Ignoring the love triangle advertised in the blurb (first mistake: never ignore a blatantly touted love triangle), Defy should have been a good book. In theory it has some great stuff going for it (adventure! badass girl warrior! gender-bending! sorcery!) but in actuality, all of these things fell apart or flat out failed to show up in the first place.
Come along gentle readers as I break down the good, the bad and the OH MY GOD I WILL SLAUGHTER SOMEONE AND THEN BURN THEIR VILLAGE TO THE GROUND- I mean, ugly.
The Good:
I…I finished it? I can’t really count that as a point in the book’s favor because it’s not like I continued due to any positive feelings, it was more the horrified fascination brought on by something spectacularly awful.
The Bad:
This book was a rousing game of Pick A Trope. Tropes themselves aren’t inherently bad, it’s how they’re used that makes the difference and in Defy’s case they were used in the most clumsily over the top way possible. Everything was so frustratingly predictable and convenient.
Features include:
A total lack of world building.
There are other countries? And they’re at war? For reasons? Oh! And a jungle! There’s a jungle! (All of these hazy places are full of white people, naturally, because that is the kind of book this is.) I guess some people have magic because that is how fantasy works. That’s basically it.
Comically pointless gender-bending.
I don’t mean comically pointless in that there wasn’t a reason Alexa was disguised as a boy. There was (more on that fun bit later) but it didn’t seem to matter because apparently everyone already knew. Both love interests knew, (convenient as it allowed them to have loved her all along *barfs*) the bad guy knew, random strangers Alexa meets along the way knew. It was laughable. Apparently Alexa is the world’s worst actress and everyone in the story just went along with the charade for funsies.
A cringeworthy romance.
Not only was does Defy contain a love triangle, but it is the kind of love triangle that is the reason I hate love triangles. Standing in as one leg of the love triangle, we have Rylan, a fellow guard. Fun game to play with Rylan, take a shot every time Alexa compares some part of him to chocolate (just kidding, DO NOT DO THIS. YOU WILL GET ALCOHOL POISONING). Not that Prince Damion (the other leg) is any better. One moment a snobby, arrogant asshole and the next a thoughtful sweetheart (it was all an act! Duh!). Alexa falls in love with him approximately 30 seconds after he drops his douchebag mask. I can’t think of a single personality trait individual to either of them that hasn’t shown up in a thousand stories before.
For a significant chunk of the book, all three triangle points are forced to share a small space and while this would have been hilarious, either the love interests are fighting over Alexa as though she weren’t standing right there or Alexa is making out with/fighting with one love interest while the other is forced to watch.
I will award bonus points to Alexa for realizing this behavior is not cool, but immediately take them away because she does so by calling herself a harlot. You’re an idiot Alexa, don’t try and pass it off by slut shaming.
A “skillful” and “heroic” MC.
Did you catch my sarcastic quote marks? We’re told time and time again that Alexa is this legendary fighter with unparalleled skills, but as far as I can tell once the story opens, she completely fails to deliver time and time again. She’s continually being rescued by love interests and/or getting stuck in situations where she’s helpless. Either we were completely lied to about her skills in the first place or the few times she does display magically amazing fighting skills OUT OF NO WHERE seem downright Mary Sueish.
Instantly developed expertise.
You’ll be shocked, SHOCKED to know that Alexa has a special power. She’s the ooooooonly one with a chance of taking on a big evil sorcerer who is apparently capable of taking out an entire army of sorcerers. But not Alexa. Alexa can stop him. Because…well, because she can.
That right there caused me to roll my eyes so hard I almost knocked out a contact lens but the hilarity ensues when after managing to do the necessary thing a single time in practice, our scrappy band of heroes is all ‘BY GEORGE SHE’S GOT IT. LET’S GO OFF TO WAR IMMEDIATELY’ because if you’ve successfully accomplished a difficult thing once in your life, obviously you’ll be able to do every time after that.
And Finally, The Rage Inducingly Ugly:
Right, let me just say something really quick.
RAPE IS NOT A FUCKING PLOT DEVICE.
How does this need to be said? How is that not a completely obvious thing? WHAT THE HELL PEOPLE?!
Hold up, I’m getting ahead of myself.
