There’s also a significant amount of gore- again, typical given the horror genre- so keep that in mind along with the other content warnings at the end of the article. My typical reads are usually set in reality and don’t involve this level of world building. My only criticism is that at points it’s a lot to keep up with- though it’s a small problem, and one I admit may be my own fault. It moves fast- it has to fit so much action and world-building in less than 200 pages. There’s a lot of commentary on race, humanity, rage, and hate that’s very relevant in our world today, making it a very important read. This book is harrowing, intense, and profound. She is a force hunting down monsters, yet still showing her vulnerability and softness. Maryse may just be my favorite heroine of the year. I’ve said many times that one of the features I appreciate most in a novel is the author’s ability to transcend and jump between genres, and Clark has proven himself a master of this here. But something awful’s brewing in Macon, and the war on Hell is about to heat up.Ĭan Maryse stop the Klan before it ends the world? Analysis: Armed with blade, bullet, and bomb, they hunt their hunters and send the Klan’s demons straight to Hell. Standing in their way is Maryse Boudreaux and her fellow resistance fighters, a foul-mouthed sharpshooter and a Harlem Hellfighter. All across the nation they ride, spreading fear and violence among the vulnerable. 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. Keep reading this full review of Ring Shout to see if it lives up to the hype and if it’s a good choice for genre readers or for everyone.Įssentially, Ring Shout is a genre-bending novella set in the 1920s Deep South that reimagines KKK members as literal monsters from hell. It’s billed as dark fantasy and horror- and I certainly see elements of both genres present in the story, but for me, it was the speculative fiction element that made me pick up the book.

Ring Shout or Hunting Klu Kluxes in the End Times came out earlier this month and I’ve seen nothing but rave reviews pouring in for it.

Ring Shout by P. Djèlí Clark