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The Monsters We Defy
A woman able to communicate with spirits must assemble a ragtag crew to pull off a daring heist to save her community in this timely and dazzling historical fantasy that weaves together African American folk magic, history, and romance.
In the summer of 1925, along Washington, DC’s “Black Broadway”, a malevolent entity has begun preying on Negro residents. Twenty-three-year-old Clara Johnson is determined to discover what’s going on in her community. Using her natural ability to talk with spirits, she begins to investigate, but a powerful spirit tasks her with a difficult quest: steal an ancient, magical ring from the finger of a wealthy socialite.
When Clara meets Israel Lee, a supernaturally enhanced jazz musician also vying for the ring, the two decide to work together. They put together an unlikely team including a former circus freak, a pickpocketing Pullman Porter, and an aging vaudeville actor to pull off an impossible heist.
But a dangerous spirit interferes at every turn and conflict in the spirit world is leaking out into the human world. With different agendas, even if Clara and Israel pull off the heist, only one of them can truly win.
In the summer of 1925, along Washington, DC’s “Black Broadway”, a malevolent entity has begun preying on Negro residents. Twenty-three-year-old Clara Johnson is determined to discover what’s going on in her community. Using her natural ability to talk with spirits, she begins to investigate, but a powerful spirit tasks her with a difficult quest: steal an ancient, magical ring from the finger of a wealthy socialite.
When Clara meets Israel Lee, a supernaturally enhanced jazz musician also vying for the ring, the two decide to work together. They put together an unlikely team including a former circus freak, a pickpocketing Pullman Porter, and an aging vaudeville actor to pull off an impossible heist.
But a dangerous spirit interferes at every turn and conflict in the spirit world is leaking out into the human world. With different agendas, even if Clara and Israel pull off the heist, only one of them can truly win.
349 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 9, 2022
About the author
Leslye Penelope
2 books464 followersLeslye Penelope also writes as L. Penelope. She is an award-winning author of fantasy and paranormal romance.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,065 reviews
February 28, 2023
A magical heist with an all-Black cast set in a Harlem Renaissance-inspired Washington DC? Yes, pls. And what a delightful story it is. I loved the backstory snippets of all the characters, the setting that felt so real and alive, and the historical cameos of real ppl in Black intellectual and creative arts history. I would read a dozen more books set in this world. Someone make this a movie or TV show, stat!
Read
March 7, 2023Prohibition era heist / fantasy novel, set in Black Washington. Our heisters have all made deals with...not exactly the devil, but with spirits, and are carrying around curses in exchange for their powers. It's an enjoyable, engaging, exuberantly told story with a likeable cast and well developed set-up. Notable is that though the plot antagonists are ghosts and powerful spirits, the ongoing nagging threat from white racism and bigotry is ever-present and just as threatening.
September 16, 2022
Absolutely wondeful.
A fantasy heist novel set in 1920s DC that combines African American folk magic, history, and romance is a tall order, but Leslye Penelope did a fantastic job bringing this story to life.
I love when I am able to learn about actual history within a fiction book.
The characters were well developed and compelling. I like how in addition to their powers they also received a trick, something that dulled the impact of their new ability.
And a solid reminder that unless we've studied contract law we should avoid making deals with magical entities.
A fantasy heist novel set in 1920s DC that combines African American folk magic, history, and romance is a tall order, but Leslye Penelope did a fantastic job bringing this story to life.
I love when I am able to learn about actual history within a fiction book.
The characters were well developed and compelling. I like how in addition to their powers they also received a trick, something that dulled the impact of their new ability.
And a solid reminder that unless we've studied contract law we should avoid making deals with magical entities.
June 22, 2024
Ever read a brilliantly built, Super Extra Entertaining Fantasy Heist Story (SE²FHS™) set during the Harlem Renaissance (only not actually in Harlem because reasons and stuff), with the coolest ghosts/spirits based-plot and one of the most scrumptious casts of characters ever (hello, Daniel Faust vibes 🤗🤗)? Didn't think so.
Leslye Penelope, this better be the first installment in a series. I might possibly unleash the crustaceans on you if it isn't. Maybe. Because it would be a bloody shrimping shame to let such a fantastic historical setting and such a glorious cast go to waste. But hey, no pressure and stuff.
P.S. I'm in lurve with a Black albino chick who's a sporadic butcher with ninja skills and I'm doing the Boom! Kidnapped! on her. Just so you know.
P.P.S. That cover! Most lickable indeed if you ask me.
P.P.P.S.S.S The audio version of this book is 😍😍. FYI and stuff.
[Pre-review nonsense]
You need to read this book pot haste. Because I said so. And because it might or might not be Slighty Very Good (SVG™). And also one of my two favorite reads of the year so far.
➽ Review to come and stuff.
Leslye Penelope, this better be the first installment in a series. I might possibly unleash the crustaceans on you if it isn't. Maybe. Because it would be a bloody shrimping shame to let such a fantastic historical setting and such a glorious cast go to waste. But hey, no pressure and stuff.
P.S. I'm in lurve with a Black albino chick who's a sporadic butcher with ninja skills and I'm doing the Boom! Kidnapped! on her. Just so you know.
P.P.S. That cover! Most lickable indeed if you ask me.
P.P.P.S.S.S The audio version of this book is 😍😍. FYI and stuff.
[Pre-review nonsense]
You need to read this book pot haste. Because I said so. And because it might or might not be Slighty Very Good (SVG™). And also one of my two favorite reads of the year so far.
➽ Review to come and stuff.
Want to read
July 9, 202108.07.2021 an african-american badass woman communes with spirits? historical fantasy where ragtag team pulls off a daring heist? alright, i guess it'll be absolutely amazing.
April 27, 2023
Four and a half stars, if I could!
I quite enjoyed this adventure through the Black neighborhoods of Washington, D.C. in the 1920s, steeped in African American folk magic concepts and intrigue. I also love a heist-like plot with one of those gangs of varied characters, and this was fun like the best of them.
The "magic" system of this world was really interesting, comprised almost entirely of the unearthly abilities granted to specific characters through bargains with powerful spirits, some of whom are recognizable from other Black lore I've consumed over the years. And for every "treat" slash magical ability they bestow upon a bargainer, there is a "trick", a dark downside and cost of the powers. This was wicked cool, as everyone's abilities differ, and the occasional inconvenient appearance of the spirits really rendered everything higher stakes and more interesting.
Clara was an interesting protagonist; I didn't see many dimensions to her, and I think it was intentional, that she has closed herself off because of the way her connections with the spirit world work. But her POV was never annoying, and she was refreshingly pragmatic, something I love in a main character. Zelda was fun, even if the audiobook tone of voice for her grated on me a bit.
One of the subplots contributing to the overall conflict is the kidnapping and magical enslavement of would-be laborers to run an alcohol factory. Characters note the parallels of this forced labor to slavery, and I thought it was a bold, compelling plot choice to include.
Overall this was a solid story, interesting and with a great narrator who was able to skillfully differentiate various Black characters and personalities. If there were more in this universe, I'd definitely read.
I quite enjoyed this adventure through the Black neighborhoods of Washington, D.C. in the 1920s, steeped in African American folk magic concepts and intrigue. I also love a heist-like plot with one of those gangs of varied characters, and this was fun like the best of them.
