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A review by its_justine
The Black God's Drums by P. Djèlí Clark
5.0
I believe this is the most charming and immersive thing I've ever read and I sincerely wish it didn't have to end. I was a bit hesitant to give this a try, only due to the fact that I'm not one for "Steampunk" SFF, but my expectations have been blown out of the water.
This story takes place in an alternate post-Confederate New Orleans brimming with Old Gods and airships, yet somehow remains completely palpable as a result of Clark's magnificent worldbuilding. His usage of the various Louisianan and Caribbean dialects adds an unexpected and very welcomed layer of credibility to the tale. There were times I had to remind myself "this is a work of fiction even though it feels so real!" The plot is concise and masterfully-crafted, flowing beautifully throughout, the climax a literal whirlwind. I'm not going to lie, the last bit of the book made me very emotional as the turning point was just so powerful and beautifully done. Creeper and Captain Ann-Marie are such amazing characters and I really hope this isn't the last we see of them.
The Black God's Drums took me by surprise and I can't tell you enough how great this little novella is. If you're on the fence about reading it like I was, please heed my advice and take the plunge - you won't regret it. I'm hoping I'll get visit this universe again in the future!
This story takes place in an alternate post-Confederate New Orleans brimming with Old Gods and airships, yet somehow remains completely palpable as a result of Clark's magnificent worldbuilding. His usage of the various Louisianan and Caribbean dialects adds an unexpected and very welcomed layer of credibility to the tale. There were times I had to remind myself "this is a work of fiction even though it feels so real!" The plot is concise and masterfully-crafted, flowing beautifully throughout, the climax a literal whirlwind. I'm not going to lie, the last bit of the book made me very emotional as the turning point was just so powerful and beautifully done. Creeper and Captain Ann-Marie are such amazing characters and I really hope this isn't the last we see of them.
The Black God's Drums took me by surprise and I can't tell you enough how great this little novella is. If you're on the fence about reading it like I was, please heed my advice and take the plunge - you won't regret it. I'm hoping I'll get visit this universe again in the future!