• Age: 12 to 18
• Grade: 9 to 12

“Compelling and thought-provoking.” — Kirkus Reviews

Enjoy your Final Days.

Escape a Natural Death with us.

Come to Zalmon’s Quiet End.

In the city of Zalmon, every Life Event is predetermined: where you’ll work, who you’ll marry, when you’ll die.

On a tour of Central Processing, seventeen-year-old Darius inadvertently unveils shocking information about his beloved little sister, Mahlah. His impulsive reaction may make him a target of the sinister people who run Zalmon, and could doom Mahlah to a worse fate than the one Darius uncovered.

Defying an unjust system, an unwanted Life Match, and an uncontrollable enemy, Darius fights to save Mahlah, leading him to expose a conspiracy at the heart of the city — and a potential life of autonomy, dignity, and love beyond what the Book of Zalmon dictates.

Sara de Waard is an author and screenwriter of Métis descent and is currently in the process of exploring her family’s heritage. She is an elementary school teacher and freelance social media manager with a love for film and a soft spot for rap and hip-hop music thanks to her two teenagers. Her writing is often inspired by her compassion for the trials and tribulations of today’s youth. After completing her BA in Radio and Television from Ryerson University and a stint in London, ON, de Waard returned to her hometown of Port Colborne, ON where she currently lives with her kids.

Sara de Waard's profile page

“The writing is crisp and tugs at the heartstrings. Darius’s personality is realistically teen, and his character arc is both satisfying and authentic-feeling. The plot is as thought-provoking as can be. The action keeps readers’ eyes glued to the page. … For those who like dystopian reads, [Defy] will be a real treat. For those who don’t (yet), get ready to be hooked on a new genre.”

CM Reviews

“This is not your ordinary dystopian book that revolves around action, politics, revolution, a bizarre community and triumph. It really stands out. Defy really defied my views on the post-apocalyptic genre. … I highly recommend the book for all ages. Five out of five indeed.”

YA Dude Books

“The narrative beautifully combines dystopian elements with a moving story of love, grief, and defiance. The engaging, evocative writing builds suspense and develops characters in ways that will keep readers invested. … Compelling and thought-provoking.”

Kirkus Reviews