So, at this point, P. Djèlí Clark could pretty much release his shopping list and I would be there ready to lap it up.

Fortunately, what Clark is writing about in his fantasy novellas is much more interesting than groceries, but as I’m pressed for time and feeling a lil’ pretentious, here’s my review in the form of a shopping list:

- immersive, alternate American history!
- magical New Orleans setting!
- bisexual badass sky pirates!
- lovable street urchins!
- omniscient nuns!
- Mardis Gras!
- Orisha goddesses!
- magical Haitian technology
- skull-mask wearing antagonists
- feral swamp children
- almond milk.

(Okay so it’s more just a ‘list’ than a ‘shopping list’ but I really do need to buy some more almond milk.)

Everything I’ve read of Clark’s is awesome. His blend of historical fiction and mythology-inspired fantasy has resulted in some of the best quick reading I’ve done all year. I can’t wait until the dude starts writing in longer novel form because his world-building and characterisation deserves the time and space to grow.

I’m calling it now, one day, Clark’s name is going to be up there with the Martins and the Rothfusses and Sandersons as modern giants of the fantasy genre.