Wow, I was blown away by this book. Maybe it was because I was in a bit of a reading funk for a couple months where I had a hard time finding books that really grabbed my attention. I put off reading it afraid I would be disappointed yet again. Well, this book was far from a disappointment. It grabbed me with both hands and yanked me right in. I couldn’t put it down. There were a few late, sleepless nights while I devoured this book.

It will definitely be hard to write this without spoilers. I predicted some major plot points pretty early on but that didn’t make me love them any less. In fact, it made them even more juicy and exciting because I couldn’t wait to see if it was going to happen. I found myself silently begging, please, please let this happen. And when it did, it made it all the better.

I loved Tessa. She was bold and brash and brave. She was unafraid to do whatever was necessary to help others. She did the right thing because it was right, not because she got anything from it. And she did the right thing even when she was told to stop or do something wrong instead. She was ready to lay down her life to protect others.

Tessa and Wes were rebels trying to save the people they grew up around. Prince Corrick and King Harristan are trying to run a country fraught with disease, betrayal and power hungry consuls. Tessa and Wes believe in helping others, while Corrick and Harristan are brutal and unmerciful in their leadership.

Tessa and Wes, and Corrick and Harristan are both desperately trying to hold together the lives they lead but are on opposing sides. Both view each other as the enemy. But when their worlds finally collide Tessa and Corrick realize that maybe they aren’t so different after all.

Civil war is about to tear the country apart. Can they find common ground in enough time to stop it?

This one is a must read. The pace and plot flowed easily. The action was captivating and I was sucked into the tension and romance. It may not be the best written book ever but it came into my lap at the right time and was exactly what I needed. I cannot wait for a sequel.

Thanks to the publisher for the review copy, but this book was just not for me.

Made it to Chapter 5, could clearly see where it was going, checked the last chapter to confirm, and put myself out of my misery.

Just not my kind of read. Silly names, silly map, silly dialogue. There’s definitely an audience for this book, I’m just not a member of it.

What a book!

The kingdom of Kandala is plagued by a fever that can only be cured by a tea made from the petals of the moonflower. King Harriston and his brother Corrick who acts as the King’s Justice, are just two young men who have been suddenly thrust into power due to the untimely assignation of their parents. They are known to react mercilessly in the face of rebellion and they work hard to maintain order between the colonies during a time where the moonflower supply is limited. Outlaws and best friends, Tessa Cade and Weston risk their lives each night to distribute the elixir to those in the colonies who need it most.

The writing style was perfect for me – with enough world building to allow me to conjure this land in my mind, but not so much for me to get lost and bored. It also had a good balance of political situations mixed with action and some romantic moments.

This story action packed, engrossing and thrilling - I loved every minute of it. I was hooked from the start and could barely set this one down, I can’t wait to read more from this series.

Brigid Kemmerer’s latest novel, Defy the Night, is the first installment in her brand new fantasy series of the same name. The series is set in Kandala, a kingdom that has been ravaged by a deadly pandemic. The only way to treat the sickness is with an elixir made from moonflower petals, but there’s only a limited supply of such petals and those regions of the kingdom who have them charge a premium for them, thus making it easy for the rich to hoard more elixir than they could ever possibly need and hard for poor folks to afford the elixir at all. How can there be any hope of helping everyone survive with such an uneven distribution of resources? Tessa Cade, an apprentice apothecary, wonders the same thing and decides to take matters into her own hands. She and her partner, Wes, steal moonflower petals from anywhere they can, manufacture their own elixir, and sneak out in the dead of night to deliver it to poor families across the kingdom, under penalty of death if they are caught.

I really loved everything about this book, but I especially adored Tessa and this whole Robin Hood “rob from the rich, give to the poor” vibe she has going on. Tessa is feisty, brilliant, and she just has the biggest heart. All she wants to do is save everyone she can, and I had tremendous sympathy for her because she’s following in her parents’ footsteps and they were both killed for doing exactly what she’s doing. She’s also quite headstrong and sometimes acts rashly. When Wes is captured by the royal guards on one of their runs, Tessa, heartbroken and alone, races off to the palace looking for revenge. Little does she know, however, but her life is about to change forever.

