The Monsters We Defy is a beautifully crafted fantasy set in a fictionalized 1920s Washington DC. I learned so much about the Black experience during this era, and about the Black Renaissance (something nobody ever taught me about in school!)

The main character, Clara, is a 23-year-old woman born with the ability to speak to and see spirits. She’s witty, wickedly smart, and a lot of fun to read.

The spirit world within the fantasy elements of the story are conveyed to the reader through Clara’s POV with just the right amount of detail, and matter-of-fact simplicity that feels true to the character. I found myself so fond of Clara, she’s the reason I kept picking the book back up.

The story includes a romantic subplot that was both infuriatingly (in the best way) slow to light, and SO deeply satisfying once the fire caught. Isreal Lee is a perfect blend of fame and humility. (If you know me, you know I love a character with media attention and the tension that can bring to a story when it’s done right!)

In an author’s note, we learn Clara is based off of a real person who, in 1919, killed a police officer while hiding under her bed after they barged into her home. The real life Clara’s story is a somber reminder of how far we haven’t come as a society here in America, as the similarities between 1919’s Clara and 2020’s Breonna Taylor are stark.

I can’t recommend The Monsters We Defy enough. It’s not an “easy” read, per se, but definitely a worthy one if you’re looking for something a little more toothsome than your average read-and-forget-it story.