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3/5
“When there are calls for revolution, we should be riding at the front – not hiding in the shadows.”
Defy the Night centres around apothecary apprentice Tessa Cade; a young girl living in The Wilds using her knowledge of medicine to help her neighbours against a deadly disease that plagues the realm of Kandala.
On top of the lethal illness Tessa’s kingdom is ruled by the young King Harriston and his brutal brother Prince Corrick, who holds the title of Kings Justice.
In an unexpected turns of events, Tessa finds herself in the royal sector and face to face with Cruel Corrick but what Tessa discovers inside the palace makes her question everything.
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Tessa is an interesting enough lead but the Kings Justice and his loyal sidekick Quint, steal the show in terms of characters.
The concept around the Moonflower petals is original and the battle of power between nations rings true of todays society.
The world building is slow and steady and Kemmerer manages so avoid info dumping which makes the politics much easier to grasp.
The twist is revealed relatively early on which is a smart move as it wasn’t exactly a shock but maybe that was intentional.
Defy the Night has promise but it’s nothing new in the world of ya fantasy and every trope seems to have wormed it’s way in; enemies to lovers, outsider protagonist, dead parents, nearly a dystopian world.
A fun, light-hearted tale with the chance to take a dark twist. Defy the Night isn’t necessarily an original story but it’s enough to keep you gripped from start to finish.
💜For fans of A Curse So Dark and Lonely and These Hollow Vows💜
Emily Vierke 