, Baalboden. Deception featured an extreme betrayal that even I didn't see coming, and the conclusion definitely delivered. Not only did it deliver justice, but an amazing story as well. If I look at how much I enjoyed each book, I can truly say that they got better as the story continued. Each novel gets darker and much more complex.
One of the aspects I truly appreciated about this series is the world building; it's done so well. With each book, more of the world is introduced. Defiance, the first novel, only centered around one of the several city-states and explored only a small percent of the world outside of it. By the end of the series, the reader has been taken on a journey where Logan and Rachel have been to a majority of the city states and have ventured through the Wastelands as well. To say that I have a better grasp on the universe within these books is an understatement.
Not only is the world building something to look forward to in this series, but so are the characters. Logan, Rachel, Willow, Adam, and everyone else are so well developed. Both Rachel and Logan grow so much as characters and truly become stronger, better people by the end of the series. I love the dynamic not only between the two leads, but all of the characters; they're like a family. Even the antagonists in this trilogy have a backstory and motivations for what they believe in. The one thing I didn't like about the conclusion is that one of Rachel and Logan's enemies were overcome to easily and not the way I wanted it so happen either. The final battle is another story. As the climax of the story, it was so well done and is one of the best final battle scenes I have read.
To say I recommend this series would not accurately show how much I like this trilogy. If you are just getting into fantasy like I am, this is a really great trilogy to start with. I'm definitely going to be reading more of what C.J. Redwine writes. Her writing style is another reason that I liked this series as much as I did. Though I didn't love this series, I am recommending it. All three books are fast reads that kept me on my toes and rooting for the characters.
With that, I give this book
4.3 out of 5 Stars!
I give the series as a whole 4.2 Stars!
Thanks for stopping by! Have you guys read this series or one of the books? Comment down below!
Happy Reading!
~Genni from Ready, Set, Read!
Delivarance, the final book in the Defiance trilogy, was everything I wanted.
Deliverance was a non-stop read that I couldn't put down. The conclusion to the series picks up right where Defiance left off and never slowed down. Not only was the story and world intricate, but also interesting. With Rachel and Logan separated, the reader saw both sides of the fight and knew parts of the plot that Logan or Rachel might not have known. The dual perspective that C.J. Redwine introduced in the first book really came into play here and made the book so much better.
When you look at the each title of these books, they truly represent what will happen in the novel. The first book centers around a two defiant teenagers against the government of the city state the live in, Baalboden. Deception featured an extreme betrayal that even I didn't see coming, and the conclusion definitely delivered. Not only did it deliver justice, but an amazing story as well. If I look at how much I enjoyed each book, I can truly say that they got better as the story continued. Each novel gets darker and much more complex.
One of the aspects I truly appreciated about this series is the world building; it's done so well. With each book, more of the world is introduced. Defiance, the first novel, only centered around one of the several city-states and explored only a small percent of the world outside of it. By the end of the series, the reader has been taken on a journey where Logan and Rachel have been to a majority of the city states and have ventured through the Wastelands as well. To say that I have a better grasp on the universe within these books is an understatement.
Not only is the world building something to look forward to in this series, but so are the characters. Logan, Rachel, Willow, Adam, and everyone else are so well developed. Both Rachel and Logan grow so much as characters and truly become stronger, better people by the end of the series. I love the dynamic not only between the two leads, but all of the characters; they're like a family. Even the antagonists in this trilogy have a backstory and motivations for what they believe in. The one thing I didn't like about the conclusion is that one of Rachel and Logan's enemies were overcome to easily and not the way I wanted it so happen either. The final battle is another story. As the climax of the story, it was so well done and is one of the best final battle scenes I have read.
To say I recommend this series would not accurately show how much I like this trilogy. If you are just getting into fantasy like I am, this is a really great trilogy to start with. I'm definitely going to be reading more of what C.J. Redwine writes. Her writing style is another reason that I liked this series as much as I did. Though I didn't love this series, I am recommending it. All three books are fast reads that kept me on my toes and rooting for the characters.
With that, I give this book
4.3 out of 5 Stars!
I give the series as a whole 4.2 Stars!
Thanks for stopping by! Have you guys read this series or one of the books? Comment down below!
Happy Reading!
~Genni from Ready, Set, Read!