Another character in the story I adored was Prince Corrick, who Tessa encounters when she enters the palace. Corrick is the King’s Justice. His job is to dole out punishments to those who break the law, and he’s known by all to be brutal and ruthless. Corrick is hard to like, at first, just based on his reputation alone. But I grew to love him as soon as I realized there’s so much more to Corrick than meets the eye. Corrick and his brother the King were forced to take on their roles at a very young age because their parents were murdered. Corrick is determined to protect his brother at all costs, even if it means doling out the most horrid of punishments to discourage any future betrayals. He hates what he does, however. It tears him up inside and he desperately wants to be a different kind of person. Could Tessa be the one to help him become who he wants to be?

I don’t want to give anything away about what happens when Tessa and Corrick encounter each other, but it’s a game changer for both and one heck of a ride for the reader when they unexpectedly join forces to take on those who pose a threat to the health and stability of the kingdom. If you like a little romance in your fantasies, there’s definitely plenty of chemistry between Tessa and Corrick. And if you like a little political intrigue, with a side of backstabbing and treachery, Kemmerer has you covered there too. I enjoyed Defy the Night immensely and can’t wait to see what happens next!

Much like COVID-19 has spread across the world, a mysterious fever has spread across Kandala. While medicine made from Moonflower exists, only those who can afford it are truly able to get enough to stave off illness. Tessa and Wes are outlaws who have been trying to distribute medicine to those who can't afford it. It is a dangerous job done under the cover of night, but it is a necessary job.

When Tessa believes that Wes has been captured as a smuggler and killed by the King's Justice, she sneaks into the palace. While she initially planned to poison the king, she quickly realizes she isn't a murder. After being caught as an intruder she must quickly find a way to keep herself out of the Hold, while also continuing to help the people of Kandala. Luckily she finds an unexpected familiar face behind the palace walls...

“Mind your mettle.”


~ Overview ~
Thank you to NetGalley, Bloomsbury YA, and Brigid Kemmerer for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. I gave Defy the Night 4.5/5 stars. It is a YA fantasy. I absolutely adored this book. It’s been a long time since a book has grabbed my interest and held it like this. I didn’t want to put it down. And if I did, I was constantly thinking about it.

A Note on Trigger Warnings
This story contains scenes with blood, torture, violent deaths, death of families and children, murder and execution, an epidemic, PTSD, threat of rape/sexual assault, and violence. Please note that this is by no means a full list, but these are the major ones that I came across.


“They’re the richest people in Kandala, but they’re hiding from the poorest. All this time I’ve thought that the people within the gates were the most powerful, but maybe I was wrong. We all have power.”


The World/Writing
I think one of the things I enjoyed the most, and generally greatly enjoy with Kemmerer’s works, is how easy the world is to understand. The story is easy to follow and the writing flows well. Nothing is overly complicated or difficult to explain, nor is it a total info dump or repetitive.

The Characters
I loved the complicated dynamics of the characters. Everyone felt so real. Each character had their flaws, their challenges, their strengths. It made them very human and relatable. Likeable. They were all morally grey, which I am a huge sucker for. I found that I was attached to all the characters – even ones we barely see. I think a book has something special if it can make my heart bleed for characters that are very rarely mentioned.


“I hate you.”
“That’s probably for the best.”


The POVs
For those unsure, yes, this story has a dual POV. And, YES, it was done well. Both Tessa and Corrick have distinct voices that aren’t hard to distinguish. I really enjoyed reading from both their points of view, as they see the world so differently. They live two completely different lives and have no understanding of the other, so watching them learn was wonderful.

The Plot
I thought the plot was well done and tackles a tough subject. The kingdom of Kandala is struggling. People are dying from an epidemic and there isn’t enough medicine to go around. Revolution is starting. The king and his brother, the King’s Justice, are hated for their cruelty. The elite feel as though the smugglers are taking what they don’t deserve, the poor feel as though they must steal to survive. I thought that, as these issues progressed, it was helpful and interesting to read from both POVs. There is more substance to the story when we see how complicated these decisions are for the elites and how uncomplicated it is for those struggling. I will say, though, that if this story was a hundred or so pages longer, I think it could have been a standalone. But I am interested to see how things go in the next installment.


