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carlyguari's review
adventurous
dark
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
That was just a lot of fun 😄
Thank you to NetGalley and Tor Publishing Group for a digital advanced copy of this e-book in exchange for my honest review.
I really enjoyed this quick little novella. It was fast paced, a little self aware, and funny! It could be due to recency bias but the book gave me Hazbin Hotel vibes. Mostly in the way the characters act, talk, and react to each other. I also enjoyed reading a Black/POC Fantasy book. Being a cis female white reader, I appreciate expanding my consumption to voices and experiences that are not like my own and challenging my assumed cis/whiteness bias. I am really interested in reading more P. Djeli Clark!
My copy did have some typos and weird sentence structure which may be due to the fact is was an ARC.
Who its for?: fantasy readers, fast-paced action, get out of a reading slump, not so hard to think about
Who is it not for?: People who want more complex/epic fantasy, People who think to hard when they read (that can be me sometimes!), people who don't like a little bit of gore.
Thank you to NetGalley and Tor Publishing Group for a digital advanced copy of this e-book in exchange for my honest review.
I really enjoyed this quick little novella. It was fast paced, a little self aware, and funny! It could be due to recency bias but the book gave me Hazbin Hotel vibes. Mostly in the way the characters act, talk, and react to each other. I also enjoyed reading a Black/POC Fantasy book. Being a cis female white reader, I appreciate expanding my consumption to voices and experiences that are not like my own and challenging my assumed cis/whiteness bias. I am really interested in reading more P. Djeli Clark!
My copy did have some typos and weird sentence structure which may be due to the fact is was an ARC.
Who its for?: fantasy readers, fast-paced action, get out of a reading slump, not so hard to think about
Who is it not for?: People who want more complex/epic fantasy, People who think to hard when they read (that can be me sometimes!), people who don't like a little bit of gore.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Death
Moderate: Gore
Minor: Child death
jenmtnbike's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Murder, and Violence
Minor: Child death
paracosim's review
adventurous
dark
funny
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
4.25
Thanks to Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
So, this is a book I was super excited for. I heard of it on a podcast some months ago, where one of the hosts was discussing ARCs she’d recently read, and this novella came up. And boy, did she wax poetic about it. I wasn’t expecting to see the ARC still available, and really wasn’t expecting to get access within hours of requesting. I was intent on finding out whether it was worth the hype and read it pretty much immediately.
The hype is deserved. I’ll start by saying that. The writing is easy to follow, though there are quite a few grammatical errors. I assume these will be edited out before the official release and thus aren’t an issue. The only problem I had, which took away from the book in my opinion, wasthe chapter near the end in which the g-ddesses were speaking. I absolutely could not understand what they were supposed to be saying. I caught some of it, through multiple rereads, but it took me out of the story big time. I spent more time decoding the speech than I did actually reading. For this alone, The Dead Cat Tail Assassins gets only 4.25 stars.
On the bright side, the characters were easy to love and root for, and the worldbuilding was top notch. I would love to read more stories set in this world; I was actually kind of depressed when I realized it was over. So P. Djèlí Clark, if you’re reading this, please for the love of g-d write more novellas set in this city. It would be glorious.
I will definitely be buying a physical copy when the novella releases, and I recommend that you do too.
So, this is a book I was super excited for. I heard of it on a podcast some months ago, where one of the hosts was discussing ARCs she’d recently read, and this novella came up. And boy, did she wax poetic about it. I wasn’t expecting to see the ARC still available, and really wasn’t expecting to get access within hours of requesting. I was intent on finding out whether it was worth the hype and read it pretty much immediately.
The hype is deserved. I’ll start by saying that. The writing is easy to follow, though there are quite a few grammatical errors. I assume these will be edited out before the official release and thus aren’t an issue. The only problem I had, which took away from the book in my opinion, was
On the bright side, the characters were easy to love and root for, and the worldbuilding was top notch. I would love to read more stories set in this world; I was actually kind of depressed when I realized it was over. So P. Djèlí Clark, if you’re reading this, please for the love of g-d write more novellas set in this city. It would be glorious.
