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Strange Angels #4
Defiance
Now that sixteen-year-old Dru's worst fears have come true and Sergej has kidnapped her best friend Graves, she'll have to go on a suicidal rescue mission to bring him back in one piece.
That is, if she can put all of Christophe's training to good use, defeat her mother's traitor, Anna, once and for all, and manage to survive another day...
That is, if she can put all of Christophe's training to good use, defeat her mother's traitor, Anna, once and for all, and manage to survive another day...
272 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 2011
About the author
Lili St. Crow
20 books2,149 followersLili St. Crow was born in New Mexico, bounced around the world as an Air Force brat, and fell in love with writing when she was ten years old. She lives in Vancouver, Washington, in a house full of stray cats and children.
Lili St. Crow also writes as Lilith Saintcrow.
Lili St. Crow also writes as Lilith Saintcrow.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 655 reviews
March 29, 2015
*Read on the 13th of April 2011*
Hmmm, what to say, what to say.....
First off, I loved it, and second....I hated it. Well, not really. I didn’t actually hate it, but I was frustrated by it and excited and shocked and angry and well, you get my point. It was both everything I wanted and everything I didn’t want all rolled into one.
I must admit though that I was a tad disappointed that it took so long to really get into the storyline. Considering how the last book ended, I expected things to pick up exactly where it left off, but Dru actually didn’t get to really looking and searching for Graves until about 3 quarters through. While I didn’t necessarily dislike this, I still would have preferred things to have been a bit faster paced and more centred on Dru finding Graves from the beginning.
This series is very descriptive and tends to have a slower pace than a lot of other books I’ve read, and while that’s not usually my sort of thing, for some reason (I can’t say why) I’m actually not bothered by this. I enjoy seeing this evolve slowly for the most part, and when the exciting and important moments happen, I do actually enjoy them and appreciate them a bit more.
I love Dru, simple as that! I find her to be one of the best heroines that I’ve ever come across! There’s nothing about her that really stands out, and while she does tend to make stupid decisions sometimes, I still love her regardless. It’s hard to really explain why I feel this way....She’s such a good, realistic character and every decision she makes seems plausible to me, and yet there’s something about her that just makes me unable to dislike her, even when I want to strangle her. When she does make the wrong choice, whether it is an action she really hasn’t thought through, or believing someone when she shouldn’t, it’s impossible for me to hold it against her as she always has good intentions. It’s often because she is trying to do the right thing or for someone.
Granted, even though I love her, that doesn’t mean that I didn’t want to jump into this book and strangle her when she happened to question a certain blond haired, blue eyed djamphir that I love sooooo much!
I couldn’t believe that Dru actually believed that Christophe could have done what Leon had led her to believe he’d done. Perhaps I’m a bit biased as I’m totally Team Christophe, but I never once thought he’d betrayed Dru. Yes, he keeps things from her, yes he occasionally bends the truth....but he does it because he cares (I think loves is the better word, but I’m holding off for now) for her and wants to protect her. I don’t think he’d ever do anything cruel simply to get Graves out of her life; he wouldn’t want to hurt her in any way. That being said, while I don’t doubt Christophe, I also don’t doubt for a second that he wouldn’t do anything...and I do mean anything to protect her. I think he’d risk anything and anyone, including himself, Graves and every single person within the schola, to protect Dru and make sure she’s not harmed. The way he feels about her, the way he cares so deeply, she means more to him than anything and there’s nothing he’d let stand in his way to protect her.
And it’s because of this that I just can’t help but think that Dru is making a mistake questioning Christophe or even considering being with Graves. Yes, I love the guy, but Graves and Dru just don’t have what Christophe and Dru do. They’re great friends, and under different circumstances there could have been something, but I think what they have is too safe, too boring.
I love the moments between Dru and Christophe. They have such great chemistry and there’s a spark between them that you just can’t deny. There’s no denying that they have something; something electric, which I think is real. Dru may have some kind of feelings for Graves, but it’s Christophe with whom she has a unspeakable connection and if she doesn’t admit that to herself soon, and I mean really, really admit it, not just think it and consider it, not to mention end up with him in the last book, I’m going to riot!
It was sooo great to see Ash change back in this book. I thought it was so cute how he acted. I think there are a few screws loose upstairs for that boy thanks to everything Sergej has done to him, but he’s a real sweetie, in a strange, odd way. Gotta love how protective he is of Dru and how he is on her side no matter what--it’s adorable.
I actually felt a tiny bit bad for Anna in this book. Who’d have thunk it? In the last book I wanted her gone, gone, gone, but in this book she actually stepped up and did something good for a change. Perhaps there is some redeeming her--if she survives that is.
I really want to know what’s going to happen next, now that Dru, Graves and Ash are on the run and now that Dru has bloomed. She’ll never be the same now and I wonder if being a fully bloomed svetocha will change her. She’s certainly beginning to step up a bit and is now more confident, and I look forward to seeing how she handles things now.
I can’t wait for the next book! I’m heart-broken that it’s the last, but I’m still dying to discover how this series ends. Dru better, better end up with Christophe. I need to see her apologize to him and watch them sail of into the sunset together.
Hey, a girl can hope right?
Bring. On. The. Next. Book.....Like. Yesterday!
Hmmm, what to say, what to say.....
First off, I loved it, and second....I hated it. Well, not really. I didn’t actually hate it, but I was frustrated by it and excited and shocked and angry and well, you get my point. It was both everything I wanted and everything I didn’t want all rolled into one.
I must admit though that I was a tad disappointed that it took so long to really get into the storyline. Considering how the last book ended, I expected things to pick up exactly where it left off, but Dru actually didn’t get to really looking and searching for Graves until about 3 quarters through. While I didn’t necessarily dislike this, I still would have preferred things to have been a bit faster paced and more centred on Dru finding Graves from the beginning.
