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The Monsters We Defy

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The Monsters We Defy

By: Leslye Penelope
Narrated by: Shayna Small
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About this listen

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.

©2022 Leslye Penelope (P)2022 Hachette Audio UK Action & Adventure African American Fantasy Fiction Historical Paranormal Celebrity

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Critic reviews

"Rich and immersive...full of mesmerizing magic!" (P. Djèlí Clark, author of A Master of Djinn)

"Leslye Penelope blends magic, mystery and mayhem in this deliciously complex historical fantasy." (Veronica G. Henry)

"Penelope's blend of fantasy and history is pitch perfect... Readers will be wowed." (Publishers Weekly)
All stars
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great and well researched.tale set in Washington DC based loosely around history and exploring the nefarious doings of spirits called enigmas and their interference in the lives of humans. the lead, Clara Johnston is great heroine and her assorted cast of damaged humans create a heartfelt centre to a beautifully drawn out world. lots of twists and turns, the stakes are high, and injustices run deep but the world here is never hopeless in this whistle stop journey through African American culture, history, superstition and society.

Spirits and Sleuthing Adventure

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Yet a generic fantasy heist novel but gains a lot by its setting. Fine reading.

New setting

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The end was exactly what I needed, mostly satisfying and made reading the entire book worth it

Nice twist

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Loved this book. it's getting harder and harder to find urban fantasy that doesn't just feel like a rehash of previous books, but this felt fresh and unique. Well-drawn characters, great writing and a fantasy world hidden beneath our own that felt like it could really exist.

Excellent urban fantasy

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