The "magic" system of this world was really interesting, comprised almost entirely of the unearthly abilities granted to specific characters through bargains with powerful spirits, some of whom are recognizable from other Black lore I've consumed over the years. And for every "treat" slash magical ability they bestow upon a bargainer, there is a "trick", a dark downside and cost of the powers. This was wicked cool, as everyone's abilities differ, and the occasional inconvenient appearance of the spirits really rendered everything higher stakes and more interesting.
Clara was an interesting protagonist; I didn't see many dimensions to her, and I think it was intentional, that she has closed herself off because of the way her connections with the spirit world work. But her POV was never annoying, and she was refreshingly pragmatic, something I love in a main character. Zelda was fun, even if the audiobook tone of voice for her grated on me a bit.
One of the subplots contributing to the overall conflict is the kidnapping and magical enslavement of would-be laborers to run an alcohol factory. Characters note the parallels of this forced labor to slavery, and I thought it was a bold, compelling plot choice to include.
Overall this was a solid story, interesting and with a great narrator who was able to skillfully differentiate various Black characters and personalities. If there were more in this universe, I'd definitely read.
December 27, 2022
"Uncle Nazareth, in the bible, God made man out of the clay of the earth. You ever heard about spirits making their own bodies that way, so they could leave Over There and come live here?"
Clara can commune with the dead, which is both a blessing and a curse. And, now it's been tasked to her to figure out who's turning the local folk into mindless zombies. Is the culprit she seeks human, or something much more evil?
Penelope's novel features a fantastical, and fascinating plot, with well-timed dabs of humor. I loved her wonderful characters. Here's hoping the author turns this one into a series.
One of my favorite books of the year.
Thanks to NetGalley and Redhook Books for the chance to read and enjoy.
Clara can commune with the dead, which is both a blessing and a curse. And, now it's been tasked to her to figure out who's turning the local folk into mindless zombies. Is the culprit she seeks human, or something much more evil?
Penelope's novel features a fantastical, and fascinating plot, with well-timed dabs of humor. I loved her wonderful characters. Here's hoping the author turns this one into a series.
One of my favorite books of the year.
Thanks to NetGalley and Redhook Books for the chance to read and enjoy.
November 17, 2022
A prohibition era, Black Washington heist novel with ghosts. I loooooooved this book. I love a good heist novel and this one was delightful. I also really enjoyed the interstitials that gave us backstory about the various team members without slowing the story down. Clara Johnson is smart, damaged, and compelled to help people. Even if she weren't cursed to help anyone who asks her, she would still get up and help.
I listened to the audiobook and the narration was fantastic.
I listened to the audiobook and the narration was fantastic.
January 27, 2023
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In many ways The Monsters We Defy delivers on its premise: we follow a ‘ragtag’ crew as they prepare and execute a heist to save themselves and their community. It did manage to hold my attention and even delivered some fairly entertaining scenes and/or dazzling descriptions, and I can see this appealing to fans of historical fantasy novels like Libba Bray's The Diviners or YA books which employ the ragtag group + heist formula, such as Portrait of a Thief or Six of Crows. Sadly, as much as I wanted to love The Monsters We Defy, I found myself wanting more in terms of plot and characters.
Set in 1925 Washington D. C. the novel revolves around Clara Johnson, a woman who is able to commute with the spirits. We know that after a stint in jail Clara is indebted to a spirit and must use her gift to earn back her freedom. This spirit tasks her with a difficult task: she is to steal a magical ring that happens to be in the hands of one of the city’s wealthiest and most connected people. As one can expect, Clara is joined by an ‘unlikely’ x-men-like team: there is the handsome jazz musician who is able to hypnotize others and an elderly actor who can change his appearance. Alongside for the ride is her second command of sorts, who mostly serves the role of the comedic character. Maybe if the dynamics had remained platonic or focused on their banter and friendships I would have found this team more engaging than I actually did. I did not care for the romance, which was very insta-love and induced several eye-rolls on my part ( she is the only one who isn’t smitten by his looks & yadda yadda). The other two people in the team are given tiny backstories but their personalities often were reduced to how they were different from others (the actor is queer, clara’s friend is a person with albinism). The heist unfolds slowly, and there were several lulls that lessened the overall intensity of the plotline. I also found the inclusion of real-life figures a wee bit cheesy. Still, Leslye Penelope does capture the aesthetics and politics of 1925 Washing D. C., highlighting the experiences of its Black community and, through the actor character, the lgbtq+ community. I also liked the magical aspect of Penelope's story, which seemed to combine together elements of spirituality with folklore traditions. Overall however I found the characters somewhat paper-thin, and I would have preferred a darker tone or a less binary view of good/evil.
This was a fairly engaging read but I was expecting more of an exciting romp. Nevertheless, it was by no means a bad novel and I would recommend you check out more positive reviews if you are thinking of reading this yourself.
In many ways The Monsters We Defy delivers on its premise: we follow a ‘ragtag’ crew as they prepare and execute a heist to save themselves and their community. It did manage to hold my attention and even delivered some fairly entertaining scenes and/or dazzling descriptions, and I can see this appealing to fans of historical fantasy novels like Libba Bray's The Diviners or YA books which employ the ragtag group + heist formula, such as Portrait of a Thief or Six of Crows. Sadly, as much as I wanted to love The Monsters We Defy, I found myself wanting more in terms of plot and characters.
Set in 1925 Washington D. C. the novel revolves around Clara Johnson, a woman who is able to commute with the spirits. We know that after a stint in jail Clara is indebted to a spirit and must use her gift to earn back her freedom. This spirit tasks her with a difficult task: she is to steal a magical ring that happens to be in the hands of one of the city’s wealthiest and most connected people. As one can expect, Clara is joined by an ‘unlikely’ x-men-like team: there is the handsome jazz musician who is able to hypnotize others and an elderly actor who can change his appearance. Alongside for the ride is her second command of sorts, who mostly serves the role of the comedic character. Maybe if the dynamics had remained platonic or focused on their banter and friendships I would have found this team more engaging than I actually did. I did not care for the romance, which was very insta-love and induced several eye-rolls on my part ( she is the only one who isn’t smitten by his looks & yadda yadda). The other two people in the team are given tiny backstories but their personalities often were reduced to how they were different from others (the actor is queer, clara’s friend is a person with albinism). The heist unfolds slowly, and there were several lulls that lessened the overall intensity of the plotline. I also found the inclusion of real-life figures a wee bit cheesy. Still, Leslye Penelope does capture the aesthetics and politics of 1925 Washing D. C., highlighting the experiences of its Black community and, through the actor character, the lgbtq+ community. I also liked the magical aspect of Penelope's story, which seemed to combine together elements of spirituality with folklore traditions. Overall however I found the characters somewhat paper-thin, and I would have preferred a darker tone or a less binary view of good/evil.
This was a fairly engaging read but I was expecting more of an exciting romp. Nevertheless, it was by no means a bad novel and I would recommend you check out more positive reviews if you are thinking of reading this yourself.
August 4, 2022
If you're looking for something spooky for the Halloween season, but you don't want to read something terribly scary, then this might be the one for you. Clairvoyants, ghosts, magical powers, and a heist all set during the 1920s in Washington D.C.? Yeah, you're going to want to read this one.
