The Monsters We Defy is a brilliant magical supernatural heist novel, set in 1920s black Washington DC. The protagonist, twenty three year old Clara Johnson, can talk with the spirits and it’s this ability which really drives the plot forward.

Clara is engaging, determined and usually angry and I found her an enjoyable companion for this fast paced book.

This book has it all, a bit of magic, a bit of love, a bit of danger and plenty of action. The ending might perhaps have set up for a sequel - if so, I will rush to read it. Bravo for an excellent story!

4.5 stars

The Monsters We Defy by Leslye Penelope is an adult fantasy heist novel set in Washington D.C. in the 1920's. The story revolves around Clara, a young Black woman with a magical power. Clara can talk to spirits. Soon, Clara is tasked with stealing a magical ring with the help of a ragtag team of people with magical powers. Can the team work together to commit this dangerous heist? Or will dangers from the spirit world be too much to handle?

The writing hooked me from the first sentence and stayed consistently engrossing! I thoroughly enjoyed it throughout and never got bored. The pacing was great. There was also a great plot and characters. i had to know what was going on in this community and with all these spirits and I wanted the best for all of the characters. I also loved that spirits were characters too.

I don’t usually pick up a lot of historical fantasy, but this was a warm and lovely summer read. I’m so glad I got the chance to get into The Monsters We Defy by Leslye Penelope. So many things about it worked for me – the mystery/heist elements, the setting in 1920s Washington D.C., the unique spirit magics, and the ideas of second chances, classism/colorism, and destiny.
I really enjoyed this book from beginning to end. I feel like there’s potential for a sequel, so I’m hoping! I’ll definitely be reading more by Leslye Penelope. Anyone who enjoys historical fantasy, heists, and spirits who may or may not be trustworthy should check this out!

Thank you Netgalley, Orbit and Leslye Penelope for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks to being born on a crossroads, Clara Johnson is more attuned to the spirit world than most. She can see ghosts, commune with spirits and call on Enigma's, beings of power who can grant mortals wishes for a cost, something Clara knows only too well. So when The Empress, the Enigma who holds her debt, offers Clara the chance to gain her freedom, Clara jumps at the chance. But when she realises the task is to steal a ring off the most famous woman in the district, Clara knows she will need help. Enter Zelda, Israel, Jesse Lee and Aristotle all of whom have their own skill sets and debts to be paid off. But getting the ring isn't as easy as it seemed, the deeper they look into it's history, the darker it gets, and soon the spirit world starts bleeding into the human one. Clara and her crew will have to work fast if they are to stop the ring bearer from achieving their goals, time for them to achieve their destiny.

The Monsters We Defy is told solely from Clara's POV, and what a character she is. Penelope chose to make her main character an actual historical figure, a girl who killed a while police man in self defence and was allowed to claim self-defence, something unheard of at the time. Basing her on a real person, added an extra depth and emotional component to the story. But obviously our Clara is fictional, magical, still fierce and unwavering, but jaded and resigned to a life in the shadows. She spends her days working and her evenings allowing desperate people to make desperate, and foolish decisions by calling Enigma's to answer their wishes, no matter how many times she tells them it will come with a price. She is someone who doesn't trust easily, and yet has an ability to draw people to her, and I loved seeing her open herself up in this story and start letting people in.

As well as Clara, there are four other main characters. Zelda, the once circus act who escaped that life and now spends her days hustling and stealing from the wealthy, much to Clara's chagrin. Israel Lee, a singer in one of the biggest bands out there, he's charming, pretty to look at, and has the ability to make people feel & act certain ways when he plays his music. Jesse Lee is Israels cousin and gets drawn into their plan when he hears that if they succeed, his deal will be void. He has the ability to make people forget memories. Aristotle tried too hard to live up to his name, now he can fully become any character he wishes, but at a steep cost. Everyone of our characters, except Zelda, entered into a deal with an Enigma at a time in their life when they were desperate, never quite understanding the consequences, and now they all want out.

I loved the magic system that Penelope created for this book. Magic, spirits, being of higher powers. Clara's ability to talk to and see the spirit world means that she is one of the few people able to commune with the Enigma's, think Genie or fae, who have the ability to grant people a charm, anything their heart desires, but every charm comes with a trick, the cost of their aid. Clara's is that she is unable to turn down anyone asking for help, something that wears on her daily, but some of the other members of our crew have ones that have a higher emotional toll. Penelope shows brilliantly that all magic comes with some sort of cost, and it just makes you that much more emotionally invested in the characters outcomes.

