Waiting on Wednesday (#1)

Waiting on Wednesday is a meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine. This meme highlights some of the books whose releases bloggers are most anticipating this year.

With the start of summer, there are many books I am eagerly waiting for, but the one whose release I am most excited for is...

Title: Defiance 
Author: C. J. Redwine
Release Date: August 28th, 2012

Within the walls of Baalboden, beneath the shadow of the city’s brutal leader, Rachel Adams has a secret. While other girls sew dresses, host dinner parties, and obey their male Protectors, Rachel knows how to survive in the wilderness and deftly wield a sword. When her father, Jared, fails to return from a courier mission and is declared dead, the Commander assigns Rachel a new Protector, her father’s apprentice, Logan—the same boy Rachel declared her love for two years ago, and the same boy who handed her heart right back to her. Left with nothing but fierce belief in her father’s survival, Rachel decides to escape and find him herself. But treason against the Commander carries a heavy price, and what awaits her in the Wasteland could destroy her. At nineteen, Logan McEntire is many things. Orphan. Outcast. Inventor. As apprentice to the city’s top courier, Logan is focused on learning his trade so he can escape the tyranny of Baalboden. But his plan never included being responsible for his mentor’s impulsive daughter. Logan is determined to protect her, but when his escape plan goes wrong and Rachel pays the price, he realizes he has more at stake than disappointing Jared. 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.

Defiance is, without a doubt, my most anticipated read this entire year. It has a beautiful cover, an intriguing synopsis, and a love story to die for. Rachel, unlike most Young Adult Heroines these days, seems to be a kick-ass protagonist with a fresh new voice. Furthermore, the plot-line of this novel seems to be fast paced, witty, and filled with heart-pounding action. In addition, Defiance proves to be even more original due to its love story. Not only is the lack of a love triangle something to celebrate, the interesting romantic twist is too. It is difficult to find novels without your typical best-friend-romance or "opposites attract" scenario, but the romantic situation in Defiance seems to be unique, awkward, and all the more realistic in my opinion. All in all, I can't wait for the release of this novel! Not only am I looking forward to the fantasy realm, dangerous setting, and never-ending action, but I am also (for once) looking forward to the romance in this book as well. Now if only August 28th would arrive sooner... :)