Best Books Like Defy the Night (2026): 5 Picks Compared

A reader who finished Defy the Night wants more royal intrigue and slow-burn romance, and the best books like Defy the Night deliver both. This list is for YA fantasy romance readers hunting their next series. We compared five books by fit, contents, value and listed reading age, using only what each listing publishes.

ShelfAnswers earns a commission when you buy through links on this page, at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Affiliate disclosure.

The picks

#	Product	Shelf Score	Buy
1	Defend the Dawn by Kemmerer	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon
2	Destroy the Day by Kemmerer	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon
3	Shatter Me Collection by Mafi	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon
4	Reign of Night by Roethle	9.5/10	Buy on Amazon
5	Night Is Defying by Penaranda	9.5/10	Buy on Amazon

1

Defend the Dawn by Kemmerer

Brigid Kemmerer·9.7/10 Shelf Score

i

The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

Defy the Night Book 2, 448 pages, for readers continuing Tessa and Corrick's story.

Check price on Amazon

Pros

• Book 2 of the Defy the Night trilogy.
• 448 pages from Bloomsbury YA, published September 26, 2023.
• Grade level 7 to 9 and reading age 15+ are both stated.

Cons

• Reading age marked as from customers, not the publisher.
• Book 2 of a trilogy; start with Book 1 first.
• No extras beyond the standard edition are listed.

2

Destroy the Day by Kemmerer

Brigid Kemmerer·9.7/10 Shelf Score

i

The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

Defy the Night Book 3, 576 pages, the series conclusion for committed readers.

Check price on Amazon

Pros

• Book 3 and conclusion of the Defy the Night trilogy.
• 576 pages, the longest book here.
• Reading age 13 to 17 years is stated.

Cons

• No grade level is stated.
• Book 3 of a trilogy; start with Books 1 and 2 first.
• The description warns of heartrending twists; expect an intense finish.

3

Shatter Me Collection by Mafi

Tahereh Mafi·9.7/10 Shelf Score

i

The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

Six Shatter Me novels in one digital collection, for dystopian romance fans.

Check price on Amazon

Pros

• Six full novels in one collection.
• Dystopian setting with romance, like Defy the Night.
• Reading age 14 years and up is stated.

Cons

• No page count is stated for the collection.
• Digital collection only; no print edition is listed.
• A different series, not a Defy the Night sequel.

4

Reign of Night by Roethle

Sara C. Roethle·9.5/10 Shelf Score

i

The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A vampire enemies-to-lovers romance, Book 1 of a series, for romantasy readers.

Check price on Amazon

Pros

• Book 1 of the A Study in Shadows series.
• Slow burn enemies-to-lovers romance, per the description.
• Reading age 16 to 18 years is stated.

Cons

• No page count is stated.
• Digital edition only; no print length is listed.
• Book 1 of 4, so three more books follow in the series.

5

Night Is Defying by Penaranda

Chloe C. Peñaranda·9.5/10 Shelf Score

i

The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

Nytefall Book 2, 448 pages in a deluxe edition, for romantasy readers.

Check price on Amazon

Pros

• Book 2 of the Nytefall trilogy.
• 448 pages in a deluxe edition with stenciled edges.
• Star-crossed lovers premise, per the description.

Cons

• No reading age or grade level is stated.
• Book 2 of a trilogy; start with Book 1 first.
• The deluxe stenciled edges are decorative, not reading content.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

More picks to compare

• The Darkest Night by StarrlingFor urban fantasy fans who want slow burn romance.Check on Amazon
• Moonlight Sins by ArmentroutFor readers who want a de Vincent series romance.Check on Amazon

Compare the picks

Book details as published on each listing, collected 23 October 2026.

How we scored them

The Shelf Score weighs fit for the reader, contents and edition, value, and the listed reading age or level where one is given. Four of the five list a reading age. How we pick explains the weights.

Scores run from 9.2 to 9.8: each book’s point total is placed on that range, so more points always means a higher score. Reading age or level counts on a list where at least one listing gives one, and a book whose listing gives none then scores zero on it. Where no listing gives one, the score is taken over the other 85 points. Books carry no warranty, so warranty is not scored.

How to choose the best books like Defy the Night

Start with the series itself

Defend the Dawn is Book 2 and Destroy the Day is Book 3 of Defy the Night, so they continue Tessa and Corrick’s story directly. Both list Bloomsbury YA as the publisher, at 448 and 576 pages. Read Book 1 first if you have not.

Check the reading age

The listings give 14 years and up for Shatter Me, 15+ for Defend the Dawn, 13 to 17 for Destroy the Day and 16 to 18 for Reign of Night. The Night Is Defying lists no reading age. For more fantasy series, see our best fantasy series like Red Rising and best fantasy books like Joe Abercrombie lists.

Before you buy

• Check the series position: Defend the Dawn is Book 2 and Destroy the Day is Book 3; start with Book 1 first.
• Match the reading age to the reader: 13 to 17 for Destroy the Day, 15+ for Defend the Dawn, 16 to 18 for Reign of Night.
• The Night Is Defying is a deluxe edition with stenciled edges; the others are standard editions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to read Defy the Night first?

Defend the Dawn is Book 2 and Destroy the Day is Book 3, so start with Book 1. The other three are separate series.

What age are these books for?

The listings give 13 to 17 for Destroy the Day, 14 and up for Shatter Me, 15+ for Defend the Dawn and 16 to 18 for Reign of Night.

Are these books part of a series?

Defend the Dawn and Destroy the Day continue Defy the Night. Shatter Me is a six-novel collection, and the others start their own series.

Still deciding? Our top pickDefend the Dawn by Kemmerer

Check price on Amazon

Related lists

See every book club list.

More lists: fantasy series like Red Rising, fantasy books like Joe Abercrombie and fantasy books.