Endure

October 1, 2015
This trilogy conclusion sends a girl warrior all over fantasyland, a trail of bodies behind her. Alas, the shoddy worldbuilding and B-movie plotting of the first two books carry over here. When the robed villain Manu de Reich os Deos]"The Right Hand of God," he claims]attacks Alexa and King Damian in the throne room, Alexa can wait no longer. Though she's a member of Damian's personal guard and his affianced bride, she can think of no better plan than disobeying her king's order: she hares off after captured Rylan (ostensibly her second love interest). She travels through a fantasyland packed with flora and fauna from South America and Asia and whose cities have African names. In the nation of Dansii, Alexa is taken captive and becomes the prisoner of King Armando, the blue-eyed maniac who rules his people with a potent combination of mad science and black sorcery. With Alexa's unwilling help, he intends to conquer the world, for he's convinced that her blood holds a powerful magic. Alexa will never survive without the parade of men and women who sacrifice themselves to help her return to Damian. She must fight after unbelievable physical suffering: days of being bled with primitive syringes while deprived of sufficient food and water on a brutally hot desert journey. A deus ex machina conclusion leaves all that sacrifice seeming sadly pointless. Aspires to paint-by-numbers quest fantasy but falls short even of that. (Fantasy. 11-13)

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November 1, 2015

Gr 7 Up-In the final installment of the "Defy" trilogy (Scholastic), protagonist Alexa Hollen continues to prove herself a resilient and devoted leader. After escaping her captor, the evil sorcerer Rafe, Alexa returns to Antion, forced to leave her most loyal friend Rylan behind. The heroine is determined to go back for him. She finds herself torn because of her love for King Damian, her bond with Rylan, and the secret she holds that could destroy them. Although reluctant to let her go, Damian accepts Alexa's promise that she will return to him and sends her off with their close confidant, the sorcerer Eljin. During Alexa and Eljin's journey, they are taken captive by King Armando's army. Here he reveals his evil intentions for the future of the three kingdoms. Alexa must now find a way to save her loved ones, her kingdom, and, most of all, herself. Although the novel's pacing is sometimes slow, it doesn't affect the story's overall appeal. The main characters develop well over the course of the narrative, and the themes of love and loyalty are well woven throughout. Larson creates a dynamic female protagonist in Alexa. She is independent and strong, a protector and rescuer. Fans will be very satisfied with this final journey. VERDICT Purchase where the series is popular.-Bernice La Porta, Susan E. Wagner High School, Staten Island, NY

Copyright 2015 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

July 1, 2016
In this sequel to Defy and Ignite, Alexa and King Damian are finally engaged, but Rafe still controls Alexa's mind and holds Rylan hostage. Chaos hits during Damian's war council, forcing Alexa to find Rafe, save Rylan, and prevent war. Larson wraps up the many plot threads that have emerged over the course of the trilogy, providing a fast-paced, satisfying series conclusion.

(Copyright 2016 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)