Moon Witch, Spider King: Dark Star Trilogy, Book 2

Properly great stuff from James here, from the opening to him telling us how much his mother is allowed to read.I loved Black Leopard, Red Wolf but definitely felt there was an issue with every female character seemingly being a form of antagonist.Here that is hugely redressed as we go through the history of Sogolon the Moon Witch, including the parts of book 1 we weren't present for in that narrative.Just some of the best fantasy work I've read.

Moon Witch, Spider King is the second book of the Darkstar trilogy. Except that it's not. Not really. Rather it's a prequel which then converges into the events of Black Leopard, red wolf. Told from the prespective of Sogolon, it's the tale of a woman who lives for over 170 years.Just like Black Leopard, Red Wolf, this is not a book for the faint-hearted. Content warnings abound and they are not messing about. The first chapters tell of the Sogolons wretched childhood, living in a termite nest without a name, abused by her brothers after her mither dies giving birth to her and her father goes mad. And it goes downhill after that. How Sogolon meets the Aesi and then Tracker. Her version of events in Black Leopard, Red Wolf. And everything in-between.It's not an easy book to read. There is violence, sex, rape, death and betrayal. But it is an exceedingly rich tale, rooted in African folklore. And there are moments are unbridled joy amongst the blackness. Lyrical and gory, this is a well written book for those that can stomach it.

This is a hard but rewarding read. I can't imagine how you even go about thinking of writing a book like this. He could have chopped this up into 10 books such are the quality of the ideas.

I am in love with Marlon James..... and his cats. Not disappointed un this sequel, cant wait for the third.

A compelling tale of secrets, savagery and power."Moon Witch, Spider King" is the second book in Marlon James's Dark Star trilogy, described as where myth, fantasy, and history come together. In the first book, "Black Leopard, Red Wolf" , we met Sogolon the Moon Witch and also Tracker, when he is sent in search of a Boy who has disappeared. Much of the narrative was centred on Tracker. In "Moon Witch, Spider King", the narrative is mainly seen through Sogolon's eyes and offers her account of what happened to the Boy.The events of the previous book are cleverly woven into this one and fans will love comparing the two viewpoints. It's wonderful to learn how the events were viewed by both protaganists. We also learn more about Aesi and the gods working behind the scenes. Aesi’s power is considerable and to challenge him, Sogolon needs to match that power and strength. Sogolon definitely comes into her own in this bookThe world-building of this mythical African world is well done and both it and its inhabitants are well fleshed out. The imagery is bright and bold. I found the prose in the first book, "Black Leopard, Red Wolf" rather dense and hard to digest in places - not so in this sequel. The tone is much lighter when compared to the harsh voice of Tracker. The story flows nicely and the reader is drawn slowly but surely back into the tale. It's graphic in places and explicit - not always necessarily, in my opinion, but it's never dull.That said, the book will appeal mainly to fans - I'd not recommend jumping in without having read the first book. I was pleased to receive a Netgalley ARC, and will likely re-read book one before book tow is published in March . Definitely recommended!

Moon Witch Spider KingMarlon JamesHerein lie the humble and horrific beginnings of Sogolon, no-name girl and eponymous Moon Witch, in Marlon James’s powerful latest title of the ‘Dark Star’ trilogy. From a barely fed wastrel living with termites to the powerful witch in ‘Black Leopard Red Wolf’, we are lucky the now 177 year-old Sogolon is compos mentis, such is the scale and import of her life history. Unaware of her powers at the beginning of the novel, by the end she becomes an avenging angel (or demon depending on which side of the avenging you’re on).The tale borrows from Caribbean and African folklore to create a magical realism backdrop for African history. The political intrigue and affairs at court lifted the book from schlock-Fantasy into the otherworldly Shakespearean realm for me, though others have likened it to both Lord of the Rings and Game of Thrones.Sogolon herself is a fully rounded character. I went to an event (lucky me!) where Ayanna Lloyd Banwo (‘When we were birds’) interviewed Marlon James. She asked him straight out, “How do you write woman so well?” And I must agree, all the female characters are deeply considered, however fleeting their appearance. However, few characters get the ‘wooden’ treatment in this masterful work. It is to fall into step with the complex and twisty world that James describes.And good news, if you’re new to ‘Dark Star’, no problem. The book sits well as a standalone as Sogolon is unaware of the opinions of Tracker (Book 1). By the end of this book, you’ll either search out the first, or be gagging for the third. Whether you are into Arthurian myth or World History, you’ll be pleased with this literary tour de force.Thanks to NetGalleyUK and the publisher for the eARC.

