The Monsters We Defy
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The Monsters We Defy
Narrated by:
Shayna Small
Buy Now for £12.99
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Narrated by:
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Shayna Small
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By:
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Leslye Penelope
About this listen
'This gorgeous historical fantasy combines a folkloric bent with a truly excellent heist' Holly Black, author of The Cruel Prince
A dazzling historical fantasy that weaves together African American folk magic, history and romance.
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. She'll need the help of 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:
'Penelope's blend of fantasy and history is pitch perfect. . . Readers will be wowed' Publishers Weekly
'A high-stakes, delightful read' Buzzfeed
'An enchanting adventure that weaves a spell' Justina Ireland
Reader reviews:
'Omg this book is a MUST READ!' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'Absolutely wonderful' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'One of my favourite books of the year' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'With seamlessly blended fantasy and history, complex characters, and a little touch of romance, this is a practically perfect read!' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'Glorious! Absolutely gorgeous!' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
' I loooooooved this book. I love a good heist novel and this one was delightful' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'I loved this book and I know it's one I'll be going back to reread in the future, It was an absolute blast to read, a mystery to solve heart pounding suspense, a little romance, and absolutely incredible characters. I can't recommend this book enough!!' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'I adored this book! It's witty, adventurous, romantic and heartbreaking ' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐©2022 Leslye Penelope
Listeners also enjoyed...
Critic reviews
Rich and immersive. . . full of mesmerizing magic! (P. Djèlí Clark, author of A MASTER OF DJINN)
This gorgeous historical fantasy combines a folkloric bent with a truly excellent heist . . . This book has one of the cleverest magic systems I've come across, plus a delightful array of performers and outcasts (Holly Black)
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)
A high-stakes, delightful read (Buzzfeed)
Penelope's blend of fantasy and history is pitch perfect. . . Readers will be wowed (Publishers Weekly)
A great blending of realistic characters, spiritualism and magic, fantasy, mystery, a heist story and a strong element of romance. I love it when I encounter a book of a type I don't often read and get completely carried away with. And The Monsters We Defy is such a book that draws you into a brilliantly recreated historical world (SciFi Mind)
Spirits and Sleuthing Adventure
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Excellent urban fantasy
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Nice twist
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New setting
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