“The hardest part of this job isn’t the stealing. It’s the escaping.”


Overall Recommend?
Ab-so-lute-ly.

Defy the Night is just what I needed. It's an adventure story with kind hearted and complicated outlaws, cruel princes, politics and romance.

I think Kemmerer can't do anything wrong and I've been a fan of hers for a while now, especially her last trilogy. And this one is just as good if not better, combining real danger and a very dark and cruel prince.

The world is wonderfully laid out with the counsel setting up hints of larger and more political tensions ahead. The relationship between Wes and Tessa is so heartwarming. Sure they're attracted to each other, but I really like how they are friends. They depend on each other, they worry about each other, they keep each other grounded. Tessa is strong willed but also pragmatic. She feels like she really has a calling to take care of the people who are sick and she's willing to risk her life to do so. I found her to be a wonderful hero and it's her heart and sympathy that really drives her as a character and really changes those around her, even if they're filled with anger.

Prince Corrick is a really wonderful character. I enjoyed reading from his POV a lot because it showed how torn he was between his duty and his brother and what he thought was to be helpful and right. Losing his parents so young and being the King's Justice really took a tole on him. It was very clear to see why he would be drawn to Tessa, she represents a lot of what was missing in his life.

Overall I think Defy the Night is a promising and engrossing first book to what is sure to be a delicious trilogy! When is book two coming out??

"Mind your mettle, Tessa."

THIS LINE 😍

It repeats throughout the story and means something different every time. I loved it.

I haven't seen this book reviewed often, and I'm here to tell you to pick it up RIGHT NOW. This was my first Brigid Kemmerer book, and I was impressed by her immersive and riveting storytelling. The plot includes hallmarks of many YA series (dystopian setting, morally gray characters, royal brothers, etc.), but those elements are woven together to build a unique and refreshing story.

The characters were so darn likable, even when they were making awful decisions or committing atrocious acts, and their loyalty to each other was unparalleled.

This is the first book in a new series. The ending left plotlines open, but it doesn't end on a cliffhanger. I will definitely read the rest of the books in the series!

Recommended for fans of The Grace Year or Red Queen.

The world building in this book is phenomenal! Corrick is HOT. I would definitely read this again. And I would recommend it to my adult friends.

𝔚𝔢 𝔰𝔥𝔬𝔲𝔩𝔡 𝔟𝔢 𝔯𝔦𝔡𝔦𝔫𝔤 𝔞𝔱 𝔱𝔥𝔢 𝔣𝔯𝔬𝔫𝔱, 𝔫𝔬𝔱 𝔥𝔦𝔡𝔦𝔫𝔤 𝔦𝔫 𝔱𝔥𝔢 𝔰𝔥𝔞𝔡𝔬𝔴𝔰.

For all my fantasy lovers Defy The Night is an EPIC MUST READ! A prince trying to save his Kingdom from corruptness and a rebel trying to keep her people alive comes this captivating new Robin Hood-ish book of what happens when people are brave enough to imagine a new future. I didn’t think it was going to be possible to love something more then A Curse so Dark and Lonely but holy smokes Brigid Kemmerer did it again. Move over Prince Rhen there’s a new prince who has claimed my heart and his name is Prince Corrick!

This is a ball of hot fury from the very start. Action packed rebellion and steamy romance I couldn’t put this book down once I started. The world building was extremely easy to pick up (but not in a simple way) which I appreciate because some fantasy novels can be way too complicated and confusing. I also enjoyed that there wasn’t any obvious magical element it was just people trying to survive a sickness using medicine, but I’m wondering if there will be hints of magic in the future.

