✨ Review ✨ The Monsters We Defy by Leslye Penelope; Narrated by Shayna Small

Historical fiction + magical realism --- ahhhh such a fun read!

Clara Johnson communicates with spirits amidst the lively world of Black Broadway in 1925 Washington D.C. A blessing that saved her at first, this gift now feels more like a curse, one that's left her connected to an ever-present world beyond the veil. When residents start mysteriously going missing, a spirit tasks Clara with stealing a magical ring from a rich and powerful local woman.

The book description describes her "ragtag crew" she assembles to pull off this "daring heist." I loved this crew of folks she collects, all who also are indebted to spirits in a delightful mix of blessing/curse pairings. The historical setting of Black Broadway and 1920s African American folk magic and culture in D.C. is amazing. I loved the world that this book immersed me in. The book did such a good job balancing magic and spirits with a realistic setting that it was really fun to read.

Clara and her crew were a fun bunch to follow and I loved it all. It was admittedly just a little long I think, but overall I still enjoyed it. I also appreciated how she wove in prominent African American figures like the emerging Langston Hughes and a growing Black literary / scholarly culture, in which Clara was connected as a typist. I loved how all the threads came together in this book.

Also there's this amazing side thread on 1920s queer Washington D.C. that I LOVED and wanted more of. There's some great queer rep here that threads in and out of the story.

I listened to the audiobook, and the narration was great too!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Genre: historical fiction + magical realism
Location: Black Broadway, Washington, D.C.
Pub Date: Out now!

Read this if you like:
⭕️ 1920s historical fiction
⭕️ heists and capers with magical realism woven in
⭕️ fearless female characters

Thanks to Hachette Audio, Redhook Books, and #netgalley for an advanced e-copy of this book!

The Monsters We Defy by Leslye Penelope is set in Washington DC during the prohibition era of the 1920s. Clara Johnson was born with a caul giving her the gift of second sight although Clara’s not convinced that it’s a gift. When she was younger, harrowing circumstances forced her to make a deal with an Enigma, a being more powerful even than a demon. Enigmas would grant ‘charms’ but these were a two-edged sword. They were always accompanied by a ‘trick’, worded in such a way that it was inevitably much much worse than it sounded. Now, thanks to her own deal, Clara must ‘help’ desperate people make their own deals despite the heavy cost.

Then Clara starts to hear rumours that people from the poorer neighbourhoods, people who likely wouldn’t be missed by the powers-that-be.are disappearing, first a few, then a flood. Clara, at first, resists any effort to contact the Empress for help knowing that it would likely come with a huge cost. But when a boy who works with her disappears, Clara knows she has to do something. The Empress, the Enigma who she has always dealt with, agrees to help but, of course, there’s a catch - Clara must steal something for her and, if she does, not only will she help, she will remove Clara’s debt and the debt of all others Clara has bargained for.

Clara doesn’t fully trust the Empress but, without any other options, she agrees. She gathers together a talented crew of people who also have a debt they wish ended as well as Zelda, Clara’s roommate and a talented thief to plan what should be a simple heist for someone as skilled as Zelda. But, like every other bargain Clara has made with an Enigma, things are a lot more complicated than the Empress has hinted. In fact, they are downright deadly.

The Monsters We Defy by Leslye Penelope is, dare I say, brilliant. It’s a well-written, fascinating and original story and it is nigh impossible to put down. It combines a heist story with a complex magic system, interesting and mostly likeable characters, many with their own backstories. But, for me, it was how Penelope weaved real history seamlessly into the story that kept me glued to the page throughout and made this one of the best books I have read this year. I’d like to thank Netgalley and Redhook Books for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

The Monsters We Defy starts with a birth at crossroads; this is an apt foreshadowing of what’s to come for the baby born at the turn of the twentieth century. Clara Johnson was born in a caul and yet, her life comes with none of the fabled luck of being born in her “veil.” Instead, she’s had a life filled with heartbreak and strife. Where she’s unlucky, she is equally headstrong and can be a fierce advocate or enemy. Despite this strength, she’s often at odds with her gift of connecting with the spirit realm. This ends up being the key challenge in the story — Clara’s interactions with the spirits drop a burden in her lap that she can’t afford to ignore but can’t resolve on her own.

In her attempt to free herself from a bad deal she made with a particularly powerful spirit, she finds other wayward souls who carry their own burdens and seek their own versions of freedom. There’s her roommate Zelda, an albino pickpocket; Aristotle, an actor whose skill overshadows his true self; and Israel, a beloved local jazz musician; and others. They all bring unique skills to the table, but it’s not always clear if the whole is greater than the sum — or in this case power — of its parts.

