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gogglor's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
As soon as I saw the summary was “Fantasy heist set in Black Washington DC in the 1920’s” I think my library card caught fire with how quickly I checked it out. So glad the book itself turned out to be just as engaging and rich as the summary promised.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism
Minor: Racism, Slavery, Police brutality, and Grief
mal_reads_books's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This was one of the more interesting stories I've read in a while. I loved how rich and immersive the setting was. It felt authentic and was full of fun, dynamic, unique characters. To me, this was the most enjoyable aspect of the book.
The side characters’ abilities and their backstories involving the deals they made with the spirits were also interesting. I actually preferred these characters over the protagonist, Clara, whom I didn't care much for. I loved how they were all misfits who banded together and became a "found family." I liked how the story included cameos of real Black historical figures like Langston Hughes. Even Clara was based on a real person.
Additionally, the author did a good job weaving themes of classism, colorism, and racism into the story. She handled these heavy topics well, approaching them with nuance.
While the writing was generally engaging, the story had pacing issues in that it lost my attention at times. This was usually whenever a new character was introduced with an introductory chapter; it would take me out of the story for a bit.
And while I did like the characters, I felt they could've have been better developed. Not sure why, but I kept getting two of the side guys, Aristotle and Jesse Lee, mixed up.
All in all, it was a pretty good, thought-provoking read. It has room for improvement, but is worth checking out. I'd love to see a movie adaptation for this.
The side characters’ abilities and their backstories involving the deals they made with the spirits were also interesting. I actually preferred these characters over the protagonist, Clara, whom I didn't care much for. I loved how they were all misfits who banded together and became a "found family." I liked how the story included cameos of real Black historical figures like Langston Hughes. Even Clara was based on a real person.
Additionally, the author did a good job weaving themes of classism, colorism, and racism into the story. She handled these heavy topics well, approaching them with nuance.
While the writing was generally engaging, the story had pacing issues in that it lost my attention at times. This was usually whenever a new character was introduced with an introductory chapter; it would take me out of the story for a bit.
And while I did like the characters, I felt they could've have been better developed. Not sure why, but I kept getting two of the side guys, Aristotle and Jesse Lee, mixed up.
All in all, it was a pretty good, thought-provoking read. It has room for improvement, but is worth checking out. I'd love to see a movie adaptation for this.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Classism
Moderate: Gun violence, Slavery, Violence, and Police brutality
Colorism is mentioned; this goes hand in hand with classism among African-Americans.lottiegasp's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This is an exciting and well-written novel set in 1920s Washington DC. It has spirits making mischievous deals with humans, a heist to save the wave of lower class Black folks who have suddenly gone missing and a fun, romantic storyline.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gun violence, Racism, Police brutality, and Classism
Minor: Slavery
While it deals with serious issues of racism and colorism, I found that it did so in a cathartic rather than heavy or upsetting wayputtingwingsonwords's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism, Confinement, Death, Gun violence, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Slavery, Violence, Police brutality, Trafficking, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Minor: Homophobia
alisylvi's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Classism
Moderate: Slavery, Violence, and Police brutality
Minor: Racial slurs
nrogers_1030's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping, Grief, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Moderate: Bullying, Racism, Slavery, Violence, and Police brutality
Minor: Alcohol
saricostanzo's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Racism, Slavery, Violence, Police brutality, Trafficking, and Classism
just_one_more_paige's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
This was an impulse grab from the library a week or so ago, and, after finishing it, I am thrilled by that decision. The cover is really eye-catching and after skimming the synopsis, it just felt like it would be different from anything I had really read before...which turned out to be absolutely true. Plus, I really recommend reading the historical information afterwards, as I learned a lot about some of the "real" stories behind the characters that Penelope created/adapted for the novel, including the main character and the Washington DC "race riot" in 1919, as well as information about Black Broadway (U street), and Black youth with albinism being kidnapped and used in circus side-shows. Anyways, there was a lot about this novel that intrigued and entertained, so let me get to the review!
Clara Johnson was born with the "gift" of being able to talk to spirits. A gift that saved her a few years ago, when she spent time in jail after the 1919 race "riot" in Washington DC. But one that also haunts her, and has left her with a debt to a particular spirit, and Enigma, called The Empress. When The Empress offers to clear her debt if she steals a particular, and very magical, ring from a powerful personage, she takes the risk. However, the task is a pretty big one, so in order to pull of the heist, she gathers a team of others who have debts they too want to be rid of, including an actor who can change his face, a musician whose music has the power to hypnotize, someone who can make people forget short periods of time, and Clara's roommate, who has no debt to a spirit, but whose previous life in the circus left her with a lot of skills that come in useful in situations of theft. As this team plans their heist, they realize that the conflict over the ring in the spirit world is spilling over in their world, and they must complete their quest not only to get rid of their debts, but to save the entire city.