September 29, 2014
As with all the books I have read, I have both praises and light criticisms for this one.
I love this series. When I first saw Defiance in my local bookstore, the cover lured me in. After reading the summary in the back, I didn’t go out of the bookstore without that title with me. I have been following this series since the first year it started, and may I just rant for a moment because waiting for all the books to come out is pure torture. That’s two years of waiting, folks. Two fricking years. For a bookworm, that is pure agony.
Anyway, the first two books did not disappoint, therefore driving my interest to read this final book. I am happy to say that Deliverance did not let me down, either. It is full of surprises and unexpected turns that when I thought I had it figured out, something suddenly happens to throw me off guard. I liked the anticipation it built while I was reading, especially when I was nearing the climax and everything was about to go to the deepest pit of the tanniyins’ nest (not literally). For a moment there I thought I was going to palpitate from the anticipation and nervousness that everything would go downhill.
The plot is slow-paced, but the thing I liked about it is I didn’t feel bored. I didn’t feel like I was agonizing over the chapters. Sure, I was impatient in some parts but mostly I just enjoyed every turn of events. As I’ve said, this book has a lot of surprises and unexpected turns and those kept it interesting for me and kept me from being bored. The unveiled mysteries and unanswered questions in the past two books were slowly and precisely revealed in this final installment of the series, and I enjoyed watching it unfold before me.
I also liked C. J. Redwine’s style. The way the characters narrate the exact details made it so much easier to imagine the scenes. It’s like 3D in my brain.
Some characters have stayed with me. Three books down in the series but I am still somehow detached from Logan or Rachel. Quinn and Willow are another story, though. They are a very strong secondary character. I have a fetish for secondary characters sometimes that I wish they would be the center of the story. Connor, too. He’s an unexpected addition to the team but I like his wit and intelligence (or it might be because he has a passion for books and it struck my soft spot).
Here come the parts I wasn’t fond of.
First, for a YA novel, the characters are talking about murder and violence way too much. I imagine, even in action-packed fantasy novels, we don’t want the young adult readers to enjoy too much violence, even in books. I understand that it is part of the story, but maybe it shouldn’t have been labeled as YA. I know the readers are not stupid, but there is just something off in young adults enjoying a violent read.
Second, Logan and Rachel’s “voices” are alike most of the time. They have almost the same goal, the same people they hate, and the same people they want to see dead, so the “tone” of the narrations is getting similar. Sometimes, I find Rachel being too detached and Logan’s “voice” bordering on girly. I’m not fond of different POVs with similar “voices”.
Third, I didn’t like Rachel’s character development. Yes, she has come a long way from Defiance and she has learned a lot of lessons along the way, but I didn’t like the way she always put the blame to someone. She kept blaming others for the things that are happening to her now when she’d had the choice to do differently. I don’t know why she didn’t realize that she played a big part in the mess they were in now with the choices she did in the past. She gave the impression of too stubborn and too proud to admit her mistakes by acknowledging her “wrong” decisions. Logan got a little annoying at times, too. However, unlike Rachel, this guy takes all the blame.
This journey with Rachel and Logan and their team has been an enjoyable one, and I am sad that the series has ended (though I am also happy that there is no more book to wait a year for!). Despite the parts I didn’t like, this is a satisfying conclusion of the Defiance Trilogy. I hope the author decides to write a novella about Quinn (again) or Willow this time, or maybe Connor. Just a little something for old times’ sake. ;)
~ Zee
I love this series. When I first saw Defiance in my local bookstore, the cover lured me in. After reading the summary in the back, I didn’t go out of the bookstore without that title with me. I have been following this series since the first year it started, and may I just rant for a moment because waiting for all the books to come out is pure torture. That’s two years of waiting, folks. Two fricking years. For a bookworm, that is pure agony.
Anyway, the first two books did not disappoint, therefore driving my interest to read this final book. I am happy to say that Deliverance did not let me down, either. It is full of surprises and unexpected turns that when I thought I had it figured out, something suddenly happens to throw me off guard. I liked the anticipation it built while I was reading, especially when I was nearing the climax and everything was about to go to the deepest pit of the tanniyins’ nest (not literally). For a moment there I thought I was going to palpitate from the anticipation and nervousness that everything would go downhill.
