B. Zelkovich reviewed Ring Shout by P. Djèlí Clark
Review of 'Ring Shout' on 'Goodreads'
5 stars
Absolutely stunning. And terrifying.
Paperback, 208 pages
Published Sept. 23, 2021 by Obscura Editorial, SL.
4 stars
(32 reviews)
In America, demons wear white hoods.
In 1915, The Birth of a Nation cast a spell across America, swelling the Klan's ranks and drinking deep from the darkest thoughts of white folk. All across the nation they ride, spreading fear and violence among the vulnerable. They plan to bring Hell to Earth. But even Ku Kluxes can die.
Standing in their way is Maryse Boudreaux and her fellow resistance fighters, a foul-mouthed sharpshooter and a Harlem Hellfighter. Armed with blade, bullet, and bomb, they hunt their hunters and send the Klan's demons straight to Hell. But something awful's brewing in Macon, and the war on Hell is about to heat up.
Can Maryse stop the Klan before it ends the world?
Bryan Fordham reviewed Ring Shout by P. Djèlí Clark
Review of 'Ring Shout' on 'Goodreads'
5 stars
Holly crap. Great story
mikerickson reviewed Ring Shout by P. Djèlí Clark
Review of 'Ring Shout' on 'Goodreads'
5 stars
Between the distinct narrator's voice, the imaginative worldbuilding, and memorable characters, this was one of the most unique books I've ever read. Everything about this book was efficient, and I don't feel that there was a wasted scene or a missed story beat. I'm finding that my favorite books are the ones in that 200-ish page range that make perfect use of that length, which this book absolutely nails. We're introduced to the characters while they're in their element, a premise is brought up, the worldbuilding rules are presented to the reader seamlessly without infodumping, and the central conflict is laid out early on with an in-fiction time limit. It's easy to imagine this book being bloated up into something bigger, but instead we're given the bare minimum for it to work and I loved it.
The story takes place in Macon, GA in 1922, and despite there being literal …
Between the distinct narrator's voice, the imaginative worldbuilding, and memorable characters, this was one of the most unique books I've ever read. Everything about this book was efficient, and I don't feel that there was a wasted scene or a missed story beat. I'm finding that my favorite books are the ones in that 200-ish page range that make perfect use of that length, which this book absolutely nails. We're introduced to the characters while they're in their element, a premise is brought up, the worldbuilding rules are presented to the reader seamlessly without infodumping, and the central conflict is laid out early on with an in-fiction time limit. It's easy to imagine this book being bloated up into something bigger, but instead we're given the bare minimum for it to work and I loved it.
The story takes place in Macon, GA in 1922, and despite there being literal demons and extra-dimensions, everything felt authentic, and I think the dialogue and descriptions went a long way in carrying that feeling. Maryse was a fun protagonist and I think my new favorite take on the ~chosen one~ archetype. And the descriptions of the monsters and use of Aftican folklore were excellent.
I'll list it here as five stars, but in my head it's at four-and-a-half; this is one of those books that really makes me wish Goodreads had half-star increments for ratings. This book was fantastic and unlike anything I've read before, but my only gripe was the climactic ending of the book, which felt a little Deus Ex-y to me. It wasn't completely out of left field, but it felt like a too convenient of a wrap up, and I'm never a big fan of the "everyone gets together for one last final battle that ebbs back and forth" trope. (This was my biggest complaint about Alice Isn't Dead and The Library at Mount Char, but this book was way more enjoyable). If you don't mind that kind of ending, this could easily be a five-star book for you.
LaiaRMingote@lectura.social reviewed Ring Shout by P. Djèlí Clark
Review of 'Ring Shout' on 'Goodreads'
5 stars
Una ucronía con mucho ritmo que crea un mundo alternativo muy interesante y complejo. Las protagonistas están bien construidas, son complejas y, al mismo tiempo, es sencillo entenderlas y empatizar con ellas. Es trepidante, está repleta de imaginación y de unas escenas de lucha brutales.
Nos habla de la rabia y el odio, del derecho a la retribución (que no venganza), del control de masas, de las otras formas de ver y vivir los mundos y todo ello en un escenario muy lovecraftiano. Eso sí, antiracista y feminista.
Me parece muy interesante como el autor crea ese mundo donde magia, ciencia, mitos e historia se entrelazan. Muestra más que explica, con un uso del lenguaje espectacular.
Espero una segunda aventura de Maryse y compañía. Por favor y gracias.
Tak! reviewed Ring Shout by P. Djèlí Clark
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5 stars
How lovely to briefly imagine that organizations like the Ku Klux Klan were the result of otherworldly sorcery instead of human cowardice
LingLass reviewed Ring Shout by P. Djèlí Clark
Review of 'Ring Shout' on 'Goodreads'
4 stars
Quite different from his steampunk Djinn novels, but equally good at mixing myth and contemporary social issues. This one’s a gorier monster fantasy that somehow successfully mixes magic swords, Gullah, juke joints, Brer Rabbit tales, and A Wrinkle in Time.
Ikwezi reviewed Ring Shout by P. Djèlí Clark
Review of 'Ring Shout' on 'Goodreads'
4 stars
That was very cool, wish it was longer
jaymeb reviewed Ring Shout by P. Djèlí Clark
Review of 'Ring Shout' on 'Goodreads'
5 stars
I have read a lot of good books this year, but this is by far my favorite.
Jonathan Zacsh reviewed Ring Shout by P. Djèlí Clark
Review of 'Ring Shout' on 'GoodReads'
4 stars
Really fun, fast read. Quite a unique sword-fighting fantasy.
