I hadn't really thought about Defeat or Strider when reading this series. I do recall the moment he decided to give up on Kaia but hadn't put much thought into it as I'm still curious how Kane (Disaster), Cameo (Misery), Torin (Disease) and Paris (Promiscuity) will get their soul mates. 
 How sad because Strider is a wonderful character. He's rather humorous and oh so yummy. The conversations and banter between Kaia and Strider is great and well worth the read.. 
 Kaia's past is rather sad and we get to see how the label of Disappointment has effected her over the years and the relationships around her. I actually felt bad for what she was going through and enjoyed Strider's reaction to the emotional pain Kaia has experienced. Plus the Harpies are always so enjoyable. 
 I liked that we met a few more characters and that we had insight into what was happening with Kane, Paris, and William. I really think Paris and William's stories are going to be fantastic and I can't wait to see if Paris steps up and saves Arca while on his mission to save Sienna or after. 
 I also assume at some point, as this story seems to promise, that we will have a story about Gilly and William which I look forward too. 
 But the story I'm very interested to hear, and hope very much that Showalter provides, is Neeka and her Phoenix hubby. I feel that could be very interesting.