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What: Renegades (Renegades #1) by Marissa Meyer

Who: Pan Australia

When: November 14th 2017

How: A copy of this novel was provided by Pan Macmillan Australia for review.

Secret Identities.

Extraordinary Powers.

She wants vengeance. He wants justice.

The Renegades are a syndicate of prodigies – humans with extraordinary abilities – who emerged from the ruins of a crumbled society and established peace and order where chaos reigned. As champions of justice, they remain a symbol of hope and courage to everyone…except the villains they once overthrew.

Nova has a reason to hate the Renegades, and she is on a mission for vengeance. As she gets closer to her target, she meets Adrian, a Renegade boy who believes in justice – and in Nova. But Nova’s allegiance is to a villain who has the power to end them both.

You know, I really enjoyed Renegades. It wasn’t quite what I was expecting, but once I got used to that I was okay with it. In case you’re wondering what I liked about it I’ve prepared a handy list for you:

1) It was diverse

I love diverse books (that much is blazingly obvious), and I adore diverse genre fiction so the fact that Renegades was diverse was a huge plus for me. There are two narrators in this book – Nova and Adrian. Nova is Italian-Filipino and Adrian is a POC (in the ARC I read there was no specific heritage given for him). Adrian has two dads, and one of his best friends uses a cane to walk. I loved having a range of diverse characters in this sci-fi superhero story.

2) The romance

Of which there was very little. I mean, Nova has gone into the Renegades to try and infiltrate them to bring them down. There’s nothing worse than a character like that completely forgetting their mission because they fall for some cute boy. That didn’t happen in Renegades and I was just like F I N A L L Y. There were some ~moments~ between them but it was all very lowkey and sweet. I’m keen to see where their relationship goes in the next book.

3) The Anarchists

Were hands down the best group of characters in this book. They were badass but formed an incredibly strong family. The way they were there for each other and willing to risk everything for each other was great. Except for the betrayal of one of them but they’re villains, so it was to be expected. I especially liked Honey, who had a bond with bees and other flying insects. The way she cared about them was adorable.

4) The overall story

I just enjoyed Renegades. There were some pacing issues (especially at the beginning with the little history text and the prologue) but for the most part I found myself looking forward to picking this book up and getting back into Nova and Adrian’s world.

I am quite a fan of superhero stories (this is the eighth I’ve read so far this year) and I felt like Meyer’s take on it was a little different to others I’ve read. The Anarchists were the heroes of their own story, and the Renegades were too big for their boots. I felt that neither of them were perfectly suited for the change they wanted to bring about, and I’m hoping that they’ll learn they need to work together to give their city the best chance at recovering.

5) Adrian

I was so happy to see such a sweet, dorky, artist at the helm of this novel. There was no alpha male BS and it was so refreshing. I think that he’s an adorable character, and a great love interest. He cares about his friends and family, about the people of the city, about doing the right thing. He’s just very wholesome and was lovely to read about.

~

Overall, I enjoyed Renegades a lot! It’s a nice addition to the YA superhero niche, and I’m excited to see where the next book takes the story. There was somewhat of a cliffhanger (which I totally guessed so it didn’t have quite the intended impact on me) and I feel like the stakes are going to be a lot higher in book two. Bring it on!

© 2017, Chiara @ Books for a Delicate Eternity. All rights reserved.

trigger warning

murder of parents and infant sibling, graphic physical fights, use of ableist language, experimentation on a minor, animal cruelty, animal death, poverty, explosions, bullying, attempted murder, building fire, multiple deaths, murder, death of mother (via fall/presumed murder), burn injuries, and ableism

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Posted on: November 17, 2017 • By: Chiara

18 Responses to Five Reasons Why I Enjoyed Renegades by Marissa Meyer

  1. … wait. Chiara, do you like diverse books or something? That’s so weird, I never would have guessed ?

    In all seriousness! I’m so glad you enjoyed this one — it sounds like such a lovely twist on the traditional superhero story, which I know you love. Also very very happy to see a book where the love interest doesn’t derail the entire plot — yawn, tbh. We’ve got far too many of those already. Thank you so much for this lovely review, friend, & I can’t wait to hear your thoughts on Book 2 in the series! <3

    • Chiara says:

      I mean I think I like them a little bit? :P

      I love that you know I’m a fan of superhero books, that makes me so happy <3 And yes, this one was a different take on quite a few things, which made it all the more enjoyable to be honest. I'm definitely keen for book two because I think this is a duology so everything will be wrapping up!