One of the central themes in this book is that of classism. Clara and others she connects with come from impoverished backgrounds, many of whom migrated north seeking better and safer economic and social opportunities. There is a constant lens on the interactions between the Black elite of the area and the working class, particularly those who migrated into the city. This is more acute when considering Clara’s interactions as a typist at an academic journal where she is working closely with intellectual celebrities of her day while still being snubbed by the some because she’s not one of them. That they’re all still coexisting in a small community provides an “us versus them” undercurrent that is interesting to see evolve.

The prominence of the “other world” and spirits is obvious in The Monsters We Defy, so it’s impossible to have a conversation about this book without considering the folklore around “crossroads.” There is certainly the connection of Clara being able to enter the spirit world at the crossroads of her world and theirs, but you can’t ignore the myths around “making a deal with the devil,” which took place at a crossroads for the person in need. The deals are always what they’re cracked up to be and countless characters in this book learn that the hard way. Some of the fun, if it can be considered such, was in understanding how the “charms” and “tricks” worked to counterbalance each other. While reading, I found myself frequently questioning when is a price too high to pay, but when is a cost too much not to do so. That’s a tension that Clara struggles with when she is burdened by a task she doesn’t want, and I found how she reconciled her actions to be powerful.

I most enjoyed the author’s use of setting in The Monsters We Defy. Much of the story takes place along the famed U Street corridor of Washington, D.C. which for decades was a cultural hub for African Americans. Here, Penelope prominently features well-known landmarks, residents, and neighborhoods that highlight how vibrant a community U Street was in the 1920s. She didn’t just name-drop, though. When she referenced places like the Lincoln and Howard Theaters, the True Reformer Building, Republic Gardens, and the Whitelaw Hotel, they are central to the plot and simultaneously demonstrate why the area was known as the Black Broadway. As someone who has spent time in this area in recent years, there is a sense of nostalgia and historical appreciation that Penelope brings — many of the places still exist today, but she provides clarity to understand their historical significance.

It’s also clear that Penelope did her research for this book. I don’t often find a great deal of attention paid to alley communities anywhere, despite how large a population they housed in various cities. Washington, D.C. was no exception and she does a solid job of juxtaposing the wealth that literally hides these alleys with the impoverished communities nestled in their shadows. In the afterword, she references some key literature on these communities and it’s clear that this effort influenced her portrayal of the neighborhoods and those who live within them. I think it is very telling how critical these citizens are to the central plot of the story — it serves to turn their perceived insignificance on its head.

On its surface, The Monsters We Defy is a captivating story with elements of the supernatural, crime, and even romance. But it also offers social commentary about social stratification and who is considered invisible or expendable. It also has its share of history that highlights not just the well-known but also the too-long ignored. Tlhis book t like a treat for someone familiar with the D.C. area, and for newcomers, it gives a great overview of what made Black Broadway special. I didn’t even wait to finish reading this book before I recommended it, and it held up well from start to finish.

This was such an amazing read!!!!! I literally enjoyed this book from start to finish. This is something I’d love to see on tv or in theaters it gives Halloween type vibes. What I loved most was finding out the story had been inspired by true events that occurred in history.

Based during the 1920’s Clara Johnson was our gifted heroine who set out to save her city from destruction. Many of their local citizens had become “Afflicted” which was them being placed under a spell that took their souls and left them mindless like zombies in a sense. Clara took notice to what was occurring when one of her co-workers had come up missing. Word got around town of many others going missing or not acting like their usual selves.

Once Clara gets to the bottom of what’s happened in their city. She must band together a team that can assist her with setting those that have been “Afflicted” free and keeping those that have not safe before it’s too late. Her team consisted of different individuals that each had their own Charm given to them by an Enigma. Their Charms would be used to assist them in the biggest heist none of them were truly prepared for. Yet the mission was accomplished.

I loved all of the characters but Zelda had to be my fav. She was the true definition of a ride or die friend that’s down for whatever. She could hold her own and wasn’t afraid of nothing. Whatever Clara was about to do Zelda was right there like I got you let’s do this even when the help was unwanted.

I honestly didn’t know what to expect when I began reading this. I can barely put into words how awesome this was. The backstories were everything it gave so much insight into each characters life and how their charm/trick was obtained. In most cases going back in time to explain how a character fits into the story can take away from it or can be overly informative. But the way Leslye put this novel together was PERFECT.

Favorite Quote: “Already got the milk, what he need the cow for?” -Mama Octavia

If you haven’t read this yet I definitely RECOMMEND you do and if you’ve already read the novel it won’t hurt to read it again. I definitely plan to for Halloween!!!!!!!!

