Thursday, February 6, 2014

Defy

by Sara B. Larson
3/5 stars
Scholastic Press, 2014
323 pages
YA Fantasy

Source: Received an e-ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Who doesn't crave a good YA fantasy every now and then? (Or more frequently?) That's what I was in the mood for when I picked up this debut and I will say that it certainly hit on some beloved tropes for me. The primary one is girl disguised as male soldier but the use of magic and the prince also had their charms.

Alexa has been in hiding as Alex for years, following the death of her parents and her decision to masquerade as a boy supported by her brother. Her options were join the king's army or his breeding houses, making the choice simple. Fortunately her spirit also led her to this work and she now serves in the prince's guard. However when a powerful sorcerer kidnaps her, the prince, and another guard, her entire world is again upended as no one is what they seem and their greatest threat may come from within.

Unfortunately the overall presentation didn't really work for me. I'm not sure if it's my mood, which has not been conducive for reading or if it's the books I'm choosing but I was decidedly not impressed. I thought the book had some intriguing moments but that the girl disguised as boy has been done better (most notably Tamora Pierce's Alanna series) and the romance that emerges did not captivate me at all (hint: it's got aspects of a love triangle though there is obviously a clear preference.) The most captivating relationship to me was between main character Alex(a) and her brother, which does not last for the entirety of the book.

As I think back on my reading experience, I am most struck by how much I had to force myself to keep reading. I could easily read just one chapter and then put the book down. When I'm engaged with a book, that is so not the case. I also saw myself losing interest the more time Alexa spent thinking about the love interests. Though her fighting is demonstrated on several occasions, it seemed overshadowed by romance in the end to my disappointment.

In conclusion, I feel like this book was partly victim to my disinclination to read but I also feel like it doesn't quite deserve a place at the top of the YA fantasy pantheon anyway. Read it if you absolutely love the genre and tropes presented but I don't think it's a must-read by any means.

If you have read this book, what do you think? Was I just in a crabby mood and unable to appreciate this book's charms?

14 comments:

  1. i was excited when i saw this book the first time because i love YA fantasy but then i read the description and saw "love triangle" and i shoved it out of my mind. you're review cements my decision. i think i'll skip this one.

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    1. It wasn't the worst triangle I've ever read but I found it super disappointing.

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  2. Awesome review :) Thank you for being honest. <3 I love YA Fantasy books. But I do not think this book would be for me at all. I HATE love triangles more than anything, hih. I'm sorry you didn't love it, but glad you enjoyed it, still :)

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    1. I still think this book sounds super amazing but it just could not capture my attention.

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  3. Nah, you weren't just in a crabby mood. I love crossdressing premises too, and this one was pretty flimsy. And yeah, it would've been nice to have Marcel for the whole book.

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    1. Thank you for the reassurance! I was concerned I was too crabby but I just was not feeling it.

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  4. I have been a little curious about this one, I'm still not so sure if this something that I would really enjoy. Sorry it wasn't as good as you were hoping for.

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    1. Well I wouldn't recommend it but I'm sure others have loved it and can provide good reasons for checking it out so maybe give their opinion a read as well?

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  5. I chose not to read this because of the "love triangle". I am glad that it is included in the book's description so I knew not to request it. After reading your review, I think I made the right decision. I do like YA fantasy but I am picky about what I read in that genre especially.

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    1. See I just saw the sword on the cover and requested-I need to be more circumspect!

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  6. Not sure it was just you -- I didn't request this because I'm not a big fantasy reader, but a lot of people have had issue with the triangle and the way it made the main character all giddy when she's supposed to be a soldier.
    Hope your next book is a better fit!
    Jen @ YA Romantics

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    1. I'm thinking it wasn't just me either-thanks for the reassurance!

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  7. I felt the same way as you. And I've read a lot of reviews where people felt the same way. This book just didn't really do it for me. I liked it OKAY, but barely even that. The romance really frustrated me though.

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    1. I need to check out more reviews so I know I wasn't alone. I could have hated this book more but I'm distinctly unexcited by it.

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