The Ballad of Perilous Graves

Starred review from March 28, 2022
Magic and music—here “one and the same”—bring to life a vibrant alternate New Orleans in Jennings’s stunning urban fantasy debut. When Perilous “Perry” Graves encounters the city’s famed undead pianist Doctor Professor, he knows something’s wrong. Nine of the powerful songs that “keep Nola humming” have been stolen, and the city starts to break down: its sky trolleys stop running, and the magic that maintains the city’s music fizzles. From there, the jazzy tale alternates timelines and perspectives between Perry; his younger sister, Brendy; his best friend, Peaches; and Casey Ravel, a trans man who’s moved back to town years after fleeing Hurricane Katrina. As Casey reconnects with his cousin, Jaylon, now a celebrated artist, they look back on their teenage graffiti and the uncanny ways their paintings have changed. And, after Perry and Brendy’s grandfather goes missing, it appears his disappearance may be linked to the music thief, leading the pair to offer to help Doctor Professor investigate. Jennings develops a rich, enveloping world brimming with mesmerizing art, music, and fantasy, and sets within it a rich discussion of community and culture. The unmistakable love for New Orleans that emanates from these pages will stick in readers’ heads—and hearts—like the catchiest of tunes. Agent: Shawna McCarthy, McCarthy Agency.

Starred review from May 15, 2022
In this tale of two cities--New Orleans and its magical mirror, Nola--Perilous "Perry" Graves lives with his sister, Brendy, his parents, and his grandfather Daddy Deke. With his best friend, Peaches, Perry and Brendy enjoy navigating the streets and sky trolleys of Nola, where music is magic. Then Daddy Deke is abducted and nine of the songs that make up the fabric of Nola are released from Doctor Professor's enchanted piano. As the songs are hunted down and killed by a twisted spirit and its partner, the storm that threatens both Nola and New Orleans grows in destructive power. Jennings weaves a brilliant tapestry with many viewpoint characters in addition to the youngsters, including Casey, a graffiti artist back in New Orleans after leaving in the wake of Katrina, and Stagger Lee, a seemingly remorseless killer with memories of life before becoming a song. With wonderful imagery--living graffiti and personified songs and zombie nutria--and an emphasis on the importance of family, history, and music, The Ballad of Perilous Graves is a remarkable debut. Offer this to fans of N. K. Jemisin's The City We Became (2020) or other stories where the setting is a vitally important character, as well as to urban fantasy enthusiasts.

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