The plot is slow-paced, but the thing I liked about it is I didn’t feel bored. I didn’t feel like I was agonizing over the chapters. Sure, I was impatient in some parts but mostly I just enjoyed every turn of events. As I’ve said, this book has a lot of surprises and unexpected turns and those kept it interesting for me and kept me from being bored. The unveiled mysteries and unanswered questions in the past two books were slowly and precisely revealed in this final installment of the series, and I enjoyed watching it unfold before me.
I also liked C. J. Redwine’s style. The way the characters narrate the exact details made it so much easier to imagine the scenes. It’s like 3D in my brain.
Some characters have stayed with me. Three books down in the series but I am still somehow detached from Logan or Rachel. Quinn and Willow are another story, though. They are a very strong secondary character. I have a fetish for secondary characters sometimes that I wish they would be the center of the story. Connor, too. He’s an unexpected addition to the team but I like his wit and intelligence (or it might be because he has a passion for books and it struck my soft spot).
Here come the parts I wasn’t fond of.
First, for a YA novel, the characters are talking about murder and violence way too much. I imagine, even in action-packed fantasy novels, we don’t want the young adult readers to enjoy too much violence, even in books. I understand that it is part of the story, but maybe it shouldn’t have been labeled as YA. I know the readers are not stupid, but there is just something off in young adults enjoying a violent read.
Second, Logan and Rachel’s “voices” are alike most of the time. They have almost the same goal, the same people they hate, and the same people they want to see dead, so the “tone” of the narrations is getting similar. Sometimes, I find Rachel being too detached and Logan’s “voice” bordering on girly. I’m not fond of different POVs with similar “voices”.
Third, I didn’t like Rachel’s character development. Yes, she has come a long way from Defiance and she has learned a lot of lessons along the way, but I didn’t like the way she always put the blame to someone. She kept blaming others for the things that are happening to her now when she’d had the choice to do differently. I don’t know why she didn’t realize that she played a big part in the mess they were in now with the choices she did in the past. She gave the impression of too stubborn and too proud to admit her mistakes by acknowledging her “wrong” decisions. Logan got a little annoying at times, too. However, unlike Rachel, this guy takes all the blame.
This journey with Rachel and Logan and their team has been an enjoyable one, and I am sad that the series has ended (though I am also happy that there is no more book to wait a year for!). Despite the parts I didn’t like, this is a satisfying conclusion of the Defiance Trilogy. I hope the author decides to write a novella about Quinn (again) or Willow this time, or maybe Connor. Just a little something for old times’ sake. ;)
~ Zee
August 18, 2014
This review is also on my blog, The Library Canary.
***I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This has in no way changed my opinion of the book. The review below is my open and honest opinion.***
Oh my gosh, this book. This series!!! I am so in love and so sad that it’s over. Rachel, Logan, Quinn and Willow have worked their way into my heart and will forever have a piece of it. I am so in love with these characters. Everything they’ve been through has shaped them as individuals and I absolutely adore who they have become. Both together and separately.
Let’s start with Rachel. Wow has this girl made progress! She has gone from a hurt, angry girl hell-bent on getting revenge, to an empty broken shell of the girl she once was, to a strong and fierce warrior who refuses to give up and who allows herself to feel. Rachel develops so much in this book. Her journey was one of absolute beauty. My heart broke for her throughout this book and pride surged as I read about her experiences. There is no way I could withstand what Rachel goes through in this book and I admire her tenacity.
Logan. *swoon* Gosh, I love this boy. I love the way his brain works in scenarios, always plotting out the best case and worst case and all the cases in between. I love how fiercely he cares for Rachel and how fiercely he cares for his people. I love that he feels guilt even when it’s misplaced. It shows what a strong leader he is. Logan is definitely one of my top book boyfriends.
Quinn and Willow. This brother-sister duo has to be my favorite sibling duo in YA. Both completely badass and awesome, these two will steal your heart. Willow is sassy, hilarious, and completely lethal. Quinn is also lethal, but goes about it a lot quieter than his sister. Quinn is really insightful and I love how dedicated he was to protecting Rachel.
Oh and there’s this new character, Connor, who I totally love! He’s so awkward and nerdy and I just know my sister is going to love him. Talking to you, Megan. He’s smart and brings a whole new personality to the group.
