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Defier #1
Defier: The Girl Who Stood
Redemptive Fiction Award of Excellence Winner
One girl's faith makes her a soldier...
Seventeen-year-old Lennox Winters lives an average life in a small Texas town where nothing ever seems to happen, but that all changes in a blink of an eye. After her parents are murdered on the street, she questions everything she knows and soon finds out there was much more to their deaths. Now, there's a war in her own backyard and she has only two options...go on the run and fight to survive or submit to the new Regime taking over America and imprisoning Defiers--the ones who refuse to bow. In her search for answers, she will discover her own limits and the price of standing.
Faith will be tested.
Lives will be lost.
Truth will be found.
Are you brave enough to defy?
One girl's faith makes her a soldier...
Seventeen-year-old Lennox Winters lives an average life in a small Texas town where nothing ever seems to happen, but that all changes in a blink of an eye. After her parents are murdered on the street, she questions everything she knows and soon finds out there was much more to their deaths. Now, there's a war in her own backyard and she has only two options...go on the run and fight to survive or submit to the new Regime taking over America and imprisoning Defiers--the ones who refuse to bow. In her search for answers, she will discover her own limits and the price of standing.
Faith will be tested.
Lives will be lost.
Truth will be found.
Are you brave enough to defy?
270 pages, Paperback
First published June 29, 2015
39 people are currently reading
945 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
December 31, 2024
This is a book written by and for people deeply entrenched in christian persecution complex. Set in the US where an evil terrorist group led by a man named Ahab wants to get rid of christians, particularly in the US. And this evil terrorist group, in order to create panic, faked climate change using a device called the global weather simulator. Of course the "underground church" rises up to bravely stand when asked to kneel, blah blah blah
Full review:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2K3o...
Full review:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2K3o...
March 3, 2016
As a big fan of Christian dystopian, I happily agreed to read and review Defier: The Girl Who Stood when author Mandy Fender asked. Wow; I found it to be a very cool story, and am very pleased to have this beautiful book on my bookshelf!
Lennox Winters has just lost her parents, and is now trying to live life with her older brother and friends, as if her world doesn't feel like a tragedy. Things are going as well as can be expected ... until the night of prom. Suddenly, everything is thrown into chaos, and all Lennox knew has changed.
The ultimate battle for her life - and her faith - begins.
I really enjoyed this story! At first, I was kind of wondering if I would end up liking it, because it was so contemporary (modern-day) feeling. It didn't feel like the dystopian worlds I was used to. But then the action and craziness comes! And there was plenty of cool sci-fi/dystopian-ish stuff.
My favorite thing about Defier: The Girl Who Stood is the faith aspect. And the kind of 'Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednago and the fiery furnace" theme. The girl who stood! I love this display of standing for your God, no matter what. Of finding victory over crippling fear, through Christ. Of walking through the valley of the shadow of death, in a way, yet fearing no evil, because my God is with me! It is a very beautiful thing, and resounds powerfully. So that was definitely cool. LOVE Christian dystopian!!! <3 Such hope and fearlessness displayed amidst very dark and scary times.
There were a few things that made me pause, namely when it seemed Lennox was the POV character, but then it went and told what her brother or friend was thinking. That kind of pulled me out of the story for a moment. But overall, this was a lovely and easy read that kept me quite interested and turning pages!
I enjoyed the cast of characters. Lennox is relateable, especially with her fear and doubt. I really liked her, especially as the story progressed. From the bit we are shown, I loved her friend! Sky was also a very nice character, as well as his sweet grandpa! And Lennox's brother. And the other good characters you meet along the way! *smiles*
So, even though it's set in tense and dark times, a really neat story! As I mentioned above, it is more of a easy read, which is actually what I needed at the time. Great for teens to young adults. I myself am quite looking forward to more of this intriguing story!
I received a copy of Defier: The Girl Who Stood from the author in exchange for my honest review.
Lennox Winters has just lost her parents, and is now trying to live life with her older brother and friends, as if her world doesn't feel like a tragedy. Things are going as well as can be expected ... until the night of prom. Suddenly, everything is thrown into chaos, and all Lennox knew has changed.
The ultimate battle for her life - and her faith - begins.
I really enjoyed this story! At first, I was kind of wondering if I would end up liking it, because it was so contemporary (modern-day) feeling. It didn't feel like the dystopian worlds I was used to. But then the action and craziness comes! And there was plenty of cool sci-fi/dystopian-ish stuff.
My favorite thing about Defier: The Girl Who Stood is the faith aspect. And the kind of 'Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednago and the fiery furnace" theme. The girl who stood! I love this display of standing for your God, no matter what. Of finding victory over crippling fear, through Christ. Of walking through the valley of the shadow of death, in a way, yet fearing no evil, because my God is with me! It is a very beautiful thing, and resounds powerfully. So that was definitely cool. LOVE Christian dystopian!!! <3 Such hope and fearlessness displayed amidst very dark and scary times.
There were a few things that made me pause, namely when it seemed Lennox was the POV character, but then it went and told what her brother or friend was thinking. That kind of pulled me out of the story for a moment. But overall, this was a lovely and easy read that kept me quite interested and turning pages!
I enjoyed the cast of characters. Lennox is relateable, especially with her fear and doubt. I really liked her, especially as the story progressed. From the bit we are shown, I loved her friend! Sky was also a very nice character, as well as his sweet grandpa! And Lennox's brother. And the other good characters you meet along the way! *smiles*
So, even though it's set in tense and dark times, a really neat story! As I mentioned above, it is more of a easy read, which is actually what I needed at the time. Great for teens to young adults. I myself am quite looking forward to more of this intriguing story!
I received a copy of Defier: The Girl Who Stood from the author in exchange for my honest review.
June 29, 2016
Rating: Four point Five
The First thing that really stood out to me was the cover. It was love at first sight. ;) I mean, look at it! It’s gorgeous! I then looked up the book on Goodreads, and when I read what it was about, I immediately wanted it. After getting it, I excitedly tried to finish my current read quickly so as to read this, and I was not disappointed.
Let’s take a look at the characters, shall we? My favorite thing in this book had to be the characters. They were amazing, and I loved them so much. *hands them special chocolate* Lennox, the main character, was so marvelous. I just loved her so much. And we can’t forget Sky, now can we. Sky was super charming! And when Lennox seen his notebook…..*squeaks happily* I was totally fangirling!
