Brilliant and thought provoking, engaging like crazy .. others here have outlined story .. but I felt slightly I was missing things not having read previous (which I will do now) .. but that's my only hesitation in recommending this ...

This is the second book in the dark star Trilogy by Marlon James. It’s brings all the expected fantasy, myths and adventure. The first book mainly followed the tracker, where as this book follows the story of Sogolon. The first book had been woven in to this one perfectly. I really enjoyed comparing both, the same story from different viewpoints. I think this is a great follow up and I can’t wait for the third instalment. I would recommend anyone interested in Fantasy to read both in this series.

I haven't read the first book in the series but I definitely want to I think just so I can Peace together with the first book . I found the book pretty fast paced and kept me wanting more definitely gripping . I loved learning so much about the African legends and learning more about the folklore was really Fascinating. There was parts which just ripped my heart out makes for a great story. Very dark at times but I liked that as it made it more Atmospheric. The characters was all so well written . This is a book I would definitely recommend to others .

The first word that comes to mind when I come to describe Moon Witch, Spider King by Marlon James is ‘ambitious’. It is so multifaceted and so complex in the story it weaves that I am still wrapping my head around it all. I am, quite frankly, in awe of Marlon James’ skill with words and especially the way his writing is so hypnotic even when you’re a bit lost within the plot and the grammar isn’t the standard English you’re accustomed to. I am also very impressed at the way James has created two characters that are so compelling from their own perspective and so antagonistic from the other’s point of view.

In the first book in this trilogy, Black Leopard, Red Wolf, the story of a missing boy and a group of mercenaries hired to find him is told by Tracker, a man with a wolf’s eye who ‘has a nose’ and can sniff something out from the slightest scent even months after it has disappeared. I loved Tracker’s story and being inside his head, so I was curious to find out what it would be like to read about the same events from the perspective of one of his rivals: the witch Sogolon. Though, if you read her story, you’ll see that the word witch doesn’t truly describe her. Her story begins many years before that of Tracker, and my worry about reading the same exact story told by someone else evaporated very quickly; Sogolon, in her meandering way, takes us to her childhood living in a termite hill, abused by her brothers because her birth killed their mother. Hers is a sorry existence, but you can feel the strength coming off of her even during her miserable times.

And those are many… she endures many masters, escaping one only to be taken up by the next, forced to grow up before her time, trying to understand the world and the mysterious force she sometimes exhibits. Through one of her masters she is taken to the court of Fasisi, the seat of the King of the North, and gifted to the King’s Sister. For me, this was the moment things truly kicked off – though the build up was necessary – as I loved the intrigue of the court and all the political schemes regarding the true Line of Kings and the mysterious chancellor that shadows the throne rang a bell from my time reading Black Leopard, Red Wolf. It was really interesting to be able to see all the politics from the front row, because Tracker always gets the information second hand, but Sogolon was there. Reading her story was like shining a bright torch onto the plot of Tracker’s story, but his side was necessary before everything could be peeled back and revealed. As I said, the complexity and the way its handled is truly impressive.

The other impressive thing about this book is the world-building. Marlon James has created such an inactivate world that feels so real, and each city has its own personality. The cool thing about following Sogolon, a woman who lives much longer than the average lifespan, is seeing how the kingdoms and cities change as well. It all feels very organic and probably part of the reason why both Tracker and Sogolon’s stories have lingered with me long after I turn the last page. The world of the Dark Star Trilogy is a cruel one, with monsters, power-hungry kings, and men ready to take advantage of any girl or woman they can. But it is also incredibly fascinating, with floating cities, shapeshifters, magic portals, and even a dragon. There is always some new facet to uncover, and I can’t wait to discover which direction the third book in the series will take.

Wired. Wonderful. Confusing. Worth the read!!! Thank you to netgally and the publisher for early access to this title!

In this mighty follow-up to his Number 1 bestseller Black Leopard, Red Wolf, Man Booker-winner Marlon James once gain draws on a rich tradition of African mythology, fantasy and history, to imagine a vibrantly original epic. Part adventure tale, part chronicle of an indomitable woman, Moon Witch, Spider King conjures a world of brutality and lust, power and vengeance, myth and magic.

“Maybe five or ten, maybe every single man I kill. I try to get up but they knock me down again, then hands—I can feel them grab my legs and drag me across the road. Mossi jump off his horse, pull his two sword, but they circle around him, pitch him forward and twist his own sword toward him, trying to get him to fall on it. Tracker run and pull back. They hands at my ankles are pulling me into bush, too fast for me to write any.”

