A review by cold_boy
Ring Shout by P. Djèlí Clark

adventurous dark 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

4.5

This book is perfectly crafted - the author knew exactly what story he wanted to tell. Equal parts campy and heartwrenching and nauseatingly gory, it's one of those rare books that combines a very strong and nuanced allegory without being clumsy about it. Going into it, I was a bit worried about the premise - Klan members secretly being interdimensional monsters is a good way to erase the real-life atrocities committed by the KKK - but Clark manages to walk the line well, never absolving the actions of the real Klan.
A special shout-out to the audiobook narrator, Channie Waites, for not just doing a great job, but for actually singing the songs that appear in the book! I think that's the first time I've ever heard a narrator sing instead of just doing that singsong-y chant thing.
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