Ignite: A Review

Goodreads (description):

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?

My Review:

Ignite is the sequel to Defy. I have my review for Defy here.

This novel was equally as fantastic as the first. I have come to love this series and am very excited to hear that it will be a trilogy!

This novel picks up a month or so after the first book ends. Damian, now King Damian, is trying to undo all that his evil father, King Hector, has done. He broke down the breeding house, freed all the women from there, and sent all the orphan boys home from the cruel training barracks. He is reuniting the mothers from the breeding house with their children and building houses for them to live in. The boy orphans were given the choice to stay or return to their homes.

King Damian is freeing his kingdom from the fear of magic.

And yet, after everything he has done, other kingdoms decide to make his life a living hell.

Alexa, King Damian's best guard (as well as the woman he is in love with), must stand up to the task of protecting her loved ones, her king, and the kingdom. Her secret is out now, everyone knows she is a girl, but she remains a guard. She is still the fiercest fighter, never one to back down when things get difficult.

In this book, visitors from King Damian's uncle's (King Armando) kingdom, come to "congratulate" him on his becoming king. Really, they plan to infiltrate his kingdom.

Alexa is one of the few that wasn't put under the visitors spell and it is up to her to save everyone she cares about.

I have come to like Alexa even more in this book. When it comes to many female leads, I'm always afraid that they will become wimpy in the following books, as so many have, but Larson did not disappoint! Alexa is as strong as ever, if not more so. She is even more determined to keep the kingdom safe, even if it cost her personal happiness.

Alexa is put through many difficult choices in this book, but I believe that she has done the right thing. In most cases, she had no other choice but to do what she did. I like that she wasn't afraid to do what she had to. She remained strong even when everyone else turned against her.

I also like how she still has emotions even with all that's going on. She's not whiny, but she still cries sometimes, as we all do.  She's easy to connect with and no matter what, she fights for what's right.

Damian is pretty awesome too. I have come to like him a lot more in this book too. He is the best king Antion has had in a long time, and I know that he will continue in his good ways. Damian is not easily blindsided as a few of his advisers are, and is just as cunning and clever as his enemies--just not in an evil way. I believe he has what it takes to defeat the enemy and free his kingdom of war once more.

I'll also mention Rylan. He is also in love with Alexa, and though he has been rejected, he is still friends with her. He is still her fellow guard. I respect that. Too many times the guy who is rejected becomes a jerk. And yet, he still stands strong in his belief for good. I have come to like him a bit more too. I don't want him with Alexa, but he is still and awesome guy.

I can't wait for the last book to come out! It's going to be amazing.

I give this a 5 out of 5!