P. Djèlí Clark

Nebula, Locus, and Alex Award-winner P. Djèlí Clark returns with Ring Shout, a dark fantasy historical novella that gives a supernatural twist to the Ku Klux Klan's reign of terror IN AMERICA, DEMONS WEAR WHITE HOODS. In 1915, The Birth of a Nation cast a spell across America, swelling the Klan's ranks and drinking deep from the darkest thoughts of white folk. All across the nation they ride, spreading fear and violence among the vulnerable. They plan to bring Hell to Earth. But even Ku Kluxes can die. Standing in their way is Maryse Boudreaux and her fellow resistance fighters, a foul-mouthed sharpshooter and a Harlem Hellfighter. Armed with blade, bullet, and bomb, they hunt their hunters and send the Klan's demons straight to Hell. But something awful's brewing in Macon, and the war on Hell is about to heat up. Can Maryse stop the Klan before it ends the world?

Ring Shout

Anastasia Illner

"Girl, every choice we make is a new tomorrow. Whole worlds waiting to be born."

This story had such a cool and original idea with mixing history, horror and magical realism in a way that really stood out. I thought the whole idea of the Ku Klux Klan as actual monsters was super creative. It’s a smart way to show how hate can turn people into monsters, literally and figuratively.

But honestly, the pacing just felt a bit off. 

The story moved really fast trying to squeeze in tons of lore, action, character backstory and history all at once. I found myself getting a little lost sometimes and had to go back to catch up. It felt like too much was happening in too little time, which made it more confusing at times than immersive.

I can see why a lot of people love it for its fresh voice and originality but personally, I wish it had been longer so the characters and world could develop more. 

It had the potential to be a great full-length novel.

Essence

This story had such a cool and original idea with mixing history, horror and magical realism in a way that really stood out. I thought the whole idea of the Ku Klux Klan as actual monsters was super creative. It’s a smart way to show how hate can turn people into monsters, literally and figuratively.

But honestly, the pacing just felt a bit off. 

The story moved really fast trying to squeeze in tons of lore, action, character backstory and history all at once. I found myself getting a little lost sometimes and had to go back to catch up. It felt like too much was happening in too little time, which made it more confusing at times than immersive.

I can see why a lot of people love it for its fresh voice and originality but personally, I wish it had been longer so the characters and world could develop more. 

It had the potential to be a great full-length novel.

This is my third book this year by this author, and what I’m now comfortable saying is that I love the premise of each of their works, but not necessarily the writing. Something about the writing style doesn’t connect with me, but I don’t know how to articulate why. My favorite aspect of this book was the fact that anger, disappointment, and pain are not the same as hatred.

My least favorite parts were the horror elements. I am coming to learn that I prefer thriller to outright horror. They just didn’t excite me like some of the other parts of this book could have if given the time to explore them more. Finally, the length was an issue for me and has been an issue for this author in general. I think the ideas are there and very clever, but we’re just not sitting with them enough. By the time I get my bearings straight, the book is over.

Nik ✨

This is my third book this year by this author, and what I’m now comfortable saying is that I love the premise of each of their works, but not necessarily the writing. Something about the writing style doesn’t connect with me, but I don’t know how to articulate why. My favorite aspect of this book was the fact that anger, disappointment, and pain are not the same as hatred.

My least favorite parts were the horror elements. I am coming to learn that I prefer thriller to outright horror. They just didn’t excite me like some of the other parts of this book could have if given the time to explore them more. Finally, the length was an issue for me and has been an issue for this author in general. I think the ideas are there and very clever, but we’re just not sitting with them enough. By the time I get my bearings straight, the book is over.

A perfect foray into racial horror genre. The imagery was gripping and arresting. The plot picks up 

and I wish we could've spent more time in this weird, scary world. Would make a fantastic tv show or movie which would be interesting considering it's themes about images and visuality. Honored to have it in my racial horror collection. 

Liyah 🤎

A perfect foray into racial horror genre. The imagery was gripping and arresting. The plot picks up fast and I wish we could've spent more time in this weird, scary world. Would make a fantastic tv show or movie which would be interesting considering it's themes about images and visuality. Honored to have it in my racial horror collection. 

