Defy the Night, by Brigid Kemmerer, was earnest and achy in all the right ways for me, especially since it didn’t devolve into melodrama; Kemmerer kept the balance just right. There are lies and complexities, but the reader is trusted to understand how and why they happen.
A synopsis:
A desperate prince.
A daring outlaw.
A dangerous flirtation.
In the Wilds of Kandala, apothecary apprentice Tessa Cade has been watching people suffer for too long. A mysterious sickness is ravaging the land and the cure, Moonflower Elixir, is only available for the wealthy. So every night, she defies the royal edicts and sneaks out, stealing Moonflower petals and leaving the elixir for those in need.
In the palace of Kandala, Prince Corrick serves as the King’s Justice, meting out vicious punishments and striking fear into the hearts of agitators and outlaws. Corrick knows he must play this role convincingly–with a shortage of elixir and threats of rebellion looming ever closer, the King’s grip on power is tenuous at best, and Corrick knows his brother is the kingdom’s best hope for survival.
But when an act of unspeakable cruelty brings the royal and the outlaw face to face, the natural enemies are faced with an impossible choice–and a surprising spark. Will they follow their instincts to destroy each other? Or will they save the kingdom together . . . and let that spark ignite?
I really enjoyed all the characters in Defy the Night, even members of the palace staff, who are fully drawn. I felt like the relationships between Tessa and Corrick and brothers Corrick and Harristan were rich and deep, and I appreciate the author spending time on those.
The story’s pacing was really good, though I’m not sure if the reader was supposed to be surprised by Wes’ real identity. It feels obvious from the start, but that didn’t bother me – the reveal for Tessa was rewarding enough.
A few things kept this from being a 5-star read for me. (1) The political intrigue gets just a bit too convoluted. (2) I was also a little confused by the setting – it feels almost medieval, but then she mentions that the rich sector has electric lights. The seeming anachronism was distracting. Finally, (3) this could easily be a standalone book, and maybe it should have been. I’m not sure I’ll continue with the series because I was left so pleased with this book.
BOOK:30 