Deception
Author: C.J. Redwine
Series: Defiance #2
Genre: Young Adult, Romance, Fantasy, Dystopian
Release Date: August 27, 2013
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Summary:
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.
First Sentence: “What are you going to tell them?” Rachel asks.
I received a copy of the book from the publisher in exchange for a honest review. All opinions are my own and I was not compensated for this review.
My Review:
When I first saw the cover reveal of Deception, the sequel to Defiance, the first thought that came to my mind was I must have this book! (I also admittingly fangirled all over the cover. Admit it, you did too.) If you don’t know why, just look at it! In fact, I loved the cover of Deception so much that I literally bought three different copies of Deception: two hardbacks (hey, Amazon was having a 40% off sale for pre-orders!) and a paperback (the international edition, which is shiny). Yes, I’m a freak, but hey, at least I’m a happy freak.
Remember in my review of Defiance when I said that I liked Rachel more than I liked Logan? Well, in Deception, it’s the other way around: I (surprisingly) liked Logan more than Rachel this time. Let me explain why. After killing/seeing people being killed, Rachel has changed drastically from the brave, fearless girl she was in Defiance. In Deception, Rachel will give up her life in a second if that means that she can kill the Commander. According to Rachel, who cares if people will miss her/mourn her when she dies? At least she gets to kill the Commander. Yes, I understand what Rachel went through and her suffering, but her mopey in attitude in Deception greatly annoyed me. I know Rachel is not herself after seeing death all around her and she has the right to mope after all she’s been through, but at the same time, I wanted her to snap out of her weak and self-sacrificing attitude and just be herself again.
I can’t admit to him that even with his promises, even with his love, I still feel lost. (ARC 102)
Most of Deception is about Rachel and Logan traveling with other people from Baalboden in the Wasteland, trying to get to another city-state to get help and rescue from the Commander. You may not think that’s anything much, but along the way, there’s tons of action and mystery: a traitor is hiding among them sabotaging them, the Commander and his army are ruthlessly chasing after them, and you can’t forget about the dreaded Cursed One.
However, I do feel like Deception is about a 100 pages too long though. There were some parts in Deception that I felt could be cut out like some scenes in the long, long journey. (I also wouldn’t mind if some of the death scenes were cut out, wink wink.) Some minor details of the Wasteland just wasn’t needed. Also, in some parts of Deception, the pacing was a bit too slow for my taste, while in other parts, the pacing of the book was fast and just perfect.
But don’t worry though. Deception still has the same awesome plot twists that I didn’t see coming. Seriously, some of those plot twists was just fantastic and gut-wrenching. It’ll make you want to curve yourself into a ball and read all day without any interruptions. There were moments where I just stopped reading to shake my head and think, wow, C.J. Redwine is a genius.
“If you’ve betrayed us, if you’ve taken part in the atrocity that cost those boys their lives, do yourself a favor and stay behind. Or better yet, crawl off and die, because when we figure out who you are, there will be no mercy.” (ARC 246)
I mentioned in my review of Defiance that I wanted more information on the world-building and never really got it. it’s the same thing with Deception, except that this time, I got a short sentence or two of information on the world-building. The only thing I know for sure is that the world of Defiance and Deception takes place during either present day or in the future because Deception mentioned the use-to-be existence of Ferris Wheels and carnivals. I managed to rule medieval day setting out because I highly doubt that the medieval era had Ferris Wheels, although I’m pretty sure they do have carnivals.
Just as I suspected, Deception is full of death. The very minute I start to like a new character, C.J. Redwine has the evil idea of killing them off. I was so shocked by one death that I literally yelled out “what!” in a very public place while reading. People were staring at me like I was crazy (but at least they didn’t back away from me in horror because they want to remain sitting on their seats on the subway). Don’t get me wrong, I like it when authors aren’t afraid to kill off their characters, but it is just so sad to see a character that I was starting to fall in love with/already fell in love with just die off with no way to save them. (Seriously, if I can somehow go into the book and save them, I would.) It was like reading Unraveling and Unbreakable all over again.
“What do you dream about, Rachel?”
Blood. Pouring endlessly. Those I’ve lost. Those I’ve taken. (ARC 216)
Overall, despite its flaws, I feel that Deception does not suffer from the middle-book syndrome. In fact, you can expect more action, more deaths (just like I predicted), more great plot twists, and more heart-wrenching moments like the ones you got from reading Defiance. Best of all, you also have a gorgeous cover to stroke and stare at.
And C.J. Redwine, just in case you happen to be reading this, I’m glad you didn’t kill Deception with fire and walk away. I enjoyed reading this book and I absolutely can’t wait to get my hands on the next one.
OHMIGAWED I AM SO JEALOUS!! :)
I am soooo gonna read this when I have the time. Glad of you’re positive feedback. Hopefully mine will be like that too. :) Great review Kelly :)
Don’t be jealous! :P
And yay, hopefully you’ll love Deception as well Jules! :D<3
And thanks!
