Moon Witch, Spider King (The Dark Star Trilogy #2)

Moon Witch, Spider King (The Dark Star Trilogy #2)

Marlon James

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


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  • Coalregard
    Feb 28, 2025
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  • ash23
    Apr 02, 2025
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    Moon Witch, Spider King tells the story of Sogolon, the Moon Witch, beginning in her childhood and going all the way through the events of Black Leopard, Red Wolf. I found this book much easier to follow than the first, and I enjoyed it much more. It also helped me better comprehend Black Leopard, Red Wolf. I really liked the character of Sogolon, and Bahni Turpin does an excellent job bringing her to life.

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  • bkwrm1317
    Feb 18, 2025
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    Second installment in the Dark Star trilogy. Pretty sure James can’t write anything I am not challenged by/don’t enjoy. 

    A very different perspective than Black Leopard, Red Wolf but in a way that serves the overarching narrative. Challenging (as all James novels are, really), but in a totally satisfying way. 

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