Sometimes a book has a deep, underlying theme to it, and sometimes it's just really f*cking fun. This book is the latter. It's short and weird and a mishmash of things that you wouldn't necessarily think to put together (kind of like the title) but hell if it doesn't work and make you grin the entire time you're reading it. In fact, my main complaint with this book is that I wish there was more of it. The world is such a fun one, and the main character is so amusing, that I couldn't help but be sad when it was over because I just wanted to continue reading about both. If this was a full-length novel I would have liked to see a little more world-building as well as an ending that was more wrapped up, but since it's a novella I can forgive it these few faults. I would LOVE to see this character come back in another novella set in this world though (ala What Moves The Dead), or even get her own full-length novel. I just feel like there's so much more here to explore, and I hope that Clark is able to do so later down the line. I will certainly be writing a shelf-talker for this one, and will be recommending it to anyone I think might even remotely enjoy it. I've also now moved Clark's previous novels father up on my to-read list, because if they're anything like this one I'm sure to love them too.

What I love most about P.Djeli’s work is how seamlessly he manages to incorporate humor throughout his stories, even when they center dark themes. The same is true in this novella, which despite its length was both compelling and steadily paced. We follow the main character, Eveen, an undead assassin, after she has been tasked with her most recent hit. When things go awry, Eveen finds herself in an interesting position as assassins in this world must always complete the kill.

P. Djeli Clark is one of the few male authors I know who does an amazing job of writing women as main characters. I loved Eveen as much as his other protagonists, and would love to read more stories where she is the lead. The worldbuilding here was also well done and the side characters were just as intriguing as the main. My only critique with this story is that I was not a fan of the way that it wrapped up. Overall, an enjoyable read.

Eveen, having signed a contract to continue her "life", after death, in service to her goddess as her assassin is in trouble.
She has been contracted to kill.... herself?
A contract complicated further by the fact that she should have no memories of her life before death, so how is she recognizing her younger self... and HOW is her younger self here... and so many more questions...
In an absolutely delightful tale, these questions are, mostly, answered, and we get to go on an amazing adventure through a wonderfully crafted world with Eveen, and her younger self, Sky, as they attempt to figure out how to unravel this mess, why it happened and who's behind it.

Amazing! and the ending!

Thanks to TorDotCom for an eARC!!

This was a fun, entertaining novella. Eveen had such snarky humor and wit, which was fun to follow. The plot was interesting to follow and had a hard time figuring out how Eveen would get out of her situation. The ending was hilarious and made sense for the characters to come up with such solutions and backups. Clark does not miss! I will tune to his next adult work.

Content Warnings: death, murder, child death (past, mentioned), sexual content (minor and references),

I couldn't stop reading The Dead Cat Tail Assassins. The world building in this is incredible especially given that it is a novella that takes place over the course of a single evening.

The story is original and fresh and gives you just a taste of Clark's incredible skill in making unforgettable characters jump off the page. I hope to see more of Eveen and Tal Abisi in the future.

This novella is as good at world building as a full-length book. The reader is immediately immersed in the festival setting and the importance of Eveen figuring things out quickly. Because the whole book takes place in one night, the characters and the reader spend it with a tick-tock feeling in the background. I kept finding myself surprised as new things happened and as the characters pushed past all the obstacles in their way. If an assassin serving a death god is up your alley, this book is a great, mysterious urban fantasy in a shorter, yet satisfying form.

Thank you Tor for providing an ARC for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

I am very hesitant to start new series, having been left hanging too many times. But the opening of this book hooked me and wouldn’t let go. “The Dead Cat Tail Assassins are not cats. Nor do they have tails. But they are most assuredly dead.”

From there, Clark does a good job of telling a story while weaving in world building. Subtle details are mentioned, like “fire-fox fur,” that don’t relate to the plot but hint at a rich, well-thought out world. The reader finds out about the world and its history throughout the book, so you never feel the plot is put on hold to explain things.

The main character is a fresh voice in fantasy. She is a fierce feminist that does what she wants without any regards to feminine expectations. When she snaps back “well actually” to a man I almost passed my drink through my nose. And the mystery is compelling, with resolution involving both physical and mental fights. I’m reminded a bit of The Lies of Locke Lemora, but with nods to the Caribbean instead of Europe.