Kelly recently posted…Stacking the Shelves [53]
She broke my heart with all the deaths in this book! I looooved it though, she IS a genius! It’s a shame you didn’t love it as much as I did, but I’m glad you enjoyed it :)
I actually liked this one better than Defiance!
Jessi @ Auntie Spinelli Reads recently posted…Announcement: New Design + Giveaway
I know! Poor so and so and so and so! ):
I didn’t want them to die. D:
Ha ha, I wish I could enjoy Deception even more, but it had its flaws. Maybe I’ll absolutely LOVE the sequel (as long as the bad guy dies an evil, HORRIBLE death). :P
I’m the opposite, I liked Defiance better than Deception. :D
Kelly recently posted…Stacking the Shelves [53]
Glad to hear that this book isn’t like other middle books in a trilogy. Not sure how I would deal with all the deaths. I hate when my favorite characters die =( I might wait till the third book comes out before starting this series, but I definitely am interested! Thanks for the review!
Stephanie (Hopeless Romantics) recently posted…The Dating Game Review: Siege and Storm
Yeah, favorite characters dying is awful, but on the other hand, this series won’t be a dystopian or a good book if nobody dies since it’s a book of struggle.
And ha ha, I totally get your viewpoint. I hope you’ll love this series as much as I do when you finally read it! (:
Kelly recently posted…Stacking the Shelves [53]
EEEK I can’t wait to read the sequel after loving Defiance!! Although I’m sure this book will break my heart and shatter the pieces, I’m also sure that I will love it!!
Kezia @ Chapteriosity recently posted…[ARC Review] The Naturals by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
Ha ha, Deception definitely broke my heart and shattered it to pieces. Why did some favorite characters of mine die? Why? D:
I hope you’ll end up loving it Kezia! ;D
Kelly recently posted…Stacking the Shelves [53]
Great review! i am glad to know this book is good. In the book world the first one is usually always good and then it goes downhill from there. ;)
Thanks Cali! :D
Ha ha, well don’t worry, Deception definitely does not suffer from the second book syndrome, so no worries there. :P
Kelly recently posted…Stacking the Shelves [53]
Yay! No middle book syndrome. I seriously need to hurry up and review Defiance already. Geez, what is wrong with me? And you ain’t kidding about that cover!
Ha ha, good luck and have fun reviewing Defiance Jaime! :D
And yeah, the cover is GORGEOUS. I can seriously stare at it and stroke it all day. <3
Kelly recently posted…Stacking the Shelves [54]
I’m so stoked to read this series. I”ve got the first book just waiting to pick up. Great review!
Jess @ Such A Novel Idea recently posted…Spooktacular GIVEAWAY Hop
I hope you’ll like this one too Jess! -crosses fingers-
Thanks! (:
Kelly recently posted…Stacking the Shelves [54]
AHh I love this series, I cannot wait for the next one! I agree, Rachel definitely changed as a character, I am glad she snapped out of some of her selfishness in wanting to kill the Commander. But she did get quite mopey and since I love Logan as a character I really wanted her to get over it. The pacing was a bit off, I think you said it well, about 100 pages too long. Great Review!!
Ashley @The Quiet Concert recently posted…REVIEW: One (One Universe #1) by LeighAnn Kopans
I can’t wait to see how this series ends! Hopefully it won’t be disappointing.
Rachel was a little too mopey in Deception for my taste. I wanted to see the cool strong Rachel that she was in Defiance.
And here’s the thing: if Deception is this long, I wonder how long the next book in the series would be. Massive I hope. ;D<3
Thanks Ashley! (:
Kelly recently posted…Top Ten Best Books To Read For Halloween
I just started Defiance earlier today! I’m happy to see you enjoyed the sequel. I didn’t read every line of the review in fear of seeing a spoiler but really wanted to see how much you enjoyed it. I really should check out your review of Defiance :-) I have a couple of issues and wonder if they’ll be addressed.
Kristen@My Friends Are Fiction recently posted…Review of Tandem by Anna Jarzab
Ha ha, I hope you’ll enjoy Defiance so much that you’ll give Deception a chance! :D<3
Kelly recently posted…Monthly Wrap Up: September + October 2013
Great review Miss Kelly. Love the concept.I should start reading it.
Thank you Miss Say! ;D
I hope you’ll love this one!
Kelly recently posted…Stacking the Shelves [57]
OMG. I have read Defiance last year… But with too many books coming out this year… Deception was kinda buried in my TBR pile. >.< I am proud to say that I am a cover slut. lol. I love pretty covers! SO MUCH that I just add a book in my reading pile based on covers and sometimes I forget to read the blurb before doing anything else. :P
This is such a great review that I just had to move Deception in my Top 10 books that I need badly to finish. :) Thank you! :)
Lexie recently posted…Waiting on Wednesday #1
Ha ha, I completely understand the feeling. I have SO many books to read right now that it’s not even funny.
In that case, I’m a cover slut too. 90% of the books are in my TBR because they have such pretty covers. ;D
I’m glad my review helped you make that great decision Lexie! ;D
Kelly recently posted…Stacking the Shelves [57]