Net Galley Review: Defy the Night by Brigid Kemmerer

Release date: 09/14/2021

Thank you to Net Galley and Bloomsbury for providing me with an ARC!

Brief Summary:

From New York Times bestselling author Brigid Kemmerer comes a blockbuster fantasy series about a kingdom divided by corruption, the prince desperately holding it together, and the girl who will risk everything to bring it crashing down.

The kingdom of Kandala is on the brink of disaster. Rifts between sectors have only worsened since a sickness began ravaging the land, and within the Royal Palace, the king holds a tenuous peace with a ruthless hand.

SPOILER FREE REVIEW:

I want to preface this by saying that Brigid is one of my ALL TIME favorite authors, but that it in NO WAY affects my review of this book.

As most of you know, I am a HUGE fan of the Cursebreakers trilogy and I was afraid I would never find a story I loved as much as it again.. but then I read Defy the Night!

At this point, I consider Brigid to be the QUEEN of retellings. I want her to write every retelling in existence because she has a unique way of making the retelling feel so close to the story you know and love, but also as fresh and new as if you are being introduced to it for the first time.

Brigid has mentioned that Defy the Night was heavily inspired by the global pandemic we are currently facing which can easily be seen as we are introduced to the world of Kandala that has been heavily impacted by a strange fever that has swept across the land.

Defy the night has elements of Robin hood as it follows Tessa Cade who is stealing Moonflower Petals to make elixirs for those less fortunate who do not have the means to get doses.

Of the many things I loved about this book is how much darker it felt than the Cursebreakers trilogy.. which also had some rather dark moments and elements.

From only a few chapters in.. I realized that Brigid was NOT holding back.. which I very much appreciated.

One of the best things I've come to know and expect from Brigid's writing is the effortless way she creates characters that capture your heart.

Brigid excels in world building, character arcs, and overarching story themes. There is never a single character in the page that feels like a background character, because she writes every single character with such depth. Even if you only see them briefly, you are fully aware at how intricate their lives are.

Brigid has once again showcased her talent at entwinining action and adventure with romance and political intrigue.. all which keeping the reader turning the page and wanting more.

Defy the Night was almost 500 pages and I desperately wanted more which makes me SO excited that a sequel may be in the midst.

Do yourself a favor and pick up Defy the Night and support this incredibly talented human!

Overall rating 5/5

HIGHLY RECOMMEND

I read Defy the Night so fast and absolutely loved it! There were so many twists, turns, and betrayals, that made me so hooked.

The book starts off and you meet Tessa, she smuggles medicine to people who aren’t able to get it for a fever with only one treatment. You then meet Corrick, a prince, who at first you think the worst of. The story starts off seeming like a simple revolution novel. It’s not. From there, you realize there is so much more to the story than what you first think.

The world building was very well done and well paced. I loved the characters and even after finishing the book, I could tell their was more to some of the characters that I wanted to find out!

The only real issue I had, was Tessa seemed like she was about to cry or was crying about every three pages. I don’t really know why this stood out to me, but it did. She was going through a lot, but at some points I felt like she was crying for no real reason. Which, I guess makes it kinda realistic. I mean, if I was in Tessa’s shoes I would probably cry a lot too. And just because you cry, doesn’t mean you aren’t strong, I just felt like it was mentioned a lot that she was crying.

I loved the romance. Enemies to lovers is probably my favorite trope and the book hit that trope hard and it was written so well. They were so sweet together and the banter was amazing. They had so many setbacks in their separate lives and their love, but they kept fighting no matter what was thrown their way

This tale was woven so well. If you’re looking for enemies to lovers, found family, deep characters, and a revolution, look no farther than Defy the Night! I definitely recommend this book! Now I really want book two!

WOOOOOOOOW. WOW WOW WOW. Brigid Kemmerer knocked this out of the FREAKING park. I love most of her books but this one was absolutely incredible and is already my number one. No doubt that this will make it onto my best of the year list, because it is easily my favorite 2021 read so far.

Defy The Night hits the ground running and does NOT let up until you turn the last page. I was completely hooked after two chapters and my excitement only grew because the plot is entertaining as heck. I really loved the worldbuilding and thought the politics were detailed but easy to folllow. I hope we get to expand the world a bit more in further books!