Now to the setting. At first I was uncertain of the setting. The book is set in the year 2030, and seemed almost like a contemporary. Me not being the biggest contemporary fan was kind of leery of it. But then we got to later in the book, and we see all these cool sci-fi electronics, and inventions gizmos! I ended up rather liking it. :D
The Story line was very griping. It was full of awesome twists, and turns. And as I said up above, it had lots of cool electronics and inventions that had me captivated. The villains were great as well. They were positively chilling.
As for the problems, there was one. I wasn’t too crazy about the writing. It felt a bit distant. Like I was being told the story, rather than experiencing it. Other than that, this book was fabulous!
As for who I would recommend it for, I would recommend it to anyone looking for an inspiring, Christian Dystopian. As for recommended age, probably thirteen and up.
I received Defier: The Girl Who Stood from the author in exchange for an honest review.
The First thing that really stood out to me was the cover. It was love at first sight. ;) I mean, look at it! It’s gorgeous! I then looked up the book on Goodreads, and when I read what it was about, I immediately wanted it. After getting it, I excitedly tried to finish my current read quickly so as to read this, and I was not disappointed.
Let’s take a look at the characters, shall we? My favorite thing in this book had to be the characters. They were amazing, and I loved them so much. *hands them special chocolate* Lennox, the main character, was so marvelous. I just loved her so much. And we can’t forget Sky, now can we. Sky was super charming! And when Lennox seen his notebook…..*squeaks happily* I was totally fangirling!
Now to the setting. At first I was uncertain of the setting. The book is set in the year 2030, and seemed almost like a contemporary. Me not being the biggest contemporary fan was kind of leery of it. But then we got to later in the book, and we see all these cool sci-fi electronics, and inventions gizmos! I ended up rather liking it. :D
The Story line was very griping. It was full of awesome twists, and turns. And as I said up above, it had lots of cool electronics and inventions that had me captivated. The villains were great as well. They were positively chilling.
As for the problems, there was one. I wasn’t too crazy about the writing. It felt a bit distant. Like I was being told the story, rather than experiencing it. Other than that, this book was fabulous!
As for who I would recommend it for, I would recommend it to anyone looking for an inspiring, Christian Dystopian. As for recommended age, probably thirteen and up.
I received Defier: The Girl Who Stood from the author in exchange for an honest review.
June 18, 2021
About this book:
“One girl's faith makes her a soldier...
Seventeen-year-old Lennox Winters lives an average life in a small Texas town where nothing ever seems to happen, but that all changes in a blink of an eye. After her parents are murdered on the street, she questions everything she knows and soon finds out there was much more to their deaths. Now, there's a war in her own backyard and she has only two options...go on the run and fight to survive or submit to the new Regime taking over America and imprisoning Defiers--the ones who refuse to bow. In her search for answers, she will discover her own limits and the price of standing.
Faith will be tested.
Lives will be lost.
Truth will be found.
Are you brave enough to defy?”
Series: Book #1 in the “Defier” series.
Spiritual Content- 1 Thessalonians 2:2 at the dedication & Deuteronomy 31:6 at the beginning; Scriptures are read & mentioned; Prayers, saying The Lord’s Prayer, & Thanking God; Going to a church for a funeral & the sermon; Talks about God & faiths; ‘H’s are capitalized when referring to God; Lennox is mad at God for allowing this to happen at the beginning and struggles with it for the first part of the book; Lennox sees Heaven and her parents at one point; God talks to Lennox; Many mentions of God, Jesus Christ, trusting Him, & faiths; Mentions of prayers, praying, blessings over food, & thanking God; Mentions of Bibles, Bible reading, & those and events in the Bible; Mentions of churches, church going, preachers, choirs, & worshiping; Mentions of Christians; A few mentions of miracles; A mention of a blessing; A mention of a Godsend; A mention of a God-fearing town;
*Note: The villain of this series thinks he is God, makes people bow down to him and denounce whatever faith they are; Mentions of the Bible being illegal.
Negative Content- Minor cussing including: a ‘blasted’ and five ‘stupid’s; A bit of eye rolling; Extreme Pain, Injuries, Blood/Bleeding, & A Near Death Experience (semi-detailed); Being in a Gas Chamber; Knocking someone out (up to semi-detailed); Seeing people killed/murdered (barely-above-not-detailed); An explosion & earthquake (semi-detailed); Nightmares & Illusions (including one with snakes and another being strangled, up to semi-detailed); Many mentions of deaths/murders (including Lennox’s parents and another loved one), seeing deaths, & the terrorist organization who did it (semi-detailed); Mentions of weather disasters & deaths (including seeing your parents swept away, barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of pain, injuries, & blood/bleeding (barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of punishments & torture (barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of a gas chamber; Mentions of explosions & fires; Mentions of fighting; Mentions of guns/weapons & them being aimed at people; Mentions of hatred; Mentions of nightmares & illusions (up to semi-detailed); A few mentions of wars; A couple mentions of a mother abandoning her child; A couple mentions of throwing up; A mention of threats; A mention of bullies;
*Note: Mentions of a creature (a result of a science experiment from the villain’s side) that can steal someone’s soul; A few mentions of a car brand.
Sexual Content- Touches & Dancing; A few mentions of Lennox’s friend who plans not to date until getting her life right with God; A few mentions of crushes, liking someone, & blushes; A mention of boy drama; A bit of crushing on someone, noticing his handsomeness, & those feelings.
-Lennox Winters, age 17-18
P.O.V. of Lennox
Set in 2030
270 pages
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- One Star
New Teens- One Star
Early High School Teens- Two Stars
Older High School Teens- Three Stars
My personal Rating- Two Stars (and a half)
{Probably not the best for girls sensitive to death.}
This was interesting. The first ten chapters are terribly sad and I was a little upset that when I look at reviews prior to reading, I saw no one mentioning that. It’s the after the death of her parents and then another loved one dies, so warning, if you’re a sensitive soul.
Let’s say that was the first third of the book, the next third, I had a hard time getting into. There was a lot of things that felt convenient for the plot and went as exactly as I expected it to go. There were also some parts that would probably be realistic for the time period (because it was a dystopian world where Christianity has become basically illegal), but it was still a bit much for my stomach. (Confession: This could be because my sensitivity level was higher than normal after those sad first ten chapters.)
