Seventeen-year-old Darius lives in the city of Zalmon, where every Life Event is predetermined in accordance with the Book of Zalmon: where you’ll work, who you’ll marry and at the end of it all, when you’ll die. Natural Deaths are to be avoided at all costs. Why risk the pain of a random demise when you can live out your remaining days at the Quiet End where you’ll be released peacefully? But when Darius learns that his little sister, Mahlah, will be assigned an imminent Death Date on her thirteenth birthday, he infiltrates the system to save her.

The search for the truth behind her assigned demise leads Darius to uncover a conspiracy that goes to the heart of their city ― and to learn about a life of dignity and autonomy that lies beyond what the Book of Zalmon dictates.

This book exceeded my expectations. This is not your ordinary dystopian book that revolves around action, politics, revolution, a bizarre community and triumph. It really stands out. Defy really defied my views on the post-apocalyptic genre.

The courage of author Sara de Waard to tackle a mature story using teenagers as main characters is remarkable. With the power of words and impressive storytelling, the characters do not sound like know-it-all teenagers, the common downside; rather they are portrayed as kids struggling to
figure out the enormity of the situation in front of them.

The plot is linear and easy to follow. The setting is intricately described, very helpful for this genre. Characters’ roles are played well.

The only thing lacking is the background of some characters. I would have loved to know them more, but I guess you can only fit a certain amount of story in a book or it might change the whole narrative. Maybe there will be a sequel or prequel.

I highly recommend the book for all ages. Five out of five indeed.

– Kevin Velayo