Early Review: Defy the Night (Defy the Night #1)
Defy the Night (Defy the Night #1)
By Brigid Kemmerer
Published By: Bloomsbury Publishing
Publication Date: September 14, 2021
Date Read: August 22, 2021
Genre: YA – Fantasy
Source: eARC from Bloomsbury
Format: E-Book
Pages: 496
From Goodreads:
A spark of rebellion is all it takes to DEFY THE NIGHT.In a kingdom where sickness stalks the streets and only the richest can afford a cure, King Harristan and his brother Prince Corrick are forced to rule with an iron fist.
Tessa Cade is a masked outlaw marked for death, but she likes it that way. Together with the mysterious, handsome Weston, she robs from the rich to help the poor, distributing food and medicine to those who need it most.
As it becomes clear that the only way to save her people is to assassinate the King, Tessa must face a deadly mission that will take her to the dark heart of the kingdom . and force her to work with the very people she intended to destroy.
From New York Times bestselling author Brigid Kemmerer comes a brand-new blockbuster fantasy series about a corrupt kingdom, a star-crossed romance and a girl who will do anything for justice.
“I do what I can. And every day, I regret that it’s never enough.”
There are no words to explain just how excited I was to get my hands on this book. I have been such a huge Brigid Kemmerer fan since she released her debut novel around 8-9 years ago. When I first heard about this book, I was so excited just at the premise as it sounded like the kind of book I would absolutely adore… and I was completely right. This book was utterly phenomenal! I loved every single moment of it and couldn’t read it fast enough. This one is a must-read that everyone needs to put on their to-buy list.
Defy the Night is set in a fantastic world that is currently being ravaged by a horrific sickness. The only cure is an elixir made by the illustrious Moonflower plant. But the king and his brother have strict control over this elixir and only those who can afford it can get it. So Tessa steals Moonflower to make elixir for the poor. But can she continue to do so when everything changes around her?
Defy the Night was utter perfection. I loved every single moment of it. I absolutely loved the Robin Hood vibes I got from this book. Tessa and Weston work together as outlaws to help make and distribute medicine to the poor. It’s such a heartwarming and terrifying premise. Everytime they were out on their ‘runs’ I was terrified they were about to be caught. It’s such a fantastic premise and I loved it. I always love the whole outlaws kind of storyline and this one is one of my all time favourites within that trope.
Brigid is such a phenomenal author. Right from the very first page, I was hooked. I was completely enamoured and obsessed with this world and it’s characters. They are such amazing characters to follow throughout the book. I loved Tessa, her fearlessness and drive to help those who can’t fend for themselves. I fell head over heels in love with Weston. He is just a phenomenal and swoon-worthy character. Everyone is going to just love him. I love them together so much… their journey throughout this book was so wonderful. I love that the romance isn’t the main focus of the book but what is there is so heartwarming and beautiful.
This book was filled to the brim with twists and turns. I guessed one of them pretty early on, so there was one event that I didn’t really feel the emotional punch that I would have if I hadn’t guessed it so early. But that didn’t affect my enjoyment of the book whatsoever. There were still so many other twists and turns that I didn’t guess. I was left reeling, dying to know what was going to happen next and I couldn’t read this book fast enough.
Defy the Night is, in my opinion, Brigid’s best work to date. I loved it even more than Cursebreakers. It felt so much more epic fantasy to me, which is my favourite kind of book. I am left with my heart full and dying to get my hands on the next book. This is a definite contender for my favourite book of the year. This is one that you don’t want to miss out on. I adored every single moment.
“Lord, Tessa. Don’t you understand? I’m not afraid for me. I’m afraid for you.”
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I’m Kayleigh, a teacher and blogger who is obsessed with all things bookish. I love reading YA books of all genres and I am happiest when sharing my love and passion for books.