This was such a cinematic story and something I would love to see made into a movie one day! The characters are so vivid, the ghostly/magical world was so well explained, and the heist of all heists was so action-packed!
The story starts off with our main character, Clara Johnson, being born. She's born with the amniotic sac still in tact. I'm pretty sure I read somewhere that being born this way already makes you susceptible to the forces beyond the veil and Leslye Penelope starts off with this intriguing fact setting up our main character to see the "Other Side".
The main character is also loosely based on a real life person named Clara Johnson who shot a police officer during the 1919 riots, being charged for manslaughter only to be retried pleading self-defence after the original judge passed away. I love the deep connection this book has with history and lending this interesting moment in history to set a fantasy book was expertly done. There's also some appearances from some famous Black writers of the time, which really put a smile on my face.
The story then jumps forward in time to the 1920s where Clara is a young secretary with a little clairvoyant business on the side. She speaks with the spirits (aka Enigmas) and make deals for humans who are desperate for help from the other side. The Enigmas provide Charms to help appease whatever needs the human wants, but the humans are also cursed with a "Trick," the downside of using the spirits to do their bidding. I absolutely loved this dichotomy between "charm" and "trick" and reminded me a lot of djinn magic where you must be very careful with how you word your wishes and the dire consequences of those wishes.
When a strange affliction affects the people in town, Clara wonders if it may be connected with the spirit world. When she speaks to her Enigma, she finds out that one of the wealthiest gangsters in town may be related to the events. In order to save the afflicted people, she must steal a ring from the gangster's wife and bring it to her Enigma before they are able to help her. But Clara's never stolen anything in her life, so she teams up with four other people (three of which owe debts to Enigmas) in hopes of using their Charms and masterfully steal this ring straight off her finger! It's a heist, everyone!
I think what I really loved the most about this story is that you follow along with these characters and learn so much about them. I love the care Leslye Penelope puts into really bringing these characters to life rather than just writing them off as throwaways. They each have their faults, their Charms and their Tricks, and as the story unfolds more, you see who these characters really are which makes it much more interesting to read!
The heist itself was also fun! This was probably the most action-packed parts of the book and filled with imagery, fight scenes, and delicate suspense! I was definitely on the edge of my seat while I was reading!
Overall, this is a fantastic book that checks off all the boxes. A little action, a little romance, some suspense, characters that you will fall in love with, and a mystery you follow to the very end. I absolutely loved this one and I can't wait to read what Leslye Penelope has coming out next!
This was such a cinematic story and something I would love to see made into a movie one day! The characters are so vivid, the ghostly/magical world was so well explained, and the heist of all heists was so action-packed!
The story starts off with our main character, Clara Johnson, being born. She's born with the amniotic sac still in tact. I'm pretty sure I read somewhere that being born this way already makes you susceptible to the forces beyond the veil and Leslye Penelope starts off with this intriguing fact setting up our main character to see the "Other Side".
The main character is also loosely based on a real life person named Clara Johnson who shot a police officer during the 1919 riots, being charged for manslaughter only to be retried pleading self-defence after the original judge passed away. I love the deep connection this book has with history and lending this interesting moment in history to set a fantasy book was expertly done. There's also some appearances from some famous Black writers of the time, which really put a smile on my face.
The story then jumps forward in time to the 1920s where Clara is a young secretary with a little clairvoyant business on the side. She speaks with the spirits (aka Enigmas) and make deals for humans who are desperate for help from the other side. The Enigmas provide Charms to help appease whatever needs the human wants, but the humans are also cursed with a "Trick," the downside of using the spirits to do their bidding. I absolutely loved this dichotomy between "charm" and "trick" and reminded me a lot of djinn magic where you must be very careful with how you word your wishes and the dire consequences of those wishes.
When a strange affliction affects the people in town, Clara wonders if it may be connected with the spirit world. When she speaks to her Enigma, she finds out that one of the wealthiest gangsters in town may be related to the events. In order to save the afflicted people, she must steal a ring from the gangster's wife and bring it to her Enigma before they are able to help her. But Clara's never stolen anything in her life, so she teams up with four other people (three of which owe debts to Enigmas) in hopes of using their Charms and masterfully steal this ring straight off her finger! It's a heist, everyone!
I think what I really loved the most about this story is that you follow along with these characters and learn so much about them. I love the care Leslye Penelope puts into really bringing these characters to life rather than just writing them off as throwaways. They each have their faults, their Charms and their Tricks, and as the story unfolds more, you see who these characters really are which makes it much more interesting to read!
The heist itself was also fun! This was probably the most action-packed parts of the book and filled with imagery, fight scenes, and delicate suspense! I was definitely on the edge of my seat while I was reading!
Overall, this is a fantastic book that checks off all the boxes. A little action, a little romance, some suspense, characters that you will fall in love with, and a mystery you follow to the very end. I absolutely loved this one and I can't wait to read what Leslye Penelope has coming out next!
November 8, 2022
The author's note at the end of the book has me amazed at how much of the story (given it's definitely a fantasy novel) is based on true stories. Leslye Penelope has gives the reader a look at African American's lives at a time that most of us white folk (myself included) have little context for. Set in Washington, DC, 1925 at a time of race riots, segregation, and many alive having heard their direct parents stories of time spent as slaves; The Monsters We Defy takes pieces of real history, a true setting, and the disturbing discrimination of the times (much of which is sadly still happening today), throws in a fantasy element; and then takes us on a ride!
Our leading girl's narrative feels so authentic and true. I could feel and hear the distinctly African American culture woven into this book by Penelope at times. Both in the plot, magic, history, setting, and language. As a white Canadian girl I often don't have a good grasp on the difference in tone, slang, etc. that comes with other cultures and POC's communities. I am so grateful to Penelope to allow me some time in this world to experience (if even only a little bit), not only the horrors of segregation and obvious racism, the streets of Washington with our characters (all of whom are African American) battling the forces of evil. Be that in the elemental spirits, the dead 'Over There', or the oppressive and stifling reality of living in white America in 1925. Penelope does this in such a way that it doesn't feel like she is blaming those alive today for the transgressions of the past (for which I am personally grateful); and she adds in a fantasy element that obviously stems from African culture. I loved the way everything was interwoven; but if I stepped back I could see where the fiction and truth collided.
I'm always excited to read Author's Notes as often events or characters are based in truth; and those books are always better. The Monsters We Defy is definitely on the list of excellent books showcasing a fantasy twist, but still rooted in our world, entrenched with our own societal problems. While it's not labelled as 'book 1' I think there is a lot more to happen with these characters and in this timeline. I really hope Penelope plans to carry on and we get to learn more about the coveted ring that dominates the plot, more about how our characters get on without their Charms and Tricks to help (or hinder) them, and a lot more about our leading girl's budding romance with a sexy musician. This is a world that while cruel and mean is not only interesting; but historically pertinent. I was glad to read The Monsters We Defy for both the real and fictional narratives.
If you like YA fantasy that is quick, magical, a touch romantic, and overall gritty then you should definitely pick up The Monsters We Defy.
Please note: I received an eARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. This is an honest and unbiased review.
