Final Rating:
Date of Completion: 24/05/2024
Published by: Bloomsbury Publishing Plc
ISBN: B09F3S3R5L
‘Defy the Night’ presents an entertaining blend of political intrigue and romance, although the character-driven storyline is fairly simple.
Similar read: The Poison Season by Mara Rutherford
Cover:
This design does not really stand out to me, except for the striking gothic title font. Still, the purple flowers in the background are central to the story, and the red sparks on the sides hint at the danger the main characters face.
Writing:
The simple writing effortlessly drew me into this story and smoothly established the world and characters. However, I struggled to find the limited scope of the world and the generic theme of classism captivating.
True strength is not determined by how brutal you can be
Storyline:
The character-driven storyline delves into the struggles of the main characters as they navigate injustice, political intrigue, and a budding romance. Despite some surprising twists and bursts of action, the pace seemed relatively slow due to the characters’ internal reflections. The storyline ultimately picked up in the final third as moments of action led to a tense climax and satisfying (but slightly convenient) ending.
Main character(s):
Tessa’s sweet and caring personality made her character easy to like but somewhat cliche and unmemorable. However, some depth is given to her character through the growth she experiences once thrust into the complex political landscape. On the other hand, Prince Corrick’s unwavering loyalty and complexity won me over, despite the tropes used for his tragic backstory and anti-hero characterisation.
Secondary characters:
I loved the deep brotherly bond between Corrick and Harristan, as it was rooted in a tough shared history and felt so genuine and heartwarming. A few other secondary characters stood out due to their contributions to the storyline and ties to Corrick, but the heavy focus on the main characters limited the depth given to these characters.
hope can be powerful, but it’s worthless without action.
Romance:
The connection and chemistry between the main characters were well-shown and undeniable. Their many cute moments surprisingly made me smile and not cringe despite relying on several tropes.
Narration & Audio:
Christopher Ragland and Lexie McDougall narrate Corrick’s and Tessa’s points of view, smoothing these narrative transitions in the audiobook. Their natural inflexions and subtle character voices also added to the listening experience. I only wished they had conveyed more of the dynamics and emotions within the story.
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