The embers of revolution continue to simmer in Kandala. The country is still plagued by disease, and the only cure is a scarce moonflower elixir only the rich can afford. Lochlan also is on the ship alongside three guards as a goodwill of Harristan even though Lochlan thinks this is a trap to kill him and throw his corpse to the sea. A really enjoyable sequel and a great fantasy read!! 🤩🤩 Looking for a new ya fantasy series with interesting politics, lots of action + a romance subplot? Then this series is for you! 💙💙🫶🫶 Do you still hate me?” he says softly. “No,” I whisper, like it’s a secret. “I love you.” He leans closer. “What’s that?” he teases. “I can’t hear you.” “I said you’re a huge pain in my—” I break off with a squeal when he kisses me, then melt into his hands when he pulls me close.” ~ ❤️❤️

Defy the Night was so well done in its entirety, but this book just felt confused. It didn’t even feel like a full book. Second books in series can often feel like a bridge from Point A to Point B. Though it sets the scene for a compelling third book, Defend the Dawn is anything but a bridge. Characters continue to evolve; plotlines end and others begin. It feels like a complete novel.Sexual content: A couple kissing scenes; part of the story’s conflict revolves around rumors of an affair between two characters; frequent sexual implications. To be honest not too much happens in this book. It’s very much a “we’re traveling” sequel. They’re on a boat for the majority of the book. BUT I was just having so much freaking fun with everything that was happening (even though my stress levels were also at an all time high) and I tend to like when characters are in close quarters for a long time. I liked the expansion of the worldbuilding but it was definitely a setup for the next book. The characters are always the star of Brigid’s books though, so let’s dive into those! What I loved most about this book, was finding out so much more about Harristan! I loved him already in book 1 but I FELL in love with him in this one! He‘s most definitely my favourite character in the series and I NEED more of him!! His POVs were everything and finding out all about his secrets and what has been going on in his mind was everything!! i will say that, at this point, the characters still feel the same and i love how their complexity/depth really shine in this installment. the writing is also still as easy-going and bingeable, and the world-building feels consistent and familiar. its just that the plot feels like a spin-off of the events of the first book, rather than a continuation, if that makes sense (even though i do think the pirate adventure is fun).

Defy the Night has everything you want in a story: a complex, dangerous world where anyone could be your enemy, a tortured hero, and my personal favorite: plenty of kissing. This book is unputdownable.” ― Isabel Ibañez, author of WOVEN IN MOONLIGHT, a William C. Morris award finalist The Plague has left a population divided between Elites and Ordinaries—those who have powers and those who don’t; now, an Ordinary teen fights for her life. It seems like Lochlan leading the rebels and he still doesn’t believe king’s intentions to deliver medicine equally.THE POLITIVAL MANEUVERING and scheming in this was top-notch! Seriously, Brigid Kemmerer feels like a genius for coming up with this 😆 Especially in the second half of the book, I was sitting on the edge of my seat waiting for everything to connect and come together. He's described as very principled and resolute in his manner. Furthermore, he has great leadership qualities and deeply cares about his crew. He is very protective of his crew, and they show him unwavering loyalty in return. I think the third book will move faster now that our characters have begun working on some of their biggest emotional challenges and it now feels like the stage is fully set. I appreciate how Kemmerer doesn’t demonize or sanctify anyone, and you find yourself agreeing or disagreeing with everyone at some point or another. Compromise is the name of the game.

That said, I’d probably also call it a crossover because Brigid Kemmerer has written other young adult novels and has a pretty significant (well-deserved) following among YA readers. But here me out. I didn't expect much of Defy the Night but I enjoyed it a lot. It hit some really great tropes and I was in love with the twists. I didn't enjoy the serie ACSDAL as much as I wanted to. Not much happens for the first half of this book. The end is eventful but not enough to make me bump it up a star. To make it worse, Tessa seemed completely unnecessary in this book? She was just there as a pawn between two guys (aka 2nd bane of my existence - love triangles... although this isn't a legit one of those) and didn't really make any decisions herself.As the Moonflower supply in Kandala dwindles, a ship arrives with a trade opportunity in this follow-up to Defy the Night (2021). Brigid Kemmerer has woven her compelling heroine into a kinetic tale of the tension between duty, love and trust.” ― Cassandra Clare, #1 New York Times bestselling author of THE LAST HOURS on DEFY THE NIGHT The side characters were also all so interesting!! Hope they‘ll continue to play a big role in the next book! Especially Rian! I‘m kinda invested in his past and story and why he is the way he is! He‘s a very intriguing character!! In the first installment i had no issue with her whatsoever . She seemed useful and like an asset. In this book she comes off as a liability who is naïve ,annoying & continues to think everything is about her when people are literally dying.