Defy (Defy Trilogy, Book 1) (1) - Hardcover

Larson, Sara B.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0545597587 ISBN 13: 9780545597586

Publisher: Scholastic Press, 2014

Synopsis

A lush and gorgeously written debut, packed with action, intrigue, and heart-racing romance.

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?

About this title

About the Author

Sara B. Larson is the author of the acclaimed young adult fantasy Defy trilogy: Defy, Ignite, and Endure; and Dark Breaks the Dawn, the first book of a duology. She can't remember a time when she didn't write books -- although she now uses a computer instead of a Little Mermaid notebook. Sara lives in Utah with her husband and their children. When she's not mothering or writing, you can often find her at the gym repenting of her sugar addiction. You can visit her online at SaraBLarson.com.

Reviews

Gr 8 Up—In Alexa's world, young men are soldiers and young women are the means to breed new ones. There is no alternative. So when Alexa's parents are killed and their home destroyed by a sorcerer, Alexa cuts her hair and enrolls in the army to save herself from the breeding house. Trained by their father and polished by the army, "Alex" and her twin, Marcel, earn places in the prince's guard as the best swordsmen in the kingdom. But the palace is full of secrets and as the story continues to build in suspense, it's clear that Prince Damian has more than most. Alex is a bold heroine whose priorities are protecting her prince and her people, but the lines between good and evil blur as she gleans more truth about the royal family she serves. Her destiny is revealed when her own power comes to fruition, a power that could end the greatest corruption of all. Larson's debut is full of passion and adventure, urging readers to cheer and weep simultaneously at Alexa's astounding courage. Those interested in strong female characters, such as Katniss from Suzanne Collins's The Hunger Games, will find new affinity in Defy.—Jamie-Lee Schombs, Loyola School, New York City

When a war changed her life, Alexa (known as Alex among the prince’s guard) narrowly escaped being separated from her twin brother, Marcel. Now, in a secret known only to Marcel, she lives as a man among the King of Antion’s army and finds herself trapped between two men, two sides of a war, and two sides of her identity. She guards herself closely against her attraction to Prince Damian and fellow guard Rylan, until the three of them are kidnapped and held captive by opposing forces. Alexa is physically strong and determined, but in her mind, she is not as confident, wondering who she is, what she wants, and what the war really means to her. Mature concepts, such as breeding houses, and slightly stilted language reserve this historical fantasy for older readers. Though the first half of Larson’s debut suffers from a somewhat slow pace, it picks up considerably after the kidnapping, imbuing the plot with grand adventure, romance, and thrilling political intrigue. Grades 9-12. --Stacey Comfort

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

From DEFY"Have you ever heard the theory that it is better for one man to die, than an entire nation to suffer? Do you believe that to be true? Is it ever okay to take a life in hopes of saving others?" Prince Damian took a step closer to me, so that I had to tip my head back farther to keep looking up into his eyes. I'd never felt so aware of just how tall he was before. "I think so." I didn't know what to do with him standing so close -- close enough that I could feel the heat from his body. My heart beat erratically and my fingers tingled for some reason. I forced my face to remain impassive. I drew on all of my training, all of the practice I'd had over the years pretending to be a boy, to maintain my composure. With a much steadier, lower voice, I said, "Who's life are you thinking of taking?" "Don't do that with me," he replied, staring down at me with a look of almost hunger on his face. "We're too much alike to pretend with each other. At least when we're alone, let's be who we truly are." The intensity of his gaze nearly made me tremble. No one knew me as I truly was, except for Marcel, and he was gone. But here was Damian, the strikingly handsome, sometimes capricious, sometimes gentle Prince of Antion, asking me to allow him past the guise I'd been holding up to the world since my parents died. How could I do that when all I had done for so long was train to guard him -- and make sure he never realized that deep down inside, buried where no one could see, his best fighter was actually just a frightened girl?

Edition details

• Publisher: Scholastic Press
• Publication date: 2014
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0545597587
• ISBN 13: 9780545597586
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 336