L. Penelope

I was really swept up by this story, even if I spent a chunk of it yelling at the characters to talk to each other. To explain to each other what was going on in their lives but on the other hand both of them required to stay quiet about certain things in order to survive.
Jasminda lives in a land where her gifts are suspect and where whispers of invasion and war linger. Some soldiers take shelter in her house during a storm and their captive attracts her attention. She heals him but things show more become more complicated after that.
It's a complex story with characters who are trying to do their best under non-ideal circumstances and failing occasionally to be better at what they're doing. I was caught up and failed to put it down in a timely manner a few times. show less

Elsira and Lagrimar lie close together, yet worlds apart. Separated by the Mantle, a magical veil that prevents travel between the two lands, Elsirans and Lagrimari haven’t mingled for generations. But now the True Father, ruler of Lagrimar and the world’s most powerful Earthsinger, has found a way to crack the Mantle and seize sovereignty in both lands.

Jasminda lives outside the local border town on her family’s farm, struggling to pay her tax debt. Local folk shun her because of her show more brown skin, her mixed Elsiran/Lagrimari blood, and her Earthsong. Jack, an Elsiran spy, bolts into her life while on the run from Lagrimari soldiers. Her Earthsong heals his wounds. His connections can help save her farm. When he flees his captors, she follows.

Every day brings Lagrimar’s attack closer. Jack prepares his own army for the worst. Jasminda’s unique Song may hold the power to awaken the Queen Who Sleeps, the only one powerful enough to stop the True Father. But time is running out. If Jasminda can’t find the answers quickly, she knows Elsira—and Jack—will fall.

In Song of Blood & Stone, Author L. Penelope weaves a believable fantasy world complete with rich tapestries of mythology, authentic border tensions, and inescapable politics. One thing that struck me throughout was the story’s reflection of issues we face in our own world, namely racism and clashes over immigration. Penelope accurately depicts the helplessness felt by those on the receiving end of slights and prejudice against Earthsingers, not just because of their magic but also because of their dark skin. In the Lagrimari refugees, fleeing horrific conditions wrought by the cruel king of their own lands, Penelope shows threats and harassment faced by immigrants in a land filled with those unwilling to share plentiful resources. The fear, hatred, and bigotry—aptly portrayed in the pages of this story—could have been taken from pages of our own history books, or news media. In all, Song is often bleak, and as a reader I lived in the moments of hope held by those in the story.

Penelope’s characters, for the most part, were well fleshed out. Jasminda, part Elsiran and part Lagrimari, is a strong, self-reliant female determined to salvage what she can in a city where she is ostracized and mistrusted. Jack, an honorable soldier with a compassionate heart, is determined to do his duty, no matter how much it disgusts him. Ella, a “Jacqueline-of-all-trades,” is called to complete an almost impossible task with no resources and against overwhelming odds. While there was a bit of stereotyping there, I could empathize with these three, at least, and lose myself in their experiences. By the end of the story, with all three in totally unfamiliar and challenging roles, I found myself rooting for them and interested to see what happens next.

Even as a fantasy romance with many steampunk elements, the story itself is almost a classic good-vs-evil sort. Backstory is slowly sprinkled into the tale through visions revealed to Jasminda’s mind. It wasn’t hard to figure out where it was going—but Penelope threw in an interesting twist I didn’t see coming. With the clarity of hindsight, I could understand many other things in the story.

I must admit that it took me a while to get into the book, in part because romance is not a genre I usually read. There’s a good bit of star-crossed angsting, which detracted from the story for me. In addition, the book includes some pretty steamy sex scenes, which I felt raised the readership from Young Adult to New Adult.

