thumbeleia's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Medical content, Body horror, Confinement, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Chronic illness, Kidnapping, Abandonment, Grief, Pandemic/Epidemic, War, Gun violence, Murder, Physical abuse, Police brutality, Racism, Torture, Violence, Xenophobia, Terminal illness, Classism, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Panic attacks/disorders, Blood, Bullying, Death of parent, Alcohol, Vomit, Child death, Emotional abuse, and Gaslighting
beautifulpaxielreads's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Brigid Kemmerer has delivered mightily in terms of character and plot. It is well-paced, with a good mix of both action scenes and quieter moments, as well as several well-timed twists - especially towards the end of the novel. The character work is excellent (almost too good in places, there were times when I felt Kemmerer was telling us how the characters were feeling rather than showing it). My favourite thing about this series so far has been the close relationship between brothers Harristan and Corrick, and Defend the Dawn offers up plenty to savour there (although I still could have used more!).
I'm looking forward to finding out what happens next in this series and how all the various plot threads will be resolved.
Graphic: Kidnapping, Medical trauma, Medical content, Murder, Blood, Violence, Emotional abuse, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Death of parent and Confinement
Minor: Homophobia, Sexual content, Child abuse, and War
Thekirstenf's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Death, Blood, Confinement, and Violence
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury, Death of parent, and War
Minor: Grief, Terminal illness, and Child abuse
chaptersofamylea's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Good lord I couldn’t put this book down. If it wasn’t the plot, it was the characters that had me on the edge of my seat. Really fast paced, high stakes and immaculate vibes - its so gritty and I could just sink my teeth right into it. Love love LOVE this series and this was a great instalment of the series. Need the next one immediately!
TW: disease, death of parents, injury detail
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Death of parent
bookishgoob's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: Kidnapping, Murder, Confinement, Death, Death of parent, Medical content, Toxic relationship, War, Blood, Body horror, Child abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Toxic friendship, Child death, Chronic illness, Physical abuse, Gaslighting, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Terminal illness, Torture, Violence, Grief, and Misogyny
taryn_g's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Death, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Death of parent and Chronic illness
verk's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Ahora son más puntos de vista, lo que lo hace súper ágil.
Hay nuevos personajes, interesantes y misteriosos.
Los personajes secundarios del libro anterior tienen más protagonismo. Y los personajes principales siguen siendo de lo mejor.
AMO A CORRICK, pero fuerte! Jjjajaja. Que personaje que me encanta!
Las intrigas políticas siguen y todo se va a expandiendo, incluso a países vecinos, así que se está poniendo cada vez más interesante la cosa.
En este libro Brigid me dio todo lo que quería. Sinceramente esto era lo que quería leer: acción, aventura, intrigas políticas, romance. Lo tiene todo y con el estilo de ella.
Lo recomiendo 1000%.
Moderate: Murder, Kidnapping, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Alcohol, Blood, Death of parent, Confinement, Gun violence, and Physical abuse
kbairbooks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Classism, Death, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, War, Kidnapping, Blood, Grief, Murder, and Violence
zozo_reads's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Blood, Death, Injury/Injury detail, and Murder
Moderate: Medical content and War
Minor: Child abuse
theespressoedition's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
As someone who is often disappointed by sequels for whatever reason (not as exciting as the first, slow and politically heavy, characters take a nosedive, etc.) I can easily say that Defend the Dawn did not let me down in the slightest. I wasn't entirely sure what to expect when starting it, but by the time I finished, I was an emotional wreck who really didn't want to put it down!
One thing that does hold true to Brigid's other sequels is that you will find yourself disliking characters you loved previously. I used to think that this was something I didn't enjoy in her books, but after seeing it happen more than once, I can now objectively say that it's a really strategic move that winds up benefiting the story overall. These characters - both beloved and brand new - are so detailed and really take you on an emotional rollercoaster!
The start of the story is a bit slower, but it doesn't take long for things to pick up. Before you know it, you'll be holding your breath, poring over every word, not even realizing how many chapters have flown by. It sucks you in! I think that having each chapter told from a different perspective makes a huge difference here. It gives you a much broader view of the story and helps you understand all of the elements in a more detailed way. I especially enjoyed reading from the POV of "The Outlaw" (who I will not reveal in this review so as to avoid spoilers).
THAT ENDING!!! I wasn't anticipating what was coming in the final chapters and it surprised the heck out of me... and made me furious that the next book couldn't be in my hands immediately after I finished! I can't wait for whatever comes next in the world of Tessa and Corrick.
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Blood, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Kidnapping and Violence
Minor: Sexual content