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Towers Trilogy #2
Defiant
Once, Xhea’s wants were simple: enough to eat, safety in the underground, and the hit of bright payment to transform her gray-cast world into color. But in the aftermath of her rescue of the Radiant ghost Shai, she realizes the life she had known is gone forever.
In the two months since her fall from the City, Xhea has hidden in skyscraper Edren, sheltered and attempting to heal. But soon even she must face the troubling truth that she might never walk again. Shai, ever faithful, has stayed by her side—but the ghost’s very presence has sent untold fortunes into Edren’s coffers and dangerously unbalanced the Lower City’s political balance.
War is brewing. Beyond Edren’s walls, the other skyscrapers have heard tell of the Radiant ghost and the power she holds; rumors, too, speak of the girl who sees ghosts who might be the key to controlling that power. Soon, assassins stalk the skyscrapers’ darkened corridors while armies gather in the streets. But Shai’s magic is not the only prize—nor the only power that could change everything. At last, Xhea begins to learn of her strange dark magic, and why even whispers of its presence are enough to make the Lower City elite tremble in fear.
Together, Xhea and Shai may have the power to stop a war—or become a weapon great enough to bring the City to its knees. That is, if the magic doesn't destroy them first.
In the two months since her fall from the City, Xhea has hidden in skyscraper Edren, sheltered and attempting to heal. But soon even she must face the troubling truth that she might never walk again. Shai, ever faithful, has stayed by her side—but the ghost’s very presence has sent untold fortunes into Edren’s coffers and dangerously unbalanced the Lower City’s political balance.
War is brewing. Beyond Edren’s walls, the other skyscrapers have heard tell of the Radiant ghost and the power she holds; rumors, too, speak of the girl who sees ghosts who might be the key to controlling that power. Soon, assassins stalk the skyscrapers’ darkened corridors while armies gather in the streets. But Shai’s magic is not the only prize—nor the only power that could change everything. At last, Xhea begins to learn of her strange dark magic, and why even whispers of its presence are enough to make the Lower City elite tremble in fear.
Together, Xhea and Shai may have the power to stop a war—or become a weapon great enough to bring the City to its knees. That is, if the magic doesn't destroy them first.
372 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 5, 2015
22 people are currently reading
623 people want to read
About the author
Karina Sumner-Smith
17 books163 followersKarina Sumner-Smith is the author of the Towers Trilogy from Talos Press: Radiant (Sept 2014), Defiant (May 2015), and Towers Fall (Nov 2015). In addition to novel-length work, Karina has published a range of science fiction, fantasy, and horror short stories that have been nominated for the Nebula Award, reprinted in several Year’s Best anthologies, and translated into Spanish and Czech. She lives in Ontario with her husband and a small dog.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews
November 10, 2016
(I received an advance copy of this book for free. Thanks to Perseus/PGW/Legato and Edelweiss.)
This was a YA dystopian/fantasy story, which continued on from the previous book in the series.
I felt quite sorry for Xhea in this, the way she had injured her knee and was no longer able to walk properly was quite sad, and I understood her frustration that it wasn’t healing properly.
The storyline in this was about Xhea being kidnapped by one of the towers, and being told that her dark magic powers were actually what the tower wanted rather than Shai’s magic. Xhea and Shai spent most of this book apart, both fighting in the battle between the towers in different ways, and getting caught up in the power struggles whether they liked it or not. The pace in this book was a bit too slow for me though, and the book dragged because of it.
The ending to this was okay, and it will be interesting to see how the story ends in the third book.
6 out of 10
“Bright dreams had the hardest edges, she knew; they cut too deep when they shattered.”
This was a YA dystopian/fantasy story, which continued on from the previous book in the series.
I felt quite sorry for Xhea in this, the way she had injured her knee and was no longer able to walk properly was quite sad, and I understood her frustration that it wasn’t healing properly.
The storyline in this was about Xhea being kidnapped by one of the towers, and being told that her dark magic powers were actually what the tower wanted rather than Shai’s magic. Xhea and Shai spent most of this book apart, both fighting in the battle between the towers in different ways, and getting caught up in the power struggles whether they liked it or not. The pace in this book was a bit too slow for me though, and the book dragged because of it.
The ending to this was okay, and it will be interesting to see how the story ends in the third book.
6 out of 10
May 11, 2015
4 of 5 stars at The BiblioSanctum http://bibliosanctum.com/2015/05/11/b...
This series definitely deserves to be getting more attention. Karina Sumner-Smith’s debut novel Radiant was one of the most unique speculative fiction titles I read in 2014, and it’s so good to see that its follow-up Defiant is still pushing genre boundaries and keeping things exciting.
Two months have passed since the events at the end of the last book, and we catch up with Xhea as she attempts to heal from the chaotic aftermath, though nothing seems to be helping her badly injured leg. She and the ghost Shai, her ever faithful friend, are holed up within one of the towers called Edren. Shai’s radiant powers essentially makes her an enormous battery, so her very presence is making Edren magic rich and that is definitely not sitting right with the rest of the towers who are stirring up political trouble in order to balance the scales again.
As things heat up, Xhea and Shai find themselves embroiled in a brutal power struggle. Everyone is looking to get their hands on Shai, but in a shocking turn of events, it is revealed that Xhea may be just as important to the survival of the towers. For someone who has always been dismissed, disdained or pitied for her lack of magic, this is a great change for Xhea. At last, she learns the dark nature of her own power, and it’s something that both thrills and frightens her. Then tower Farrow proposes a deal, offering her something she’s ever only dared dream of, but is it going to be worth what they are asking her to do?
Defiant expands greatly upon the world that we were first introduced to in Radiant, now that Xhea’s no longer on the streets scrounging work from people with ghost problems. Her life may have been hard, but at least it was remarkably simple: find food and a place to sleep every night. Ever since she met Shai though, things have become infinitely more complicated – and dangerous. Now we’ve shifted from the hardships of the Lower City to the cutthroat political arena of the towers. It’s a whole different ballgame, and yet this sequel retains so much of what I enjoyed most about the first installment.
As ever, the dynamics between Xhea and Shai make me cheer in support for meaningful friendships between strong female characters. Their loyalty to each other warms my heart, it really does. In fact, one plot development that got me down early on in the novel is the fact that Xhea and Shai become separated after a disastrous incident, and neither has any idea about the fate of the other. It’s only been one book, but already in my mind it feels wrong to see Xhea without Shai, Shai without Xhea. This could probably account for the part right after in which I felt the plot faltered, when Shai’s chapters felt weaker and lacked a bit of direction compared to Xhea’s after her tether to her friend is severed. Thankfully, the story picked up again very quickly, and even when the two of them were apart, their concern and thoughts for each other served to deepen their friendship in my eyes, adding another layer of complexity to it. Without each other, they were still able to accomplish some great feats on their own, proving just how powerful each young woman is in her own right.
There’s also a greater focus on the magical systems and concepts. In this world of radiants and floating towers, everything runs on magic. It can be found within its denizens and in its very infrastructure. Magic is treated on such a vast scale here that it boggles the mind; it’s infused everywhere to such a degree that an entire city literally comes to life. I’ve only read a handful of books where a physical location or the actual setting itself is rendered akin to a living breathing entity, and it’s always an amazing thing to experience.