Moon Witch, Spider King is the second instalment in the Dark Star trilogy that has been dubbed Marlon James’ African Game of Thrones. It’s a story of a feud between Sogolon a 177-year-old witch and Aesi, chancellor to the king, told in mythical style, drawing on African folklore and history. It traverses cultures, peoples and countries, at war with each other. It's your typical Marlon James book, long, with numerous characters, and the obligatory gore and violence that we have come to expect from him.

I have not read Black Leopard, Red Wolf the first book in the trilogy, so when I got hold of this
Moon Witch, Spider King I was afraid that I would be somewhat lost. And I was at the beginning but I don’t think that was down to not reading the first book but more due to the use of language. Marlon has crafted a style of his own and it takes some time to get used to. I could not tell who is speaking sometimes and had to go back and reread several passages to try and understand what was happening. But once I had gotten used to the style, I found it captivating, gripping and intriguing. Like all of Marlon’s books, you have to have patience and give it time. Although I was left a little traumatised and disturbed, I absolutely enjoyed it. Now that I have read it, I will go back and read Black Leopard, Red Wolf before the third book is published so I can complete the trilogy.

This was epic in scope. It's a slow read so don't expect to fly through it in a couple days but the experience is worth it. The protagonist is a woman and you'll have a hard time finding a stronger (even cruel) female protagonist in a fantasy book. The book is supposed to be the story of "Black Panther, Red Wolf" told through the eyes of the Moon witch character, but is much more than that. The history of the world is expanded and better explained and I felt a stronger connection with this protagonist than the Tracker of the first book.
My only issue was with the pacing which felt a bit slow at times and a bit repetitive.
Overall this was fantastic and I strongly believe that the trilogy will be considered as one of the most important in modern fantasy upon completion..

This book was a real adventure. Even more so, that English is not my first language. I fell in love with “Black Leopard, Red Wolf” and I’m absolutely delighted to say that “Moon Witch, Spider King” is even better. I was a little bit worried about the second book course but nothing like that has happened here. I was swept away right at the beginning and stayed like that all the way through to the very end.

For some time, at the beginning, I was thinking that this second installment should’ve been made first. The plot, or rather Sogolon’s story, starts so much earlier than anything that was told in book one. By the end however, the author convinced me that it is exactly the order that they should be in. As it dwindled to the finish, we were once again in the same mysterious dungeon? prison? in which we’ve left the Tracker. And now I’m painfully itching to read the next and last installment in this trilogy. I have so many questions left after reading this book and also simply wanting to get into this fascinating world again. My only hope is that it won’t be a three-years-wait again.

As I said at the very beginning, I loved the first book. But this one is even better. It has so much more to tell and, I have to say it, Sogolon is a much more interesting character to see the world through her eyes. She’s fierce and she’s brave. Sometimes she’s maybe a little bit naive. She might be coarse and harsh but that’s just a surface. Underneath which a big and loving heart is hidden. That is why it hurts so much more to read about all that she had to go through to become the woman she was at the end of it. I cried for her and I was happy for her, as the plot took me through this rough path of her life she became my close friend. I love this book for doing that. For making her some much more than just another character in a book. The author gave her life and meaning and wrote it so I could experience it wholly.

If you haven't yet read the first book, do it quick and read the second straight after. If you read book one and are not totally convinced that you should read the second, leave your uncertainty behind. If you didn’t like the first book, I dare say you’ll change your mind upon reading this.

Moon Witch Spider King
Marlon James

Herein 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.

This is such an enthralling read, an exceptional instalment in the series, again there is a lot imagery, poetry and violence, the world building of this mythical African world is absolutely fantastic, I found tone in this book to be much lighter. I am definitely looking forward to the last book of the trilogy and highly recommend this series and the book

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion

It's a riveting read, the excellent second instalment in this series. I found it more gripping than Black Leopard, Red Wolf but hard to follow as the first book.
There's a lot of images, poetry, and violence. Great world building, dreamlike storytelling.
Looking forward to the last story.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Sogolon, if that is her name, a centuries-old witch, is on the run and searching for the dead child who opened the first of the Dark Star Trilogy.

An Africa, infused with Jamaican street savvy, and the bif!-pow! of superhero comics, this comes more rounded, and with more psychological impact, than its predecessor, Black Wolf, Red Leopard.

James does not hold back. Moon Witch, Spider King is a pyrotechnic, wall of sound f**king-every-which-way, gore-fest, and then some.

Despite the novel’s length, the action never stays in one place for long. On the page, it proves tricksy to follow, the audio version, narrated splendidly by Bahni Turpin, takes full advantage of the ‘see her..., hear her...’ oral tradition of the writing and is much more satisfying.

Tremendous fun.

