Reviews

The Ballad of Black Tom by Victor LaValle, Victor LaValle

mjbsw's review against another edition

dark tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

Fun, eerie book.  Highly recommend!

bookness's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional funny mysterious reflective sad tense fast-paced

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

4.0

jefftreezus's review against another edition

dark tense fast-paced

3.25

Quick read dragged out over a month. Prose felt flat and some the dialogue was tepid but it was an enjoyable read. Carried a little from it's core of 'what if Lovecraft wasn't the most racist man alive' but the setting of 1920s black new york was a solid translation.

miss_majuu's review against another edition

5.0

"I'll take Cthulhu over you devils any day"

I want more of this kind of story, 'cause this was amazing.
From the way this story was structured to the little references and nods, just amazing.

ale_scotch's review against another edition

dark mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.5

mwilds8197's review against another edition

dark mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

bambookzled's review against another edition

3.0

3.5

stepriot's review against another edition

5.0

I picked up the book because I loved the title. I worried about it being over the top and drenched in mythos. It wasn't either of those things. It is a beautiful answer to "The Horror at Red Hook."

mckfisher17's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

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

4.0

noragrace89's review against another edition

3.0

I think Mr racist Lovecraft is rolling in his grave right now!