Dual POV books are always my jam but this one was on a different level. Tessa and Corrick, I would DIE FOR YOU. Both of their voices were so distinct and Brigid is sooo good at banter and emotional angst. I can’t tell you how many times it felt like my throat was closing because the emotion was SO GREAT, RIGHT IN YOUR FACE AMAZING. The romantic turmoil is top notch. I thought I had a handle on the plot twist but then Brigid comes in and crushes all of my expectations and I was like whaaat and then says SIKE, and I was left reeling. It was exhilarating and incredible and fantastic. Can’t remember the last time I was so hyped by a twist, ESPECIALLY one that I had already expected.

Also there’s quite a few side characters in this to love (another area I feel Brigid excels in)! My favorite was Rocco but I also really liked Quint! I’m wary of Harristan but hoping for the best with him. Overall this book just completely took over my life for two days. I read nearly 75% in one sitting because it was actually physically impossible to put down. I am SO STOKED to see this series continue and you bet that I’m gonna be preordering a physical copy of this ASAP. My goodness.

What a treat to read a new book by Brigid Kemmerer with a whole new world and new set of characters! I enjoyed every minute of this exciting, riveting adventure. The characters were well-developed, the contrast between "good" and "evil" kept me riveted and eventually a little unsure of who to root for. Evil is not always what we expect, eh?

And the romance! No one writes romance like Ms. Kemmerer. Can't wait for the next book in this series.

Oh, Brigid Kemmerer....you've done it again. I loved her Cursebreakers series (a Beauty and the Beast inspired trilogy) and now Brigid is back with an amazing start to a new fantasy series (inspired by Robin Hood). And let me tell you, I need the second book now!!! I won't go over the plot, since it's posted everywhere, but I can say that this book features all of the author's trademark items - strong, feisty female lead, broody, dark and oh so loveable male lead (s) and a complex fantasy world full of dangers and adventure.

Keeping with Brigid Kemmerer fashion, another winner! Suspenseful plot, passionate characters, romance, and nonstop action. The only downside is waiting for the next book.

Brigid Kemmerer has done it again! She's provided an engaging tale with flawed but worthy characters who pull at your heartstrings. This is a tale of outlaws working for the greater good amid the twisted events that destroy a black and white world, turning it into a miasma of gray unknowns. Told in alternating perspectives between two characters, it further emphasizes that there is no one story; all tales have multiple perspectives that color the reality we see. I quickly fell in love with the protagonist Tessa and her work for the greater good. I felt her pain when she was trying to ease the suffering of others while simultaneously fighting the devils of her past and the realities of her poor social class. I felt her anguish when her love for others led to extreme fear for their lives. But most importantly, I shared her hope for a better world.

While this fantasy tale clearly takes place in a medieval world, the corollaries to today's life are still present: sickness that goes unabated despite a leader's best efforts; wealth and class disparities that cause conflict; and a Robin Hood-like approach to spreading the good that comes from wealth. The thematic topics are quite prevalent. Thoughts on loyalty, family, brotherhood, leadership, and justice abound and provide the fodder for many excellent conversations that pertain to life today.

This is an action-packed novel that is difficult to put down, and fans of Brigid Kemmerer will find the engaging prose to their liking. I can easily see myself repeating catch phrases from the book. While there is a bit of romance as one can expect from Kemmerer, explicit intimacy is limited to kissing and the sensual descriptions of characters. It is totally appropriate for readers in 7th grade and up.

I anxiously await the sequels to what will be a terrific fantasy series. Enjoy, my friends!

Fantastic! This series is going to be ICONIC! It’s fresh, fun, and highly entertaining. I am in LOVE with the characters already and I want more!! Brigid Kemmerer continues to outdo herself and it’s so great to watch an author get better and better with every book. PRE-ORDER THIS BOOK NOW! YOU WON’T REGRET IT!

Actual rating: 3.5 (rounded down)

First thing’s first: this was a very quick read for a nearly 500 page book! I was surprised at how fast I got through it.

The big plot twist you can see coming from a mile away. I had a thought—for an excited, fleeting moment—that the author would give us a double fake-out… but no. Another downside was that this felt a little like ‘been there, done that’ in terms of characters, story, and dialogue. It’s not the author’s fault, though. The YA Fantasy genre is oversaturated, to the point where tropes and cliché have made it incestuous.

