Ring Shout Reviews

“There are plenty of books that make metaphors of monsters, but RING SHOUT names its horrors without flinching. It is brilliant and coldly angry, cosmic horror and historical fiction without a shred of sentimentality. I didn’t expect to squirm from the body horror, but I absolutely did. And I’m still processing its meditations on hatred and rage and fear. How some of us push ourselves to be more than those emotions, how others glut themselves on the darkness.”—Cassandra Khaw, finalist for the British Fantasy and Locus Awards

“Set in a magical and magic-ridden Georgia of the 1920s, Ring Shout is a thrilling and provocative inferno of a story. One of the most powerful and propulsive pieces of speculative fiction I’ve read in years. Fearless. Utterly fearless.” —Tochi Onyebuchi, author of Riot Baby

Ring Shout is a sublime work of revolutionary body horror.”—Sarah Gailey, Hugo Award winner and author of Magic for Liars

“A riveting reimagining of history filled with dark and twisted magic, scathing humor, and moments both heartbreaking and hopeful. P. Djèlí Clark is an unforgettable voice.” —Fonda Lee, World Fantasy Award-winning author of Jade City

“Phenderson Djeli Clark’s Ring Shout puts a weapon wielding our diaspora’s emotional power…. Ring Shout is a cry of release; a daring, darling, victory dance; a magical exhortation to move, be, and do our very best; and an adventure tale sharp and sweet as a first kiss.” —Nisi Shawl, author of Everfair

“Absolutely essential!” —Hugo Award-winning author Elizabeth Bear

Ring Shout was the book that I needed. Especially now. Especially today. Whatever story you are expecting to read, this is not it. This is a punch in the face that demands to be read. It’s like Clark has sprung fully formed—with a voice so confident and sure that it ripples through every sentence—onto the scene. Ring Shout is not just a great read but also a call to action.” —Maurice Broaddus, author of Buffalo Soldier and the Knights of Breton Court series

“A quick, compelling historical fantasy-horror, told with a great narrative voice and shot through with pit-of-the-stomach dread — because the most terrifying elements are those drawn from real history. More Maryse Boudreaux adventures, please.” —Ian Tregillis, author of the Alchemy Wars and Milkweed series