I will definitely be buying a physical copy when the novella releases, and I recommend that you do too.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Violence, and Death
Minor: Sexual violence and Child death
thisbookisbananas's review
adventurous
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
The Dead Cat Tail Assassins is an action-packed fantasy novella. We follow Eveen, a member of an undead assassin guild, as she is on the job.She makes it to her contracted mark, but her plans go awry.
There are a couple of things that worked really well in this book. One of those things was the humor. The dry, snarky humor just works for me. I also loved P. Djeli Clark’s use of imagery. Everything he describes, violence and all, is absolutely breathtaking. I also loved how the plot points gave me the impression of Marvel comics or a manga. This is because it was a hero’s origin story and based on how Eveen interacts with other assassins in the story.
My only complaint is how one character’s dialect was spelled in the text was difficult to decipher. Sometimes words with i were pronounced with a long i sound and sometimes with a long e. It got a little confusing and I had to whisper read it out loud for the text to make sense.
Other than that, I absolutely cannot wait to find out what happens next!
Thank you to NetGalley and Tor for an ARC of this book. All opinions are my own.
There are a couple of things that worked really well in this book. One of those things was the humor. The dry, snarky humor just works for me. I also loved P. Djeli Clark’s use of imagery. Everything he describes, violence and all, is absolutely breathtaking. I also loved how the plot points gave me the impression of Marvel comics or a manga. This is because it was a hero’s origin story and based on how Eveen interacts with other assassins in the story.
My only complaint is how one character’s dialect was spelled in the text was difficult to decipher. Sometimes words with i were pronounced with a long i sound and sometimes with a long e. It got a little confusing and I had to whisper read it out loud for the text to make sense.
Other than that, I absolutely cannot wait to find out what happens next!
Thank you to NetGalley and Tor for an ARC of this book. All opinions are my own.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Cursing
luverbyrd's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Child death
chroniquesdekellen's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
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
4.75
Après une Égypte alternative, une Amérique envahie par les forces lovecraftienne ou une Nouvelle Orleans steampunk, P. Djeli Clark montre une nouvelle fois que son imagination est foisonnante.
Eveen à été ressuscitée sans aucun souvenir de sa vie pour servir dans sa non-mort en tant qu'assassin la déesse Aeril. Elle fait partie d'une guilde d'assassins très encadrée, sous contrats et aux règles rigides. Dont la première est de de voir toujours mener à bout leur contrat avant l'aube. Mais lorsque sa cible s'avère être quelqu'un qu'elle reconnaît alors que cela devrait être impossible, Eveen va devoir se lancer dans une course contre la montre pour comprendre l'impossible...
Un style toujours aussi impeccable, vibrant, et avec le génie linguistique habituels de P. Djeli Clark, Dead Cat Tail Assassins est un vrai régal. Nerveux et haletant, porté par des personnages originaux et majoritairement (si ce n'est uniquement) noirs, la novella est bourrée d'humour et réussi à maintenir un excellent équilibre entre mystère et action. Une excellente porte d'entrée pour découvrir P. Djeli Clark.
Eveen à été ressuscitée sans aucun souvenir de sa vie pour servir dans sa non-mort en tant qu'assassin la déesse Aeril. Elle fait partie d'une guilde d'assassins très encadrée, sous contrats et aux règles rigides. Dont la première est de de voir toujours mener à bout leur contrat avant l'aube. Mais lorsque sa cible s'avère être quelqu'un qu'elle reconnaît alors que cela devrait être impossible, Eveen va devoir se lancer dans une course contre la montre pour comprendre l'impossible...
Un style toujours aussi impeccable, vibrant, et avec le génie linguistique habituels de P. Djeli Clark, Dead Cat Tail Assassins est un vrai régal. Nerveux et haletant, porté par des personnages originaux et majoritairement (si ce n'est uniquement) noirs, la novella est bourrée d'humour et réussi à maintenir un excellent équilibre entre mystère et action. Une excellente porte d'entrée pour découvrir P. Djeli Clark.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence, Death, and Murder
Minor: Torture
jashanac's review
2.75
Summary:
Undead assassin who has a contract with a goddess, is specifically requested for an assassination that goes a bit awry. Mystery and action ensues.
Re-Readability:
This is not one that I think I would ever re-read. I had a fine enough time with it for the most part, but didn't love it.