Our leading girl's narrative feels so authentic and true. I could feel and hear the distinctly African American culture woven into this book by Penelope at times. Both in the plot, magic, history, setting, and language. As a white Canadian girl I often don't have a good grasp on the difference in tone, slang, etc. that comes with other cultures and POC's communities. I am so grateful to Penelope to allow me some time in this world to experience (if even only a little bit), not only the horrors of segregation and obvious racism, the streets of Washington with our characters (all of whom are African American) battling the forces of evil. Be that in the elemental spirits, the dead 'Over There', or the oppressive and stifling reality of living in white America in 1925. Penelope does this in such a way that it doesn't feel like she is blaming those alive today for the transgressions of the past (for which I am personally grateful); and she adds in a fantasy element that obviously stems from African culture. I loved the way everything was interwoven; but if I stepped back I could see where the fiction and truth collided.
I'm always excited to read Author's Notes as often events or characters are based in truth; and those books are always better. The Monsters We Defy is definitely on the list of excellent books showcasing a fantasy twist, but still rooted in our world, entrenched with our own societal problems. While it's not labelled as 'book 1' I think there is a lot more to happen with these characters and in this timeline. I really hope Penelope plans to carry on and we get to learn more about the coveted ring that dominates the plot, more about how our characters get on without their Charms and Tricks to help (or hinder) them, and a lot more about our leading girl's budding romance with a sexy musician. This is a world that while cruel and mean is not only interesting; but historically pertinent. I was glad to read The Monsters We Defy for both the real and fictional narratives.
If you like YA fantasy that is quick, magical, a touch romantic, and overall gritty then you should definitely pick up The Monsters We Defy.
Please note: I received an eARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. This is an honest and unbiased review.
September 29, 2022
This is a delightful, fun-filled romp of a speculative fiction novel inspired by history (figures and events) that kept me turning pages to see how our heroine and her band of misfits were going to solve the mystery and save the day. Short-tempered, feisty Clara Johnson was born with a caul at the crossroads making her a “gifted child” who can see and commune with spirits. She is often pestered by desperate souls on the other side to convey messages to loved ones, sought by mischievous enigmas offering charms and tricks, or haunted by evil and/or vengeful spirits. She’s (somewhat) learned to control her mouth/anger and calm herself with the help of her deceased paternal grandmother, Mama Octavia, who now randomly appears or when summoned to provide advice and guidance.
Set in the early 1920s-era Washington, DC, Clara is pulled into action when people become “Afflicted” – seemingly in a zombified state wandering aimlessly about before ultimately disappearing. When Clara’s friend, a young co-worker disappears, she stumbles across what initially seems like a rivalry between bootlegging gangs; however, it doesn’t take long to realize otherworldly forces are afoot. Do-Gooder Clara then assembles a team of enchanted individuals - those in desperate situations who bargained with trickster Enigmas, powerful entities who grant “charms,” to guarantee the heart’s desires of the victim (freedom, fame, love, etc) only for them to live to regret the the consequences of the “trick” – a heavy cost usually in the form a terrible or painful loss. I really enjoyed the backstories of Clara’s friends that detailed their origin stories and the set of circumstances in their life’s journeys that led to the desperation that led to them seeking the charm and the clever way the Enigmas tricked them. It brings to mind the expression/warning, “Be careful what you ask for, you may just get it.”
Of course, the best laid plans don’t always go as planned – especially when battling centuries old spirits who wrote the book of tricks – and the fun is reading how Clara and crew gather clues, maneuver around roadblocks, and figure out how to fight otherworldly forces to save their friends and themselves. The novel is peppered with (Black) folklore, American and African history and realism, and parallels current events in today’s headlines.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an opportunity to review!
Set in the early 1920s-era Washington, DC, Clara is pulled into action when people become “Afflicted” – seemingly in a zombified state wandering aimlessly about before ultimately disappearing. When Clara’s friend, a young co-worker disappears, she stumbles across what initially seems like a rivalry between bootlegging gangs; however, it doesn’t take long to realize otherworldly forces are afoot. Do-Gooder Clara then assembles a team of enchanted individuals - those in desperate situations who bargained with trickster Enigmas, powerful entities who grant “charms,” to guarantee the heart’s desires of the victim (freedom, fame, love, etc) only for them to live to regret the the consequences of the “trick” – a heavy cost usually in the form a terrible or painful loss. I really enjoyed the backstories of Clara’s friends that detailed their origin stories and the set of circumstances in their life’s journeys that led to the desperation that led to them seeking the charm and the clever way the Enigmas tricked them. It brings to mind the expression/warning, “Be careful what you ask for, you may just get it.”
Of course, the best laid plans don’t always go as planned – especially when battling centuries old spirits who wrote the book of tricks – and the fun is reading how Clara and crew gather clues, maneuver around roadblocks, and figure out how to fight otherworldly forces to save their friends and themselves. The novel is peppered with (Black) folklore, American and African history and realism, and parallels current events in today’s headlines.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an opportunity to review!
December 18, 2023
Review to come!
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August 12, 2022
4.5 stars
I'm so pleased I decided to give this book a chance otherwise I would have missed out on this well-written, captivating alternate history. The author very cleverly wove fact together with fiction, producing an atmospheric tale that takes you into the heart of black 1920s Washington. As someone who is white British, this is a history I am having to make myself aware of, so Clara (Cassie) Johnson wasn't a name I was familiar with. As the author notes at the end of the book, there are disturbing parallel's between her story and that, 100 years later, of Breonna Taylor.
Fast-paced, twisty and thoroughly captivating, The Monsters We Defy quickly grabbed my attention and proved to be a book that I just didn't want to put down. The story is told (third person) from Clara's point of view and she is one bullish, head-strong and irascible young lady used to keeping others at arm's length. We get the (very) occasional chapter focusing in on another character, allowing us to understand their choices and motivations. Clara was an incredibly sympathetic character, and as the story progressed I found myself warming to all her coterie of misfits.
There are just so many strands to this wonderful story, from the mystical elements to the quest, through to the discrimination from many quarters along with Clara's character arc. With themes of friendship, subjugation, fear, acceptance, being careful what you wish for, and self-forgiveness there wasn't a moment of the story that didn't hold value, meaning or impact. I highly recommend this.
I'm so pleased I decided to give this book a chance otherwise I would have missed out on this well-written, captivating alternate history. The author very cleverly wove fact together with fiction, producing an atmospheric tale that takes you into the heart of black 1920s Washington. As someone who is white British, this is a history I am having to make myself aware of, so Clara (Cassie) Johnson wasn't a name I was familiar with. As the author notes at the end of the book, there are disturbing parallel's between her story and that, 100 years later, of Breonna Taylor.
Fast-paced, twisty and thoroughly captivating, The Monsters We Defy quickly grabbed my attention and proved to be a book that I just didn't want to put down. The story is told (third person) from Clara's point of view and she is one bullish, head-strong and irascible young lady used to keeping others at arm's length. We get the (very) occasional chapter focusing in on another character, allowing us to understand their choices and motivations. Clara was an incredibly sympathetic character, and as the story progressed I found myself warming to all her coterie of misfits.
There are just so many strands to this wonderful story, from the mystical elements to the quest, through to the discrimination from many quarters along with Clara's character arc. With themes of friendship, subjugation, fear, acceptance, being careful what you wish for, and self-forgiveness there wasn't a moment of the story that didn't hold value, meaning or impact. I highly recommend this.
