Black Leopard, Read Wolf – Marlon James

Riverhead Books | Hardcover | February 5, 2019

Shapeshifters. Vampires. Roof Demons. Witches. Magic Doors. Mad Kings.

Though similarities can be drawn to Game of Thrones, to describe the first installment of James’s Dark Star Trilogy as an African Game of Thrones doesn’t do it justice. Rather, Black Leopard, Red Wolf is something far more complicated[1] and epic. James has crafted a narrative that is layered with tales within tales, within tales that demands to be devoured.

The novel is narrated by Tracker, a man with “a nose,” who can sniff out anyone—or anything. He also has a wolf eye—given to him after his actual eye was sucked out by a hyena—that lets him see in the dark, and he cannot be killed by blades or arrows thanks to a witch’s protective enchantment.[2] In addition to having a nose, Tracker has a mouth. He’s boisterous and sarcastic and can out-swear a sailor on any given day, which allows James to drive a lot of his scenes through dialogue. But beneath all Tracker’s bravado, he is no stranger to suffering. After being rejected by his family and his tribe, he wishes to belong and has an affection for people—especially children—spurned by society.

Tracker’s quest is simple: find a boy.[3] But, as so many epic quests go, what starts out as a simple task rapidly unfolds into something far more intricate and treacherous. Before Tracker and his companions—Leopard who can shapeshift into a man; the Ogo who is a giant, but hates being called one; Mossi, a master swordsman from the east; and more—know it, they are caught up in a war for the throne. Though Tracker has no personal stake in finding the boy beyond gold, he is driven by his desire for truth about who this boy is and why so many mercenaries and monsters are after him.

Through the various tales and tangents Tracker tells, James has created a story where African myths, legends, and histories are seamlessly mixed into one, leaving readers to wonder what is real, what is true, and ultimately—like Tracker—to decide who is right and who is evil. Honestly, the only thing better than this first installment is the knowledge that James is only getting started and that there will be more to come in this modern epic.

[1] More complicated? Then Game of Thrones? Yes, it does seem impossible, but it's true.
[2] He’s kind of a cross between Bayek and the Juggernaut.
[3] And before you ask, no, “the boy” is never named.