The Dead Cat Tail Assassins does not in fact include cats – that is made abundantly clear in case there’s any confusion. What it does include, though, is a guild of dead assassins that operate based on a specific set of rules – the contract must be just, you can only eliminate the contracted, and you must carry out any contracts you accept. That seems simple enough for Eveen to accomplish at least until she accepts a contract that brings her face to face with her forgotten past. I thought this was such an interesting and fast read. It was also funnier than I expected particularly with the sass between Eveen and her mark. I also really loved the world building and assassins guild constructs. It hit all the must have elements of an assassin story which I found particularly impressive given that’s it’s a novella. I combo read this with the audiobook and ebook. I enjoyed Lynnette R. Freeman’s narration. She really brought the character’s feisty nature to life. I do believe it would be enjoyable read strictly as an ebook as well. If you’re looking for a quick, fast paced assassin tale, I would recommend checking this one out.

If it's one thing Clark does really well, it is telling a great story. With the Dead Cat Tail Assassin's, we are once again given characters to cheer for and side eye, because they have such personality on page, the cultural context of mannerisms and interactions, and the magic of science and multiverses. Clark's attention to world-building, character development, and dialogue keeps me coming back to his works. Even here in such a short story, I am awed at how he effortlessly pulls me in

I gobbled this novella up, enjoying every deadly encounter and fight, the smarts and fleet of foot skills of Eveen and her tenacity. Serial murderers that get their comeuppance. Petty politicians and goddesses also added another layer of energy to the plot. I want more from this world and these characters because I believe this is the start of something really good.

2/5 Stars

TL;DR - A disappointing execution of what could have been a really fantastic story. And intriguing premise coupled with excellent world-building, but overall, so much wasted potential hampered by bland characters and poor dialog.

Big thanks to Tor and NetGalley for providing the ARC for this book in exchange for an honest review!

***Trigger Warnings for: death, violence, blood, gore, murder, severed limbs, mentioned death and mutilation of children, classism, and vivisection.***

‘The Dead Cat Tail Assassins’ by P. Djèlí Clark is a fantasy novella following an assassin named Eveen, who, yes, is fully dead. Over the course of one night, her entire existence is turned upside down after she breaks the most important rule of a goddess-ordained contract and has to figure out who set her up before her goddess comes calling.

Oh man, I am *so* conflicted about this book!

On the one hand, the world-building is so, so intriguing — assassins who pledge themselves to a goddess to serve her after they die, a soft magic system that’s just as much science as it is magic, a non-Eurocentric world, fickle deities, even some quantum timey-wimey things — all things I love to read about, and, in my opinion, they *were* done well. That’s where this book really shines in my opinion, the sheer breadth of creative ideas this work touches on. And therein lies the problem — with just around 200-ish pages to work with, I don’t feel like there was enough time to explore everything, and so a lot of exposition had to be front-loaded in, with characters info-dumping to other characters that would, ostensibly, already know this stuff. And a lot of questions left unanswered, which, fine, yes, it’s a novella, but I’m a world-building nerd and I want to know everything! Still, though, I’m giving this book one full star for the world-building alone.

Character concepts, amazing — especially all of the different assassins and their unique ways of carrying out their profession. The characters themselves, though…bland as all get-out. Eveen, super cool concept, super annoying and boring in actuality. The villain? Boring villain do boring villain things, give boring villain speech. I was really hoping for more from both of them, but I just didn’t get it, and I really don’t think it has to do with the length (or lack thereof) of the book, they’re just wholly uninteresting, baseline.

And then, the real issue I took with the book, is that the dialog is just so bad compared to how rich and complex the world-building is. The dialog (and Eveen’s internal monologue) is so juvenile to the point of that I was regularly rolling my eyes. Everyone also speaks so incredibly modern that I could never suspend my disbelief and sink into the story for more than a few pages at a time. Anachronisms abound, including but not limited to: “heckuva”, “weirdo”, “fart”, “hells to the no”, “get bent”, “neckbeards”, “mansplain”, and “squee”. I can’t explain to you how jarring it was to be vibing along with a cool world and then just read dialog that sounds like a teenager writing their first fantasy story. Every author has their strengths and weaknesses, sure, but holy hell, it’s immersion-breaking.

