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: Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, Classism, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Bullying, Police brutality, Racism, Slavery, and Violence
Minor: Alcohol
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: Classism, Kidnapping, Alcohol, Abandonment, Death of parent, and Gun violence
astropova's review against another edition
adventurous
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? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Slavery and Kidnapping
Minor: Death
2treads's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
The Monsters We Defy brings together storylines and themes that I love encountering in books: found family, hoodoo, rootwork, supernatural influence, sinister undertones, lively characters, and entertaining dialogue.
Penelope has also captured the tone of the 1920s in the stark socio-economic delineation between Black families and communities, the music, racism, community structure, and the burgeoning impact of academic and literary discourse.
I love the use of the Other Side and how for many of us, it plays a huge role in how we remember and strengthen bonds with those lost and how we use gifts and rituals to aid those still with us. The spirits, ghosts, and other supernatural entities used in this story were intriguing and the way in which they are used to impact the physical plane even more so.
Though I would have loved more action in this historical, fantastical, heist story, reading how Penelope was inspired by the real-life Clara really heightened my enjoyment and appreciation for her choice in characterisation and setting. How each person played their part in supporting and loving Clara and her dedication to helping those in need with her particular gift.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Kidnapping, Gun violence, and Racism
Minor: Violence
nini23's review against another edition
adventurous
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
3.25
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.
Each member of the heist team is given an intro with background, their particular talent. With chapter 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. 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.
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2022/aug/29/police-defund-abolition-mariame-kaba-andrea-j-ritchie
https://www.aljazeera.com/opinions/2022/8/29/the-blue-wall-of-white-supremacy
Each member of the heist team is given an intro with background, their particular talent. With chapter 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.)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.
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2022/aug/29/police-defund-abolition-mariame-kaba-andrea-j-ritchie
https://www.aljazeera.com/opinions/2022/8/29/the-blue-wall-of-white-supremacy
Content Warnings
Moderate: Kidnapping, Police brutality, Racism, Classism, Gun violence, and Slavery
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