I jokingly refer to Marlon James as My Baby Daddy...I feel like I have been pregnant wit want of the last book. It's like the last swig of Red Stripe and bite of Curried Goat, in bed, naked. I WANT MOREEEEE!!!!

Marlon James acertou uma vez e agora conseguiu de novo: OBRA-PRIMA! é impossível não ficar fascinado por essa saga, tanto pelo mundo, pelos personagens ou pela trama, mas sobretudo pela estrutura, na qual o autor se esforçou muito pra imbuir de inspirações definitivamente não europeias e totalmente metalinguísticas. aqui novamente vemos a história da busca fracassada pelo garoto, só q agora sob uma outra ótica, q leva em conta motivações e revelações totalmente diferentes.Sogolon não tinha me chamado muito a atenção no primeiro livro. achava ela até uma personagem irritante. o q o Marlon teceu nesse livro fez minha opinião mudar completamente, oq imagino q seja parte da intenção dele. ao mostrar a jornada brutal e triste da personagem, conseguimos absorver a visão de mundo dela e entender suas preocupações. é uma jornada de vingança e obsessão, mas tbm de solidariedade feminina e identidade.a narrativa tá beeem mais acessível e linear do q em LNLV, acompanhamos direitinho a vida da protagonista pelos diferentes estágios da vida, da corte traiçoeira e do lar caloroso em Fasisi até as perambulações dela por toda essa África mística e ancestral. consegui fixar muito melhor vários conceitos e contextos histórico-políticos desse mundo, foi extremamente esclarecedor nesse sentido. quem se sentiu boiando no primeiro livro vai se encantar com a continuação.o universo continua estupendo. aquele misto de fantasia com história, com o autor buscando emular uma África complexa e independente antes das influências cristãs e islâmicas. o Marlon sempre diz q quer fazer pela África oq Tolkien fez pela Europa, no sentido de dar vida a todas essas mitologias, criaturas e referências enquanto constrói uma narrativa q tbm é africana em seu modo de contar. felizmente os livros não ficam só nesse conceito, entregam absolutamente tudo.o final foi como o do primeiro, porém contado de uma maneira completamente diferente, é absurdo ver como a troca de ponto de vista muda o tom e o foco da história. torço tanto pra q a Intrínseca traga pro Brasil esse segundo volume, pq é algo sem precedentes na fantasia contemporânea q merece ser muito conhecido. no terceiro volume, supostamente veremos a história do garoto. ainda tem vários mistérios pra serem revelados, além do fechamento da trama q se passa no presente. mal posso esperar!!!

Molto bello.

I came across Black Leopard Red Wolf browsing in 2019 not long after it was released. An excerpt was provided and I read only half of it before I purchased the book. It was one of my favorite books of the year and it wasn’t until a few months after finishing it I learned it was the first in a trilogy. Moon Witch Spider King has been one of my most anticipated books since.I’ve purchased and read all the other works by Marlon James and am excited for more from him.BLRW was interesting and long-overdue. The narrator’s cadence delivering the narrative and intensity of the scenes might be difficult for some people to reach the end of the book, though the play of story and truth are well done and the intensity of some content should invest the reader with visceral reactions. A terrible thing should have a terrible feeling and that’s what the writing is able to achieve, and readers will experience a range of feeling, good and ugly, reading the book.I pre-ordered MWSK and have read the first chapter. James has done an outstanding job with this African-themed fantasy. I’m also impressed with the publisher and the design and quality of the books. For a story I’m looking forward to owning in hardcopy, I appreciate the quality of materials and production that goes into these final products.Can’t wait to finish and can’t wait for the conclusion. Great work Mr. James. We’re fortunate to have your novels and you as a teacher.

I like his writing style, creativity and sense of humor.He has an approach to writing that is unique and enjoyable.Not your typical novel by any means.