Nebula, Locus, and Alex Award-winner P. Djèlí Clark returns with Ring Shout, a dark fantasy historical novella that gives a supernatural twist to the Ku Klux Klan's reign of terror IN AMERICA, DEMONS WEAR WHITE HOODS. In 1915, The Birth of a Nation cast a spell across America, swelling the Klan's ranks and drinking deep from the darkest thoughts of white folk. All across the nation they ride, spreading fear and violence among the vulnerable. They plan to bring Hell to Earth. But even Ku Kluxes can die. Standing in their way is Maryse Boudreaux and her fellow resistance fighters, a foul-mouthed sharpshooter and a Harlem Hellfighter. Armed with blade, bullet, and bomb, they hunt their hunters and send the Klan's demons straight to Hell. But something awful's brewing in Macon, and the war on Hell is about to heat up. Can Maryse stop the Klan before it ends the world? At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.

Premise-wise? Astonishing. Incredibly unique. In execution? Underwhelming. 

cee 

Jordan

It was quite underwhelming for what it tried to do and the topics it treated. So I’m quite sad about it. 

Amira BEN

Jenna Whitlow

⭑⭑⭑ out of 5 stars.

I absolutely loved the premise and world that Clark created in this book. Ring Shout is about the release of the film Birth of a Nation spawning hate-filled demon who possess white supremacists and turn them into literal monsters. Maryse and her friends are funny and raw and badass monster hunters trying to stop the monsters (called "Ku Kluxes" in the book) from taking over the world.

The writing is very stylistic - which I ended up loving by the end of the book. But if you're like me and you're a white girl who grew up in the suburbs of Florida, you might feel a little out of your comfort zone until you fall into the rhythm of the prose.

Ultimately where this book fell short for me is that is was TOO short. I wanted so much more of the world and the characters. So much happens in such a short amount of time without any moments to breathe. Clark was able to imbue quite a bit of character without using a lot of words, which is impressive. But I wanted so much more. I also feel like the ending was a bit rushed. I would have loved to see this book be twice the size and really spend time digging deep into these characters and building up to the climax, which came and went way too quickly.

Though I have my issues I'm still glad I read this and I think it definitely has a target audience that will love it. If you like plot-heavy gore and action and are looking for a fast read, this is definitely for you!

Leticia Leal

Ring Shout is a unique and visceral read. It is scarily relevant to our times and filled with incredible strong female leads.

A.L.L.

Not my usual genre of choice but an excellent book. It's a short read with a succinct narrative. 

There is so much more to this book than meets the eye. Chuck full of references, this book has layers and layers of perspective. I definitely feel like this is one I will need to reread to get all the Easter eggs. 

This book also feels like it was written from a place of love which makes me love it too. 

I feel it would pair well with A Mind Spread Out On The Ground.

Lisa Lindquist 

Nessa Luna

Michaella 

This was an incredibly imaginative story that weaves in elements of both fantasy and horror to create a poignant social commentary on racism & the root of hatred. A very creative, fast-paced thriller and I would definitely recommend! This was my first read of the social horror subgenre and I will definitely be picking up more.

Angie Van Sprang

Midori Kobayashi

5/5stars

This book has everything I want in a perfect read: there is 1. fantasy elements 2. Magic/Magical world 3. a well built world around that magic 4. Body Horror and most importantly 5. An underlying message, something real deeper than the fictional fable. 



“Girl, every choice we make is a new tomorrow. Whole worlds waiting to be born.



For those of you who don't know what this book is about, it's a short story(novella) revolving around the black people in the hands of the "Ku Klux" clan. this story incorporates the true sufferings of the black people turns it into a fantasy where now they have magic and power to fight these "evils" and our MC talks about the hatred fear and vengeance developing in them. 



 Reason and law don’t mean much when white folk want their way.



This book has been compared to Lovecraftian horror and rightly so, but I just wanna add on a point to it, altho I appreciate his writing let's not forget he was a cis white man and we accepted his stories so easily, so def black people are allowed to write fantasy stories based on their history.



They say God is good all the time. Seem he also likes irony.


Special mention for the audiobook, the narrator has done a pretty good job with it, certain "horror" elements are brought out so very perfectly, def gonna send chills down your spine. Highly recommend that. 

