Review: Born of Defiance by Sherrilyn Kenyon

Release Date: May 12th, 2015

Publisher: St. Martin's Press

Pgs: 518, hardcover, purchased

Rating: ★★★★★

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22046891-born-of-defiance

Synopsis:
Born an Outcast, Talyn Batur has spent the whole of his life fighting against the prejudice of his people. An Andarion without a father is not something anyone wants to be. But when his companion’s brother draws him into a plot against the Andarion crown, he finds himself torn between the loyalty to their planetary government that his mother has beaten into him and his own beliefs of justice and right. Now, he must decide for himself to remain a pawn of their government or to defy everything and everyone he’s ever known to stand up to tyranny. It’s a gamble that will either save his life or end it. And when old enemies align with new ones, it’s more than just his own life at risk. And more than just his homeworld that will end should he fail.

Review:

I didn't read the League until this year, even though I've been a huge fan of Sherrilyn Kenyon's for years. I don't know why I had such reservations, but there are no words to describe how happy I am I took the chance on them.

Somehow, I adore this series even more than DH, which is saying a lot. I think part of the reason I was wary is because I don't have much love for the sci-fi genre. I've had several bad run-ins with it over the years and each time gave me less appreciation for it, despite my love for on-screen science fiction like Star Trek, Star Wars, Fringe, Doctor Who and the like. But when I finally gave into my internal struggle, I was rewarded with an amazing story.

Born of Defiance takes place around the same time as Born of Night, which is the first book in this series. At first that detail wasn't clear to me. I suspected it took place in the past and had to go to Sherri's site to confirm it. Because this series is separated into two categories: Gen One and Gen Two. Because Talyn in an adult by the time of Born of Night, it's a Gen One story. After I established that, it was easy reading.

There was something sweet about watching Talyn and Felicia fall in love. I was oddly impressed with the fact that Felicia was a prostitute. It just wasn't something I'd read before and it was interesting. Talyn is just so adorable with her and likewise Felicia with him.

I knew Talyn's mother Galene is going to be Fain's heroine. But I wasn't sure about her or Talyn for that matter. Not until I read this book. And now I am desperately awaiting Born of Betrayal's release. I need it. I need it NOW.