Alex is the best fighter among Prince Damian's guard. Brave, loyal, and fierce, he upholds his duty no matter the cost. Upholding his duty mostly isn't a problem...except that Alex is really Alexa, a girl. After a vicious attack on her family's village, Alexa and her twin brother were sent into service, and their skills got them guarding the prince. Alexa has kept up her façade for years, but when her, the prince, and another guard are kidnapped, she will find that secrets, both hers and theirs, are not easy to keep.

DEFY by Sara B. Larson is a powerful story. Alexa's narrative forces you right into the story from the first page and maintains it beautifully throughout. Her character is both extremely fierce and extremely lonely, and she tells her adventures with a courage that you can't help but admire. The characters are a central part to this story, and the main ones develop smoothly. I wish there was a little more depth to some of them, like the guard Rylan, but if there is a sequel, I can see room for his growth as a character. While I especially like Damian as a love interest to Alexa, I really hope that there is more to them than the ending gives. Larson does give the logic behind their actions well, but I would love to see them grow more in relation to one another.

The world in DEFY is unique in the best way possible. I like the blending of magic and politics that Larson does in this book. It is built very nicely, and the action involved with the world building keeps you turning the pages. Alexa's protective instincts towards danger create great action scenes and show how kind and driven her character is.

Overall, if you enjoy books like GRACELING, this would be an excellent book to try next. I love it, and I really hope that there is a sequel, so I can spend more time with these characters.

Book Summary

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?