Review: Defy the Night

Author: Brigid Kemmerer

Publication Date: 14 September 2021

Publisher: Bloomsbury YA

Page Count: 496

Reading Method: Physical ARC [thank you to the publisher!]

Dates Read: August 27 – 28 

Synopsis: 

Apothecary apprentice Tessa Cade is tired of seeing her people die. King Harristan and his cruel brother, Prince Corrick, ignore the suffering of their people and react mercilessly to any sign of rebellion, even as a sickness ravages the land. That’s why she and her best friend Wes risk their lives each night to steal the petals of the delicate Moonflower, the only known cure. But it’s not enough to keep everyone she loves safe-or alive.

When Prince Corrick commits an act of unspeakable cruelty, Tessa becomes desperate enough to try the impossible: sneaking into the palace. But what she finds there makes her wonder if it’s even possible to fix their world without destroying it first.

Brigid Kemmerer’s captivating new series is about those with power and those without . . . and what happens when someone is brave enough to imagine a new future.

Review: 

I cannot BELIEVE I got lucky enough to get an early copy of this book.  I literally gasped when I opened it.  I mean SERIOUSLY.  I am sooo not cool enough for this, but I’m definitely not complaining.  Without further ado, my thoughts on Defy the Night! 

These characters immediately wormed their way into my heart.  Tessa and Wes are working together to deliver medicine to the sick villagers but they must operate in the dead of night to avoid being caught by the King’s men.  Each night, Tessa and Wes put their lives on line to save other’s.  Through an emotion-driven chain of events, Tessa finds herself in the castle, working for the King and his brother, Prince Corrick.  The royal brothers rule through fear and intimidation, with no room for mercy, love, or kindness.  

Y’all, I was NOT ready for this emotional rollercoaster.  I don’t want to give anything away but at one point I had to put this book down and take a moment to collect myself.  I did not expect to be attacked like that!  Kemmerer pulls no punches.  There was so much to love about Defy the Night.  I am obsessed with Wes (hello, new book boyfriend).  The story is so full of adventure, action, strong characters with compelling backstories, and a touch of romance.  I sat down to read this and didn’t get up until I was done.  Though you may think you know where the story is going, I assure you that you do not.  

I am so curious (and a little nervous) to see what happens next.  I just don’t know where the story is going to go after the conclusion of Defy the Night, and I’m a little nervous.  But I know I am going to love whatever else Kemmerer has in store for us.