In terms of characters… well, they were fine. Really. I didn’t grasp anything nuanced or surprising here. I get it, though: Corrick, the morally grey Prince (who I am sure will have people fangirling, fanboying, and fantheying—I will not be one of them!), and Tessa, the bleeding heart apothecary. I’ve encountered these characters many times before. Nothing new to see here. I think my favorite characters were King Harristan and Quint.

I wish the romantic aspects were less obvious (and less frequent!). This is coming from me, though: Someone who doesn’t care much for romance in literature to begin with. In this instance, with Defy the Night, everything about the romance was trope-y and expected. I will never not roll my eyes at a female character “gasping” or blushing when a male character takes his shirt off, or a male character left speechless mid-sentence when a female character enters a ballroom with her hair done up… or some sappy sh*t like that (which happens quite a bit in this book).

I so wish there had been a map of Kandala! The surrounding territories are mentioned a LOT, and I wanted a visual representation of the geography of this world. This being an ARC, I’m thinking it wasn’t ready (maybe?)? I’m hoping there’s one provided in the finished copy.

All that aside, I was all-in on the political intrigue, violence, and (surprisingly) socially-relevant themes. I like it when a YA titles veers more towards the “adult” side of the genre. I don’t really know where the story will go from here… it doesn’t end on a cliffhanger, which is a nice change of pace, but it did end in a very saccharine way, which I didn’t like (again, I’m a curmudgeon when it comes to romance and lovey-dovey passages). We shall see, I guess. I’m 65% sure I’ll read the next in series.

Fans of Cursebreaks and Brigid Kemmerer will rejoice over another amazing novel! Kemmerer's signature writing along with her detailed world building will have you not wanting to take any breaks!

A king and his brother, a young girl fighting to help the those in need, and a kingdom struck with sickness, Defy the Night is by far one of my favorite YA fantasy reads of 2021. I cannot wait for you to experience it, I am blown away!

Brigid Kemmerer has not only created a SWOON worth duo with Tess & Weston, complete with secrets and Robinhood vibes...but a fast-paced action-packed fantasy romance you won't be able to put down.

Told in the dual POV of Tessa Cade, an apprentice apothecary, and Prince Corrick--it's filled with just the right amount of romance, a looming rebellion, and royal politics.


A huge thank you to Bloomsbury & NetGalley for my ARC.

Brigid Kemmerer is magic. I can't think of many other authors in the YA genre who delivers such fast-paced action with compelling characters in quite the same way. Writers often have character-driven stories or plot-driven stories – and most of the time, the other suffers for the stronger component. But Kemmerer delivers both in Defy the Night just like always.

At some point in every one of her books, I reach a point where I cannot put it down, and Defy the Night was no exception. This book has high-stakes political intrigue, real-life consequences, a kingdom battling threats on multiple sides, and heartwarming romance.

Defy the Night follows Prince Corrick and apothecary/rulebreaker Tessa through dual-POVs. Their kingdom of Kandala is suffering. A terrible sickness kills people across the sectors indiscriminately, and a rare flower offered only in two of the sectors offers a cure. There's not enough to meet demand, and those that can't afford to pay for the remedy, especially the poor and vulnerable, are left to suffer and die. Tessa and her best friend Wes are determined to do what they can to save those who cannot afford the cure – even if it means breaking the law.

Prince Corrick may not want to be known as Cruel Corrick, but as the King's Justice, he has no choice but to lay down the law and show no mercy or weakness. When Wes doesn't come back from a supply run, Tessa and Corrick's fates collide in unexpected ways. Will they be able to overcome their differences to save the kingdom?

Defy the Night is an engrossing, action-packed fantasy romance from one of my favorite authors. I highly recommend it for any fans of Brigid's work, Sarah J Maas, Jennifer Armentrout, Laura Thalassa, or Alex Bracken.

Thank you so much to Bloomsbury and NetGalley for providing me a copy of this e-arc. I can't wait to see where this series goes next.

I was so excited to get approved to review this ARC, Defy the Night is one of my most anticipated books of 2021.

Brigid has done it again she has built a world that completely entranced me and wouldn't let me go, I'm still thinking about this book its gonna be a long journey to book 2, but I'm ready to wait. but without anymore delay lets get into it, shall we?

Defy the Night is set in the fantasy world of Kandala, where a pandemic rages and the only cure, Moonflower, is limited in quantity. only the rich can really afford the cure while the poor is left to die, and if you haven't caught on can you tell its a robin hood retelling?? because I'm screaming, that was one thing that had me so excited.

