Regina Shen: Defiance by Lance Erlick

Title: Defiance

Author: Lance Erlick

Series: Regina Shen #3

RATING: 5 STARS!!!!!

Abrupt climate change melted ice caps, flooded coasts, and expanded deserts. Outcast Regina Shen is a fugitive the World Federation believes has DNA that can stop human extinction. Rival Federation agents fight over capturing Regina to gain power amidst turmoil over who will become the new World Premier. Regina has to flee from Virginia through desert and wilderness to Alaska to hunt a treasure big enough to barter for her freedom and that of her sister. Can she find allies and tools to remain free long enough to find something to trade?

~MY THOUGHTS~

This series just keeps getting better and better! This book didn't feel filler, as some 2nd and 3rd books can tend to be. It had it's share of adventure and plot movement, and stood on it's own (not in terms of being read alone, I don't recommend that at all) but as it was a legit addition to the series and needed to be there for the continued growth of the series. 

The character development in this series is starting to surprise me. I have read so many series where I enjoy the ride the characters take in personal growth, but this one has taken the cake. I have grown so attached to Regina and her journey that I find myself talking about this book whenever I can. I feel for her, and root for her. She is just such an unseen character in some of the YA dystopian books. She has a brain, and she uses it. It isn't an afterthought for her. And it's nice to see a strong, SMART, female lead for a change.

In this book Regina is still on the run, and now looking for her sister. This added to the adventure and page turning for me. I couldn't stop reading because I needed to find out what happened. We find out a lot about the world Regina lives in this book as well, which I thoroughly enjoyed. I love when series just get stronger as they progress. I can't wait to find out what happens in the last book! I have so many unanswered questions and feelings about certain characters: like the mother and the Chief Inspector. I just need to know what happens and know that it all works out for Regina :)