The last third I got more into, because it was more like I was expecting of fighting against a corrupt government and helping a rebellion. It also had the most faith content and really focused on the message of as Believers, it doesn’t matter what happens to us on earth, victory is ours at the end because the evil in the world can’t take away our salvation. Which I think is a timely message for how the world currently is, despite this book being written in 2015.
The writing style wasn’t my favorite, so I’m currently on the fence if I would read the second book and continue the series. I think I won’t rush off to read it, but maybe someday I’ll be in the mood to see what happens next.
Link to review:
https://booksforchristiangirls.blogsp...
*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.
“One girl's faith makes her a soldier...
Seventeen-year-old Lennox Winters lives an average life in a small Texas town where nothing ever seems to happen, but that all changes in a blink of an eye. After her parents are murdered on the street, she questions everything she knows and soon finds out there was much more to their deaths. Now, there's a war in her own backyard and she has only two options...go on the run and fight to survive or submit to the new Regime taking over America and imprisoning Defiers--the ones who refuse to bow. In her search for answers, she will discover her own limits and the price of standing.
Faith will be tested.
Lives will be lost.
Truth will be found.
Are you brave enough to defy?”
Series: Book #1 in the “Defier” series.
Spiritual Content- 1 Thessalonians 2:2 at the dedication & Deuteronomy 31:6 at the beginning; Scriptures are read & mentioned; Prayers, saying The Lord’s Prayer, & Thanking God; Going to a church for a funeral & the sermon; Talks about God & faiths; ‘H’s are capitalized when referring to God; Lennox is mad at God for allowing this to happen at the beginning and struggles with it for the first part of the book; Lennox sees Heaven and her parents at one point; God talks to Lennox; Many mentions of God, Jesus Christ, trusting Him, & faiths; Mentions of prayers, praying, blessings over food, & thanking God; Mentions of Bibles, Bible reading, & those and events in the Bible; Mentions of churches, church going, preachers, choirs, & worshiping; Mentions of Christians; A few mentions of miracles; A mention of a blessing; A mention of a Godsend; A mention of a God-fearing town;
*Note: The villain of this series thinks he is God, makes people bow down to him and denounce whatever faith they are; Mentions of the Bible being illegal.
Negative Content- Minor cussing including: a ‘blasted’ and five ‘stupid’s; A bit of eye rolling; Extreme Pain, Injuries, Blood/Bleeding, & A Near Death Experience (semi-detailed); Being in a Gas Chamber; Knocking someone out (up to semi-detailed); Seeing people killed/murdered (barely-above-not-detailed); An explosion & earthquake (semi-detailed); Nightmares & Illusions (including one with snakes and another being strangled, up to semi-detailed); Many mentions of deaths/murders (including Lennox’s parents and another loved one), seeing deaths, & the terrorist organization who did it (semi-detailed); Mentions of weather disasters & deaths (including seeing your parents swept away, barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of pain, injuries, & blood/bleeding (barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of punishments & torture (barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of a gas chamber; Mentions of explosions & fires; Mentions of fighting; Mentions of guns/weapons & them being aimed at people; Mentions of hatred; Mentions of nightmares & illusions (up to semi-detailed); A few mentions of wars; A couple mentions of a mother abandoning her child; A couple mentions of throwing up; A mention of threats; A mention of bullies;
*Note: Mentions of a creature (a result of a science experiment from the villain’s side) that can steal someone’s soul; A few mentions of a car brand.
Sexual Content- Touches & Dancing; A few mentions of Lennox’s friend who plans not to date until getting her life right with God; A few mentions of crushes, liking someone, & blushes; A mention of boy drama; A bit of crushing on someone, noticing his handsomeness, & those feelings.
-Lennox Winters, age 17-18
P.O.V. of Lennox
Set in 2030
270 pages
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- One Star
New Teens- One Star
Early High School Teens- Two Stars
Older High School Teens- Three Stars
My personal Rating- Two Stars (and a half)
{Probably not the best for girls sensitive to death.}
This was interesting. The first ten chapters are terribly sad and I was a little upset that when I look at reviews prior to reading, I saw no one mentioning that. It’s the after the death of her parents and then another loved one dies, so warning, if you’re a sensitive soul.
Let’s say that was the first third of the book, the next third, I had a hard time getting into. There was a lot of things that felt convenient for the plot and went as exactly as I expected it to go. There were also some parts that would probably be realistic for the time period (because it was a dystopian world where Christianity has become basically illegal), but it was still a bit much for my stomach. (Confession: This could be because my sensitivity level was higher than normal after those sad first ten chapters.)
The last third I got more into, because it was more like I was expecting of fighting against a corrupt government and helping a rebellion. It also had the most faith content and really focused on the message of as Believers, it doesn’t matter what happens to us on earth, victory is ours at the end because the evil in the world can’t take away our salvation. Which I think is a timely message for how the world currently is, despite this book being written in 2015.
The writing style wasn’t my favorite, so I’m currently on the fence if I would read the second book and continue the series. I think I won’t rush off to read it, but maybe someday I’ll be in the mood to see what happens next.
Link to review:
https://booksforchristiangirls.blogsp...
*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.
Read
March 18, 2016For some reason my account read that I rated my own book and while of course I love it ***smile*** I removed a star rating because I am definitely biased.
I wrote Defier to spark faith and courage in all who read it or, at least, that is my heart. I love to write and if I can give that back to God I am going to do it.
There is violence and Christian persecution in this series to portray the truth of what believers have and will endure for their faith.
I was inspired to write the Defier series after I witnessed extreme persecution against believers. These amazing men and women stood for their faith while under scrutiny and attack. I want the Defier series to shine a light on the men and women who are brave for Christ to encourage others to be brave as well.
I chose to write it in a way where you travel with Lennox as the world unravels around her into a Dystopian setting so that you can see how it all falls apart.
Hope you are blessed by it!
#DefytheOdds #TakeAStand #StandforChrist
I wrote Defier to spark faith and courage in all who read it or, at least, that is my heart. I love to write and if I can give that back to God I am going to do it.
There is violence and Christian persecution in this series to portray the truth of what believers have and will endure for their faith.
I was inspired to write the Defier series after I witnessed extreme persecution against believers. These amazing men and women stood for their faith while under scrutiny and attack. I want the Defier series to shine a light on the men and women who are brave for Christ to encourage others to be brave as well.
I chose to write it in a way where you travel with Lennox as the world unravels around her into a Dystopian setting so that you can see how it all falls apart.
