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A forced separation. A risky disguise. A desperate rescue.

Determined to save her best friend, Faith has returned to Bellator. She vows to fight against the academy's horrific experimentation and is accepted into the Resistance. But when the radicals are reluctant to rescue Sophia, she wonders if she's put her trust in the wrong people.

Back in Eremus, Noah is torn. Things with Faith weren't easy, but he misses her. As an abrupt change in leadership threatens to destroy his community, he follows Faith to the city. Joining the rebels, he accepts a dangerous mission which might make a real difference – if it doesn’t kill him.

Pulled in opposite directions, Faith and Noah’s relationship is tested to the limit. And when the mission goes wrong, they wonder if they will ever unite their separate worlds.

Can they outwit the Chancellor and bring Sophia home? Or will the mission end in a loss their relationship can’t survive?

The third book in the Bellator Chronicles, Defiance is filled with intense drama, gripping action, and a pair of star-crossed lovers you’ll be rooting for long after lights out. Perfect for fans of The Selection, Noughts and Crosses, and The Handmaid’s Tale.

448 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 26, 2023

29 people are currently reading
30 people want to read

About the author

Clare Littlemore

22 books183 followers
Clare Littlemore is a young adult dystopian and sci-fi author who thrives on fictionally destroying the world with a cup of tea by her side. The tea will often be cold, because her characters have a way of grabbing hold of her and not letting go until the final page of their story is finished. They regularly have the same effect on her readers.

As well as being a writer, Clare is an avid reader. In other people's books and her own, she enjoys imagining how the world might look in a few decades and considering how ordinary characters might deal with the extraordinary situations the future throws at them. Clare lives in the North West of England with her husband and two children.

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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
Profile Image for Beth.
191 reviews30 followers
February 27, 2023
In Defiance, we see more of the dark side of Bellator. But there’s plenty of reason to hope, as there always is in this series.

Most of this book takes place in Bellator, rather than Eremus, but not at the Academy—and I liked the shift in setting. We get to learn more about drudges (really enjoyed that!) and about the Resistance.

I really like the characters in this series. I did feel that at times in this book, they acted in naïve ways, underestimating what their opponents might be capable of. It took me some time to get really engaged with the world again, but as I read, I really began caring for the characters and wanting to see them succeed (the good ones, anyway!)

I enjoyed the continued development of Noah and Faith’s relationship and really look forward to seeing where it goes in the final book. The romance is not ever explicit. In this book, we do see our teenage protagonists considering whether they want to become more intimate. Without giving spoilers, I’ll say that Littlemore handles the topic really well.

This book ends on a cliffhanger, but it does wrap up a good chunk of the storyline, and it wasn’t the type of cliffhanger that made me mad. (It didn’t surprise me—it was clear that certain characters hadn’t completed what they set out to do.) According to the author, the final book will be out pretty quickly, so we won’t have long to wait!

The Bellator Chronicles is a solid YA dystopian series and worth checking out for those who love this genre.

I received a complimentary digital copy of this book, and this is my honest review.
Profile Image for Lyn Blair.
26 reviews1 follower
February 28, 2023
Defiance is the third book in the Bellator Chronicles. I found it immersive and hard to put down. Despite being familiar with the plot (I was a beta reader), I still found it thrilling. It says a lot when you know the outcome, but the story still grabs you and rivets your attention. I became invested in the characters through an excellent balance of character development, actions, inner thoughts and narrative. Also, I love the dystopian genre, so there was that too.

Most of this book takes place in Bellator rather than Eremus. We see the Resistance’s efforts to overcome the stranglehold Danforth has on her female dominated society. As the Resistance exposes Danforth’s lies, the intensity of Faith's and Noah’s roles ramp up and become more defined. Also, their romantic attraction grows stronger, and the only way it can thrive is through a major upheaval in both societies to overthrow those fueling the fires of past injustices.

The story moves forward at an engaging pace, meeting the expectations of YA dystopian novels.

