"Another captivating, unforgettable work of art.” ―Clarence A. Haynes, author of The Broken Hearts Agency

For four years, Zahara Douglass has been haunted by the mystery of her sister’s disappearance—not where she went, but whether she ever existed at all.

In April 1995, Zahara watched her twin sister, Annica, get hustled into a stranger’s car and disappear—only to return to a world where no one has heard of Annica. Not her mother. Not the police. No one.

Four years later, as the world braces for the looming Y2K crisis, Zahara finds evidence proving her sister was real and hires a private investigator to dig into her family’s shadowed past. When the investigation leads to two charismatic men who once served with her father in Vietnam, Zahara realizes she and her sister may be pawns in a dangerous power struggle with unthinkable consequences.

To find Annica, Zahara must face the truth about her family, her memories, and the power lurking within her. But the sisters’ reunion comes at a price—one that could bring about the end of the world.

"This is a true page-turner."—Publishers Weekly

''Rich and immersive. . . full of mesmerizing magic!'' P. Djèlí Clark, author of A Master of Djinn''This gorgeous historical fantasy combines a folkloric bent with a truly excellent heist'' Holly Black, author of The Cruel PrinceA dazzling historical fantasy that weaves together African American folk magic, history and romance.Clara Johnson can talk to spirits - a gift that saved her during her darkest moments, now a curse that''s left her indebted to the cunning spirit world. So when a powerful spirit offers her an opportunity to gain her freedom, Clara seizes the chance. The task: steal a magical ring from the wealthiest woman in the District.Clara can''t pull off this daring heist alone. She''ll need the help of an unlikely team: from a handsome jazz musician able to hypnotize with a melody, to an aging actor who can change his face. But as conflict in the spirit world begins to leak into the human one - an insidious mystery is unfolding, one that could cost Clara her life. Praise for The Monsters We Defy:''Penelope''s blend of fantasy and history is pitch perfect. . . Readers will be wowed'' Publishers Weekly''A high-stakes, delightful read'' Buzzfeed''An enchanting adventure that weaves a spell'' Justina IrelandReader reviews:''Omg this book is a MUST READ!'' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐''Absolutely wonderful'' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐''One of my favourite books of the year'' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐''With seamlessly blended fantasy and history, complex characters, and a little touch of romance, this is a practically perfect read!'' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐''Glorious! Absolutely gorgeous!'' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐'' I loooooooved this book. I love a good heist novel and this one was delightful'' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐''I loved this book and I know it''s one I''ll be going back to reread in the future, It was an absolute blast to read, a mystery to solve heart pounding suspense, a little romance, and absolutely incredible characters. I can''t recommend this book enough!!'' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐''I adored this book! It''s witty, adventurous, romantic and heartbreaking '' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

A woman journeys into a submerged world of gods and myth to save her home in this powerful historical fantasy that shines a light on the drowned Black towns of the American South.''Our home began, as all things do, with a wish.''Jane Edwards hasn''t spoken since she was eleven years old, when armed riders expelled her family from their hometown along with every other Black resident. Now, twelve years later, she''s found a haven in the all-Black town of Awenasa. But the construction of a dam promises to wash her home under the waters of the new lake.To save her community, Jane must journey into a sunken world. A land of capricious gods and unsung myths; of salvation and dreams made real. But the flood waters are rising and to gain the miracle she desires, Jane will have to find her voice again and finally face the trauma of the past.''Penelope fuses magical realism, folklore and African American history into a profound and rousing fantasy'' Publishers Weekly (starred review)''A mesmerising tale that deftly blends history and magic'' Nicole glover, author of The ConductorsFor more from Leslye Penelope, check out The Monsters We Defy.

"Another captivating, unforgettable work of art.” ―Clarence A. Haynes, author of The Broken Hearts Agency

For four years, Zahara Douglass has been haunted by the mystery of her sister’s disappearance—not where she went, but whether she ever existed at all.

In April 1995, Zahara watched her twin sister, Annica, get hustled into a stranger’s car and disappear—only to return to a world where no one has heard of Annica. Not her mother. Not the police. No one.

Four years later, as the world braces for the looming Y2K crisis, Zahara finds evidence proving her sister was real and hires a private investigator to dig into her family’s shadowed past. When the investigation leads to two charismatic men who once served with her father in Vietnam, Zahara realizes she and her sister may be pawns in a dangerous power struggle with unthinkable consequences.

To find Annica, Zahara must face the truth about her family, her memories, and the power lurking within her. But the sisters’ reunion comes at a price—one that could bring about the end of the world.

"This is a true page-turner."—Publishers Weekly

''Rich and immersive. . . full of mesmerizing magic!'' P. Djèlí Clark, author of A Master of Djinn''This gorgeous historical fantasy combines a folkloric bent with a truly excellent heist'' Holly Black, author of The Cruel PrinceA dazzling historical fantasy that weaves together African American folk magic, history and romance.Clara Johnson can talk to spirits - a gift that saved her during her darkest moments, now a curse that''s left her indebted to the cunning spirit world. So when a powerful spirit offers her an opportunity to gain her freedom, Clara seizes the chance. The task: steal a magical ring from the wealthiest woman in the District.Clara can''t pull off this daring heist alone. She''ll need the help of an unlikely team: from a handsome jazz musician able to hypnotize with a melody, to an aging actor who can change his face. But as conflict in the spirit world begins to leak into the human one - an insidious mystery is unfolding, one that could cost Clara her life. Praise for The Monsters We Defy:''Penelope''s blend of fantasy and history is pitch perfect. . . Readers will be wowed'' Publishers Weekly''A high-stakes, delightful read'' Buzzfeed''An enchanting adventure that weaves a spell'' Justina IrelandReader reviews:''Omg this book is a MUST READ!'' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐''Absolutely wonderful'' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐''One of my favourite books of the year'' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐''With seamlessly blended fantasy and history, complex characters, and a little touch of romance, this is a practically perfect read!'' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐''Glorious! Absolutely gorgeous!'' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐'' I loooooooved this book. I love a good heist novel and this one was delightful'' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐''I loved this book and I know it''s one I''ll be going back to reread in the future, It was an absolute blast to read, a mystery to solve heart pounding suspense, a little romance, and absolutely incredible characters. I can''t recommend this book enough!!'' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐''I adored this book! It''s witty, adventurous, romantic and heartbreaking '' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

A woman journeys into a submerged world of gods and myth to save her home in this powerful historical fantasy that shines a light on the drowned Black towns of the American South.''Our home began, as all things do, with a wish.''Jane Edwards hasn''t spoken since she was eleven years old, when armed riders expelled her family from their hometown along with every other Black resident. Now, twelve years later, she''s found a haven in the all-Black town of Awenasa. But the construction of a dam promises to wash her home under the waters of the new lake.To save her community, Jane must journey into a sunken world. A land of capricious gods and unsung myths; of salvation and dreams made real. But the flood waters are rising and to gain the miracle she desires, Jane will have to find her voice again and finally face the trauma of the past.''Penelope fuses magical realism, folklore and African American history into a profound and rousing fantasy'' Publishers Weekly (starred review)''A mesmerising tale that deftly blends history and magic'' Nicole glover, author of The ConductorsFor more from Leslye Penelope, check out The Monsters We Defy.