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.