Penelope effortlessly brought to life 1920's America, with flapper dresses, gangsters, prejudice, classism and racism. It wasn't a great time to be poor or Black, but put them both together and you were seen as the lowest of the low, even by other Black people. The mystery of this story is centred around poor Black people going missing, and she showcases how little people cared about it, instead saying they had run away, or were useless anyway so what difference did it make. You can see why Clara gets angry, and she does on more than one occasion.

You want to know about the romance you say? It was beautiful. Full of wit, charm, a little push and pull, a little of two idiots who like each other but don't want to do anything about it. It was wonderful seeing Clara come out of her shell a little, someone who has been told she's too dark, even for other Black people. But as much as I loved the romance, and I did, I loved seeing Clara developing relationships of any kind. She was someone who had shut herself off, but this mystery and job have her coming out of her shell more, and the support of those around her gives her a strength she never knew she had.

I adored this book! It's witty, adventurous, romantic and heartbreaking and I would love the chance to return to this magical version of 1020's Washington DC, and these characters if we ever get the chance. Penelope has created a story and character with Clara, that will stay with me for a long time and I can't wait to get my hands on her backlog, and find out what she has in store for us next.

Cuando vi que en la sinopsis de The Monsters we Defy definían la trama como un heist fantástico supe que tenía que hacerle un hueco en mi pila de lectura, porque me encantan las narraciones en las que se orquesta toda una complicada situación para llevar a cabo un robo encubierto, como en The Quantum Magician de Derek Kunsken, por ejemplo.


Leslye Penelope ha creado un escenario situado en el Washington de los años 20, con una documentación extraordinaria y con un profundo mensaje político sobre el racismo. La fantasía la aportan los poderes especiales del grupo de protagonistas, asociados todos con un trato con las entidades llamadas Enigmas (conocidas como djinns, o genios en otras culturas), gracias al cual consiguieron alguna habilidad extraordinaria, inevitablemente asociada a un precio que pagar por su uso. Me ha gustado mucho la presentación de cada personaje con su correspondiente flashback hacia el origen de su historia, un recurso bastante cinematográfico que en este libro encaja perfectamente.

La figura principal es Clara Johnson (basada en un personaje real) una joven de color a la que las peculiaridades de su nacimiento dotaron de poderes y que es capaz de hablar con los espíritus. Uno de los más poderosos de estos seres le encarga una tarea titánica, logra hacerse con un anillo de poder en manos de una de las personas más poderosas de Washington. Pero Clara está dispuesta a todo con tal de librarse de su maldición aunque para llevar a cabo el plan necesitará ayuda.

Como he mencionado antes, el elenco de personajes es variopinto y bastante bien retratado, aunque quizá lo más importante sea el mundo en el que se mueven, que sirve como paralelismo con el mundo real sobre el que tanto ha investigado la autora. La acción algunas veces se resiente porque la presencia de entidades mágicas modifica las reglas del juego y puede parecer algo tramposo el desarrollo. Aunque está bastante equilibrado y sigue cierta lógica, quizá es que ya estoy acostumbrada a sistemas mágicos más rígidos y contenidos, y he perdido algo del sentido de maravilla de la magia que no se explica.

En resumen, The Monsters we Defy es una fantasía que se puede considerar historia alternativa con un profundo mensaje antirracista y de igualdad social, muy enraizado en la realidad cultural de la comunidad negra.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for giving me this e-arc and the opportunity to read this early

I had to much fun with this book, I loved the plot.

The book is lightly based upon ‘Clara ‘Carrie’ Johnson who was arrested in the Red Summer riots 1919 for killing a white policeman.

This has such a diverse set of characters, one of my favourite is Zelda a black girl with albinism who lived her childhood life in the circus and people exploiting her for who she is. She’s such a badass

Wow. This was absolutely spellbinding. Leslye Penelope is not an author that I was aware of prior to picking up this book, but I was immediately drawn in by her distinctly unique lyrical voice. The characters were well-developed, the pace was perfect, and you can't help but be pulled into the story and wanting to find out more.

This is one heck of an amazing book! Such an immersive plot, such a clear cut writing style, such wondrous characters. I loved how they are based on African American community from the 20th century and the mixing up of African mythology, a striking move! What this book does not have?! It's thrilling, it's immersive, it's heart tugging. Highly recommended!

The Monsters We Defy is an extremely fun speculative historical fantasy. It’s 1925 in Washington DC and Clara Johnson can talk to spirits. With a gift (that’s more of a curse) that got her off death row, her life is in debt to The Empress (a sort of malevolent spirit-slash-genie). When an opportunity to take a gamble and clear that debt comes along, she seizes it. Teaming up with an unlikely group, Clara has to carry out the perfect heist. Full of magic, clever twists and a very endearing romance, The Monsters We Defy has shades of The Diviners (but adult) and The Once and Future Witches while still being wholly original. Really enjoyed this one, it’s out on August 11th. Thank you to @littlebrownbookgroup_uk for the Netgalley arc!

