“What’s today?” cried Scrooge, calling downward to a boy in Sunday clothes.
“Today?” replied the boy. “Why, it’s Book Release Day sir!”
Guess what everybody?
Nah. Not really. I can’t possibly back that claim up. It IS however, my book birthday!
My novella The Black God’s Drums is officially out today August 21 from Tor.com Publishing. And you can order it RIGHT NOW at Amazon, Barnes & Nobles and other fine booksellers. It’s got West Indian sky pirates, an alternate steampunk New Orleans, a pair of interesting nuns, a secret mission, African gods, and, not to be forgotten, that kick-ass cover featuring our young heroine Creeper. So pick up a copy (or four)! Hope you enjoy, and (provided you do enjoy) leave a wonderful review on Amazon.
Thanks for all your support!
A synopsis:
In an alternate New Orleans caught in the tangle of the American Civil War, the wall-scaling girl named Creeper yearns to escape the streets for the air—by earning a spot on-board the airship Midnight Robber. Creeper plans to earn Captain Ann-Marie’s trust with information she discovers about a Haitian scientist and a mysterious weapon he calls “The Black God’s Drums.” But Creeper also has a secret: Oya, the African orisha of the wind and storms, speaks inside her head, and may have her own ulterior motivations…
Want to read a really long excerpt of The Black God’s Drums? You can do that too, here. But be warned! You’ll definitely wanna read the rest.
What very nice people are saying about The Black God’s Drums:
“A sinewy mosaic of Haitian sky pirates, wily street urchins, and orisha magic. Beguiling and bombastic!” —Scott Westerfeld, New York Times bestselling author
“Definitely do not miss this lightning fast romp through the steampunk bayous of an alternate New Orleans. Clark’s story bleeds with style, elaborate language, and unforgettable characters who are pulled by the undercurrents of hidden gods.”—Daniel H. Wilson, bestselling author of Robopocalypse and The Clockwork Dynasty
“Clark masterfully rewrites history in this spellbinding post-Civil War fantasy…. This story is thrillingly original and will enthrall fans of alternate histories.” — Publishers Weekly, starred review“This delightful novella is a breath of fresh air, and promises good things for P. Djèlí Clark’s career – though I should note that he already has no mean streak in shorter fiction…. Renegade scientists, feral girls, nuns whose knowledge is this side of disturbing: Djèlí Clark creates a setting that feels vivid and alive, and populates it with interesting, complicated characters – even if we only really meet Creeper and Ann-Marie up close. The Black God’s Drums is, in short, a delight. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and I’ll definitely be looking up P. Djèlí Clark’s other work.” —Locus magazine
“International intrigue involving the Confederacy, strange science, and hoodoo magic!” —David D. Levine, author of the Andre Norton Award winning-novel Arabella of Mars
“Whether you’re new to orisha magic or seasoned in the lore, Clark’s retro-afrofuturistic tale will keep you engrossed in a world of airships, New Orleans, alternative history, and renegade scientists. The language and setting is so authentic you’ll taste the gumbo.” —Tade Thompson, author of The Murders of Molly Southbourne and the Nommo Awards-winning Rosewater
“A mesmerizing, sprawling alternate history brimming with authenticity and voice. You’ll be bitterly disappointed when it’s over. Clark’s novella will leave you ravenous for more.” —Justina Ireland, author of Dread Nation
“This mashup of history and culture has been perfectly distilled into a world fully realized and authentic. AU-THEN-TIC. Down to the sounds and tastes. Clark is a griot of the first order and The Black God’s Drums is a call from the ancestors, an invitation to join in with them to celebrate story.” — Maurice Broaddus, author of Buffalo Soldier and the Knights of Breton Court trilogy“P. Djeli Clark’s novella sunk its teeth into me from the first page, with a narrative voice that perfectly captures the spirit of The Crescent City. It chilled me to the bone, warmed my heart, and had me laughing out loud—sometimes all at once.” –Robyn Bennis, author of the Signal Airship series
“The Black God’s Drums is a must read for fans of fantasy and alternate histories alike . . . Clark has proven time and again that he’s a talent to watch, and this latest offering cements him as one of the best new fantasy authors around.” —Troy L. Wiggins, executive editor of FIYAH Magazine
“A superb and elegant blend of alternate history, top-shelf worldbuilding, magic, and steampunk adventure with a unique voice to tie it all together. I can’t wait for more tales in this setting!” — Michael F. Haspil, author of Graveyard Shift
“The Black God’s Drums is a fast paced tale of wit, wiles, and wisdom.” — Curtis Craddock, author of An Alchemy of Masques and Mirrors
Congratulations! 🙂 I look forward to reading this book especially!
Reblogged this on adaratrosclair.
Just picked this up, and so far, wow.
Congratulations (again)! I finally got around to ordering it from my favorite bookstore yesterday. Now I’m hoping it’ll arrive soon… 🙂
I finished the story, and my opinion remains the same. I’m not usually a steampunk person (I took a chance on this because it was yours), but I really liked the way the steampunk elements meshed with the fantasy -the steampunk essentially became another magical element in the story. Most steampunk is fantasy anyway, of the imperial-nostalgia kind, and using unambiguous magic – orishas no less – to subvert that worked brilliantly.
I’m also a worldbuilding fan, so I found this a feast for the imagination – I’d love to see a story set in this world’s Haiti.
Thanks! I always like giving a dash of magic to my steampunk.
Dear Sir, your book is AMAZING!! It is the best new book that I have read in YEARS! I am going to go and tweet about it, and facebook about it, and scream to the heavens above about it. (Perhaps garnering some good grace from one of those old gods above 🙂 ) The world you have created in this short but incredible novel is one that will stay with me forever. I do hope that you will write more – not only about your strong characters but also more books set in this magical, fantastical world. But in any case, I will be watching and reading every word that you publish.
Thank you, sir, for setting my imagination alight – the same way that JRR Tolkien did for my 13-year-old self 45 years ago. I am one grateful Elder Geek.
Thank you for this amazing review!
Wow! You made my Labor Day with this review. Thank you–from one elder geek to another!
Congratulations! I enjoyed it and look forward to you next efforts.
Thanks for reading!
Congratulations!!!
Thanks!
Terrific book- I just finished it yesterday. I bought Dead Djinn in Cairo this morning. I look forward to your future writing!
Thank you! Hope you enjoy Dead Djinn!
Didn’t think I’d like it, but I did. Very Much. Thank you for some really good work.
A convert to alt-world steampunk? I’ll take it! Thanks for reading!
Very nicely done. Hope you continue to share more of your work.
Thank you!
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