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!

I’ll admit I wasn’t sure I’d read the 2nd book after reading the first, but when I got this book as an ARC, I jumped right in… and I’m so glad I did!
As the characters evolved, they found a place in my heart! I found myself becoming very emotional throughout, and for me that’s a sign of a true 5 star read!
In this book, Astrea must find who she is and was and what her relationships were and are now, all while also trying to save her realm. It’s a story of growth and evolution, while also being a story of star-crossed lovers and war. Plus there’s a sprinkling of found family, which I’m always a fan of!

The Night is Defying is the second book in the Nytefall series. I absolutely loved the competition vibes of the first book in the series, so I couldn’t wait to dive into this one. This installment continues to utilize the tropes I love including banter and enemies to lovers. This book focused strongly on the romance portion of the plot, though, there is a lot of action and intrigue to accompany it. I also enjoyed the FMCs development as she rediscovered who she is while uncovering her past memories. I did feel like something was missing, though, in terms of making this feel like a fully fleshed out story. Much like with the first, I especially had a great time with the audio. The duet narration was an absolute delight. The narrators did a fantastic job representing their respective characters and kept me fully invested in the story.

The Night is Defying impressed me as a sequel because of all it packed into the plot. I started this book off wary, wondering how they could continue this story in such a way I’d love it just as much as the first. It was tough, and at first I didn’t think I would love the second installment because it didn’t grab my attention like the first one did. Where The Stars are Dying is a fast paced, action packed, mystery inside a love story, The Night is defying is a slow melody that slowly swells into a crashing chorus. There was so much in this book, it was different from the first but in all the best ways.

The friendships and bonds are further explored in the book. Where the first book focused on creating a love story, this one focused on creating a community. We get to watch as Astrea creates these friendships she couldn’t have before. She is dealing with her grief while also discovering those who she can lean on and trust. I fell in love with our side characters more and more as the story unfolded and by the end it no longer felt like Nyte and Astrea were our main characters but this whole colorful cast of people became the people we cheered for. We saw Nyte let his guard down and create his own friendships, an abused boy becoming a man and allowing himself to feel after a lifetime of abuse and disappointment. And it kills me to keep my big mouth shut but I can’t say anything about Drystan for fear it may spoil something but just know I love him and the impact he had in this story. This story was driven by our incredible cast of characters but they were not the only piece to this beautiful mosaic of a story.

Not only do we explore all of these incredible friendships but we are shown more of this magical world and the lore within it. The world building didn’t end in book 1, it confuses and expands in this second installment. New lore is introduced, more secrets are unveiled that then bring one even more questions to what seems to be a never ending mystery. Though our biggest drive in the story is pushing further to uncover more of Astrea’s memories, we are also introduced to lost myths of her world and what the divide between the species truly means. There is so much more than Astrea’s past that is to be uncovered and this book did a fascinating job giving us more things to fall in love with than the main characters’ steamy romance. I thought the examination of the divided species was so interesting and to see not only how it impacted Astrea and her upbringing but the different species in general was fascinating! I know they’ll go further into that in book 3 and I cannot wait! Also, remember that egg from book 1? That’s important!

The only critique I have is the grammatical errors. I noticed these in the first book in the published version as well but figured I knew what the author was trying to say. Some of the errors in this book made it so hard to understand what was going on in the story at times. I hope these are all fixed in the final draft (which I have already preordered as a lovely shelf trophy).

Overall this book was very different from The Stars are Dying but that did not make this any less a gripping, exciting, and tragic story. There are still elements of book 1 in these pages and it will tear your heart out, but you will walk away missing all the characters and pondering what’s next for their world until book 3 is in your hands. Outstanding second installment of a fantastical series.

So I read this 1st and didn’t read the book before it. It wasn’t bad but I didn’t know this was book 2. I should have read them in order. But with this being said it was a great books you should definitely read it. Worth the read

The first book in the series was good but this book was incredible! The tension-filled, high stakes story was beautifully written and the plot and twists keep you guessing what will happen. Wonderful balance between romance and plot.

