Defender

The Divine Courage Trilogy Book 1

Christian - Fantasy/Sci-Fi
352 Pages
Reviewed on 01/12/2023
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    Book Review

Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

Defender is a work of fiction in the Christian science fiction and dystopian adventure subgenres and forms the first novel of the Divine Courage Trilogy. It is aimed at young adult readers and was penned by author C.C. Urie. In this thrilling opening to a world of dystopian desolation and despair, we find hope in our central protagonist Larken Hale when she is cast from her family and forced into the military’s cause. Captain Soren Deckard has only ever known military life, and meeting Larken leaves him with a lot more than he expects. What results is a novel of shifting perspectives, new discoveries, and emotive adventures with hope and healing at their core.

Author C.C. Urie has crafted a highly engaging novel that not only delivers a great adventure and series-opener but also leaves you with the feeling that there’s so much more to think about and be grateful for in your own life. Such was the effect on me, reading the well-conceived emotional and psychological storylines of Larken and Soren, and everything that has been taken away from them as they come to terms and reconcile, finding family, support, love, and new reasons to thrive along the way. I loved the family feeling of the work, which is ingrained into the military atmosphere in a wonderful juxtaposition. The worldbuilding itself was filled with tiny immersive details and multi-sensory experiences that bring the conflicts to life in a 4D-cinematic style. Overall, I would not hesitate to recommend Defender to any YA fan seeking a new series to explore, but especially to those intrigued by Christian science fiction with love and openness at the heart of its message.