Defy

by Sara de Waard

Enjoy your Final Days.
Escape a Natural Death with us.
Come to Zalmon’s Quiet End.
In the city of Zalmon, every Life Event is where you’ll work, who you’ll marry, when you’ll die.
On a tour of Central Processing, seventeen-year-old Darius inadvertently unveils shocking information about his beloved little sister, Mahlah. His impulsive reaction may make him a target of the sinister people who run Zalmon, and could doom Mahlah to a worse fate than the one Darius uncovered.
Defying an unjust system, an unwanted Life Match, and an uncontrollable enemy, Darius fights to save Mahlah, leading him to expose a conspiracy at the heart of the city — and a potential life of autonomy, dignity, and love beyond what the Book of Zalmon dictates.

Genres: Dystopia, Young Adult, Science Fiction, Canada

208 pages, Paperback

Published October 26, 2024

About the author

Sara de Waard is an author, screenwriter, and educator of Métis descent and is currently in the process of exploring her family’s heritage. Her debut novel, White Lies, won the 2022 ETFO Writer’s Award for Women. Soon after completing her BA in Radio and Television from Toronto Metropolitan University, de Waard returned to her hometown of Port Colborne, ON, where she currently lives with her two kids.

Reviews

[Brittany N · Rating 5 out of 5]

I feel like this short, dystopian novel is very relevant to our current world of late-stage capitalism, recent uprise of class-consciousness and the healthcare industry’s prioritization of “profits over people”. A quick read with a punch.

[Ren · Rating 2 out of 5]

A fairly generic dystopian novel, everything seemed to come together in a pretty obvious way. Not really sure the point of a lot of the "restrictions" or how a lot of things worked, there didn't seem to be a ton of explanation going on (although I guess that could be the point). I wasn't really partial to a lot of the characters either, and things seemed sinister but never went past a surface level. A bit of a miss for me.

[Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderfully written, and I quite enjoy it. The characters are interesting, I love the concept of daturas. I do find some scenes to be quite rushed when more details should have been provided. As well as Abrams death I feel wasn't satisfying, and didn't really make sense.

[Ava · Rating 5 out of 5]

I started this book after getting it on the launch date and signing day, and wasn’t able to put the book down.

This book transcended me into another dimension of a dark, enticing dystopian world. The main characters are beautifully thought-out, and the ending will leave you with the feeling of hope and satisfaction.

The plot is perfectly paced, and the author doesn’t waste a minute reeling you into this wonderful world.

I am extremely excited to read her next work!

[Maggie Crawford · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was paced way too fast for my liking and I would have liked to have the plot developed a bit more, but the premise was awesome. I couldn't connect with the writing enough to lose myself in the story, but I wanted so badly to know how it ended that I couldn't put it down and blazed through it in one day. I can see why some people might love the writing, though, and my biggest gripe (the pacing) seems to be what a lot of people like about it. I'm definitely in the minority as to my feelings of this book.

[Jennifer G · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a YA novel. I am a big fan of dystopian fiction and enjoyed this book. I felt like it could have been longer - I would have liked the story to be a bit more in-depth.

[Mackenzie A · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an amazing book!! From the moment I picked it up at the book signing, I couldn’t put it down. This book is engaging, I felt immersed in the story and connected to the characters. The story line is incredible. The book is so well written and one of the best books I’ve ever read. It is a MUST read!!!

[Don Sawyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Defy draws the reader quickly and convincingly into the dystopian world of Zalmon, not an easy feat. Within 40 pages, you have a pretty good idea of how things work there, the peculiar nature of its oppression, and insight into the motivations and values of the main characters. Some things, such as how Darius’ mother became a Datura (and exactly what a Datura is) and what is really going on at Quiet End, remain mysterious, as they should, adding tension and suspense as the plot unfolds. As a YA novel, the characters, conflicts, and setting are drawn in deft, straightforward stokes that urge the reader onward into this strange new world without unnecessary detail or explanation.

Originally written as a screenplay, extensive use of dialogue creates a fast-paced read, especially suited for young adult readers. Along with the spareness of the writing, that occasionally leaves some matters a bit fuzzy. (So, no one has actually ever left? How does the Underground operate? How does Zalmon fit into a larger world that, presumably, exists outside of its borders?) But quibbles aside, young readers will find this an enjoyable chronicle of young characters whose love and commitment, courage and ability to think critically eventually triumph over villains who use lies and myths to confuse and dominate the general population.In that sense, perhaps, an allegory worth discussing in a classroom.

As others have observed, the riveting premise and world creation warrant a longer, more detailed novel, but keep in mind this is a YA novel and as such is more concerned with pacing than DPOV and description. I look forward to future books that build on her skill as a writer and world builder.

[Kaitlyn Greco · Rating 5 out of 5]

What brilliant writing. A must read. I was so invested in the characters, the captivating and amazing twists in the plot, the experiences of love and heartache, and the empowerment behind championing a young adult who can defy corruption with the help of people who know and do the right thing.
Each chapter brought new questions and even more exciting developments that kept me hooked and wanting to read “just one more chapter.”
This book will undeniably ignite a love for reading in young adults; it’s thought provoking and thrilling. Highly recommend, and hoping for a sequel soon!

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

I devoured this book in one sitting during a long flight—and it was worth every minute. Defy masterfully bridges the gap between young adult and adult fiction, making it a story my teenage daughter and I can both enjoy. The societal parallels are striking, offering a timely reflection on current events. With echoes of The Handmaid’s Tale in its dystopian elements, the book goes beyond to challenge readers to consider: What would be better? What could be worse? A thought-provoking read that lingers long after the final page.

[Sani-E-Zehra Rizvi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this book and how it’s written. I liked how it started off more eerie and how each move felt like it was calculated / under some assumed surveillance, yet slowly unfolded the plot and the truths of Zalmon due to rebellion. Some things could have been better explained or not as rushed though, like why certain things weren’t allowed whereas others were. Really liked Darius as well - a well-written and likeable character.

[Nicola Parent · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story started out strong as a dystopian future (made me think of The Handmaiden's Tale in some ways), but I found that the ending felt rushed. There seemed to be more to the story of several of the characters that was simply glossed over.

[Poornima · Rating 4 out of 5]

A solid short dystopian novel! Sure it's generic at times but I appreciate that the author didn't push any complicated/over the top plot lines. The simplicity made it a super smooth and enjoyable read with strong themes to capitalism and "profits over people" in healthcare.

[DaniPhantom · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick read about a society that determines your death. Tbh, I wanted more depth and probably a bit more pages to fully delve into the characters thoughts and emotions.

[Mary-Esther Lee · Rating 2 out of 5]

Psychopathic and deeply traumatizing.

[Angel D · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just finished Defy by Sara de Waard, and what a wild ride! From the very first chapter, the tension is palpable, and it only builds from there. This book is packed with twists that kept me on the edge of my seat, wondering what Darius would uncover next in his fight against a tightly controlled society.

The pacing is spot on, making it hard to put down. I found myself racing through the pages just to see how Darius would outsmart the oppressive forces at play. De Waard masterfully combines suspense with a gripping narrative that keeps you hooked from start to finish.

What I loved most was how the stakes felt incredibly high, not just for the protagonist but for the people he cares about. You can feel the adrenaline pumping as Darius navigates dangerous situations. If you’re looking for a book that’s an exhilarating journey filled with heart and tension, Defy is definitely one to grab. I can’t wait for the sequel!

[Kip · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cool premise, but the plot is not as developed as it deserves. The pace was unrelenting!