I received this as an ARC and here is my review.

This was the first I’ve read from this author and it was pretty interesting. The characters were very enjoyable and the story was pretty fun to read. I think the story was quite unique and it was very fast paced.
I really liked the zombie assassin and the twist at the end I didn’t see coming. The world building was great for being such a short story.
I highly recommend checking this one out!

4.5 🌕🌕🌕🌕🌗

This story was so fun. It’s witty, action packed and overall an entertaining read. With so few pages the world building is impressive, the characters are all amusing, and kick ass. And I would absolutely eat up any kind of continuation of this world.

I knocked down a point because there were a few times where some phrases were used, and a little chunk of the last two chapters that just pulled me out of the book and do a double take. I understood the thought process and the explanations were good but still, just felt a little off to me.

Overall this book is so damn good, I will definitely be reading more from this author.

ai was trying to wait until pub day to post my review, but it got pushed back till the summer, so I figured I should write about it while I still have thoughts! Clark is so adept at putting together a world in so few pages — I’m not a novella reader, and yet he continues to impress the hell out of me. The premise alone of this story is awesome, and the way the story unwinds lives up to its excellent beginnings. He’s so good at leaving you wanting more in the best way! Can’t wait for what’s next from him.

Clark delivers one hell of a story in just over 200 pages. It's impressive. I've read 400+ page novels that don't have as rich of a world or as well-developed characters as Clark crafts in The Dead Cat Tail Assassins. The inclusion of the world's main folktale/carnival is something I enjoyed. It is a great way to become immersed in this world.

If you're looking for a badass female main character, a found family, action, and a mystery, then The Dead Cat Tail Assassins is the book for you.

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

I don’t know how the author did it, but I got so engrossed in this world in just 209 pages. To be able to build up a world so richly in so little time is an art and I absolutely need more of his work. I loved the premise of these undead assassins and the complications that arise when Eveen receives a job that she cannot complete.

The pacing of this was perfect as there was never a true lull in the story while Eveen raced against the clock to solve the mystery of how she was given this assassination contract. I really loved the main characters Eveen, Sky, and Fennis and the banter often seen between them.

Thank you to Tor Dot Com / Tor Book for sending me this #gifted ARC. All thoughts are my own.

Some of my favorite quotes:

“But how does one love a machine?”
“Love is love, silly boy.”

“I’m not a zombie. That’s racist. But I am dead. Well, undead.”

Aeril’s fiery fucking tits.

Because sometimes there was nothing better than getting lost in your work, with no one but yourself for company. (goddamn this was such as good last line)

“Mi nuh need yuh tuh mansplain godling law.” - Aeril

3.75

This is the first book I read by P. Djèlí Clark and it was a great start! heard so many wonderful things about this author it honestly didn’t disappoint.

I’m truly shocked at what you can do in 200 pages, especially in fantasy. The world-building, character development ( and having a nice cast of characters too), and pacing were all done beautifully. Eveen is the type of friend that I wish I could have in real life and I loved getting to know about her past life while she’s learning about it as well. Even in death, you find that there are still things that can bring you joy and in your own way, you still have a soul.

This book is overall a good time. It's about witty undead assassins with unique abilities that like to kill- I mean ship, people. enough said.

This may be my first book by Clark but it won’t be my last.

A exciting and interesting premise that took some time to get into but was rewarding. I’m definitely more of a Clark short story fan when it comes to the fantasy aspect.

(4.5)

impossible to put down and impossible to forget, the dead cat tail assassins became one of my top 2024 releases from its very first lines. in just over 200 pages, its intricate writing, memorable characters, and action-packed plot–following undead assassin eveen the eviscerator, whose latest mission ends up being a lot more complicated than expected–come together to form an extraordinarily vibrant story that’s unlike anything i’ve read before.

i’ve been a huge fan of p. djèlí clark since i picked up a master of djinn in 2021, partly because i think his writing style is perfect–elaborate in a way that neither overshadows the plot nor sacrifices action and humor. you can easily imagine the city of tal abisi while reading, but not once do you get so caught up in descriptions and details that you lose track of the events taking place. many of these events, especially the scenes between eveen and other assassins, are actually some of my favorite parts of the book and also some of the many reasons it’s so hard to stop reading. when the action of the dead cat tail assassins is combined with a considerable amount of jokes and dry humor, generally fast pacing, and an extremely satisfying ending, the result is a reading experience that genuinely feels like an adventure.

