Defy the Night
Defy the Night is a captivating young adult fantasy novel by Brigid Kemmerer, published in 2021. It’s the first book in a series set in the kingdom of Kandala, a richly imagined world where political intrigue, social inequality, and a deadly fever threaten to unravel the fabric of society. Kemmerer, known for her ability to blend emotional depth with gripping plots, delivers a story that’s equal parts rebellion, romance, and resilience.
The novel centers on two protagonists from starkly different walks of life. Tessa Cade is an apothecary’s apprentice who, after losing her parents to the fever, turns to smuggling rare medicinal elixirs made from the Moonflower petal to help the poor. Her work is dangerous, as the elixir is tightly controlled by the crown, and thieves are executed without mercy. On the other side is Prince Corrick, known as “King’s Justice,” the younger brother of King Harristan. By day, he’s a cold enforcer of the kingdom’s harsh laws; by night, he grapples with the weight of his decisions and the secrets he keeps to protect his brother and Kandala. When Tessa’s rebellious actions lead her to infiltrate the palace, her path collides with Corrick’s, sparking an uneasy alliance that challenges their beliefs and forces them to confront the corruption around them.
The fever plaguing Kandala drives much of the tension. It’s a disease with no cure, and the Moonflower elixir—scarce and hoarded by the wealthy—is the only treatment. This scarcity amplifies the divide between the elite and the common folk, fueling unrest and whispers of rebellion. Kemmerer excels at weaving these societal issues into the narrative without overwhelming the character-driven plot. Tessa’s fiery determination and Corrick’s moral ambiguity make them compelling leads, their perspectives offering a dual lens on a kingdom teetering on the edge.
The pacing is brisk, balancing action with quieter moments of introspection. Kemmerer’s prose is accessible yet evocative, painting Kandala as a place of stark beauty and simmering danger. The romance between Tessa and Corrick builds slowly, rooted in mutual respect rather than instant attraction, which feels refreshing in the YA genre. Themes of loyalty, sacrifice, and the cost of power resonate throughout, leaving readers questioning who the real villains are in a system designed to favor the few.
Defy the Night ends with a satisfying resolution to its immediate conflicts while setting up larger stakes for the sequel, Defend the Dawn (2022). It’s a strong start to a series that appeals to fans of character-driven fantasy with a rebellious streak—think The Winner’s Curse by Marie Rutkoski or An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir. If you’re drawn to stories of unlikely heroes challenging broken systems, this one’s worth picking up.
You can buy Defy the Night by Brigid Kemmerer with my Amazon Affiliate link: https://amzn.to/444wGjv
The novel centers on two protagonists from starkly different walks of life. Tessa Cade is an apothecary’s apprentice who, after losing her parents to the fever, turns to smuggling rare medicinal elixirs made from the Moonflower petal to help the poor. Her work is dangerous, as the elixir is tightly controlled by the crown, and thieves are executed without mercy. On the other side is Prince Corrick, known as “King’s Justice,” the younger brother of King Harristan. By day, he’s a cold enforcer of the kingdom’s harsh laws; by night, he grapples with the weight of his decisions and the secrets he keeps to protect his brother and Kandala. When Tessa’s rebellious actions lead her to infiltrate the palace, her path collides with Corrick’s, sparking an uneasy alliance that challenges their beliefs and forces them to confront the corruption around them.
The fever plaguing Kandala drives much of the tension. It’s a disease with no cure, and the Moonflower elixir—scarce and hoarded by the wealthy—is the only treatment. This scarcity amplifies the divide between the elite and the common folk, fueling unrest and whispers of rebellion. Kemmerer excels at weaving these societal issues into the narrative without overwhelming the character-driven plot. Tessa’s fiery determination and Corrick’s moral ambiguity make them compelling leads, their perspectives offering a dual lens on a kingdom teetering on the edge.
The pacing is brisk, balancing action with quieter moments of introspection. Kemmerer’s prose is accessible yet evocative, painting Kandala as a place of stark beauty and simmering danger. The romance between Tessa and Corrick builds slowly, rooted in mutual respect rather than instant attraction, which feels refreshing in the YA genre. Themes of loyalty, sacrifice, and the cost of power resonate throughout, leaving readers questioning who the real villains are in a system designed to favor the few.
Defy the Night ends with a satisfying resolution to its immediate conflicts while setting up larger stakes for the sequel, Defend the Dawn (2022). It’s a strong start to a series that appeals to fans of character-driven fantasy with a rebellious streak—think The Winner’s Curse by Marie Rutkoski or An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir. If you’re drawn to stories of unlikely heroes challenging broken systems, this one’s worth picking up.
You can buy Defy the Night by Brigid Kemmerer with my Amazon Affiliate link: https://amzn.to/444wGjv
Comments
Post a Comment