There’s so much action in this book, jam-packed from start to finish. We get lots of continued world-building which I loved. We find out a bit more about the Commander and about James Rowan. So many discoveries and awesomeness. It was intense. I was on the edge of my seat the whole time, holding my breath, willing my brain to process the words faster so I could find out what was going to happen. And then when I finally reached those breath-taking last words, I closed my eyes and smiled, completely satisfied with how it all ended. C.J. Redwine tied everything up perfectly. I can’t wait to read more from her in the future. Happy reading all!
***I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This has in no way changed my opinion of the book. The review below is my open and honest opinion.***
Oh my gosh, this book. This series!!! I am so in love and so sad that it’s over. Rachel, Logan, Quinn and Willow have worked their way into my heart and will forever have a piece of it. I am so in love with these characters. Everything they’ve been through has shaped them as individuals and I absolutely adore who they have become. Both together and separately.
Let’s start with Rachel. Wow has this girl made progress! She has gone from a hurt, angry girl hell-bent on getting revenge, to an empty broken shell of the girl she once was, to a strong and fierce warrior who refuses to give up and who allows herself to feel. Rachel develops so much in this book. Her journey was one of absolute beauty. My heart broke for her throughout this book and pride surged as I read about her experiences. There is no way I could withstand what Rachel goes through in this book and I admire her tenacity.
Logan. *swoon* Gosh, I love this boy. I love the way his brain works in scenarios, always plotting out the best case and worst case and all the cases in between. I love how fiercely he cares for Rachel and how fiercely he cares for his people. I love that he feels guilt even when it’s misplaced. It shows what a strong leader he is. Logan is definitely one of my top book boyfriends.
Quinn and Willow. This brother-sister duo has to be my favorite sibling duo in YA. Both completely badass and awesome, these two will steal your heart. Willow is sassy, hilarious, and completely lethal. Quinn is also lethal, but goes about it a lot quieter than his sister. Quinn is really insightful and I love how dedicated he was to protecting Rachel.
Oh and there’s this new character, Connor, who I totally love! He’s so awkward and nerdy and I just know my sister is going to love him. Talking to you, Megan. He’s smart and brings a whole new personality to the group.
There’s so much action in this book, jam-packed from start to finish. We get lots of continued world-building which I loved. We find out a bit more about the Commander and about James Rowan. So many discoveries and awesomeness. It was intense. I was on the edge of my seat the whole time, holding my breath, willing my brain to process the words faster so I could find out what was going to happen. And then when I finally reached those breath-taking last words, I closed my eyes and smiled, completely satisfied with how it all ended. C.J. Redwine tied everything up perfectly. I can’t wait to read more from her in the future. Happy reading all!
January 10, 2015
The first book of this series started off so well! I don't want to say it went downhill, but it certainly averaged out. I was still engrossed in this book and couldn't wait to read the ending though.
The MC's, Logan and Rachel, were amazing together and then horrible and then back to amazing. While they were seperated during this book, it ws almost exasperating how they both thought "I'll be fine once __ is here" or "I have to find__". And then they reunited and that was that. I certainly liked their dynammic more back in the first book although the epilogue was just what I needed.
The plot is a bit more complicated than in the preceding books which is actually a good thing to me. It involved the other territories which were being neglected in the story.
Overall, I'm not sure if the author just got tired of this world and wanted to get it done or what but it wasn't what I was expecting. The ending was very good and it closed off a bunch of loose-ends so that's good at least. The battle at the end is what saved the book for me. It was so cool to read about the strategy and the choices all the characters made.
The Final Verdict:
A sort of average book although it closed the series off nicely. I don't have much to say about it except it was a very plain capstone to this series that started off so well.
4 stars
Quotes:
“Healing is the hardest thing you'll ever do."
“We walked through the streets with our protectors. We wore our dresses. We gave up our education because that was the price of safety. That was the bargain we made with the devil we knew to escape the devil we didn't.”
The MC's, Logan and Rachel, were amazing together and then horrible and then back to amazing. While they were seperated during this book, it ws almost exasperating how they both thought "I'll be fine once __ is here" or "I have to find__". And then they reunited and that was that. I certainly liked their dynammic more back in the first book although the epilogue was just what I needed.