Wow! Just wow! I was blown away by the night is defying. A little dark but mostly courageous and fun characters

"We were stars colliding and night defying."
Astraea and Nyte were written in the stars, their love capable to destroy the foundation of their world. Stuck in a cycle in which their story can only end in tragedy. After surviving the libertatem Astrea seeks answers to a past she no longer remembers she finds herself falling ever deeper into her attraction to Nyte but after meeting Auster she begins to question who she should trust.
I did not expect to love this book more than book 1. This is a beautifully executed star crossed lovers story that stole my heart. It's stories like these that make me belive in a love eternal, two souls aimlessly traveling the stars until they find each other again in whatever world they fall.

This book is intense. It’s filled with high stakes, emotional turmoil, and a love story that keeps your heart racing while breaking it at the same time. The chemistry between Astraea and Nyte is undeniable. The push and pull between them is palpable, and the love they share feels both fated and doomed. This book dives deep into the complexities of loyalty, choices, and the weight of past mistakes. It’s not just about love; it’s about decisions that could shatter everything these characters have fought for. The twists? They’re brutal and unexpected. Just when you think you’ve figured it out, the story turns, making every moment a rollercoaster of emotions. In short, this book delivers everything, and if you love stories where every choice matters, where love is both painful and beautiful, and where nothing is ever as simple as it seems, this is a must-read. It’s dark, it’s gripping, and I can’t wait to see where this series goes next.

While I struggled with the first book in this series, I did like the lyrical approach to some of the writing. One of my major complaints also revolved around the passive nature of the heroine, due to her lack of memories. As a sequel, I had high hopes that this last point could be improved upon, so I wanted to see where the story and romance would go!

So, while this didn’t rocket into becoming one of my favorites series ever, I can confirm that I did like it more than the first. Astraea made small steps towards becoming a more compelling heroine with more drive of her own to take control of her life and her choices. Did she still seem to need constant reassurance that she was capable? Yes. There were numerous pep talks throughout. But at least she also seemed to more fully come into her own as a character.

I also think the addition of Nyte’s (I still can’t with that name) POV helped the book. Having another character’s head to occupy, one who was less confused, distrusting, and passive really helped balance out the overall tone of the story. At the same time, however, sometimes it felt like his entire personality was simple adoration of everything Astraea said or did. I don’t enjoy artificial conflict or drama, but it also felt a bit too “gushy” for my taste. Added depth of his own, some more reflection on his relationships with other people, etc. all would have helped flesh him out a bit more.

However, the pacing continues to be a problem with this series. Like the first book, parts of this book really do drag, feeling as if the author is padding out the content with repetitive inner monologues and reflections (see the numerous pep talks). If you actually sit down and diagram out the action of this book, there’s very little actually there. In many ways, I think both books could have been condensed into one, much more tight, and successful narrative. As a fantasy reader, I obviously love series. But if there isn’t enough story to justify multiple books, an excellent stand-alone is always preferable to books that have been stretched too thin to make up a duology/trilogy/what have you.

Overall, this was an ok sequel. If you enjoyed the first book, than I’m sure you’ll love this one. If the first wasn’t really to our taste, this one does improve in some ways, but it also continues to struggle with regards to pacing and the passivity of its lead character.

Rating 7: While baby steps were made to allow the heroine more personal agency, the book still struggled with slower pacing and a romance that lacked tension.

Review will go live on The Library Ladies on Jan. 29.

This book was amazing. I really enjoyed being in the dark book one with Astraea and learning what was going on in the world through her perspective since she didn't have her memories. This book took the world to another level. I loved the flash backs of Astraea getting her memories back and loved the twists and turns. There was a lot about this world and the characters that took me by surprise. The ending left me yearning for more. I am very excited to see how this trilogy concludes in the next book!

"We were stars colliding and night defying."
Thank you to NetGalley, Chloe Penaranda, and Bramble publishing for this ARC!!!

I just put this book down and am in full shock. We are getting a book 3, right???? I don't even know where to begin without spoilers.

But, here we go...

"Fire and Ice. What destruction they could commit"

Book 2 we jump around a bit more than we did in book 1. We get to know side characters a bit more (Drystan, Rose, Zath, Davina, and Calix. OMG, and the "Band of Nightmares" LOL). Astraea regains more and more of her memories. with help, and while time passes.
Nyte works with her to uncover her true potential, as they navigate how to not repeat their tragic past again and again. War is inevitable.