The characters and their growth is one way this story really shines, im gonna start off with Tessa, she is your robin she seems to be just an ordinary girl but she steals Moonflower from the rich to help out the poor shes carrying on what her parents died doing. Tessa is strong willed and will let nothing break her as along as she can save her people and the ones she loves, but if only it were that simple.

Now lets go to Prince Corrick, who's position on his brothers council asks him to be cruel and unkind to anyone who betrays the law, but in reality he doesn't want any of it he wants his people and his brother to prosper and for them to love him an his brother but they've learned a awhile ago sometimes you have to be cruel, but is that always right? that's for you to find out when this book comes out.

Onto the plot it was magnificent and enthralling, it really took the plot of robin hood and made it so beautifully interwoven with some modern time struggles all being blended into this gorgeous fantasy world. this by far one of my most favorite reads of the year and its not even out yet. Brigid will always blow me away with her writing and this is just pure perfection.

to wrap this up Defy the Night is an amazing YA fantasy filled with romance, action, and politics. One thing that will always be win for me is how the development of the relationships between different characters evolve and grow. The bond between Corrick and his brother Harristan, was by far one of my favorite things to see develop before my eyes along with another that is spoilery so you'll just have to read to find out.


If you're intrigued by political intrigue and romance in your YA fantasy books, I highly recommend this book.

First, thanks for Netgalley and the publisher who gave me an arc of this book. I have really loved it. The cover is also really pretty. This story is inspared of Robin Hood.

An illness is taking the kingdom of Kandala of the verge of disaster. Since the day the sickness is ravaving, the rifts between the rich and the poor is only bigger.

After is parents assassination, King Harristan was trust the power, while is younger brother, prince Corrick , have now the cruel role of the King's Justice. The two brothers have quickly learn to act mercilessly to any signs of rebellion. Thinking that it's the only way to maintain order with the sickness.

Tessa, is an apprentice apothecary. She's tired of ignoring her neighbors dying, and that the Royals don't seems to do a thing about it. Every night, she and her best friend Wes, risk their lives to steal Moonflower petals and to distribute the elexir to those in need. But its still not enough...

As the rumors of a cure is not even working anymore, the rebellions is growing. Tessa will try to broke into the palace, a she's gonna learn something that Wes have been hidding from her.

I'm really looking foward to the sequel.

It was amazing to get to read another book by Brigid Kemmerer! I first read her Cursebreakers trilogy and fell in love. The way she writes characters is phenomenal and Defy the Night is no exception! I am truly excited to read more from her in the future. Her world building is top notch and the stories enrapture you with an amazing plot! Thank you so much Netgalley for the e-arc!!!

This book is Robin Hood but better. It draws from real life issues revolving around corruption and the status quo, and creates a realistic and important storyline. This book was captivating and I could not put it down. I cannot wait for the next book, and you should check it out right now. Thank you so much to NetGalley and Brigid Kemmerer for providing me an E-ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Thank you to NetGalley for the free eArc in exchange for a honest review!

I was so captivated by the Robin Hood vibe to this story! From the very first page I was hooked. The world building was great, the pacing was perfect, and the plot kept me on my toes from start to finish. Also, Corrick and Tessa are the cutest things ever. The only reason I’m not rating 5 stars is because the plot twists were kind of obvious for me. Other than that, this YA has both sweet + dark moments and definitely worth a read!

I have been absolutely dying to read this book since I first read the original synopsis from Brigid and I was not disappointed!!
She has given us such realistic characters and I am already so in love with all of them. Truly, the way Brigid writes just makes you feel a certain way, that I can't even explain, and I went through so many emotions within this book.
Without giving away any spoilers, I will just say, I LOVE everything about Wes! The background story, his development and growth throughout the text, and how he interacts with/protects the other characters. He is already my new favorite of all of Brigid's characters she ever written and thats saying a Lot because I have a deep love of several of the characters in her Vow series.
I am Very excited for book two already and can't see where the story goes! More Rocco please!!


*I will be doing a full length review for Ideally Inspired reviews that will be published closer to September 14th. I will add the link to it here when the post is published on the site.*

If I had to pick a very specific type of book as my favorite, it would be high fantasy without magic, with royalty, and with dual perspectives. Defy the Night just so happens to check all of these boxes, so it’s no surprise I really enjoyed it. There were a few twists that turned this into a book I would like to a book I loved.

