I don’t normally read many novellas, but P. Djèlí Clark has given us quite the fun romp in The Black God’s Drums. This is a wonderful fantasy novella, easily readable in one sitting, that does a tremendous job of plot twists and world building. There’s a lot to like here!

This novella made such a fun morning read on my day off one week. First off, the world building was quite deep for something that took me roughly two hours to read. I loved the world that Clark was able to flesh out. He also has a gift for communicating with brevity but without sacrificing detail. Reading the novella was almost like watching a painter start with a blank canvas, and with each stroke, make a picture come to life. I’d now like an epic fantasy trilogy set in this same world, that’s the level of world building we’re talking here. There are also a couple twists that were fun to read and figuring out where things were going or how they’d end up kept things engaging.

There isn’t a ton to criticize in this novella. There were a couple times I felt like things worked out a little too easily for the main character. Actually, it might be better to say that there were a few sort of literal deus ex machina situations that lessened the impact of some moments for me.

If you’re looking for a fun, short read that does some really fun stuff with world building and gets your pulse pounding from scene to scene, then give The Black God’s Drums a read! I’m definitely looking forward to reading some of the other short stories and novella’s that Clark has written.

4/5 stars.

5 – I loved this, couldn’t put it down, move it to the top of your TBR pile
4 – I really enjoyed this, add it to the TBR pile
3 – It was ok, depending on your preferences it may be worth your time
2 – I didn’t like this book, it has significant flaws and I can’t recommend it
1 – I loathe this book with a most loathsome loathing