Prince Corrick and his brother King Harristan stole the spotlight. They were complex, layered, brooding characters that you wanted to slap but protect all at the same time. I loved their different sides but above all their closeness not just as King and King’s Justice, but as brothers was unique and refreshing to see. Most of the time one either hates or is jealous of the other. Now on the other hand with the boys stealing the spotlight I feel like Tessa is almost a background character. I feel like she spent 75% of the book crying and overly sensitive and while that’s not necessarily a bad thing and she was definitely strong and resilient when it counted I feel like she lacked development. I would of loved to see her acts of kindness with her fellow people instead of being told about it. She’s clearly respected and will play a big role in the series to come I just wanted a little more from her. I didn’t nearly love her as much as I loved Harper from A Curse.

Overall I think this is a fantastic start to a new and entrancing series that I can’t wait to read more of.

Wow. I loved this author's previous books, but I was still not prepared for this. This book is absolutely amazing and I read it in 2 nights, staying up entirely too late, because I simply could not put it down. It had some elements of The Mirror King and Robin Hood while still being a completely original story. I loved the relationships, and especially how the relationship between the brothers was portrayed. You don't often see that in books, and it was amazing to see two strong male characters be supportive of and loving of each other, as well as be vulnerable and choose different paths. I would definitely recommend this book.

This is an action packed ride that you will want to read in just one sitting. Brigid has an uncanny ability to write books that make it painful to tear your eyes away from. It took me a couple chapters to really sink in but once I was immersed in the world I didn't want to come back to reality. I loved Tessa as the main character. She is full of sass and righteous anger. She wants to do whatever she can to help the people and she is going to do whatever it takes. I also loved the other main characters. The other really notable thing about this story is the similarities to our modern day pandemic. I felt a lot more connected to the story than I would have before it. I think Brigid did a great job bringing in those feelings without overwhelming the reader. Overall I loved it and if you are a ya fantasy reader this is a must read.

I really enjoyed this but I wouldn't say it's a new favourite! It's also very fantasy-light, honestly I could not tell you off the top of my head what made it a fantasy. More of a medieval vibe!

Anyway, this was very fast-paced and if you enjoyed the Cursebreakers series you'll definitely enjoy this as well, it's got the same simple writing style with characters you will immediately connect with.

There are a lot of really cool elements of the story that I think could have been explored a little more deeply. I will continue with the series!

While I really enjoy Kemmerer's writing style, I was pretty nervous for this book. I loved the first book in the Cursebreaker's series, but it slowly went downhill for me. I was worried that maybe this book wouldn't meet my expectations. Fortunately, I ended up really liking it!

It was a fast-paced read with some Kemmerer-qualities that I very much enjoyed. Likable characters, an engaging plot, a fun, but darker fantasy world, and more. I love the court intrigue and the masked vigilante and the (not on purpose) devastating illness.

Tessa, Wes, Corrick, and the rest of the cast were fun to follow around. There wasn't much new and exciting about any of them, but they give readers just about everything they love in a story like this. I will say, though, that some of the best characters were side characters.

The biggest reason I couldn't rate this higher, though, is that there weren't really any major twists in this book. Nothing too surprising. The twists that were in there were fairly predictable. This led to the book as a whole kind of being "just another fantasy book," which is unfortunate. While I enjoyed it immensely, I don't think it's going to end up on the shelf of memorable favorites.

***ARC Review***

MINI REVIEW

3 things I loved:
* all the crazy twists and turns of the romance plot
* this is a gripping story from the start and it doesn’t let go
* powerful women, of course

1 thing I didn’t:
* this book is extremely basic and unoriginal

Other thoughts:
* while I understand that the concept of this book was developed before the pandemic hit, there are a lot of plot elements that feel like political commentary on the pandemic and given that I read high fantasy mainly as a form of escapism, no thank you

this book was so good and i immediately fell in love with brigid’s writing. i loved corrick and all the plot twists and can’t wait to see what happens next

This book was such a wonderful surprise! I was worried that I had been growing away from enjoying YA books but Defy The Night just reminded me exactly why I love it! It instantly had my attention and just had me falling in love with the story with all of the tropes and plot devices— many of which are some of my top favourites. (friends to enemies to lovers anyone?!)

I will warn you now this book follows a pandemic sort of situation so considering what’s going on in our reality— you might want to wait to read this one. But if you’re alright with that, please read this asap!