additionally, the characters in this book are absolutely wonderful. eveen is an amazing main character; she made me laugh and gasp out loud so many times and i’m honestly depressed by the fact that i didn’t even get to spend 300 pages with her. i also really loved sky, and her dynamic with eveen is so well-written as well as very unique in the best way.

to put things simply, the dead cat tail assassins is excellent from its first sentence to its last. i’d highly recommend it for anyone who loves fast-paced, hilarious, and inventive fantasy that’s on the shorter side; i think it’s truly so much fun to read and definitely a book that people will be coming back to often. i hope clark writes more stories set in tal abisi and can’t wait to read whatever he has up next!

thanks to netgalley and the publisher for providing this arc.

4⭐️

Wow there was so much packed in this short book. I really enjoyed the characters of this book, the world, and all the different backstabbing assassins we meet for a moment.

So far I have really enjoyed everything I have read from this author. They do an amazing job telling a rich and enjoyable in a short format, I will continue to pick up anything from this author.

Thank you to NetGalley and Tor for this advanced reader copy. My review is voluntarily my own.

This was my first P. Djèlí Clark novel but it certainly won’t be my last.

To me, The Dead Cat Tail Assassins played out almost like an action film. It was vivid in its descriptions and rich in its fight scenes. The tension was good too, as was the impending sense of doom as Eveen and Sky tried to unwrap the mystery of their meeting.

I think this book sits firmly in the four star territory. It manages to accomplish a lot in such a small space, and I’m wildly impressed by how robust the world building was for a 200 page novella. That said (and this is most assuredly a me problem), I really wish it was longer. Clark creates a world rich with lore and dozens of Gods. I’d have loved getting to spend a bit more time learning how the world ticks.

Of course that one minor complaint is just that: minor. Like I mentioned, Clark still manages to pack a lot of lore into a small space. I’m just greedy for more.

All in all, this was a really fun book. I don’t often enjoy novels that rely heavily on funny scenarios or humor, but the description of this one was too good to pass up and the balance between light-heartedness and actual stakes was nicely done. Also, who doesn’t love a good assassin story?

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with an arc in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own!

The Dead Cat Tail Assassins are really only worried about one thing in the world, completing their contracts, but what happens when the assassin just *can't* hit the mark? This book is the wild ride of what happens when one such assassin suddenly finds herself in paradox after paradox while trying to sort out an impossible contract. As always, P. Djèlí Clark weaves an inthralling, dark magical world that you simultaneously want to jump into and are a little bit terrified of.

The book idea was pretty cool, but the characters were kind of boring. So, I just couldn't get into it. And because of that, I didn't feel any tension or suspense, even though the storyline seemed promising.

Wow this was such a great read. I’ve read from P. Djeli Clark previously and I haven’t come across a book or story that I have not enjoyed. This falls right in line . This was action packed story that made me like I was running through the city with the characters.
We follow Eveen who is apart of a gild of undead assassins. Yes undead. The gild carries out kill contracts. This one particular day Eveen has been requested personally to carry out a kill. A few things are different about this, usually assassins aren't requested directly and this was done anonymously. Strange, but Eveen proceeds as she would with any previous kill. Only when she is about to kill her target , she can’t. This target is not a stranger.
Since Eveen was unable to complete the contract, she is putting herself and her gild in threat of all being killed. Eveen must figure out who requested this kill and why before she is a contract for another assassin.

That’s all I can say without telling you spoilers. Omg if you love P.Djeli Clark’s work, you will definitely love this one.

4.75/5 stars!

Oh my gosh, I freaking loved this book!! The world building was far and above what I expected from such a compact book. I found myself being very sad when I hit the 75% mark because I didn’t want it to be over. Let end did feel a touch rushed (hence the tiny deduction from 5 stars). Overall this book was incredibly funny and engaging with a great plot twist. I absolutely recommend this!

Thanks NetGalley and Tor for the ARC!

Let this be a reminder to myself that I need to pick up more works by this author. This was a BLAST.

Eveen is an undead assassin who belong to the Dead Cat Tail Assassins. During her latest assignment, something goes awry. Once that “something” is revealed, I was hooked. This novel was so engaging and the twists kept coming. This is a one sitting read. I want more from this world!

I was immediately drawn to this book 1) because I had just finished another book of this author’s that i LOVED, and 2) the cover was fire.

While reading I became more engrossed in the characters and the story being told. Clarks way of storytelling is refreshing and extremely enjoyable and entertaining. I plan to reread this book again before the end of the year!

