The Night Is Defying is an emotional, atmospheric journey filled with heartbreak, dark intrigue, and forbidden love. Chloe C. Peñaranda delivers a powerful sequel that sets the stage for even greater stakes in the Nytefall series. If you love morally complex characters, star-crossed lovers, and high fantasy with a dark edge, this is a must-read.

As a second in a romantasy trilogy, this falls hard into second book territory. Even more confusing, the timelines switch constantly, in a way that is very jarring from the story that the reader is already working desperately to grasp.

I found the first book, especially at the beginning, to be hard to follow but I was eventually sucked in. The structure of this book was such that not only was I not sucked in, but also as soon as I started to get into the groove, the timelines would switch and I was left scrambling for understanding.

The readers are brought back to the story of Astraea and Nyte, star-crossed lovers. Astraea is the daughter of dusk and dawn, the star maiden, who is just now getting her memories back from her prior life. Nyte, also known as Night's Death, is a fae-turned vampire, son of the evil king, and from another world. Being together is causing the stars to die but they cannot seem to stop boning.

I really think this series needed someone to sit down with some serious editing scissors because I kept asking myself, where is the point and how do we cut to it? I will read the next book because I hate when I am left without a conclusion. I see a ton of potential within this story and world but really need the editing.

If you are a romantasy fan, you may want to add it to your collection but I would recommend reading it first. This is a great public library purchase for those that already have the first book.

Thank you to Tor, Bramble, and Net Galley for the DRC. All opinions are my own.

So I did write a review already for this book on Goodreads , I’m sorry I wasn’t aware I needed to do both. I loved this book so much! I fell in love with the first book and honestly this book just sold me on the story completely . You’re doing great .

I love love loved this book! I can not wait to have it in my hands in the next week or so. I love this story, the world the love. It’s all just so magical and I can’t express how I love her writing.

Thank you for the opportunity to read The Night is Defying, it didn't quite work out how I hoped it would.

3.75 stars rounded up

I found the second installment in the Nytefall series to be a more fast, action filled read than its predecessor; Although at times the pacing did jump around a bit much which felt a bit inconsistent especially around the middle.
I adored Astraea and how her evolution as a character truly developed throughout the story, I genuinely felt as if i was going through her journey with her and I felt every bit of her emotional growth.
Nyte delivers on the tragic, dark, starcrossed vibes in spades and I am here for it. I feel like we got a bit more complexity with the layers of how nothing is ever completely one thing. You can be a villainous monster and yet have depth and be a victim with painful softness.

I genuinely adored the complete chaos, fast paced emotional investment that tugs you towards beautiful devistation. That ending!
Cannot wait for the next!

Thank you netgalley, Chloe C. Peñaranda, and Tor publishing group for allowing me to read this arc!

This sequel ended up being quite disappointing for me.

I fairly liked The Stars are Dying, admittedly with its major flaws. Despite the trope overload and sometimes absurd shifts in plot and in character, the premise was compelling. I was hoping that we would get some answers in the sequel to some of the glaring plot holes so I could make sense of it as a reader.

Unfortunately, I did not get that. One of the things I like about romantasy is that we get the complexities of circumstances and worldbuilding with romantic tension and exciting characters. The plot in The Nights are Defying is all over the place - we have flashbacks but only a couple, but then we have another romantic lead but also a rebellion? It wasn't clear where one plot point came from and how it connected.

The other issue I had with this sequel was the literal hot and cold vibes from Nyte: I totally get he is supposed to be the "big bad" but sometimes he is just fucking mean to Astraea and she goes in between hating and then falling head over heels for him. I love my enemies to lovers but sometimes there was just no lovers, just enemies and he was just being a dick for literally no reason.

I also did not care for some of the holes in the worldbuilding: I'm still not sure why they can't be in the same place at the same time (because they are both too OP? I'm not sure).

I would have loved this immensely more if we had more cohesive worldbuilding and a consistent plot. This had so much promise but I was unfortunately very disappointed.

Thanks to Tor Publishing and NetGalley for the e-ARC in exchange for this review.