The plot is a bit more complicated than in the preceding books which is actually a good thing to me. It involved the other territories which were being neglected in the story.
Overall, I'm not sure if the author just got tired of this world and wanted to get it done or what but it wasn't what I was expecting. The ending was very good and it closed off a bunch of loose-ends so that's good at least. The battle at the end is what saved the book for me. It was so cool to read about the strategy and the choices all the characters made.
The Final Verdict:
A sort of average book although it closed the series off nicely. I don't have much to say about it except it was a very plain capstone to this series that started off so well.
4 stars
Quotes:
“Healing is the hardest thing you'll ever do."
“We walked through the streets with our protectors. We wore our dresses. We gave up our education because that was the price of safety. That was the bargain we made with the devil we knew to escape the devil we didn't.”
December 29, 2014
Everything hangs in the balance, and nothing is certain: Rachel has been kidnapped by enemy forces and is being taken to Rowansmark while Logan, imprisoned and awaiting trial, is unable to leave Lankenshire. Separated from each other and their Baalboden comrades, each must find a way to achieve what they desperately want: to rid their world once and for all of the Commander and the tech that controls the deadly Cursed One. (Summary from Goodread.com)
The final book in a three part series, that didn't disappoint. I feel bad actually cause, I had the first book in the series senses Christmas of 2013. But as soon as I picked it up, I couldn't put it done. I was lucky the other books where out/soon to come out. So I wasn't left hanging for way to long.
The book is set again in chapters, going back and forth between Rachel and Logan. Deliverance delivers more emotion and action, the the first two books combine. C.J Redwine doesn't disappoint, making her fellow book fans very happy.
Highly recommend this series...if your more into a mid evil setting. Or even in the game of thrones. I really think you will enjoy this book
The final book in a three part series, that didn't disappoint. I feel bad actually cause, I had the first book in the series senses Christmas of 2013. But as soon as I picked it up, I couldn't put it done. I was lucky the other books where out/soon to come out. So I wasn't left hanging for way to long.
The book is set again in chapters, going back and forth between Rachel and Logan. Deliverance delivers more emotion and action, the the first two books combine. C.J Redwine doesn't disappoint, making her fellow book fans very happy.
Highly recommend this series...if your more into a mid evil setting. Or even in the game of thrones. I really think you will enjoy this book
August 12, 2014
**I received this book from Edelweiss/Balzer + Bray in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.**
*Genre* Dystopian, Post Apocalyptic
*Rating* 5.0<--Yes, you are seeing this correctly
*My Review*
Deliverance, the final installment in the Courier's Daughter trilogy, begins shortly after the end of Deception. It has been hours since Rachel Adams and Logan McEntire were separated, and now they each must face the most difficult challenges of their lives. Once again alternating POV's between Rachel and Logan, Deliverance leaves nothing to chance, and there's plenty of action and adventure and suspense to keep the most skeptical readers happy.
**FULL REVIEW POSTED @ GIZMOS REVIEWS SHORTLY*
http://gizmosreviews.blogspot.com/201...
*Recvd 05/29/2014 via Edelweiss* Expected publication: August 26th 2014 by Balzer + Bray
*Genre* Dystopian, Post Apocalyptic
*Rating* 5.0<--Yes, you are seeing this correctly
*My Review*
Deliverance, the final installment in the Courier's Daughter trilogy, begins shortly after the end of Deception. It has been hours since Rachel Adams and Logan McEntire were separated, and now they each must face the most difficult challenges of their lives. Once again alternating POV's between Rachel and Logan, Deliverance leaves nothing to chance, and there's plenty of action and adventure and suspense to keep the most skeptical readers happy.
**FULL REVIEW POSTED @ GIZMOS REVIEWS SHORTLY*
http://gizmosreviews.blogspot.com/201...
*Recvd 05/29/2014 via Edelweiss* Expected publication: August 26th 2014 by Balzer + Bray
May 4, 2014
Yeah this right here is how you write an awesome conclusion to a series!!!! It was heart wrenching and perfect. And I loved every page!
February 3, 2016
I must say after reading the first 2 I didn't expect great things out of this one but I was thoroughly impressed.
November 23, 2016
Nice conclusion to a great series!
May 12, 2017
Honestly, by the end I only cared about Quinn and Willow.
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