The Monsters We Defy

The otherworldly elements of Penelope’s (“Bliss Wars” series) new historical fantasy are grounded by the novel’s setting in a largely Black society in 1925 Washington, DC. Protagonist Clara Johnson, who can communicate with spirits, should have been dead: A last-minute deal with a spirit freed her from a DC jail, but left her accountable for her future. Forced to help other people who are seeking aid from the spirit world, Clara finds herself brokering deals with a heavy price. When the spirit who holds Clara’s debt offers her a way to free herself, Clara recklessly accepts, though it requires her to steal a magic ring from the District’s wealthiest woman. As Clara pursues her bounty, she finds herself working with other people who hold interesting powers, including a jazz musician who hypnotizes with his music and an older actor who can dramatically change his appearance.