Elaine White's Life in Books

Book – Defiant Revival
Author – L. Rockwood
Star rating - ★★★★★
No. of Pages – 300

Cover – Gorgeous. Stunning. Soft, simple but emotive.
POV – Confusing. See below.
Would I read it again – Yes!

Genre – LGBT, Fantasy, Medieval, Adventure, Resistance/Revolution, Resurrection, Magic


** I WAS GIVEN THIS BOOK FOR MY READING PLEASURE **
Reviewed for Divine Magazine



WARNINGS?

Loads. Too many to put into one of my usual one-line warnings. Rape, cheating, treason, Dom/sub, transitioning, kink, voyeurism, violence, cannibalism, sadism, and, as promised in the dedication, a whole lot of d*ck jokes!

~

Okay, for a start, I struggled with rating this one. Normally, the issue with the POV telling would demand that I lower it to a 4 star, but I just can't. It was too good. I loved it too much. And I know, without a doubt, that it's going to stay with me.

Secondly, this is part of a series and I didn't know that. As it's a debut novel, I can accept it, but I'm totally gutted because it means I have to wait absolutely FOREVER for the next book! I don't know how I'll manage it, but it'll just have to.

~

STORYTELLING

Here, I had some trouble, which is why it's not a 5 star review. First, we began with what appeared to be 1st person POV, then morphed into 3rd person, with a 1st person narrative. Which was confusing enough. Then we drifted from 3rd person, 1st person narrative, singular character POV into 3rd person, 1st person narrative with a omnipresent character POV. Keeping up? No? Me neither.

It took me until about 30% to actually get comfortable with the way the story was told, but by then I'd become engrossed in the plot.

Quite honestly, it's mostly 3rd person, omnipresent. The 1st person narrative is heavier in the first 10-15%, until we're introduced to the narrator and the company of adventurers go their separate ways. After that, it really is mostly 3rd person with minor instances of 1st person narrative, including parts where the narrator talks directly to the reader.

~

CHARACTERS

Our narrator is Leke, a female soldier in the Order of Logos, loyal to Captain Ackerman Grimhart and his son, Billiam, who is the real leader of the group. She's strong, feisty and a lesbian, with unrequited love for one woman and relationship with another character that is less than perfect for both of them.

What I love about Leke is that she's introduced at 8%, so even though it's a mystery who this narrator is until that point, it's not something that is dragged out ridiculously, until it becomes frustrating. And Leke isn't a mystery either. She introduces herself as a narrator can – in detail, when relevant.

Alongside Leke, who is a Faelock (elvish) the people we see the most of are as follows (and I'm going to be quick about this, because there's a lot to say) -
Jessica and Katrina – twins
Micah – our dead Prince, who is gay, femme and twinkish
Billiam – Halflock (half Faelock), the hero, soldier and Micah's best friend. Gay and madly in love with his Prince.
Zan – Faelock, madly in love with Billiam, but pretty much a bad guy, monster, bisexual and totally messed up mentally.
Shemmy – witch, crazy-cukoo, enchantress and obsessed with gay men.

Though there are many, many more characters, these are the ones that are vital to the story and our understanding of the events. And, as you can see, they cover the whole spectrum of Lesbian, Gay, Straight, Bisexual, Trans, Cross-dressing, Pansexual, Androphiliac (attraction to masculinity) and so much more.

For me, the most interesting relationships and characters were this – Billiam/Zan, Leke, Billiam/Shemmy and then finally, as the story progressed – Micah/Billiam, Shemmy/Zan. I'm not going to say what that means or what level the relationships reached, only that the interactions between those characters was the most interesting and captivating, as the story led further into chaos and revealed secrets that were most definitely attention-grabbing.

I absolutely fell in love with Billiam right from the start, especially as he began to interact with Shemmy for the first time, refusing to fall off a cliff and be 'cushioned' by a huge, fat dead body! He was a piece of genius, both in the detail to his characterisation as well as his loveable personality and his natural reaction to common, human situations that was neither overreactive or unbelieveable.