Leslye Penelope has created a masterpiece. Now I want to add all her books to cart!

Let me start by saying I typically prefer speculative fiction in contemporary settings, but the fusion of a ghost talking heroine, the Harlem Renaissance era, and high stakes supernatural quests (heists)… yes, please.

What I really loved:

- The writing is immersive and compelling. The voice and tone of the story feels so authentic to the time period— from the dialogue and slang to the style of storytelling. Reading this book felt like time travel.
- Rich, nuanced and well written diverse representation . I love character driven books, and even though the plot was unique, the depth and complexity of the characters, and the sophisticated considerations for diverse representation really made this story shine. Penelope included characters of various backgrounds and addresses things such as sexuality, age, sociology-economical backgrounds, colorism and more.
- Family and found family chemistry was fantastic. I especially loved the relationship between Clara and her grandmother, and friendship/sisterhood she found with Zelda.
- The world building on ghosts and the supernatural was unique and refreshing. The antagonists (Enigmas), the ghosts, and the way the characters abilities worked (as well as their origin) was another one of my favorite aspects of this book. The lore behind the supernatural and the way it works is rich and complex enough to be intriguing but not overwhelming or confusing ( no boring info dumps here).
- Historical name-dropping helped balance the heavier aspects of social commentary. It’s hard not to mention aspects of racism and social justice and trauma, particularly in the time period this story was set in. While these aspects are a very present focus, Penelope name drops celebrated, historical figures in a fun, creative way.

Note:

The ending felt a little abrupt , but the overall story is very satisfying with potential for future books.

CW: There is mention of racism, colorism, imprisonment, and parent abandonment.


Thank you to Redhook Books and Netgalley for a complimentary copy of this ebook. I am leaving a voluntary review. All thoughts and ideas expressed are my own.

Fun mix of historical fiction and ghost stories. The first half was pretty slow pacing wise but the characters are so fun with such distinct personalities it made me want to keep reading. I loved learning everyone’s back stories to find out why they made deals with the spirits and the descriptions of the night life and celebrities they met.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! This portrayal of 1920s DC is detailed and filled with characters who were real life movers and shakers during this time. Clara and Zelda are brave and smart characters. I loved the way they’re written.

A great read!

I love history. I love heist. I love misfits. I love magical realism. If you love any of those things then I recommend you read this book as well. The vibes in this book are immaculate, and I think this would be a fun October read for those who tend to mood read. Clara is a wonderful character, and I loved her and rooted for her. The romance was also enjoyable, and didn't seem just stuck in.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the arc.

This book was a lot of fun. Fast paced, likable characters, a nice insight into history that is often overlooked. Part of me wishes I had the chance to pick it up earlier, but I was excited to get into it for release. Would be interested in seeing more books along these lines from Penelope.
4/5 stars.

THE MONSTERS WE DEFY was such a fun read! Set in prohibition-era Washington D.C., we follow Clara Johnson as she is sent on a mission to steal a mysterious ring from one of the most wealthy women in the district by a ghost she's indebted to. What we have here is a fun blend of paranormal hijinks, a heist gone horribly wrong and a mystery that just keeps the ball rolling from beginning to end. The characters in this story are all so endearing, interesting and just fun to watch as the story unfold. Each of them have unique abilities and personalities that made this book absolutely shine. Penelope has done a wonderful job bringing this setting and time period to life and I was really fascinated by the story of African American communities in D.C. in this time period. It wasn't something I knew much about before I read this one. I loved the ghosty feel of this story a lot and the way that the author utilizes Black history and African-American folk magic to weave a tale that is fresh, exciting and wholly unique. Full of jazz age splendor and plot twists that make your head spin, THE MONSTERS WE DEFY is a brilliant debut that I can highly recommend!

Wasn’t sure about this when I started but it sucked me in and didn’t let go! I loved it!

This is a blend of historical fiction, fantasy, mystery and a heist rolled up into one. Set in the 1920s, the story is loosely based on the real life character of Cassie Johnson who shot and killed a white policeman that barged into her bedroom.

Our Clara was born at a crossroads so has an affinity with the other side and can see/interact with spirits and enigmas who grant wishes or your greatest desire but at a terrible cost. When the opportunity comes to free herself of her “trick” (the debt to the Enigma) she is forced to work with a bunch of characters with different powers to steal a ring with magical powers.

I love the layers and build up of the plot and the characters. We don’t find out what Clara’s charm is till about 2/3rds of the way in. Her character arc is beautiful to see as are her relationships with the other characters.