And then the story itself is just…boring. I called the “twist” almost as soon as it showed up, and while there’s certainly a lot of action, this book really felt like a slog — normally I can get through a full-length novel in one sitting if I’m feeling it, but it took me three days to get through this novella, because I just didn’t feel compelled to finish it. Once I realized how bad the dialog was, all of the spectacular world-building didn’t even matter, and I had to really struggle to finish it.

I can’t even say this might be a case of “right author, wrong book” for me, because I can’t imagine putting myself through the ordeal of getting all immersed in another great world that I’m sure this author can dream up, only to have to sit through the most juvenile, cringe dialog for a second time. I also need to care about characters, or at least be intrigued by them, to stick through a full-length novel, let alone a series, and this book didn’t deliver on that front, either.

Final Thoughts:

I’m so disappointed. I will not be purchasing a physical copy.

This was so well written and the perfect length. It follows Eveen a contract assassin who's technically dead, on a mission to kill her past alive self. I had such a good time following the characters. It was action packed right from the beginning and was so easy to follow. The pacing was well done too, with just enough world building to make me want more from the author in this world.

"The Dead Cat Tail Assassins are not cats.

Nor do they have tails.

But they are most assuredly dead.

Nebula and Alex Award winner P. Djèlí Clark introduces a brand-new world and a fantastical city full of gods and assassins.

Eveen the Eviscerator is skilled, discreet, professional, and here for your most pressing needs in the ancient city of Tal Abisi. Her guild is strong, her blades are sharp, and her rules are simple. Those sworn to the Matron of Assassins - resurrected, deadly, wiped of their memories - have only three unbreakable vows.

First, the contract must be just. That's above Eveen's pay grade.

Second, even the most powerful assassin may only kill the contracted. Eveen's a professional. She's never missed her mark.

The third and the simplest: once you accept a job, you must carry it out. And if you stray? A final death would be a mercy. When the Festival of the Clockwork King turns the city upside down, Eveen's newest mission brings her face-to-face with a past she isn't supposed to remember and a vow she can't forget."

Damn I love P. Djèlí Clark's worldbuilding.

Thank you NetGalley and TOrdotcom for this ARC Copy!

This book packs a lot of punch in such a short story. The world building was surprisingly deep and descriptive for so few pages. I really enjoyed the world, the gods/magic system, and the concept but I just did not connect to the characters enough to really get invested in such a short story.
I think this is fully a me problem and definitely a book problem, I just have a hard time getting invested in Novellas.

Eveen (known as the Eviscerator for that one time) is undead and a member of the Dead Cat Tail Assassins guild in the ancient and partially magically corrupted city of Tal Abisi. For her life is as normal at the beginning of the book, she meets with a colleague to receive a new contract to 'ship' (kill) someone. What makes this contract unique, is the buyer paid a premium to remain anonymous. However the city of Tal Abisi is celebrating a festival to honor the defeat of the Clockwork king where his built bride chose to follow her own heart.

As an assassin Eveen has three 'unbreakable' oaths, though they might have some wiggle room. A contracted killing must be just, no children, nor pregnant woman. Second, assassins can only kill the designated individual, not their guards or bystanders. Third, once a contract is sworn, it must be completed or grave consequences follow for not just the assassin but their guild. For the journey in this book Envee easily finds her contracted target, but then things go sideways and Envee must unravel the anonymity of the client before sunrise and awakening of consequences.

p Djeli Clark builds wonderfully full and engaging worlds, and Tal Abisi is no different. We journey through the different areas of the city stratified both by class and peoples. As an undead assassin (Not zombie) Eveen has no memory of their prior life, but can heal quickly from wounds and doesn't bleed, breath or need to blink. Doing the latter can help them blend in, but it is often forgotten. Eveen also has a grand appetite, but stunted taste.

A wonderful fantastical mystery adventure with a clear deadline and plenty of callbacks. It brings to mind the sideways plotting of Discworld (albeit with slightly fewer jokes).

Recommended to readers of fantasy, high fantasy, magic based thrillers or compact adventure stories.

P. Djèlí Clark's latest novella, "The Dead Cat Tail Assassins," takes readers into the ancient city of Tal Abisi, where Eveen the Eviscerator operates as a skilled, discreet, and professional assassin. Bound by the unbreakable vows of her guild, Eveen ensures her contracts are just, targets only the contracted, and follows through on every job. Her unwavering adherence to these rules is challenged during the Festival of the Clockwork King, when her latest mission brings her face-to-face with a forgotten past and a vow she cannot ignore.