This series is very descriptive and tends to have a slower pace than a lot of other books I’ve read, and while that’s not usually my sort of thing, for some reason (I can’t say why) I’m actually not bothered by this. I enjoy seeing this evolve slowly for the most part, and when the exciting and important moments happen, I do actually enjoy them and appreciate them a bit more.
I love Dru, simple as that! I find her to be one of the best heroines that I’ve ever come across! There’s nothing about her that really stands out, and while she does tend to make stupid decisions sometimes, I still love her regardless. It’s hard to really explain why I feel this way....She’s such a good, realistic character and every decision she makes seems plausible to me, and yet there’s something about her that just makes me unable to dislike her, even when I want to strangle her. When she does make the wrong choice, whether it is an action she really hasn’t thought through, or believing someone when she shouldn’t, it’s impossible for me to hold it against her as she always has good intentions. It’s often because she is trying to do the right thing or for someone.
Granted, even though I love her, that doesn’t mean that I didn’t want to jump into this book and strangle her when she happened to question a certain blond haired, blue eyed djamphir that I love sooooo much!
I couldn’t believe that Dru actually believed that Christophe could have done what Leon had led her to believe he’d done. Perhaps I’m a bit biased as I’m totally Team Christophe, but I never once thought he’d betrayed Dru. Yes, he keeps things from her, yes he occasionally bends the truth....but he does it because he cares (I think loves is the better word, but I’m holding off for now) for her and wants to protect her. I don’t think he’d ever do anything cruel simply to get Graves out of her life; he wouldn’t want to hurt her in any way. That being said, while I don’t doubt Christophe, I also don’t doubt for a second that he wouldn’t do anything...and I do mean anything to protect her. I think he’d risk anything and anyone, including himself, Graves and every single person within the schola, to protect Dru and make sure she’s not harmed. The way he feels about her, the way he cares so deeply, she means more to him than anything and there’s nothing he’d let stand in his way to protect her.
And it’s because of this that I just can’t help but think that Dru is making a mistake questioning Christophe or even considering being with Graves. Yes, I love the guy, but Graves and Dru just don’t have what Christophe and Dru do. They’re great friends, and under different circumstances there could have been something, but I think what they have is too safe, too boring.
I love the moments between Dru and Christophe. They have such great chemistry and there’s a spark between them that you just can’t deny. There’s no denying that they have something; something electric, which I think is real. Dru may have some kind of feelings for Graves, but it’s Christophe with whom she has a unspeakable connection and if she doesn’t admit that to herself soon, and I mean really, really admit it, not just think it and consider it, not to mention end up with him in the last book, I’m going to riot!
It was sooo great to see Ash change back in this book. I thought it was so cute how he acted. I think there are a few screws loose upstairs for that boy thanks to everything Sergej has done to him, but he’s a real sweetie, in a strange, odd way. Gotta love how protective he is of Dru and how he is on her side no matter what--it’s adorable.
I actually felt a tiny bit bad for Anna in this book. Who’d have thunk it? In the last book I wanted her gone, gone, gone, but in this book she actually stepped up and did something good for a change. Perhaps there is some redeeming her--if she survives that is.
I really want to know what’s going to happen next, now that Dru, Graves and Ash are on the run and now that Dru has bloomed. She’ll never be the same now and I wonder if being a fully bloomed svetocha will change her. She’s certainly beginning to step up a bit and is now more confident, and I look forward to seeing how she handles things now.
I can’t wait for the next book! I’m heart-broken that it’s the last, but I’m still dying to discover how this series ends. Dru better, better end up with Christophe. I need to see her apologize to him and watch them sail of into the sunset together.
Hey, a girl can hope right?
Bring. On. The. Next. Book.....Like. Yesterday!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Want to read
August 14, 2011I can't wait for this book to come out. I have every finger crossed that she picks Cristophe.
March 25, 2011
It was a good book, love Christophe all the way, Graves put on a good show but he gives off the feeling of a big brother (goodness i should know) and more a friend then a lover in all the books i read so far. Christophe is so more her type and his intentions are clear to all except her. I think Dru needs to open up those pretty little eyes of hers and realize what is in front of her, Christophe actually dose way more then she gives him credit for.
I so want her with Christoph 100% they make a nice match and it would make me want to read the books even more, if they don't end up together i think i will have to break something or seriously run it off. The hole Graves with Dru thing is just maddening and drives people stir crazy.
Keep Graves as big brother and Christoph as a lover.
...cross fingers for more romance scenes between her and Christoph...
I so want her with Christoph 100% they make a nice match and it would make me want to read the books even more, if they don't end up together i think i will have to break something or seriously run it off. The hole Graves with Dru thing is just maddening and drives people stir crazy.
Keep Graves as big brother and Christoph as a lover.
...cross fingers for more romance scenes between her and Christoph...
April 24, 2011
I cannot wait to get my hands on this book! I really hope Dru can save Graves!
I really like Graves and I think she SHOULDN'T choose Christophe, because I hate him...
***
OKay, well I really don't have anything to say about this book... It was pretty much a waste of time, in fact, I'm returning it the next chace I get.
I finished it in one sitting, mostly because I wanted to get it over with. She got back Graves, ("yaaay"), but she still likes Christophe. And Leon is evil, ("OMG really), and for about ONE chapter my widest dream came true: Christophe was evil and Dru hated him. For ONE CHAPTER. That's it.
There's nothing really "unforgetable" about it, and I'll probably forget all about the book in about 3 days or so. So, yeah...
I really like Graves and I think she SHOULDN'T choose Christophe, because I hate him...
***
OKay, well I really don't have anything to say about this book... It was pretty much a waste of time, in fact, I'm returning it the next chace I get.