  2. Tasya says:

    Glad you enjoyed it Chiara! I’ve heard some mixed reviews about this book, particularly about the pacing and how the plot feels very stereotypical and lack of world building. But I’ve heard praises of how diverse this book is, and I can’t wait to read it! :) Great review!

    • Chiara says:

      The pacing is quite slow but that’s not something that ever really bothers me! Especially if there’s character-based stuff going on :) I hope you like it if you get around to reading it, Tasya! And thank you ^.^

  3. Ooh, I’m so glad to see you enjoyed The Renegades, because I’ve been losing interest seeing some of the more negative/mixed reviews. But what you said sounds fantastic, actually! Esp about the romance not being that significant, and not changing the heroine’s mind about her mission. I HATE WHEN THAT HAPPENS SO BADLY.
    Fantastic review!

    Veronika @ The Regal Critiques

    • Chiara says:

      I’ve been surprised by the lack of love for this one, to be honest! I don’t think I know someone else who enjoyed it as much as I did, haha. The romance definitely didn’t change the heroine’s mind. I hate it when that happens as well! It’s like THIS IS YOUR LIFE’S MISSION, COME ON. Hahaha :P Thank you!!

  4. To be honest, I never really paid much attention to what the book was about apart from the basics because I just knew I wanted to read it for Marissa Mayer. I’m so glad you liked it though, and yay for such great diversity throughout. And I like that there isn’t a ton of romance. I need to get this one soon.

    -Lauren

    • Chiara says:

      I didn’t know much either! But I really like superhero books and I like Meyer’s work as well so I knew I’d give it a try. And I’m glad I did! It was definitely worth it. The diversity was a nice surprise and didn’t feel forced, which was great. I hope you like it, Lauren!

  5. This is one of my most anticipated books, so I am so glad to hear you enjoyed it so much. It sounds absolutely fantastic! Thanks for sharing and, as always, fabulous review! <3

    • Chiara says:

      Ah, I hope you liked it if you’ve read it already, Zoe! And if not I hope you like it when you get around to it :D No problem and thank you so much! <3

  6. Valerie says:

    Glad you loved this so much Chiara! I wish I had the same feelings, but sadly I only liked it a bit! I agree though that Adrian was the best character in the story! And the fact that there was no romance (or little), though I wonder how that will develop in the next book.

    I think what really bummed me out was the fact that the Anarchists aren’t on equal standing with the Renegades, which is definitely a me thing because I JUST WANT THE ANARCHISTS TO DESTROY THE RENEGADES lol.

    • Chiara says:

      I feel like a lot of people felt pretty meh about this one! I feel like maybe because I’m not a huge Lunar Chronicles fan I went in with no/less expectations? Adrian was too cute and I am definitely interested to see what happens with the romance, as well!

      True, true. I thought there’s be more of a fight between them, as well. You never know, though. Maybe book two?

  7. Dina says:

    Oh yay! That’s good to hear. I’ll add this one to the to-buy list for later on next year. I haven’t read Meyer’s Lunar Chronicles yet, because: a) I’m intimidated, and b) I am really intimidated. It’s nice to hear that she includes diverse casts of characters in this one. I heard some of the peeps in Lunar Chronicles are POC, so that’s exciting. I’ll obviously also like the Anarchists, who I originally thought were called the Anti-Christs (which is a nice name, I hope you see the brilliance in this name).

    • Chiara says:

      Yeah, The Lunar Chronicles are quite intimidating! TBH I have only read the first two, haha. I liked them a lot but for some reason there’s nothing in me pushing me to read the next two :/ I hope you enjoy this one and TLC if you ever get around to them, Dina! And yes, that name is quite brilliant, haha.

  8. I’m glad you liked it!! ? I’m annoyed I didn’t honestly?! So frustrating agh. But Adrian was ADORABLE and such a pure dork and I totally love him. Absolutely with you on how refreshing it is to see dorky cute boys starring instead of all the grunting alpha males…they can go sit in a deep well, that’d be great. >_> And Nova was pretty badass too which I loved!

    I do think The Lunar Chronicles will always be my favourite Meyer books though. <3

    • Chiara says:

      Aw, no! I’m sorry you didn’t love it, Cait :( I’m glad you liked Adrian, though! It was honestly so nice and refreshing to have such a sweet guy be the MC and love interest in a YA book. I think we need more of that!

      I really need to finish that series, eep.

  9. Verushka says:

    Interesting list — Meyer has been hit and miss for me, so I appreciate a different take on a review for her work. Actually kind of gives me more to think about!

    • Chiara says:

      She’s been hit and miss for me, as well! But I thought that this series seemed so different from her others that I would give it a go. And I’m glad because I enjoyed it a lot!

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