Thank you Netgalley and Bloomsbury for this arc in exchange for an honest review.

Defend the Dawn by Brigid Kemmerer continues from Defy the Night.

I would give Defend the Dawn by Brigid Kemmerer a 1.5 star review because, the writing and story were good but I couldn't get into it.

Defend the Dawn broke me out of a reading slump with a vigor that was much appreciated by this reader. This is a sequel I've been looking forward to, and it didn't disappoint. We're back with Tessa and Corrick, whose POVs complement one another so well. And I NEEDED the new Harristan POV like you wouldn't believe. His hinted queerness was a bonus to an intriguing character. Not only was it rewarding to see inside the thoughts of another major, somewhat mysterious character, but in this entry, his experiences add another layer to the unfolding drama. All of our characters are in the dark as continued political upheaval threatens, so knowing the bits and pieces each one figures out makes a tricky, compelling picture for the reader. I felt right there with them in trying to decide who to trust and in trying to uncover secrets that could harm them.

A surprise ship at port leads Tessa and Corrick on a tense seafaring adventure. Expect doubts and angst and forbidden love to boil over in this new setting away from court. There's a potential love triangle that didn't make me mad (in another shocking development). In the ensuing tangle of emotions, Kemmerer has the mastery to make me distrust a POV character. Because it's not a lack of knowledge that makes me question him, it's the fullness of knowledge regarding his loyalties, priorities, and the way his experiences have shaped his decision-making apparatus. So I could know exactly what he's thinking while still siding with outsiders against him, sometimes unfairly. The book asks a lot of interesting questions: What's right and honorable given the messy self-centered machinations of politics? How can hope survive against all the little concessions you have to make to do even one right thing? How can you love someone who's done wrong and will again? And how can you judge someone else when the scale of their decisions differs so drastically from your own? Fear and bad blood make it hard to find any common ground despite the high stakes.

Just like Defy the Night, the book is fast-paced with a heady concoction of political intrigue, romance, and violence. There are some excellent twists nearing the end that had me on the edge of my seat leading right up to A CLIFFHANGER TO END ALL CLIFFHANGERS I AM SO UPSET BECAUSE I'M A BIG BABY BUT ALSO THIS IS TORTURE, I TELL YOU. Ahem. I loved this book. It's exactly why I keep coming back to ya fantasy, and I am desperate for the final entry in the trilogy. Thanks to Bloomsbury for my copy to read and review!

Fantastic sequel to “Defy the Night.” Kemmerer is a genius at developing characters that stay with you even after you close the book. The cliffhanger ending is frustrating but delicious!

I loved Defy the Night and was so excited for Defend the Dawn. It did not disappoint and was an amazing sequel. I adore these characters, especially Tessa and Corrick. I can't wait to read the next book because that cliffhanger was brutal. Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me access to the free advanced digital copy of this book.

Brigid Kemmerer has become one of my favorite YA authors. She always writes a good story with plenty of action, romance and intrigue. This one was not as good as the first book until near the end when most of the action happened. But this is typical of many second books in a trilogy. It is taking the reader to the finale which can lead to a little stretching of events. I still found it worth reading and I am looking forward to seeing how the story ends.

Okay, this book was fantastic and such a phenomenal sequel! I enjoyed the character development, but anything I didn't love about the first, felt much improved on in this book. I didn't care for Tessa in the first, but I actually really loved her character in this book. The characters were very relatable, nuanced, and engaging and the story totally sucked me in. We get a lot more insight into King Harristan's character as well. Frankly, I'm not sure how I'm going to be able to wait until next year until the third books comes out and it leaves off on a total cliff hanger! Guess I will need to reread the first book again and then probably this one, because it was great.

great book and such great characters. I enjoyed the mystery and some romance. I also enjoyed the journey of the characters. I didn't know what to expect with this book but I enjoyed it .

Kemmerer is a must buy author for me. She yet again has taken her readers to a beautiful world full of mystery and adventure. I enjoyed this book even more than the first in this series and I will continue to buy and read anything that she writes. Thank you netgalley for this arc in exchange for my honest opinion.

I loved the first one and was so excited to continue their story! Just as good as the first, if not better! A must read!!

I loved this follow up to Defy the Night. Lots of twists and turns I wasn't expecting, and just as intriguing as the first book. Will definitely recommend to my students.

I enjoyed the more prominent development between Corrick and his brother Harristan in this second book, it was refreshing to see more of the side characters that didn't get as much development in the first book. I wouldn't say that this sequel quite lives up to the first novel, but I am still invested enough to want to read the next to learn how Tessa's and Corrick's story ends. I'll be waiting for the third novel!

I’m a longtime fan of Brigid Kemmerer’s novels, and defend the dawn was no exception. This is an excellent novel for anyone looking for an adult fantasy with a YA/new adult feel.

Wow! That was good, and intense - that cliffhanger ending 😭. I missed these characters so much since Defy the Night and can’t believe I have to wait for the third book.

I really enjoyed the added Harristan POVs and the new cast of characters added, and we saw a lot of character developments and I really didn’t know which way the book was going to turn for our main characters.

I wanted to rate it 5-stars, but perhaps unfairly I’m comparing it to Defy the Night and it was just slightly less exciting and sometimes felt a bit like filler and circular plot that didn’t need to be quite as lengthy. That being said it is absolutely set up well with the twists and action and intrigue added in the last 15% to be a VERY exciting third book. Hold on tight Tessa, Corrick, Harristan, and all of the other fun characters!

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. All my thoughts are my own and we’re not impacted by receiving an ARC.

What a stunningly chaotic novel! I usually worry about sophomore books in a series, however this one was well worth the wait! I loved Defy the Night so much that Defend the Dawn was on my radar before it even had an official title. The twists and turns I've come to expect from this particular series didn't disappoint. Eagerly waiting book #3!

Defy the night is my favorite series from this author and this sequel did not disappoint. I am so excited for the next book! That cliffhanger left me wanting more!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this novel. I encourage you to check this one out! Excellent read!

Defend the Dawn was a phenomenal book and it’s incredible to see disability rep in a fantasy series. It does have a slow beginning, but it picks up. I really loved seeing more of Prince Corrick!!

Defend the dawn is the second book in the series Defy the Night. Every time I read her book two of a series, it always falls short.

I enjoyed the book's twists and turns, but the book's pace was slow. Everything interesting happened towards the end of the book. But the cliffhanger once again was brutal. I have to know what happens next.

DEFEND THE DAWN is the sequel to DEFY THE NIGHT, both from YA fantasy-superstar Brigid Kemmerer. I have been following Kemmerer's releases for the past few years, and she never fails to deliver on the friendships, the found family, the humor, the romance, and so much more. DEFY THE NIGHT gave me all of this and more, I was immediately whisked away into the world with its wonderful characters and action. It was so great to see this cast back in action, and I think Kemmerer is establishing herself as a major player within this genre. I am so excited to see what she writes next!