queer_bookwyrm's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Defy the Night by Brigid Kemmerer is book one in the Defy the Night series. This one was disappointing after reading and loving the Cursebreakers series. This one just felt boring and a bit long and slow.
We follow the povs of Tessa, a common girl who has apothecary skills and outlaw by night; and Corrick, the cruel King's Justice. Tessa has been working with a masked man to steal precious Moonflower petals, the only thing that can help cure the sickness ravaging Kandala, and make them into medicine for those too poor to supply their own. One night, when Tessa's partner Wes is captured as a smuggler, it throws her into a world she never meant to have a part in. We find out that Prince Corrick isn't all that he seems.
We get an enemies to lovers thing between Tessa and Corrick. That is mostly what the book focuses on, between all the political intrigue. I thought this book was too long for just having these two main characters. We don't really get to know anyone else. I really liked Quint, but we don't get much of him, though the little we do tells me he's definitely a sass master. I thought Tessa was a little too earnest and perfect? She really had no flaws, and it was all on her to emotionally fix Corrick, and get the kingdom back in order. It all just seemed too easy to me. Corrick and his brother King Harriston were secret softies.
The one thing I did like about this story was the morally gray theme. Tessa discovers that things are not all black and white. The king isn't a monster who wants all his peasants dead, and the rebels aren't perfect saints and can go too far. Other than that, it felt like something was missing. I just don't care enough about the characters or the plot to continue to the next book.
Graphic: Violence, Murder, Terminal illness, Torture, Blood, and Death
Minor: Death of parent and Child death
readingwithmeredith'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? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Murder, Violence, and Medical content
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Confinement, Injury/Injury detail, and Torture
brooketreads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
If you’ve heard the sound from Dance Moms of Abby Lee Miller saying, “You were good. I’m waiting for you to be great.” That was my thoughts through this whole book.
It’s labeled fantasy, but I didn’t get that.
The romance angle was sweet. The weird thing is I feel it’s a big part of the story, but it was very subtle.
The plot twists were easy to figure out.
Tessa was sweet but very naive. I wished she had been a little tougher for the life she lived as an outlaw.
For about the first half of the book I felt it was very dry. Not really engaging me in the story. It felt like it followed a similar plot to plenty of other books I’ve read. The pacing is fast so that helped. The second half really picked up though and I felt more engaged from there.
It leaves me unsure if I will read book 2.
Graphic: Murder and Death
Moderate: Chronic illness
rosie2007'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? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Hate crime, and Blood
forgettingtofly's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
3.75
Graphic: Murder and Death
Moderate: Child death, Death of parent, and Terminal illness
mollysbooklist's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
The story highlights that life is not always as simple as good vs. bad.
Graphic: Chronic illness, Death of parent, Classism, Murder, Violence, Death, Kidnapping, Fire/Fire injury, and Grief
lit_with_lauren's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Murder and Torture
lujisa's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Graphic: Death of parent
Moderate: Torture, Murder, and Violence
zozo_reads'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
4.5
Graphic: Kidnapping, Medical content, Murder, Confinement, Death, Death of parent, Alcoholism, Blood, Body horror, Gore, Grief, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Child abuse and Child death
librarianheaven's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Death and Violence
Moderate: Death of parent, Murder, Torture, and Child death
Minor: Chronic illness