Review: A Motorcycle Club in a Dark, Dystopian World? Sign me up!
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 07 21, 2013
Overlayed in a post-apocalyptic world in which chaos reigns, Defiance features a story of survival, rules, power, politics, violence, and romance.The world is just beginning to recover from a disastrous meteor strike leading to environmental catastrophes which cripples it.  Without a stable government, the environmental chaos creates societal ones where there is little law and order. In this milieu thrives the Defiance Motorcycle Club started by two ex-Navy sailors with a doomsday outlook.  Their bleak predictions leads them to prepare for the worst, creating underground shelters made from tubes (likened to a submarine).  All to say, Defiance is one of the few communities that planned well and prospers.This setting sets up the desperate nature of a dark and dangerous world.  Like in most books featuring motorcycle clubs, there are some very violent episodes.  It highlights the survival of the fittest mentality.In the midst of this is a complicated romance between a legacy - daughter of the renown enforcer - and a bastard of the current club President. Their love affair begins when they are young and are reunited years after under dire circumstances.  Tru runs from Defiance to escape the oppressive misogyny that dominates the culture.  She comes back and brings a load of trouble with her.I am always a little surprised at the level of fascination I have with books featuring motorcycle gangs.  I liken it to the fascination and desire the "civvies" have to partying with the Defiance kids:  "The MC was sexy. Forbidden. Dirty."And then like any great romance - the men know how to take care of business:"everyone who tries to leave always comes back when they get into trouble...because the MC men know how to get things done.  Might not always be pretty, might skate the edge of legal or fall into the pond whole hog, but some us are so damned attracted to that, there's no going back."Yup, there is a weird sort of rescue fantasy going on.Ms. Tylers does her best to inject an independent streak into Tru.  It is no small task given the violence against women and the lack of opportunities and future but for a very prescribed role.  It would be easy for Tru's character to be overwhelmed by the charisma of Casper, but she isn't.  She holds her own and with Casper's support, she helps change the course of this MC.The side characters are totally loveable and there are definitely strong storylines to pursue.  I can't wait to see what Stephanie Tyler decides to take these characters!IN A NUTSHELL:If you like stories set in a dark, dystopian world featuring a MC culture, this book is up your alley.  Completely compelling and complex, it is a fantastic read and highly recommended.