So, Defy’s world has this charming little feature called breeding houses. In these breeding houses, orphaned girls are rounded up and put to work as unwilling sex slaves breeders for the rapists army. The idea is they will be continually giving birth to new soldiers for the king’s army.
I could deal with this if it weren’t such a COMPLETE NON EVENT. As far as I can tell, the only purpose the rape breeding houses serve is to show that the king is evil and anyone who disagrees is good. The houses are featured in one scene early on to depict how awful they are (except not really, I think the real reason we saw them at all is to add depth to Alexa’s relationship with her brother) and how important it is that no one see through Alexa’s ruse (LOLOLOL). From there on out, I think each love interest mentions them a total of once with a sort of token negativity to show that they are on the side of justice and light.
COMPLETE AND UTTER INAPPROPRIATENESS ASIDE (and that is a MASSIVE aside) where is the logic here? THIS IS A TERRIBLE PLAN. So, King Hector is sitting there thinking his thoughts one day and he’s all ‘hey! I have a super efficient idea to fill up my army! I’ll round up a bunch of girls and systematically impregnate them so that MANY YEARS FROM NOW I will have a continual supply of soldiers!’ Oh sure, that makes total sense. If so, where are the birthing houses? Where are the babies? WHERE IS ANYTHING OTHER THAN THIS THROWAWAY REFERENCE TO RAPE?!
Every aspect of this plot point (I use that term in the loosest possible way) is so pointless and it makes it even more offensive that it was included in the first place.
Final Verdict:
NOPE.
Just no. I can’t.
As an alternative I recommend checking out Kristin Cashore, Alison Goodman or Tamora Pierce (though I haven’t read the Alanna books, please don’t yell at me, I KNOW). I can personally vouch for the awesomeness of the first two and have heard from many trusted sources of the legendary epicness of the third.
Now if you’ll excuse me, I am going to go scrub the memory of this book from my brain with bleach.
Meg out.
Melanie Conklin
While hilarious, your review is absolutely spot on. Thanks for giving voice to it. I’ve been mystified as to why this book received the marketing push that it did, because it’s just not good in any way.
Meg Morley
Right? I would’ve shuffled this book off to the side. Just, ugh.
smiling_ina
Wow, I can’t believe after reading all this that you actually stuck it out and finished the whole book! I bow down to you!!! That’s some crazy shit. I’m so glad you’re saving me from ever picking this one up myself!
Meg Morley
It was a struggle, but I made it (I may have bribed myself with cake a few times).
Tina
Brill review. Will avoid this book like the plague!! How did she become a guard? Was she the only one picked up a sword and everyone else in the kingdom fight with spoons?
Thanks for the heads-up!
Meg Morley
It doesn’t even get into how she became a guard, like with everything else it just happened for reasons. I think it has to do with her being a monster-sword-skills-having person but HA! I’ll believe it when I see it.
Ellis
The Good: I would see that as an accomplishment. I have a galley of this because it was a Read Now on NG but guess who has two thumbs and is never going to touch that file except to delete it? THIS GIRL. So, you already win in that regard (and in so many others, but let’s keep the mushfest to a minimum in public spaces.)
Oh, okay. The world-building is of the “here are the mountains, there is the sea” variety”. GOOD JOB.
How did this chick not die on page 12? Ugh, stupidity like this should die as early as possible. Otherwise the concept of a cutthroat world = epic fail.
DONNA. Donna is the shiz.
NO. I hate comparisons to chocolate. *stabs book*
APRIL. April is also the shiz.
Hahaahahahahahaha. The “””romance””” sounds tragic. At best.
Seriously, how is this chick still alive? Special powers. Oi.
Meg is also the shiz.
I HOPE THEY ALL DIE. PLEASE TELL ME THEY ALL DIE?
RAGE ON THE RAPE HOUSES. SO. MUCH. RAGE. GET ‘EM, RON.
*applauds Meg* Seriously, you made it. EW and NO and FUCK YOU to the tragedy that is this book. *deletes galley*
Meg Morley
DEFINITE PASS. It will drive you up the wall. JUST SAY NO ELLIS.