We follow Tessa who’s parents were killed by the King’s men after they were caught giving medicine to the people. Tessa ends up being saved from being killed that same night by a man named Wes who then helps her learn how to sneak into the royal sector to steal the medicine and to continue her parents work. Something devastating ends up happening which spins Tessa’s entire world around— for better and for worse.

I really loved this book! Some of the plot aspects were easy to guess, I will admit that but Brigid did it in a way that I did not mind at all that it was predictable. I was still on the edge of my seat, tears in my eyes and rage ready to explode when certain things were finally revealed. She did an excellent job executing all of her plans.

I’m super interested to see where we go in the next book because this one definitely ends with some loose ends but it also wasn’t entirely a cliffhanger either. I also hope we get more romance in book 2! I see some buds springing in this first novel and I have a few theories about a couple of other possible matches.

Overall, this was an excellent addition to the YA fantasy book world and I cannot wait for everyone to get their hands on it and meet Tessa and Wes! And The King and King’s Justice….

4.5/5⭐️

TW: death, blood, death of parents, murder, slight gore, violence, fire, pandemic, illness.

3.75 stars

As a fan of A Curse so Dark and Lonely, I was so happy to receive this ARC from Net galley! Without spoiling too much, I will say it's worth staying with the novel for the first 20% as there's a twist that definitely changes the trajectory of the book (and makes it much more interesting in my opinion). The story is loosely based off robin-hood, and Kemmerer definitely does not hold back on the dark moments in this book, making it a more gruesome read than A Curse so Dark and Lonely for sure.

The story features a dual POV of a young apothecary named Tessa, and a morally grey prince, Corrick. I really enjoyed the two points of views, and I found all the featured characters to be likeable. However, I do think Tessa could have benefited from a friend, or someone to confide in so we can empathize and understand her a little more. I did find the characters to be a bit underdeveloped as well, and I would've loved a little more depth or insight into them, especially with such a small number of principle characters in the novel.

I am really looking forward to a map being added to the book, because there are so many regions that have political alliances based off their location, so I think it would really benefit the story to visualize this better!

All in all, Defy the Night was an enjoyable story with a cute romance, and some interesting parallels to our current pandemic (although it was written before COVID!) but nothing particularly breathtaking in my opinion. Probably will not read the second one but I don't regret giving this a read!

This is one of my fav books! I absolutely love everything Brigid writes.
Definitely read this one.
It has mystery, a swoony prince, and a secret that must be revealed.

🧪 Mini Review 🌸
Y’all, I have so much to say about this amazing book, but I would end up spoiling everything 🙈

I am a huge fan of @brigidkemmerer and was so excited when I got approved for Defy The Night. It’s one of my most anticipated reads and it didn’t disappoint! 🥰

The Kingdom of Kandala is dealing with a horrible sickness that is making the people desperate and restless. After the death of the King and Queen, King Harrison, their eldest son, and Prince Corrick, the King’s Justice, have had to try to help their people get better. This is hard when the elixir is very limited. And because it is so limited, only the rich can afford it.

After years of their people dying, the poorer sectors have had enough and are ready to rebel. Few are trying to help the people, unlike the King and Prince. Tessa, an apothecary apprentice, and Wes, her best friend, go out almost every night, risking their lives, steal the elixir from the rich and distribute it to the poor. But when the King's Justice commits a cruel act for all to see, the people have had enough and are ready to rebel, as is Tessa. After sneaking into the palace and getting caught, she realizes there is so much more to this sickness and its cure than she ever knew.

I absolutely loved everything about this book! 😍😍 Tessa, Wes, and Prince Corrick were amazing and I couldn’t get enough of them. I loved being able to see the world through Tessa and Corrick’s eyes. There are so many twists and turns that you don’t see coming and it blew my mind every time. For the last quarter of the book I was on the edge of my seat, anxious about what was going to happen next. The writing, as usual, was addicting. Brigid has a way of writing characters that you can’t help but fall in love with and creating a world that you can easily imagine yourself in.

If you love enemies to lovers, outlaws, Robin Hood, and rebellions, then this is the book for you! I gave it ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Defy the Night is one of my favorite reads of the year so far.