Hope you are blessed by it!
#DefytheOdds #TakeAStand #StandforChrist
August 23, 2017
"Faith was a reason to fight." - Lennox
Truly this quote above reflects everything about DEFIER. Though I prefer first POV, I still was strongly touched by Lennox's story and how she came to be known as "the girl who stood." It was thought-provoking and I believe faith-challenging for me personally.
I had come to a place in reading where I had to stop and really think about if I am serving the Lord with my callings. I don't feel lead to be a missionary, but I see the impact as Lennox's life reflects that our faith can have around us wherever we are. I saw the importance of being real with your struggles with others so that together (hopefully!) we can be overcomers. It was very encouraging because I have struggled with both of these in the past.
Also, I really loved the science fiction part of this book. It was so cool! Okay, not cool for the characters, but really "fun" to read about.
Overall, this a "different" kind of dystopian read and recommend it to readers who are looking for a read that will challenge them and spur them to search for a faith that is truly worth fighting for.
Truly this quote above reflects everything about DEFIER. Though I prefer first POV, I still was strongly touched by Lennox's story and how she came to be known as "the girl who stood." It was thought-provoking and I believe faith-challenging for me personally.
I had come to a place in reading where I had to stop and really think about if I am serving the Lord with my callings. I don't feel lead to be a missionary, but I see the impact as Lennox's life reflects that our faith can have around us wherever we are. I saw the importance of being real with your struggles with others so that together (hopefully!) we can be overcomers. It was very encouraging because I have struggled with both of these in the past.
Also, I really loved the science fiction part of this book. It was so cool! Okay, not cool for the characters, but really "fun" to read about.
Overall, this a "different" kind of dystopian read and recommend it to readers who are looking for a read that will challenge them and spur them to search for a faith that is truly worth fighting for.
June 8, 2016
In a world at war, one girl's faith makes her a soldier...
Synopsis: Lennox Winters is a normal 17 year old girl who goes through some very emotionally tough experiences in futuristic America that leave her faith barely alive. When she loses her parents to the terrorist group, the Regime, she has to make a run for it with her best friend. When Christ reveals Himself to her in a way she cannot ignore, she has to decide if her faith is worth fighting for. Is Christ worth becoming a Defier for? Will she stand up for what she believes when the world bows to evil?
To live is gain and to die is gain.
My thoughts: First off, thanks so much, Mrs. Fender for sending me this book to review! Overall I really liked this book! The characters were A+. I loved seeing the character development the characters went through, especially Lennox. If you compare the person she started out as at the beginning of the book, to the character she ended up as at the end, it is really a shocking transformation. The transformation she went through is synonymous to any person that comes to know the Lord Jesus as their Lord and Savior. I loved how the author was truly not afraid to broach the topic of standing firm in your faith and the points she made easily applied to my life. I was struggling with fear, worry, and anxiety when I started reading this book, but the points the author made really made me think about my faith and by the end, my soul was calmed. Thank you, Mrs. Fender, for writing a book with such depth and truth and meaning!
I also loved the side characters. Her friend, Sky, is the epitome of Christian gentlemen. So many YA books nowadays have the accompanying male character as a "bad boy" and I get sick of that. How is that setting a good example to boys in today's society? Sky is such a good example. Because of him, I can easily recommend this book to girls and boys! Her other friend, Kira, is the friend any girl would want to have. Kira is strong in the faith and cares more about Jesus Christ than boyfriends. Whoa! What a great example for young girls! And lastly, Lennox's brother, Oliver, is absolutely amazing. He reminds me of my own brother...constantly caring and loving. Oliver is always there for Lennox and she's always there for him. Again, many YA books are missing close-sibling relationships, and that's such a shame. Mrs. Fender sets forth an excellent sibling-example in this book and I greatly appreciate that.
As for the world, it was like Armageddon, in a way. Quite terrifying!
And, can we just appreciate that cover for a minute? I LOVE purple and that purple bird set against the white background is SO pretty! <3
Alrighty, so I had 2 reasons I took off a star from my rating. Firstly, I felt that the book lacked details toward the latter half of the book. However, the first half had lots of details and I felt I was right in the story! Secondly, the issues were resolved super quickly and easily, so I would've liked a bit more conflict. :)
Overall I really enjoyed this book and am looking forward to the next one!
Who I'd recommend this book to: I'd recommend this book to anyone 12+. Don't let the girly cover fool you; boys can read this too! I think kids in Middle Grade would find a lot of enjoyment in this book and get inspired by these excellent role-model-worthy characters!
Content: There was no language or romance. The romance was just the acknowledgement of feelings for another person. As for the violence, I'd rate it on a moderate level. Some of the situations the characters are put through are quite scary and might be disturbing for younger children. There are these biologically-altered predators that are very scary and might cause nightmares for children. Characters are tortured and the loss of parents might be triggering to people who went through a traumatic situation like that. However, I feel that the help that Lennox received during the loss of her parents could be helpful to those who have lost their parents.
I received a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Synopsis: Lennox Winters is a normal 17 year old girl who goes through some very emotionally tough experiences in futuristic America that leave her faith barely alive. When she loses her parents to the terrorist group, the Regime, she has to make a run for it with her best friend. When Christ reveals Himself to her in a way she cannot ignore, she has to decide if her faith is worth fighting for. Is Christ worth becoming a Defier for? Will she stand up for what she believes when the world bows to evil?
To live is gain and to die is gain.
My thoughts: First off, thanks so much, Mrs. Fender for sending me this book to review! Overall I really liked this book! The characters were A+. I loved seeing the character development the characters went through, especially Lennox. If you compare the person she started out as at the beginning of the book, to the character she ended up as at the end, it is really a shocking transformation. The transformation she went through is synonymous to any person that comes to know the Lord Jesus as their Lord and Savior. I loved how the author was truly not afraid to broach the topic of standing firm in your faith and the points she made easily applied to my life. I was struggling with fear, worry, and anxiety when I started reading this book, but the points the author made really made me think about my faith and by the end, my soul was calmed. Thank you, Mrs. Fender, for writing a book with such depth and truth and meaning!