I finished it in one sitting, mostly because I wanted to get it over with. She got back Graves, ("yaaay"), but she still likes Christophe. And Leon is evil, ("OMG really), and for about ONE chapter my widest dream came true: Christophe was evil and Dru hated him. For ONE CHAPTER. That's it.
There's nothing really "unforgetable" about it, and I'll probably forget all about the book in about 3 days or so. So, yeah...
March 21, 2021
Defiance starts off very slow. Graves is kidnapped by Sergej and Dru takes her sweet time getting to him.
Dru becomes more annoying in this book and Christophe, well he was everywhere and very annoying as well. I liked the plot of the book but the pacing was too slow in the beginning. Things do move in the later half of the book and there are some twists and turns that kept me guessing and hooked.
Even though this wasn't as good, I am still looking forward to the next.
3 stars
Dru becomes more annoying in this book and Christophe, well he was everywhere and very annoying as well. I liked the plot of the book but the pacing was too slow in the beginning. Things do move in the later half of the book and there are some twists and turns that kept me guessing and hooked.
Even though this wasn't as good, I am still looking forward to the next.
3 stars
Read
August 9, 2012Christophe is the sweetest!!I think im in love!<3 If she doesn't pick Christophe i will be so mad
!! >:| I love Dru though she is my favorite character well besides Christophe anyways!!<3 ha<3 I love the series and cant wait to see what happens!!<3
!! >:| I love Dru though she is my favorite character well besides Christophe anyways!!<3 ha<3 I love the series and cant wait to see what happens!!<3
April 23, 2011
1 more day! Team Graves FTW,lol!
----
I am willing to admit, at this point, that Graves, Dru, and the Wulfen are the main reasons why I enjoy this series. There was a lot of Christophe this go round and not enough Graves. However, I still enjoyed the book because Dru made some important discoveries, came into her own in terms of making decisions, and it's clear that she can't go a day without her sunshine, lol. Ok, that might be lost on some of you. Sunshine=Graves. Loved the last few chapters tons and I'm both looking forward to and dreading the next book. It's the last, right? I need Dru and Graves to happen. At thsi point, it's clear that Graves and Dru and endgame. I refuse to see it any other way.
----
I am willing to admit, at this point, that Graves, Dru, and the Wulfen are the main reasons why I enjoy this series. There was a lot of Christophe this go round and not enough Graves. However, I still enjoyed the book because Dru made some important discoveries, came into her own in terms of making decisions, and it's clear that she can't go a day without her sunshine, lol. Ok, that might be lost on some of you. Sunshine=Graves. Loved the last few chapters tons and I'm both looking forward to and dreading the next book. It's the last, right? I need Dru and Graves to happen. At thsi point, it's clear that Graves and Dru and endgame. I refuse to see it any other way.
October 7, 2010
Freaking retarded ending. Dru is a moron. Not sure if I care to finish the series anymore. I might, if I find out it all ends badly. For Dru. Like, Sergei would have to drink every drop of Dru's precious svetocha blood then toss her corpse into the Hudson.
I'd totally read that.
Because that would be infinitely more interesting than where this story is obviously headed.
P.S.
P.P.S. Just because I don't like this book doesn't mean you won't. You'll probably love it. So read it or whatever, I don't care.
I'd totally read that.
Because that would be infinitely more interesting than where this story is obviously headed.
P.S.
P.P.S. Just because I don't like this book doesn't mean you won't. You'll probably love it. So read it or whatever, I don't care.
June 18, 2011
I wish this book were out NOW! I seriously cannot wait to see what happens next for Dru, Graves and Christophe!!
I'm so torn between the two of them :(
Seriously good book.. the beginning was a little slow. But, once it got going it didn't let up until the very last page. I can't wait for this Fall! :) And, God I'm glad Graves is OK!! But, Christophe? What the Hell are we supposed to believe now? Was it all just Leon making up everything about what Christophe allegedly 'knew' about Graves' whereabouts? Or, did he know and Leon only exaggerated the truth a little to get Dru lured into the trap? Ugh.. come on 'Reckoning' -- I need to know what happens next!!!
I'm so torn between the two of them :(
Seriously good book.. the beginning was a little slow. But, once it got going it didn't let up until the very last page. I can't wait for this Fall! :) And, God I'm glad Graves is OK!! But, Christophe? What the Hell are we supposed to believe now? Was it all just Leon making up everything about what Christophe allegedly 'knew' about Graves' whereabouts? Or, did he know and Leon only exaggerated the truth a little to get Dru lured into the trap? Ugh.. come on 'Reckoning' -- I need to know what happens next!!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 29, 2011
OMG YES!!!! The cover is out and it's HAUT!! There's the badass dru we all know and love. I hope she has a revelation and kicks some serios butt in this book!!!!
I just finished . it was beautifull. Now i'm both sad and happy that i finished it.
I just finished . it was beautifull. Now i'm both sad and happy that i finished it.
April 4, 2015
I read this book in one day because I love this series. After this book, my feelings are: 1) the book is too short, I need more 2)I despise Christophe and his pedophile self 3) I love the action where Dru has become a full fledged svetocha 4) I can't wait for the next book.
September 8, 2016
I would give this a 4.5 star but this series has been so enjoyable that it deserves to be bumped up half a star.
What's with the covers anyway? Dru's supposed to be a curly, frizzy blonde, and the cover girl has always been a brunette who's clearly spent some time with a Chi flat iron.
My main issue with this book is the first 1/5. I honestly thought I had accidentally bought the 5th book in the series and skipped over the 4th. It was like ending a Harry Potter book with a well-earned summer vacation at the Burrows and waking up in the middle of the final battle at Hogwarts with Fred and George letting shit loose all over the place.
The last book ends with and all of a sudden she's in disguise and on a stakeout and attacking a bunch of random nosferatu? And who the fuck is Nathalie? Her sudden introduction and the sudden immersion of the reader into unexpected, unexplained action, given the ending of the previous book was just confusing as hell. I had no idea what was going on.