This book had me in a choke hold waiting to find out if LOVE could conquer all.
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Nyte, you are the picture we find under Morally Grey. >>>>

Morally Grey Evidence:
"Astraea was still angry with me, rightfully so, and it was sadistic of me to find thrill in it.
Every dark and dangerous thing living inside her I wanted unleashed on me."

"Burn in hell, Nightsdeath." Nyte reached for his cup of wine. "When you come looking for me down there, I'll be the one burning brightest for once."

"Then hate me. Lower those hips and feel what it does to me."

"Monsters can want frightening things and gain them in pretty ways. You wouldn't know what you'd sold until it was in my hands."

"Mine. I was obsessed. Incapable of letting her go even when death and time joined forces to try separate us. It wasn't enough. Nothing ever would be."
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Highlights:
"I existed near one hundred years before her, but I only knew what it was to live after I met her."

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

"We are the stars and night itself. You could never lose me, nor I you. In our perfect world that would be a promise, but in this cursed one, it's a tragedy," he said, final words wrapped in sorrow. Then the screaming started.

So if you’re looking for a good romantasy series to get you into reading and have a good romance and good plot I would definitely recommend this series. As this is the second book in the series, I found it enjoyable as this book picked up right after the first one which made for an easy transition. The plot was enjoyable and the characters were also enjoyable, my only problem is that it just was not for me. I’ve been reading too many romantasy books lately and unfortunately most of the newly published books from recent years have extremely similar plots and annoying tropes that at this point are VERY overdone. For example, the shadow daddy trope is very overdone these days since it’s trendy and I’m just personally becoming annoyed with the trope, BUT if you are specifically looking for that trope and the enemies to lovers, fated mates, etc. then this book/series will be right up your alley.

This was really good. I wish we got more flashbacks of the two main characters because they were a delight to read and made me want to read a whole prequel book of them falling in love the first time. It was a tad longer than necessary and sometimes tracking the dialogue was hard. The romance was excellent and the plot is interesting and amplifies the series in a great way. I had fun reading this book like the first.

While this series is not "unique" in the Romantasy-Craze the book world is currently in, The Night Defying certainly is enjoyable! The writing style and plot pacing was a lot more enjoyable for me in this book compared to the first in the series and I felt that it answered a lot of the gaps we needed filled!
Full Review to come.

I ate this book up and it left no crumbs!

I love that this book picked up right where we left off in book 1, obviously there's a lot that needs to be covered in this book, and there was some jumping around that confused me, but overall it was still just as good of a read as the first one! Nyte still reigns as my favourite character in this new book series of Chloe's & I honestly can't wait to read more from Chloe!

Thank you NetGalley for an eARC!

4.5 ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️

This book had me all over the place in the best way … if you love Romantasy books you must read this series!!! Astrea and Nyte’s story is so beautifully intense. The story jumps from past to present as Astrea tries to regain her memories. I fell in love with Nyte and enjoyed watching him and Astrea grow and develop in this book. I loved the different points of view from both Astrea and Nyte. The spice was just spicy enough to keep the plot moving . The ending had my heart and mind all in pieces and I cannot wait to read the third book in this amazing series …there was magic, love, adventure, dragons, betrayal, and vengeance…. Bring on the next one !!!


Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to Arc read this amazing book for an honest review

I’m so excited for Chloe and this getting picked up and being all over stores everywhere. This book is incredible and so glad it is getting the recognition it deserves. It’s one that will keep you on the edge of your seat and turning the page and engaged with every page turn and every chapter.

The second book in this trilogy fulfilled my expectations. Despite the slower plot in the first half of the book, I enjoyed getting to see more of Nyte and Astrea's relationship. I thought the intimate scenes, while explicit, were well done and spaced out enough not to overtake the plot. The last half of the book was much more exciting, though Nyte getting blasted out the sky by lightning seemed like a forced plot device until it was explained later. I think the author did an excellent job of setting the stage for the betrayal without making it too obvious. I also enjoyed the dual POVs, and hope to see more of Eltanin in book 3.

Loved the first book but loved this one even more as I felt we really got to know the world and characters by now and I could focus more on the plot and romance in this one! I read it in one day couldn’t put it down! Loved it and will be recommending to everyone!