by Leslye Penelope
Overall: A wonderful novel that creatively combines historical fiction and fantasy, The Monsters We Defy describes the adventures of Clara Johnson, a resident of Washington, DC, in 1925. Although her work as a secretary at Dr. Carter G. Woodson’s Journal of Negro History keeps a roof over her head, Clara spends much of her time helping people who have problems with the spirit world, which she calls “Over There.” Her gift of Second Sight allows her to interact with diverse entities such as the powerful Enigmas, the chaotic and mysterious Grays, and ghosts like her sharp-tongued grandmother, Mama Octavia. Clara begins to realize people in her neighborhood are going missing, and her investigation takes her deep into the twin worlds of Washington, DC’s Prohibition-Era nightlife and “Over There.”
Likes: the characters are amazing. Aristotle, who can take on any physical form, and Zelda, a young Black albino woman with a past in the circus and light fingers, were two of my favorites, but they’re all memorable. Penelope incorporates enormous amounts of research without the book ever feeling bogged down by exposition; I really appreciated the sources listed in the Author’s Note, as I love digging into the history behind historical fiction. The magic system is detailed, believable, fresh and different! And the cameos by various luminaries of the times will be extra fun for anyone familiar with Black history in the 1920s and the Harlem Renaissance.
Dislikes: I wish there were a few more of the character backstories sprinkled in, not because I think any were missing but because I enjoyed the different narrative voice Penelope used in these sections and selfishly would have loved to read a few more (looking at you, Henry!). They read almost like folklore or tall tales and were a fun way to learn about how each character came to be a part of the story. Other than that I have no quibbles! I really hope that there will be a sequel.
FYI: A few scenes of physical violence. Violence against and discrimination against Black people is a major theme of this book, and it refers to real instances of police brutality, rioting, murder, and attempted murder.
Liz Helfrich 