As far as I can tell, there’s no sophomore slump here; this sequel is as rich and engaging as the first book and gives us even more in terms of surprising twists and revelations. Like its predecessor, Defiant is a brilliant cross-genre piece that blends elements from many sources so that the result is something new and never-before-seen. Looks like Karina Sumner-Smith has scored another hit with her second novel, offering a spellbinding story and characters who are sure to captivate a wide audience.
This series definitely deserves to be getting more attention. Karina Sumner-Smith’s debut novel Radiant was one of the most unique speculative fiction titles I read in 2014, and it’s so good to see that its follow-up Defiant is still pushing genre boundaries and keeping things exciting.
Two months have passed since the events at the end of the last book, and we catch up with Xhea as she attempts to heal from the chaotic aftermath, though nothing seems to be helping her badly injured leg. She and the ghost Shai, her ever faithful friend, are holed up within one of the towers called Edren. Shai’s radiant powers essentially makes her an enormous battery, so her very presence is making Edren magic rich and that is definitely not sitting right with the rest of the towers who are stirring up political trouble in order to balance the scales again.
As things heat up, Xhea and Shai find themselves embroiled in a brutal power struggle. Everyone is looking to get their hands on Shai, but in a shocking turn of events, it is revealed that Xhea may be just as important to the survival of the towers. For someone who has always been dismissed, disdained or pitied for her lack of magic, this is a great change for Xhea. At last, she learns the dark nature of her own power, and it’s something that both thrills and frightens her. Then tower Farrow proposes a deal, offering her something she’s ever only dared dream of, but is it going to be worth what they are asking her to do?
Defiant expands greatly upon the world that we were first introduced to in Radiant, now that Xhea’s no longer on the streets scrounging work from people with ghost problems. Her life may have been hard, but at least it was remarkably simple: find food and a place to sleep every night. Ever since she met Shai though, things have become infinitely more complicated – and dangerous. Now we’ve shifted from the hardships of the Lower City to the cutthroat political arena of the towers. It’s a whole different ballgame, and yet this sequel retains so much of what I enjoyed most about the first installment.
As ever, the dynamics between Xhea and Shai make me cheer in support for meaningful friendships between strong female characters. Their loyalty to each other warms my heart, it really does. In fact, one plot development that got me down early on in the novel is the fact that Xhea and Shai become separated after a disastrous incident, and neither has any idea about the fate of the other. It’s only been one book, but already in my mind it feels wrong to see Xhea without Shai, Shai without Xhea. This could probably account for the part right after in which I felt the plot faltered, when Shai’s chapters felt weaker and lacked a bit of direction compared to Xhea’s after her tether to her friend is severed. Thankfully, the story picked up again very quickly, and even when the two of them were apart, their concern and thoughts for each other served to deepen their friendship in my eyes, adding another layer of complexity to it. Without each other, they were still able to accomplish some great feats on their own, proving just how powerful each young woman is in her own right.
There’s also a greater focus on the magical systems and concepts. In this world of radiants and floating towers, everything runs on magic. It can be found within its denizens and in its very infrastructure. Magic is treated on such a vast scale here that it boggles the mind; it’s infused everywhere to such a degree that an entire city literally comes to life. I’ve only read a handful of books where a physical location or the actual setting itself is rendered akin to a living breathing entity, and it’s always an amazing thing to experience.
As far as I can tell, there’s no sophomore slump here; this sequel is as rich and engaging as the first book and gives us even more in terms of surprising twists and revelations. Like its predecessor, Defiant is a brilliant cross-genre piece that blends elements from many sources so that the result is something new and never-before-seen. Looks like Karina Sumner-Smith has scored another hit with her second novel, offering a spellbinding story and characters who are sure to captivate a wide audience.
April 23, 2018
Very enjoyable continuation, but I'm on the fence about aspects here. When it comes to the worldbuilding and the magic, between the towers of magic, what they're made of and what they're doing to the rest of the world around them, I'm in full-on love mode.
When it comes to the main characters, I'm totally onboard, a Radiant ghost and her best friend the soul-sucking death monster who are just trying to stay alive amid assassins, economics, and outright war between the clans of towers.
The only thing I have any concern about is the in-between bits. Some parts were kinda ordinary and not particularly driving the plot forward except in retrospect nearing the end of the novel. That's not horrible, of course, especially when it ALL becomes clear enough to ask the NEXT big question about the world, but I thought parts could have been tightened. Too much focus on the bad leg, maybe, or the family stuff. But then, maybe that's just me. I see some really awesome stuff brewing, I don't really want to hang out in the usual duller bits. :) The previous novel built up well with the MC being one of the poorest of the poor, but this just seemed to be marking time while hiding out.
Until, of course, all crap hits the fan, which it does. :)
Very imaginative fantasy here!
When it comes to the main characters, I'm totally onboard, a Radiant ghost and her best friend the soul-sucking death monster who are just trying to stay alive amid assassins, economics, and outright war between the clans of towers.
The only thing I have any concern about is the in-between bits. Some parts were kinda ordinary and not particularly driving the plot forward except in retrospect nearing the end of the novel. That's not horrible, of course, especially when it ALL becomes clear enough to ask the NEXT big question about the world, but I thought parts could have been tightened. Too much focus on the bad leg, maybe, or the family stuff. But then, maybe that's just me. I see some really awesome stuff brewing, I don't really want to hang out in the usual duller bits. :) The previous novel built up well with the MC being one of the poorest of the poor, but this just seemed to be marking time while hiding out.
Until, of course, all crap hits the fan, which it does. :)
Very imaginative fantasy here!
November 19, 2015
2nd re-read
I think I liked this story more this time around. Maybe because this time I read it as a stand alone, which stopped me from feeling that as an adventure, it lost that non stop rhythm that characterized the first book.
Shai and Xhea continue to be favourite characters. I love their friendship.
As for the writing style, I am pretty much a fan.
April 6th 2015
3.5 stars
Arc provided by Talos Publishing through Edelweiss
Release Date: May 5th
Because Radiant was my favourite book back in 2014, I couldn't resist the opportunity of getting my hands on this arc.
Also, because I tend to be somewhat OCD when it comes to favourite series, I chose to re-read Radiant before starting with this one.
What I got from the re-read?
It was still a fantastic read, the first scene is still very much imprinted in my mind. Although this time I did find that it dragged a little towards the end. But that is something that usually happens with all the stories that I re-read, so it wasn't a big deal.
As for this one volume, I can say that Xhea and Shai continue to be favourite characters.
I loved getting to know some background on Xhea: her family story... and basically how she sees herself having to deal with what is happening to her.
The dilemma that she faces in this book, was believable for someone living in her situation.
Also kudos for the author, for not choosing the magical path to solve a lot of problems, like Xhea's medical condition.
The way we get a little more character diversity in this story is also among the positives in this tale.
Then there's something in which I am somewhat divided: I do like the author's writing style, but this is a post-apocalyptic / sci-fi story, and as such, I was hoping for more action...
This writing style combined with the emotional aspects of this book, made me think of This Is Not A Test, in which most readers were probably expecting a zombie book and got a psychological drama instead (well 95% of it maybe ).