'The Monsters We Defy' by Leslye Penelope is a heist novel woven through with threads of magic that reach into the nooks and crannies of 1920s Washington DC. The detail and specificity with which this period is brought to life reflects Penelope’s extensive research (and her author’s note gives readers looking to do their own some helpful starting points). People, places, institutions and social issues that characterised Black American society at the time form the breathing landscape of the story and extend a guiding hand towards its fantasy elements.

The believability of the setting is elevated through Penelope’s tight rein on narrative voice, which she keeps rooted in time and place so that you never question her authority on either. There’s not a loose stitch or fraying seam to be found so contemporary quirks never leak through and sully the narration or dialogue. This is especially apparent in the aside passages, which illuminate character backstories using a tone that stays true to the tradition established in regular chapters while also creating a folktale-like atmosphere. The novelty of the formatting used here is also quite interesting. These passages don’t add to the chapter count, which makes it feel like you’re peering through a window into the past, the effect akin to a sepia filter in a movie flashback.

When it comes to characters and their backstories, every heist novel needs a solid central team, and 'The Monsters We Defy' delivers an ensemble that is easy to root for. There’s Clara with her second sight, Zelda with her acrobatic finesse, Aristotle with his glamours, Israel with his hypnotic music and Jesse Lee with the ability to manipulate memory. Each brings a unique energy to the group along with a separate skillset and their own torments. When people start disappearing and the spirit world’s conflict spills into mortal affairs, they’re tasked with stealing a mythical ring from a gangster’s wife. As you’d expect, they take wrong turns and land in sticky situations that put both their talents and faults to the test.

I do think that the romantic subplot between Clara and Israel steamrolls over opportunities to showcase the greater group dynamics with a bit more depth. The silver lining here is that the pair is really cute together. Though they initially appear to be your average cocky-meets-stubborn pairing, they actually communicate very well and show each other genuine kindness. The result is a well-paced relationship that brings out the best in both of them. Israel can be a little hard to like at first (which isn’t helped by Penelope’s use of ‘masculine’ or ‘male beauty’ to describe him – call it a literary ick, but I loathe when authors do this), but he is actually very sweet, making it easier to overlook any irritating descriptors.

Worked into the heist is another foundational pillar: magic. It spills out primarily through the existence of a spirit world – layered over our own and inhabited by powerful beings called ‘Enigmas’, ghostly relatives and untethered masses of energy – but it also intersects with rootwork and conjure magic. These magical aspects are all kinds of marvellous and all kinds of frightful, a contrast that manifests in the tried-and-true folklore convention of deals that carry a sting. Using the language of 'The Monsters We Defy', this means that every ‘Charm’ bestowed upon a person by an Enigma is stained by a ‘Trick’ guaranteed to make them miserable. While the magic, which even incorporates the Queen of Sheba, certainly inspires wonder, its mechanics leave much to be desired. These gaps squander some of its potential and are also the source of many unanswered questions that you’re left with at the end of the book. It’s likely that the ending is fashioned in the shape of an open gash to keep a little mystery alive, but this does leave you feeling like you’ve read the first book in a series that promises a sequel to provide more clarity and up the stakes. Yet I can find nothing to suggest that this is the case.

‍I would caution away any sticklers for watertight magic systems or perfectly sealed endings, but even with its flaws, 'The Monsters We Defy' is an exciting foray into the past that packs enough mystery and magic to keep you engaged and enough substance to make it worth it. My rating is 4 stars.

4.5 Stars

Synopsis: Clara can see Spirits and tries to keep her head down. But, when she and an unlikely crew have to come together to pull of a heist to save their people, Clara's life changes.

CW/TW: Racism/Manipulation/Police Brutality/Slavery/Classism/Possession/Mentions of Death/Abandonment/ others may be present.

Rep: Black cast | Albino Character | Gay/Queer side characters |

Note: I highly recommend reading the authors notes after the story - some elements of the book are drawn from historical events, though adapted or changed slightly for the story. However, I believe reading these notes gives much more insight into the story as a whole and it's importance!

The Monsters We Defy, by Leslye Penelope is an absolutely beautiful book. The prose is beautifully crafted, the world is imaginative and yet grounded and full of heart. From the rich descriptions of the characters, spirits and world, to the insight into the characters and their life - the prose is compelling and well paced.