The Night Is Defying by: Chloe C. Penaranda

“Nyte isn’t the savior you pray for. But he’s the one you hope will answer anyway”

The Night is Defying started off a bit confusing and I was lost for second until I realized we went back in time and have dual point of views. It was so fun seeing the world and Astraea from Nytes point of view (he’s the villain we all love)

The Night is defying will have you feeling all of the emotions. There is a lot of character growth, new friends we meet along the way but also betrayal that will leave you seething. The ending is total chaos that will leave you heartbroken

If you’re looking for a romantasy with complex characters, romance and spice and dragons the Nytefall series is for you!

A big Thank You to NetGally for offering me the chance to read the Earc for The Night is Defying!

This book seems like it should have came before The Stars are Dying. Additionally, the beginning of the book didn’t connect with the ending of the first book. Both books actually seem like they could be standalone books. One might read both books to lock in who the characters are.

The Night is Defying is the second installment in the Nytefall trilogy. After finishing book one, The Stars are Dying, I was hoping to find more world building and a plot outside of the romance in book 2, unfortunately that did not happen. I DNF’d The Night is Defying at 35%. I don’t think I could give you an explanation of the plot in this series outside of the tropes holding it together. The start of every chapter felt like whiplash as the previous chapter ends abruptly and just moves on to the next scene with NO relation to the previous chapter ever, yet it was still predictable. It just had WAY too much going on and to many new things introduced rather than building off the sliver of a world we got in book one. The random love trilogy and then dragons?….they came out of where and felt very random.

Overall this was an enjoyable sequel! A lot of the questions I was left with after The Stars are Dying were answered and we learned a lot more about the world without being overwhelmed by complex world building. I will say I often felt like too much was going on in the background and some parts in the middle seemed a little repetitive, but I continue to absolutely adore Nyte and Astraea’s love story and I enjoyed learning more about Astraea’s relationships with other characters. Similar to the first book, things really started to pick up at the end so I’m looking forward to reading the trilogy’s conclusion!

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

What to Expect:
🖤 Big Character Growth
🖤 Stubborn Star-crossed lovers
🖤 Savior x Villain
🖤 Found Family
🖤 Twists & Revelations
🖤 Obsessed with Her

This action-packed sequel to The Stars Are Dying delivers all the tropes and vibes romantasy lovers crave. With forbidden love, enemies-to-lovers tension, and a heroine unraveling the mysteries of her past, it’s an intense and thrilling ride. The world expands beautifully, introducing more characters, regions, and a deeper dive into the lore, creating a richer and more immersive story.

Astrea’s journey is front and center as she rediscovers herself and pieces together the fragments of her memories. Meanwhile, Nyte is free and fully committed to helping her because, of course, he’s an unabashed simp for her, and I ate up every second of it. Yes, some of the moments felt a bit repetitive, but Nyte simping over Astrea hit all the serotonin buttons.

This installment is more fast-paced and chaotic than its predecessor, with the story jumping across various threads and settings. Still, the stakes are high, alliances are ever-shifting, and secrets lurk around every corner, keeping you hooked. And let’s not forget the violence and destruction because, apparently, reclaiming love isn’t complete without a bit of chaos and carnage.

Thank you to Chloe C. Peñaranda, the author, NetGalley, and the Tor Publishing Group team for the ARC opportunity.

I was given the opportunity to read an arc copy pf this book, from netgally. And thank you for that!

This have dual POV which I love! To finally hear Nytes POV is ❤️

The story is good.. the push and pull of both character is both good and annoying at the same time, but hey thats what makes it good right? Haha, I gave it 4 stars, only because I keep getting distracted while reading it, it didn't suck me in like other books that I read, but the story is good.. :)

"There is no star in the sky that shines as bright as you."
"There is no darkness that defies the night like you."

✨ Wow. Just...wow. The Night Is Defying is EVERYTHING I hoped for in a sequel to The Stars Are Dying—and then some. This book delivered in every way imaginable, and I loved every single moment of it.

First off, the dual timelines? Absolute perfection. Chloe C. Peñaranda masterfully weaves the past and present together in a way that feels seamless and never confusing (unlike so many books that attempt this!). The storytelling was chef’s kiss.

Astrea and Nyte, though. Oh. My. Stars. Their chemistry is off the charts, and their forbidden romance? Utterly tragic and impossible not to devour. Nyte has officially claimed the title of BEST book boyfriend, and I will not be taking questions or criticism on this matter. 😂 Their love is raw, gut-wrenching, and so deeply emotional.

