Defy The Night: Adult Book Club Questions
- patricecarey8
- Dec 31, 2025
- 4 min read
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.
Quick Review of Defy The Night
This YA fantasy romance (book 1 of a trilogy) captured my heart because of its excellence use of theme and ethical dilemmas. If you’ve read my book club blogs before, that’s not a surprise—you know ethical dilemmas are my thing! This trilogy actually inspired me to make theme a bigger part of my own books because I loved how it deepened the story.
Alert! Intriguing Discussion Ahead
I encourage book clubs to move beyond questions like, “What did you like/dislike about the book?” and “Who was your favorite character and why?” My discussion questions typically focus on ethical and moral dilemmas, book scenarios applied to real life, and character motivations.
Book Club Questions
Because Harrison and Corrick’s parents ruled with kindness and were betrayed by a trusted friend, the brothers feel they must rule Kandala through fear or risk a similar fate. Does their logic make sense? Would you have done the same thing; if not, what approach would you have taken?
This book’s theme might be summed up as, “Hard problems don’t have easy solutions.” Tessa initially thinks making medicine available to all would be straightforward if the king commanded it, but as she glimpses what it’s like to run a kingdom, she realizes that’s not true. How does this reflect an issue in current politics (local, domestical, or international)? Have you ever been frustrated with a situation and later learned there was more at play than you knew? Did that change or confirm your opinion about how to handle things?
Tessa’s openness and naivety is contrasted with Corrick’s cautiousness and cynicism. Who do you find yourself relating to? In what circumstances is each person’s approach beneficial?
Tessa struggles with differentiating Wes and Corrick in her head once she learns they’re the same person. Has it ever been hard for you to reconcile new information about someone with how you used to see that person?
Quint plays many vital roles in the palace: confidante, secretary, estate manager, social lubricant, etc. How would this story be different if Quint weren’t in it?
Do you think any of the consuls are truly loyal to the crown? Which and why? Is it more important for them to be loyal to the king or to the needs of their sector?
Corrick caters to Allisander because he controls moonflower production. Do you think it’s acceptable to collaborate with corrupt or distasteful people to get what you need? Was there any other way Corrick and Harrison could have handled Allisander, given the political and economic situation?
Lochlan wants to change the status quo, regardless of the cost. Do you agree with his methods? Should there have been a limit on what the rebels were willing to do to secure change?
The book showcases a cycle of violence: Corrick and Harrison’s parents were betrayed and killed; the brothers kill to maintain order; the rebels kill to access medicine. The end of this book brings an uneasy truce, but not a conclusion. Where else have you seen a violence cycle play out, in fiction or real life? Where have you seen it broken?
At the critical moment, the royals and rebels come to an agreement because both sides trust Tessa. What makes her so trustworthy to both groups? Do you know anyone who brings people together like this?
Below, you can download a PDF of the Defy The Night discussion questions to print out and bring to your book club. I hope you have an intriguing discussion!
If you enjoyed these adult book club questions for Defy The Night, sign up for Patrice Carey Hale’s newsletter to get book club recommendations, book updates, and special content.
Comments