While the ending is a cliffhanger, the characters make significant inroads for change and certain aspects of the story resolve. The last book in the series is coming soon, and you’ll be able to rejoin the main characters in their battle for a free, peaceful co-existence.
Profile Image for Allie Wilckens.
23 reviews
February 20, 2023
I had been patiently awaiting the third book of the Bellator Chronicles since I finished reading the last one and I finally got my hands on it. While the wait may have seemed long, the finished product did not disappoint. The world that Clare built continues to be explored in Defiance and more dangers are discovered at every corner. We follow Noah and Faith as they both take on new, and more dangerous, journeys than ever before. (There may also be a bit of romance thrown in too.) I could not put this book down unless I was falling asleep because it was so late or I had to go to work. Fair warning: There is a pretty major cliffhanger at the end of the book so prepare yourself for that. You'll want to be able to read the next book immediately but unfortunately, we have to wait a bit longer.
15 reviews
March 18, 2023
I have eagerly awaited this third book in the series, and I wasn't disappointed. The story of Faith and Noah has had me captivated from the start, I have enjoyed seeing their relationship grow. I think in this book, I have grown more attached to the characters, old and new. The book is set in Bellator more than Eremus this time and we meet more people in the Resistance. The fight against Danforth continues at a pace with some much loved characters putting their lives in danger. The book ends with us not knowing the fate of some characters - I can't wait for the final book!
Profile Image for Donna.
807 reviews14 followers
November 8, 2023
Defiance(The Bellator Chronicles #3) by Clare Littlemore. I really enjoyed reading this book and I know others will enjoy this, and the rest of the series, too. Definitely recommend. In this book Faith has returned to Bellator and, along with rescuing her best friend, she vows to fight against the academy's horrific experimentations and joins the Resistance. Also Noah, after a change in leadership threatens Eremus, he accepts a dangerous mission to Bellator and joins the rebels. Can they outwit the Chancellor and bring Sophia home and help make changes?
Profile Image for Sam.
2,553 reviews41 followers
February 27, 2023
This is a really excellent third part to this well written & captivating series! Straight back into the exciting storyline, following the characters in this tension filled adventure! A beautiful dystopian series that I have really enjoyed so far & I can not wait to see where this goes now! I do recommend!
Profile Image for Mescha Hoskins.
214 reviews19 followers
March 4, 2023
A fantastic installment of The Bellator Chronicles. I had been waiting for this and it didn't disappoint except ending on a cliffhanger kills me!!! I've been told by the author the wait for the next book will be a short one though so that helps. I'm enjoying this series so much and will have a hard time getting this world out of my head until the next book arrives. Read it!!
Profile Image for Arceli.
1,575 reviews11 followers
March 13, 2023
This book is a great addition to the Bellator chronicles. I enjoyed the growth of all the characters in the novels. They are awesome. The romance also had a sweet ending. I love how it was a cute subplot, but wasn't overtaken by the action. It is a very well written series. I highly recommend this book. Fans of young adult dystopian romance will love this book.
Profile Image for Tammie.
229 reviews
March 17, 2023
Oh man...

Love the characters. The mission, the struggle, the hope, and of course having faith. Faith and Noah have so much to work through but knowing each step they take brings them closer to being together. Flare has done it again. She draws you in with her style of writing and you hang on till the end!
Profile Image for Nancy (The Avid Reader).
3,069 reviews128 followers
February 28, 2023
Defiance is the fourth book in The Bellator Chronicles. This series just keeps getting better and better with each book. Defiance is told from both Noah's and Faith’s points of view.

Faith is determined to save her friend Sophia from Eremus. She will do whatever it takes to save her friend. Faith returns to the Bellator hoping to get help in rescuing Sophia.

Noah begins to miss Faith really badly so he takes off for the city to be with her. He decides to join the rebels in trying to save his friends.

Once I picked up Defiance there was no way I could lay it down again until I had read the last page as I had to know how everyone’s stories were going to fit together. I was rooting for Sophia the whole way hoping that Faith and Noah would be able to save her before time ran out.

The descriptions were so vividly written to the point that I had no problem whatsoever seeing it all play out in my head as if I was right there as part of the story. I mean it was like watching it on the big screen.

I can’t wait for the next book Alliance in The Bellator Chronicles to see what the rest of the story reveals. I can’t wait to see what lies ahead for Faith and Noah.

I highly recommend Defiance to all dystopian fans! Grab your copy of Defiance today!
494 reviews4 followers
February 27, 2023
The third book in the Bellator Chronicles and Faith and Noah's stories continue at a fast pace. Faith is bound and determined to rescue her friend Sophie while Noah comes up with a genius way to insert himself in the female community to gather intel for the resistance.
Profile Image for Tiffany.
694 reviews41 followers
October 30, 2023
A wonderful, thrilling and exciting read! I really enjoyed reading this and I can't wait to see how the series continues. Gripping from page 1 and keeping you engaged the entire time while riding an emotional roller coaster full of thrills, suspense, twists and turns, and some raw emotion, this is definitely not one to miss!
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews

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