Book Review: Defector by Susanne Winnacker

Defector
Variants #2
Author: Susanne Winnacker
Reading Level: Young Adult
Genre: Fantasy
Released: June 26, 2014
Review Source: Razorbill

Tessa has finally made peace with her life as a Variant. She and long-time love Alec are officially a couple, and for the first time, she has everything she wants.

But the air is tense at FEA headquarters. An agent has disappeared, and rogue variant organization Abel’s Army is likely the culprit.

When Tessa is summoned for her second mission, she is unexpectedly launched into a massive conspiracy. Her best friend Holly is kidnapped and Tessa knows it was meant to be her. But who is after her? And more importantly, why?

When the FEA’s efforts to rescue Holly don’t yield any results, Tessa takes matters into her own hands. Desperate to save her friend and uncover the mystery behind Abel’s Army, Tessa launches her own investigation—but nothing could prepare her for what she finds. Everyone in her life is harboring secrets: Alec, her estranged mother, even the father she never knew.

The truth will take her out on the road and out of her comfort zone, with danger lurking everywhere. Summoning all of her courage and strength, Tessa must decide who can be trusted and what is worth fighting for—even if it means going against the life she thought she wanted. Her final decision will leave readers breathless.

Defector picked up right where Impostor left off. And, Impostor's ending did leave me super anxious for Defector, so I was excited to jump right back in to the Variants world. Where Impostor focused more on the story, Defector continued with plot importance, but also held its characters and relationships high up too. I loved Tessa more in this book, as well. She felt more mature this time around, and that has to do with her development which has been brilliant thus far. I love that she's her own person and not the typical "woe is me" type of person. She's kick-a** and rocks!

Susanne Winnacker is a brilliant writer! The plot alone is intriguing and keeping you wanting more. It feels intense every flip of the page. Plus, I am a HUGE sucker for sci-fiish reads. So much so that I finished this book very fast! There's enough action, mystery, and betrayal for you to love. Because, who are we kidding, a series isn't complete without those elements.

Don't let Defector, or the extraordinary (*wink) Variants series, slip past you! Pick up your copies now!