But that's all forgiven because the rest of the book, particularly the last 1/3 is kick ass. Holy shit Dru grows into herself and gains some serious balls. To continue with the Harry Potter imagery, it was like when Harry got sick of all the shit he's been through and just explodes, and man, Dru explodes spectacularly. I was jumping out of my seat cheering for the girl. Man, oh man, the ending is wonderful, and I'm going to be sad going into the last book knowing that it's the last book.
What's with the covers anyway? Dru's supposed to be a curly, frizzy blonde, and the cover girl has always been a brunette who's clearly spent some time with a Chi flat iron.
My main issue with this book is the first 1/5. I honestly thought I had accidentally bought the 5th book in the series and skipped over the 4th. It was like ending a Harry Potter book with a well-earned summer vacation at the Burrows and waking up in the middle of the final battle at Hogwarts with Fred and George letting shit loose all over the place.
The last book ends with and all of a sudden she's in disguise and on a stakeout and attacking a bunch of random nosferatu? And who the fuck is Nathalie? Her sudden introduction and the sudden immersion of the reader into unexpected, unexplained action, given the ending of the previous book was just confusing as hell. I had no idea what was going on.
But that's all forgiven because the rest of the book, particularly the last 1/3 is kick ass. Holy shit Dru grows into herself and gains some serious balls. To continue with the Harry Potter imagery, it was like when Harry got sick of all the shit he's been through and just explodes, and man, Dru explodes spectacularly. I was jumping out of my seat cheering for the girl. Man, oh man, the ending is wonderful, and I'm going to be sad going into the last book knowing that it's the last book.
April 2, 2011
‘Defiance’ picks up where ‘Jealousy’ left off on a nail-biting cliff-hanger. Now that sixteen-year-old Dru's worst fears have come true and Sergej has kidnapped her best friend Graves, she'll have to go on a suicidal rescue mission to bring him back in one piece. That is, if she can put all of Christophe's training to good use, defeat her mother's traitor, Anna, once and for all, and manage to survive another day...
This is the fourth book in Lili St. Crow’s ‘Strange Angels’ series.
So many questions and only two books left! I will put your mind at ease and say, yes, the biggest cliff-hanger of ‘Jealousy’ has a resolution, but there is still much about the ‘Strange Angels’ series that is shrouded in mystery . . .
I love ‘Strange Angels’. This is a dark, kick-ass young adult paranormal series. Lili St. Crow writes violence, profanity and a main character that is at odds with her inner demons and great expectations. Dru is not perfect; she is magnificently flawed and emotionally broken. But in ‘Defiance’, she completely and utterly dominates. She comes into her own and embraces the woman she is becoming, and the girl she used to be;
How would Dad have dealt with all this? He hadn’t even told me the most basic things about myself. About who or what I was, who he was, who Mom had been . . . but I hadn’t needed to know, had I? I'd known everything there was to know when I was his helper. His little girl.
Daddy’s little princess. Who had emptied a clip into the shambling corpse that used to be her father.
Of all the things that will fuck you up in the head, that had to be in a class all its own.
In the past Dru has been on the back-foot. From having to kill her father, to learning about the svetocha and The Order, Dru has been reacting throughout the series, and on the defence instead of offense. Well that all ends right here, right now. In ‘Defiance’ Dru shakes off the shackles of her past, and takes control of her life and future . . . and her transformation is glorious!
Fury boiled up inside me, pushing aside the pain. The hunger fed on the rage, feasted on it, and this time I was a clear glass girl full of red wrath, but it didn’t own me. I stood in the middle of all that anger, a ribbon of cold steel inside me, and felt something inside me shift like a key clicking over in a lock.
As to the love triangle . . . I don’t want to give anything away! Grr. For those of you who thought Dru had been a little bit naively oblivious to Graves and Christophe’s interest in her, I can say that in this instalment she is confronted with the conundrum of her emotions. It’s all lain bare, in heart-on-sleeve, cheek-cracking glory . . . There are some hot, tense moments in ‘Defiance’ that will have both Team Christophe and Team Graves cheering (and squealing!).
There’s only one book left in the ‘Strange Angels’ series (‘Reckoning’, coming out November this year!) so it should come as no surprise that ‘Defiance’ ends on a cliff-hanger. Though I don’t know that it’s an overly steep cliff . . . fans should be anticipating this curve-ball, but will still be rabid to know how it impacts the finale.
Sorry if that’s frustratingly cryptic!
‘Defiance’ is a wonderful lead into what I am sure will be one hell of an explosively wonderful finale in Lil St. Crow’s ‘Strange Angels’ series. Dru is coming into her own; she is embracing the lies of her past and the violence in her future. Fantastic!
This is the fourth book in Lili St. Crow’s ‘Strange Angels’ series.
So many questions and only two books left! I will put your mind at ease and say, yes, the biggest cliff-hanger of ‘Jealousy’ has a resolution, but there is still much about the ‘Strange Angels’ series that is shrouded in mystery . . .
I love ‘Strange Angels’. This is a dark, kick-ass young adult paranormal series. Lili St. Crow writes violence, profanity and a main character that is at odds with her inner demons and great expectations. Dru is not perfect; she is magnificently flawed and emotionally broken. But in ‘Defiance’, she completely and utterly dominates. She comes into her own and embraces the woman she is becoming, and the girl she used to be;
How would Dad have dealt with all this? He hadn’t even told me the most basic things about myself. About who or what I was, who he was, who Mom had been . . . but I hadn’t needed to know, had I? I'd known everything there was to know when I was his helper. His little girl.
Daddy’s little princess. Who had emptied a clip into the shambling corpse that used to be her father.
Of all the things that will fuck you up in the head, that had to be in a class all its own.