The plot of this story is utterly captivating. Penelope crafts a very well connected plot that cleverly weaves together an unlikely group of characters with an interesting set of skills. Set against the backdrop of Washington DC, 1925, Clara accepts the task of stealing something for a Spirit in order to free herself from her curse.

Firstly, the Spiritual element of the story is fascinating. Clara's ability to see Spirits (or Enigmas) sets up a lot of the plot - Clara helps those seeking the aid of Enigmas, but every gift or Charm granted by them comes with a Trick, a Curse. This was incredibly interesting because it added unique and surprising consequences for the Charms given - it was fun and intriguing to learn about these over the course of the book. With this comes a bit of mystery, Clara's deal/debt is a mystery to us that slowly comes together over the course of the story and sets up a compelling and heart-wrenching story for Clara herself.

Alongside the Spirits, Charms and Tricks, people are going missing - Specifically the poorer Black population. Clara begins to notice these disappearances and tries to figure out the truth behind what or who is causing these disappearances. This was another interesting plot that kept me intrigued. The cruel way that the people disappear without much concern from people aside from their loved ones made this a compelling story element - with the main cast's dedication to save these people was emotional and heart-capturing.

The third element is the heist, which I loved! The best part about the heist were the complications along the way, and the crew who try to pull it off. The heist has a lot of twists and turns that are compelling and interesting to watch plan out - not to mention it kept a sense of tension and surprise! I really loved the heist plot, the slow reveal of the truth, how the plots weave together, how it is all linked was all very masterfully done.

The backdrop and inclusion of issues surrounding Racism, classism and the importance of Washington DC during this time-period added a certain depth to the book. There was a personal undercurrent that gave this book heart, and made it all the more compelling and captivating.

The cast was truly truly excellent - I loved all of the characters. Clara is an excellent MC, stubborn, courageous, kind, but also quick witted and sharp - relying on herself alone, she is easy to connect with an I love how she slowly warms up and accept help over the course of the book without losing any of the strength of her personality. The addition of Clara's gifts and mysterious past also gave Clara a depth that made her feel very real. I want to keep most of the cast a secret because I absolutely adore how they are all introduced and how you learn about all of them but I will say that each and every one of them is amazing. I loved Clara's love interest, and the friends she makes along the way - the whole crew had such a great dynamic and chemistry with relationships that developed well/naturally. Every character was given so much depth.

Overall, Leslye Penelope creates a beautiful and imaginative story that combines romance, magic, wit, skill and charm into a compelling and captivating story.

*I received an eARC via Netgalley from Orbit in exchange for an honest review - thank

First off, I think I have to say that I absolutely love the cover for this book. Secondly, I enjoyed <I>The Monsters We Defy</i> a lot, as there were all sorts of good things going on in a book where the setting was as well-drawn as the characters - a pleasant surprise after a number of books that have disappointed me this year.

The basic premise of <I>The Monsters We Defy</i> is that it's set in 1920's Washington DC, predominantly within the black community of that city, with our protagonist being a black woman who'd been on trial for the killing of a white policeman and lived to walk away. Clara has a gift, that she can see ghosts, and is also one of a number of people in the book who've made deals with various powers (deals that usually have a nasty kick in the tail). The power Clara made a deal with wants her to do something in exchange for freedom from it, namely steal a ring from one of the most powerful people in the community. Yes, this is basically a heist movie in book form, with added magic thrown in.

It didn't quite hit the 5-star rating for me and I'm not 100% sure why. There were a couple of places where the pacing lagged a little, possibly in service to the romantic sub-plot which was visible a mile away, and I only give 5 stars to books I'm sure I'll want to read again. While I enjoyed <I>The Monsters We Defy</i> a lot and look forward to seeing what this author does next, I can't see myself coming back to it given the stiff competition from my TBR pile.

<I>I received a free copy of this book from the publisher, via Netgalley. This is my honest review of the book in question.</i>

A kind thank you to the publisher for the e-ARC.

The Monsters We Defy completely blew me away and wrecked me for any other book. I hadn't been aware of this book, but as I perused the new arrivals on NetGalley, the cover stood. #BlackGirlMagic in this historical setting was something I hadn't read before, and the premise sounded great. When I started reading it, I just couldn't stop. I once tweeted that my reading experience of this book could be summed up as: "I need to read more. I need to know what happens next." meet "Oh no, I read more, which means I'm closer to the finish line!".

There are all kinds of books, but The Monsters We Defy is the kind that will stay with you forever. I realized its impact from the beginning. I just knew that this was a special book with a resonance and significance that went beyond the norm. I only had this feeling with She Who Became the Sun until now. This gut feeling that told me that this book will change me and leave its impact imprinted on me.

