October 2021 First in a Series BOTM - Defy the Night, by Brigid Kemmerer

[Alaina]

A fantasy series about a kingdom divided by corruption, the prince desperately holding it together, and the girl who will risk everything to bring it crashing down.

The kingdom of Kandala is on the brink of disaster. Rifts between sectors have only worsened since a sickness began ravaging the land, and within the Royal Palace, the king holds a tenuous peace with a ruthless hand.

King Harristan was thrust into power after his parents' shocking assassination, leaving the younger Prince Corrick to take on the brutal role of the King's Justice. The brothers have learned to react mercilessly to any sign of rebellion--it's the only way to maintain order when the sickness can strike anywhere, and the only known cure, an elixir made from delicate Moonflower petals, is severely limited.

Out in the Wilds, apothecary apprentice Tessa Cade is tired of seeing her neighbors die, their suffering ignored by the unyielding royals. Every night, she and her best friend Wes risk their lives to steal Moonflower petals and distribute the elixir to those who need it most--but it's still not enough.

As rumors spread that the cure no longer works and sparks of rebellion begin to flare, a particularly cruel act from the King's Justice makes Tessa desperate enough to try the impossible: sneaking into the palace. But what she finds upon her arrival makes her wonder if it's even possible to fix Kandala without destroying it first.

**This BOTM thread will be open until November 5th @ Midnight (in your time zone)**

[Jenn]

Chapter 4: (view spoiler)[ I'm enjoying it so far. I really like the whole wearing a mask thing between Tessa and Wes - it makes me think that he's someone important and I just need to figure out what. The royal brothers are also intriguing. I feel really bad for them having lost their parents to traitors but I also don't think that they are handling the running of the kingdom correctly. Oh and the king 100% is sick with the fever. (hide spoiler)]

[Jenn]

Chapter 9: (view spoiler)[ well shit i was certainly wrong. Poor Wes. And now Tessa is going to feel horrible guilt because he didnt want to go. What a horrible way to die :( (hide spoiler)]

[Jenn]

Chapter 13: (view spoiler)[ I KNEW IT! I wasnt crazy haha. Wes is Prince Corrick. But now to find out the why and who he killed in his place (hide spoiler)]

[Jenn]

Chapter 20: (view spoiler)[ I have another theory. I think this horrible Allisander person is part of the Benefactor or something similar. I think he's creating these smuggler groups so that his price will go up for the Moonflower. Hes so slimey something is definitely up (hide spoiler)]

[Jenn]

Chapter 27: (view spoiler)[ so much tension! I cant see a way out of this and im super worried about everyone. I also adore Quint so he better not be two faced (hide spoiler)]

[Jenn]

Finished: (view spoiler)[ i knew that rotten slime Allisander was behind all of it. And for money too. This book was fantastic. I loved watching the brothers break down their walls and find themselves. Tessa was also amazing and strong. I cant even imagine what book 2 will be about but im here for it (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

Chapter 1-10 (view spoiler)[ Not Wes!! That's so terrible. I wish it wasn't true. Also, Corrick and Harristan are wrong for killing people making cures for a sickness. They're helping people! (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

Jenn wrote: "Chapter 4: [spoilers removed]"

I thought the same thing. (view spoiler)[ Is Wes a royal? (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

Jenn wrote: "Chapter 9: [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ So horrible (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

Jenn wrote: "Chapter 13: [spoilers removed]"

Haha yes you did!

[Aly]

Jenn wrote: "Chapter 20: [spoilers removed]"

Ooh that's a good idea

[Aly]

Ch 11-20 (view spoiler)[ I'm glad Wes isn't dead, but sad that he lied to Tessa. I get that he's trying to help the people, but why can't he and his brother publicly help them? Everyone hates them because they're so strict. (hide spoiler)]

[Jenn]

Aly wrote: "Ch 11-20 [spoilers removed]"

Right? (view spoiler)[I think the brothers have gotten themselves in too deep on both sides that there's no easy way out. (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

Jenn wrote: "Chapter 27: [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ I'll be very upset if Quint turns out to be a bad guy too. He seems like a good person. (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

Ch 21-30 (view spoiler)[ Allastar or whatever his name is has to be up to something bad. He's trying to create discontent and problems, maybe so that he can rule? I want him arrested or dead. (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

Ch 31-40 (view spoiler)[ I hope the rebels will listen to Harristan and they can come to an agreement. It also seems like Tessa may have an idea about how to heal the king which would be great. (hide spoiler)]

[Alaina]

Are you enjoying it? I think I might dive into this tomorrow.. depends on if I get to Dune first.

[Aly]

Alaina wrote: "Are you enjoying it? I think I might dive into this tomorrow.. depends on if I get to Dune first."