The main characters, Tessa and Corrick, face impossible decisions. They both care for their people, but are limited in the ways they can help them. A recurring question: how do you know what is right, when others will suffer no matter what you choose? It was interesting to see how Tessa, as an apothecary, and Corrick, as a prince, were forced to answer this question. I also loved the Robin Hood type action throughout the book.

And last but not least, the relationships. If you enjoyed the romance in A Curse So Dark and Lonely, you will enjoy the romance in this book. I also thought the relationship between Harristan and Corrick was well-developed. They are both brothers and the King and his Justice, which is complicated.

Overall, this is one of my favorite fantasy reads of the last year. I would definitely recommend it!

This review will be posted publicly closer to the release date.

<b>Imagine a kingdom plunged into chaos by a strange fever that has reached epidemic proportions. The only cure is a tea made from the petals of the moonflower. </b>

<img src="https://mir-s3-cdn-cf.behance.net/project_modules/disp/084b0510349139.560e372d6633c.JPG"/>

Tessa Cade was trained by her father, a master Apothecary.

<img src="https://logicmgmt.com/1876/overview/medicine/med_apothecary_lg.jpg"/>

She secretly continued the work of her parents, who had been brutally killed by the night patrol in her village for smuggling moonflower petals and distributing the cure to the less fortunate inhabitants of the Wildes. Tessa would sneak into the more affluent parts of Kandala, steal from the hording rich, and then redistribute the medicine to the suffering poor. Wes Lark had saved Tessa from certain death on the night her parents were killed, and has been her accomplice for several years now. They each wear masks so that, if they are captured, they will not be able to disclose the identity of the other when they are tortured.

<img src="http://images4.fanpop.com/image/photos/15300000/Serenate-1x06-GIF-serena-and-nate-15387187-360-180.gif"/>

When Wes is captured, Tessa - wild with grief - invades the royal palace, intent on some vague/half-formed notion of revenge. But before she can even catch a glimpse of the King, she is almost immediately captured by the ruthless Prince Corrick - the King's Justice! He is notorious for the slow torture and brutal extermination of all smugglers and traitors. Tessa is prostrate with fear and prays for a swift death!

<img src="https://thumbs.gfycat.com/DevotedAgitatedCricket-size_restricted.gif"/>

Imagine her mounting terror when she is taken to Prince Corrick's private chambers! No spoilers here, but instead of her immediate execution, Tessa is given her own rooms at court and finds herself under Prince Corrick's protection!

<img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/proxy/1eZCbDs5HAeRNrgKYmDeF1C_0UAnjkGjbTR05l3YPd-AGn_1pFTSA-sPl5FUb3JYFO7mCx_nE--QsWyHA4tQx06nur6IQPVssy3I0HB2M5QYuuWZ3K32v0UPbCiB5qlMe4rs"/>

The rest of this wild tale kept me up until the wee hours of the morning because I just had to find out what would happen to Tessa, Corrick and the rest of the characters of this madcap kingdom!

(Tessa's transformation from village waif to a lady of the court:)
<img src="https://mir-s3-cdn-cf.behance.net/project_modules/disp/343c6b10344041.560e35a89b82f.JPG"/>

I was highly entertained! There was a fair amount of violence, but not overly prolonged and graphic - for which I was very grateful! I approved of the redemptive themes in this novel. The King and Prince Corrick were as much victims of the power struggles and violence of those uncertain times as the rest of the inhabitants of Kandala.

Kind-hearted, brave Tessa was the voice of reason, reconciliation and the hope for peace: messages that I will uphold each and every time! Applause, Applause! A 5 out of 5 star rating for this stirring melodrama! My thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

<img src="https://i.pinimg.com/originals/cf/a4/1d/cfa41dc51be017ba047ad9e36cbd73a2.jpg"/>
<b>Kandala's only hope: moonflower petals.... or is it!!?!!</b>

Note: I've been a long-time fan of Brigid Kemmerer's YA novels. The exotic realm that Kemmerer takes us to in <u>Defy the Night</u> is not totally removed from present day society - with the exception of the long Disney-style princess gowns and courtly attire.

(By the way, morning glory SEEDS are toxic, if taken in large quantities so treat this plant with caution, especially near children and small animals.)