Dru had changed, in Strange Angels she was daring and a little lost. Betrayals brought the skeptical Dru out and Jealousy made her a little more docile. I was very pleased that even though Defiance didn't start of with there being the old Dru plus a little more, towards the end she was who she had always been, the untamable one. 
 It's slow at first building the suspense, even adding a few characters that make good supporting roles and add tot he story in a non page filler way. 
 We stumble through Christophe, who I can't help but not like because he's always hiding something for "her/the greater good." His role in this one is more stable, whereas he only made short appearances in the last three, I think that's has to do a lot with getting to know him more versus Graves in this one. Something I found heartwarming was Graves presence in Dru's thoughts even he wasn't there. Even if she could have easily replaced him for the "Dark Lord's" son. It's pretty clear who her choice is and I for one I'm glad for it. Reminds me a little of The Summoning by Armstrong in the love triangle. 
 Dru's role in The Order is more solid even if she's only "The Head" for what I like to call image purpose since she doesn't lead them. At least at first. 
 I noticed Crow's use of certain phrases from past books and some thoughts of Dru's do get a little tiring to hear. Her use of Imagery, though great is sometimes overwhelming in quantities and it feels that she could have covered more ground if she left some things out or didn't repeat so much of it.