Representation: N/A
Trigger warnings: Fire, pandemic mentioned, near-death experience, kidnapping, death of a friend and murder of parents in the past, physical assault, poverty, medical content, imprisonment, torture, blood, grief and loss depiction
Score: Seven points out of ten.
Find this review on The StoryGraph.

One year ago, I mistakenly read the sequel to Defy the Night, Defend the Dawn. I initially enjoyed it, but soon enough, I picked out the flaws, now making it an only read. One year later, it was time to read the first instalment in the trilogy, Defy the Night. I soon picked it up and read it, and when I finished it, it was enjoyable.

It starts with the first person I see, Tessa, whose last name I forgot, working alongside her friend, Wes, to steal medicine and food to cure people from the epidemic that plagued the country they lived in, Kandala. They had to do this because the price for a cure to this disease is exorbitantly expensive and creates a barrier between the affluent king and his associates and the ordinary citizens of Kandala. It feels a lot like Robin Hood, but with an original twist. Defy the Night has an explosive beginning but the middle is where the pacing slows, with someone killing Wes, much to Tessa's dismay. I predicted that Tessa would have an enemies to lovers romance with the antagonist, Corrick. It turns out I was right. I don't know why the romance had to be there when it took me away from the fantastical aspects. I engrossed myself in Defy the Night since it was so immersive, but the worldbuilding left me one question: where did the epidemic come from? I don't know--that is an inquiry that has no answer yet. The conclusion picks up the pace, ending Defy the Night on a cliffhanger, but I know what happens next. The library has the final part, Destroy the Day. I'll pick it up when I have time. ( )

* I got the book for review from the publisher for my honest thoughts*

I really loved this new series form this author. I also want to give warning. This book does deal with pandemic like situation. I loved both characters. I really also enjoyed that this book because it has some political themes that I really enjoyed. I found some of the earlier plot points a bit predicable but as the story went on the twists and turns surprised me. I also really loved the brother realtionship that was the focus of this read. I also really loved all the side characters and am curious to see how this story will be structured. Def excited for book 2 !! ( )

* I got the book for review from the publisher for my honest thoughts*

I really loved this new series form this author. I also want to give warning. This book does deal with pandemic like situation. I loved both characters. I really also enjoyed that this book because it has some political themes that I really enjoyed. I found some of the earlier plot points a bit predicable but as the story went on the twists and turns surprised me. I also really loved the brother realtionship that was the focus of this read. I also really loved all the side characters and am curious to see how this story will be structured. Def excited for book 2 !! ( )

This is the first book I have read by Brigid Kemmerer, I have bought The Cursebreakers Trilogy but have not picked them up yet, So Brigid Kemmerer is a new author to me.
I believe that Defy the Night is the first in a series and this book laid the foundations for the books to follow very well.
Tessa and Prince Corrick are characters that I liked a lot.
In this fantastic retelling, we see a huge difference between the rich and the poor and how the poor are getting very sick and dying, whereas the rich can afford the ingredient needed to cure the sickness we see Tessa and Weston trying to even the scales by robbing the rich and giving to the poor.
I was enthralled throughout, there were plenty of twists to keep me reading and I look forward to the next in the series. ( )

Brigid Kemmerer is one of my favourite YA authors and I will read anything she writes. Her ability to write an engaging read that has great characters, a subtle romance and excellent pacing is a great skill. Her books cover a range of genres and they never fail to entertain.

"Defy the Night" was a great read and I enjoyed the fact that it was loosely based around Robin Hood - stealing from the rich to give to the poor. I also liked that the ending didn't finish on a cliffhanger and if I never read the sequel, I will always feel content to have read this novel. ( )