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A review by firozah
The Ballad of Black Tom by Victor LaValle

4.0

4.5 stars. A wonderful novella for fans of cosmic horror. I admit the title struck me as melodramatic (corny, even?) but having finished it, in context it's pretty ingenious. I've been lost in a rabbit hole about the Five Percenters ever since--what a weird, wonderful cultural moment I'd never heard about.

I was recommended this by the GR algorithm after finishing Langan's The Fisherman, thirsting for more cosmic horror. The description hadn't convinced me it would fit the bill, but it's actually an excellent follow-up. I would also shelve this near The Library at Mount Char.

Cool historical context, great characters, a compelling story with juicy revenge, and a sick rebuttal to Lovecraftian racism.