In the past Dru has been on the back-foot. From having to kill her father, to learning about the svetocha and The Order, Dru has been reacting throughout the series, and on the defence instead of offense. Well that all ends right here, right now. In ‘Defiance’ Dru shakes off the shackles of her past, and takes control of her life and future . . . and her transformation is glorious!
Fury boiled up inside me, pushing aside the pain. The hunger fed on the rage, feasted on it, and this time I was a clear glass girl full of red wrath, but it didn’t own me. I stood in the middle of all that anger, a ribbon of cold steel inside me, and felt something inside me shift like a key clicking over in a lock.
As to the love triangle . . . I don’t want to give anything away! Grr. For those of you who thought Dru had been a little bit naively oblivious to Graves and Christophe’s interest in her, I can say that in this instalment she is confronted with the conundrum of her emotions. It’s all lain bare, in heart-on-sleeve, cheek-cracking glory . . . There are some hot, tense moments in ‘Defiance’ that will have both Team Christophe and Team Graves cheering (and squealing!).
There’s only one book left in the ‘Strange Angels’ series (‘Reckoning’, coming out November this year!) so it should come as no surprise that ‘Defiance’ ends on a cliff-hanger. Though I don’t know that it’s an overly steep cliff . . . fans should be anticipating this curve-ball, but will still be rabid to know how it impacts the finale.
Sorry if that’s frustratingly cryptic!
‘Defiance’ is a wonderful lead into what I am sure will be one hell of an explosively wonderful finale in Lil St. Crow’s ‘Strange Angels’ series. Dru is coming into her own; she is embracing the lies of her past and the violence in her future. Fantastic!
May 16, 2011
Something about this book grated on my nerves. Part of it, perhaps, is the fact that I was in a somewhat foul mood when I started reading Defiance, the other part... well. Something about Dru made me want to smack her head and tell her to get over herself. I don't expect her to be a doormat (I definitely don't want that to happen, in fact), but the way she just runs full tilt at things without even pausing a brief moment to consider that, hey, maybe she should think about it a little more--argh. Argh.
And it's somewhat pissing me off that she thinks so much about the status of her relationship with Graves and Christophe when she has more important things on her mind. And, I'm sorry Dru, but the fact that you think that you should be let loose upon the world when you've been training for what? A month? Is laughable at best. It just makes me think that you're whining and I'm trying hard to cut you some slack considering that your best friend was kidnapped and all, but ugh, I hate reading it.
On a more positive note, I still really like Ash. I think of him like this giant puppy of doom and I always sort of want to pat him. Even though he's a person, underneath all the fur and growlyness. That and we don't actually see much of him, really. ...Well, I like him anyway.
I feel like Dru was a giant idiot in this book, and it's not a pleasant feeling. The plot somewhat plods along before picking up at the end of the book, but by then it was more of a feeling of finally than anything else. While I'm glad to read the action and see Dru try her best, at this point I was mostly just tired. And then the ending was a cliffhanger, of course. Lovely.
I just did not like Defiance all that much. I was bored. I was mad. I was annoyed. I wanted to kick Dru in the head. I wanted Cristophe to stop being so damned inscrutable. I wanted Graves to... I have no idea. But at the point where we met Graves again, I just didn't care.
Giving this book 2 stars. I actually disliked it enough that I wavered between 1 and 2, but considering that I liked the series well enough before... well, bumped up to 2.
And it's somewhat pissing me off that she thinks so much about the status of her relationship with Graves and Christophe when she has more important things on her mind. And, I'm sorry Dru, but the fact that you think that you should be let loose upon the world when you've been training for what? A month? Is laughable at best. It just makes me think that you're whining and I'm trying hard to cut you some slack considering that your best friend was kidnapped and all, but ugh, I hate reading it.
On a more positive note, I still really like Ash. I think of him like this giant puppy of doom and I always sort of want to pat him. Even though he's a person, underneath all the fur and growlyness. That and we don't actually see much of him, really. ...Well, I like him anyway.
I feel like Dru was a giant idiot in this book, and it's not a pleasant feeling. The plot somewhat plods along before picking up at the end of the book, but by then it was more of a feeling of finally than anything else. While I'm glad to read the action and see Dru try her best, at this point I was mostly just tired. And then the ending was a cliffhanger, of course. Lovely.
I just did not like Defiance all that much. I was bored. I was mad. I was annoyed. I wanted to kick Dru in the head. I wanted Cristophe to stop being so damned inscrutable. I wanted Graves to... I have no idea. But at the point where we met Graves again, I just didn't care.
Giving this book 2 stars. I actually disliked it enough that I wavered between 1 and 2, but considering that I liked the series well enough before... well, bumped up to 2.
March 27, 2011
I cannot wait for the next book!!!
However Lilith St. Crow moves the plot quite quickly so if you are a fast reader you sometimes have to go back and read something again just incase you missed it.
I would really wish that Lilith qould repeat some key points.
Such as why Sveoctcha are hunted/
And in this book particularly what an "aspect" is.
I am kept in suspense as to what will happen with graves and Christophe.
Go team Graves. I don't mind the whole werewolf, vampire thing. Lilith has written this why better than twilight!
However Lilith St. Crow moves the plot quite quickly so if you are a fast reader you sometimes have to go back and read something again just incase you missed it.
I would really wish that Lilith qould repeat some key points.
Such as why Sveoctcha are hunted/
And in this book particularly what an "aspect" is.
I am kept in suspense as to what will happen with graves and Christophe.
Go team Graves. I don't mind the whole werewolf, vampire thing. Lilith has written this why better than twilight!
November 22, 2011
Finished it and it was absolutley breath taking. At some points i was like wow. It completely blew my mind and it really had me thinking. Usually i would just get a book just like that after they explain it to me but this one was really mind racking. It also made me cry a lot sigh when christophe said those sweet things to her. I cant wait for the next book and i would recommend this book to anyone who loves any of Lilith's Saintcrows books.