Overall, I highly recommend this story and look forward to more to come in this series!

Step into the shadowy alleys of Tal Abisi with P. Djèlí Clark’s The Dead Cat Tail Assassins, and get ready for equal parts snark and fantasy in an urban-esque setting. If you’re looking for conventional, you're in the wrong necropolis.

The Dead Cat Tail Assassins follows an undead assassin in bustling Tal Abisi, a city teeming with magic, crime, and assassination plots. The sharp-witted Eveen is tasked with a mission during the Festival of the Clockwork King. As she confronts her target, she is forced to grapple with memories she shouldn't have and a vow she can't break, leading to a chaotic and action-packed adventure.

The story blends fantasy, mystery, and wry humor, creating a fast-paced read that delves into themes of memory, identity, and free will. As Eveen grapples with her undead existence and loyalty to a mysterious goddess, she becomes entangled in a web of betrayal and secrets that threaten to upend her world. 

Clark’s world-building is as immersive as always, but it's funnier here than in his fantastic and beloved A Master of D'Jinn. Tal Abisi is a city that feels more alive (and undead) with every word. From the bustling markets to the shadowy corners where gods and necromancers play their dangerous games, the setting is meticulously crafted without bogging down the pace. Reminiscent of The Craft Sequence by Max Gladstone, Clark's vivid world-building, god-based magic system, and winking humor imbue every chapter with a good time.

What sets this 224-page novella apart is Clark’s ability to blend historic, urban, and darker fantasy elements with levity and unexpected heart. The fight scenes are adrenaline-fueled, and the narrative twists keep you guessing. It’s a story that’s as much about personal discovery as it is about navigating a world where the lines between life, death, and identity are blurred.

The supporting cast adds depth and complexity—each character bringing their own flavor to the mix. Clark excels at creating flawed, devil-may-care characters who you can’t help but root for, even if they’d stab you for a coin.

The Dead Cat Tail Assassins is a street-lethal, action-packed story that defies expectations with a refreshing take on the fantasy genre. These are the kinds of back alleys, dangerous alliances, complicated characters, and twists of fortune that keep us coming back to fictional worlds for more adventures. So, grab your sharpest blade and join us on the streets of Tal Abisi.

Thanks to NetGalley and Tor Publishing for an Advanced Reader Copy - pub date 8/6/2024. Sometimes an author is just so good at making a fantasy world feel completely normal that you forget to ask many questions about it. In this book, Clark manages the trick because Tal Abisi makes perfect sense. Of course, there is magic but its regulated. Of course, there is a ruling party. Of course, there is a rich legend/myth tradition that leads to festivals like that of the Clockwork King (all the best worlds have these things). Most importantly, of course, there are guilds of undead assassins who operate by very specific rules. Eveen is one of these and she is top-notch, only ever having bent the rules once (don't worry, you find out later). Sure, she can't remember anything prior to when she woke up dead, with a headful of murder-techniques and not a single clue about who she was prior. But that, too, is normal. In a way, this conceit of Clark's world makes the most sense; if you aren't carry any mental or emotional baggage, it has to be so much easier to take on contracts to "ship" people.

The problems start when Eveen is handed a contract that she cannot see her way to completing, breaking the most important rule. Cue the pell-mell rush to find out why this contract was set, who is trying to pull strings, and can Eveen and her target live through the night. To be honest, Clark packs so much into the story that it is almost a shock when you're watching the sun come up with the characters. You have your action sequences with cinematic fight scenes, you have backstory moments, you have mystery-solving. Admittedly, some of this goes so fast that you realize you've been taking some world dynamics for granted but it's pretty glorious.

Normally, I would say I have qualms about character growth but this is a short piece and Eveen, at least, really grows all sorts of layers as the story goes on. She might not necessarily change but you discover more depth to her and I approve of this as an alternative to a massive character arc. The other characters are, by space limitations and story convention, more sketchily drawn but I still came away with glimpses into their workings.

Overall, a fast fun romp into a fantasy world of violence and rules and lines drawn or crossed.