Let me break it down for you:
🌌 0–50%: Fully obsessed. Could not look away. Every word was magic.
🌠 50–100%: UNPUTDOWNABLE. I flew through the pages like my life depended on it.

AND THAT ENDING. I am not okay. It’s emotional, action-packed, and filled with yearning, heartbreak, and dazzling star-based magic that will leave you utterly entranced.

If you’ve been debating whether to start or continue this series, let me be your sign: DO IT. You will not regret it. I am SCREAMING for Book 3. This series is an absolute must-read for fans of emotional, high-stakes fantasy romance. 💫

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review of one of my favorite series! You made a dream come true here!

The most I have cried in over a year. It's not often I find a second book is better than the first but this is the case. Whilst I loved the games of the first book, the depth of feeling and growth between the main characters was incredible. I love that it went in ways I didn't expect. I was gripped. Can't wait for the next one. I just need enough time to emotionally recover first.

It has been such a ride on Astraeas and Nytes story. This book was filled with plot twists and must die for scenes! It has been such a pleasure reading the second installment and well worth the wait. I’m looking forward to what comes next!

A beautiful, an action packed follow up! I’m so happy to see the character growth here. The story flowed well and really was just a roller coaster in the best way.

“You are my brightest star, I will find you no matter where you shine. I love you. Now, then, and always.”

THE LAST 15% WAS PURE CHAOS AND PAIN.

This was a really really solid follow up to The Stars are Dying! The star crossed lovers were STAR CROSSING. For my ZA fans out there—there are many a moment where it felt very ToryDarius coded (IYKYK).

It started off a bit confusing (which was surprising because I did reread book 1 right before) and I was a little worried it wouldn’t hit for me but BOY you get to 38ish% and suddenly it’s a roller coaster with no brakes.

I feel physical pain at the ending and have all the fear in my heart for what the end of this trilogy is going to be.

If you’re looking for a fantasy romance with complex characters, a romance that spans lifetimes, and dragons (yeah I said it!!!), you gotta check this one

Thank you to Bramble for the advanced copy!

The Night Is Defying is the second book in a Fantasy Romance series and I really enjoyed the first book when I first read it over a year ago but I absolutely loved this one, it was everything I hoped for and more and the next part of Astrea and Nyte’s story can’t come soon enough!

The Night Is Defying begins shortly after the end of the first book and I’m not lying when I say I was hooked from the very first page. There was a lot happening here with even higher stakes and I’m so happy we got answers to so many questions I’ve been asking while reading the first book, the way everything made perfect sense was amazing and the author created a truly fascinating and complex story set in an interesting world with tension and plot twists that kept me on the edge of my seat.

Astrea truly shined in this book, she grew so much from who she was at the beginning of book 1 and it was amazing so see her development, she became more badass and confident and took charge of her own life and after everything that happened I can’t wait to see her in book 3. Nyte… to say I had mixed feelings about him in the first book would be an understatement but OMG I was not ready for how much I would fall for him in this one. To describe him in one word, I would say he was perfect, the way he was always supporting Astrea (even in hurting him), pining for her, being devoted to her and just loving her was simply perfect and so beautiful to read and my heart was breaking for him so many times, I loved that we finally got his POV here and his chapters were my favorite, I love him so much and he is definitely one of my favorite book boyfriends. His and Astrea’s relationship is so complex and heartbreaking but also so beautiful, I loved seeing them truly accept and choose each other (and their banter, the spicy scenes, the conversations and, honestly, all their scenes were incredible) but my heart was breaking for them and everything they had to go through, both in the past and in the present timeline, I’m just rooting for them and want them to find a way to be together, I really hope they will get their happy ending and I’m still mad at the author about that ending, it’s brutal and had me crying and I can’t wait to see what happens next.

The Night Is Defying is a perfect continuation to this incredible and fascinating series, I absolutely love Astrea and Nyte’s story and can’t wait for its next part. If you haven’t started this amazing series yet, I definitely recommend it to all fantasy romance lovers, trust me, you don’t want to miss it.

An absolutely action packed book from almost beginning to end. Amazing to see Astraea fight for what she wants (mostly her freedom) and it all just kept me to the edge of my seat!