i told the stars about you

for all my book and other crazies (18+)

[mystic-stardust]

— “I wonder which will get you killed faster—your loyalty or your stubbornness?” - Susan Ee, Angelfall

bambi. she/her. twenty-something. enfj.

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[mystic-stardust]

[Book Yap] Defy the Night by Brigid Kemmerer Series

OKAYYYYYYY. It took me 3 days to finish this entire series and OMG??? It takes me a while to get into a book, but once I do, I get sucked in. After reading a page or two, I already couldn't stop thinking about it! I was so interested in it from the get-go!

The last book had me BAWLING! I was so on edge and trying to be hopeful, but I love me angst, so I was conflicted on how I wanted things to go.

Overall, I really enjoyed this series, and I lowkey want to buy the physical copies! The book covers are so pretty as well! I've been reading a lot of other people's thoughts, because I'd love to know how it's being received by others, so if you have any opinions about this series, I'd love to hear them—good and bad!

More reflection with spoilers below the cut:

ALIGHTY. When I started reading, I forgot the summary, so I had no idea what was going to happen. I knew Tessa and Corrick were going to be lovers, but that's all I remember. Then, here comes Wes, and I'm conflicted! I was trying not to get too attached since I knew he wasn't endgame, but when he died, I was DEVASTATED. CRUSHED. RUINED. What got me the most was how he "died" in such a humiliating way. Tessa never should've been able to see her best friend/lover in such a state.

I'll be honest and had my suspicions from the start since I believe Corrick's blue eyes are mentioned at the start, along with Wes's... So, when it was revealed, I wasn't totally surprised! But I thought that dynamic of Tessa loving Wes, but hating Corrick, made for such an interesting relationship. It was truly fun to read her internal struggles, and I LOVED the moments in the dark where she's reminded of Wes, even though he was never real. It really drove that confusion in her heart. It's also nice to know Wes, although he wasn't a real person, was still a real part of Corrick. And it aided in the narration of Corrick never wanting to be Cruel Corrick.

Harristan's part was nice! I think it was cool to see his POV and hear about his own struggles. It crushed me reading about how Corrick had people, but Harristan felt like he had no one (besides Corrick, obviously). And then him being shy and stuttering with Quint about being inexperienced—omg so cute!

THOUGH I did find their romantic relationship to be very sudden. Like, we only begin to learn that Harristan's gay when he meets Maxon (RIP), and maybe Violet... unless I'm overlooking info from the first book. Plus, we never see Harristan even interested in Quint until the middle of the... I don't even remember which book. But yes, I know we get HINTS about Harristan liking Quint, but it then just goes into them having sex a few chapters later. Which, I know some people have complained about why a sub-couple had sex before the main, but IDC lol. Let my man enjoy himself. Anyway, I wanted more build-up for these characters. I felt it was rushed just a tadddd too much. I was really glad that Harristan finally had someone, though.

Someone on Goodreads said this shouldn't be a YA because of the gay couple and... Come here. Let me reach through this screen and SMACK YOU. The fuck are you talking about this isn't "appropriate" because there's a gay couple. GTFO 😾

Continuing with Harristan and Quint, I was so happy they "died" together. The entire time everyone got off the ship back to Kandala, I was hoping it would be around the time of the explosion, and Corrick would rush to save his brother. But then to know it was AFTER and Harristan and Quint had "died," omg. I was sobbing so hard. Quint was so fun to read (tho, he got a little less yappy and "crazy" in the third book, which I missed), so I was so sad he "died" too, but I was overall happy Harristan wasn't alone in his "final moments." And then, I couldn't stop crying over the fact that Harristan was able to have a final word with Corrick, but Corrick never got to tell him goodbye. OMG THE ANGGGSSSSST.

Now, I was ecstatic to learn about Harristan's and Quint's survival, but I also understand other people's POV about them should've stayed dead. I can see both sides. In the midst of trying to calm myself down, I kept telling myself it was probably better since Corrick and Tessa could produce an heir (if they wanted to). But I saw comments saying it was selfish of Harristan to not return to the throne, esp since it seemed Corrick never wanted the crown anyway. I would say Corrick would rather leave it all behind, but Harristan has mentioned he would too, so idkkkkk... I didn't like that Corrick had to suffer for 6 months before he found out the truth. And I get he needed to take the reins and not rely on Harristan, but it was still cruel. Especially when it's narrated about Corrick having to be thrust into king status while grieving the loss like his brother. Harristan should've considered that fact and saved his brother from the same hardships he faced after their parents died. I think Harristan could've also still saved the kingdom and remained seen as a hero if he had emerged from the explosions.

It was also brought up that it was a little weird that no one searched for the king after the explosion. But honestly, if they exploded, you wouldn't see a body anyway 🥴 Tho I was also wondering if Corrick was going to demand he see his brother after finding out he died, but he never did. And I just now realized they never had a funeral???

Throughout the third book, I'm also realizing how little we got between Tessa and Corrick. While I did enjoy Harristan's parts, contrary to some, it did feel the romance was more focused on Harristan and Quint, a sub couple, rather than Tessa and Corrick, the main couple. I wish we got a bit more of the main couple in the final book.

Additionally, I was sus on Olive, but I'm so glad she turned out to be a good friend for Tessa. I do wish we got to see some love between Lochlan and Karri though, esp at the end! Like they haven't seen each other in days/weeks (idk how long the trip was) and we don't see them run and embrace each other??? I mean, I know everyone was confused about the cheering and realization that Corrick is now king, but even when they walk to the carriages, there's nothing. And I know it's not from their POV, so Tessa prob didn't see them since she was so focused on Corrick, but stillllll... And I for sure thought one of the characters (be it Rocco, Olive, Saeth, etc) was going to die near the end of the book, so that was nice none of them did... Or was it... How much angst do I want...

