Brigid Kemmerer writes the kind of stories that make you forget what time it is. Her Defy the Night trilogy — secret identities, royal intrigue, dystopian fantasy, and a slow-burn romance that earns every page — has earned her a devoted following and a spot on the New York Times bestseller list. We sat down with Brigid to talk about her writing process, her favorite books, and why she'll always love writing for teens. Her YA romantasy trilogy, beginning with Defy the Night, is available now as a stunning silver limited edition Juniper Books set with holographic foil with Defy the Night, signed by the author herself.
Juniper: Who are your favorite authors?
Brigid: I have so many! When I was young, I couldn't get enough Christopher Pike and Lois Duncan. As I grew into an adult, I fell in love with books by Jodi Picoult, Sophie Kinsella, Laurell K Hamilton, and Charlaine Harris. Right now, I'm loving books by Nisha Tuli, Sabaa Tahir, Carissa Broadbent, and Abby Jimenez.
Juniper: What do you think about the role of reading in the world today? How has it changed in the past 25 years?
Brigid: Reading is more important than ever! Reading is one of the safest ways to build empathy. Within any story, you have the opportunity to experience a wide variety of emotions and situations without ever leaving the comfort and safety of your own home. Over the last few decades, a lot of people have turned to social media and short-form video for entertainment, but books are still thriving. Humans love storytelling, and I love that there's still a rabid audience for all kinds of books.
Juniper: For those who haven’t made it to the Defy the Night universe yet, could you describe the series in three words?
Brigid: How about three phrases? Secret identity, royal intrigue, and dystopian fantasy.
Juniper: What’s your favorite line you’ve written?
Brigid: I have so many! But "Mind your mettle" has always been a favorite.
Juniper: As a mother, a writer, and a worldbuilder, what’s special to you about the young adult genre and reaching younger readers?
Brigid: I love writing for audiences of all ages, but I especially love writing for teens. There's something so fresh and new about discovering the wonder of adulthood for the first time. A lot of people act like teens are stupid humans, but they're not. Teens are inexperienced humans. There's so much potential in that. So much optimism. So much hope. I love writing in the YA space.
Juniper: A Curse so Dark and Lonely is a retelling of Beauty and the Beast, and Defy the Night is inspired by Robin Hood. What’s the process for writing a retelling like? How do you choose your source material?
Brigid: For me, I look at what parts of the story intrigued me the most, and I throw away the rest. For Curse, I was always wondering what happened outside the prince's castle. If the royal family was gone and this prince was trapped as a beast for years, what exactly was happening in his kingdom? Were people upset? Did they care? Were they at risk? I wanted to write a story where readers got to leave the palace and find out! And in Defy, I love all manner of "outlaw" stories where people have to put on a mask to hide their identity before they can do the right thing. It's not just Robin Hood: I was also inspired by Zorro and Jackaroo.
Juniper: All of your fantasy stories have lush worlds. How do you go about building those magical kingdoms that catch the attention of so many readers?
Brigid: I'm a very loose worldbuilder in the beginning. I add elements that seem fun as I need them, and then when I go back to revise the book, I will flush out whatever I loved, and I'll get rid of anything that didn't work. In Defy the Night, I really wanted to focus on the food and fabrics, especially when comparing the Royal Sector and the Wilds, and I had a lot of fun imagining what things would look and taste like, whether the characters were deeply impoverished or extremely wealthy.
Juniper: Defy the Night’s protagonists (and their slow-burn romance) are much beloved by fans. Which character was your favorite to write? How did you develop their complex dynamic?
Brigid: I loved them BOTH! Sometimes when I'm writing a dual narrative, one character feels stronger. With Corrick and Tessa, they were both so clear to me, right from the first page. I was never eager to switch POVs because I loved them both so much. I love Tessa's drive to care for everyone, and I love Corrick's ruthless practicality ... and for as much as I love their romance, I love when they're at odds, too, because it gives them both an opportunity to learn from each other.
Juniper: Do you have any new projects in the works that you can tease for us?
Brigid: Right now, I'm working on the third book in the Warrior Princess Assassin series, my fantasy romance trilogy for adult readers. I can't wait for everyone to read it!
Juniper: If you could have any of your books made into a movie or TV show, which one would it be… and you don’t happen to have anything in the works now, do you…?
Brigid: Any of them! I'd love to see my characters brought to life on the screen! As for whether anything is in the works, you'll have to stay tuned...
Brigid Kemmerer writes about teens with optimism and hope. It shows. The Defy the Night trilogy has the kind of world that lingers: the food, the fabrics, the slow-burning tension between Corrick and Tessa, and a rebellion that never lets you get too comfortable. "Mind your mettle" indeed.
We're so proud to have partnered with Brigid on these sets, and if you've made it this far in the interview, you probably already know which shelf they belong on.
Explore the Defy the Night Series Limited Edition and other Author-Signed Book Sets at juniperbooks.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Was this set created in partnership with Brigid Kemmerer?
A: Yes! We worked directly with Brigid on this release. She was involved in bringing these sets to life, and her personal note printed on every jacket flap reflects that collaboration. We're so proud of what we made together.
Q: What is the difference between the Limited Edition and the Signed Edition?
A: Both sets feature the same Juniper Books book covers — holographic foil details, original spine art, distinct series emblems, and a personal note from Brigid printed on every jacket flap. The difference is in the jackets and signing:
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Limited Edition: Book covers are hand-numbered in our Boulder studio, and the set includes a signed copy of Defy the Night.
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Signed Edition: Book covers are artist proofs (not numbered), and all three books — Defy the Night, Defend the Dawn, and Destroy the Day — are signed by Brigid Kemmerer.
Q: What books are included in the set?
A: Both editions include all three hardcover novels in the series:
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Defy the Night
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Defend the Dawn
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Destroy the Day
All titles by Brigid Kemmerer.
Q: Is this a good gift?
A: It really is. Whether it's for a Kemmerer superfan, a romantasy lover, or someone building a shelf they're proud of — this set is the kind of gift that lands. The holographic foil, the signed copies, the personal note from Brigid — it feels special from the moment it arrives.