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micksland's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
3.5 stars
Ultimately this is a sequel that suffers from “second novel in a trilogy” syndrome.
This was sold to me as “book one, but from a different point of view”. That is an inaccurate statement; it’s better to say that this is a prequel that eventually catches up to “Black Leopard, Red Wolf”. This book is 626 pages long, and the protagonist from book one doesn’t show up until page 500! I kept wanting the first few parts of the book to be over, because they were slow-paced character-driven escapades and I knew that there would be action happening eventually. 500 pages is really too long to wait for the exciting parts of a story.
Another frustrating detail is that Sogolon is a difficult and unlikeable character. Even though this is purposeful, I personally liked Tracker better.
That being said, the ending was phenomenal. The different takes on “what actually happened” are fascinating and I can’t wait to see if we get a “true” answer in the finale. I blew through the entire final 100 pages in a single sitting, which shows the author’s prowess when things really start moving. If the author had chosen to cut part one entirely in order to make the book faster, I would have enjoyed it much more.
Ultimately this is a sequel that suffers from “second novel in a trilogy” syndrome.
This was sold to me as “book one, but from a different point of view”. That is an inaccurate statement; it’s better to say that this is a prequel that eventually catches up to “Black Leopard, Red Wolf”. This book is 626 pages long, and the protagonist from book one doesn’t show up until page 500! I kept wanting the first few parts of the book to be over, because they were slow-paced character-driven escapades and I knew that there would be action happening eventually. 500 pages is really too long to wait for the exciting parts of a story.
Another frustrating detail is that Sogolon is a difficult and unlikeable character. Even though this is purposeful, I personally liked Tracker better.
That being said, the ending was phenomenal. The different takes on “what actually happened” are fascinating and I can’t wait to see if we get a “true” answer in the finale. I blew through the entire final 100 pages in a single sitting, which shows the author’s prowess when things really start moving. If the author had chosen to cut part one entirely in order to make the book faster, I would have enjoyed it much more.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping, Pedophilia, Murder, Child death, and Rape
Moderate: Homophobia and Misogyny
lex_situ's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Incredible book. Be prepared for a lot of dark themes (wish this series came with the necessary content warnings). The world of fiction has a deep need for more African mythology, and this book and its counterpart(s) deliver. Having not learned much about African cultures, I had to look up various words (different garments, accessories, creatures and beings...) now and then -- learned a lot!
I read BL, RW first, then this one. I really enjoyed Sogolon's story more, her development, and her impatience with Tracker by the time they finally meet in her narrative. Can't wait for the 3rd book!
I read BL, RW first, then this one. I really enjoyed Sogolon's story more, her development, and her impatience with Tracker by the time they finally meet in her narrative. Can't wait for the 3rd book!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Blood, Death, Body horror, Violence, Torture, Sexual violence, Gore, and Rape
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Child abuse, Child death, Drug use, Pedophilia, and Alcohol
book_gremlin42's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Classism, Rape, Sexual assault, Blood, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail, and Misogyny
Moderate: Slavery, Vomit, Homophobia, and Pedophilia
becksusername's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
I wish I had read Black Leopard Red Wolf more recently, or had a copy with me to compare the parts of the story that overlap, so I could note all the subtle differences between Sogolon's account and Tracker's. This book was such a satisfying follow-up after BLRW, which I remember being an incredible story unlike any I'd ever read, but also wildly misogynist (the narrator and characters, not the author obviously). Like Sogolon said of Tracker's story "maybe some of it even have one or two women he neither call witch nor bitch." Sogolon is a (deeply flawed) feminist icon. I want more stories in this world!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Incest, Homophobia, Violence, Vomit, War, Blood, Child abuse, Child death, Classism, Confinement, Gaslighting, Pedophilia, Grief, Cannibalism, Injury/Injury detail, Slavery, Torture, Transphobia, Death of parent, Misogyny, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Domestic abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Death, Gore, Kidnapping, Murder, Sexual content, Trafficking, Adult/minor relationship, Infidelity, Animal death, Fire/Fire injury, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Stalking, Suicide, Body horror, and Sexual violence
itstaralw's review against another edition
dark
slow-paced
1.0
It never sits right with me when men write about sexual assault—but when they write this much about graphic sexual violence, it’s just repulsive. .
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, and Child abuse
spacecars's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
hopeful
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
If you’re in the mood for something that screams female empowerment, this is it. Run, don’t walk.
I don’t read fantasy, but this is by far the best book on female empowerment that I’ve read so far. Sogolon is a queen in her own right, and I stan a woman’s bloodlust for stupid men—men who only want to own women, men who only want to violate women, men who think women are just birthing machines.
Marlon James did an extremely fantastic job on this—the observations and monologues that Sogolon had on men were so relatable I found myself agreeing with everything she’s said. It’s a feat to write something so empowering when you’re not a woman, and not going through what we have to endure.
I’m left breathless by the end of this book, and I can’t emphasise how much I admire and love Sogolon for all that she’s been through and all that she does as the Moon Witch.
Read this, please, especially if you’re a woman. I guarantee that it won’t be disappointing at all.