Characters:
The characters were fine, but I just didn't get particularly invested in them. Fennis was probably my favorite and he was only in a couple of scenes. There just wasn't much character development for me personally, and I didn't feel like I got to know the two main characters super well, despite being with them the entire time.
Plot:
The overall plot is a cool concept, specifically with the resolution... however, I am personally not the biggest fan of "assassin after assassin after assassin coming after the main character and they just keep fighting and fighting and fighting." John Wick 4 vibes, and while I do enjoy cool action... it can absolutely be too repetitive for me, and this was.
I also found some of the dialogue a little bit too corny/campy/unserious.
Undead assassin who has a contract with a goddess, is specifically requested for an assassination that goes a bit awry. Mystery and action ensues.
Re-Readability:
This is not one that I think I would ever re-read. I had a fine enough time with it for the most part, but didn't love it.
Characters:
The characters were fine, but I just didn't get particularly invested in them. Fennis was probably my favorite and he was only in a couple of scenes. There just wasn't much character development for me personally, and I didn't feel like I got to know the two main characters super well, despite being with them the entire time.
Plot:
The overall plot is a cool concept, specifically with the resolution... however, I am personally not the biggest fan of "assassin after assassin after assassin coming after the main character and they just keep fighting and fighting and fighting." John Wick 4 vibes, and while I do enjoy cool action... it can absolutely be too repetitive for me, and this was.
I also found some of the dialogue a little bit too corny/campy/unserious.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Child death
leahjanespeare's review
adventurous
medium-paced
4.0
What a wacky, bloody adventure! Love the sly humor and near-absurdity of the...tail. I hope to see more from this world in the future.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gore and Violence
tifftastic87's review
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Thank you to NetGalley and Tor/Forge for an advanced reader copy of <i>The Dead Cat Tail Assassins</i>.
Eveen the Eviscerator is a skilled guild assassin and also she's dead. Or is it undead? Either way she's definitely not a zombie or a ghoul and she can't remember any of her past before she signed a contract with the Matron of Assassins. Eveen's latest contract falls on the Festival of the Clockwork King and thrusts her into a memory, her first memory, and sends her on a wild night of investigation and survival.
<i>The Dead Cat Tail Assassins</i> proves that a rich and engaging fantasy world, with a full pantheon, and political system can be built in 200 pages. Clark's worldbuilding was so seamless and compelling with a humorous undertone to the narrative. Eveen was a fantastic character with depth, edge and wit. I adored her and being there as she investigated her past and took us through her city.
Hands down an amazing standalone short fantasy. I will venture to say that if you like the tone and pacing of Gideon the Ninth you will enjoy this book.
Eveen the Eviscerator is a skilled guild assassin and also she's dead. Or is it undead? Either way she's definitely not a zombie or a ghoul and she can't remember any of her past before she signed a contract with the Matron of Assassins. Eveen's latest contract falls on the Festival of the Clockwork King and thrusts her into a memory, her first memory, and sends her on a wild night of investigation and survival.
<i>The Dead Cat Tail Assassins</i> proves that a rich and engaging fantasy world, with a full pantheon, and political system can be built in 200 pages. Clark's worldbuilding was so seamless and compelling with a humorous undertone to the narrative. Eveen was a fantastic character with depth, edge and wit. I adored her and being there as she investigated her past and took us through her city.
Hands down an amazing standalone short fantasy. I will venture to say that if you like the tone and pacing of Gideon the Ninth you will enjoy this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing and Violence
Moderate: Blood
mals_reads's review
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.75
this was a fast-paced, tense assassin story with an intriguing twist. it wasn’t necessarily challenging or difficult — i dont think it was meant to be — but i really enjoyed the characters, particularly the goddesses.
pacing was a little uneven to me — the ending was wrapped up pretty quickly compared to the journey which, for me, wasn’t my cup of tea.
all in all a pretty straightforward read with a lot of interesting characters that i wish we could have learned more about! definitely a world that could be revisited imo
pacing was a little uneven to me — the ending was wrapped up pretty quickly compared to the journey which, for me, wasn’t my cup of tea.
all in all a pretty straightforward read with a lot of interesting characters that i wish we could have learned more about! definitely a world that could be revisited imo
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Kidnapping
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