Scan barcode
e_l_k's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
The dedication reads "For H.P. Lovecraft, with all my conflicted feelings." Little else can summarize what is special about this little book. It turns Lovecraft's fear rooted in bigotry on its head to tell a story of hidden magics and the aggressions of society, and the hell they unleash within one poor Black man. "What was indifference compared to malice?"
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Gun violence, Hate crime, Xenophobia, Murder, Police brutality, Racism, and Violence
Moderate: Blood
Minor: Suicide
eficca33's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-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
4.25
This book was a fairly short read but IMPACTFUL! It was sad and difficult to read at points (because of the sadness nothing) but necessary to read. This story is so nuanced in such a short amount of pages. Kudos to LaVelle. I will absolutely be looking forward to reading more of their work!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Body horror, and Murder
Moderate: Racial slurs, Gun violence, Blood, Death, Death of parent, Classism, Racism, Police brutality, Violence, Gaslighting, and Torture
bluecanarylite's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent and Racism
saintgroovy's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
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? No
5.0
This book is a gut-punch in the best of ways. Wrapping racially motivated violence with the occult and the most bittersweet stories of apocalyptic revenge, The Ballad of Black Tom was an experience I’m glad to have had. In the end, you can only see yourself how much Charles Thomas Tester has lost at the hands of violently bigoted white cops, and ask yourself what’s sweeter: avenging your family or escaping with your soul.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, Gun violence, Gore, and Murder
chewiesayrelax's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- 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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Death of parent, and Murder
tey_lynn's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Racism, Police brutality, Death of parent, Murder, Blood, Racial slurs, Violence, Gun violence, Cursing, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail
bookwyrmlady's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Decent Lovecraftian story with commentary on early 1920's racism in NYC. The plot fell apart towards the end and some lines were a little hokey. I enjoyed it well enough though and the climax was solid despite my complaints.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture, Racial slurs, and Racism
minayana's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
A really fun and quick read. I haven’t read the Lovecraft book this is based on, so I can’t say how it compares. The author does a great job creating a creepy atmospheric setting with some really beautiful writing. I really enjoyed Tom as a main character. I don’t think this needed to be a full length novel, but I think it definitely would’ve benefited with maybe 30-40 more pages. It was a bit disappointing not being to see Tom evolve, as it was done off screen, but it also made it more mysterious so it just depends on what you prefer. I also would’ve liked the immigrant characters to have an actual role. They were mentioned quite often, but none of them even had a line. There are also no female characters in this book, other than a supernatural entity. The book touches on racism, classism and police brutality in a really effective way. Overall, it’s a great novella that you can finish in one sitting. I recently purchased Lone Women by this author, and I can’t wait to read it!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Racism, Police brutality, Body horror, Death, and Racial slurs
Moderate: Classism
stephanielee's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-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? It's complicated
5.0
This was my second Victor LaValle novel. This book is dark and magic filled. Tommy is our main character and he takes care of his disabled father by doing the only work he can- running errands. He finds things and delivers them to the right people. One day, he is approached by a rich white man to come to his house and play his newly purchased guitar for his guests. Which sets Tommy on a course of fantastical and horror filled adventures and he must figure out how to deal with all of this.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism, Racism, and Death
kochi's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture, Gore, Racism, and Death