That said, overall I enjoyed this novel, and by the time I reached the last page I was ready to begin the sequel. If you enjoy a good mash-up of fantasy and romance, you’ll enjoy Song of Blood & Stone. show less

The Monsters We Defy by Leslye Penelope is set in Washington DC during the prohibition era of the 1920s. Clara Johnson was born with a caul giving her the gift of second sight although Clara’s not convinced that it’s a gift. When she was younger, harrowing circumstances forced her to make a deal with an Enigma, a being more powerful even than a demon. Enigmas would grant ‘charms’ but these were a two-edged sword. They were always accompanied by a ‘trick’, worded in such a way show more that it was inevitably much much worse than it sounded. Now, thanks to her own deal, Clara must ‘help’ desperate people make their own deals despite the heavy cost.

Then Clara starts to hear rumours that people from the poorer neighbourhoods, people who likely wouldn’t be missed by the powers-that-be.are disappearing, first a few, then a flood. Clara, at first, resists any effort to contact the Empress for help knowing that it would likely come with a huge cost. But when a boy who works with her disappears, Clara knows she has to do something. The Empress, the Enigma who she has always dealt with, agrees to help but, of course, there’s a catch - Clara must steal something for her and, if she does, not only will she help, she will remove Clara’s debt and the debt of all others Clara has bargained for.

Clara doesn’t fully trust the Empress but, without any other options, she agrees. She gathers together a talented crew of people who also have a debt they wish ended as well as Zelda, Clara’s roommate and a talented thief to plan what should be a simple heist for someone as skilled as Zelda. But, like every other bargain Clara has made with an Enigma, things are a lot more complicated than the Empress has hinted. In fact, they are downright deadly.

The Monsters We Defy by Leslye Penelope is, dare I say, brilliant. It’s a well-written, fascinating and original story and it is nigh impossible to put down. It combines a heist story with a complex magic system, interesting and mostly likeable characters, many with their own backstories. But, for me, it was how Penelope weaved real history seamlessly into the story that kept me glued to the page throughout and made this one of the best books I have read this year. I’d like to thank Netgalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review. show less

4.25 stars! View review on my blog, Library in the Country

I received this copy from publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

"The blue of the day's sky and the black of the night's are different, but one is not better than the other. We need both."

I was pleasantly surprised by this one, I found the story to be so satisfying. It ended up being exactly what I needed to read! If you're looking for a fantasy novel that pushes the boundaries of young adult into new adult without show more being overly explicit, this is the book for you. And that cover!? Look at how beautiful that cover is!

This story follows two main characters, Jasminda and Jack. Jasminda, half Elsiran and half Lagrimari is an Earthsinger. All she desires is to live a life of peace, away from others on her homestead in the wilderness. Jack is an Elsiran soldier, disguised as the enemy, desperate and in seek of a way to end the centuries old war between Elsira and Lagrimar. Chance will bring them together, but it seems as though destiny keeps them there.

The first third of this book was somewhat slow. I was a little unsure of what I was getting into and had a lot of questions. I liked the story and found it interesting, but it really didn't reach out and grab me. However, after that first third, the ball really gets rolling. The setting, pace and feel of the story changes tremendously and I read nonstop until I finished it, I couldn't put it down!

The world created in this story is rich and vast, I hope we get the opportunity to learn more about the lands beyond Elsira and Lagrimar in future installments. Additionally, one of my favorite parts was the "Collected Folktales" included at the beginning of each chapter. They were very reminiscent of Aesop's Fables and were so unique, clever and even charming. I looked forward to reading them as each chapter ended and another began.

The story itself includes many elements I absolutely adore and I was very proud of the characters regarding most of the choices they made. Each of them stuck to their convictions and never followed paths that I felt were out of character. Jasminda and Jack are both very admirable in their actions, despite a few moments I was irritated with them for avoiding what was staring them straight in the face, but hey - that's what makes books interesting! I *really* wish I could give you more about the story and my thoughts on it but I would be spoiling a major reveal by voicing half of what I want to say and it's just not fair to do that!

So I'll just include a few elements I loved: traveling, courtly intrigue, mysterious histories, forbidden romance, and more!

Also, WE NEED MORE POC fantasy and sci-fi main characters written by POC authors! show less