January 28, 2019
*3.5/5 stars*
This is what I wanted from this series! Defiance was very action-packed, the whole plot moved the story nicely forward so there was no one boring moment.
The author shown us some surprising depth to Anna's character, and while I still didn't love her or thought she's an interesting 'sort of villain', I did understand and pitied her.
Dru had grown up so much in this book and finally became the tough girl I loved in first book - even more so kickass actually. Strange Angels became very addictive series for me.
“Anna never wanted to walk when she could be carried, your mother wanted to walk when she could fly, and you want to run before you can walk.”
This is what I wanted from this series! Defiance was very action-packed, the whole plot moved the story nicely forward so there was no one boring moment.
The author shown us some surprising depth to Anna's character, and while I still didn't love her or thought she's an interesting 'sort of villain', I did understand and pitied her.
Dru had grown up so much in this book and finally became the tough girl I loved in first book - even more so kickass actually. Strange Angels became very addictive series for me.
“Anna never wanted to walk when she could be carried, your mother wanted to walk when she could fly, and you want to run before you can walk.”
Want to read
February 1, 2011GRAVES FTW!
April 24, 2011
Enjoyable, but too short and too much of a filler book. Let the girl bloom already! And more Christophe, please.
Want to read
February 26, 2011I CANT WAIT FOR THiS TO COmE OuT!!! I AM ToTaLY TEaM CHRiSToPHe!!!
October 8, 2019
3 stelle ½ - 4
In questo capitolo di una serie interrotta ritroviamo la protagonista alle prese con le difficoltà di tutti i giorni sia quelli con i damphiri, più precisamente Cristoph sia quelli con i lupi, e qui intendo il Domato Ash; oltre a questo ci si aggiunge la preoccupazione costante per il suo amico loup garou Graves.
A renderle le cose difficili ci saranno molti nemici inaspettati oltre a quelli che la nostra Dru già conosce ma anche i sentimenti che la confondono da parte di Cristoph per lei.
In questo capitolo la parte riservata all’azione si concentra interamente verso la fine del libro, per il resto il libro è un concentrato di sotterfugi e menzogne che a mio parere rendono la lettura un po' lenta, infatti ho faticato molto a leggere la parte iniziale del libro.
Nel complesso è un libro carino che però poteva essere decisamente migliore; ora spero vivamente che la casa editrice riprenda in mano la serie per concluderla dato che manca solo un libro e spero lo faccia presto.
In questo capitolo di una serie interrotta ritroviamo la protagonista alle prese con le difficoltà di tutti i giorni sia quelli con i damphiri, più precisamente Cristoph sia quelli con i lupi, e qui intendo il Domato Ash; oltre a questo ci si aggiunge la preoccupazione costante per il suo amico loup garou Graves.
A renderle le cose difficili ci saranno molti nemici inaspettati oltre a quelli che la nostra Dru già conosce ma anche i sentimenti che la confondono da parte di Cristoph per lei.
In questo capitolo la parte riservata all’azione si concentra interamente verso la fine del libro, per il resto il libro è un concentrato di sotterfugi e menzogne che a mio parere rendono la lettura un po' lenta, infatti ho faticato molto a leggere la parte iniziale del libro.
Nel complesso è un libro carino che però poteva essere decisamente migliore; ora spero vivamente che la casa editrice riprenda in mano la serie per concluderla dato che manca solo un libro e spero lo faccia presto.
April 30, 2011
3.5
Roughly fifty (hmmm, maybe more) percent of Defiance has Dru acting the way she did in Jealousy *read mopy and depressed.* I have said that I felt a bit let down by how she changed from hard-ass in book 1 to mopy girl in books 2 and 3. Needless to say, I was looking forward to a comeback of Dru as she was when I first met her.
Christophe just couldn't win with her! No matter what he said or did, he always ended up the baddy in her eyes. So much so, that I even contemplated switching to his team (being a Graves girl myself I used to be hard pressed to see him in a light where he looked better than the former!) Anyway, Chris... he was just always there (whether Dru was aware of his presence or not.)(Come to think of it, this fact may be a negative because it makes him sound creepy in a stalker kind of way.) I still think he needs some work though: his inabilty to get his point across, his overly protective ways just got on my nerves!
Now to Graves, the one part of the series that has kept me reading, the one character that I had been looking forward to hearing from, played such a minimal role in this one. Talk about disappointing!
Then back to Dru! Yes, she was her mopy paranoid self through out most of the book, so a change was at hand. But when what happened did happen, I found myself wondering, "Could she really be that gullible?"
One of the parts that I am still remembering is
Summing up: The negatives: Dru putting herself and others in danger because she could not trust anyone around her. Not that she was completely to be blamed. Chris played a big role in how she acted. IMO, one kiss, heck, several kisses -passionate as they may have been- do not a relationship of trust make!
The positives: Well, she blooms at last! And then there's the villain that just wouldn't quit!
Filler? I suppose. Helluva ride nonetheless!
Roughly fifty (hmmm, maybe more) percent of Defiance has Dru acting the way she did in Jealousy *read mopy and depressed.* I have said that I felt a bit let down by how she changed from hard-ass in book 1 to mopy girl in books 2 and 3. Needless to say, I was looking forward to a comeback of Dru as she was when I first met her.
Christophe just couldn't win with her! No matter what he said or did, he always ended up the baddy in her eyes. So much so, that I even contemplated switching to his team (being a Graves girl myself I used to be hard pressed to see him in a light where he looked better than the former!) Anyway, Chris... he was just always there (whether Dru was aware of his presence or not.)(Come to think of it, this fact may be a negative because it makes him sound creepy in a stalker kind of way.) I still think he needs some work though: his inabilty to get his point across, his overly protective ways just got on my nerves!