For me, Defiant would be better defined as a psychological drama. It is set against the backdrop of a sci-fi /post apocalyptic world, but it is only during the last chapters, that those elements really shine.
The explanations for some "mysteries" ended up sounding believable and logical _ even with such a setting... or especially because of it _, and that is always positive.
I can't help mention however that for me there were some parts on the narrative that could have been cut, so that it would have a more fluid story line.
Despite all that, I am still invested in the series and I am looking forward to the last book that I think is going to be published in October. Only six more months to go! :D
I think I liked this story more this time around. Maybe because this time I read it as a stand alone, which stopped me from feeling that as an adventure, it lost that non stop rhythm that characterized the first book.
Shai and Xhea continue to be favourite characters. I love their friendship.
As for the writing style, I am pretty much a fan.
April 6th 2015
3.5 stars
Arc provided by Talos Publishing through Edelweiss
Release Date: May 5th
Because Radiant was my favourite book back in 2014, I couldn't resist the opportunity of getting my hands on this arc.
Also, because I tend to be somewhat OCD when it comes to favourite series, I chose to re-read Radiant before starting with this one.
What I got from the re-read?
It was still a fantastic read, the first scene is still very much imprinted in my mind. Although this time I did find that it dragged a little towards the end. But that is something that usually happens with all the stories that I re-read, so it wasn't a big deal.
As for this one volume, I can say that Xhea and Shai continue to be favourite characters.
I loved getting to know some background on Xhea: her family story... and basically how she sees herself having to deal with what is happening to her.
The dilemma that she faces in this book, was believable for someone living in her situation.
Also kudos for the author, for not choosing the magical path to solve a lot of problems, like Xhea's medical condition.
The way we get a little more character diversity in this story is also among the positives in this tale.
Then there's something in which I am somewhat divided: I do like the author's writing style, but this is a post-apocalyptic / sci-fi story, and as such, I was hoping for more action...
This writing style combined with the emotional aspects of this book, made me think of This Is Not A Test, in which most readers were probably expecting a zombie book and got a psychological drama instead (well 95% of it maybe ).
For me, Defiant would be better defined as a psychological drama. It is set against the backdrop of a sci-fi /post apocalyptic world, but it is only during the last chapters, that those elements really shine.
The explanations for some "mysteries" ended up sounding believable and logical _ even with such a setting... or especially because of it _, and that is always positive.
I can't help mention however that for me there were some parts on the narrative that could have been cut, so that it would have a more fluid story line.
Despite all that, I am still invested in the series and I am looking forward to the last book that I think is going to be published in October. Only six more months to go! :D
October 14, 2016
This continues to be an impressive series, and this second book is just as good as the first. Another one for my favourites 2016 shelf.
February 7, 2017
An excellent followup to Radiant; perhaps even improving on it.
Xhea is recovering from the injuries she sustained during the first book, but her recovery isn't going very well and she may be permanently crippled. That may not be too much of a concern, because her future is in doubt anyway. Her presence, or more precisely, the presence of the Radiant ghost Shai, is filling up the magic stores of the skyscraper she has taken shelter in, which in turn is destabilizing the delicate balance of power in the Lower City. War appears inevitable, and Xhea and Shai are the catalysts.
If the first book was Shai's story, this one is Xhea's. We find out much more about her power and where it comes from and we learn about her family and her origin. There's also a lot more about how the City and the Lower City work, and both turn out to be even more horrible than we learned in the first book. This works as both a complete story and a setup for a massive confrontation in the the third. Hopefully the series continues to pay off.
Xhea is recovering from the injuries she sustained during the first book, but her recovery isn't going very well and she may be permanently crippled. That may not be too much of a concern, because her future is in doubt anyway. Her presence, or more precisely, the presence of the Radiant ghost Shai, is filling up the magic stores of the skyscraper she has taken shelter in, which in turn is destabilizing the delicate balance of power in the Lower City. War appears inevitable, and Xhea and Shai are the catalysts.
If the first book was Shai's story, this one is Xhea's. We find out much more about her power and where it comes from and we learn about her family and her origin. There's also a lot more about how the City and the Lower City work, and both turn out to be even more horrible than we learned in the first book. This works as both a complete story and a setup for a massive confrontation in the the third. Hopefully the series continues to pay off.
June 30, 2015
Actual Rating: 3.25 out of 5
With her debut novel Radiant, Karina Sumner-Smith introduced readers to a frightening beautiful world of magic-rich Towers, a crumbling Lower City, ghosts, nightwalkers, and an unlikely friendship between the living and the dead. Now, with Defiant, readers reunite with Xhea and her ghost-friend Shai as they're hiding in Edren's skyscraper so Xhea can heal from her injuries. Both girls know they're only biding their time. The Lower City's other skyscrapers envy Edren's newfound wealth from Shai's Radiant magic. One, however, seems more interested in Xhea's darker, more sinister powers - powers that she finally begins to understand after she's offered a chance for the privileged life she dared to dream of when homeless.
That latter thread is Defiant's greatest strength: Xhea, and therefore the reader, learns more about her rare abilities as well as her origins, all while confronting a haunting moral dilemma. Shai also comes into her own, as she develops a new understanding of being a Radiant and communicates with the living in Xhea's absence. Defiant plods along, however, and relies heavily on exposition and character thoughts to carry the story. This didn't surprise me; Sumner-Smith used the same approach for Radiant, but it's more noticeable with Defiant and not totally to my tastes. I also had trouble connecting with some of the secondary characters this time. That being said, I was still fascinated by the build-up to all-out civil war, and with how Xhea and Shai come to terms with their roles in that battle. I can only guess how things will end in Towers Fall - but finding out the "how" is part of the fun of trilogies, right?
With her debut novel Radiant, Karina Sumner-Smith introduced readers to a frightening beautiful world of magic-rich Towers, a crumbling Lower City, ghosts, nightwalkers, and an unlikely friendship between the living and the dead. Now, with Defiant, readers reunite with Xhea and her ghost-friend Shai as they're hiding in Edren's skyscraper so Xhea can heal from her injuries. Both girls know they're only biding their time. The Lower City's other skyscrapers envy Edren's newfound wealth from Shai's Radiant magic. One, however, seems more interested in Xhea's darker, more sinister powers - powers that she finally begins to understand after she's offered a chance for the privileged life she dared to dream of when homeless.
That latter thread is Defiant's greatest strength: Xhea, and therefore the reader, learns more about her rare abilities as well as her origins, all while confronting a haunting moral dilemma. Shai also comes into her own, as she develops a new understanding of being a Radiant and communicates with the living in Xhea's absence. Defiant plods along, however, and relies heavily on exposition and character thoughts to carry the story. This didn't surprise me; Sumner-Smith used the same approach for Radiant, but it's more noticeable with Defiant and not totally to my tastes. I also had trouble connecting with some of the secondary characters this time. That being said, I was still fascinated by the build-up to all-out civil war, and with how Xhea and Shai come to terms with their roles in that battle. I can only guess how things will end in Towers Fall - but finding out the "how" is part of the fun of trilogies, right?
