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howlinglibraries's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
“What I have is beautiful music inspired by struggle and fierce love. What he got ain’t nothing but hateful noise. Not a hint of soul to it.”
I've been meaning to check out P. Djèlí Clark's writing for far too long, and I'm so happy that I finally did, because Ring Shout absolutely blew me away and Clark is a new auto-read author for me, 100%. This novella was incredible! It's packed tight with action, intensity, history, and it all revolves around a trio of badass monster-hunting Black women that I immediately loved upon meeting. It isn't often that I read a book that leaves me feeling genuinely privileged to have experienced it, but Ring Shout is one of those special few.
I truly don't know where to begin with how highly I recommend this book. I loved the characters, the narrative voice, the fantastical elements, and the entire general premise of Ring Shout. Not only was it such a tremendously enjoyable story, but there was the added element of having learned a few things about Black history that I didn't know before. (I've learned since reading the novella that the author is also a historian, so that checks out!)
“Girl, every choice we make is a new tomorrow. Whole worlds waiting to be born.”
I also have to shout out the audiobook narrator, Channie Waites, for going above and beyond. Even when I wanted to read the book visually, I ended up putting my headphones in and listening while I read along with the ebook because the narration added so much extra jazz to the story! (I think this was the first time I'd ever done that, if that tells you what a raving compliment that is from me, someone who doesn't listen to audiobooks particularly often in the first place.)
Seriously, if you haven't picked up Ring Shout yet, do yourself and favor and fix that. Meanwhile, I'll be over here adding all of Clark's other works to my TBR! (Oh, and sincerely hoping that we get another novella in this world, because I was not ready to say goodbye.)
✨ Representation: almost all characters are Black; Chef is queer
Thank you so much to the publisher for providing me with this review copy in exchange for an honest review!
Graphic: Racism, Violence, Murder, Body horror, Medical trauma, Death, and Grief
Minor: Animal death
raebelanger's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Racism, Gore, Body horror, Hate crime, and Violence
Moderate: Grief and Medical trauma
booksthatburn's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This adds a supernatural angle to real events in a way that heightens the stakes but doesn't excuse the actual historical violence. The Ku Kluxes are there because of the racism and hatred which the Klan already has, and this works so well in the narrative. Maryse is a fantastic protagonist, the resistance are a great group, and I especially enjoyed Dr. Bisset.
I wasn't expecting aftercare in a story this short but this wraps up things really well in terms of the emotional arc, with a satisfying resolution on other fronts. There's tiny moment that makes me think this could support a sequel in the same world, so if that materializes I'm very interested.
Graphic: Racism, Blood, Gore, and Death
Moderate: Racial slurs, Drug use, Gun violence, Fire/Fire injury, Medical content, Medical trauma, Violence, Animal death, and Death of parent
Minor: Antisemitism, Sexual content, and Rape
f18's review
- 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
Graphic: Blood, Body horror, Gore, Medical trauma, Racial slurs, Racism, and Violence
Moderate: Death, Grief, Sexual content, Slavery, and Torture
Minor: Animal death, Antisemitism, Death of parent, and Vomit
sucreslibrary's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Animal death, Blood, Body horror, Cursing, Death, Gore, Grief, Hate crime, Medical trauma, Misogyny, Murder, Police brutality, Racism, Racial slurs, Sexual content, Slavery, Torture, and Violence
jourdanicus's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gore, Racism, and Violence
Moderate: Death of parent, Grief, Medical content, Medical trauma, Racial slurs, and Animal death
Minor: Sexual content, Slavery, and Vomit
enbylibrary's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Racism, Racial slurs, Medical trauma, and Gore
Moderate: Death and Grief
hound_of_heaven's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Yes, all those content warnings do apply, the cover is literally a Klan hood, please be ready for no-holds-barred racism to be directed at the main character constantly.
Graphic: Death, Racial slurs, Racism, Misogyny, and Hate crime
Moderate: Medical trauma
Minor: Animal death