Now to Graves, the one part of the series that has kept me reading, the one character that I had been looking forward to hearing from, played such a minimal role in this one. Talk about disappointing!
Then back to Dru! Yes, she was her mopy paranoid self through out most of the book, so a change was at hand. But when what happened did happen, I found myself wondering, "Could she really be that gullible?"
One of the parts that I am still remembering is
Summing up: The negatives: Dru putting herself and others in danger because she could not trust anyone around her. Not that she was completely to be blamed. Chris played a big role in how she acted. IMO, one kiss, heck, several kisses -passionate as they may have been- do not a relationship of trust make!
The positives: Well, she blooms at last! And then there's the villain that just wouldn't quit!
Filler? I suppose. Helluva ride nonetheless!
April 8, 2011
Book four in the Strange Angels series
I have loved this series right from the start and this book is a welcome continuation of Dru's story- exciting, nail-biting and action packed. Dru is part vampire and living at the schola for dhamphir and werwulfen boys, training with Christophe and attending class. Dru is svetocha- a rare female part vampire part human, and as such she is treated like a princess at the schola, and accorded a lot of respect and influence. She uses this to command everyone to help in the search for Graves, her missing best friend. I am Team Graves all the way and have always found Christophe a little creepy. Graves is not in this book a lot which is a shame, because he is a very funny and comforting character, who can always be relied upon. His absence makes Dru brooding and miserable, and leaves a hole in the story. There is no comic relief so Dru's emotions are always dark and raw. She also has a confusing time trying to sort out her feelings for both Graves and Christophe. Her status as svetocha also means that she must always be watched and protected, leaving Dru feeling smothered. Dru is the type of person to hate being treated like she is precious and never takes advantage of her power. Dru is such a great heroine- really likeable. She is such a funny mix of spunky tough-girl tom-boyishness and real vulnerability.
After a slow start the action picks up again and Dru's strength and determination kicks in over her depression and renews her desperation to help Graves. I love the constant shift in narrative between what is happening and Dru's memories of her Grandmother's advice and her Dad's training. Dru never knows who to trust and alliances shift, and she is lied to and betrayed from unexpected quarters. But she also finds an unexpected ally...
Book 5 The Reckoning is due to be published November 2011 and looks like it will be an explosive finale to the series with Dru really coming into her own- bring it on!
I have loved this series right from the start and this book is a welcome continuation of Dru's story- exciting, nail-biting and action packed. Dru is part vampire and living at the schola for dhamphir and werwulfen boys, training with Christophe and attending class. Dru is svetocha- a rare female part vampire part human, and as such she is treated like a princess at the schola, and accorded a lot of respect and influence. She uses this to command everyone to help in the search for Graves, her missing best friend. I am Team Graves all the way and have always found Christophe a little creepy. Graves is not in this book a lot which is a shame, because he is a very funny and comforting character, who can always be relied upon. His absence makes Dru brooding and miserable, and leaves a hole in the story. There is no comic relief so Dru's emotions are always dark and raw. She also has a confusing time trying to sort out her feelings for both Graves and Christophe. Her status as svetocha also means that she must always be watched and protected, leaving Dru feeling smothered. Dru is the type of person to hate being treated like she is precious and never takes advantage of her power. Dru is such a great heroine- really likeable. She is such a funny mix of spunky tough-girl tom-boyishness and real vulnerability.
After a slow start the action picks up again and Dru's strength and determination kicks in over her depression and renews her desperation to help Graves. I love the constant shift in narrative between what is happening and Dru's memories of her Grandmother's advice and her Dad's training. Dru never knows who to trust and alliances shift, and she is lied to and betrayed from unexpected quarters. But she also finds an unexpected ally...
Book 5 The Reckoning is due to be published November 2011 and looks like it will be an explosive finale to the series with Dru really coming into her own- bring it on!
October 13, 2015
Defiance, the fourth book in this series.
I kept asking myself, why I am still wasting my time. From first to fourth, I should have dropped this series beforehand. And voila I'm on fourth book. Wow. Isn't that something? The book must be really good, but honestly its just interesting.
Should I drop the series or should I not? Well, I might as well drop it. My hate for the characters is growing, lots of whine and confusion.
The Writing.
Overall and honestly the writing is nice, its different cause the idea is somehow original. It’s YA yet the cussing is present (I have this thing about cussing in books).
What makes it different is that it was always generalize that Wolf, Werewulf is just a Werewolf, forgive me for I didn't read much about Werewolf. So Werewolf here have two kinds, Loup Garou - the Prince, one that has been bitten for he is a virgin and didn’t know the other world; He is the dominant or the Alpha, stronger than the normal Wulf, not hairy compared to the others, do not transform in their usual Werewulf form (unless he transformed, it was revealed after sometime of readings)
World Building
Its world is familiar. In fairness in the world-building it is not something that received a 'WHOAH!' type instead of a just 'OK' or ‘It’s good’ type.
This little review has been written like 3-4 months ago. I think I won't read this again until my mind change so. No matter how I hate to not finish a book it won't work this time. It's already time to give-up. And I will give-up. My thoughts are cluttered and my usual patience to this has come to an end. I am half-way to this so I will rate this as I please.
Overall 0.5/5.
I kept asking myself, why I am still wasting my time. From first to fourth, I should have dropped this series beforehand. And voila I'm on fourth book. Wow. Isn't that something? The book must be really good, but honestly its just interesting.
Should I drop the series or should I not? Well, I might as well drop it. My hate for the characters is growing, lots of whine and confusion.
The Writing.
Overall and honestly the writing is nice, its different cause the idea is somehow original. It’s YA yet the cussing is present (I have this thing about cussing in books).
