2018 52 Book Challenge - 10) The First Book In A Trilogy

I find myself conflicted with this book, because on paper, it sounds really good, but in actually reading it, the characters are tropey, the plot is see through (the major twists you can see coming from a mile away), and the novel itself is just bland. I read the entire book, because it's not a bad book, but it's not compelling enough for me to want to go out and buy book 2 right now.

I quite enjoy court politics in YA fiction, but this book seriously needed a map. The characters can explain where things are as much as they like, but I could not visualise this world for the life of me. When Tessa and Corrick were explaining about petals growing in the north of one place so it should grow in the north of another but there's an ocean between the two with vicious underwater currents, I was very confused. All I really got from the landscape was that somebody wanted to build a bridge, somebody else grew these flowers and they had a mountain, somebody else should grow these flowers but they had a swamp and the Royal Palace was in the center of the country.

Also, what is with the name Allisander Sallister. Everytime this name came up, my brain either interpreted it as Alexander, or I mixed the two names together and came out with Allister. Not once in this entire novel did I think the name Allistander.

I love Brigid’s other works but found this a little lacklustre in the end, and got a little frustrated with the characters. I enjoyed it well enough, but likely wont get around to picking up book 2.

This was absolutely amazing! I have found a new auto-buy author in Brigid Kemmerer!

It was fast paced and thrilling and I fell in love with all the characters. Luckily I had the ebook for the second book so as soon as I finished this one I could start on the next. I'm now going to have to work by way through Kemmerer's backlist while I wait for the third and final instalment of the Defy the Night series to come out.

Thank you for the review copy!

Defy the Night is such a beautifully written fantasy. The world-building is outstanding. The story is well written with an enchanting storyline and well-developed characters that engage from start to finish. The world is atmospheric and feels real with vivid descriptions and rich imagery. I cannot get enough. Highly recommended. Be sure to check out Defy the Night today.

Really enjoyed this dystopian fantasy story about an apothecary apprentice's rebellion in the hopes of saving lives from deadly illness.

The story is very character driven and with an amazing world building its such a brilliant read.

Tessa was a great character. She's strong and fights for what she believes is right. Kemmerer knows exactly what she's doing and done it brilliantly.

Tessa Cade is an apothecary apprentice in the kingdom of Kandala.
A sickness is spreading, and not everyone has access to the cure, so Tessa steals the ingredients, helping those in desperate need alongside her friend Wes.
As the sickness spreads, so too does the talk of rebellion. King Harristan took the throne after his parents were assassinated, and has ruled with his brother, Prince Corrick, as the King's Justice. As King's Justice, Corrick delivers brutal punishments to those that defy the crown.
One such punishment leads to Tessa sneaking into the palace, where she will find herself questioning everything.
Can the sickness be stopped?
Will the rebellion be thwarted?

I've been a fan of Brigid Kemmerer's books for a while now, and, even though I haven't been enjoying YA fantasy as much as I used to, I was interested to see what this book would be like.
Tessa was a likeable and relatable protagonist. I liked that she was willing to do what she believed was right even if it meant putting her own life in danger.
I thought both Harristan and Corrick were interesting characters, and I did feel sorry for them given the circumstances of their parents' deaths and how they were surrounded by a lot of people who were more focused on helping themselves rather than those who were suffering.
Quint, the Palace Master, and Rocco, a King's guard, were among my favourite characters, and I would have liked to find out more about them.
The plot was enjoyable, but nothing that happened particularly surprised me and I wasn't gripped.
The author's writing was easy to follow, as usual, and made the book feel shorter than it actually was.
While I did enjoy this book, it doesn't really stand out in any way to me.

Overall, this was an enjoyable read.

4.5⭐️

I loved reading this! Brigid Kemmerer has done it again with another fantastic book. She's one of my favourite, most reliable authors for always knocking it out of the park with her excellent storytelling.

This was no different with her Robin Hood inspired, dual narrative fantasy. This was so much more than I had initially expected and the dual narrative really worked.

I've gone out and bought two copies of this since reading, this is a book you won't want to miss.

