{Tour} {Review} Defy (Defy #1) by @SaraBLarson {Giveaway} @RockstarBkTours @Crossroadreview

Title: Defy
Author: Sara Larson  
Series: Defy  
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Release Date: January 7, 2014  
Pages: 336 
Format: Print ARC 
Source: Publisher/RockStar Tours  
Description:

A lush and gorgeously written debut, packed with action, intrigue, and a thrilling love triangle.

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?

Visit Amazon's Sara B. Larson Page | Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

Sara loves writing, reading, and dessert--but the order varies by the day. She wrote her first book in second grade about a woman who had a premature baby, complete with a "to scale" drawing of the baby's size--while her mom was pregnant. To say she was a bit precocious is putting it lightly. Now that she’s an adult, she writes books for teens that have magic and romance and kick-butt girls (and very few premature babies). She lives in Utah with her husband, two young sons and baby girl. She writes during naptime and the hours when most people are sleeping. Her husband claims that she should have a degree in "the art of multitasking." On occasion you will find her hiding in a bubble bath with a book and some Swedish Fish. she is represented by Josh Adams of Adams Literary and her YA debut DEFY is coming January '14 from Scholastic!

This book was beyond amazing!  I have seen people on Goodreads give it DNF's and 1 star reviews and I am wondering if they have read the same book?  The only two issues I had were 1. no one goes pee in this book! 2. Alex doesn't have a period lol but all the other girls do.  Now one of these #2 can be explained away as when a girl does a lot of high activity there is a chance that she won't get one.  So that said the only issue was the peeing lol.

Ok so this book was just wonderful.  I wasn't sure if I was going to like it because of the breeding houses but it really ended up being a great book!  I wish The Prophecy by Ellen Oh would have been this great.  That one I didn't connect with the characters at all and in Defy that just wasn't the case.  From the first page I felt for Alexa and her brother.  For what they had lost and the years that she had to pretend to be a boy.  I think fans of Once, Eon, and the like will love this book.  Now for those who hate love triangles I am normally one of them to.  Don't let this book slip through your fingers!  Because the love triangle was done wonderfully!

Now also this book is set up as a duology (next book due out 2015 ugh!!) But, it also sits fine as a stand alone.  It is all wrapped up at the end so I can't wait for the next one to see what the author does.  This was an uplift book that will make you want to fight for injustice!

"*I received a copy of this book for free to review, this in no way influenced my review, all opinions are 100% honest and my own."

Disclaimer: Thanks to Goodreads and Amazon for the book cover, about the book, and author information.

Week One

12/30/2013- A Book and a Latte-  Interview

12/30/2013- Book Nerd Canada- Review

12/31/2013- Primrose Musings- Review

12/31/2013- Fictitious Delicious- Guest Post

1/1/2014- Jessabella Reads- Review

1/1/2014- Dark Faerie Tales- Interview

1/2/2014- Curling UpWith A Good Book- Review

1/2/2014- IceyBooks- Guest Post

1/3/2014- The Demon Librarian- Review

1/3/2014- Tales of the Ravenous Reader- Interview

Week Two

1/6/2014- She Dreams in Fiction- Review

1/6/2014- Two Chicks on Books- Guest Post

1/7/2014- Bookish- Interview

1/7/2014- Hannah Reads Books- Review

1/8/2014- Fiktshun- Guest Post

1/8/2014- Crossroad Reviews- Review

1/9/2014- Fiction Freak- Interview

1/9/2014- In the Best Worlds- Review

1/10/2014- Reading and Writing Urban Fantasy, Paranormal, and Romance- Review

1/10/2014- The Cover Contessa- Guest Post

Click Here to Enter the Tour Giveaway

Comment for an extra chance to win a Print ARC via Crossroad Reviews! 

Posted in: 5 Stars, Giveaway, Review, Sara Larson, Scholastic, Young Adult