Yes. I'm giving it 4 stars :)

[Aly]

Ch 41-End (view spoiler)[ I kind of wanted Allisander to die but him having to fork over flowers for medicine for free and helping the poor is a good punishment.

With how everything wrapped up, I wonder what the sequel will be about? (hide spoiler)]

[Jenn]

Aly wrote:

I was thinking the same thing. I felt this storyline wrapped up really well and while there are some areas open to explore more, I really wonder where she'll take it next. I went to the series page hoping there would be a hint when I finished it but alas, there's nothing there lol

[Alaina]

Aly wrote: "Alaina wrote: "Are you enjoying it? I think I might dive into this tomorrow.. depends on if I get to Dune first."

Yes. I'm giving it 4 stars :)"

Oo yay!

[Aly]

Jenn wrote: "Aly wrote:

I was thinking the same thing. I felt this storyline wrapped up really well and while there are some areas open to explore more, I really wonder where she'll take it next. I went to th..."

I'm hoping it will be different main characters set in the same world.

[Alaina]

Starting this now!

[Aly]

Yay!

[Jenn]

I hope you like it as much as we did!

[Alaina]

Ugh had a random ass meeting I had to join so I'm back to reading this wonderful book now that it's over.

[Alaina]

Jenn wrote: "I hope you like it as much as we did!"

I hope I do as well!

[Alaina]

Ch 1-10: (view spoiler)[I would like revenge for Wes now please. (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

Alaina wrote: "Ch 1-10: [spoilers removed]"

yes!!

[Alaina]

Ch 11-20: (view spoiler)[Wait a hot minute.. he's alive? Or is he? I'm suspicious. (hide spoiler)]

[Jenn]

Alaina wrote: "Ch 11-20: [spoilers removed]"

Welcome to my life reading this book lol

[Alaina]

Jenn wrote: "Alaina wrote: "Ch 11-20: [spoilers removed]"

Welcome to my life reading this book lol"

HAHAHA okay good - I'll keep being suspicious

[Alaina]

Ch 21-30: (view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)]

[Alaina]

Jenn wrote: "Chapter 4: [spoilers removed]"

Yeah.. it's like they show you how not to run a kingdom. Take notes everyone!

[Alaina]

Jenn wrote: "Chapter 9: [spoilers removed]"

I'm not okay

[Alaina]

Jenn wrote: "Chapter 13: [spoilers removed]"

I HAVE SO MANY QUESTIONS

[Alaina]

Jenn wrote: "Chapter 20: [spoilers removed]"

King Slimey but yes - he gives me the creeps.

[Alaina]

Jenn wrote: "Chapter 27: [spoilers removed]"

Honestly, I wouldn't be surprised if he was lol

[Alaina]

Aly wrote: "Chapter 1-10 [spoilers removed]"

Yeah, I didn't understand why they were doing that but that's 'cause I wanted answers.

[Alaina]

Aly wrote: "Ch 11-20 [spoilers removed]"

Yeah, I don't get why they just don't help the people!?!? Maybe I'm missing something.

[Alaina]

Aly wrote: "Ch 21-30 [spoilers removed]"

Ooo dead would be nice. Very nice.

[Alaina]

Ch 31-40: (view spoiler)[This kingdom is filled with dumb people. Please come up with an agreement or something. Heal the people. Heal the king. Hang the betrayers. (hide spoiler)]

[Alaina]

Ch 41-Finish: (view spoiler)[..wait, he didn't die? Why the hell not? I want blood and FREE shit for the people. (hide spoiler)]

[Alaina]

Jenn wrote: "Finished: [spoilers removed]"

Yeah, the slime ball was kind of obvious (in some ways)

[Alaina]

Aly wrote: "Ch 31-40 [spoilers removed]"

Yeah, can we heal him soon people?

[Alaina]

Aly wrote: "Ch 41-End ..."

I still want death for him.

[Aly]

Alaina wrote: "Aly wrote: "Ch 41-End ..."

I still want death for him."

Maybe in the second book?

[Alaina]

Aly wrote: "Alaina wrote: "Aly wrote: "Ch 41-End ..."

I still want death for him."

Maybe in the second book?"

I hope!

[Dr. Andy]

Ch 14 (view spoiler)[damn I didn’t think I was gonna be right with Corrick being Westin. But I’m happy I’m right 👀😂 I really hate that one consul prick. Can we throw him over the castle walls? (hide spoiler)]

ch 26 (view spoiler)[ Aghhh it's like one step forward two steps back with Tessa and Corrick's relationship. But I am definitely invested lmao. I'm so curious to see how the plague is happening and if they'll find some sort of uniting thread to how it spreads. I think it's not a plague and is actually poison rn. But I'm not 100% sure. (hide spoiler)]