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A review by lifeinthebooklane
The Monsters We Defy by Leslye Penelope
4.0
4.5 stars
I'm so pleased I decided to give this book a chance otherwise I would have missed out on this well-written, captivating alternate history. The author very cleverly wove fact together with fiction, producing an atmospheric tale that takes you into the heart of black 1920s Washington. As someone who is white British, this is a history I am having to make myself aware of, so Clara (Cassie) Johnson wasn't a name I was familiar with. As the author notes at the end of the book, there are disturbing parallel's between her story and that, 100 years later, of Breonna Taylor.
Fast-paced, twisty and thoroughly captivating, The Monsters We Defy quickly grabbed my attention and proved to be a book that I just didn't want to put down. The story is told (third person) from Clara's point of view and she is one bullish, head-strong and irascible young lady used to keeping others at arm's length. We get the (very) occasional chapter focusing in on another character, allowing us to understand their choices and motivations. Clara was an incredibly sympathetic character, and as the story progressed I found myself warming to all her coterie of misfits.
There are just so many strands to this wonderful story, from the mystical elements to the quest, through to the discrimination from many quarters along with Clara's character arc. With themes of friendship, subjugation, fear, acceptance, being careful what you wish for, and self-forgiveness there wasn't a moment of the story that didn't hold value, meaning or impact. I highly recommend this.
I'm so pleased I decided to give this book a chance otherwise I would have missed out on this well-written, captivating alternate history. The author very cleverly wove fact together with fiction, producing an atmospheric tale that takes you into the heart of black 1920s Washington. As someone who is white British, this is a history I am having to make myself aware of, so Clara (Cassie) Johnson wasn't a name I was familiar with. As the author notes at the end of the book, there are disturbing parallel's between her story and that, 100 years later, of Breonna Taylor.
Fast-paced, twisty and thoroughly captivating, The Monsters We Defy quickly grabbed my attention and proved to be a book that I just didn't want to put down. The story is told (third person) from Clara's point of view and she is one bullish, head-strong and irascible young lady used to keeping others at arm's length. We get the (very) occasional chapter focusing in on another character, allowing us to understand their choices and motivations. Clara was an incredibly sympathetic character, and as the story progressed I found myself warming to all her coterie of misfits.
There are just so many strands to this wonderful story, from the mystical elements to the quest, through to the discrimination from many quarters along with Clara's character arc. With themes of friendship, subjugation, fear, acceptance, being careful what you wish for, and self-forgiveness there wasn't a moment of the story that didn't hold value, meaning or impact. I highly recommend this.