Reviews tagging 'Blood'

Defy the Night by Brigid Kemmerer

47 reviews

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.

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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! 

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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. 

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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

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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. 

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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 including

tossing oneself into a fire, insisting on being killed with a crossbow as a sacrifice for one’s kingdom being glorified

amielreadsbooks'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. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence, Blood, and Pandemic/Epidemic

oakairi's review against another edition

adventurous emotional mysterious 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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Violence, and Death of parent

Moderate: Torture, Blood, and Grief

janacc's review against another edition

adventurous dark 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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence and Blood

Moderate: Death of parent and Murder

kylosten's review against another edition

adventurous tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence

Moderate: Torture, Blood, and Classism

ajpotz'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 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Chronic illness, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, War, and Pandemic/Epidemic