It's set in Washington D.C., 1925, and we only follow Clara's POV. Clara is the fictionalized version of Carrie Johnson, a seventeen-year-old Black girl who was convicted of manslaughter of a white policeman who barged in her home and started shooting. Carrie was in jail for two years until she was released. In the story, Clara didn't go to prison; she was acquitted by fantastical means. It's clear that the author is knowledgeable about the era; the pages practically emitted the atmosphere beyond my kindle screen. At the end of the book, the author also explains her inspiration and connection to the story, including that one of the branches that Dr. Carter G. Woodson founded, now called Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH) is named after her grandfather. The way the author weaved a fantasy storyline in an accurately told historical setting blew my mind.

In the same vein, the fantasy aspects were thrilling. The worldbuilding is based on African American folk magic, and I found it to be spectacular. Folk tales, stories about individuals that Western and European media/schools don't tell you about, the Enigmas, and the spirit world; everything was mesmerizing. I really, really, REALLY LOVED it all. [If you have a title similar to this, PLEASE LET ME KNOW.]

As with any heist and fantasy books, we can't live without a cast ensemble. And oh how I love the one we had the pleasure to have in The Monsters We Defy. Don't let my obsession with Israel Lee and Zelda mislead you because I adore Clara.

Clara was a great main character. She was a survivor, but she also felt survivor's guilt in the sense that she didn't know how to live because she was so taken with what she was forced to do, per her curse/Trick. I really felt for her, because at times, I don't know, either, how to stand in a crowd. We don't always have our destination and the route to that destination thoroughly detailed, you know. But despite everything, Clara was a brave soul who empathized deeply with everyone, and along with her feistiness, I rooted for her with a passion.

Israel Lee, my handsome jazz musician who never disappoints us. Clever and charming, sad yet sort of content. What captured my heart was his kindness that prevailed in all situations. Kindness with a keen sense of reasoning. He thought about others before he acted, and he was just so swoonworthy.

Zelda, my fierce firecracker whose mind I want to bow after. So many times, when she shared her ideas, I was nodding with fervor. "Yes, my girl, that's right!" There's a story behind Zelda's character, which you can read at the end of the book and the author's Twitter account. You can feel that this story means a lot to the author and that she has a close connection to the rest of the book and the characters, but Zelda and Clara feel a bit extra special, and it will make sense once you start reading it.

The plot was excellent, and the heist element was well-executed. The ending wasn't rushed, and as a reader, you're awarded with a great resolution at the end. The author really did weave the plot with the history and the magic wonderfully. I can't get enough of this story and these characters, and I'm really sad that it's over. I'd gladly read more books in this universe.

I am in awe of The Monsters We Defy. This is pure excellence. It's not just a great book. This is a story worth telling and worth reading. 5 stars aren't enough. I'd give it the entire sky if I could.

I find myself getting strongly attached to novels with heists and this book was no exception. I really loved the african mythology blended into a historical (but relevant to nowadays) fiction and I loved watching everything unfold. the characters were given depth and I also loved how the author literally stripped them down to their core to show us that even the strongest characters are only human. a work of art

Such an interestingand priginal book, It was well written with well developed characters and a compelling storyline that kept me gripped all the way through.

This is a fantasy story set in an African American setting of the racism scene in the 1900s. Clara was born with the gift to be able to see spirits and ghosts, and is able to broker deals, but all have a binding ‘deceptive ‘trick’ from the Spirit that means recipients always come out with less than they expect. Set in Washington DC the author winds an exciting story that is perfect for fantasy readers looking for something slightly different, but also gives glimpses into the life of the citizens of that time. The story has no let up and draws you on page after page to see what the future holds for Clara. The depth of background knowledge brought to this fantasy story is obviously based upon the personal knowledge of Leslyle Penelope, this comes through in every page. This is must read book. Thank you to Little Brown Book Group and NetGalley for letting me read an ARC. The views expressed are all mine freely given.

The Monsters We Defy is an excellent example of perfectly uniting genre trappings with literary elements and theming. We have a well-paced heist, with clear characters who have distinct roles and loveable personalities, and there are enough stages to the plot to keep things moving. Tying all of this together with early 20th Century Black American communities, and the fractures left there by the effects of white supremacy, pays dividends. Everything comes back around to freedom, and the supernatural elements perfectly balance the heavily researched historical side. With some charming storytelling moments, using dialect or at least casual prose, it all makes for a delightful and timely read.

(Review to be posted to Goodreads closer to publication)