Reviews

The Monsters We Defy by Leslye Penelope, L. Penelope

ajreads's review against another edition

adventurous funny hopeful mysterious reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

reeducating_the_phoenix's review against another edition

adventurous dark funny inspiring fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

4.75

lacywrites's review against another edition

adventurous emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

bookswithmeg_'s review against another edition

challenging emotional funny informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

hooligan_kt's review against another edition

slow-paced

3.0

I couldn't figure out if this was supposed to be a YA novel or not. I liked the setting and the idea behind the book was interesting, but it felt like the story never quite reached its full potential. It was like a tasty meal that wasn't seasoned quite as well as it could have been.  

timinbc's review against another edition

4.0

I'm ratng this high for balance. It gets all the elements right: pacing, characters, consistency, worldbuilding, a sensible magic system, and people developing as they face challenges. All this on top of real events and people, as another possible explanation of why thay acted as they did, and what that led to.

Israel is hunky but not in the over-the-top way that we see so often, the kind where he doesn't have a personality. Clara is capable but not annoyingly so, and has her challenges. Zelda was delightful, and Aristotle an excellent sidekick.

Also, a bit of a new direction in a field that has a dozen formulaic books for every sparkling new idea.
Bonus: yet another excellent black woman author.

hondiggsreads's review against another edition

5.0

This is a superb book. If you read it and don’t think it’s five stars you can go ahead and f*** off right now. The setting, the story, the conceit, and the characters are just so alive and vibrant. I truly hope to run into these characters again, but I will be just as happy if I don’t. The novel tells a beautiful, fun story and ends it just as well

smmckee89's review against another edition

adventurous funny inspiring mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

shelbeymonae's review against another edition

adventurous medium-paced

4.0

arrmarr's review against another edition

emotional inspiring mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0