IGNITE by Sara B. Larson, Book Review

By: Sara B. Larson
Published by: Scholastic
Released on: December 30, 2014
Series: Defy #2
Source: arc from author to review / purchased book
Rating: 5 Stars - I Loved It
Add it to: Goodreads 
Purchase it from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Murder, abductions, and forbidden romance abound in this thrilling sequel to Sara B. Larson's acclaimed YA debut, DEFY.

Alexa remains by the newly crowned King Damian’s side as his guard, ever committed to helping him rebuild Antion and reclaim the hope of Antion's people, despite continuing to harbor a secret love for him. However, when another threat to Damian and his kingdom emerges, and blame is cast on their newly forged allies from Blevon, Alexa knows things are not what they seem. With the fate of her nation hanging in the balance once again, will Alexa be able to protect her king and uncover the true enemy -- before it's too late?

A thrilling sequel! Sara B. Larson's IGNITE is story that takes fans on an emotionally charged roller coaster. With suspense, murder, dangerous threats, romance, magic, rumors of war and a romance that's brimming with tension, and stolen kisses, this is a sequel DEFY fans will love. It's not often that I end up liking a sequel as much as I loved the first book in a series, but that was not the case with IGNITE.

Picking up where DEFY left off, IGNITE thrusts readers right back into the mix of this enticing world. King Damian has his hands full trying to restore order and peace with his kingdom, Antion. With the ever present dangers to him and the people of his kingdom, the King is trying to fix the damage that was done prior to his becoming king. Rebuilding his kingdom, and finding peace with the other kingdoms is no easy task, especially when attacks are happening, and neighboring villages are being destroyed. With the threat of war on the horizon, a beautiful women arrives to deliver a message to the King. Her arrival is about to unravel all the King Damian has worked hard to fix, and threaten those he cares about most. In a world such as this, love can be your greatest down fall.

IGNITE has a fantastic, action packed plot. With twists and turns, and surprising discoveries, this is a story I devoured in no time. I loved getting to be right back in Alexa's world. This time there is much more at stake for her. She not only has to protect her King, but her heart, and the Kingdom as well. Mysterious start happening when the beautiful new messenger arrives with a message for her King. It's up to Alexa to figure out what's happening, before it's too late. While it didn't take me long to figure out this part of the story's twist, I loved that is was only the beginning of a much more surprising, complex plot twist that I didn't see coming. Alexa finds herself in the heart of it.

Alexa broke my heart with her courageous and incredibly hard declaration she made to King Damian in Defy. Though I understood why she did it, I desperately wanted her to deny what she kept telling herself, and just accept what her heart was telling her to do. In IGNITE, it's obvious that her putting aside her feelings for the handsome King is much harder than she thought. She's pledged herself to protecting him, and she'll give her life doing so. I have to give it to her, she proves she's got some strong will power, because being apart of the King's trusted guards means she's with the King all the time. Fighting against her feelings for him is no easy task, especially when it's obvious he feels for her just as much as she still feels for him.

There's so much more at stake in this book. The danger is greater, the enemies are much more powerful, the threats are deadlier, and the betrayal is that much more shocking.  IGNITE was awesome. The suspense, the action, and the romance are well written and intertwined. This is a thrilling, addictive sequel. If you read DEFY, I highly recommend that you pick this one up.

Check out my IGNITE blog tour stop with author Sara B Larson and enter to win, here.