September 17, 2015
The first book in this trilogy, Radiant, was an impressive debut novel and a very unique book. Like the first book, Defiant had too much narrative at times, but I enjoyed it just as much as the previous book. While I found the first book more memorable, I found this one more compulsively readable so it evened out in the end. I especially loved that Defiant delved more into the fascinating world the author has created.
Full Review: http://www.fantasybookcafe.com/2015/0...
Full Review: http://www.fantasybookcafe.com/2015/0...
June 3, 2022
Stars: 5 out of 5
I remember absolutely loving Radiant, the first book in the series, so I came to this one with a certain amount of trepidation. Often the middle books in a trilogy are the weakest, because they only serve as a bridge between the beginning and the inevitable resolution in book 3. I'm glad to see that this was not the case with the Towers trilogy. The second book expands on the story of the first one and does an excellent job of showing us different facets of this world.
And what world it is! I think this is one of the most unique post-apocalyptical settings I've seen in books or movies. A world where the person's inner magic is the currency by which they are judged. The more magically powerful you are, the better your life will be. The most magically-adept people live in the comfort of the floating Towers, the least magical people are forced to scrape by in the ruined Lower City sprawling under their shadow. And there are different strata within the Lower City as well. It's a complex and fascinating system. There is even a version of zombies there, and I loved that their existence is given an explanation that makes sense.
I love it when the world abides by the rules defined by the author, or there is a good explanation when those rules are broken. This is always a sign that the author put a lot of thought into the creation of their world and story, and I respect that. I also love slowly discovering those rules and learning more about the world the characters live in. This book gave me that in spades.
And I think both Xhea and Shai are excellent characters. I love their interactions and their friendship. It's rare to find a YA book that focuses on a healthy female friendship instead of a romance. We need more of those. That friendship and attachment shines through the entire book even though Shai and Xhea spend most of it apart. This forced separation was used to advance the story. It made both Xhea and Shai confront their fears and insecurities and decide what they stand for. They both discovered that there are lines they are not willing to cross and that there are people they care about.
We also learned a lot more about the origin of the Towers and Xhea's black magic. And also about why things are so dire in Lower City despite the efforts of its citizens to make improvements.
I am very interested to see the conclusion of this story in book 3. So far, this is one of my favorite series.
I remember absolutely loving Radiant, the first book in the series, so I came to this one with a certain amount of trepidation. Often the middle books in a trilogy are the weakest, because they only serve as a bridge between the beginning and the inevitable resolution in book 3. I'm glad to see that this was not the case with the Towers trilogy. The second book expands on the story of the first one and does an excellent job of showing us different facets of this world.
And what world it is! I think this is one of the most unique post-apocalyptical settings I've seen in books or movies. A world where the person's inner magic is the currency by which they are judged. The more magically powerful you are, the better your life will be. The most magically-adept people live in the comfort of the floating Towers, the least magical people are forced to scrape by in the ruined Lower City sprawling under their shadow. And there are different strata within the Lower City as well. It's a complex and fascinating system. There is even a version of zombies there, and I loved that their existence is given an explanation that makes sense.
I love it when the world abides by the rules defined by the author, or there is a good explanation when those rules are broken. This is always a sign that the author put a lot of thought into the creation of their world and story, and I respect that. I also love slowly discovering those rules and learning more about the world the characters live in. This book gave me that in spades.
And I think both Xhea and Shai are excellent characters. I love their interactions and their friendship. It's rare to find a YA book that focuses on a healthy female friendship instead of a romance. We need more of those. That friendship and attachment shines through the entire book even though Shai and Xhea spend most of it apart. This forced separation was used to advance the story. It made both Xhea and Shai confront their fears and insecurities and decide what they stand for. They both discovered that there are lines they are not willing to cross and that there are people they care about.
We also learned a lot more about the origin of the Towers and Xhea's black magic. And also about why things are so dire in Lower City despite the efforts of its citizens to make improvements.
I am very interested to see the conclusion of this story in book 3. So far, this is one of my favorite series.
April 2, 2018
I almost didn't read this because in the first chapter we learn; Xhea can't walk, has no magic, and is possibly addicted to pain killers.
However, we also get some early answers, (or at least parts of answers) to my big questions from book one, so I couldn't stop.
The Bad:
Xhea and Shai are best when together. Mostly because Shai's boring alone. One chapter of her woe-is-me thoughts was too much.
Xhea was so weak! She wasn't a great character in the first book but she was tough, she stood up for herself and didn't back down. Suddenly she's a wuss. The old Xhea wouldn't have put up with any of this crap!
Minor Spoilers Bad stuff:
The Good:
Everything came together well in the end and much of the world building from the first book makes sense now.
I know this looks like mostly negatives, but it was still a quick read and I read the next book, so not all bad.
However, we also get some early answers, (or at least parts of answers) to my big questions from book one, so I couldn't stop.
The Bad:
Xhea and Shai are best when together. Mostly because Shai's boring alone. One chapter of her woe-is-me thoughts was too much.
Xhea was so weak! She wasn't a great character in the first book but she was tough, she stood up for herself and didn't back down. Suddenly she's a wuss. The old Xhea wouldn't have put up with any of this crap!
Minor Spoilers Bad stuff:
The Good:
Everything came together well in the end and much of the world building from the first book makes sense now.
I know this looks like mostly negatives, but it was still a quick read and I read the next book, so not all bad.
August 5, 2022
More reviews (and no fluff) on the blog http://surrealtalvi.wordpress.com/
The first book in the Towers Trilogy, Radiant, topped my best of 2014 list. Intricate storytelling, nuanced characters, distinct magic system, and an exquisitely written story of an unusual friendship made for a very satisfying read. With this second book, Defiant, we are once again plunged into the world of the floating towers. Where the first book explored the radiant aspect of magic, here we delve more into Xhea's history/background and the terrible price of her unique magic. But the beating heart is the beautiful friendship of the two girls, Xhea and ghost Shai.Story: Xhea and Shai are living an uneasy peace within one of the Earthbound towers. They will let Xhea stay as long as Shai's radiance powers their machinery; but the political situation is unstable, both within the tower and also amongst all the ground towers. When hostilities escalate, Shai and Xhea will find themselves thrown into a war with the fate of the people who live on the ground in the balance. For it turns out Xhea may just be as valuable as Shai to the floating towers. And each will have to develop their own magics to not only survive, but to save their friend.
Shai and Xhea remain very distinct characters through both books. Shai's idealism and hesitancy counterbalanced by Xhea's grounded realism and nihilism. It's a reflection of their magic as well, one made of light and air and the other death and shadows. And although the girls are separated for a good part of the book, we learn a lot about both. Xhea will be forced to rely on others and Shai will have to mature and develop her own resilience. Both will come to understand their own magic much more as well.
All characters (major and minor) remain conflicted and real. Each has complex motivations and emotions, will fail and succeed, and surprise as well as intrigue. The strength of the Towers trilogy really is the psychology as the counterbalance to the pathos. It all feels so devastatingly real.
This is going to top my 2015 list. I am greatly looking forward to finishing the trilogy at the end of the year. It's a book that is so good, I never feel I can do it justice in my review. Highest recommendations.
