Defender by G X Todd is an imaginative thriller that draws on influences from Stephen King, Clive Barker and Neil Gaiman to create a new world – where the biggest threat mankind faces is from the voices inside your own head. If you loved The Stand, you’ll love Defender, the first in a four part series.
‘So accomplished that it’s difficult to believe it’s a first novel, Defender is already worthy to take its place alongside The Stand in the canon. An absolute gem of a book’ John Connolly
‘On the cusp of sleep, have we not all heard a voice call out our name?’
In a world where long drinks are in short supply, a stranger listens to the voice in his head telling him to buy a lemonade from the girl sitting on a dusty road.
The moment locks them together.
Here and now it’s dangerous to listen to your inner voice. Those who do, keep it quiet.
These voices have purpose.
And when Pilgrim meets Lacey, there is a reason. He just doesn’t know it yet.
Defender pulls you on a wild ride to a place where the voices in your head will save or slaughter you.
#HearTheVoices
(P)2017 Headline Digital
‘So accomplished that it’s difficult to believe it’s a first novel, Defender is already worthy to take its place alongside The Stand in the canon. An absolute gem of a book’ John Connolly
‘On the cusp of sleep, have we not all heard a voice call out our name?’
In a world where long drinks are in short supply, a stranger listens to the voice in his head telling him to buy a lemonade from the girl sitting on a dusty road.
The moment locks them together.
Here and now it’s dangerous to listen to your inner voice. Those who do, keep it quiet.
These voices have purpose.
And when Pilgrim meets Lacey, there is a reason. He just doesn’t know it yet.
Defender pulls you on a wild ride to a place where the voices in your head will save or slaughter you.
#HearTheVoices
(P)2017 Headline Digital
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Reviews
A chilling vision of a world gone feral, yet strangely triumphant. You can taste the dust and blood and sweat; the fear on every page. Readers should approach with caution, those voices will burrow into your head and heart
So accomplished that it's difficult to believe it's a first novel, Defender is already worthy to take its place alongside The Stand in the canon. An absolute gem of a book
Defender is insane, intelligent, beautifully plotted, intensely absorbing and will enfold you in a vice-like grip from the first page until the last sentence
It's not often you read a debut this assured, this confident. Defender is simply majestic
Compelling, suspenseful, and altogether extraordinary. You won't forget this one in a hurry
An incredibly accomplished and impressive debut. The novel is of a piece with Stephen King's The Stand. . . Defender stands head and shoulders above most recent post-apocalyptic offerings
A rich blend of horror and heart . . . sharp, gruelling and gripping, and we can't wait to explore this harsh world further and see what Todd has to offer us in part two
Highly entertaining . . . Defender portrays a vivid picture of the cruelty of humanity and highlights the destructive power of the mind
Defender is a delightfully dark dystopian journey with compelling characters and a provocative plot. Highly recommended
Yes it's dark, violent and blood. Yes there's gore, guns and grief. But there's also friendship, loyalty, fantastic characters and writing that will keep you hooked from the outset. . . This is a series to be really excited about
G X Todd is not just going to be "The Next Big Thing", she's going to be the benchmark for other "Next Big Things"
Extremely refreshing . . . a brilliant thriller
Promises to be the start of a wonderful series. A superb debut novel
Quite simply an unputdownable page-turner. Seek it out!
The best dystopian novel I have read for a long time. . . This book made me laugh and cry and was impossible to put down
Defender is one of those absolute rarities - a book by a debut author that is genuinely mind-blowing
Wow. . . A brilliant debut novel. . . I can't wait for the next book in the series
Defender is lifted way above the other novels in the over-subscribed post-apocalyptic subgenre by Todd's sympathetic characterisation, and superb pacing
Post-apocalyptic amazingness