If I have an auto-buy author at this point, it’s P. Djèlí Clark.

This novel has so many interwoven details. It’s such a fun world. Yes, there are undead assassins and magical cataclysms and clockworks, but it never seems like too much. The characters act in a very modern way; not that they’re referring to modern things, but there is a refreshing lack of fantasy character propriety. It’s humorous in the way that something like the Dungeons and Dragons movie should be, when at it’s best. The jokes never undercut the characters’ stories.

This was such a fascinating story of a merry band of assassins in a really cool world. It was a lil hard to get into at first because it felt like we came in right at the middle of the story and were expected to follow along. I loved the Caribbean influence in this.

THE DEAD CAT TAIL ASSASSINS by P. Djèlí Clark

Happy pub day to this very fun novella!

This story follows Eveen, an undead assassin who is part of the Dead Cat Tail Assassins guild. The members of this guild are held to 3 unbreakable vows by the Matron of Assassins - the contract must be just, only the contracted may be killed and you must finish the job once you accept it. During the Festival of the Clockwork King, Eveen accepts a contract that turns her world upside down and has her reconsidering her vows.

I LOVED Ring Shout so I was really excited when I saw that Clark had another novella coming out. The Dead Cat Tail Assassins didn't disappoint - it was such a blast to read!

I feel like fantasy novellas are hard because you have such a short span of pages to build a whole world and explain all these magical elements. Clark did a fantastic job on both fronts and pulled me right into the story, from start to finish.

He also seems to excel at writing wonderfully badass and strong female characters, and I am here for it! The females in this book made my heart happy 🥹

It was interesting to learn about the other assassins' powers and personalities as well. Their varied talents made for some epic fight scenes 👊🏾

I really hope this turns into a novella series - I'd love to read more stories in this world! If you're looking for a short and fun fantasy romp, make sure to check this one out 👌🏾

Whenever I read a book by P. Djèlí Clark I feel like I'm being thrown into the middle of a story and we are usually running at full speed. The greatest part is that it only takes a few pages to catch up with everything that is going on and more just keeps happening.

His stories are never overly complicated or overdone but they also have just enough details and flair to really bring out the characters and scenes of the story. I never want the story to end but can't wait to find out what happened at the same time.

"Aeril's fiery tits!" I have so many mixed feelings regarding this novella.
First things first, the name drew me in. Dead. Cat. Tail. Assassins. What's not to love?
I feel like this book had all the makings of an amazing story. An undead assassin who is hired to kill someone... who she can't kill. And she has less than 12 hours to figure out what to do about it. Because the third law of the guild is to "always complete your contract" or the goddess steps in.
By the end of this book, I was starting to feel like "contract" wasn't even a real word. It was used on almost every page, and I felt it could have been unsaid due to the readers knowing what was being spoken about. Also, Eveen saying "Aeril's fiery tits!" every. other. page. made me want to pull my hair out. There was a lot of repetitive words and phrases such as these. And new age vernacular like 'mansplain' which felt out of place in the setting. There was also more dialogue than action, which made the overall book rather dull.
This book had world-building in spades... on the surface. You have an assassin goddess who people pledge their souls to after they die. You have some magic. And Necromancers. Science. World jumping. Animated skeletons. Dark magic seekers. Legends. A magic veil. So all the makings of an amazing fantasy world... but didn't use any of it! Everything is spoken about, as in character A tells character B how things work. We are repeatedly told instead of shown everything, which caused the world to feel rather two dimensional and flat. The world was just a setting and not a tangible part of the story, unlike most fantasy novels.
There were too many characters, half of which I don't even remember. I did like that we got to meet some of the different assassins and noted that each assassin handles their job a certain way and with their own particular skill set. But besides a short showdown with a few of them, they're otherwise forgotten as soon as they're off page. Mostly the characters were all dull and lackluster. None of them had any personality, even Eveen and Sky. The big bad was also just your generic "insert bad guy here" with no traits past wanting main character dead.

Overall, the book was just okay. It had so much potential; it just needed to be fleshed out and built upon.