As a fan of P. Djèlí Clark, I had high expectations for this novella, having loved "The Master of Djinn." Many elements that make Clark's writing enjoyable are present in this work: the humor, the focus on a strong female lead, and the richly imagined world. Eveen is a capable and intriguing main character, with intense fight scenes and engaging interactions with other assassins.

However, "The Dead Cat Tail Assassins" didn’t captivate me as fully as Clark's previous works. Despite its short length, the novella felt never-ending, exacerbated by the unusually long chapters. While Eveen's character intensity was well portrayed, the story itself did not match her energy, resulting in a narrative that lagged at times.

Overall, fans of Clark will still find much to appreciate in "The Dead Cat Tail Assassins." While it may not reach the heights of "The Master of Djinn," the novella showcases Clark's talent for creating compelling characters and immersive worlds. Eveen's journey, though flawed in pacing, is worth the read for those who enjoy Clark's unique blend of humor and fantasy.

I had a blast with this novella! It's a real page-turner, packed with action and laughs from beginning to end. There's a lot to sink your teeth into here. The world-building is pretty intricate - maybe a bit over-the-top at times, but it works well for the story. I really got into the character arcs, especially how they grapple with their sense of duty and purpose.

The plot's nothing fancy, but that's not a bad thing - it keeps things moving at a good clip. I dug the atmosphere too; it really complemented the storyline nicely. One thing I particularly appreciated was seeing most of the characters described with various shades of brown skin. It's always refreshing to see that kind of representation in fantasy.

All in all, it's a fun, quick read that I'd definitely recommend if you're in the mood for some entertaining fantasy.

I had a blast with this one! Thank you to NetGalley, The publisher, and of course the author for providing this arc to me.

Eveen is an undead assassin apart of the Dead Cat Tail Assassins guild. This guild is contracted to kill people chosen by the buyer of the contract.

Their are 3 vows of an assassin.

1. Every contract must be just.
2. Every assassin must only kill the person listed on the contract.
3. Most important, you must follow through on the contract.

Eveen runs into a snag when she notices the latest contract victim she encounters. The story takes off form their.

I enjoyed all the characters in this one. Baseema was easily my favorite. This was fun, action packed, and maybe even offer a little self reflection.

However, I don't think i enjoyed some of the entrances for the assassins into the story...felt a bit like a tv show.
The banter beteween characters was also a bit silly, i understand that kind of is the point, but sometimes it became too much.

Great ending, great time all around. This releases 8/6/24 and I highly recommend this!

A rich blend of Caribbean folklore, high fantasy, action, and mystery - as to be expected of Clark! This read was immersive and fast-paced with a lot of potential for future scenarios in this world.

Clark is one of my favorite new authors to read, an author who with this latest novella cemented himself as someone whose fiction I need to read without fail. Entertaining, imaginative and as sharp as the daggers these assassins wield, this tale of conspiracy is a brilliant look at his unique style and vision. I gush more indepth in my YT video linked.

<i>The Dead Cat Tail Assassins are not cats.
Nor do they have tails.
But they are most assuredly dead.</i>

This is science fiction fantasy PERFECTION right here. Yes, the Dead Cat Tail Assasins are dead. That's just the beginning. The protagonist, Eveen, is an undead assassin in the world of Tal Abisi. I'm a big fan of absurd comedy in fiction, and that's the true genre of this book. The brilliant humor of this novella was a cornerstone of the story, giving me gems like-
<i>Eveen: "I'm *not* a zombie. That's racist."</i>

The story picks up pace when it introduces the SF into the SFF. In a mere 200 pages, P. Djèlí Clark constructs a unique and immersive world with nuanced characters, intricate backstories, folklore, magic, and mayhem. Clark's expressive prose brings Tal Abisi and its characters to life, with the lore peppered into the events masterfully. The story is fast-moving, and is often predictable, but has several unexpected twists and turns, which snowball towards the end. The ending felt slightly haphazard and childish to me, although hilarious, thoroughly entertaining, and perfectly satisfying. Honestly, the only gripe I have with this novella is the fact that I wanted this to be longer. Or better yet, a full series with more characters because Tal Abisi is now one of my favorite fantasy worlds.

