The Black God's Drums

Well, I finally got around to this novella. After discovering P. Djèlí Clark earlier this year and hitting myself on the head because why hadn't I read his works before, I've finally caught up with his first novella and as expected, it blew my mind.

While the Cairo that he created was magical, his version of New Orleans is equally amazing. The way the author weaves an alternate history of Civil War era America, a free New Orleans as well as a similarly independent and emancipated Haiti and the West Indies, is masterful. The book is so short but without ever resorting to any info dumps, we are presented with the politics of this world perfectly. On top of that, I also loved that we have airships and dirigibles and many other mechanical devices in use, similar to the author's other works. Added to the mix are the African Orisha gods and goddesses - and everything feels pretty organic and very very real.

The writing is spectacular as usual and it feels like we are thrown right in between the characters and we are experiencing it all ourselves. The descriptions are lush and gorgeous and I could almost feel the smell of the incoming storm and the sting of the raindrops. It's very rare that I feel this immersed and it was amazing. The pacing of the story is also very fast, which is understandable given the page count, and within a short span we get a mystery, a kidnapping, an adventure and so much more. In this journey, we meet a whole set of eclectic characters, one more fascinating than the other and I honestly can't choose whom I'm more taken by - the delightful Creeper, the stern smuggler captain of an airship or the two eccentric nuns who have their finger on the pulse of the city.

I specially want to mention the audiobook narrator Channie Waites because she brings a whole new life and personality to the story. She is evocative, making us feel every emotion that characters feel, and her different accents for the various nationalities we meet are absolutely on point. I'm definitely more impressed with this story because of the way she tells it.

To conclude, this story was all kinds of wonderful and I had so much fun. If you think you'll enjoy an alternate steampunky Civil Era New Orleans, magic of African goddesses, a stormy adventure and a splendid set of characters, then this novella is perfect for you. And even if you aren't sure, I would still recommend that you give this audiobook a try because it's an experience that you shouldn't miss.

Actual rating: 4.5

A super interesting alternate history fantasy sci-fi. There was a lot of elements in such a short novella, but all of them intriguing and enjoyable. I'm disappointed in how short it was, if anything! The world-building is magnificent and I want to read more about the character of Creeper and Ann-Marie.

Full review to come.

I have been to New Orleans, once. And even in my limited understanding of New Orleans, I can imagine how difficult it would be to get down on paper. Not only does P. Djèlí Clark get it on paper, but he also evokes the “spirit of the place.” He understands what makes New Orleans hum. Clark understands the smells, and he gets the people. He gets what it feels like to walk the cobblestone streets and hear the music of Mardi Gras. Any reader can read this story and smell beignets, moss, and hear the deep thrumming of drums in their bones. It is no small feat.

The Black Gods Drums is an immersive tale, a steamboat-esque alternative history. An Eloquently written, and researched, story set in confederate era New Orleans post Civil War Stalemate. Clark took legends and folklore from Haiti, the Caribbean, and Africa and paired them with the history of the Haitian Slave Rebellion of 1794. In reality, the rebellion helped create only Haiti, a state free from slavery, and ruled by non-whites and former captives. Yet, in this story, the rebellion helped free Haiti as well as most of the Caribbean and created a state known as The Free Isles. Thus a great stalemate was born between the Free Isles and the slave owning south. A stalemate based upon a mysterious weapon, previously used once against the French fleet. A weapon that is so powerful that to use it again, it would destroy everything.

Against the backdrop of history, both real and imagined lay New Orleans and our protagonist Creeper. Creeper is a 13-year-old street kid gifted or cursed by the goddess Oya. She makes her living stealing and doing what is necessary survive. Even though Creeper is a thief, there a strong moral current that flows through her. Given different circumstances, you know that Creeper wouldn't steal. There is no great thrill to stealing save for prolonging her life a day at a time. Oya, the Yoruba goddess of winds, lightning, and violent storms, death, and rebirth. She was brought to New Orleans in the hearts of slaves. Part of Oya has settled inside of Creeper, sending her visions and protecting her on occasion.

Creeper wants to escape her circumstance. After a chance meeting with a Cajun smuggler and overhearing some useful and important information, Creeper has a chance to leave. What follows is an exciting array of characters. Specifically in the form of Captain Ann-Marie of the airship Midnight Robber. The Captain has secrets of her own and that could involve Creeper. The story has exciting plot elements and a gorgeous retelling of history from that era.

If you like stories that involve nuns, smuggling, mysticism, and saving the world. All set against New Orleans, this is the story for you. It is gorgeously and atmospherically written and I cannot wait to read whatever else Clark writes.