I also loved the side characters. Her friend, Sky, is the epitome of Christian gentlemen. So many YA books nowadays have the accompanying male character as a "bad boy" and I get sick of that. How is that setting a good example to boys in today's society? Sky is such a good example. Because of him, I can easily recommend this book to girls and boys! Her other friend, Kira, is the friend any girl would want to have. Kira is strong in the faith and cares more about Jesus Christ than boyfriends. Whoa! What a great example for young girls! And lastly, Lennox's brother, Oliver, is absolutely amazing. He reminds me of my own brother...constantly caring and loving. Oliver is always there for Lennox and she's always there for him. Again, many YA books are missing close-sibling relationships, and that's such a shame. Mrs. Fender sets forth an excellent sibling-example in this book and I greatly appreciate that.
As for the world, it was like Armageddon, in a way. Quite terrifying!
And, can we just appreciate that cover for a minute? I LOVE purple and that purple bird set against the white background is SO pretty! <3
Alrighty, so I had 2 reasons I took off a star from my rating. Firstly, I felt that the book lacked details toward the latter half of the book. However, the first half had lots of details and I felt I was right in the story! Secondly, the issues were resolved super quickly and easily, so I would've liked a bit more conflict. :)
Overall I really enjoyed this book and am looking forward to the next one!
Who I'd recommend this book to: I'd recommend this book to anyone 12+. Don't let the girly cover fool you; boys can read this too! I think kids in Middle Grade would find a lot of enjoyment in this book and get inspired by these excellent role-model-worthy characters!
Content: There was no language or romance. The romance was just the acknowledgement of feelings for another person. As for the violence, I'd rate it on a moderate level. Some of the situations the characters are put through are quite scary and might be disturbing for younger children. There are these biologically-altered predators that are very scary and might cause nightmares for children. Characters are tortured and the loss of parents might be triggering to people who went through a traumatic situation like that. However, I feel that the help that Lennox received during the loss of her parents could be helpful to those who have lost their parents.
I received a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
November 23, 2016
Actual Rating 3.9
So, review time!
I liked this book! It was good. There where however a few things that I'd didn't like.
What I liked:
I really liked the really good quotes! I have so many pages folded over and underlined from the random beautiful quotes! I liked sky and Lennox's relationship and her faith nice.
what I didn't like:
There where quite a few time jumps and idk, I just felt like I was missing out on something. The writing was good but I really feel like I would have cared for the characters more if it where in first person which leads me to the next thing: I didn't really care about the characters, like, I wanted to know what happened next put it wasn't a deep passion like IF THIS CHARACTER WHERE TO DIE MY SOUL WOULD BE CRUSHED. one other thing is that her faith just seemed rushed like, one minute she didn't understand God and didn't really like Him and then the next she had unbreakable faith and idk, that's just not how real faith is ya know?
Verdict:
completely clean!
side note:
with this book it may have been a 'it's not you it's me' situation, I really like books written in the first person and so maybe this one just threw me off.
Anywho. overall the plot was very interesting but the writting just really threw me off.
So, review time!
I liked this book! It was good. There where however a few things that I'd didn't like.
What I liked:
I really liked the really good quotes! I have so many pages folded over and underlined from the random beautiful quotes! I liked sky and Lennox's relationship and her faith nice.
what I didn't like:
There where quite a few time jumps and idk, I just felt like I was missing out on something. The writing was good but I really feel like I would have cared for the characters more if it where in first person which leads me to the next thing: I didn't really care about the characters, like, I wanted to know what happened next put it wasn't a deep passion like IF THIS CHARACTER WHERE TO DIE MY SOUL WOULD BE CRUSHED. one other thing is that her faith just seemed rushed like, one minute she didn't understand God and didn't really like Him and then the next she had unbreakable faith and idk, that's just not how real faith is ya know?
Verdict:
completely clean!
side note:
with this book it may have been a 'it's not you it's me' situation, I really like books written in the first person and so maybe this one just threw me off.
Anywho. overall the plot was very interesting but the writting just really threw me off.
May 13, 2019
I was so sure I was going to LOVE this book but I just wasn't impressed. The main thing being the writing felt amateurish and the dialogue weak. One thing in particular that bugged me was the characters never using contractions when they spoke, which I always hate in books because it makes them sound like robots. No one talks like that and it doesn't flow or feel natural!! Does this bother anyone else??? It also POV hopped a little bit. Not much, but enough to completely throw me off a few times. The cover design is my favorite thing about this book honestly.
2 1/2 stars.
2 1/2 stars.
June 15, 2025
The writing was weird and choppy, they kept saying "it is not" instead of "isn't" and it pulled me out of the story in an abrupt way, plus there was too much detail and nothing really flowed. i love the cover though and the biblical aspect of it. but if you don't mind any of the above things then you would enjoy this
August 7, 2015
Standing up for Christ
Mandy has done a wonderful job at presenting her message to stand up for Christ. Her writing was compelling and inspiring. I thank her dad for directing me to Mandy and Defier.
Mandy has done a wonderful job at presenting her message to stand up for Christ. Her writing was compelling and inspiring. I thank her dad for directing me to Mandy and Defier.
July 27, 2016
My review shall be coming soon!!!
January 13, 2016
Great inspiring read. Wish there was more!
I found a sponsored ad for this book on Facebook one day, and the plot summary had me intrigued from the start. It's super easy for Christian fiction to get missed by most readers, and that is a shame.
DEFIER is 2 things: an action novel, and an inspiration to any Christian who ever comes under persecution, or who may fear it one day. Because you know what, God's got your back!
Lennox is a very well developed character. She goes through just about every emotion you possibly could over the course of this novel. Sadness, anger, fear, love, happiness, etc. As she and Sky make their way through war-torn country, you feel their fear. Mandy Fender is wonderful at really pulling you in to feel those same emotions throughout the entire novel.
Lennox and Sky battle through so many hardships over the course of this novel, each time coming out stronger. But it's nice to watch them also question how they should feel. Lennox's biggest internal struggle is with her belief in God, and while you're silently wishing you could shake her awake, you also understand her feelings. I found myself rooting for her so hard the entire time!
My one complaint? I wanted more. At times, I felt like I was being rushed through many extremely dramatic scenes. And maybe that was intentional? I can only write what I feel. The novel is very, very fast paced and I don't know that it had to be. As much as I'm not a HUGE fan of serials, I think this book would have thrived in two parts. Part one leading up to them entering the city. Part two through the end. I think there was definitely enough there to pull that off. I just found it hard to let anything sink in at any point because as soon as a big scene ended, another one was ramping up.
