Review: Defy by Sara B. Larson

Defy (Defy #1)
Author: Sara B. Larson
Release Date: January 7, 2014
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Source: NetGalley
Review by: Nahomi

Alexa Hollen is a fighter. Forced to disguise herself as a boy and serve in the king's army, Alex uses her quick wit and fierce sword-fighting skills to earn a spot on the elite prince's guard. But when a powerful sorcerer sneaks into the palace in the dead of night, even Alex, who is virtually unbeatable, can't prevent him from abducting her, her fellow guard and friend Rylan, and Prince Damian, taking them through the treacherous wilds of the jungle and deep into enemy territory.

The longer Alex is held captive with both Rylan and the prince, the more she realizes that she is not the only one who has been keeping dangerous secrets. And suddenly, after her own secret is revealed, Alex finds herself confronted with two men vying for her heart: the safe and steady Rylan, who has always cared for her, and the dark, intriguing Damian. With hidden foes lurking around every corner, is Alex strong enough to save herself and the kingdom she's sworn to protect?

4.5 stars out of 5 stars
*I received an egalley of this book from the publisher but it did not influence this review in way.*

From the moment I started reading Defy I was hooked; I just couldn't put it down! I loved basically everything about it, except for one little detail at the end but I'll get into that later. I really enjoyed the suspense of the story, never knowing who to trust or what's really going on kept me on alert and turning pages. This story has a perfect combination of details that create a wonderful backdrop for this fast paced adventure.

Can I just say Alex is AWESOME! I was so heart broken for her in during certain scenes of this book I actually cried. Alex or Alexa is a very endearing character. She pulled me right in from the very beginning and kept me interested in her journey through out the entire story. She is tough and a little confused about who she is and where she fits in her world. In the end makes a huge sacrifice and proves how strong she really is. Alex is a great example of a kick ass female character! She is strong and able to defend herself but still has this vulnerability to her that tugs at the heart strings.

This book has a love triangle which I am not really a fan of but it is not horribly trying. I was really disappointed with the ending because my heart was broken for Alex. I understand why she made the decision she did but it still broke my heart. This is a great novel! I truly enjoyed being immersed in this world and am now desperate for Ignite.