Book cover of The Monsters We Defy

Book description

"[P]itch perfect, with wit, romance, and a lovable found family." ―Publishers Weekly (starred review)

"This smart and entertaining, magical heist novel hits all the right notes!" ―T.L. Huchu

NPR Best Book of 2022! Paste Best Fantasy Book of 2022!

"Never make a deal with shadows at night, especially ones that…

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Why read it?

2 authors picked The Monsters We Defy as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

I was pretty skeptical about this book - spirits who annoy a young woman in Washington, D.C.? It was easy to fall into the story, though, and soon I was reading faster and faster. It's one of those books that make you sorry to come to the end.
I also appreciated the detail of Penelope's historical research into the world of Black people in the early 20th century. It's a part of our history that I never learned in school.

Engaging work of historical fiction with a supernatural element, featuring a strong black heroine living in Washington DC during the 30s.

Clara was born with the ability to see spirits and speak to them, and the main plot is about her quest – accompanied by other Gifted people to fight a major threat from “the Over There.” The author brings in West African diaspora religions as well as historical persons, places, and events (I spent a lot of time Googling to find out more!). She deftly handles the constant fear that a person of color lives with as a…

If you love The Monsters We Defy...

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December on 5C4 by Adam Strassberg,

Magical realism meets the magic of Christmas in this mix of Jewish, New Testament, and Santa stories–all reenacted in an urban psychiatric hospital!

On locked ward 5C4, Josh, a patient with many similarities to Jesus, is hospitalized concurrently with Nick, a patient with many similarities to Santa. The two argue…

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