On its own, the novel is wonderful. I just wish it was able to slow down a little. DEFIER fills you with hope considering the current state of affairs in the world. Christians will be persecuted for their beliefs. The Bible says so. And if that terrifies you, read this book. Take in the miracles that God can perform for his believers. And let the book remind you that your beliefs will carry you through death. Heaven is eternal.
I found a sponsored ad for this book on Facebook one day, and the plot summary had me intrigued from the start. It's super easy for Christian fiction to get missed by most readers, and that is a shame.
DEFIER is 2 things: an action novel, and an inspiration to any Christian who ever comes under persecution, or who may fear it one day. Because you know what, God's got your back!
Lennox is a very well developed character. She goes through just about every emotion you possibly could over the course of this novel. Sadness, anger, fear, love, happiness, etc. As she and Sky make their way through war-torn country, you feel their fear. Mandy Fender is wonderful at really pulling you in to feel those same emotions throughout the entire novel.
Lennox and Sky battle through so many hardships over the course of this novel, each time coming out stronger. But it's nice to watch them also question how they should feel. Lennox's biggest internal struggle is with her belief in God, and while you're silently wishing you could shake her awake, you also understand her feelings. I found myself rooting for her so hard the entire time!
My one complaint? I wanted more. At times, I felt like I was being rushed through many extremely dramatic scenes. And maybe that was intentional? I can only write what I feel. The novel is very, very fast paced and I don't know that it had to be. As much as I'm not a HUGE fan of serials, I think this book would have thrived in two parts. Part one leading up to them entering the city. Part two through the end. I think there was definitely enough there to pull that off. I just found it hard to let anything sink in at any point because as soon as a big scene ended, another one was ramping up.
On its own, the novel is wonderful. I just wish it was able to slow down a little. DEFIER fills you with hope considering the current state of affairs in the world. Christians will be persecuted for their beliefs. The Bible says so. And if that terrifies you, read this book. Take in the miracles that God can perform for his believers. And let the book remind you that your beliefs will carry you through death. Heaven is eternal.
April 18, 2016
Who do you decide to follow?
In the end...
Will you be brave enough to stand for your faith in Jesus?
Or will you choose fear?
A world of choice, not too different from our own at the moment. A very relevant yet, futuristic story. I loved Lennox and Sky. Her struggle was very tangible and her character arc was well written.
I also loved Kira, and Clover, and Oliver. I truly admired the bravery and strength that sprung into my heart as I read through the pages.
The beginning was tough to weed through at first--A tiny bit slow paced. It didn't help that the actual paperback book was held at the border and couldn't get to me too (usually read faster this way) :(
BUT, soon it was in my hands and I had my specs on to devour it :D
I am so glad I did! This book is a solid 3.5 stars!
The elements of faith are truly a delight to read and follow. Mandy did an incredible job at bringing out genuine faith and standing for ones faith. If the beginning wasn't slow to get into and if some aspects seemed a tiny bit more realistic throughout the rest of the story from how it started, I would have rated it a 4!
The middle and the end make up for it though and Lennox destiny makes its mark as she is thrown into the future with an incredible task to do! It was such a great read for me! One that makes you think and is a story worth reading if you are christian anywhere!
Recommended as a Christian YA Dystopian/Apocalyptic Fiction Book
13+
In the end...
Will you be brave enough to stand for your faith in Jesus?
Or will you choose fear?
A world of choice, not too different from our own at the moment. A very relevant yet, futuristic story. I loved Lennox and Sky. Her struggle was very tangible and her character arc was well written.
I also loved Kira, and Clover, and Oliver. I truly admired the bravery and strength that sprung into my heart as I read through the pages.
The beginning was tough to weed through at first--A tiny bit slow paced. It didn't help that the actual paperback book was held at the border and couldn't get to me too (usually read faster this way) :(
BUT, soon it was in my hands and I had my specs on to devour it :D
I am so glad I did! This book is a solid 3.5 stars!
The elements of faith are truly a delight to read and follow. Mandy did an incredible job at bringing out genuine faith and standing for ones faith. If the beginning wasn't slow to get into and if some aspects seemed a tiny bit more realistic throughout the rest of the story from how it started, I would have rated it a 4!
The middle and the end make up for it though and Lennox destiny makes its mark as she is thrown into the future with an incredible task to do! It was such a great read for me! One that makes you think and is a story worth reading if you are christian anywhere!
Recommended as a Christian YA Dystopian/Apocalyptic Fiction Book
13+
September 24, 2015
I was so thrilled to have won this book through the goodreads giveaway page!!!
This book is so fantastic! Lennox has such great faith in God to get her through the trials. The most beautiful part of this story is when she is in the middle of a trial and she just stands in complete trust and raises her hands and praises God. This story left me wondering if I would be able to stand in my faith in God as strong as Lennox! I really enjoyed the whole story overall and it was very believable that this could really happen in current times. The author did a wonderful job and I would gladly read anything else she has written or will write in the future!!! I'd love another book about what Lennox is doing!!!
I definitely recommend this book!!!
This book is so fantastic! Lennox has such great faith in God to get her through the trials. The most beautiful part of this story is when she is in the middle of a trial and she just stands in complete trust and raises her hands and praises God. This story left me wondering if I would be able to stand in my faith in God as strong as Lennox! I really enjoyed the whole story overall and it was very believable that this could really happen in current times. The author did a wonderful job and I would gladly read anything else she has written or will write in the future!!! I'd love another book about what Lennox is doing!!!
I definitely recommend this book!!!
February 15, 2018
I'm an avid dystopian reader, and though I've had this book since December of 2015, I didn't actually read it until a couple of days ago. I'm Christian, as is my family. A day or so before finally reading Defier I had been telling my mom about one of the dystopian books I had just read, which is something I frequently do, and she made a comment basically about how she wished there were Christian dystopian books where Christianity is a good thing instead of Christianity being the villain oppressing and to fight against. I have a few Christian dystopian book series in my collection so I knew they existed, I just hadn't gotten around to reading them, and I go on to tell her that this does in fact exist outside of the one example she could think of, The Left Behind series. The first series that sprang to mind was Defier, which has been on my TBR "list" (and on my Kindles) for awhile, and I proceed to tell my mom what the synopsis is, and she seems to brighten. I read Defier the very next day.
