Defend the Dawn by Brigid Kemmerer

Defend the Dawn (Defy the Night, #2)

by Brigid Kemmerer

In the eagerly anticipated sequel to the New York Times bestseller Defy The Night author Brigid Kemmerer continues her electrifying series with more royal intrigue, more sizzling romance, and shocking twists that will leave readers breathless.

What will they sacrifice to save their kingdom?
Their honor?
Their love?
Their lives?

Tessa Cade has gone from masked outlaw to palace advisor, but even with her newfound power, she can't stop the sickness still raging. And the kingdom's supply of Moonflower elixir dwindles all the while. Prince Corrick is trying to find a new way to lead, but it isn't easy to repair the rift between the royals and the people--or the one growing between himself and Tessa.

When an emissary from a neighboring kingdom arrives with an intriguing offer, Tessa and Corrick set out on an uncertain journey to find a new source of the lifesaving elixir. But with tensions brewing on deck and the sea swirling below, Tessa and Corrick must decide who they can trust--including each other. But they're shocked to discover that a craven betrayal may be much closer than they think . . .

Reviewed by Quirky Cat on

4 of 5 stars

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Book Summary:

Tessa and Prince Corrick may have successfully stopped a rebellion, but that doesn't mean the kingdom of Kandala is safe. Not by any stretch of the imagination. A second rebellion could easily occur at any moment, as tensions are high.

When a ship arrives carrying an emissary and a chest full of Moonflowers, Tessa and Corrick know that this could be the kingdom's salvation – if everything is as it appears. We all know that isn't going to be how it plays out, as the couple finds themselves neck-deep in treachery and even more danger.

My Review:

Defend the Dawn is a whirlwind, providing us with one heck of a reading experience. Our leading characters, and thus the readers, are thrown from one extreme to the next, getting little time to relax or breathe.

The introduction of a potential love triangle certainly added more to the drama. Not only did he complicate the entire situation, but he threw tension into the mix between our two leads. It's one of those things that readers will either love or hate.

On that note, the twists in Defend the Dawn were spectacular. I know I didn't see at least two of them coming, but in hindsight, I should have. That's how you know a twist has been done right. Ultimately, my only complaint about Defend the Dawn is that it ends with a pretty strong cliffhanger. So now we have to wait anxiously for the third book to drop.

Highlights:
Young Adult Fantasy
Romance – Potential Love Triangle
Saving the World
Apothecary Protagonist

Trigger Warnings:
Manipulation/Potential Gaslighting
Poisoning
Imprisonment
Illness

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Reading updates

  • Started reading
  • 27 January, 2023: Finished reading
  • 27 January, 2023: Reviewed