This one is for the Umbrella Academy/Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency/Everything Everywhere All At Once fans. Interesting how only shows come to my mind - it should tell you how descriptive Clark's prose is for me, that this novella is almost entirely visual in my head.

Thank you Netgalley and Tor Publishing Group for a free eARC in exchange for an honest review of this book!

I am big fan of Clark's work, so when I saw he had a new title in the works, I didn't waste much time to request it—and it didn't disappoint! All Clark's signature trademarks are here: humor, social commentary, creative fantasy elements, well-rounded characters...etc!

Eveen is an assassin. She's also undead (please don't call her a zombie). She has no memories of her past life or what made her choose to sign a contract with a goddess to become what she is. There are three unbreakable rules to your contract, but what happens if you break one?

Interesting world and I did like Eveen. I had a problem with how all the bad guys were mustache-twirling villains though, unfortunately it just got annoying (instead of funny) for me.

Content/Trigger Warnings: Violence, torture, mention of children being killed (off-page, in the past)

Clark is one of my auto-buy authors and hasn't done me wrong in any of his tales yet. I absolutely loved his new novella, The Dead Cat Tail Assassins. If you've read him before you can expect the same type of storytelling as in his other stories. If he's a new author to you, Clark combines mythical elements with a bit of sci-fi usually in an alternate universe. I don't want to say anything about this because I could easily give away many of the plot points.

I was hooked by the end of the first chapter and couldn't wait to see what ride Clark had in store for me. This book was originally meant to be released in Spring 2024, but was moved to August 2024. With a tumultuous election season ahead, I think this will offer a bit of escapism for many readers. It's also a great pick for anyone looking to pick up something that's less than 250 pages.

Thank you to Tor Books and Netgalley for a copy in exchanged for review consideration.

I, too, would get violent if someone destroyed my book collection.

P. Djèlí Clark does it again! No one weaves such entrancing, action-packed worlds in such a short time like Clark. This novella had me hooked from beginning to end, as Clark’s writing always does. I hope this is setting up a new series!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this arc in exchange for an honest review.

This is my first P Djeli Clark, so let’s get into it!

What I liked: the world building: the setting, mythology, history, you name it. So well crafted and intriguing it kept me turning pages.
The mystery/dilemma of our main character Eveen and how it unfolded. The dynamic between Eveen and Fennis was probably my favorite character piece.

What wasn’t for me: I didn't love how some of the dialogue was delivered and it didn’t come across as funny to me.

I will give check out some more of this author’s work in the future and I bet if you like P Djeli Clark, you’ll like this one, too!

Thanks to NetGalley and Tordotcom for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

"The Dead Cat Tail Assassins are not cats. Nor do they have tails. But they are most assuredly dead."

Thank you to NetGalley, P. Djéli Clark, and Tor/Forge for the E-ARC!

When I saw the cover and title of this book on a retail site, I knew I had to read it. So when I saw that there were E-ARCs, I had to apply, and I'm so thankful that I got approved!

Although this is just a novella, the author does a fantastic job of creating a full and complete story, while also exploring this new world, the assassins guild in which our main character is contracted, and multiple side characters. The story takes place only in one night, and yet we see so much action and adventure. Our character is pulled location to location, trying to uncover the mystery of her newest contract, while having to fight not only foes, but acquaintances.

I want to point out how well each fight scene was written. I was able to easily imagine Eveen moving around the rooms and how her enemies used their magics and weapons against her. Sometimes in books fight scenes can seem a bit of a blur, but the author took the time writing out every move and it really made each fight feel so much more high-stakes. As well, I loved how different every fight felt. With the use of different magic and weapons, but also how each of her foes spoke and reacted to her. I think these action scenes were my favourite part of the story!

Eveen was such a fun main character to follow, but we also had the chance to see her interact with a slew of different characters. Even with so few pages, each person felt unique, with different ways of speaking, various motivations, and flaws. It was so fun trying to figure out how Eveen could best them (or maybe if she couldn't).

Overall, this was such a fun and quick read! I flew through the pages, enthralled so much by the story that I read it in one sitting. I would highly recommend picking this up when it releases!

P Djeli Clark is truly masterful in the short story genre and especially in short fantasy.
I enjoyed this immensely and look forward to more in this world (fingers crossed).