Aya de Le n's action-packed, sexually-charged, politically significant novels have been described as "a rallying cry" (The Washington Post) and praised for their "poetic and savvy descriptions of women's inner and external challenges that are reminiscent of Sister Souljah's or Ntozake Shange's work" (Bitch Magazine). Now she takes on issues of climate justice, corporate corrution, and government surveillance of marginalized activists in an electrifying story about a high power attorney who goes under cover to infiltrate a Bay Area extremist activist group.
Success used to be this savvy lawyer's only rule. But now she's putting everything on the line to bring a killer corporation to justice.
From prep school to Harvard Law, Yolanda Vance always looked out for number one. So when her prestigious New York law firm is busted by the Feds, Yolanda turns in her corrupt bosses to save her career--and goes to work for the FBI. Soon she's tapped to go undercover at Red, Black, and Green--an African-American "extremist" activist group back in her California college town. RGB claims a biotech corporation fueled by Pentagon funding is exploiting the neighborhood. But Yolanda is determined to put this assignment in her win column, head back to corporate law, and regain her comfortable life . . .
Until an unexpected romance opens her heart--and a suspicious death opens her eyes. Powerful dark money forces will do anything to bury RBG and Yolanda. Now fueled by memories of who she once was--and what once really mattered most--how can she reveal the truth without double-crossing the FBI? And how can she tell those who've come to trust her that she's been spying? As the stakes escalate, and one misstep could cost her life, Yolanda will need to practice a new kind of law--the law of survival.
Aya de Le n's action-packed, sexually-charged, politically significant novels have been described as "a rallying cry" (The Washington Post) and praised for their "poetic and savvy descriptions of women's inner and external challenges that are reminiscent of Sister Souljah's or Ntozake Shange's work" (Bitch Magazine). Now she takes on issues of climate justice, corporate corrution, and government surveillance of marginalized activists in an electrifying story about a high power attorney who goes under cover to infiltrate a Bay Area extremist activist group.
Success used to be this savvy lawyer's only rule. But now she's putting everything on the line to bring a killer corporation to justice.
From prep school to Harvard Law, Yolanda Vance always looked out for number one. So when her prestigious New York law firm is busted by the Feds, Yolanda turns in her corrupt bosses to save her career--and goes to work for the FBI. Soon she's tapped to go undercover at Red, Black, and Green--an African-American "extremist" activist group back in her California college town. RGB claims a biotech corporation fueled by Pentagon funding is exploiting the neighborhood. But Yolanda is determined to put this assignment in her win column, head back to corporate law, and regain her comfortable life . . .
Until an unexpected romance opens her heart--and a suspicious death opens her eyes. Powerful dark money forces will do anything to bury RBG and Yolanda. Now fueled by memories of who she once was--and what once really mattered most--how can she reveal the truth without double-crossing the FBI? And how can she tell those who've come to trust her that she's been spying? As the stakes escalate, and one misstep could cost her life, Yolanda will need to practice a new kind of law--the law of survival.
Aya de Le n's action-packed, sexually-charged, politically significant novels have been described as "a rallying cry" (The Washington Post) and praised for their "poetic and savvy descriptions of women's inner and external challenges that are reminiscent of Sister Souljah's or Ntozake Shange's work" (Bitch Magazine). Now she takes on issues of climate justice, corporate corrution, and government surveillance of marginalized activists in an electrifying story about a high power attorney who goes under cover to infiltrate a Bay Area extremist activist group.
Aya de Le n is the author of the award-winning Justice Hustlers series. She teaches creative writing in the African American Studies Department at UC Berkeley and is an alumna of Cave Canem, VONA, and Harvard University. She is a winner of the International Latino Book Award, a three-time winner of the Independent Publisher Awards, and her extensive writing credits include Guernica, Essence, Electric Lit, Ebony, Huffington Post, VICE, Ploughshares, Woman's Day, and Bitch magazine, among many other websites and publications. She lives in the San Francisco Bay Area and is active in the climate justice movement and the Movement for Black Lives. She can be found online at AyadeLeon.com.
Praise for A Spy in the Struggle
"The author of the four Justice Hustlers novels — mysteries with a
heightened leftist social awareness — has produced a passionately
felt stand-alone with an affecting personal story at its
center."
—The Washington Post
“Aya de Leon’s latest is part of a new wave of espionage fiction
from authors of color and women, many of whom place emphasis on the
disturbing nature of being forced to spy on one’s own.”
—Crime Reads, Most Anticipated Books of Fall
Praise for Aya de León
"Gripping feminist heist fiction about turning the tables on the
disaster capitalists in the jaws of climate apocalypse? Improbably
and thrillingly, Aya de León has pulled off exactly that with Side
Chick Nation. I couldn't put it down.”
—Naomi Klein, author of The Shock Doctrine on Side Chick Nation
“The fourth title in de León’s genre-bending Justice Hustlers
series is a multifaceted tale. On one level, it's an entertaining
feminist heist tale with a satisfying Robin Hood–style caper or
two, but where the book truly shines is in spotlighting the
challenges facing former sex workers and in angling an unflinching
lens on the plight of Puerto Rico, both before and after the Maria
disaster. An absorbing, enlightening book that exemplifies the
power of good storytelling.”
—Kirkus Reviews, STARRED REVIEW for Side Chick Nation
“[This] layered tale weaves heist capers, romantic suspense, and
unforgettable realism in a look at Puerto Rico after it was
devastated by Hurricane Maria…De León brings feminism, racial
equality, and page-turning entertainment to the best book yet in
her uniquely powerful Justice Hustlers series.”
—Booklist, STARRED REVIEW for Side Chick Nation
“Offers poetic and savvy descriptions of women’s inner and external
challenges that are reminiscent of Sister Souljah’s or Ntozake
Shange’s work…The worst thing about the book is that it ends.”
—Bitch Magazine on The Boss
“Pure escapism is what author Aya de León offers here with a story
that actually has many separate plots—romance, family drama, a
little espionage, and surprisingly righteous feminism—all of them
appealing…every reader will be able to find a little of herself
there, which makes this a doubly fun novel to enjoy.”
—The Miami Times on The Boss
“A lusty tale…a page-turner we can dive into for an escape from
poverty, sexism and racism, but also a rallying cry to toss out
those systems and rewrite the rules.”
—The Washington Post on Uptown Thief
“This well-written and enjoyable installment in de León’s unique,
feminist, urban crime fiction series, Justice Hustlers infuses
satisfying power in both plot and character. Readers will embrace
this heist story with heart and its hero Tyesha, a smart yet
fallible professional and champion for struggling women. León, who
is also a poet, social commentator, and head of the Poetry for the
People program at UC Berkeley, is a crime writer to watch.”
—Booklist, STARRED REVIEW for The Boss
“Aya de León is a feminist writer to watch.”
—Sarai Walker, author of Dietland
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