Brigid Kemmerer writes fabulous young adult action and fantasy novels, and her novel, “Destroy the Day,” is the last one in the “Defy the Night” trilogy. The novels in the trilogy are gripping, but we’ve had to wait two years for this last one in the series. A suggestion I would make is to reread the first two novels in the trilogy to really feel the whole emotional impact of this carefully written ending to the trilogy.
In the first two novels, we meet King Harristan, who, along with his brother Corrick, was orphaned when their parents were murdered in front of them. Harristan, at nineteen, is the older brother who was forced to become king and take over a kingdom in peril. Corrick becomes the King’s Justice, meting out punishment to those who have disobeyed or rebelled. He is seen as cruel and merciless. We also meet Tessa, an apothecary whose parents worked undercover to make medicine from Moonflower petals to cure a disease that afflicted the people in their country, Kandala. until her parents were killed by the King’s soldiers. Her parents had taught her well, and she becomes a healer, making medicine to help with the disease and helping people with other ailments, especially those who can’t afford to pay for treatment.
Unlike many middle books in trilogies, the second book in the trilogy, “Defend the Dawn,” doesn’t just serve as a placeholder. A lot of action, a lot of betrayal, and a lot of character development occur in this important story. And fittingly, the third novel brings it all together as we learn about even more betrayals in both Kandala and in Ostriary, the country that Tessa and Corrick visit in hopes of helping both the people of that country and Kandala.
Some of the twists are very unexpected, and much of the action is everything we hoped for. Honestly, when I started the third book, it had been years since I read the first two, and I thought it would be difficult to get immersed in the story. I was wrong. Within just a few pages, my previous connection with the characters returned, and I was thrilled to be back in their world, watching as they fought to overcome opposition and corruption.
The main characters are especially effectively developed, and Kemmerer imbues them with traits with which we can empathize. They are good people, but they are not perfect. They doubt themselves while they simultaneously try to do their best, often sacrificing their own comfort and safety for the good of others. Thanks to the talent of Kemmerer and her ability to create characters we really come to like and admire, the 500 page books become relatively quick reads. We keep reading for many reasons: we really care about the characters, we are engrossed in the gripping plots, and we can’t imagine how it will all end. Kemerer also is an extremely effective writer as she creates mini-cliffhangers in one character’s narrative and then cuts to a different character’s first person narration. The entire system is, not surprisingly, extremely effective.
This is a great choice for those who enjoy books filled with thrilling action, revolution, romance, fascinating characters, and some really bad guys along with at least one guy who is bad, but not as bad as we first think. Perhaps. Just as in real life, some characters are motivated by greed, some by power, some by wanting to do the right thing, and some by love. Some characters are misguided, others know exactly what they must do no matter the cost. But we are riveted by the nonstop action and the ups and downs of the plot as we delve into the minds and hearts of the characters we have grown to feel are friends. Get the whole set as a gift for young adult readers who love action, passion, great characters, and lots of intrigue.
This review is based on the final, hardcover book provided by Bloomsbury, the publisher, for review purposes.