Just not the same style of writing that I fell in love with in the first of her beauty and the beast retelling.

Please note that this book is not for me - I have read the book, However I had to DNF and because i do not like to give negative reviews I will not review this book fully - there is no specific reason for not liking this book. I found it a struggle to read and did not enjoy trying to force myself to read this book.

Apologies for any inconvenience caused and thank you for the opportunity to read this book

I absolutely adore the curse breaker universe and as usual Brigid has delivered an excellent beginning to her newest series.

Defy the Night follows the Robin Hood-esq tale of Tessa and Wes are a mix of Robing hood and Zorro fighting against injustice and illegally distributing medicine to the masses. Honestly, if you’re anything like me that should be more than enough to pick up this book.

Eagerly looking forward to book 2

Thank you so much Bloomsbury for a digital arc.

Brigid Kemmerer is an author who I can always rely on for an absolutely incredible story and Defy the Night is no different!

It had me hooked with interesting characters, suspense and amazing world-building. I am beyond excited to give the second book in this series a read now as I'm sure that will be just as amazing!

If you haven't read any Brigid Kemmerer books yet, you are really missing out!

I know whenever I pick up a book by Brigid Kemmerer the pacing will be perfect. And that rings true for Defy the Night. Unfortunately, the rest of the book lacks slightly and I found I was reading more because it was easy, rather than because I was actually invested in the characters and the story itself. It was enjoyable enough, but I was hoping for more.

I went into this a little unsure if it would be for me. Since I'm less and less into young adult books these days. But I really enjoyed this. From beginning to end.
I loved the Robin Hood inspired element of taking from the rich and giving to the poor, or the sick in this case.
The twist regarding the Prince added another leave of intrigue to see how it would play out.
Tessa and Corrick were both interesting characters. Maybe Corrick more as he had another side to him where he was expected to play a certain role.
I hope I can continue this series soon.

Kemmerer! Genius... storyteller of my heart... weaver of epic fantasy world. What words can possibly encompass how amazing this author is.

Without even reading a blurb, this is one woman I will pre-order a book for in seconds.

She has the ability to draw you in to her fantasy world from the very first page. Oh, and keep you there... forever?!

Defy the night was all and more than expected. The characters are alive on the page and just make you want to know them straight away.

Without even spoiling a single word.. I think I can safely just say... Go Buy All Of Her Books!!

Once again, Brigid Kemmerer has outdone herself. This book stole my heart from the very first page. The one thing I absolutely love about Brigid’s reads is that she manages to create complex characters that you cannot help but love – even when they’re doing things villainous and this is absolutely no different in Defy the Night. The tension between Tessa and Prince Corrick was just perfect and truly filled me with emotions. The plot of this book twists and turns throughout and really pulls the reader in. I found it impossible to put the book down until I got to the very end. I am incredibly excited to read on the rest of this story in Defend the Dawn! I will be recommending this book to everyone.

I absolutely loved this book, I have loved kemmerer writing since reading A Curse So Dark And Lonely.
Defy the night did not dissapoint

I absolutely love this author, this book was so interesting I just could not put it down. I really look forward to more from this author.. I ran out and bought the hard copy of this book.

I really enjoyed this book, drawing parallels to the current pandemic despite being written before. I did see the plot twist coming but enjoyed it all the same when it arrived. I’ll be waiting for the sequel!

Defy the Night is a fast paced fantasy that looks into the societal problems of its fictional country.

This book has romance, adventure, action and more in it.

I have purchased copies for my library.

It was my first time reading anything by Kemmerer, I have had her Cursebreaker trilogy on my TBR for a while but just haven’t got around to it yet. I really enjoyed her writing style, Defy The Night was an easy read and it kept me entertained throughout. I liked the dual POV, the characters and it had just enough world building to keep me interested.
It wasn’t a completely original story, however I enjoyed it nonetheless.

I’m not convinced it needs a second book, I think if it was a bit longer it could’ve easily been a standalone BUT I will absolutely read book 2 and almost certainly enjoy it.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.