Hahahaha, ‘here are the mountains, there is the sea’ EXACTLY (well, maybe slightly less detail but WELL PUT)
I have no idea how she makes it to the end of the book, seriously, search me. I think it’s because he has a reliable stable of menfolk (either of the romantic or friendly variety) to throw down their lives her her. Excuse me while I go vomit.
DONNA IS TOTALLY THE SHIZ.
The chocolate comparisons put me off chocolate, which is impressive to say the least.
APRIL IS ALSO THE SHIZ. I love Parks and Rec, so much.
The romance made me want to peel my skin off. I would shudder and gag whenever anyone made gooey eyes at anyone else. I’m shuddering and gagging now just thinking about it.
I HAVE NO IDEA ELLIS, SHE JUST LIVES. GO FIGURE.
There was definitely not enough death. However, this is a series so I have hope. However I will not be reading it so as far as I’m concerned they are all dead to me.
HULK SMAAAAAAAAASH.
Neyra
I didn’t even read the entire blurb, I stopped at “thrilling love triangle”…wtf, man?! Just by that alone I wouldn’t have picked this book up, but your review convinced me I just can’t subject myself to this. Great review Meg.
Meg Morley
You are a wise person. I should’ve stopped at the blurb but apparently I enjoy torturing myself.
Whitley
“I haven’t read the Alanna books, please don’t yell at me, I KNOW”
Can I quietly shake my head in disappointment, at least?
Meg Morley
I deserve quiet disappointment and worse. It’s a horrific oversight.
Gillian
I COULD NOT AGREE MORE. SERIOUSLY, PERFECTLY DONE, MEG. ON EVERYTHING.
“(though I haven’t read the Alanna books, please don’t yell at me, I KNOW)” LOLZ. That was for my benefit, wasn’t it? I won’t yell at you. Not my Megasus, who has already suffered so much at the hands of this awful book.
Meg Morley
THANK YOU!
(and yes, that was a Gillian easter egg. I pictured your sadness and disappointment as I was typing.)
Erin
This review….is just…I mean….perfect. Also I haven’t heard of Tamora Pierce so you shall not be alone in your non-reading but thanks for the info so now I can obsess. Also Cashore….I mean perfection in books! Just saying!
Meg Morley
We can be disappointments to the YA community together. And yes! CASHORE ALL THE WAY!! There were many moments where it felt like Defy was trying to be Graceling and utterly failing at it.
Sassy @ My Never Ending Pile
So glad I decided to pass over this one, it sounds tragic. Can’t believe you managed to keep on reading!
Meg Morley
Tragedy abounds. It’s a pass for sure.
Joanna
Nice review – so glad you’re not afraid to express your love & hate on the books you read. Although I love high fantasy novels, Defy’s plot device of disguising the girl as a boy turned me away from wanting to read Defy. I grow tired of this theme. I don’t understand why a girl can’t just be a girl?
Meg Morley
Normally I like the gender-bending thing but that’s because it can be a really useful tool in pointing out the ridiculousness of gender roles. In this case it was just a thing that happened. Like everything else in the book it’s just there for…reasons?
Missie
I didn’t rate the story as low as you did, but I agree that the love triangle was out of control, the girls in the building was AWFUL and the fact that the MC went from strong girl to weak girl in 2 seconds was dumb.
Meg Morley
You’re a nice person 😀 It filled me with too much rage and nausea to escape the 1 star.
Ayanami Faerudo
Okay, that’s it. I’m not ready the book. I have this as an e-galley and I read about two chapters before I set it aside because I wasn’t feeling it. I’ve been reading a lot of bad reviews about it and now I really don’t feel like continuing it. To think I was eagerly anticipating it.
Meg Morley
Yeah, no. It doesn’t get better, only worse. I understand your pain, it sounded like it should’ve been so good!
Kim
You are much stronger than I am. I made it to 27% and quit. Literal *rape houses* as plot device. Whhhhhyyyyy. Raagggggeeee. You’re so spot on with everything here. What on earth was up to the constant chocolate comparisons?? Mystifying. I salute you for finishing this, Meg.
Meg Morley
I should’ve quit, I haven’t the foggiest why I forced myself through it. SO. MUCH. AWFUL.
Gaby @ Queen Ella Bee Reads
This review and all its gifs make me love you like a fat kid loves chocolate, Megasaurus.
Meg Morley
Hahaha, awww, thank you! PARKS AND REC FTW!
