By Sara De Waard
5 Stars
Defy, written by Canadian author Sara De Waard, is an exciting and enticing novel that revolves around Darius, a seventeen-year-old boy who lives in the city of Zalmon. But this isn't your typical city. I say this because in it, everything is predetermined. From who you'll marry, to your job, to - and get this - the day you die. This is where Darius comes in. He accidentally uncovers shocking information about his sister Mahlah, and his impulsive reaction makes him a target and may doom his sister to a worse fate. Defying the unfair system, he fights to save his sister and uncover the secrets of the city.
This book is by far one of my favourite reads, and I was hooked from start to finish. Props to Sara for the way she develops the plot. The reader uses the small clues and anomalies here and there to see the bigger picture. And trust me, it's shocking. She also helps the reader by including small interactions in between other characters, and thus giving us insight Darius doesn't have. There are also important themes included, like discrimination, romance (and how love is unpredictable), and finding the power to speak up, even if it contradicts others. Truly, this is an astonishing tale of perseverance, independence, and forging your own path in life.
I recommend this book to anyone that enjoys dystopian novels, and to those that don't. No matter what your preferred genre, I think you would enjoy this masterpiece. I wish I could "defy" the system and give this book more than five stars.
Reviewed by Liam
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