A review by naimereadslines
The Black God's Drums by P. Djèlí Clark

adventurous funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

 The world-building in this narrative was phenomenal. It’s a mix of fantasy and sci-fi with a combination of ancestral magic and a rich history revamped by futuristic elements. Clark uses style and language in a way that makes complexity so very consumable to the everyday reader, which I’m thankful for. I dove in without hesitation and wanted to stay there for as long as I could. 

 

The characters hold the same weight as the world crafted for them. Clark brings them to life with diverse backgrounds, identities, and goals without the forced emphasis on diversity that can often ruin the intention of the author. Captain Ann-Marie is a disabled queer smuggler from Trinidad who commands a room in a way only she can. This isn’t made into a spectacle. It simply is her experience neatly weaved into how she moves through the story and her interactions with others. For dialogue and language, Clark made use of several dialects from the South and the West Indies. The audiobook, narrated by Channie Waites, better demonstrates how dedicated Clark was on the page to make the reader hear exactly what he wanted us to hear. 

 

I fully recommend this mini-novel to anyone looking for a fast read that’s just as engaging and funny as it is emotional and reflective. I’ll definitely be reading more of P. Djèlí Clark’s works while I patiently wait for his announcement of a full-length novel...may be wishful thinking but we move-