The Monsters We Defy

‘Rich and immersive. . . full of mesmerizing magic!’ P. Djèlí Clark, author of A Master of Djinn

Clara Johnson can talk to spirits – a gift that saved her during her darkest moments, now a curse that’s left her indebted to the cunning spirit world.

So when a powerful spirit offers her an opportunity to gain her freedom, Clara seizes the chance. The task: steal a magical ring from the wealthiest woman in the District.

Clara can’t pull off this daring heist alone. To pull off the impossible, she’ll need help from an unlikely team: from a handsome jazz musician able to hypnotize with a melody, to an aging actor who can change his face.
But as conflict in the spirit world begins to leak into the human one – an insidious mystery is unfolding, one that could cost Clara her life.

Praise for The Monsters We Defy:

‘Leslye Penelope blends magic, mystery and mayhem in this deliciously complex historical fantasy’ Veronica G. Henry

‘An enchanting adventure that weaves a spell’ Justina Ireland

‘Stolen destinies, dubious bargains, and unlikely groups of allies, all in a city whose history deserves more fame; a fresh and engaging take on historical fantasy‘ Marie Brennan

‘Masterfully crafted. This smart and entertaining magical heist novel hits all the right notes’ T. L. Huchu

‘Clara is a heroine for the ages, and her 1920s Black Washington society, both the glamour and the grit, is so compellingly evoked it’s as though Penelope has given us a peek behind the veil to hear the tales of our ancestors’ Alaya Dawn Johnson