I’m totally here for this being turned into a tv series - got some serious Lovecraft Country vibes. I am hopeful for a sequel as would love to sink back into this world and see what comes next for the characters but equally happy to just take this as it is - a sublime piece of fiction. 4.5/5 stars

What a great read. A fantasy book that can simultaneously evoke strong emotions, amuse, entertain and teach a person about history.

Clara is a great character, she is flawed and vulnerable but with a strong value system that informs her decisions. She is also beset with guilt and fear over an incident from her past that ultimately led her to make a deal with the spirits. She has always been able to see and hear spirits but they also gifted her with a special ability that has terrible consequences. As a result this she has become increasingly isolated, but getting involved with this heist is forcing her to put herself out into the world and make connections with others in her community. This is the real strength of this novel. The magic system is quite excellent but as usual what I’m really drawn to are the characters and interactions.

The novel also brought an actual historical event to light for me. I love when a book moves me to go down a google rabbit hole. While I was reading I needed to know if this was based on something that actually happened IRL. I found out that it was! Based partly on the Washington DC riots of 1919, which of course I’d never heard of before because of this country’s severe allergy to self awareness (rolls eyes), it is another instance of white supremacy attempting to control and dominate the black community. I’m not going into detail because it will completely spoil parts of the book, but I will provide a link to an article that you should read after you’ve finished this book. (Imagine my glee when I read the afterward of the book and the author references this article I had googled too hehehe).

I love when a book can lead you to better understanding and knowledge of the world around us.

Besides the historical ties it is an excellent paranormal/fantasy novel and I fully recommend it. You’re going to like this one!

Link: Washington Post "The D.C. Race War of 1919"

It’s hard to describe the novel’s subgenre. DC and its Black culture are depicted with some attention to history and real historical personages appear in the story. Since the book is set in a real-world city, I think I’ll call it historical urban fantasy. The setting, supernatural forces, Black protagonist, historical details, and quirky crew of secondary characters made me think of it as a Black American 1920s cousin of Ben Aaronovitch’s Rivers of London series, but with a female protagonist.

The book’s main character is twenty-three-year-old Clara Johnson, a medium of sorts. Clara was born with a caul on her head and it gave her the ability to see spirits and other supernatural entities invisible to most human eyes. Among these are enigmas, beings that are more than willing to enter into bargains with humans, to give them a “charm” (often a magical skill or trait) in exchange for a “trick” (something the humans have to sacrifice in exchange).

Clara was caught in a terrible situation in her past and was forced to turn to an enigma known as the Empress to save herself. The Empress gifted her with a charm and Clara used it—she had no choice. But it is such a powerful charm that Clara is determined never to use it again. No human being should have that kind of power.

The trick Clara agreed to in exchange was that she would hear out everyone who comes to her asking for help from the enigmas, and facilitate a bargain for all who want one. Whenever anyone calls on her to ask for that, Clara has to invite the enigmas into her apartment (usually by means of a candle flame, though she can sometimes manage without one if it’s necessary) and strike a deal for them on behalf of her callers.

The bargains are always a case of “be careful what you wish for” and Clara hates them, but she sees no way out. Word of mouth about her has spread, and as more people ask for her help to call the enigmas, Clara becomes less happy.

Zelda Coleman, a pickpocket and former circus “freak” (she’s albino and Black, and her mother, a woman with too many children to feed, sold her to the circus when she was six) is Clara’s roommate but only by dint of will. Clara and Zelda met after Zelda fleeced a man. Her would-be victim, a low-level gangster, pulled out a gun. Clara, a passerby, intervened and defused that situation. Zelda decided on the spot that this woman would be her friend, whether or not she wanted to. She came home with Clara, slept on her couch, and now, two years later, still refuses to leave. Clara keeps telling her to move out but Zelda insists that Clara needs her friendship and that she’ll stick around.

This is only a segment of my review. The review in its entirety is posted at Dear Author, here: https://dearauthor.com/book-reviews/overall-b-reviews/b-minus-reviews/review-the-monsters-we-defy-by-leslye-penelope/

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. <spoiler>( Does she end up with it? Why, of course.)</spoiler> 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.

I love a good historical fantasy, and this was an utter delight. Set in the early 1920s, Clara Johnson is able to see spirits and other entities from Over There, and because of a deal she made with an Enigma whenever someone asks for help, she is compelled to assist in their own deals with Enigmas. Folks think the Charm is worth the Trick, but Clara is all too aware the cost a Trick actually demands. When she is asked for help figuring out why a young man suddenly has lost all personality and stares blankly into space and keeps trying to wander off, no Enigmas come to make a deal and Clara soon finds herself wrapped up in a conspiracy to steal an ancient ring and save her community.