CWs for the book: white supremacy, blood, murder, violence, racism and violence targeted towards African Americans, discussion of racism other marginalized groups such as Indigenous people experienced, slurs, generational trauma. Gore, Body Horror, Mutilation, Lynching

Ryan LaFerney

P. Djèlí Clark has gifted us a dark fantasy historical novella that gives a supernatural, Lovecraftian twist to the Ku Klux Klan's reign of terror. “Ring Shout” tells the story of an otherworldly evil that has risen in the 1920s South in the form of monsters who take up residence within the bodies of people filled with hate – namely the Ku Klux Klan. D.W. Griffith’s “Birth of a Nation” is helping to swell the Klan’s ranks and the monsters are drinking deep from the darkest thoughts of racism. Across the nation they spread fear and violence. But even monsters can die. Standing in their way is a young Black woman, Maryse Boudreaux (Layne), and her two friends and fellow resistance fighters – a foul-mouthed sharpshooter and a Harlem Hellfighter. Armed with blade, bullet and bomb, they hunt their hunters and send the Klan’s demons straight to Hell. But something even bigger is brewing in Macon, and the war on Hell is about to heat up. And Maryse, haunted by events of her past, is the only one who can put a stop to it all.

The novella is about what turns ordinary people into monsters, and how everyone is grappling with their own demons, both personal and institutional. P. Djeli Clark is a master when it comes to weaving in history into fantasy and he does it so seamlessly and beautifully here. He is very adept at body horror descriptions too. I found it fascinating that Ring Shout takes place in a post-World War I world during Prohibition, where the film Birth of a Nation takes a different form in American history. The film has been placed under a hex that has turned Klu Klux Klan members into monsters upon viewing it - which honestly is a pretty great metaphor for how that film was intentionally/unintentionally utilized as racist propaganda. 

Dark fantasy meets historical fiction meets supernatural horror. If that sounds like your jam. Read this now.

Christine Bruce

An alternate history where the KKK is summoning demons that hide in plain sight in the years following the civil war but specifically following “the birth of a nation” in the 1915. A set of specialty gifted women work for an organization to hunt these monsters, but something even bigger is coming. And stopping it is going to take a lot more than revenge. 

Named for the practice still present in Gullah traditions, but originally from African slaves, this novella was so poetic and apt for todays world. With fleshed out aspects of the culture and world real women in the 20s would have faced. 

It never shies away from harsh truths and the pain. Just as it never hides behind the joy and celebration warranted thorough out the book. All culminating in a show off about hate, and the true weapon needed to win the war against it. It’s hard to believe so many emotions can be convincingly conveyed in so few pages, but as it’s P. Djeli Clark, I shouldn’t be surprised. 

I’m a sucker for an alternate history, and ring shout was the perfect fit. Clark always knows what he’s doing and goes above and beyond with his innovative and fantastical stories. 

Tw for race based violence

💭 
9/10
Alternate history
Fantasy elements
Believable world building
Aunty-like supernatural entities

Magnus Dahl

den var så bra att jag ramlade av stolen

sophia n

this book has? everything??? a magical sword, lesbians, body horror, racists getting murdered ... 10/10.

i see a lot of reviews critical of the length (and that's definitely a personal preference) but i actually felt it was the perfect length. contained within 200 pages but fleshed out just right and the pacing was sharp af. absolutely masterfully crafted.

tw for: animal death, body horror, gore, racial slurs, references to lynching

Stefanie  Uwah

3.5 rounded up

I listened to the audiobook and at times didn't love the narration. Besides that, it was an interesting story.

Jordan Farrell

Literally slayed, loved it. The audiobook was so good, and it's about to be a Netflix series...

Jayme Bosio

I have read a lot of good books this year, but this is by far my favorite.

Dee B. 

I couldn't begin to tell you what I just read, but I can tell you EXACTLY how it made me feel. You know when you're high off your mind on cold medication? Groggy and not quite sure what's real and what's hallucinated, slightly feverish and with the urge to grind your teeth, but you still feel ten times better than before so you're grateful. That's what reading this book is like. A full-on fever dream that is so entertaining that you don't want the fever to ever break. Sadie...oh Sadie, you are the vicious protector of my dreams. 

I wish this book was longer if only to get more hunting time, but also to finally bask in the close knit relationships conjured up by Clark. I get why this was everywhere when it first came out. How much begging do you think I need to do for this to become a series????

Ring Shout

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