So yes, I have really never read anything with this setting before. The combination of time period, place and population was completely new to me and I really enjoyed the new experience. One, because that's a favorite part of reading for me, the new and never ending variety of perspectives. And two, because Penelope does a flipping phenomenal job bringing the setting to life. The sense of time and place is so vivid, from the day-to-day life and living arrangements to the clothing to the ways people spend free time to the social and political realities of DC's Black Broadway. This is historical fiction at its finest, as far as really bringing said history to life for the reader. It is clear that Penelope was invested in the research and getting this history told "right." And using such a solid historical setting as a basis for this otherwise magical and adventurous story was a fantastically deployed framework.
The magical aspects of this novel were also great. I really enjoyed all the different types of spirits, ghosts, haints, Greys, Enigmas, and the slight differences in their powers and connections to Clara. Paranormal stories of this vibe, that have the slightly spooky *chill* factor, but don't ever cross the line to truly scary, are my supernatural sweet spot. The idea of spirits granting "charms" with an attendant "trick," a la the "be careful what you wish for" trope, is not a new concept, but I liked how Penelope used it here. She was so creative with the way they were related, like a darker side of the thing a person wished for. And, of course, I can't forget the heist. Honestly, I just find heist stories to be fun and entertaining. And this was no different. The reluctant team-up aspects of this one (and attendant unexpected romance - *butterflies*) added a nice extra dash of drama and stakes. Seeing Clara start to bring down some of her walls, making friends with the rest of her team and starting to actually enjoy life, after her traumatic recent past, was lovely character development as well. While I'm on the subject of characters, I also want to recognize Clara's roommate, Zelda, as my favorite. Ladies that have those swashbuckling vibes are always my favorites.
This was such a lively and diverting book. I had fun following Clara et al on their magical heist adventures, as they went from teammates to friends and found their way(s) back to the lives they had always hoped to live. The plot and character development were well balanced and paced, and the historical setting was fantastic. Just a really solid read!
“The thing that was coming would play itself out, the way these things always did. Knowing something was going to happen and being able to stop it were two different things.”
“There was something worse than failure - hopelessness. She didn't want to believe that the hope burgeoning deep in his breast would be for naught. The taste of possible freedom was addictive, but now she wasn't certain it hadn't been poison.”
“Life was about surviving, putting one foot in front of the other to make it from day to day. She well knew it could also be about poetry and creativity and purpose. Camaraderie and friendship and love. But those had always seemed like lofty ideas for other people.”
“Those in debt are rarely satisfied with the terms of their deals. And those who think they can control the ones who owe them are often surprised.”
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, Death, Racism, Slavery, Violence, Trafficking, Grief, Alcohol, and Classism
tigger89's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Mystery/heist-type novels aren't my typical genre, but I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this book! I loved the system of Charms and Tricks, the characters, and of course the "how will they pull it off?" question at the heart of the story.
The story's setting was very unique, and really made the novel. Most stories taking place during the Harlem Renaissance are set against the backdrop of, well, Harlem. But as the author explains in her note at the end of the text, circumstances being what they were at the time of writing(covid-19), she found herself needing to set the book a little closer to home. And so we got a wonderful look at the historic Black presence in Washington DC. Clara, the protagonist, is also based on a real woman, Carrie Johnson, who shot and killed a white policeman in 1919...and managed to walk free.
The strongest thing this novel has going for it is the characters. Clara recruits four people to her heist team, each of whom fills a particular role. You've got your thief, your sweet-talker, your con-man, and of course your undercover infiltrator. You might wondering what's left for Clara to do, but the author hasn't forgotten about her. By the end, she gets to step into her own.
If this novel has one flaw, it's that the pacing is inconsistent. Parts of it read almost like a heist movie, particularly the way members of Clara's team flashed back when they entered the story, giving the reader an introduction to them, their lives, and the abilities they brought to the table. But at other times, the pace dropped to be downright glacial. I was never bored with the story, particularly as these slower-paced portions served to develop the setting, but when I'd picked up the book I'd expected something faster-paced, with more sustained tension.
The story's setting was very unique, and really made the novel. Most stories taking place during the Harlem Renaissance are set against the backdrop of, well, Harlem. But as the author explains in her note at the end of the text, circumstances being what they were at the time of writing(covid-19), she found herself needing to set the book a little closer to home. And so we got a wonderful look at the historic Black presence in Washington DC. Clara, the protagonist, is also based on a real woman, Carrie Johnson, who shot and killed a white policeman in 1919...and managed to walk free.
The strongest thing this novel has going for it is the characters. Clara recruits four people to her heist team, each of whom fills a particular role. You've got your thief, your sweet-talker, your con-man, and of course your undercover infiltrator. You might wondering what's left for Clara to do, but the author hasn't forgotten about her. By the end, she gets to step into her own.
If this novel has one flaw, it's that the pacing is inconsistent. Parts of it read almost like a heist movie, particularly the way members of Clara's team flashed back when they entered the story, giving the reader an introduction to them, their lives, and the abilities they brought to the table. But at other times, the pace dropped to be downright glacial. I was never bored with the story, particularly as these slower-paced portions served to develop the setting, but when I'd picked up the book I'd expected something faster-paced, with more sustained tension.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Slavery
Moderate: Gun violence, Kidnapping, Death of parent, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Classism
ms_sarah621's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Police brutality
Moderate: Slavery