This was fantastic. It is FULL of detailed world building, without any of the awkward info-dumping exposition that often accompanies a that. Clark wove all the details into natural dialogue. I don’t normally go gaga for world-building, but I have to praise Clark’s genius here!


This is a short book that is so full of story and action, it’s hard to believe it all fits within 250 pages. I highly recommend this for fans of: detailed world-building, magical systems tied to gods, assassin guilds, quippy badass heroines who (literally) cannot be killed, cities during carnival-time, and worlds full of clockwork mechanisms that no longer work. I hope Clark writes more in this world, there is so much left to explore.

Clark is becoming an auto-read author for me, I jumped on this book as soon as I saw it. My thanks to NetGalley and Tor for the free advance copy. Happ pub day, today, August 6th!!

This is my first read from the author, and I really enjoyed the inventive world-building. The plot is fast-paced with a badass FMC, and I thought the characterization was strong for the short length.

The world is brought to life seamlessly alongside the plot. Rich in sensory information, the city of Tal Abisi truly feels alive. The blend of cultural influences from old world Europe to Africa to Jamaica make for a unique and fascinating backdrop. Similarly, we come to know our undead assassin, Eveen the Eviscerator, through reveals along the way. I loved the crew of assassins she encounters in a series of tense fights. The time travel plot was well illustrated which contributed to the ease and enjoyment of the read.

Towards the end, there were some overt elements of satire introduced that threw off the previous tone of the book for me. I didn’t dislike them, it was just surprising given what came before was more subtle. This style of humor may be typical of the author and just unexpected to me since I hadn’t read him before.

This is definitely one to check out if you’re a fan of fantasy, strong characters, and a whole lotta action!

The worldbuilding and characterization … yessssssss!!! The opening up with advetnure on its orbit, I was IMMEDIATELY immersed! I agree that this is a great book to pick you up after a slump!!!

Eveen is a Dead Cat Tail Assassin and her latest contract may be her last...

This was such a fun novella! The assassins in this world are undead and bound to the goddess called the Mistress of Assassins. There are 3 rules that must be followed, but the most important is that you must kill the person you were contracted to kill. Otherwise....the consequences are dire, and not just for the assassin.

The world building is phenomenal for a novella--especially a fantasy novella (though there is a hefty splash of sci-fi involved). We may stay in just one town, but we get to visit so many locations, including The Shimmer, a place where magic seems to run wild and giant clockwork creations wait the return of The Clockwork King. I love the banter between the characters, especially when Eveen calls Finnek her friend and he...doesn't agree.

I really enjoyed reading this novella and kind of hope that we maybe get to visit Tal Abisi again, maybe to experience the legend of the Clockwork King, Pirate Princess, and Golden Bounty

P Djeli Clark has a knack for worldbuilding and characterization like no other. I adored the the opening of the book and the way it set the tone for the advetnure that followed, but also the way that it immediately entrenched us in the world without it feeling bogged down or info-dumpey. The adventure that followed was delightful, as well. This is a great short book/novella to pick you up after a slump

Thank you to NetGalley, Tor Books Publishing, and P. Djèlí Clark for my advanced copy of The Dead Cat Tail Assassins in exchange for an honest review!

In Clark's latest publication, we follow Eveen, a member of the Dead Cat Tail Assassins Guild on a night of mystery surrounding her latest contract. The assassins are all undead, have pledged their afterlife to the guild, and have no memory of doing so or memories from their life while still breathing. Unfortunately for Eveen, her target triggers something from her past--which should absolutely not be possible.

This premise checked all the boxes for me in theory, but in practice, I wasn't hooked. With this being on the shorter side, all of the plot points felt rushed. Everything was wrapped up too quickly and I just wasn't invested in these characters. I was also thrown by a random dialect added toward the end of the book. The author's attempt at phonetically writing this dialect so that the reader had to sound out each word was offputting--I was pulled out of the story immediately.

Overall, this was a solid 3-star book for me. I wish it would've been longer so that the reader could live in this world a little longer, get to know the characters a little better, and really give the plot a chance to thrive. The ending leaves room for a sequel if Clark wants to expand on the assassins guild. I would probably pick up a second book because this one was quick, fast-paced, and easy to dive into.