This powerful, multilayered saga features a complicated hero: brave yet sensitive General Richius Vantran. Ordered by the Emperor to halt a revolt ...
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reviews
Feb 01, 2012
Stefan
rated it: 
To be quite blunt, I LOVE this book.
When I started it I wasn't sure what to expect. Whatever I was expecting, it certainly paled in comparison with what I got. John Marco brings us a gritty fantasy with believable characters and a plot with many unseen twists and turns. The characters in the book are presented in such a way that there is no cut and dried good vs. evil as in so many fantasy novels. Marco has done an excellent job in portraying the motivations of his characters in such a More...
When I started it I wasn't sure what to expect. Whatever I was expecting, it certainly paled in comparison with what I got. John Marco brings us a gritty fantasy with believable characters and a plot with many unseen twists and turns. The characters in the book are presented in such a way that there is no cut and dried good vs. evil as in so many fantasy novels. Marco has done an excellent job in portraying the motivations of his characters in such a More...
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Jul 16, 2010
Amber
rated it: 
Perhaps I didn't give this book a fair chance. (No, I didn't finish this one.) But I found that I was forcing myself to read it, and so decided why bother. The beginning caught my attention instantly while I was examining it in the store. It started in the midst of a battle involving trenches, war wolves, and flame cannons. So I bought it. Sigh. That's the only compliment I can really give this book.
I found myself irritated with just about every character. Richius, the protagonist, More...
I found myself irritated with just about every character. Richius, the protagonist, More...
Oct 04, 2011
Chris
rated it: 
Tea: Why yes, I believe a half cup will do for now
Overall a good solid intriguing read with some flaws that prevented it being great.
Another author I had never heard of or read before (this is his debut novel). Definitely an adventure fantasy series, with a few twists and turns along the way.
Nice start to the story, being thrust right into the middle of the action where the main character is fighting a war. I enjoyed the journal entries from the main character too (another relu More...
Overall a good solid intriguing read with some flaws that prevented it being great.
Another author I had never heard of or read before (this is his debut novel). Definitely an adventure fantasy series, with a few twists and turns along the way.
Nice start to the story, being thrust right into the middle of the action where the main character is fighting a war. I enjoyed the journal entries from the main character too (another relu More...
Aug 08, 2011
Fred
rated it:
This is a great book of Fantasy. Marco poses the question "Despite oaths of allegiance, how long can you serve evil masters?" Always an interesting subject to explore.
This may be one of the only works of fictional fantasy that I can think of that has been written that also explores concepts of racism, interracial relationships, cultural and religious differences and how they can or can't be reconciled. I recommend this series without reservations. It may not be the best work of f More...
This may be one of the only works of fictional fantasy that I can think of that has been written that also explores concepts of racism, interracial relationships, cultural and religious differences and how they can or can't be reconciled. I recommend this series without reservations. It may not be the best work of f More...
Jan 11, 2009
Millerbug
rated it: 
I really enjoyed this book. For this being John Marco's first novel, I was very impress. I totally enjoyed it. It was very visual and I could imagine myself there. I was kind of bummed that some of the characters were killed off so quickly, because I would have liked to gotten to know them better. But all and all a very good read. Mostly military fantasy, a little bit of magic and a made up creature or two. But it was mainly about one man's struggles and where his loyalties lie, epic love and fi
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May 18, 2009
Fiona
rated it:
I remember loving this, being really addicted to it - I can't remember what age I was now. About 16/17 but I don't think I'd like it now for some reason I'm not sure. I'm just not into adult kind of fantasy.
And I just couldn't get into the second book either which is a shame. I would like to re-read. I wonder if the library has it...
And I just couldn't get into the second book either which is a shame. I would like to re-read. I wonder if the library has it...
Mar 13, 2009
Dan
rated it:
Marco's debut book, and what a debut! Following the story of Richius Vantras, the Kalak, or Jackel. An epic blend of sorcery, military, and science, that kept me reading, and unable to put the book down!
Feb 18, 2009
i started reading it a long time ago, but lost it, so now i've found it again. is it health to be reading so many books at once?
Dec 06, 2010
Eric
rated it:
This book was a waste of my time. I hope it gets better but I have a lot of other really interesting books to read and I don't want to waste my time on poorly conceived and inelegantly written stories.
Ouch.
Ouch.
Sep 11, 2010
Elvis
rated it:
Second time through this book. Ran into it while cleaning op my old room and remembered loving it. I've read a lot of other books since and this one still ranks up there with some of the best fantasy I've ever read.
This is fantasy but is very light on the magic. Lots of action and political intrigue in a non-modern world. Just my style. On to book 2.
Jun 15, 2009
Maakaari
rated it:
c'est pas super bien écrit, mais ca accroche suffisamment pour donner envie de lire les tomes suivants
Sep 18, 2007
Meghan
rated it:
Good book, you never know what's going to happen or who's going to die with this author. Makes for interesting reading! All of the characters seem to have real emotions with the bad guys having feelings and obsessions while even the good guys have some very real-seeming "evil" moments.
Jan 03, 2008
Trey
rated it:
Military Fantasy. Not large scale battles, but the main character spends much of the book as an underdog in a big war. I found the 'bad guys' the most entertaining people in the book. My biggest complaint it the main character is a bit of a whiner and makes stupid decisions.
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