Deliverance

Author: C.J. Redwine
Series: Defiance #3 (Final)
Genre: Post-apocalyptic, Adventure
Release Date: August 26, 2014

Summary: Everything hangs in the balance, and nothing is certain: Rachel has been kidnapped by enemy forces and is being taken to Rowansmark while Logan, imprisoned and awaiting trial, is unable to leave Lankenshire. Separated from each other and their Baalboden comrades, each must find a way to achieve what they desperately want: to rid their world once and for all of the Commander and the tech that controls the deadly Cursed One. Fighting through her pain and embracing the warrior she’s become, Rachel will do whatever it takes to escape her enemies’ clutches and join Logan in his fight. But when she learns a secret that changes everything, she realizes that escaping Ian and his tracker friends is no longer an option if she wants to save the people she loves. Instead, she’ll have to destroy Rowansmark from the inside out—if she can survive the journey through the Wasteland. Logan needs allies if he wants to thwart Rowansmark’s power grab and rescue Rachel. But securing allies will mean betraying his beliefs and enlisting the help of the man he hates more than anyone: Commander Jason Chase. Driven by his fierce love for Rachel and his determination to make their world safe, Logan may be just the weapon the city-states need to defeat the Cursed One.

Review: I'm saddened to say that this was my least favorite of the trilogy, it was still a great piece of work but not what I wanted to end the series off with. Throughout, basically, the entire book Rachel and Logan are separated (which I absolutely loathed) and going through completely different situations. This was hard for me because all I've really wanted throughout the series is for them to get together and stay together . . . but no, Redwine just wasn't going to let me have that. (haha I actually took the 'romance' out of the genre for this book because I don't think it really qualifies for it anymore). Redwine also did a great job of incorporating things from the current time into this post-apocalyptic time. This book was full of a ton more surprises! I will say that Deliverance does wrap up pretty much everything leaving readers with little or no questions. 

Overall this series was probably between 3 1/2 and 4 stars. I liked it. I thought it was unique and refreshing, but I didn't necessarily like where things headed throughout the series. I would definitely recommend giving this series a try though!

Deception

Author: C.J. Redwine
Series: Defiance #2
Genre: Dystopian, Romance, Adventure, Fantasy
Release Date: August 27, 2013

Summary: Baalboden has been ravaged. The brutal Commander's whereabouts are unknown. And Rachel, grief stricken over her father's death, needs Logan more than ever. With their ragged group of survivors struggling to forge a future, it's up to Logan to become the leader they need—with Rachel by his side. Under constant threat from rival Carrington's army, who is after the device that controls the Cursed One, the group decides to abandon the ruins of their home and take their chances in the Wasteland.

 But soon their problems intensify tenfold: someone—possibly inside their ranks—is sabotaging the survivors, picking them off one by one. The chaos and uncertainty of each day puts unbearable strain on Rachel and Logan, and it isn't long before they feel their love splintering. Even worse, as it becomes clear that the Commander will stop at nothing to destroy them, the band of survivors begins to question whether the price of freedom may be too great—and whether, hunted by their enemies and the murderous traitor in their midst, they can make it out of the Wasteland alive. In this daring sequel to Defiance, with the world they once loved forever destroyed, Rachel and Logan must decide between a life on the run and standing their ground to fight.

Review: More cover love!! Seriously . . . the covers for this series are insanely well done!

Redwine did a fantastic job of smoothly transitioning the story/plot from Defiance into Deception. The duel POVs are still included, although instead of alternating every chapter there are points when two or three chapters are from Logan's POV and vice versa with Rachel. I felt that the plot in Deception moved a little bit slower than in Defiance. Redwine put in a lot of twists and turns,  which was refreshing, making me really question just who was an ally, and who wasn't. Throughout the book I constantly felt that (being a sucker for romance) there was just a tad bit too much action, and not enough romance. Believe me when I say that I was beyond frustrated at the pent up feelings between Rachel and Logan. Can't they just kiss already and have everything be totally and completely fine?! A shocking twist wraps up Deception. I'm looking forward to seeing how Redwine wraps everything up in Deliverance.  

Defiance

Author: C.J. Redwine
Series: Defiance #1
Genre: Post-apocalyptic, Romance, Adventure, Fantasy
Release Date: August 28, 2012

Summary: While the other girls in the walled city-state of Baalboden learn to sew and dance, Rachel Adams learns to track and hunt. While they bend like reeds to the will of their male Protectors, she uses hers for sparring practice. When Rachel's father fails to return from a courier mission and is declared dead, the city's brutal Commander assigns Rachel a new Protector: her father's apprentice, Logan—the boy she declared her love to and who turned her down two years before. Left with nothing but fierce belief in her father's survival, Rachel decides to escape and find him herself. As Rachel and Logan battle their way through the Wasteland, stalked by a monster that can't be killed and an army of assassins out for blood, they discover romance, heartbreak, and a truth that will incite a war decades in the making.
Review: Um, can I just start off with how much I LOVE this cover!! Seriously, it's freaking amazing! I love how Rachel is portrayed with the city of Baalboden faded in underneath. Pretty great.
Defiance is breath-taking, heart-wrenching, and beautifully written! I first saw this at the library a couple months ago and, as stated above, was immediately in love with the cover. After reading what the book was about I was hooked! I went to check it out and unfortunately it had holds on it, so I put it on hold right then and there in hopes it would come in for me soon. . . fast forward 2 months and I still did not have this novel!! So I just caved and went and bought it to end my frustration with the library and my desire to read this novel. Defiance is written in duel point of view (POV) from the two main characters, Rachel and Logan. The novel started out fast and there was no slowing down from then on. I absolutely loved Rachel! Her free spirit and unwavering determination was admirable, even when struck down and beyond intimidated by The Commander. Logan was a great male lead as well, being protective, but not overbearing. This is where I really enjoyed the duel POV because I was able to see just what each of them was thinking about the other. Redwine also did an amazing job of continuing the story line throughout the use of duel POV so the readers aren't having to reread over the same events in different perspective. Of course I absolutely loathed The Commander. Obviously he is the villain but I mean, this guy was complete, all around BAD NEWS!! After he threatened Rachel while she was shopping with Sylph I honestly wanted to beat him senseless, thankfully Logan was able to rattle him enough to calm my anger towards him. I really enjoyed this novel and I don't regret buying it. One of the main reasons I gave it 4 stars was because Logan and Rachel are separated (him in jail and her in the Wasteland) for a small portion of the book and I did not enjoy that period of time, as well as some of the pacing. Although Redwine does a great job of continuing the story throughout the POVs I still felt that some parts of the novel were faster and vice versa. Deception is one that I can't see myself getting bored with and will definitely be reading again soon.