I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THIS BOOK! I wish I'd read it sooner. I devoured it starting in the morning and didn't stop til I was done. I've been sick and it was a pleasant way to try to destract myself. My mom, as she puts it, "isn't much of a reader", so I proceed to tell her all about it, with my MANY nifty notes and highlights in my Kindle to refer to. I told her about the "full on Daniel in the Lions Den, and Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego" (yes I actually said that) happening. With all the dystopian books I read it was extremely refreshing to not only read about Christianity in a positive light, but it also wasn't a politicized Christianity. It's a beautiful message and wonderfully illustrates what I believe Faith in God really means. I own book 2 and have KU so I have access to book 3, and I'm looking forward to reading them.
My mom lets me rave about the books I read, I think, because she likes to see my passion for what I'm reading, she really has no interest in the vast majority of the books themselves. I think she liked seeing me not just go on about a book I love, but the fact that it has a positive Christian message and I was excited about the message just made it better. My family worries about me and my relationship with God, mostly (I think) because of my mental illnesses and questions if I'm truely saved because I'm not as "conservative" as they are. I believe that Defier is a book, that is neither "conservative" nor "liberal", it simply is a universal message about what it is to be Christian and, again, what Faith in God really means.
I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THIS BOOK! I wish I'd read it sooner. I devoured it starting in the morning and didn't stop til I was done. I've been sick and it was a pleasant way to try to destract myself. My mom, as she puts it, "isn't much of a reader", so I proceed to tell her all about it, with my MANY nifty notes and highlights in my Kindle to refer to. I told her about the "full on Daniel in the Lions Den, and Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego" (yes I actually said that) happening. With all the dystopian books I read it was extremely refreshing to not only read about Christianity in a positive light, but it also wasn't a politicized Christianity. It's a beautiful message and wonderfully illustrates what I believe Faith in God really means. I own book 2 and have KU so I have access to book 3, and I'm looking forward to reading them.
My mom lets me rave about the books I read, I think, because she likes to see my passion for what I'm reading, she really has no interest in the vast majority of the books themselves. I think she liked seeing me not just go on about a book I love, but the fact that it has a positive Christian message and I was excited about the message just made it better. My family worries about me and my relationship with God, mostly (I think) because of my mental illnesses and questions if I'm truely saved because I'm not as "conservative" as they are. I believe that Defier is a book, that is neither "conservative" nor "liberal", it simply is a universal message about what it is to be Christian and, again, what Faith in God really means.
September 15, 2020
Some stories are fast-paced, and some a rushed. Unfortunately, this one felt rushed.
I LOVED the premise. The story had the potential for some amazing moments. The dystopian world was really cool, but the way that it was shown fell flat for me. If the world had more time to be shown and developed through the story, it would have been great.
I liked the characters, but even they were rushed. The changes/supposed growth was so quick that it didn't feel authentic. It seemed almost ridiculous at how fast the changes came. I actually asked out loud a few times, "Really? Wasn't he/she just [whatever emotion/view they'd felt a page before]?" It was way to fast/rushed.
The editing was unusual. I don't know if was the writing style, or just not grammatically edited properly, but the sentence structure/phrasing was jarring and irritating. I had to speed read, just to move past that (and I don't like speed reading).
The climactic moments were so short and not fleshed out enough. It felt anti-climactic... Almost like "Was that it? Oh, I missed it."
The only thing that WASN'T rushed, was TOO slow - which was the bible perspectives and story references. I LOVE Christian fiction, but this felt very preachy and almost irrelevant to the story. Don't get me wrong, love a good Christian book with heaps of themes and/or references, but it was just too much, too hard, and too often.
It's sad to say the points above because again, the premise had so much amazing POTENTIAL to be great!! I did still enjoy it (hence the 3 star rating), but I had to look past a lot. I'll probably read the next book, but not for a while (there are other books on my reading list that are more captivating).
I LOVED the premise. The story had the potential for some amazing moments. The dystopian world was really cool, but the way that it was shown fell flat for me. If the world had more time to be shown and developed through the story, it would have been great.
I liked the characters, but even they were rushed. The changes/supposed growth was so quick that it didn't feel authentic. It seemed almost ridiculous at how fast the changes came. I actually asked out loud a few times, "Really? Wasn't he/she just [whatever emotion/view they'd felt a page before]?" It was way to fast/rushed.
The editing was unusual. I don't know if was the writing style, or just not grammatically edited properly, but the sentence structure/phrasing was jarring and irritating. I had to speed read, just to move past that (and I don't like speed reading).
The climactic moments were so short and not fleshed out enough. It felt anti-climactic... Almost like "Was that it? Oh, I missed it."
The only thing that WASN'T rushed, was TOO slow - which was the bible perspectives and story references. I LOVE Christian fiction, but this felt very preachy and almost irrelevant to the story. Don't get me wrong, love a good Christian book with heaps of themes and/or references, but it was just too much, too hard, and too often.
It's sad to say the points above because again, the premise had so much amazing POTENTIAL to be great!! I did still enjoy it (hence the 3 star rating), but I had to look past a lot. I'll probably read the next book, but not for a while (there are other books on my reading list that are more captivating).
August 20, 2024
I’m not quite sure what to say about this one. I listened to it on audiobook, and it was read by a virtual voice (therefore not a real human). The overall storyline was a good, meaningful one, and I enjoyed listening to a story that was similar in some ways to stories in the Bible where people take a stand against evil and hold fast to their trust in the Lord.
At times, I would feel distracted or not engaged with the story. At others, I felt confused or like it was moving from one thing to the next too quickly.
As for content, I don’t feel like I was attentive enough to the story to have caught it all, but there was minimal romance (a character has a crush/feelings for another character), no foul language that I heard, and nothing overly gory or descriptive in the violence category. This is a story that definitely depicts a fight of good vs. evil, so expect the content to line up with that.
Maybe I would have enjoyed it better if I had read a physical copy of it instead. Overall, it wasn’t a bad book, I just didn’t love it as much as I thought I would.
Recommended for ages 13+ due to some violence, intense scenes, etc.
3 stars.
At times, I would feel distracted or not engaged with the story. At others, I felt confused or like it was moving from one thing to the next too quickly.
As for content, I don’t feel like I was attentive enough to the story to have caught it all, but there was minimal romance (a character has a crush/feelings for another character), no foul language that I heard, and nothing overly gory or descriptive in the violence category. This is a story that definitely depicts a fight of good vs. evil, so expect the content to line up with that.
