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akswhy's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
The first YA romantacy I’ve actually enjoyed in YEARS! Pleasantly complex plot, fun twists and turns, and an interesting world. I’m excited to start book 2! Mind the content warnings.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Chronic illness, Death, Terminal illness, Torture, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, Murder, and Pandemic/Epidemic
Moderate: Confinement, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Excrement, Vomit, Police brutality, Medical content, Pregnancy, Alcohol, and War
Minor: Rape and Stalking
bookishmagpie's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Really good! Love the political intrigue, but would love some more intensive, atmospheric world-building. All of the characters were surprisingly lovable, endearing at the least, despite all of the atrocities and violence. In addition to that, it does a great job of staying Young Adult with the content while also maintaining stakes and including the appropriate amount of graphic detail that the circumstances/themes demand.
Not a fan of the love triangle I feel creeping up on me (or maybe im just stupid and paranoid because I HATE love triangles) so hopefully it's just the beginnings of a really tight-knit found family which I love. Also wish there were more female characters, especially in the (main) supporting cast, but there are still two books to go so who know. Excited to read the rest; I blazed through this!
Not a fan of the love triangle I feel creeping up on me (or maybe im just stupid and paranoid because I HATE love triangles) so hopefully it's just the beginnings of a really tight-knit found family which I love. Also wish there were more female characters, especially in the (main) supporting cast, but there are still two books to go so who know. Excited to read the rest; I blazed through this!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism
Moderate: Torture, Blood, Police brutality, and Pandemic/Epidemic
Minor: Medical content and War
melaniepearce's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Was a solid 4-4.5 star read but it did get a bit waffly toward the second half. I liked the book but I'm not sure I'll pick up the other two in the series.
The plot twists were a little predictable but they were done well and one part did make me cry and that is rare. I would have loved more bits on the whole Apothecary side of this book, it definitely dabbled in it and that peaked my interest the most.
The plot twists were a little predictable but they were done well and one part did make me cry and that is rare. I would have loved more bits on the whole Apothecary side of this book, it definitely dabbled in it and that peaked my interest the most.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Torture, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Pandemic/Epidemic
Moderate: Violence, Vomit, and Injury/Injury detail
itscourtneyt's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture, Violence, and Police brutality
Moderate: Violence, Blood, Death of parent, and Pandemic/Epidemic
lkristin2018's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
In a land where citizens are dying of fever, there is only one treatment, and there isn’t enough for everyone. Tessa and Wes steal from the rich and distribute it to the poor until things go badly. The world building is excellent, and feels relevant in the world of Covid. The characters are complex and engaging and the political intrigue keeps the reader guessing.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Torture, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Police brutality, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Pandemic/Epidemic
Moderate: Chronic illness, Confinement, and Physical abuse
Minor: Ableism, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, and Alcohol
Ableist language for mental illness used multiple times (crazy, mad, insane) suicidal/self-harming thoughts includingamielreadsbooks's review against another edition
dark
hopeful
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This is a book I will accept no criticism on unfortunately. Brigid Kemmerer has me in a chokehold and I’m grateful.
The way she writes stories is entrancing and you can tell this is her second fantasy series bc the twists are more even more compelling than in her last.
I love Tessa - I identified strongly with her and her internal discourse on power, politics, and government lead me to my own reflections and consolidations of my ideals.
I was always rooting for Wes and Tessa. His love for her always made me want to see him fight for himself.
I was frustrated by Harriston and I’m glad he came through in the end.
Quint and Rocco are delightful side characters.
The setting is compelling, dark, and fascinating. A fantasy world struggling with a pandemic with a mystery element running throughout
Please do yourself a favour and read this book.
The way she writes stories is entrancing and you can tell this is her second fantasy series bc the twists are more even more compelling than in her last.
I love Tessa - I identified strongly with her and her internal discourse on power, politics, and government lead me to my own reflections and consolidations of my ideals.
I was always rooting for Wes and Tessa. His love for her always made me want to see him fight for himself.
I was frustrated by Harriston and I’m glad he came through in the end.
Quint and Rocco are delightful side characters.
The setting is compelling, dark, and fascinating. A fantasy world struggling with a pandemic with a mystery element running throughout
Please do yourself a favour and read this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Blood, and Pandemic/Epidemic
ernea_navish's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
The start of the book was a little bit hard to read and focus. It has dual POV and it switched basically every chapter and with short chapters it made it harder for me to get absorbed in the characters. But when there was more action it got easier and better.
The romance story-line of the book was perfectly written. Considering all the circumstances Tessa had to face, nothing about the romance felt forced, it just felt natural.Especially since she was betrayed and did not trust so easily right away, I liked that part.
The story had a good balance of romance and politics. It wasn't heavily focused on just one thing, and it never interrupted a flow of one or another.
However, I feel like the plot twists were easy to spot way long before they happened. Sometimes, the foreshadowing was too obvious and it ruined a few scenes to me. Hard to say if it was actually a foreshadowing or if the plot was just too predictable. But even thought, it was still enjoyable read.
The romance story-line of the book was perfectly written. Considering all the circumstances Tessa had to face, nothing about the romance felt forced, it just felt natural.
The story had a good balance of romance and politics. It wasn't heavily focused on just one thing, and it never interrupted a flow of one or another.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Injury/Injury detail, and Pandemic/Epidemic
Moderate: Death and Murder
Minor: Rape
novel_nibbles's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
A fast paced (very loose) retelling of Robin Hood with a slow burn enemies to lovers romance.
I’m looking forward to reading more about the political implications following the fallout of the first book and I have already downloaded the second book in the trilogy.
I’m looking forward to reading more about the political implications following the fallout of the first book and I have already downloaded the second book in the trilogy.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death, Torture, Violence, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, and Pandemic/Epidemic
lawbooks600's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Representation: N/A
Score: Seven points out of ten.
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 only an okay 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.
Score: Seven points out of ten.
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 only an okay 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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Torture, Medical content, Grief, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, and Pandemic/Epidemic
Full 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 depictionajpotz's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Pretty fun book, definitely not literary art but easy to read
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, War, and Pandemic/Epidemic