Moon Witch, Spider King

The Dark Star Trilogy, Book 2

By: Marlon James

Narrated by: Bahni Turpin

“Masterfully flips the first installment on its head... James makes the mythic tantalizingly real.’” —Esquire

"Even more brilliant than the first.” —Buzzfeed

An Instant New York Times Bestseller and NPR Best Book of 2022 pick

From Marlon James, author of the bestselling National Book Award finalist Black Leopard, Red Wolf, the second book in the Dark Star trilogy.

In Black Leopard, Red Wolf, Sogolon the Moon Witch proved a worthy adversary to Tracker as they clashed across a mythical African landscape in search of a mysterious boy who disappeared. In Moon Witch, Spider King, Sogolon takes center stage and gives her own account of what happened to the boy, and how she plotted and fought, triumphed and failed as she looked for him. It’s also the story of a century-long feud—seen through the eyes of a 177-year-old witch—that Sogolon had with the Aesi, chancellor to the king. It is said that Aesi works so closely with the king that together they are like the eight limbs of one spider. Aesi’s power is considerable—and deadly. It takes brains and courage to challenge him, which Sogolon does for reasons of her own.

Both a brilliant narrative device—seeing the story told in Black Leopard, Red Wolf from the perspective of an adversary and a woman—as well as a fascinating battle between different versions of empire, Moon Witch, Spider King delves into Sogolon’s world as she fights to tell her own story. Part adventure tale, part chronicle of an indomitable woman who bows to no man, it is a fascinating novel that explores power, personality, and the places where they overlap.

©2022 Marlon James (P)2022 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

“A rare sequel that is better than its predecessor. . . .Moon Witch, Spider King is a breathtaking book, one that functions as well as a standalone as it does a sequel. . . .Make no mistake, this series is absolutely a must-read.”—NPR

“In the second book of his Dark Star trilogy, James coaxes beauty from dark thoughts, leaving readers with a concaved, mystical and African-inspired world that begins in free-fall. . . .In a world as thoroughly imagined as J.R.R. Tolkien’s, no detail seems spared. Full figured and richly drawn, Moon Witch, Spider King is the bridge of a trilogy and also a creation that, like James’ talent, stands alone.”—Los Angeles Times

“Spectacularly alive. . . .James choreographs fight scenes that make Quentin Tarantino’s movies feel comparatively tranquil. And there’s a catalogue of diabolically ingenious creatures creeping along the ceilings, jumping from behind trees and even reaching through fourth-dimension portals to keep the pages simmering with terror. . . .Sogolon is a thrilling, haunting heroine.”—The Washington Post

🤯🥳🤠😱😢🤬☠️🥳

Narration: beautiful, engrossing, griot sung
Story: repeat of narrativon plus filled with imagery that helped me see, hear, taste, feel and smell my voyeuristic leap through trees, adventure through air, fight, make love and hope.
All Hail the imperfect, avenger of balance...MOON WITCH. May we all aspire.
From Marlon James, I have come to expect NOTHING less.

amazing 👏

loved it. the struggle to see both characters in a negative light will haunt me forever

The saga keeps getting better and better

Awesome story that had a hold of me from beginning to end. An amazing performance by the narrator as well. One of the best I have ever heard!

Incredible!

This was well worth the wait. I do hope it is a trilogy. Marvelous!

Much better than the first novel.

If you had any reservations after the 1st novel, don't worry you get the best of it. If you liked the 1st novel, you'll still be in very good shape.

Better is subjective, but I mean better as in more palatable. The first novel was fascinating. A new world with so many possibilities and interesting mythology. The main character, Tracker, was really unlikable, though, haha. So angry and aggressive. His caustic attitude and the violence of his life was at times difficult to read through. I'm no prude.

This novel is not a repeat of the first, but more of a prequel. The main character is bitter but more likable and an easier read to follow because of it. This isn't sanitized, just a very different character with a very different world view.
The writing is still witty and the characters are very interesting. Touching, funny, savage, introspective. There is a lot here. A very complex Character.

Much later on, you hear some of the events in book 1 with a new perspective, but in brief rather than great detail, so it is interesting, still, now with the context of a prequel. I didn't expect to like this as much as I had. I look forward to more!

Transcendent

The first book was amazing. This book phenomenal. It is no African Game of Thrones. It’s actually better, its own entity and we’ll more than likely read the end.

Among the best fantasy books of the year.

The story is romp through the magic of the age in which it is set.
The narration really sets off and brings to life the mysteries of African cultures from the MC's childhood to becoming a woman of power into her 150 plus years age.
A must read it you liked "Red Wolf Black. Leopard."

Did not disappoint!

I Cannot wait for the final volume… this book was very clever and an interesting lens from which to witness the story.

This book will take you on adventures.

There are so many adventures wrapped into one book. You can't guess the ending, you can't guess what will happen next you just have to trust the process. I thoroughly enjoyed The narrator's voice and the captivating writing style.

Amazing narration to an amazing story

The narration was amazing. When I heard book two was almost the same story but from a different point of view I was hesitant even tho I loved book 1. But this was a totally different book. The only reason I gave the story 4/5 and not 5/5 was because the beginning is slow. But once it picks up it is really an amazing story and the prose are remarkable. Worldbuilding was great as well. Can’t wait for the next book in this series.