Maybe I would have enjoyed it better if I had read a physical copy of it instead. Overall, it wasn’t a bad book, I just didn’t love it as much as I thought I would.
Recommended for ages 13+ due to some violence, intense scenes, etc.
3 stars.
January 22, 2018
I just can’t say enough about this book! I enjoyed it so much. It had amazing faith content, an interesting plot, sweet characters, and pages that could not be turned fast enough. I am looking forward to reading the second book. Oh, that reminds me! Can we talk about this cover? It’s amazing and the story inside is even more amazing! Just reading the dedication page, then flipping and seeing the Bible verse in huge font. I knew this was going to be a wonderful story! I was not let down. Of course, I rate this as "read it".
Full review: https://readitorleaveitblog.blogspot....
**I received this book for free from the author for this honest review.
Full review: https://readitorleaveitblog.blogspot....
**I received this book for free from the author for this honest review.
November 15, 2020
This was such an amazing book! I practically read it in a day. It was very clean, and very engaging!
Read my full review on my book blog here:
https://justabookishblog.wixsite.com/...
Or visit my book blog and see all my reviews here:
https://justabookishblog.wixsite.com/...
Read my full review on my book blog here:
https://justabookishblog.wixsite.com/...
Or visit my book blog and see all my reviews here:
https://justabookishblog.wixsite.com/...
September 9, 2017
Great book!
Fast pace and well written with believable and likable characters. I'm looking forward to reading the next book. Good job!
Fast pace and well written with believable and likable characters. I'm looking forward to reading the next book. Good job!
September 26, 2018
There were some inconsistencies and the story failed to really hook me at the beginning, but the later 1/2-2/3 of the book was more exciting and suspenseful.
September 11, 2020
Good Book
Really enjoyed the plot and storyline. I like the faith story through out the book. Can’t wait to see how the characters are developed in the next books.
Really enjoyed the plot and storyline. I like the faith story through out the book. Can’t wait to see how the characters are developed in the next books.
January 10, 2025
Appallingly written conspiracy garbage by a religious fundie who clearly spends too much time watching Fox 'News'.
February 8, 2025
No, ew
March 31, 2025
Defier was really bad. The concept was there, but the writing was just not good at all.
July 9, 2025
4. 5 Stars. Love the faith content!
August 6, 2025
this was so stupid. Christian propaganda from fundementalists
October 6, 2016
The Christian YA You’ve Been Looking For!
Defier wasn’t just hard to put down, it was painful. I wanted, nay, needed to know what happened before moving on with my life. If I were to take selfies of where I read Defier, they would include:
• Sneaking a couple minutes before the class I teach.
• The five minutes I had while my niece ran into the library.
• The moment I walked in my house, before losing the shoes or getting a drink.
On the drive home I wished I had it in audio and almost asked my niece to read it to me… the only thing that stopped me was the cold hard truth that having her jump in 60% through the story would have ruined it for her. And I wanted her to enjoy it! Have the opportunity to start at the beginning and have all the #feels I did. Honestly, I was almost as attached to Defier as I was with Divergent and The Hunger Games. Whaaaa?
Some reviews talk about how the main character, Lennox, had so much faith. That she was so great. That’s not what pulled me in. That’s not what stood out to me. I fell in love with the impossible situation presented before her.
Just as Katniss couldn’t not in so many situations, Lennox couldn’t not either! It’s not that she was so brave, it was that she physically couldn’t bring herself to do anything else. Doomed because of who she was and what she knew.
And yet, Defier doesn’t start with someone who has amazing faith; it starts with someone who has almost none. Someone who’s parents have been murdered… leaving her feeling lost and confused. But then, then, she meets God – has an experience that 100% guarantees he is real. This experience changes everything. Only now, an anti-Christian terrorist group is taking over. Again and again she is faced with horrible options. Her life would be so much easier if she denied her faith. Denying her faith might even allow her to finish her mission… Ultimately win the war. Many could reason that the end justifies the means. That surely God would understand. Right? ;) But not Lennox. In those defining moments, her character is grown, her understanding of God’s worthiness, his righteousness, deepened.
Not only that, but Defier is based in Texas, in 2030 – They have some awesome futuristic gadgets, but at the same time, it seems so close to home. A terrorist group on U.S. Soil. An American underground church. Being forced to bow to a mere man or suffer the consequences. Does that not shake you to your core?
This is one I strongly recommend. Read it for book club. Create your own book club. Share it!
Defier wasn’t just hard to put down, it was painful. I wanted, nay, needed to know what happened before moving on with my life. If I were to take selfies of where I read Defier, they would include:
• Sneaking a couple minutes before the class I teach.
• The five minutes I had while my niece ran into the library.
• The moment I walked in my house, before losing the shoes or getting a drink.
On the drive home I wished I had it in audio and almost asked my niece to read it to me… the only thing that stopped me was the cold hard truth that having her jump in 60% through the story would have ruined it for her. And I wanted her to enjoy it! Have the opportunity to start at the beginning and have all the #feels I did. Honestly, I was almost as attached to Defier as I was with Divergent and The Hunger Games. Whaaaa?
Some reviews talk about how the main character, Lennox, had so much faith. That she was so great. That’s not what pulled me in. That’s not what stood out to me. I fell in love with the impossible situation presented before her.
Just as Katniss couldn’t not in so many situations, Lennox couldn’t not either! It’s not that she was so brave, it was that she physically couldn’t bring herself to do anything else. Doomed because of who she was and what she knew.
And yet, Defier doesn’t start with someone who has amazing faith; it starts with someone who has almost none. Someone who’s parents have been murdered… leaving her feeling lost and confused. But then, then, she meets God – has an experience that 100% guarantees he is real. This experience changes everything. Only now, an anti-Christian terrorist group is taking over. Again and again she is faced with horrible options. Her life would be so much easier if she denied her faith. Denying her faith might even allow her to finish her mission… Ultimately win the war. Many could reason that the end justifies the means. That surely God would understand. Right? ;) But not Lennox. In those defining moments, her character is grown, her understanding of God’s worthiness, his righteousness, deepened.
Not only that, but Defier is based in Texas, in 2030 – They have some awesome futuristic gadgets, but at the same time, it seems so close to home. A terrorist group on U.S. Soil. An American underground church. Being forced to bow to a mere man or suffer the consequences. Does that not shake you to your core?
This is one I strongly recommend. Read it for book club. Create your own book club. Share it!
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