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

adventurous dark fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

Creeper, a young teen from New Orleans with only herself and the orisha Oya to count on, is tired of the streets and instead wants to get into the smuggler airship Midnight Robber. When she finds out about a Haitian scientist and his plans for the Black God’s Drums, she uses this to get Captain Ann-Marie's trust and earn passage in the airship. But there are bigger plans for Creeper and Ann-Marie.

This is the first time I have read anything with African mythology and honestly, it left me wanting more. I wish the story was longer so I could have spent more time in this world and getting to know these characters. The story felt too quick and it made it hard for me to really get attached to them. Either way, the plot grabbed me and kept me interested.

I was also delighted to find out this was also Historical Fiction, as this is set up in the late 19th century in a world where the Union hadn’t yet defeated the Confederacy and instead had signed a truce for the meantime. There is not much Historical Fiction I have read, but as the history nerd that I am, it’s always a delight when I do. Seeing this fictional New Orleans, as well as seeing the Caribbean being called the Free Isles (as a Caribbean this made my heart swell) was a great reimagination of the 19th century. One I wouldn’t have minded to see with my own eyes.

 
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