Micah has to come next. He is this bundle of gleeful joy, full of life, love and fun. But he's also a seriously wacked out psycho and I loved him to pieces!

After those two, I can't decide who I love more between Shemmy and Zan. Though I like Leke, I didn't resonate with her as much as these two, mostly because I suspect her biggest storyline is to come in a later book. The story was, after all, primarily about rescuing Micah and bringing him back from the dead. I'd have to say that Zan's insanity is almost entirely matched with Shemmy's, by the end of the book, but the descend into madness was much more intriguing to read about and experience than Shemmy, who was already whack-a-doo crazy to begin with.

Loretta. Well, I didn't include her in the list above for one reason – I wouldn't know what to tell you. Loretta is our cross-dressing, trans character, but she's so much more than that and it didn't feel right to pigeonhole her that way, simply because it might give too much away. I can't say anything more about how brilliant, funny and uplifting her spirit is, without accidentally giving something away.

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PLOT

I really loved that, though there was this huge secret past between Zan and Billiam, it wasn't dragged on forever. Like the revelation of who the narrator was, it came at a time well before it would have gotten boring to read and wonder about. Just when it was most juicy and needed. We were given the big revelation at 24%, but the impact lasted right until the last page and for not one minute was I sick of reading about it, thinking about it or remembering that it had happened.

Not only was it devastating and unfortunately along the lines of what I'd already guessed, I loved the way it was executed. I also loved the way that Shemmy got to be us – the confused, devastated, shocked reader – who had to sit there and think that her sense that Billiam had been overreacting and that Zan's kindness was being unfairly trod on was gut-wrenching, once we found out the full scope of their history. I felt as much a traitor for occasionally drifting mentally into Zan's corner, as Shemmy did when she found out.

And, you know what I love most? Out of everything that I read or liked or discovered, this is the one note I made that I'm actually the proudest of:

“Is it morbid or just sadistic that I frickin' LOVED the whole snapping of fingers and Micah's righteous anger part? Best part of the story so far, which is saying something.” This was around the 59% mark and I couldn't have been more wrong. There were MORE surprises, MORE brilliant scenes and exchanges to come and I got all giddy about it.

Then...WHAM! It was 92% and the story was over....there were Appendixes, but....the end. No more story. Just an endless wait for the cliffhanger ending to pick up in the next book.

And know what?

I.

CAN'T.

FRICKIN'

WAIT!

~

OVERALL

This was an action-packed, panty-dropping, eye-goggling adventure. There was an incredible journey of discovery, as Billiam had to rehash his past with Zan, Micah had to deal with some issue and even Shemmy had to realise that she couldn't be the crazy witch-woman all the time and get away with it.

The book actually came with this warning, from the publisher -
“Readers please be aware this is not a traditional romance. While not a Bittersweet due to its ending, this title is a high-concept dark fantasy, with Tarantino and manga-style graphic violence, action, abuse, etc. Everyone is welcome to review this book but we do recommend this book for reviewers who enjoy titles outside of the contemporary romance realm, similar to the tastes of DSP Publications.”

All of that is true. However, don't let it put you off. This is a fantastic book and I've honestly read much, much worse. Just not this well written, with characters – good and bad – that I fell in love with so quickly or so completely. You will not regret taking the chance on this story, this book or this author. If you've ever read and enjoyed T.J. Klune's Immemorial Year series, anything by G. Streator or Lex Chase's Chasing Sunrise, then you're absolutely, positively going to LOVE this!

There was adventure, romance, sexiness and gore. It was fantastic.

I will be first in line for the next installment and whatever else L. Rockwood wants to throw at me. I'm ready.

~

FAVOURITE QUOTE

“The love of two boys ripped away before it could even begin! Oh no, no no! I must bring back your prince to you!”

“Oh perfect! Oh so exciting! Making history, saving the kingdom, getting sweets and a kitty cat! Today is blessed by the earth spirits, no doubt it is.” She smiled and wriggled like a giddy child. Billiam could hardly believe it had worked, that she really would do this. Her brashness melted away before his eyes, and he saw the kind, exuberant lass she truly was. “Now, let's get you that Micah's virginity!””