June 28, 2015
This book you guys, this book. I seem to recall it took me a bit to get into Radiant -- the first book of the Towers Trilogy -- but Defiant pretty much grabbed me right away and refused to let go. There was one time when I'd gone out to dinner by myself and brought it along to read and I had to stop because it was so emotionally intense that I got a lump in my throat and couldn't eat. Then when I was almost done with the book I took it out again so I could finish it and ended up crying into my French toast and then sat there for the rest of the meal just feeling stunned by how intensely emotional this book made me feel. Now I'm impatiently waiting for the third book so I can see how the trilogy ends.
I have to say, although this book isn't marketed as YA, if I had a teenage daughter I'd want her to read this instead of Hunger Games. It has the same themes of Dystopia and inequality, but with a very important difference: there's no romance in this trilogy (well, so far), instead it focuses on the friendship between two young women. This friendship is so powerful, so beautifully crafted. This is what teenagers need to see, the importance of true friendship rather than the importance of young love. I mean, don't get me wrong, love is great, but when you're young and stupid you tend to make a lot of bad relationship choices, especially when your head is full of romanticized relationships from books. How about we shift the focus away from Happily Ever After and towards Best Friends Forever? Because your BFF is the one who's going to be there for you when your high school sweetheart breaks up with you, right?
I have to say, although this book isn't marketed as YA, if I had a teenage daughter I'd want her to read this instead of Hunger Games. It has the same themes of Dystopia and inequality, but with a very important difference: there's no romance in this trilogy (well, so far), instead it focuses on the friendship between two young women. This friendship is so powerful, so beautifully crafted. This is what teenagers need to see, the importance of true friendship rather than the importance of young love. I mean, don't get me wrong, love is great, but when you're young and stupid you tend to make a lot of bad relationship choices, especially when your head is full of romanticized relationships from books. How about we shift the focus away from Happily Ever After and towards Best Friends Forever? Because your BFF is the one who's going to be there for you when your high school sweetheart breaks up with you, right?
May 24, 2015
Defiant by Karina Sumner-Smith – I loved Radiant book one in the Towers Trilogy. Book two, Defiant, is just as good. Sumner-Smith has built a world filled with interesting and different characters and situations. This time Xhea and her ghost friend Shai should be safe but things are changing in the Lower City. I loved how the friendship between Shai and Xhea was at the heart of the story. Even when they were separated and their tether broken each was still important to the other. There is much to be learned and much to overcome and the journey is filled with many different problems and dangers. Defiant is a great blend of magic and characters set in a world very different from any other I have seen.
June 7, 2017
Oh...everything changes in this book, and yet--it doesn't.
Second books in a series have a lot to live up to. I'm not going to spoil this book, I'm just going to say that Defiant goes beyond being a mere bridge book. We get to see the Lower City through different eyes, find answers to questions we didn't know we had, and witness a bit of redemption.
My professional, technical review is this: Go buy these books. I loved Defiant as much, if not more, than Radiant. I'm counting the days until Towers comes out.
Second books in a series have a lot to live up to. I'm not going to spoil this book, I'm just going to say that Defiant goes beyond being a mere bridge book. We get to see the Lower City through different eyes, find answers to questions we didn't know we had, and witness a bit of redemption.
My professional, technical review is this: Go buy these books. I loved Defiant as much, if not more, than Radiant. I'm counting the days until Towers comes out.
June 20, 2015
A great follow-up to Radiant. This book kept me reading far later into the night than I really should have ;) I really like the author's style. My only regret is that I didn't wait for the trilogy to be complete because now I have to WAIT for the 3rd book!!!! And given the title of the 3rd book, I'm dying to find out what happens next.
Just kidding about waiting til the 3rd book comes out. Read 1 and 2 now! Then re-read them when the 3rd book comes out ;)
Just kidding about waiting til the 3rd book comes out. Read 1 and 2 now! Then re-read them when the 3rd book comes out ;)
May 18, 2015
I found this absolutely impossible to put down! Sumner-Smith delivers with higher stakes, darker magic, and a bond of friendship that proves unbreakable--even in the face of war. Highly recommended for all lovers of SFF, post-apocalytic, and dystopian--or just anyone looking for a great story!
October 11, 2018
I like this one better than the first of the trilogy. I would give it 3.25 stars.
I like the introduction of Shai's point of view. In the first book, we only see from Xhea's point of view. It's an essential change that makes the book more readable. Otherwise, it's difficult when the protagonist seems like a powerless victim all the time. It would have been better if we'd seen from both points of view in the first book too.
The magic systems are a little more understandable in this one, though they are still quite convoluted. It's definitely interesting. I see now that this series is more fantasy and probably not science fiction. I get the sense that the author doesn't completely understand her own systems and is sort of discovering them as she goes along. That's a little uncomfortable and makes it harder to trust. Trust is helpful in a reader's effort to suspend disbelief.
I have mixed feelings about what I thought of in the first book as a paranormal aspect. The ghosts feel more like fantasy, not real ghosts. The rules of what they can and can't do seem a little flexible. And why can some linger but others disappear? Does Xhea not see any part of the ones who rise and leave immediately? But we understand how a walker is formed now. I like that part.
I'm frustrated by the small glimpses we get of the towers and their people. They loom and matter so much, but we know next to nothing about them. Shai's mom and tower are not mentioned much at all in this book and that seems like an oversight because of how much they matter in the first book. They would be aware of what's happening below. It would matter to Shai's mom. It should matter more to Shai because in the first book it's clear how much she loves her mother.
There is more resolution in this one. The pain is a little less pointless. Most of the relationships matter a little more. I still had trouble caring and suspending disbelief.
I will persist and read the third book. I'm not really in the mood for another fantasy, but I do look forward to completing the obligation I feel to read this. I'm enjoying it enough to read one more. Then I will definitely be seeking relief with some hardcore non-fiction.
I like the introduction of Shai's point of view. In the first book, we only see from Xhea's point of view. It's an essential change that makes the book more readable. Otherwise, it's difficult when the protagonist seems like a powerless victim all the time. It would have been better if we'd seen from both points of view in the first book too.
The magic systems are a little more understandable in this one, though they are still quite convoluted. It's definitely interesting. I see now that this series is more fantasy and probably not science fiction. I get the sense that the author doesn't completely understand her own systems and is sort of discovering them as she goes along. That's a little uncomfortable and makes it harder to trust. Trust is helpful in a reader's effort to suspend disbelief.
I have mixed feelings about what I thought of in the first book as a paranormal aspect. The ghosts feel more like fantasy, not real ghosts. The rules of what they can and can't do seem a little flexible. And why can some linger but others disappear? Does Xhea not see any part of the ones who rise and leave immediately? But we understand how a walker is formed now. I like that part.
I'm frustrated by the small glimpses we get of the towers and their people. They loom and matter so much, but we know next to nothing about them. Shai's mom and tower are not mentioned much at all in this book and that seems like an oversight because of how much they matter in the first book. They would be aware of what's happening below. It would matter to Shai's mom. It should matter more to Shai because in the first book it's clear how much she loves her mother.
There is more resolution in this one. The pain is a little less pointless. Most of the relationships matter a little more. I still had trouble caring and suspending disbelief.
