Review: Ignite

Ignite

Defy #2

by Sara B. Larson

Spoiler Warning if you haven’t read the first book! You can check out my review of the first book here.

Description:

Murder, abductions, and forbidden romance abound in this thrilling sequel to Sara B. Larson’s acclaimed YA debut, DEFY.

Alexa remains by the newly crowned King Damian’s side as his guard, ever committed to helping him rebuild Antion and reclaim the hope of Antion’s people, despite continuing to harbor a secret love for him. However, when another threat to Damian and his kingdom emerges, and blame is cast on their newly forged allies from Blevon, Alexa knows things are not what they seem. With the fate of her nation hanging in the balance once again, will Alexa be able to protect her king and uncover the true enemy—before it’s too late?

Review:

I enjoyed this book even more than the first! It was really good, only I was bad and saw part of the description for book #3, Endure, before I read this one. Just that little bit I saw revealed one of the plot points. Oh well. It was still an entertaining read!

What I liked:

• The romance! Loved it. Definitely my favorite part of the book. For anyone worried about the love triangle, it’s still there in this book, but even less prominent. And honestly, with where she took the book, I think it had it’s place.
• The pacing was great. It kept me on my toes. I read it in one day, only stopping to eat dinner and take care of my kiddos.
• It was action packed, in a really good way. Lots going on, fight scenes galore. It’s all very kick butt of Alexa.
• I liked all the setup for the next book. Something big is coming (or better be!), and the author wasn’t afraid to let us know it.
• I connected with Alexa. I enjoy her as a character, except for the one time noted below when she made a choice that I thought she shouldn’t have made.
• I also enjoyed the internal conflict that Alexa had with her feelings for her king. It was never overdone. Just emotions that were very real to deal with and well handled.

What I didn’t like:

• Vera. Had her figured out almost from the start. I wish she would have been a little harder to read.
• One choice Alexa made about the middle of the book had me going, “No! Don’t do it!!!” But of course she did anyway. I suppose the whole plot would to have been changed had she done what I wanted her to, but it still left me wanting her to make another choice.
• At one point, there’s a person whose eyes she’s not supposed to be looking into, but then she describes the eyes. I think that was a mistake because to see them she has to be looking in them, right?
• There was one point at the end (that I can’t talk about much without spoiling it–drat) that left me a little confused. I had to go back and reread a section, and I’m still confused, sorta. I think I have it figured out, but I thought it needed to be clearer. Maybe it says in the next book and that’s where the clarification will come, but I wanted it in this book.

While Defy can be read as a standalone, I highly recommend anyone that enjoyed it to read the sequel. It was romantic, engaging, and fantastic!

Stars: 4 out of 5

Purchase: Amazon || Barnes & Noble || Apple

Source: Borrowed the Hardback from the library. Love the library!