Moon Witch, Spider King

The Dark Star Trilogy, Book 2

By: Marlon James

Narrated by: Bahni Turpin

Length: 30 hrs and 47 mins

Publisher's Summary

“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

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

👏 Bravo/Brava!

Best offering to from author; best narration of any audible offering I’ve enjoyed to date. Now for a Deep Dive into African History & Mythology !

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.

Nobody has taken the title from her yet!

Amazing amazing amazing!
After finishing the first book in the series I always found myself going back to read the parts including Sogolon. Her tenacity and her zero capacity to entertain any findings of a man, let alone a man's bullshit, is what makes Sogolon so endearing to me. "Moon Witch, Spider King" definitely delivered on the origin of her character.

His story, her story, then the truth.

A little confused in the beginning but a wonderful read. Looking forward to the third iteration of this tale.

Sensational

I Loved this outlandish story. it was all over the place. A dream a fantasy story, a tale

Better then the first book.

This one was way better than the first book. I thought Bahni Turpin did a great job narrating this book.

Skip Ahead and Behind

I can't explain how much I love Black Leopard, Red Wolf. However, you could read the first 3 and last 2 chapters of this book to get everything you need to know. Sogalon was better in the first book. Disappointed by how Marlon James didn't jump on all opportunities for found family in this book, knowing that he can. I'm still looking forward to the 3rd book but hoping MJ gets more time to work his magic.

Incredible

Somehow this surpasses the first book in the series. It's absolutely brilliant. Bahni Turpin's narration is perfection as well. I can't recommend this audiobook enough.

mildly disappointing

I loved the first book. this book gives you nobody to like or cheer for. it is also full of people needlessly fighting and arguing just to take up space in the book. I hope the final book brings back the excitement of the first book.