September 1, 2022
Omg this book is a MUST READ!
April 1, 2023
I knew this book was going to be a good fit for me when the author included quotes from both the poet Claude MacKay and the civil rights leader Marcus Garvey. Both were active in the 1920s, during the period of the Harlem Renaissance. And while this book is not set in Harlem, but in Washington, D.C., I thought the author did an excellent job in really capturing the flavor of the decade, set in a city that housed a large community of African-Americans.
There's an intriguing mix of characters in the book, many of them based on real historical figures and others simply inspired by the times. The main character, Clara Johnson, is based on a real girl from 1919 Washington who made headlines, in a similar fashion to the headlines of Brionna Taylor. A young Langston Hughes is filing and assisting in the basement of a black publisher. The Whitelaw Hotel makes an appearance, as does the literary group the Saturday Nighters, and the first black YMCA, where Zelda takes up more martial arts training. Clara descries du Bois' notion of a representational talented tenth amongst African-Americans, stating "sometimes it just feels wrong, rubbing noses with the talented tenth. Isn’t that all Mama wanted to do? Isn’t that why she left? Feels like I’m betraying Daddy—and maybe myself—by being around them, pretending I’m one of them." As a student of history, I was thrilled with Penelope's research into the past to make this book come to life.
And layered into all of this excellent research into the past is a fun heist story - Clara and her assortment of friends must steal a magical ring from the finger of a famous opera singer. But there's a supernatural world out there, filled with ghosts, Grays, and Enigmas, and some humans who carry Charms that lend them powerful magic. There's also a love story or two in the book, which is charming and put a smile on my face.
Great book, recommended.
There's an intriguing mix of characters in the book, many of them based on real historical figures and others simply inspired by the times. The main character, Clara Johnson, is based on a real girl from 1919 Washington who made headlines, in a similar fashion to the headlines of Brionna Taylor. A young Langston Hughes is filing and assisting in the basement of a black publisher. The Whitelaw Hotel makes an appearance, as does the literary group the Saturday Nighters, and the first black YMCA, where Zelda takes up more martial arts training. Clara descries du Bois' notion of a representational talented tenth amongst African-Americans, stating "sometimes it just feels wrong, rubbing noses with the talented tenth. Isn’t that all Mama wanted to do? Isn’t that why she left? Feels like I’m betraying Daddy—and maybe myself—by being around them, pretending I’m one of them." As a student of history, I was thrilled with Penelope's research into the past to make this book come to life.
And layered into all of this excellent research into the past is a fun heist story - Clara and her assortment of friends must steal a magical ring from the finger of a famous opera singer. But there's a supernatural world out there, filled with ghosts, Grays, and Enigmas, and some humans who carry Charms that lend them powerful magic. There's also a love story or two in the book, which is charming and put a smile on my face.
Great book, recommended.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 8, 2022
This is a very cool historical fantasy set during the Black Renaissance in Washington, DC. (Did we know that the Harlem Renaissance had a sister movement in DC? Not until we read this book!) The Monsters We Defy integrates real history and historical figures with a rollicking fantasy heist. In this world, spirits called "Enigmas" make tricksy bargains with humans - the humans get a "Charm" but also a "Trick." So, for example, you might become the best thief of all time, but it's because no one will ever recognize you. At first the Trick might not seem so bad, but after a little bit of time you're desperate to get rid of it.
Now, Clara's been offered a way to get rid of her Trick. All she's got to do is to steal the ring from a famous opera singer and give it to the Enigma she made a bargain with several years ago. Along the way she gathers a master of disguise, an expert pickpocket, a WWI vet who can manipulate memories, and a musician whose tunes can affect everyone's moods except hers.
With seamlessly blended fantasy and history, complex characters, and a little touch of romance, this is a practically perfect read!
This objective review is based on a complimentary copy of the novel.
Now, Clara's been offered a way to get rid of her Trick. All she's got to do is to steal the ring from a famous opera singer and give it to the Enigma she made a bargain with several years ago. Along the way she gathers a master of disguise, an expert pickpocket, a WWI vet who can manipulate memories, and a musician whose tunes can affect everyone's moods except hers.
With seamlessly blended fantasy and history, complex characters, and a little touch of romance, this is a practically perfect read!
This objective review is based on a complimentary copy of the novel.
July 21, 2022
Monsters We Defy is an amazing heist.
Clara Johnson was jailed during the 1919 riots for shooting and killing a white police officer. After being released from prison, she wanted to keep a low profile, but the spirits wouldn’t leave her alone. People in her neighborhood started disappearing in worrying numbers, and spirits whispered that a powerful ring was behind it. With a ragtag group of others with magical abilities, Clara and her friends planned an elaborate heist to find the ring and uncover a sinister plan.
The Monsters We Defy was an unputdownable book. Penelope crafted appealing characters with backstories that will resonate with any reader. What made The Monsters We Defy such a remarkable read was the research that Penelope pored over before committing pen to paper. While Clara’s story was fictional, I was surprised to learn that Clara Johnson actually did exist and was charged with killing a white police officer during the riots. Not only that, but Penelope weaved in other important Black people, events, and locations. Penelope’s Harlem felt authentic and she took time to explore colorism in the Black community. The magic felt natural in the environment as well; I hope Penelope has more in store for these characters.
The Monsters We Defy will have readers clamoring for more.
Clara Johnson was jailed during the 1919 riots for shooting and killing a white police officer. After being released from prison, she wanted to keep a low profile, but the spirits wouldn’t leave her alone. People in her neighborhood started disappearing in worrying numbers, and spirits whispered that a powerful ring was behind it. With a ragtag group of others with magical abilities, Clara and her friends planned an elaborate heist to find the ring and uncover a sinister plan.
The Monsters We Defy was an unputdownable book. Penelope crafted appealing characters with backstories that will resonate with any reader. What made The Monsters We Defy such a remarkable read was the research that Penelope pored over before committing pen to paper. While Clara’s story was fictional, I was surprised to learn that Clara Johnson actually did exist and was charged with killing a white police officer during the riots. Not only that, but Penelope weaved in other important Black people, events, and locations. Penelope’s Harlem felt authentic and she took time to explore colorism in the Black community. The magic felt natural in the environment as well; I hope Penelope has more in store for these characters.
The Monsters We Defy will have readers clamoring for more.
August 18, 2022
Audiobook Review:
So I absolutely loved this book and I knew from the first chapter that this book was going to be a hit with me.
Set in Washington, DC in the 1920’s we meet, Clara Johnson and she can talk to spirits. One evening after noticing the amount of disappearances taking place in and around her neighborhood, Clara seeks answers from the spirit world. The Empress sets her on a heist job to retrieve a ring that can bring the missing folks back. Clara, with her nimble finger roommate Zelda, Aristotle, the man with many faces, a smooth talking Jazz musician Israel and his cousin Jesse Lee are set get some answers and maybe even help themselves.
I really enjoyed the narrator’s(Shayna Small) performance. I listened to this on 1.3x speed and was completely engaged. The flow of the story was seamless and I was instantly taken away no matter if I followed along with just the audio or with the book and audio (which is my preferred method). She gave life to each of the characters and I had no problem distinguishing between each character and their voices.
