4.5 *
Exhausting read ( )

The first two thirds of this book are great. Then it gets lost. ( )

This review requires some preface: I picked up this novel with a bit of trepidation in my anticipation. The first volume was deeply engaging and brutal at the same time, blood and/or sex appearing on virtually every page. It surprises me that I endured its surface elements as well as I did, given my weak stomach, and I still cannot really explain it, but I was ready to see if it worked again. I'm also intrigued in general with revisiting a story I know from a different perspective (when it's not a transparent cash cow.) That was Marlon James' plan for this trilogy from the start and part of why I first jumped in. But the primary attraction is its basis in African myths, and to witness the result of a serious literary author tackling the fantasy genre seriously while owning what he's doing.

Sogolon's narrative is a straightforward chronology beginning in her childhood, in a world we readers are now familiar with, and winning quick sympathy with her plight and fighting spirit. The power we know her to possess begins to show itself in slow increments. I like Sogolon more than Tracker. More sympathetic, more relatable? I'm not sure. Less angry, maybe. Wiser. It's easier to understand her story, appreciate where she's coming from and the chip on her shoulder that drives her.

This novel's story doesn't begin to overlap with the first until the last hundred pages, but what leads up to that is all the background that the first was shady about sharing. Now we don't just know who the child is, we know his significance and can feel what finding him will mean - if he's not already beyond saving. This second book also provides a stronger, clearer picture of the world this series takes place in, making it feel more alive and lived in rather than just a setting for a point-to-point adventure among unusual attractions. Where the first book hammered me with violent imagery, this one creates a growing sense of earthy menace. I felt that especially about the Sangomin, who are some of the creepiest critters I've encountered in fantasy and defy all the tropes I know.

This series demands a lot, but it makes a good return on the investment. Can't wait to see what the third novel has in store. ( )

Marlon James’ Moon Witch, Spider King is an unexpected, richly drawn, thoroughly engrossing anti-sequel to the Dark Star trilogy’s Black Leopard, Red Wolf.

Moon Witch, Spider King tells the story of Sogolon the Moon Witch, who appeared as the tracker’s foil in Black Leopard, Red Wolf. In an unexpected move, James retells the story of the missing boy who was the key to saving the Northern Kingdoms from Sogolon’s perspective. But more than that, we’re given Sogolon’s entire story, from her initial upbringing trapped inside a termite mound by her father and brothers to her perilous journey to becoming the infamous Moon Witch.

Black Leopard, Red Wolf featured a lush, richly imagined, and lavishly described fantasy world based on various African mythologies. Moon Witch, Spider King took James’ imagined world several steps further, describing it from a woman’s perspective–a woman subject to all the abuse and misogyny of the first book. While this softens the blow a bit, it’s still hard to read about. As in the first book, James’ prose is choppy and rhythmic, making for sometimes challenging but always entertaining reading.

Sogolon was one of my favorite characters from Black Leopard, Red Wolf, so it was exciting to read her story. As with many of her sisters, the witch moniker was forced upon her despite her protests. As the cook told her, “the only difference between who is a witch and who is not is one man’s mouth.” It’s a label often used throughout history to demean and punish women who acted against the patriarchy. Intelligent women. Powerful women. Women who don’t obey. And Sogolon is all of those things. Fortunately for her, Sogolon’s power is real, if sometimes out of her control. If you’re like me and have always wanted to know more about Sogolon and her many trials over her long life, this book is for you.

This book contains mentions of physical and mental abuse, loss of family members, and descriptions of war, violence, rape, and death. ( )

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. ( )