I will persist and read the third book. I'm not really in the mood for another fantasy, but I do look forward to completing the obligation I feel to read this. I'm enjoying it enough to read one more. Then I will definitely be seeking relief with some hardcore non-fiction.
December 26, 2019
I enjoyed this book. I liked seeing the growth of protagonist, Xhea and her sidekick Shai. I also liked the inclusion and growth of some of the supporting characters. I am intrigued to see where things go in book #3, the conclusion of the trilogy.
P.s. It still annoyed the heck out of me that the author repeatedly used adjectives when adverbs were called for. It is right there in the name; adverbs add to verbs and should be used with verbs. Did no one edit this book?
P.s. It still annoyed the heck out of me that the author repeatedly used adjectives when adverbs were called for. It is right there in the name; adverbs add to verbs and should be used with verbs. Did no one edit this book?
January 28, 2016
Originally posted on BlueAnteater
The short: A precise, well-written book with amazingly strong characters and world-building, though a shade repetitive and slow-paced.
The long:
I think I might like this novel better than its predecessor, Radiant. Not that there was anything wrong with that book at all, but in Defiant, I felt less lost and more sure of what was going on (even though I read it way back in January). Xhea is less . . . grumpy, I guess you could say. It's partly sad because she is severely injured, but it also makes her a slightly more likable protagonist. She and Shai were severe opposites at the start of Radiant, but by the end of Defiant, they are far more like equals, both in personality and in power. Luckily, that doesn't make either of them bland. Xhea is still gritty, determined, stubborn, and a little callous, and Shai is more sympathetic and optimistic. They go well together, which is why the series works.
It also works because the plot tries to stay as grounded in reality as possible in a story about magic. Xhea's dark magic prevents her from healing properly, and she hobbles around weakly, which is why the story kinda starts off slow. Most of the first chapters are spent catching everybody to the current situation re: Xhea's injuries, her magic, and Shai's abilities as a Radiant ghost. Then Something Happens, and the rest of the plot fairly rockets along. We not only learn more about Xhea herself, but also - thankfully - about dark magic, ghosts, the Walkers, the skyscrapers, the Towers, and the City. Shai comes to understand that she is more than just her magic, while in contrast, Xhea fears she herself might be less. Overall, the focus is on the characters and exposition, as the world does not explore much beyond the Lower City, unlike Radiant, where Xhea went everywhere.
I would say that Defiant is a filler book, but that's not strictly true: it's more of a helpful, fascinating bridge between Books One and Three, not to be disregarded at all. I felt that Sumner-Smith was more secure in her writing and in this world she created (to the point of repeating details quite a few times). I still loved that there was no romance whatsoever, with friendship still being the most prominent relationship between most of the characters. I highly recommend this series - and the third book is already coming out soon!
The short: A precise, well-written book with amazingly strong characters and world-building, though a shade repetitive and slow-paced.
The long:
I think I might like this novel better than its predecessor, Radiant. Not that there was anything wrong with that book at all, but in Defiant, I felt less lost and more sure of what was going on (even though I read it way back in January). Xhea is less . . . grumpy, I guess you could say. It's partly sad because she is severely injured, but it also makes her a slightly more likable protagonist. She and Shai were severe opposites at the start of Radiant, but by the end of Defiant, they are far more like equals, both in personality and in power. Luckily, that doesn't make either of them bland. Xhea is still gritty, determined, stubborn, and a little callous, and Shai is more sympathetic and optimistic. They go well together, which is why the series works.
It also works because the plot tries to stay as grounded in reality as possible in a story about magic. Xhea's dark magic prevents her from healing properly, and she hobbles around weakly, which is why the story kinda starts off slow. Most of the first chapters are spent catching everybody to the current situation re: Xhea's injuries, her magic, and Shai's abilities as a Radiant ghost. Then Something Happens, and the rest of the plot fairly rockets along. We not only learn more about Xhea herself, but also - thankfully - about dark magic, ghosts, the Walkers, the skyscrapers, the Towers, and the City. Shai comes to understand that she is more than just her magic, while in contrast, Xhea fears she herself might be less. Overall, the focus is on the characters and exposition, as the world does not explore much beyond the Lower City, unlike Radiant, where Xhea went everywhere.
I would say that Defiant is a filler book, but that's not strictly true: it's more of a helpful, fascinating bridge between Books One and Three, not to be disregarded at all. I felt that Sumner-Smith was more secure in her writing and in this world she created (to the point of repeating details quite a few times). I still loved that there was no romance whatsoever, with friendship still being the most prominent relationship between most of the characters. I highly recommend this series - and the third book is already coming out soon!
May 5, 2015
To say that I was let down with this book would be an understatement. This is definitely a “second book syndrome” read. With it’s slow pacing and inactivity, I almost called it quits. But, I loved the first book so much, that I refuse to give up on the trilogy yet.
From the start of this, Xhea is healing after the events that happened in Radiant. So, I somewhat expected the beginning to be slow. I thought the story would gain momentum after some time and bring back all the things that I loved in book one. The action in this book was meh, and didn’t really come until the end.
I love Xhea’s and Shai’s bond. They work well together and cause chaos wherever they turn. I loved the magic in this book. That was about the only thing that kept me interested because I wanted to see what Xhea is capable of. As always in Dystopian worlds, politics – or power in this case – play a major role. There are no shortage of antagonists in this world and Xhea has to be more careful now than ever. I just don’t trust some of the Lowers – they are almost as bad as the Uppers, because they all want something and will kill to get it.
Overall, this book didn’t take be by storm like the first one. I liked it enough that I want to keep up with this trilogy, and read the last book when it comes. I do recommend this trilogy simply because of all the genres that make up this wonderful world. If you love magic, ghosts, and science-fiction, then you will enjoy these books.
From the start of this, Xhea is healing after the events that happened in Radiant. So, I somewhat expected the beginning to be slow. I thought the story would gain momentum after some time and bring back all the things that I loved in book one. The action in this book was meh, and didn’t really come until the end.
I love Xhea’s and Shai’s bond. They work well together and cause chaos wherever they turn. I loved the magic in this book. That was about the only thing that kept me interested because I wanted to see what Xhea is capable of. As always in Dystopian worlds, politics – or power in this case – play a major role. There are no shortage of antagonists in this world and Xhea has to be more careful now than ever. I just don’t trust some of the Lowers – they are almost as bad as the Uppers, because they all want something and will kill to get it.
Overall, this book didn’t take be by storm like the first one. I liked it enough that I want to keep up with this trilogy, and read the last book when it comes. I do recommend this trilogy simply because of all the genres that make up this wonderful world. If you love magic, ghosts, and science-fiction, then you will enjoy these books.
September 25, 2015
Two months after she rescued the Radiant ghost Shai, Xhea is barely getting by in the Lower City skyscraper of Edren. The bruises on her body are not healing, and magical, and even surgical, attempts to fix her knee have failed time and again. And, Shai’s very presence is throwing off the balance of the Lower City, pouring unprecedented amounts of magic into Edren’s coffers. The other towers want Shai, and Xhea is the key to “controlling” her. But, Xhea is becoming a powerful force of her own; her dark magic has returned and is getting stronger, and she is beginning to learn how to truly use it. Tensions are mounting and war is brewing, and Xhea and Shai are the only ones who have a chance of stopping it.
