Defy

JAN 7

2014

S A R A B. L A R S O N

LARSON

As I gripped the hilt of the sword,

my mind calmed and my body

filled with purpose. This is who I was —

this was what I knew how to do.

I was a fighter.

UNCORRECTED PROOF * NOT FOR SALE

HARDCOVER PUBLICATION JANUARY 7, 2014

NATIONAL MARKETING CAMPAIGN

• Author AppeArAnces

• nAtionAl online Advertising

“A wonderful tale of

• tArgeted consumer Advertising to fAntAsy fAns

• A

adventure, romance,

dvertising to reAding And writing communities

• sociAl mediA Advertising

and embracing your true

• convention AppeArAnces

self. Alexa is a heroine

• feAture At winter institute

readers will love to follow!”

• promotion on this is teen’s fAcebook, twitter,

— mArie lu, bestselling

tumblr, And pinterest Accounts — over 100,000 fAns

author of the LEGEND series

• feAture in teAcher & librAriAn book updAte e-newsletter

SCHOLASTIC

PR ESS

• extensive Arc distribution

UNCORRECTED PROOF * NOT FOR SALE

Title: Defy

Author: Sara B. Larson

On-Sale Date: January 7, 2014

Format: Jacketed Hardcover

ISBN: 978-0-545-59758-6

Retail Price: $17.99 US

Ebook Price: $17.99

Ages: 12 and up

Grades: 7 and up

LOC Number: 2013011011

Length: 336 pages

Trim: 5-1/2 x 8-1/4 inches

Classification: Fantasy & Magic,

Love & Romance, Action & Adventure

Scholastic Press

An Imprint of Scholastic Inc.

557 Broadway, New York, NY 10012

For information, contact us at:

[email protected]

UNCORRECTED PROOF – NOT FOR SALE

If any material is to be quoted, it should be checked

against the bound book.

CIP information to be included in bound book.


D
ear reader,

It is a tremendous privilege to introduce you to Sara B. Larson and her captivating debut, a young adult novel titled
Defy
. With stunning nuance, rich detail, and a powerful heroine,
Defy
marks one of my favorite reads of the year.

The first time I read this manuscript, I was curled up on my couch at home.

I quickly lost track of the city noise and the four walls surrounding me as Sara Larson’s remarkable prose transported me to a new world — one wracked by a devastating war, where the ghost of magic lingers; a pulsating jungle seethes, constantly threatening to swallow up all that humanity has built; and one courageous young woman represents the hope of a nation. I love books with strong female protagonists, and this one shines with a heroine who plays protector to her male counterparts, and who alone has the ability to stop a pervasive and nightmarish evil. Alexa is so very real, so very human. Like most adolescent girls, she wrestles with bouts of self-doubt; she worries about her decisions and what her future holds. But she doesn’t doubt her own strength, and this is what I love most about this book. I think it is so important to depict a young woman with a solid sense of confidence and self-worth for young adult readers.

I also adore a good romance, and the love story — the love
triangle
— that blossoms in
Defy
certainly set my heart racing. As Alexa struggles to survive, she finds her own heart pulled in two different directions while the very fate of her nation hangs in the balance. Although I knew who I wanted Alexa to end up with (I’m not telling!), the story kept me guessing until the very end, and the twists and turns of the plot kept me transfixed.

Sara has brought Alexa’s story to vivid life with heart-stopping action, high-stakes intrigue, and electrifying romance. I hope you will enjoy reading
Defy
as much as I have. Please join me in welcoming Sara to our wonderful YA community!

Warmest regards,

Lisa Sandell

Lisa A. Sandell

Executive Editor

Scholastic Press