The Dead Cat Tail Assassins is quite the title and Djèlí Clark sets himself up for some high expectations.

Fortunately for all of us, Djèlí Clark delivers. The Dead Cat Tail Assassins is like the little bear's porridge - just the right size, just the right temperature, and just the right sweetness. Djèlí Clark has grown as a writer from his novel debut, A Master of Djinn, and The Dead Cat Tail Assassins learns from previous mistakes and does not repeat them. This kind of growth between two novels in an author is pretty outstanding.

The Dead Cat Tail Assassins is just the perfect length. At 250 pages, it is a novel, although on the shorter side for fantasy. I find this length lets the reader explore Tal Abisi, its festival, its political system, and its foods so that I have a grasp on how the city runs. But I don't know absolutely every minute details about the setting, which means The Dead Cat Tail Assassins is a light read and Djèlí Clark has room to grow in future novels. The backstory and world building is only revealed as relevant to the plot, which is very refreshing.

The plot has a bit too much of deus ex machina going on, but the saving grace is that the first deus ex machina happens at the beginning of the novel and sets the tone. It's not surprising when someone appears and sets aside all of Eveen's plans, since it happened on page 10. It does give the novel quite a light feel for a novel about an assassination, because every moment of tension is relieved by a plot device literally no one saw coming. It kept me engaged because I didn't know what was coming next and enjoyed the tongue-in-cheek feeling the novel had overall.

The Dead Cat Tail Assassins was quite the romp and had nothing to do with cats or their tails. No cats are harmed in this novel.

Imagine you’re an undead assassin who is contracted to kill like any other job, but when you go to fulfill your duty…you come face to face with yourself.

That is what Eveen faces in this story. I have sooooo much fun with this story. I’ll admit that the first 10% wasn’t my favorite because of the over descriptive scenery. But once you get past that, you become fully immersed into the story. I loved how it read like a movie.

The fight scenes were top tier and easy to follow. I always thought I hated adventure books, but this one showed me, when done right…it can be soooo entertaining. I loved Eveen’s dry humor and the funny one liners from the other assassins. I even loved how even though it seemed like the guild wasn’t family like- they still had their moments were they were loyal (to an extent lol).

My only regret is that this book wasn’t longer or part of a series. I highly recommend if you like books like “Harry Potter”, “Percy Jackson” and low key even ACOTAR that everyone is obsessed with. I’ll definitely be reading more books from this author! He has officially become one of my favorites!!!!

The Dead Cat Tail Assassins follows Eveen the Eviscerator (who is not a fan of nicknames) over the course of a single evening at her job. Her very mundane job as a resurrected assassin for the Goddess of Knives, where she has no recollection of her life before and three simple rules to follow. On her latest assignment, it turns out that following that final rule of carrying out the accepted job isn’t something Eveen is interested in doing when her mark is wearing her face.

This was so ridiculously fun. The description of “next level worldbuilding” feels inadequate when discussing what P. Djèlí Clark does, but it’s the best I have. Clark’s ability to spin a living, breathing city from untouchable government leadership down to the cobblestones out of just a handful of words is a testament to the skill of his craft. The pacing is tight, and this is one of those reading experiences where I felt like I got to grab the author’s hand and hang on for dear life.

The humor in this story really worked for me, which is always an unexpected surprise in fantasy. And on top of everything else, Clark is able to tie everything together with a beautiful contemplation on what it feels like to reflect on your past and present self, and the pain and wonder that comes with that.

This is an easy recommendation for everyone who likes darkly funny fantasy with murderously competent heroines and top notch worldbuilding.

Thank you NetGalley and Tor.com for the eARC.

This is my second time reading from P. Djèli Clark. I’m coming to realize that maybe their Novellas are not for me. I like the premise of this book but I don’t feel like it was executed well.

Eveen was such an interesting character but I wanted more from her. I wanted more from all the characters, which I know you can’t expect to have in a novella. Once I started reading this I wanted it to be a full novel. I wanted the plot points explored more. With it being a novella, it felt so rushed and that plot points were being added at random. Had this been longer I think my enjoyment would have been higher.

I did enjoy what the author was trying to do and I think in such a short book they managed to fit in a lot of action scenes and character development.

I was leaning towards a 4 star up until the ending, I felt like things concluded very quickly and to be honest the Gods at the end ruined it for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc of this book in return for a honest review.