.
.
.
#fantasy #historicalfantasy #historical #adult #paranormal #historicalfiction #mystery #heist #20booksbyblackwomen #sciencefictionfantasy #adult #fiction #spiritworld #leslyepenelope #orbitbooks #redhook
So I absolutely loved this book and I knew from the first chapter that this book was going to be a hit with me.
Set in Washington, DC in the 1920’s we meet, Clara Johnson and she can talk to spirits. One evening after noticing the amount of disappearances taking place in and around her neighborhood, Clara seeks answers from the spirit world. The Empress sets her on a heist job to retrieve a ring that can bring the missing folks back. Clara, with her nimble finger roommate Zelda, Aristotle, the man with many faces, a smooth talking Jazz musician Israel and his cousin Jesse Lee are set get some answers and maybe even help themselves.
I really enjoyed the narrator’s(Shayna Small) performance. I listened to this on 1.3x speed and was completely engaged. The flow of the story was seamless and I was instantly taken away no matter if I followed along with just the audio or with the book and audio (which is my preferred method). She gave life to each of the characters and I had no problem distinguishing between each character and their voices.
.
.
.
#fantasy #historicalfantasy #historical #adult #paranormal #historicalfiction #mystery #heist #20booksbyblackwomen #sciencefictionfantasy #adult #fiction #spiritworld #leslyepenelope #orbitbooks #redhook
October 2, 2022
5/5 stars
Every so often Redhook, being the huge publisher they are, have a new release fly inexplicably and undeservingly under the radar, and I can’t for the life of me understand why. This year’s candidate is The Monster We Defy as this wonderful historical fantasy debut deserves to be read and loved by so many more people.
In 1925’s Washington DC, we follow Clara Johnson, a woman with an unusual knack for seeing and communing with Enigma’s (ghosts and other spirits from “The Other Side”). What began as a gift to save Clara during her darkest moments before, has turned into a curse as her life becomes entangled and indebted to the spirits of this shadow-world. Desperate for her freedom, in many aspects of her life, Clara turns to a desperate heist to steal an artifact to release her from her curse from the most influential woman in the district. She can’t however, undertake this daring heist alone. Aided by an unlikely team of a jazz musician capable of hypnotizing with a melody, aging vaudeville actor who can change his face and many more, Clara sets off to an adventure filled with ghosts, clairvoyants, tricksters and enemies from our world and the next.
What I loved:
Honestly; almost everything about this book. Penelope brings to life the 1920’s Washington-setting from page one, seamlessly interweaving it with the magic based in African American mythology. The mixing of real-world cultural mythology into (urban) fantasy is a trope I adore, and it 100% worked for me in this case. The characters felt authentic in their personalities and interactions with each other, the world and the magical elements.
Despite being rooted in fantasy, the novel doesn’t shy away from addressing important themes of the time, including colourism, discrimination and police violence against people of colour. It does so seamlessly and (as far as I can tell) accurately, going as far as to have the main character be based on a real historical figure.
Despite these heavy themes, I can’t remember the last time I’ve had so much “fun” engaging with them as with this story. Thanks to the vivid characters, the exciting heistplot, the beautiful writing and a story that is filled with hardship but also hope, take it from a heavy lesson in history to an enjoyable tale I couldn’t put down.
What I didn’t love:
This is obviously a matter of personal taste, but the way the characters were introduced took some adjusting for me. We meet a large cast of characters, that took some effort to keep track off. Some of them are introduced through an almost introductory chapter on their backstory, almost like a small vignette or short-story within the larger one. It was quite the pacing shift at times, and I can see how it may take some readers out of the story for a bit. It didn’t bother me personally, and pales in comparison to all the praise I’ve already showered this book in.
If you’re looking for an atmospheric Own-Voices (historical) fantasy that is a little bit The Diviners, a little bit The Conductors, and a whole lot of its own unique story; this book deserves a place on you autumn readinglist!
Many thanks to Redhook/Orbit Publishing for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Every so often Redhook, being the huge publisher they are, have a new release fly inexplicably and undeservingly under the radar, and I can’t for the life of me understand why. This year’s candidate is The Monster We Defy as this wonderful historical fantasy debut deserves to be read and loved by so many more people.
In 1925’s Washington DC, we follow Clara Johnson, a woman with an unusual knack for seeing and communing with Enigma’s (ghosts and other spirits from “The Other Side”). What began as a gift to save Clara during her darkest moments before, has turned into a curse as her life becomes entangled and indebted to the spirits of this shadow-world. Desperate for her freedom, in many aspects of her life, Clara turns to a desperate heist to steal an artifact to release her from her curse from the most influential woman in the district. She can’t however, undertake this daring heist alone. Aided by an unlikely team of a jazz musician capable of hypnotizing with a melody, aging vaudeville actor who can change his face and many more, Clara sets off to an adventure filled with ghosts, clairvoyants, tricksters and enemies from our world and the next.
What I loved:
Honestly; almost everything about this book. Penelope brings to life the 1920’s Washington-setting from page one, seamlessly interweaving it with the magic based in African American mythology. The mixing of real-world cultural mythology into (urban) fantasy is a trope I adore, and it 100% worked for me in this case. The characters felt authentic in their personalities and interactions with each other, the world and the magical elements.
Despite being rooted in fantasy, the novel doesn’t shy away from addressing important themes of the time, including colourism, discrimination and police violence against people of colour. It does so seamlessly and (as far as I can tell) accurately, going as far as to have the main character be based on a real historical figure.
Despite these heavy themes, I can’t remember the last time I’ve had so much “fun” engaging with them as with this story. Thanks to the vivid characters, the exciting heistplot, the beautiful writing and a story that is filled with hardship but also hope, take it from a heavy lesson in history to an enjoyable tale I couldn’t put down.
What I didn’t love:
This is obviously a matter of personal taste, but the way the characters were introduced took some adjusting for me. We meet a large cast of characters, that took some effort to keep track off. Some of them are introduced through an almost introductory chapter on their backstory, almost like a small vignette or short-story within the larger one. It was quite the pacing shift at times, and I can see how it may take some readers out of the story for a bit. It didn’t bother me personally, and pales in comparison to all the praise I’ve already showered this book in.
If you’re looking for an atmospheric Own-Voices (historical) fantasy that is a little bit The Diviners, a little bit The Conductors, and a whole lot of its own unique story; this book deserves a place on you autumn readinglist!
Many thanks to Redhook/Orbit Publishing for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
September 14, 2023
Yet another book being done a disservice by its cover. (Should I switch careers and become a book designer? I have zero art skills but I could supervise people who do and like make decisions and stuff!) Anyway, it’s an attractive, colorful cover that I really like the look of, but it doesn’t convey at all the tone of the book or what it is about. I can’t even tell this is a fantasy from looking at this cover, and this is definitely a fantasy, with some intricate worldbuilding set in the 1920s Washington DC.
Our main character is Clara, who has been gifted since she was a child with the ability to see and commune with the dead, and with spiritual creatures they call enigmas, which reside in the same realm as the dead, but who were never alive to begin with. This is also a world where people can make deals with enigmas, who are powerful spiritual creatures. Only, if you get a charm from an enigma (i.e. the ability to erase memories, change your appearance, or mesmerize people with music) it also comes with a downside, which they call a trick. Clara has a trick and a charm, but we don’t learn what her charm is until late in the book. Her trick is that if anyone comes to her for help with the enigmas, she must do so.
