Defy (Firstborn Trilogy Book One) [Kindle Edition]

Raine Thomas (Author)

Book Description

Seventeen-year-old Tate is about to make her parents’ dreams come true. Unfortunately for her, their dreams foretell her death.

Eager to explore more of the Estilorian plane and prove her abilities, Tate goes against her parents’ wishes and leaves the area of protection surrounding her home. Her choice puts her on a deadly path…one that leaves her alone, severely injured and battling for her life.

Her possible savior arrives in the form of Zachariah, a male who has removed himself from Estilorian society for more than fifty years. Fighting an unexpected connection to Tate, he must decide whether saving her life is worth destroying his.

As Tate struggles to find a way home, she ends up drawn into a dark Mercesti plot involving multiple murders and a powerful ancient artifact. With the unpredictable Zachariah as her only source for aid, she’ll soon find out if her abilities are strong enough to help her defy her Fate.

Product Details

• File Size: 436 KB
• Print Length: 286 pages
• Page Numbers Source ISBN: 0983831866
• Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B007YRQZ2E
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• X-Ray: Not Enabled
• Lending: Enabled
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #23,885 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Another Winner From the Fantastic Imagination of Raine Thomas April 30, 2012

By eBook Chick

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

Raine Thomas has created a rich, intricate world with characters you care about instantly.

Defy is a terrific coming-of-age story. Seventeen-year-old Tate defies her parents' wishes and leaves the safety of the protected Estilorian area, and ends up in a whole heap of trouble. I cried big fat tears, so have your tissues ready.

I don't want to spoil anything, but the relationship that develops between Tate and Zachariah is beautiful and sweet and extremely funny.

It's not only a coming-of-age story for Tate; it's also a coming-of-age story of sorts for her dad Caleb, who realizes he needs to trust his daughter, for Corgloresti Quincy and for the Corgloresti Elder Ini-herit, who both begin to understand, and feel, human emotions, and for the delicious Zachariah, who realizes that he needs to open up to himself and others.

One of the things I loved about Defy was the relationships. The deep love these characters have for each other touched my heart. Even the relationship between Zachariah and the Kragen (dragon), Nyx, is heartwarming.

In Defy, Raine goes a little bit darker than in her previous books and really ramps up the tension. The evil Mercesti (The Dark Ones) want to get their hands on an ancient artifact, so they abduct a gifted Estilorian girl to help them find it.

I knew there would be multiple points-of-view in Defy, but I was surprised at how many there actually was, and the great thing is, they all worked. It was kind of like getting to `look behind the curtain'.

As well as introducing us to new characters, we get to read about the old ones, but Amber and Gabriel, Skye and Caleb, and Olivia and James take a backseat and allow their children to shine.... There are a lot of Kynzesti (half human mothers, Estilorian fathers) offspring, which means Raine can write about the Estilorian race forever. Yay!

It's not necessary to have read the Daughter's of Saraqael Trilogy to fully enjoy Defy, but it might help new readers familiarize themselves with the Estilorian Plane if they did. The book does include a glossary for reference, which I used a few times to keep the different Estilorian classes clear in my mind.

I can't wait for Shift, book 2 in the Firstborn Trilogy. Read more ›

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Read!! May 2, 2012

By Ana

Format:Kindle Edition

I don't know about you but whenever an author I enjoy reading starts a new series of books I'm always fearful. What if I don't like them...what if they're too different...what if the story isn't interesting...what if...what if...what if?!?! I am very happy to say that I need not have been worried at all in this case!

In Defy, Raine Thomas begins another wonderful saga filled with vivid characters, intriguing situations and enough twists and turns to keep any reader, old or new, glued to the pages.

This story begins 17 years after the Daughters of Saraqael trilogy left off. Our beloved characters, Amber and Gabriel, Olivia and James and Skye and Caleb, have had children of their own. And this adventure belongs to Tate. She is the daughter of Skye and Caleb and, together with her brother Tiege, has been protected most of her life. As the child of part human and part Estilorian parents, she's different from the typical Estilorian and has led a more sheltered existence. But the apple doesn't fall far from the tree as they say and she's got her mother's curiosity and spunk. She yearns to step outside her boundaries and see the world she's never seen. And this is where the adventure begins!