Welp this has gone WAY LONGER than I expected, but I can't stop now that I'm on a roll lol. This is "book yap" anyway, so here's to more!

The ending was... Sigh. I actually don't HATE it, but I definitely wish we got some more scenes and answers. For instance, there's not a lot, or any, interaction between Allisander and Harristan, which I felt could've been nice considering he was one of the main villains. Or at least, get Harristand to overhear more convo while behind the wall in the throne room... But maybe it would've just repeated info we already knew. And Allisand obvi didn't change as a person. But we never got to hear Huxley... IDK, I just felt like SOMETHING was lacking at the end. Though maybe this brings me to the next point.

The fevers.

I get the fevers dwelled after Harristan left the throne, as part of Allisander's plan. BUT, didn't Rian say the antidote was also the petals? So, how are people recovering from the illness with no antidote? And we don't hear about Harristan's health in the last few chapters. Since he was exposed a lot as a child, it would've been nice to read about. ALSSSSO, it didn't talk about anyone checking to make sure the Moonflower roots weren't still contaminating the water supply. Like, yeah, I guess it is inferred since fewer people were getting sick, but still. The main issue of the series is about this deadly fever, and then the discourse of it sort of just... fades. Like what about the rest of the Moonflowers in the sectors? Did Corrick order they get extinguished? What if someone tries to poison people again? Idk... I feel there should have been more closure around the flower.

There's probably more I could cover, but I used a lot of brain power, and I've been reading a lot of reviews, so I'll end this here haha. It's only been a few hours, so maybe that's why I can't stop thinking about this series, but ugh. I feel it's been a while since I really felt this attached to a series? The last series I read was a dark romance, The Edge of Darkness and The Web of Silence, and while I did enjoy them, something about this series hit SOOO differently. And yeah, I'm aware they are VASTLY different in topics, but the point still stands. I felt even more engrossed in this than I did in those.

Also, oddly, I don't feel as attached to Corrick as I do to some other book "boyfriends"? Maybe that's just me now... I'm probably going to read fanfic and change my mind LMAOOOO. I still adore him!

Anyway, if you read this all, you're fucking awesome, and you rock.

I'm open to any discussion about this series! I'd love to know what you liked and what you didn't! 🤩

[polished-pearl]

Saw this on Twitter and I’m dying LMAO

[littledisasters]

Anyway here's something I drew a while back instead of paying attention during lectures 🙂‍↕️ Don't mind if the anatomy is kinda rough, haven't drawn a human for months but the obsession is strong.

[ciricearts]

after trainiiing

[shartcooterieboard]

Quick doodle of Leon from the OG re4!

[larvamars]

I hope he gets tied up again and whimpers

[3racha-agustd]

RE2R × RE4R × RE9

It aged like an expensive whiskey. 🥃

[mystic-stardust]

finished the folk of air series and debating if i want to read the stolen heir books 😅 i loved oak in the original series, but idk if i want to read more... the series had ups and downs for me so im to too attached??? i enjoyed it over all and maybe it wasn't my cup of tea in totality. tho, i probably just need to digest it more! ☺️

[mystic-stardust]

okay so after reading a few reddit opinions lol, i do see the appeal of this series more. it's not as straightforward as the other ones i've read and i believe it's one it's best to re-read to see the hints leading up to, at least, jude and carden's relationship. and their actions are better understood when you understand THEIR povs, not just your own (i say you as in me or anyone who felt the same as i did initially). back to reading reddit to see if i find more reasons to apprecoate the reasons

[hope-di-angelo]

Ok, you know what scene I still can't recover from?

Locke: Remember when I kissed Jude in the garden?

Cardan: I recall your mouth was on her. But her eyes were on me.

LIKE, woah. The possessiveness practically DRIPPING from his tone. Yes I know that we didn't hear hear it. But let's be honest, we all heard it loud and clear

[reu8ell]

Live, laugh, love jude duarte

[mystic-stardust]

finished the folk of air series and debating if i want to read the stolen heir books 😅 i loved oak in the original series, but idk if i want to read more... the series had ups and downs for me so im to too attached??? i enjoyed it over all and maybe it wasn't my cup of tea in totality. tho, i probably just need to digest it more! ☺️

[kittazer-lover-deactivated20260]

[honeybearba]

I lean toward him, close enough for a kiss. His eyes widen. The look in his face is some commingling of panic and desire. It is a heady feeling, having power over someone. Over 𝘊𝘢𝘳𝘥𝘢𝘯, who I never thought had any feelings at all.

“You really do want me,” I say, close enough to feel the warmth of his breath as it hitches. “And you 𝘩𝘢𝘵𝘦 it.” I change the angle of the knife, turning it so it’s against his neck. He doesn’t look nearly as alarmed by that as I might expect.

Not nearly as alarmed as when I bring my mouth to his.

-The Cruel Prince-

By Holly Black

Guys this took me so long but it was so worth itttt 🥲

P.s. Cardan smiles when he is nervous 🤭

[queenofheartsdeservedbetter]

"How do you read so many books??" I am simply trying to avoid reality, what are you doing

[mystic-stardust]

Umm… are there really SO LITTLE??? And there’s none on here (tumblr) either??? Can I not search correctly or was I expecting too much? I thought there’d be a lot of fics! SOMEONE PLEASE EXPLAIN 😭 I need comfort kitt fics 😩

[hearts4percy]

⸻ kitt azer 📜⋆˚࿔