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James, Marlon. Moon Witch, Spider King. Riverhead. (Dark Star Trilogy, Bk. 2). Feb. 2022. 656p. ISBN 9780735220201. lrg. prnt. $30. FANTASY

Black Leopard, Red Wolf, Man Booker Prize–winning James’s first foray into fantasy, had the epic sweep, intensely layered structure, and raw if luscious language his readers have come to expect, and it was a National Book Award finalist and New York Times best seller. That book gave the backstory of the Tracker, engaged by a slaver to find a kidnapped child—reputedly the son of a North Kingdom elder—and the companions / adversaries the Tracker gathers in his search. One of them is the 177-year-old Moon Witch, Sogolon, who tells what happened to the child from her perspective. Paramount here is Sogolon’s ancient feud with the king’s chancellor, who works so closely with the king that they are said to be like a spider—a single creature with eight limbs. For readers of fantasy and literary fiction alike, this should be another grand thrill.

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