This is how she gets involved in a plot where people are seemingly being magically stripped of their personhood, and used for someone’s ill gain. At the same time, Clara is presented with a bargain by the enigma who gave her her charm and her trick: if she retrieves a certain ring (obviously a powerful object) for the enigma, the enigma will remove her charm and trick, and the charms and tricks of anyone who helps her retrieve it. A team is formed, a heist is planned. But this is a much more dangerous mission than Clara was led to believe.
This was a very fun read. I read about half of it with my eyes, and listened to the other half on audio, and it worked very well in both formats. The author is really good at characterization, and easily fleshes out her characters so that you’re really rooting for them to succeed. The worldbuilding is also really neat, with the enigmas walking that fine line between dangerous and helpful that makes this kind of plot really work. And though this isn’t the most fun heist novel I’ve ever read, it was extremely satisfying. That all our main characters are Black is also worth noting, because not an insignificant amount of their motivation has to do with overcoming the challenges of living in a society that sees them as second class citizens. (We also get a few fun cameos from notable Black figures of the day, which I really enjoyed.)
I would really recommend this one to fantasy fans, and fans of a heist novel. I will definitely be reading whatever Leslye Penelope decides to write next.
Our main character is Clara, who has been gifted since she was a child with the ability to see and commune with the dead, and with spiritual creatures they call enigmas, which reside in the same realm as the dead, but who were never alive to begin with. This is also a world where people can make deals with enigmas, who are powerful spiritual creatures. Only, if you get a charm from an enigma (i.e. the ability to erase memories, change your appearance, or mesmerize people with music) it also comes with a downside, which they call a trick. Clara has a trick and a charm, but we don’t learn what her charm is until late in the book. Her trick is that if anyone comes to her for help with the enigmas, she must do so.
This is how she gets involved in a plot where people are seemingly being magically stripped of their personhood, and used for someone’s ill gain. At the same time, Clara is presented with a bargain by the enigma who gave her her charm and her trick: if she retrieves a certain ring (obviously a powerful object) for the enigma, the enigma will remove her charm and trick, and the charms and tricks of anyone who helps her retrieve it. A team is formed, a heist is planned. But this is a much more dangerous mission than Clara was led to believe.
This was a very fun read. I read about half of it with my eyes, and listened to the other half on audio, and it worked very well in both formats. The author is really good at characterization, and easily fleshes out her characters so that you’re really rooting for them to succeed. The worldbuilding is also really neat, with the enigmas walking that fine line between dangerous and helpful that makes this kind of plot really work. And though this isn’t the most fun heist novel I’ve ever read, it was extremely satisfying. That all our main characters are Black is also worth noting, because not an insignificant amount of their motivation has to do with overcoming the challenges of living in a society that sees them as second class citizens. (We also get a few fun cameos from notable Black figures of the day, which I really enjoyed.)
I would really recommend this one to fantasy fans, and fans of a heist novel. I will definitely be reading whatever Leslye Penelope decides to write next.
September 19, 2023
3.85 ✨
An African American Historical “heist” fantasy with a sprinkle of romance in it..sign me up!! I liked this one a lot, but I didn’t love it like I thought and that’s okay. I was fascinated with Harlem Renaissance and all the twists and turns this story had. I was distracted a bit while reading this one (started a new job) and I feel like that kept me from getting fully immersed into this story. It was still a good solid read and I’m glad I read it!!
An African American Historical “heist” fantasy with a sprinkle of romance in it..sign me up!! I liked this one a lot, but I didn’t love it like I thought and that’s okay. I was fascinated with Harlem Renaissance and all the twists and turns this story had. I was distracted a bit while reading this one (started a new job) and I feel like that kept me from getting fully immersed into this story. It was still a good solid read and I’m glad I read it!!
September 6, 2022
This was a thoroughly entertaining and creatively imagined historical fantasy book set in 1920s D.C. The story follows Clara Johnson, a young Black woman who can communicate with spirits on the other side and is indebted to one who helped her out of a dark episode in her past. Based loosely on real events and figures from history with a supernatural element and a captivating heist plot!
Trying to just get by and not become more involved with the spirit world than she needs to (people come to her for help with their problems), Clara can't resist an offer to clear her debt in exchange for stealing a precious ring.
Full of adventure, mystery and a bit or romance, this book truly has something for everyone and is perfect for fans of Nekesa Afia's Harlem Renaissance series or Alyssa Cole's When no one is watching. Great on audio too and the perfect book to kick off my spooky season reading.
Trying to just get by and not become more involved with the spirit world than she needs to (people come to her for help with their problems), Clara can't resist an offer to clear her debt in exchange for stealing a precious ring.
Full of adventure, mystery and a bit or romance, this book truly has something for everyone and is perfect for fans of Nekesa Afia's Harlem Renaissance series or Alyssa Cole's When no one is watching. Great on audio too and the perfect book to kick off my spooky season reading.
August 13, 2022
I think I understand why readers enjoy it, but I didn't. I found it boring.
February 10, 2023
"I am because we are."
TW: abandonment, body-shaming, classism, death, death of a loved one, fatphobia, gun violence, hate crime, homophobia, infidelity, kidnapping, miscarriage, police brutality, possession, pregnancy, racial slurs, racism, slavery.
A severely underrated ghost heist story set against a 1920s backdrop. I mean, c'mon, the story sells itself.
I had a few problems with the pacing/ending and the unnecessary body shaming from the characters we're rooting for, but overall, I really enjoyed this. It was a story that dealt with some extremely important, heavy topics, but still managed to have a light-hearted, fantastical vibe at times.
Again! Historical fiction supernatural heist? How cool is that??
TW: abandonment, body-shaming, classism, death, death of a loved one, fatphobia, gun violence, hate crime, homophobia, infidelity, kidnapping, miscarriage, police brutality, possession, pregnancy, racial slurs, racism, slavery.
A severely underrated ghost heist story set against a 1920s backdrop. I mean, c'mon, the story sells itself.
I had a few problems with the pacing/ending and the unnecessary body shaming from the characters we're rooting for, but overall, I really enjoyed this. It was a story that dealt with some extremely important, heavy topics, but still managed to have a light-hearted, fantastical vibe at times.
Again! Historical fiction supernatural heist? How cool is that??
August 11, 2022
The Monsters We Defy is a historical fantasy set in the capital of the United States mid-1920s. In author Leslye Penelope's own description, it's a "fantasy heist novel set during the Harlem Renaissance." Jazz clubs, intellectual soirées, balls, Prohibition and illicit bootleg facilities, speakeasies conjure a heady atmosphere. Racism and threats of violence against Black Americans are a constant danger, with KKK marching on the streets. Protagonist Clara Johnson is inspired by the real life of Carrie Johnson, unwarranted police gun violence in their homes with devastating consequences. The parallels to what happened to Breonna Taylor a century later immediately comes to mind.
Trigger warnings: slavery, racism, racial slurs, police violence, detention.