The sequel to Karina Sumner-Smith’s "Radiant," "Defiant" picks up right where its predecessor leaves off. This world continues to grow more complex and fascinating, and readers will be drawn deeply into the struggles of Xhea and Shai. This novel is just as well written as the first one, and once the plot picks up, it careens to an explosive conclusion that will leave readers hungry for more. It’s an excellent novel that is hard to put down.
Review originally written for San Francisco Book Review.
The sequel to Karina Sumner-Smith’s "Radiant," "Defiant" picks up right where its predecessor leaves off. This world continues to grow more complex and fascinating, and readers will be drawn deeply into the struggles of Xhea and Shai. This novel is just as well written as the first one, and once the plot picks up, it careens to an explosive conclusion that will leave readers hungry for more. It’s an excellent novel that is hard to put down.
Review originally written for San Francisco Book Review.
July 2, 2015
More of a 3.5/5 Defiant continues the Towers story after the brilliant start of Radiant, but it didn't capture my attention as well or for as long as the first book. This isn't to say it was sub-par or the writing was bad, it's just that the plot of Defiant depends more on character exposition than Radiant did (& there was a lot of exposition in Radiant), and it shows. The first 2/3rds of the book plodded along, which was a little bit of a let down given Radiant's explosive ending, but also made sense for the first third as Xhea's body recovers from some pretty serious injuries.
What we DO get is some great background info on Xhea's birth family, Xhea learning more about her strange and rare dark powers, and Shai beginning to learn what it truly means to be a Radiant. All of these details combine into a chaotic ending, where Xhea and Shai start to uncover the truth about the world they live in.
I'm thinking the third book is going to be pretty all-out if it's going to wrap up all of these loose ends, so I'm excited! Xhea & Shai remain my favourite YA friends/dynamic duo because they're just wonderful together :')
What we DO get is some great background info on Xhea's birth family, Xhea learning more about her strange and rare dark powers, and Shai beginning to learn what it truly means to be a Radiant. All of these details combine into a chaotic ending, where Xhea and Shai start to uncover the truth about the world they live in.
I'm thinking the third book is going to be pretty all-out if it's going to wrap up all of these loose ends, so I'm excited! Xhea & Shai remain my favourite YA friends/dynamic duo because they're just wonderful together :')
December 10, 2016
This is a YA book somewhat like Divergent in that it is set in a post-collapse world with a ruined city and skyscrapers. There the resemblance ends. I didn't read the first book (yet) and might have liked this better if I had. On the other hand I am not really into dark fantasy with ghosts, blood and stabbings, so maybe not.
The language sets us apart from the characters, not in their heads. As I didn't know Xhea, Shai, Edren and the rest, I didn't know whom to trust or who had what magic. We gradually learn that the city has been filled with magic for so long, the skyscrapers have begun to take on a magical half-aliveness of their own. There is still a kind of subway tunnel system and most people seem to live in a Lower City. Poverty is usual and magic has replaced science. A dystopian feel pervades and one character learns a ghastly truth about the father she never knew.
The vision is going to carry a lot of readers through the series, but for me it's just too close to horror, which I don't enjoy. I received an ARC for an unbiased review. Now I need to read something cheerful.
The language sets us apart from the characters, not in their heads. As I didn't know Xhea, Shai, Edren and the rest, I didn't know whom to trust or who had what magic. We gradually learn that the city has been filled with magic for so long, the skyscrapers have begun to take on a magical half-aliveness of their own. There is still a kind of subway tunnel system and most people seem to live in a Lower City. Poverty is usual and magic has replaced science. A dystopian feel pervades and one character learns a ghastly truth about the father she never knew.
The vision is going to carry a lot of readers through the series, but for me it's just too close to horror, which I don't enjoy. I received an ARC for an unbiased review. Now I need to read something cheerful.
January 9, 2020
Picking up shortly after where Radiant ended, Xhea is still in Edren Tower, injured with little hope of proper healing. Bright magic, the kind that nearly everyone has and thus the kind that is used for healing spells, hurt her, and her body seems bent on destroying even the most carefully set spells upon her. The council of the tower seems to want nothing to do with her and everything to do with Shai, the Radiant ghost who is still attached to Xhea and whose excess power is currently being used by Edren because nobody else is using it, and magic is needed to fuel almost every aspect of life in a Tower. But then inter-Tower politics get complicated and violent, Shai and Xhea are separated, and Xhea comes face to face with her own mysterious past and just what her dark power really means.
There’s a lot to like in Defiant. First, I do want to take a moment to talk about how Xhea’s disability was handled. And I think it was done rather well. From personal experience, at least, I think that her reactions to the whole thing were pretty understandable, and well-expressed. I can’t say I’ve experienced permanent physical disabilities like Xhea’s, but I’ve dealt with tenporary-but-long-term ones, and the experience was remarkably similar. The initial denial, the drive to not do much of anything coupled with the insistence that no help is needed. The willingness to do something that will hurt like hell and may not be permanent if it just brings even a bit of relief. The frustration over experiencing how your body doesn’t want to cooperate when there are things that you need to get done and it doesn’t feel like playing nice. It’s ever-present, but it doesn’t stop her from doing what she can do when it’s within her limits, and it doesn’t stop her from pushing those limits when she deems the situation worth it (such as being life-threatening if she doesn’t ignore the screaming tearing pain in her knee and walk faster). I think it was presented very well, as a part of the character that she had to learn to work around and work with, but never something that defined her or so drastically changed her that she became her disability.
Secondly, I really like the way Xhea’s dark magic was expanded upon and really used to good effect here. No longer is it presented as an entirely unique ability. Just a really rare one. We get more information about what it does, how it works, what can be done with it that wasn’t expected. We get to see both the negative side of it and the positive, and I really liked the way that played into how the novel ended. I don’t want to go into too many details, but suffice it to say that I was surprised. It may have been a little deus ex machina, but it all still fit very well into the world that Sumner-Smith created.
Xhea and Shai, as before, make a wonderful team, even when they’re apart and working independently of each other. I love their friendship. I love how they have such a close strong bond, and I love that (at least as of this book) it hasn’t turned into romance. I see so much in media reinforcing the idea that someone close to you can only either be family or a romantic partner, and it’s rare to see people so close and still fit firmly into the friendship category. Rare, and so very refreshing and welcome when it does happen. Honestly, these two are probably the best example of friendship I’ve seen in SFF in a long time. They were thrown together by circumstance, but since that event they’ve grown closer and rely on each other. They’re like the poster children for committed friendship! It’s great!
One of the biggest problems I had with the first book in the trilogy, the feeling that I’m really coming in the middle of the story and the feeling that I should already know what a lot of hints are referring to, happily doesn’t occur here. Much of the specifics I felt that about last time, too, get fully addressed, and instead of feeling like plot points were being dangled out of reach, I felt like I finally had all the pieces and they were all in the right place. There was still plenty to reveal and to hold back until the time was right, making a good sense of mystery throughout the novel, but it didn’t leave me feeling like I was floundering in some places, like I had last time. The additional upside to this is that now I also want to go back and read the first book over again, with all this newfound knowledge, to see if some scenes make better sense now than they did before.