What makes it different is that it was always generalize that Wolf, Werewulf is just a Werewolf, forgive me for I didn't read much about Werewolf. So Werewolf here have two kinds, Loup Garou - the Prince, one that has been bitten for he is a virgin and didn’t know the other world; He is the dominant or the Alpha, stronger than the normal Wulf, not hairy compared to the others, do not transform in their usual Werewulf form (unless he transformed, it was revealed after sometime of readings)
World Building
Its world is familiar. In fairness in the world-building it is not something that received a 'WHOAH!' type instead of a just 'OK' or ‘It’s good’ type.
This little review has been written like 3-4 months ago. I think I won't read this again until my mind change so. No matter how I hate to not finish a book it won't work this time. It's already time to give-up. And I will give-up. My thoughts are cluttered and my usual patience to this has come to an end. I am half-way to this so I will rate this as I please.
Overall 0.5/5.
April 1, 2011
'The heart-stopping fourth novel in New York Times bestselling author Lili St. Crow's Strange Angels series'
I really liked the Defiance - the fourth book in the Strange Angels series. This series is really addicting~~!
Hey Sucker. It's showtime.
Dru Anderson has always been a good listener. She listened to her dad, but had to gun him down when he turned zombie. She listened to the Order, but got nothing but lied to in return. She listened to Christophe, but still lost the only friend she had left.
Time to buckle up, boys and girls. Dru Anderson is done listening. From here on out, she'll face the King of the Vampires on her own terms. And if the Order has a problem with that, they can kiss their sweet little svetocha goodbye.
I really like Dru as a main character - I've liked her since I started the series. She has attitude and isn't without flaws but shes brave and a really likable protagonist. My other favourite characteris Graves, of course. I was upset there wasn't more of him in this book but that was expected. So in the first couple of books I struggled to choose between Christophe and Graves but I am officialy Team Graves. I also really like Ash!
Ah, I just love this series. Its fast-paced so yeah it doesn't drag (I hate that). Now I am eagerly waiting for the next book in the series - which I've heard is also the final ): - 'Reckoning'. It says in my copy of Defiance its meant to be released this year. Yay~!
Rating - 4 stars
Oh, and - TEAM GRAVES (:
I really liked the Defiance - the fourth book in the Strange Angels series. This series is really addicting~~!
Hey Sucker. It's showtime.
Dru Anderson has always been a good listener. She listened to her dad, but had to gun him down when he turned zombie. She listened to the Order, but got nothing but lied to in return. She listened to Christophe, but still lost the only friend she had left.
Time to buckle up, boys and girls. Dru Anderson is done listening. From here on out, she'll face the King of the Vampires on her own terms. And if the Order has a problem with that, they can kiss their sweet little svetocha goodbye.
I really like Dru as a main character - I've liked her since I started the series. She has attitude and isn't without flaws but shes brave and a really likable protagonist. My other favourite characteris Graves, of course. I was upset there wasn't more of him in this book but that was expected. So in the first couple of books I struggled to choose between Christophe and Graves but I am officialy Team Graves. I also really like Ash!
Ah, I just love this series. Its fast-paced so yeah it doesn't drag (I hate that). Now I am eagerly waiting for the next book in the series - which I've heard is also the final ): - 'Reckoning'. It says in my copy of Defiance its meant to be released this year. Yay~!
Rating - 4 stars
Oh, and - TEAM GRAVES (:
April 25, 2011
Lots of things I like about this series-Dru in particular is a great character who (literally) kicks ass. Love how she has been set up to have so much power that she has no idea what to do with-interesting situation. I liked seeing her take charge in the end, even if she might have been manipulated into doing so. The books are getting better as the series progresses, which is great to see.
There are lot of things that bug me about this series though. After four books, Christophe-who I am assuming will be the main love interest in the end-is still full out creepy and continues to hide a lot from Dru. I don’t really understand what she would even see in him, apart from hormones and ‘because he’s there���. The age/experience issue bothers me as well, he is a million years old and she is 16 :/
Another thing I have noticed about this series as a whole, some of the language just seems unpolished and is not used as effectively as it could be. I think St. Crow is trying something unique in terms of how the story unfolds, but she seems to have a hard time getting to the point and conveying precise meaning. A lot of the times I have to re-read just to understand the point.
There are lot of things that bug me about this series though. After four books, Christophe-who I am assuming will be the main love interest in the end-is still full out creepy and continues to hide a lot from Dru. I don’t really understand what she would even see in him, apart from hormones and ‘because he’s there���. The age/experience issue bothers me as well, he is a million years old and she is 16 :/
Another thing I have noticed about this series as a whole, some of the language just seems unpolished and is not used as effectively as it could be. I think St. Crow is trying something unique in terms of how the story unfolds, but she seems to have a hard time getting to the point and conveying precise meaning. A lot of the times I have to re-read just to understand the point.
April 22, 2011
I dont know about anyone else, but I kind of want to slap Dru. I really like this series but her character seems a little whiny in this book...im not done with it yet...maybe ill change my mind. But something just isnt clicking with me and this book. Im just reading it as a way to move on to the next book and hope I like it better. Plus, i want to see what happens to Graves.
Ill give it 2.5 stars...i just couldn't engage myself in the book. However, I do have several questions about the next book. Someone else said it but what about Christophe? And Anna...and what was it augustine and christophe were trying to tell her? Was it more than Leon being the 'bad guy'?
Ill give it 2.5 stars...i just couldn't engage myself in the book. However, I do have several questions about the next book. Someone else said it but what about Christophe? And Anna...and what was it augustine and christophe were trying to tell her? Was it more than Leon being the 'bad guy'?
Want to read
September 8, 2010ooooooohhhhhhhhhhhh cant wait !!!!
May 13, 2011
I can't even get this book into my head.It was so intense.
July 13, 2021
4 Stars
I really enjoyed this installment of this series. I feel it was probably the best one so far and I can't wait to read the final book.
I really enjoyed this installment of this series. I feel it was probably the best one so far and I can't wait to read the final book.
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