Leslye Penelope has been writing since she could hold a pen and loves getting lost in the worlds in her. She lives in Maryland with her husband and their furry dependents.
Rich and immersive. . . full of mesmerizing magic! -- P. Djèlí Clark, author of A MASTER OF DJINN An enchanting adventure that weaves a spell -- Justina Ireland Stolen destinies, dubious bargains, and unlikely groups of allies, all in a city whose history deserves more fame; a fresh and engaging take on historical fantasy -- Marie Brennan Masterfully crafted. This smart and entertaining magical heist novel hits all the right notes -- T. L. Huchu Clara is a heroine for the ages, and her 1920s Black Washington society, both the glamour and the grit, is so compellingly evoked it's as though Penelope has given us a peek behind the veil to hear the tales of our ancestors -- Alaya Dawn Johnson A high-stakes, delightful read -- Buzzfeed Penelope's blend of fantasy and history is pitch perfect. . . Readers will be wowed -- Publishers Weekly A great blending of realistic characters, spiritualism and magic, fantasy, mystery, a heist story and a strong element of romance. I love it when I encounter a book of a type I don't often read and get completely carried away with. And The Monsters We Defy is such a book that draws you into a brilliantly recreated historical world -- SciFi Mind