Title: Defiant: A Slaves to Fate Novel
Author: J.M. Bloodworth
Publisher: AuthorHouse
ISBN: 978-1665542661
Pages: 380
Genre: Supernatural Thrillers / Fiction
Reviewed by: Jack Chambers

Read Book Review

One of the most important and sought-after concepts of what makes us who we are is the sense of identity. Identity can be quite a tricky thing. We’re all born with an identity, and yet as time goes on and we get older, our identity is consistently changing. We feel the pressures of the outside world to conform our identities to match the rest of society, yet in doing so we sacrifice our very own happiness and sense of fulfillment. For, as psychologist Erik Erikson once said, “In the social jungle of human existence, there is no feeling of being alive without a sense of identity.”

In author J.M. Bloodworth’s supernatural thriller, Defiant: A Slaves to Fate Novel, the author explores the concept of identity through protagonist Chance Ryder, a sixteen

year old boy who on his birthday discovers his life is not what he thought it was. Left alone and forced to find a means of survival, he finds himself joined by friends as he must contend with an assassin out for blood, night terrors in which a shadowy creature seems to hold the answers to his identity, and the battle within himself and his own morality as his journey grows darker and darker.

The author does such an incredible job of layering the mystery and intrigue of the protagonist’s past with the action and magic of the fantasy elements of the narrative. The world-building and mythos which the author developed here was so engaging, and the way it was balanced with the at times relatable and realistic character growth that the protagonist and the cast of characters had was perfect. The relationship between Chase and his mother was especially moving, as the twists and turns in their bond and the secrets about his past – and who he really is – elevated the emotional depths of their bond overall.

This is the perfect read for those who enjoy fantasy stories, especially those that delve into the darker elements of the fantasy genre and include supernatural thriller elements, as well as implementations of well-known mythology. As a fan of this genre, I found the world-building and incredibly rich story the author developed was immediately engaging and inviting, and did a great job of utilizing imagery to bring this world of magic into our own world seamlessly.

Magical, edgy, and entertaining, author J.M. Bloodworth’s Defiant: A Slaves to Fate Novel is a must-read book. This is the perfect start to a brand new gritty dark fantasy series; the brilliant way the author develops the motivations and intrigue of the villains in this story, as well as the heartfelt and emotional upheaval in Chance and his mother’s relationship, do a great job of drawing the readers in. The shocking final chapter and the revelation of one character’s ultimate fate will keep readers on the edge of their seats, shocked and eager to read the next chapter of this amazing new series.