This time we are led out beyond the borders, into a different world of barren land and dangerous places where dragons exist and bad guys run free. As always, the imagery is crisp and vivid, putting the reader right in the middle of the action. This book is written from several points of view which adds to the richness of the storytelling.

Tate proves to be a brave and intelligent character, using the skills taught to her by her family in her attempts to undo the consequences of the decision she made...the decision to to run off into the unknown.... Although this is Tate's adventure, we meet many new characters as well. The children of the Daughters of Saraqael are more like siblings than cousins and we are drawn in by their love for one another. Along the way, Tate also meets Zachariah, an Estilorian who's been living away from his people for many years. Her emotions and the decisions she makes baffle him but he feels compelled to protect her. Zachariah (or Sparky as Tate calls him) has a mysterious past and a grumpy disposition. But, darn...I love him anyway! Tiege is her twin brother. He has a special connection to her and a brave heart. Sophia, the child of Olivia and James, battles to take control of her own abilities even as she tries to deny herself the love she wants. And, of course, there are bad guys...Mercesti who are looking for an ancient artifact to give them more power and who are not afraid to hurt anyone who gets in their way.

Ultimately, this is a coming of age story. But not just for Tate. Many of the characters have their lives move in directions they never expected. They develop skills they didn't know they had, handle dangers they never imagined and they build relationships that shake their very foundations. Some even learn to trust and love.

I can't wait to see what happens next!! Read more ›

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars I'm all smiles! I love Defy! May 1, 2012

By Mel

Format:Kindle Edition

There is no measure for the amount of love I have for the Estilorians. This world is unique, exciting, and completely entertaining! I've been counting down the days for the release of Defy and my patience (okay the lack thereof) was totally worth it. I bought the book, settled down in a comfy position, and prepared myself to be wowed. And boy was I ever WOWED.

The story takes off right away bringing back characters that I adore from The Daughters of Saraqael trilogy and introducing a whole bunch of amazing new ones. I love that we get to experience several different stories at once and how everything comes together perfectly.

Tate is so much fun. She's curious and she longs for adventure and to prove her own strength. She knows the rules, however she also knows how to bend them. Seemingly innocent fun turns into disaster. Now she's far from home, alone, and injured. (Great job, Tate.) Then enters Zachariah (hello, hottie.) Only thing is, he's more interested in getting away from Tate than rescuing her. (Well crap.) He's been on his own for more than fifty years, so naturally being "stuck" with a 17 year old who calls him out on his lies (a part that I FREAKING LOVE!) is a little annoying for him. He doesn't know what to make of Tate seeing as he's never met another Estilorian like her. Their connection/relationship is definitely entertaining.

Okay who can tell me they don't want this?

"He didn't kiss her. No, that was far too sedate a term for it. He claimed her."

I mean seriously, THAT IS SMOKIN' HOT. I love it.

Raine Thomas is one of my favorite writers. She has a gift for bringing us into her world of endless possibilities. Her characters will become a part of you and you will dream of Becoming an Estilorian too....

I can't wait to journey back to the Estilorian plane in Shift! Read more ›

More About the Author

Raine Thomas is the award-winning author of best-selling YA and NA fiction. She followed her life-long passion for all things literary and earned her bachelor's degree in English with a focus in Creative Writing from Georgia State University, then her master's degree in Humanities from Central Michigan University. Having grown up in places such as Chicago, Atlanta and Orlando, much of her writing reflects these settings.

Raine is a hopeless romantic with a background in the fields of mental health and wedding planning...two areas that intersect far more than one would think. Her years working with children and adolescents with emotional and behavioral challenges inspired her to create young protagonists who overcome their own conflicts. When she isn't writing or glued to e-mail or social networking sites, Raine can usually be found vacationing with her husband and daughter on one of Florida's beautiful beaches or crossing the border to visit with her Canadian friends and relatives.