Thanks to NetGalley and The Publisher for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Sogolon is the most cantankerous, unapologetic ruthless and baddest woman around, And at 177 years old she deserves to be just so. She has been though it all and then some - born but not named, used and abused, runaway, then enslaved, a thief, a fighter, a lover, a mother and a warrior, seen and unseen, witnessing the rise and fall of Kings and Queen and loss of collective memory all while continuing to see the suffering of females at the hands of males. This is a brutal story of survival and vengeance, at a price. And it also adds her side of the story to the search for the mysterious Boy - I need me part 3!

I really enjoyed reading this installment of The Dark Star Trilogy. Installment is the right word as it's not a continuation nor a parallel nor a rebuttal of the first book. It reads like a vastly expanded companion to the first book. And I connected with Sogolon's narrative and character on all levels.

While this is a vast book, which should be savoured, it conventional linear style is easier to grapple with than Black Leopard, Red Wolf. Read it if you didn't like book 1. Read it if haven't read book 1, You won't regret rit.

A mystical book which draws on African folklore and pulls the reader in. It was enchanting to watch an unnamed, outcast little girl grow - her innocence receding as the chapters progressed. With almost lyrical writing, James weaves a fantastic tale with Sogolon’s narrative. It’s not necessary to have read the first novel, Black Leopard, Red Wolf to follow this story, which is an interesting approach to a series and not one I’ve encountered before. Despite not having read the first book, I didn’t feel I was missing another story whilst reading this one. So absorbed in the tale of the Moon Witch, I was content to see her part of the story unfold and would definitely pick up the first (and forthcoming third) novel to immerse myself further in this magical world that James has built.

This sequel to Black Leopard, Red Wolf is even more engaging and immersive. Told from the point of view from the prime antagonist the first novel in the trilogy, it is at the same time a origin story and another version of the events in the first book. The unique writing style, at times poetic and and often extremely violent and graphic demandas some persista ce, but is well worth the effort. Waiting for the conclusion of this unique fantasy trilogy.

Black Leopard, Red Wolf is one of my favourite fantasy books, however, I loved Moon Witch, Spider King even more, The character of Sogolon is so complex and beautifully written that following her journey is compelling, even when horrible and traumatic things happen to her. Marlon James' writing style is very lyrical, beautiful and at times beautiful. The plot is complex and confusing at times, although I found this book to be much easier to follow than the first book. I love that this book spans 150 years and tells the events of Black Leopard, Red Wolf from Sogolon's perspective, and has a feminist slant.

I found this book to be very exciting, innovative and brilliant. I want to say so much more about it, however, to do that will spoil not only aspects of this book, but also the first book in the series.

Overall, this book has cemented the Dark Star Trilogy as one of the most exciting series in fantasy at the moment.

Thank you to Marlon James, Penguin and NetGalley for an ARC in return for a honest review.

Despite not having read the first book, I really enjoyed Moon Witch, Spider King.

The use of magic and folklore and the way people use magic was great. I liked the development of the strong characters of the women and children, despite the expectations of society on them. At times violent, but I kept wanting to read on to find out what happened next. This book had me feeling so many emotions at different times, worry, anticipation, disgust, anger, hope. A book I would definitely recommend.

This is the story of Sogolon, from her birth in poverty to her old age as the Moon Witch.

Marlon James is a brilliant story teller, and this is a blend of lots of stories within stories. It is of course a fantasy novel, which is part of a series.
Moon Witch, Spider King can be read as a stand alone novel, or you can read the whole of the series.

I have to admit that I prefer fiction (my definition is stories that the reader can believe did happen, or might have happened, or could possibly happen) to fantasy (writing in which part of the story could not have actually happened). I do read fantasy when the story is so good that at least part of the time the reader can believe in the tale.

This tale is one of those gripping fantasy tales that is so well written that it does not matter that part of the story could not possible happen. It has its dark patches, which is usually considered good and necessary by lovers of fantasy readers, but won’t have you cowering under the covers.

Fantasy lovers will love this novel. I liked it a lot.

My thanks to the publisher for an advanced copy for honest review.

“I learn to live through it. First rip the day in half, time to sleep, time to walk. Then tear it down more, then more, and more after that. Tear a day into pieces you can swallow and soon the whole thing will pass.”

Beginning over 100 years before the key events in Black Leopard Red Wolf and telling the story of Sogolon, Moon Witch Spider King is doused in the same immersive world-building and complex characters as it’s predecessor. As we trade narrators we get to see this world in a whole new way and gain greater insight into the events of BLRW, while adding new layers of complexity.

I found I could enjoy this book more than BLRW because I could understand more about how and why the events were unfolding. I felt the narrative structure was more accessible and flowed a lot better than with Tracker’s story.

I enjoyed reading from Sogolon’s perspective and I was engrossed in her journey— one filled with misery and vengeance. Another heartbreaking and epic tale set in a vivid and well crafted world.

*Thank you to Penguin UK and Netgalley for the eARC.