Blog Tour, Review & Giveaway: Renegades by Marissa Meyer

Renegades by Marissa Meyer releases on November 7th and I am absolutely thrilled to be a part of the blog tour to support this exciting superhero novel! In this post you will get all the book information, my spoiler-free review, tips on being an anarchist, as well as an blog exclusive giveaway for a chance to win a finished copy of Renegades!

And don’t forget to submit your pre-order receipt for a set of Anarchists or Renegades button pack!

Renegades (Renegades #1) by Marissa Meyer

Category: Young Adult, Sci-fi, Superheroes
Publication: November 7th, 2017; Feiwel & Friends
Purchase: Amazon

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.

Spoiler-free Review:

[book rating=4.5/5]

Heroism wasn’t about what you could do, it was about what you did. 

I was in from the moment I read the description of Renegades. I have always had personal feelings about the lines drawn to distinguish between anarchists and the law/government. This is also the main moral battle throughout this book, the Anarchists took down the shitty government who were persecuting anyone who was a prodigy (having superpowers). So without the government to rule, gangs ended up taking over and ruining what the Anarchists wanted to achieve. They mostly just wanted the prodigies to not be killed, so once the offending government was gone, they expected people to rule themselves. Eventually, a group of prodigies came forward to try and take back the city from the gangs and they became the Renegades. Ultimately, the Anarchists were killed or shunned from society. The Renegades ruled now.

Nova is an Anarchist. She was born with her prodigal powers during the time of anarchy were the Renegades were just starting to clean up the streets from the villainous gangs but that didn’t help when her family was torn apart. For ten years she has been off grid and secretly a part of the Anarchists. She knows that not all the villains are bad and not all the heroes are all that wonderful. Nova has an unprecedented chance to become a double agent and infiltrate the Renegades.

Adrian was born to an original Renegade, and when his mother was murdered, he was adopted by the two leaders. Adrian is conflicted over the Renegades purposes these days. The Council spends more time governing than fighting to take back the streets. He can see the good in what the Renegades do, but he also thinks some things have become too bureaucratic. He feels like he should be doing more to fight crime, and he may just step around the rules that are supposed to guide him.

Both Nova and Adrian also suffer the fact that their abilities aren’t seen as all that superhero quality and that also helps shape the people they have become, now that society lifts up the gifted instead of murdering them. It can be easy to see that not everything works out in each characters lives. Nothing is black and white, no superhero organization can save everyone. Ultimate power can corrupt the most honest of peoples intentions. There is no answer as to who has the right ideas on governing. Even people within each group have contrary ideals at times.

Nova and Adrian on similar yet colliding paths. I could see where the plot was going and I was cheering it on the whole time. You will be rooting for them both and tuning in for that romantic tension! This is definitely a character-driven book, and each and every character has a purpose and I was there for it. Plus it was diverse without feeling forced and I especially loved seeing how not only a disabled superhero still has the power to kick ass, but that some superpowers are seen as less than other types and how this could be extrapolated into any part of societal woes.

This book is filled with imagery and depth. It played out like a movie on the pages. The book was almost too descriptive at times, where I would get caught up in the details instead of the story. The cast of characters are well described and have their own voices. I loved the fight scenes, even with the stereotypical superhero dialogue! I was laughing and turning the pages. My only issue with the book was it’s length, I think it may have been too long and I could see potential for a more concise story. I know that this series was intended to be a trilogy, so I think I understand the length now that it is releasing as a duology, so I have faith in the next book to come!

I think this is a well-crafted superhero story where you will question your morals and decide for yourself where you stand. What is good and what is evil? Renegades deftly rides both lines of the story, are you a Renegade or are you an Anarchist? And the way Marissa writes this story, there is no right answer! Renegades is a story for all, no matter your politics or your superpower!

Tips on How to be an Anarchist:

*from Kelly’s personal experiences

So you might only know me as a book blogger, but I have a secret past. I was an activist, some would even call me an anarchist. I put myself on the streets, so many times to fight for what I believed in. Now, I never tried to kill anyone like Nova has, but shit just isn’t that easy to change the world order…outside of books. I spent most of young adult life, fighting tirelessly for the environment, environmental justice, and ending oppression. So today I thought I would give you all some advice from me to you young-budding anarchists!

1. Decide on an alias. I was running a national student organization, so my real name is out there…a lot. No anonymity for me, but it isn’t too late for you!

2. With social media and facial recognition software these days, you might want to perfect your mask, to help protect that identity. *See Tales of the Ravenous Reader for some outfitting tips!

3. Remember that all events are recorded. So know your talking points and be ready to explain in simple terms why and what you are doing. TAGLINES for a cause!

4. Be the expert. Read everything about your cause. Be the most read, learn all the ways people will fight in the favor of the status quo.

5. Once you are the expert, teach others! Talking about why you fight and hopefully recruiting the right people into your cause.

6. Make sure you have a plan for any outcome for any action event. Be prepared for the worst.

7. Know the laws and your rights. Doesn’t mean following them won’t get you arrested, but at least you will know you were not violating the law. And when you do decide to sit down and block entrance to your senator’s office you know that you are now very arrest-able for real.

8. Your influence has value. People will want to get to know you, talk to you, be like you…be prepared for the limelight. Talking on stage in front of 10,000 people should come easily to you and you will want to have that speech well practiced.

9. Beware of agent provocateurs. If people are infiltrating your ranks, you know you are making strides and the people up top are now scared of what you might accomplish.

10. Don’t wear yourself too thin. Have a cause and stick to it. Too many causes may burn you out and let you realize that this world is really effed up and there is nothing you nor 1000s of others can do to fix it or make it better. Don’t burnout. Focus and be determined.

Author Bio: Marissa Meyer

MARISSA MEYER is the #1 New York Times–bestselling author of The Lunar Chronicles series, as well as the graphic novel Wires and Nerve: Vol. 1, and The Lunar Chronicles Coloring Book. Her first stand alone novel, Heartless, was also a #1 New York Times bestseller. She lives in Tacoma, Washington, with her husband and their two daughters.

Links:

Website  **  Twitter  **  Facebook  **  Instagram  **  Goodreads

Giveaway:

For a chance to win a finished copy of Renegades please fill out the rafflecopter below! All entries will be validated! Open to both US and INT if the book depository ships to you! Giveaway will close on 11/17/17 at midnight est.

Mandatory entry is leaving a comment about the book, my review, or your favorite superhero! Or tell me what team you are on Renegades or Anarchists! All other entries within the rafflecopter are bonus entries, but you must at least enter the Leave a comment option on the rafflecopter as well as leave an actual comment here on this blog post!

a Rafflecopter giveaway