I don’t read fantasy, but this is by far the best book on female empowerment that I’ve read so far. Sogolon is a queen in her own right, and I stan a woman’s bloodlust for stupid men—men who only want to own women, men who only want to violate women, men who think women are just birthing machines.
Marlon James did an extremely fantastic job on this—the observations and monologues that Sogolon had on men were so relatable I found myself agreeing with everything she’s said. It’s a feat to write something so empowering when you’re not a woman, and not going through what we have to endure.
I’m left breathless by the end of this book, and I can’t emphasise how much I admire and love Sogolon for all that she’s been through and all that she does as the Moon Witch.
Read this, please, especially if you’re a woman. I guarantee that it won’t be disappointing at all.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Sexism, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Misogyny, Death, Blood, Rape, Injury/Injury detail, Slavery, Grief, Hate crime, Gore, Domestic abuse, Murder, Sexual violence, and Child death
annemaries_shelves's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
4.25 stars
I enjoyed this a LOT more than Tracker's perspective - Sologon the Moon Witch was a compelling character who was consistent in her characterization - stubborn, quick to anger, violent, intense in all emotions, and unwilling to take anyone's shit (or advice, to her own detriment).
I was impressed with how James wrote her - she was a lot more realistic than many male fantasy writer's female characters. She actually talks about her period (moonblood), expresses frustration with how stupid men are and how unfair and unjust the world is to women, and has her own interests outside of a husband and children (both of which she does have). She's not perfect - frustrating, sometimes veers towards homophobic in her comments/thoughts about Tracker, violent, rude, but always compelling.
The world is just as violent, misogynistic, and brutal - rape, witch hunts, and murder are still common, everyday occurrences. We follow Sogolon through at least 170+ years of her life, with a more sequential story than BLRW. Characters from the first book really only show up 500 pages in, and as expected, there are discrepancies between Tracker's versions of events and Sogolon's. Particularly around the Aesi - who is only slightly less mysterious in this novel and altogether more terrifying as you learn more his backstory (mostly through interactions with our protagonist).
Overall, I really enjoyed this story and it flew by in comparison to BLRW. Sogolon had so many great moments of insight and power, and her impact on the woman of this fantasy world is undeniable. There's still a lot left to uncover across the main plot, which I hope will be revealed in the final book, whenever that's published.
CW: rape, torture, sexism and misogyny, slavery/enslavement, domestic and child abuse, blood and gore, witch hunts, bestiality (consensual this time, for what that's worth...), child death, grief, pregnancy and birth, pedophilia, and I'm sure others that I can't remember after 650 pages.
I enjoyed this a LOT more than Tracker's perspective - Sologon the Moon Witch was a compelling character who was consistent in her characterization - stubborn, quick to anger, violent, intense in all emotions, and unwilling to take anyone's shit (or advice, to her own detriment).
I was impressed with how James wrote her - she was a lot more realistic than many male fantasy writer's female characters. She actually talks about her period (moonblood), expresses frustration with how stupid men are and how unfair and unjust the world is to women, and has her own interests outside of a husband and children (both of which she does have). She's not perfect - frustrating, sometimes veers towards homophobic in her comments/thoughts about Tracker, violent, rude, but always compelling.
The world is just as violent, misogynistic, and brutal - rape, witch hunts, and murder are still common, everyday occurrences. We follow Sogolon through at least 170+ years of her life, with a more sequential story than BLRW. Characters from the first book really only show up 500 pages in, and as expected, there are discrepancies between Tracker's versions of events and Sogolon's. Particularly around the Aesi - who is only slightly less mysterious in this novel and altogether more terrifying as you learn more his backstory (mostly through interactions with our protagonist).
Overall, I really enjoyed this story and it flew by in comparison to BLRW. Sogolon had so many great moments of insight and power, and her impact on the woman of this fantasy world is undeniable. There's still a lot left to uncover across the main plot, which I hope will be revealed in the final book, whenever that's published.
CW: rape, torture, sexism and misogyny, slavery/enslavement, domestic and child abuse, blood and gore, witch hunts, bestiality (consensual this time, for what that's worth...), child death, grief, pregnancy and birth, pedophilia, and I'm sure others that I can't remember after 650 pages.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pregnancy, Slavery, Blood, Gore, Grief, Child abuse, Kidnapping, Sexual assault, Violence, Misogyny, Sexual violence, Domestic abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Rape, Child death, Death, and Sexism
Moderate: Pedophilia, Homophobia, and Torture
jessthanthree's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Trafficking, Slavery, Sexual violence, Bullying, Child abuse, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Animal death, Body horror, Gaslighting, Murder, Child death, Fire/Fire injury, Torture, Violence, Classism, Death, Sexism, and Rape
Moderate: Forced institutionalization, Excrement, Pedophilia, Police brutality, and War
queenmackenzie's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Murder, Rape, Sexual violence, and Slavery
Moderate: Pregnancy and Pedophilia
ronpayne's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Slavery, Sexual violence, Sexism, Pregnancy, Pedophilia, Murder, Medical trauma, Child abuse, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Domestic abuse, Confinement, Body horror, Violence, Gore, Physical abuse, Cursing, Classism, Child death, Injury/Injury detail, Animal death, and Vomit
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