P.E. @ The Sirenic Codex
Brilliant review. I thought this book sounded a lot like Prophecy, which fell flat for me, so I didn’t want Defy. I know you didn’t like it for some very valid reasons and that’s pretty much all it takes for me to avoid this book like the plague. 🙂
Meg Morley
It’s such a mess, I support your avoidance.
Natalie M.
Love your review!
The MC sort of sounds like Caelena from Throne of glass. We’re told that she’s awe-strikingly kick-ass, but not once does she demonstrate this kickassery.
Definitely not going to touch Defy.
Meg Morley
Even Throne of Glass Caelena could walk all over this girl (although, have you read Crown of Midnight? Caelena makes up for her lack of ass-kicking in ToG in a MAJOR way.)
Natalie M.
I’ll think about it. But to-read list is miles long and Throne of Glass sort of pissed me off, so…
But thanks for your recommendation 🙂
Cait
HECK YEAH. Finally. At first I only saw “ohgosh I loved this book” reviews and I did NOT get it. (I think I gave it one more star, because I’m nice like that.) But seriously…what the heck was with the breeding houses?! And what the heck was with Alexa?! She was only a tough fighter until everyone knew she was a girl…and then she had to be saved again and again and AGAIN. (And, I totally like kick-butt girls, but how could she be the best fighter ever? Logistically? Aren’t there, like, heavier guys that could have won against her? *ahem*) I really struggled with this book. Great review! I’m with you! XD
Meg Morley
It was so disappointing. I HATE when female characters are whimpified like that. I see what you’re saying about the heavier guys being able to take her out, though I think it’d depend on fighting style. Example, Jujitsu is all about small opponents using leverage to take down bigger opponents. Either way I am NOT buying Alexa taking down ANYONE.
Natalie
Great review.
I would have read this book for the cover alone (even though it is far too close to how I pictured a front cover of one of my WIP. Dammit).
It sounds horrendous and I will stay well away.
Yes to Cashore and Tamora Pierce (curtails urge to scream and shout at you – ALANNAAA). I shall have to check out Alison Goodman though. I’ve been looking for a new author to read 🙂
Meg Morley
OOH! Check out Eon/Eona by Alison Goodman. THAT is how you do a girl disguised as boy and joining the army.
And yes, the cover is very misleading. I saw it and immediately thought Graceling! which, hahahahaha no.
Natalie Crown
Just looked up Eon on GR and it definitely looks like my sort of read. I mean…the word DRAGON does it for me, as well as your recommendation.
Yes, Graceling is what I thought of too. Alas!
Michelle
I can only wish to have your skill with gifs. I particularly liked the calling out of tropes. You demolished this book and it looks like quite a few people agree with your assessment. It’s a shame to see a book so clearly disliked, but thanks for your honest review! 🙂
Meg Morley
Why thank you! Parks and Rec makes it easy. I hate to rip a book to shreds but UGH IT MADE ME SO ANGRY.
Violette
Okay, you convinced me not to buy this book and patiently wait to be out in the library. Seriously, I don’t my money to be frolicking into the the trash can.
Meg Morley
Definitely hold out for the library, you are not missing out. I got it as a Kindle deal and $3 was WAY too much to spend on it.
Lily B
Oh gosh you have so many great points, I reviewed this and thinking back on it I should have sat on it more. I did find some parts that made me want to bang my head against the wall, like seriously. I half expected her to end up in that horrible house because somehow EVERYONE knew that she was a girl… everyone she met knew she was a girl.
I loved the part when they told her to act cause she was starting to slip
and she was like, wait I am slipping? HOW?
and it’s like…
well if you didn’t drool over the two men in front of everyone and played slobber face with the Prince maybe it wouldn’t show?
Ha! the triangle, made me so angry.
Lyn Kaye
Holy crap on a cracker.
Rape? Mary Sue MC? Stiff and crappy romance.
Nope nope nope *deletes off of wishlist* nope nope nope.
Review: Defy by Sara B. Larson - The Canon
[…] Want another opinion? Giselle at Book Nerd wrote a four star review of Defy while Meg of Cuddlebuggery wrote a two star (and has some awesome GIFs to make her point!). Let me know which side you fall […]