I loved realizing how many historical details were woven into this story, and the appearance of familiar faces like Langston Hughes and W.E.B. DuBois. Even Clara’s backstory was inspired by Clara “Carrie” Johnson who during the 1919 riots shot and killed a white cop, and two years after her arrest was released from jail because her actions were ruled as self defense. But the thing I truly enjoy with a historical fantasy is how the fantastical elements are woven into a story, and in this case it’s based on folk magic and magic brought back from Africa during enslavement and passed through generations.

This isn’t just a historical fantasy though - there’s also a heist, and I loved all the characters involved. Zelda is a fierce friend and joins the scheme to help Clara, even though she’s not bound by a Charm. Israel Lee is a well-known musician whose music can hypnotize, and he was promised by the Enigma he dealt with that if he gives him the ring, he’ll be free of his Trick, but also his Charm. Jesse Lee is Israel’s cousin, and is able to take and change folks memories, and Aristotle is a vaudeville actor who is able to change his appearance, but the Trick is no one sees him when he wears his own face. In an effort to end their deals, these five folks team up to steal the ring from one of the most well-to-do bootleggers in their area.

Overall this was a really great story and I really loved the characters and the magic. If you’re someone who enjoys historical fantasy, heist novels, and a slow romance this book is absolutely one you should check out!

Clara Johnson speaks to spirits and, as a result of a deal made in desperation, helps others broker deals with entities known as Enigmas, who will offer both a Charm (an ability) and a Trick (a harmful consequence). When the Enigma who owns her debt asks Clara to steal a magical ring in exchange for her freedom, Clara agrees and draws together other people with special abilities for the deadliest heist 1920s Washington Dc has seen. Set in the heavily Black areas of DC, The Monsters We Defy deals with both racism and colorism, where the ideas of "the talented tenth" of Black society oppressing the poorer, often darker skinned people, copying the racism of whites. Clara's ferocity and the the well-written friends she draws together sparkle on the page. I procrastinated reading this book, and I shouldn't have. The jazz and fashion of the era come alive, and historical figures like Langston Huges and WEB Du Bois make appearances. Read alongside Rust in the Root and Even Though I Knew the End for some jazz age vibes.

Few Good Choices

Leslye Penelope delves into ghost lore, and hard choices in The Monsters We Defy. Clara Johnson was born in a cross roads, and her life has been a series of crossing places. She was born with a gift, and a hard choice has left her with a cursed Charm. She calls on the Enigmas to help those in dreadful situations, and tries to mitigate the Tricks they play. When a series of strange afflictions start, Clara might not have a choice but to intervene. With the help of her talented friend Zelda, ghost Mama Octavia, and other unique characters Clara will have to use her true gifts to save her community.

Life is harsh for Clara, but she hasn’t lost her compassion for people’s losses, and troubles. People come to her for help, and she can’t help but think she has cursed them instead. Clara lives with a lot of guilt, and an anger at not being able to express the needs of ghosts and people. What motivates Clara to act, is her concern for the missing people in her community. She is willing to even to face her past to solve this mystery.

Leslye Penelope builds a complex system of spiritual magic, as Clara explains how seeing, and entreating spirits work. As well as the rich history of 1920s Washington, with all its many interesting people. Including the complexities of race, class structure, and poverty. Each character in the heist has a chapter outlining their births, and general history. Which is helpful to understand their individual motivations, and what they fight for. Working together they may make the right choices to fix their destinies.

A smart, compelling, adventurous blend of magic, myth, history and heist. I loved the setting and world, 1920s Washington DC with a supernatural, folkloric twist, as much as the dramatic heist plot and the fantastically realized, varied and vibrant cast of characters. An excitingly fresh story, immersive, richly layered, and absolutely absorbing.

Content guidance: This book is in large part about historical (but unfortunately still too relevant) racism and anti-Black violence, including police brutality, incarceration, murder & murder attempts, & colorism.

Thank you to Redhook Books for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review!

This book seemed like a cool idea and I wasn’t sure what to make of it but after a chapter or two I was hooked. The action starts from the beginning and I found myself sucked in pretty quickly. I didn’t expect to love this book as much as I did but it was definitely a fun and interesting story. The MC, Clara, is bold and funny. Ghosts and missing people make this a must read. For me, this was a 5 star book.I would definitely recommend others check it out.

Thanks to NetGalley and the Publisher for the ARC.

This is truly a work of Black Speculative fiction! In "The Monsters We Defy," Penelope deftly combines history, hoodoo, and hijinks into a heist for an enjoyable read.