Common Sense Media Review
By Mary Eisenhart
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Complex characters, moral dilemmas in thrilling outlaw tale.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
What's the Story?
DEFY THE NIGHT is the tale of a deadly fever that plagues the kingdom of Kandala, striking and killing without warning or reason. The only preventive and cure is an elixir made from the petals of the moonflower—and, since there's not nearly enough of it to go around, legal access to it is limited to the wealthy. Nineteen-year-old Corrick, younger brother to the king and his chief enforcer, has earned a terrifying reputation for his cruel treatment of anyone caught stealing moonflower or bringing elixir to those in need. Among the victims are an apothecary and his wife, who can't stand the suffering and were bringing the medicine to patients when they were caught and shot dead in the street, in full view of their teenage daughter. Tessa, now 18, carries on their work, making and distributing the healing elixir by night and constantly risking torture and death. She, Corrick, and King Harristan unexpectedly meet and discover they have surprising things in common—like wanting to put an end to the fever, and to the bloodshed over the moonflower. But so far, making that happen hasn't been possible.
Is It Any Good?
Brigid Kemmerer's tale of outlaws, love, and conflicted loyalties in a time of deadly plague and brutal violence introduces a richly defined dystopian world fraught with moral dilemmas. Defy the Night finds teen and young adult characters—a king, his brother, and a girl who steals medicine and gives it to the sick—warily building trust and trying to find common ground and help people, and facing powerful forces that don't want them doing anything of the kind. As the thrilling tale unfolds and sets the scene for the second book, there's a budding romance, a lot of gore, and plenty of opportunity to ponder the fact that people are complicated, and often doing their best.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about outlaw-themed stories, like Defy the Night, that involve characters breaking the laws, often of a dystopian world, to help others and do the right thing, at great risk to themselves. Do you have any favorite outlaw tales, and if so, what do you like about them?
Defy the Night was published at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Do you think the events happening at that time influenced the story here?
Apothecaries and healers play an important role in storytelling. Do you have any favorites?
How do characters model compassion and courage in this book? When do these two character strengths work together, and when do they come into conflict? Does compassion require courage to act on it? Talk about a time when these strengths helped you.
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Fantasy
- Topics : Activism , Fantasy ( Magic ) , Adventures , Family Stories ( Siblings ) , Friendship
- Character Strengths : Compassion , Courage , Empathy , Self-control , Teamwork
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Bloomsbury YA
- Publication date : September 14, 2021
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 13 - 17
- Number of pages : 496
- Available on : Paperback, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : September 18, 2025
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