Reviews with content warning for Slavery - Ring Shout

Reviews tagging 'Slavery'

Ring Shout by P. Djèlí Clark

123 reviews

boba_n_books's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional informative mysterious reflective tense fast-paced

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

4.5

If you're looking for a Lovecraftian horror mixed with black girl magic, you've found it in Ring Shout.

I love how this novella blended history with fantasy to create a horrific yet captivating story. Our three main characters, who are black resistance fighters, go up against Ku Kluxes that are literally and figuratively demonic. Their hate has allowed them to be possessed by demons.

The pacing was exceptional, and the characters were well-developed, which is especially impressive for this being a novella. As for the story itself, it is creative in its horror and informs the reader of the historical context of the KKK at the time--the 1920's. The audiobook gave me a cinematic experience where I could picture each character clearly in my mind. The writing is incredible, and I was thoroughly entertained by this novella. The only criticism I have of this story is that I wish it was longer.

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bishopbox's review

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dark emotional tense medium-paced

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

4.75

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alexalily's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional inspiring tense fast-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? Yes

5.0

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erebus53's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful mysterious sad tense medium-paced

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

4.0

I had no idea what this book was about, except Race friction/violence, and was surprised to find that it was a supernatural fantasy/horror story set in an alternate world version of North America. In a world where Racial hatred has been fomented by the KKK (who have actual Grand Wizards) only those people with The Sight can see the true form of the monsters awakened in men filled with hate. Foul Magicks are worked and in a horrid twist of the knife a popular movie contains the Workings to bring forth all sorts of horrid beings through the Veil (by inciting people to Hate).

A group of scrappy monster-hunting girls lay traps for the awakened monsters that they call "KluKluxes" which they attempt to dispel with bombs, guns and a magical sword. Back home, people are using whatever resources they can to keep their families safe, from science, to the elders' gris-gris and ancestral rites.

The main character has dream visits with other beings who she relies on as spirit guides, and who she sees as "Aunties". It seems that her destiny is tied up, and she is called to action to stop the re-release of that popular old movie, which will allow the KKK to raise an old god. She must use her power and wisdom to defeat the manifestations of Racial Hatred.

Some parts of this story are pretty trippy, and it's got a whole monster killing Buffy vibe, but in a much less White girl context lol.

The end of the story seems to indicate that there is possibly another would-be hero out there.. and from the gist of it I could see the follow up being from the point of view of a personal journey of a White boy who needs to turn his back on the lure of bigotry.. but I really don't know how the vibe would work that way around.. could go either way if there was a sequel, but the creepy otherbeing world, and the slipping in-between, going inside flesh-trees, and vision quest type feel, is a really cool interweaving of fantasy elements.. and there are emotionally resonant bits in the end of the story that deliver nicely.

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almostqualified's review

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adventurous dark emotional tense fast-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? Yes

4.5

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city_girl_writer's review

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dark tense fast-paced

4.5

The KKK as demons?! Great idea with good execution. If you can handle the content warnings and body horror, then I would recommend this.

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randi_jo's review

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dark reflective 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? Yes

5.0

Walked into this one blind and honestly I loved every bit of it. Was expecting horror, but the humor and tear-jerking moments came to me as a surprise for the genre and premise.

I thought

killing off the most likable character who doubles as the comic relief

was such a ballsy move, yet it ended so, so perfectly. Just amazing. 10/10 would recommend.

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