When people say that this is a series with strong female protagonists, they aren’t kidding. They aren’t strong in the sense that they carry big guns and can kick the butt of any problem they encounter. They’re strong in the way that they’re very much themselves, reliant on nobody else to define them, and so powerfully real that you can’t help but be even a little bit motivated to emulate them.They stand out by not standing out, by being themselves instead of being the opposite of a stereotype (which, in itself, has pretty much become a stereotype), and it’s wonderful to see. If strength is defined by being your own person, then Xhea and Shai are fantastically strong.
This is a series that should be getting more attention and hype than it is. It may not be a ground-breaking game-changer for speculative fiction, but it’s got so much to it; a rich story, a future that isn’t obsessed with being defined only by its past, characters who are complex and real, and politics and magic in spades! It’s one of the best post-apocalyptic urban fantasies I’ve ever found, and in that meld of genres it’s got a fairly wide appeal. I can’t wait to read the trilogy’s conclusion, and to see what Sumner-Smith will do next.
(Book received in exchange for an honest review.)
There’s a lot to like in Defiant. First, I do want to take a moment to talk about how Xhea’s disability was handled. And I think it was done rather well. From personal experience, at least, I think that her reactions to the whole thing were pretty understandable, and well-expressed. I can’t say I’ve experienced permanent physical disabilities like Xhea’s, but I’ve dealt with tenporary-but-long-term ones, and the experience was remarkably similar. The initial denial, the drive to not do much of anything coupled with the insistence that no help is needed. The willingness to do something that will hurt like hell and may not be permanent if it just brings even a bit of relief. The frustration over experiencing how your body doesn’t want to cooperate when there are things that you need to get done and it doesn’t feel like playing nice. It’s ever-present, but it doesn’t stop her from doing what she can do when it’s within her limits, and it doesn’t stop her from pushing those limits when she deems the situation worth it (such as being life-threatening if she doesn’t ignore the screaming tearing pain in her knee and walk faster). I think it was presented very well, as a part of the character that she had to learn to work around and work with, but never something that defined her or so drastically changed her that she became her disability.
Secondly, I really like the way Xhea’s dark magic was expanded upon and really used to good effect here. No longer is it presented as an entirely unique ability. Just a really rare one. We get more information about what it does, how it works, what can be done with it that wasn’t expected. We get to see both the negative side of it and the positive, and I really liked the way that played into how the novel ended. I don’t want to go into too many details, but suffice it to say that I was surprised. It may have been a little deus ex machina, but it all still fit very well into the world that Sumner-Smith created.
Xhea and Shai, as before, make a wonderful team, even when they’re apart and working independently of each other. I love their friendship. I love how they have such a close strong bond, and I love that (at least as of this book) it hasn’t turned into romance. I see so much in media reinforcing the idea that someone close to you can only either be family or a romantic partner, and it’s rare to see people so close and still fit firmly into the friendship category. Rare, and so very refreshing and welcome when it does happen. Honestly, these two are probably the best example of friendship I’ve seen in SFF in a long time. They were thrown together by circumstance, but since that event they’ve grown closer and rely on each other. They’re like the poster children for committed friendship! It’s great!
One of the biggest problems I had with the first book in the trilogy, the feeling that I’m really coming in the middle of the story and the feeling that I should already know what a lot of hints are referring to, happily doesn’t occur here. Much of the specifics I felt that about last time, too, get fully addressed, and instead of feeling like plot points were being dangled out of reach, I felt like I finally had all the pieces and they were all in the right place. There was still plenty to reveal and to hold back until the time was right, making a good sense of mystery throughout the novel, but it didn’t leave me feeling like I was floundering in some places, like I had last time. The additional upside to this is that now I also want to go back and read the first book over again, with all this newfound knowledge, to see if some scenes make better sense now than they did before.
When people say that this is a series with strong female protagonists, they aren’t kidding. They aren’t strong in the sense that they carry big guns and can kick the butt of any problem they encounter. They’re strong in the way that they’re very much themselves, reliant on nobody else to define them, and so powerfully real that you can’t help but be even a little bit motivated to emulate them.They stand out by not standing out, by being themselves instead of being the opposite of a stereotype (which, in itself, has pretty much become a stereotype), and it’s wonderful to see. If strength is defined by being your own person, then Xhea and Shai are fantastically strong.
This is a series that should be getting more attention and hype than it is. It may not be a ground-breaking game-changer for speculative fiction, but it’s got so much to it; a rich story, a future that isn’t obsessed with being defined only by its past, characters who are complex and real, and politics and magic in spades! It’s one of the best post-apocalyptic urban fantasies I’ve ever found, and in that meld of genres it’s got a fairly wide appeal. I can’t wait to read the trilogy’s conclusion, and to see what Sumner-Smith will do next.
(Book received in exchange for an honest review.)
January 2, 2016
I'm happy to say this isn't one of those trilogies where the second book is a rehash of the first book, filling time and space till the third book gets published.
This book picks up beautifully from the first book and introduces a ton of depth to both the unique world that's been created and the characters within it.
Not much else to say here, if you enjoyed the first book, then you'll love where this one picks up and takes things.
Now I can't wait to read the third.
This book picks up beautifully from the first book and introduces a ton of depth to both the unique world that's been created and the characters within it.
Not much else to say here, if you enjoyed the first book, then you'll love where this one picks up and takes things.
Now I can't wait to read the third.
June 26, 2015
3.5 stars.
I love the unorthodox magic system that Karina. I wonder if She was/is a Final Fantasy VII fan because all I'm thinking when I read this series is that this is EXACTLY how Midgar would look...anyways 3.5 stars because the plotline didn't really progress until the very end. The author does however cover some of Xhea's past as well as a huge drawback to her OP Dark magic...
I love the unorthodox magic system that Karina. I wonder if She was/is a Final Fantasy VII fan because all I'm thinking when I read this series is that this is EXACTLY how Midgar would look...anyways 3.5 stars because the plotline didn't really progress until the very end. The author does however cover some of Xhea's past as well as a huge drawback to her OP Dark magic...
July 21, 2015
I have patiently been waiting to find the time where I could sit down and continue Xhea's journey. Defiant did not let me down, I enjoyed each and every moment of this book. I had a hard time putting this book down. I was very disappointed when the book came to an end because I wanted more. I cannot wait for the next one to be published. I highly recommend that people read this book.
January 4, 2016
'Defiant' is a brilliant read and a surprising sequel to 'Radiant'.
The Towers Trilogy Book Two was a highly enjoyable and much anticipated pleasure.
Now, of course, I have to wait for Karina to write Book Three, 'Towers Fall', but such is life.
The Towers Trilogy Book Two was a highly enjoyable and much anticipated pleasure.
Now, of course, I have to wait for Karina to write Book Three, 'Towers Fall', but such is life.
June 4, 2016
A sequel to Radiant, an excellent debut novel, and the middle book of a trilogy, I was happily surprised to see no evidence whatever of sophomore book syndrome. In fact quite the contrary, this is a better book! Rare and notable that.
December 27, 2016
A great sequel; I was initially concerned about the direction this story was headed, but it went elsewhere and I enjoyed it.
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