Each member of the heist team is given an intro with background, their particular talent. With chapters headers like 'The Actor,' 'The Musician,' 'The Thief' one can imagine an Oceans Eleven style focus. All of them with the exception of Zelda have made a deal with spirits called Enigmas such that they have a Charm (special talent/magic) and Trick (curse) each. Clara is both a scryer and seer, with the ability to peer to the Other Side and summon Enigmas. Her curse is in facilitating Faustian deals between the desperate humans who seek her help and the often conniving Enigmas. Clara's particular Charm is not revealed till the very end.
In the action scenes, I would have liked more non-standard descriptors and less stock phrases. At times, the way a scene was set up did not sufficiently build up tension eg. when Clara and Israel pretended to be Afflicted and were bundled into a truck.
Character-wise, Aristotle and Jesse Lee felt indistinct. Part of Jesse Lee's backstory is like Fifty First Dates. Israel is obviously the hot sexy male lead, his appearance and descriptions a Harlequin romantic hero. Clara especially in the team meetings seems to be ornery for the sake of being ornery, I'm not really on board the narrative of how she just wants to be helpful. I don't understand why protagonists always have to be so morally 'pure,' never craving power or being 'selfish'/ambitious for once. Clara doesn't want the all powerful object- the ring to control all. There was also a rather questionable passage where Clara and Israel go to an expert to determine the provenance of the ring, telling him 1. It's a very old ring. 2. From Africa (!) 3. With these markings... and the expert miraculously is able to identify it based on these nebulous clues.
The Monsters We Defy does not shy away from addressing head-on colorism and classism within the Black community. It's also fascinating to read in the Author's Note that Duke Ellington contributed to the fund of Carrie Johnson and intellectual greats of that time such as Du Bois are also mentioned.
Thanks to Redhook Books for providing an eARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Trigger warnings: slavery, racism, racial slurs, police violence, detention.
Each member of the heist team is given an intro with background, their particular talent. With chapters headers like 'The Actor,' 'The Musician,' 'The Thief' one can imagine an Oceans Eleven style focus. All of them with the exception of Zelda have made a deal with spirits called Enigmas such that they have a Charm (special talent/magic) and Trick (curse) each. Clara is both a scryer and seer, with the ability to peer to the Other Side and summon Enigmas. Her curse is in facilitating Faustian deals between the desperate humans who seek her help and the often conniving Enigmas. Clara's particular Charm is not revealed till the very end.
In the action scenes, I would have liked more non-standard descriptors and less stock phrases. At times, the way a scene was set up did not sufficiently build up tension eg. when Clara and Israel pretended to be Afflicted and were bundled into a truck.
Character-wise, Aristotle and Jesse Lee felt indistinct. Part of Jesse Lee's backstory is like Fifty First Dates. Israel is obviously the hot sexy male lead, his appearance and descriptions a Harlequin romantic hero. Clara especially in the team meetings seems to be ornery for the sake of being ornery, I'm not really on board the narrative of how she just wants to be helpful. I don't understand why protagonists always have to be so morally 'pure,' never craving power or being 'selfish'/ambitious for once. Clara doesn't want the all powerful object- the ring to control all. There was also a rather questionable passage where Clara and Israel go to an expert to determine the provenance of the ring, telling him 1. It's a very old ring. 2. From Africa (!) 3. With these markings... and the expert miraculously is able to identify it based on these nebulous clues.
The Monsters We Defy does not shy away from addressing head-on colorism and classism within the Black community. It's also fascinating to read in the Author's Note that Duke Ellington contributed to the fund of Carrie Johnson and intellectual greats of that time such as Du Bois are also mentioned.
Thanks to Redhook Books for providing an eARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
September 14, 2023
This was a great "heist" story but make it paranormal! Also a little bit of historical fiction with just a touch of romance. The whole cast of characters, and I do mean characters, was great. I loved it. Happy reading!
August 8, 2023
Fantasy heist/mystery set in the 1920's in the Washington Black community.
This book was incredibly interesting in the use of folklore and its description of the magic elements. I preferred the side characters to the protagonist. I think the mystery was interesting but the resolution of the heist seemed a bit too convenient.
An enjoyable story, well written, just not my very favourite.
This book was incredibly interesting in the use of folklore and its description of the magic elements. I preferred the side characters to the protagonist. I think the mystery was interesting but the resolution of the heist seemed a bit too convenient.
An enjoyable story, well written, just not my very favourite.
September 5, 2022
This historical fantasy set in Washington, D.C. in 1925, incorporates Black folk traditions of magic with Penelope’s imaginative extensions. The main character, Clara Johnson, born at a dark crossroads, emerges with a caul covering her body and the ability to talk with spirits and look Over There to the dead and other restless beings. Penelope develops a convincing world in which greedy spirits called Enigmas hold various humans in debts called Tricks, in exchange for Charms, magical abilities that appear to offer easy solutions to their problems but usually don’t work out as desired. This dynamic infuses the novel with thought-provoking themes, as does Clara’s struggle to overcome her self-doubt, sense of unworthiness, and inability to trust others. Clara wants her freedom—ironically, the very thing she bargained to regain when she made her “deal” from a prison cell with an Enigma named the Empress. When the Empress offers to release her debt if she steals a magic ring, Clara tries to find the catch, but she also can’t resist, especially when she realizes the ring is causing widespread troubles within the Black community. One of the many strengths of this novel is Penelope’s portrayal of Black life in D.C. of the twenties. Clara’s feeling of obligation to her community, on the one hand, is contrasted with the class snobbery of the educated, wealthy Black elite members. Penelope’s powerful style propels the reader forward. For example, she describes a moment of emotional intensity for Clara like this: “Her fingers coiled, pressing almost painfully against her palms, taut as the head of a drum with a tempting rhythm of rage beating against it. Like the thump, thump of fists meeting flesh.” An engaging read.
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October 20, 2022
Alternate history (supernatural) set in real-world Washington, DC in the 1920s!
I really enjoyed this well-researched book. Ghosts, ghouls, racism and colorism abound, but within the search for the powerful ring to give the most powerful spirits access to the destinies of the living was a great story of found family and the bindings of friendship.
Anywho, this is loosely based upon a wounded teenaged girl who killed a police officer in self-defense during the DC riots of 1919, after the police entered her house and her bedroom. Carrie Johnson's conviction was overturned, luckily...however, as this book shows, the white gentrification of U Street (a mixed neighborhood) happened—with the factually-flattened narrative of a riots-to-renaissance rebirth. All of this is noted in Penelope's afterward, by the way, which is really fantastic and shows the great depths to which Black history has been buried by white supremacist (and the less overtly racist but even insidious white-centered) storylines.
I really enjoyed this well-researched book. Ghosts, ghouls, racism and colorism abound, but within the search for the powerful ring to give the most powerful spirits access to the destinies of the living was a great story of found family and the bindings of friendship.
Anywho, this is loosely based upon a wounded teenaged girl who killed a police officer in self-defense during the DC riots of 1919, after the police entered her house and her bedroom. Carrie Johnson's conviction was overturned, luckily...however, as this book shows, the white gentrification of U Street (a mixed neighborhood) happened—with the factually-flattened narrative of a riots-to-renaissance rebirth. All of this is noted in Penelope's afterward, by the way, which is really fantastic and shows the great depths to which Black history has been buried by white supremacist (and the less overtly racist but even insidious white-centered) storylines.
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