Hidden Gems: Defy by Tricia Mingerink

Annndddd...here's my third and final review for the week!! ^_^ Five posts in four days, quite the doozie! Hopefully, I'll have another post up tomorrow for y'all...and then my October recap next week...followed by an explanation to why all this is coming your way at once. :P 

The war for Acktar has begun. 

With his betrayal revealed, former Blade Leith Torren flees into the Sheered Rock Hills, pursued by King Respen’s vengeful Blades. 

Left behind at Nalgar Castle, Renna Faythe tries to find her purpose, yet that purpose isn’t what she expected. 

Brandi Faythe has been torn from her sister, and that isn’t all right. If Leith can’t rescue Renna, Brandi will take matters into her own hands. 

War demands sacrifice. Courage falters. Who will find the strength to defy King Respen?

Acktar rests on one hope: 

The Leader is ready.

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My Review. 

Ah, yes. Defy. The book that broke my heart... And I'm not even kidding. For at least the last 1/3 or 1/4 of this book I was an absolute emotional wreck. (LIKE WHAT ARE YOU PEOPLE DOING TO MY PRECIOUS CHARACTER.) 

I read this book in two days, starting it the same day I finished Deny. If I had to pick a favorite of the three books, it would be this one. (And no, not just because it's the last one I read. :P) There was just so much to love!! I loved getting to 'visit' Eagle Heights!!! How cool!! :D The part in the Waste, the parts in the castle, the near-ending in the Meeting Room. The war for Acktar. The leader. Honestly, I didn't know what to make of him at first. (Especially when he locked *blank* up!!! >_<) But he 'grew on me', I guess, and I turned out liking him in the end. 

ALSO. This is the book where the romance that's been hinted at since the beginning actually begins to be obvious. And can I just say... It's perfect. The end. *smiles* 

Finally! A book that didn't end on a horrific cliffhanger. XD I was so glad to actually find some happiness for the dear, sweet characters at the end of this one. The ending was very nicely done, yet not wrapping up everything so we still have some questions for Deliver to answer. ;) 

(As with Dare and Deny, I'll give a couple cautions. This book, Defy, probably has the most blood and violence out of the series thus far. Especially towards the ending. Some torture, some descriptive battle scenes. Again, I would say pre-teen and up.) 

Five stars!! Though I'll be sorry to see the series come to an end, I can't wait to read book four, Deliver!! :) 

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Hope you enjoyed my reviews! :) So tell me, what's your favorite of The Blades of Acktar? Have you read Deal, a short story available by subscribing to Ms. Mingerink's newsletter? Are you looking forward to Deliver?