[Calandra]

I am just finishing up Jon Marco's "The Jackel of Nar" which is a book that I didn't necessarily expect to read or like. But I found it in the library, and decided to try it due to some recommendations on this site. While it was a bit hard at first the way one is dumped into the middle of the action (no "innocent farmboy discovers sword that unlocks power to save the world" stuff here), a bit more "gritty" than I prefer, and a bit less magic than I prefer, I have to say that I really did enjoy it (and have dark circles under my eyes after staying up late last night to finish it to prove it).

So as it appears to be part of a series (finished or not I have no idea) my question is, is it worth reading on? Please let me know if anyone has read on and your views.

Thanks

[Alex]

Hiya Calandra. The Jackal of Nar is part of the trilogy "Tyrants and kings".

I'd recommend Marco's books to just about anyone who's tired of the traditional "farm boy get's magic sword and saves the world fantasy". The books are superbly written and they just get better as the series goes along, at least in my opinion.

Also, if you are really into Marco, i'd suggest you try out K.J Parkers "Scavenger" trilogy. Parker and Marco have a similar writing style and both are great "militaristic-fantasy" (don't know if that is the correct term=) writers.



P.S. Hi everyone on SFFWORLD forum=) I've been registered here since the early days but i've kept my posts to a minimum...... NO MORE!! I'll be posting here frequently now...

"I once thought I was wrong, but I was misstaken"...

[TIPoP 0.141]

Its a few years now since I read them so I cant remember the name of the book which came after Jackal of Nar. What I do remember is that Jackal of Nar was very good but the second book wasn't up to the same standard. It had a particularly unbelievable ending where the behaviour of one of the characters underwent a complete u-turn without any explanation. It put me off buying the last book.

[Mithfânion]

I thought the first book, Jackal of Nar, was very average, and didn't even finish it.

Of course , if you yourself enjoyed the first book, I'd read on regardless of what others say.

[Obtuse]

I asked this same question here not too long ago, and was told by several people that subsequent books in the series are better. I have not, as of yet, read any of the sequels, so I can't verify that, but for what it's worth, I was convinced, and I do intend to continue the series.

[Dominus]

There was already a discussion about this here. (http://www.sffworld.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=4946&pagenumber=3)

[Shehzad]

Read on, my friend, read on. The books only get better.

[DrBloodmoney1]

I wrote a little about this on the thread about cliche's and some other older threads that you will be able to find if you search for them. Marco is an author that engenders strong feelings from the folks here. Very strong feelings. Personally I was very impressed by Tyrants and Kings (Jackal of Nar, The Grand Design, The Saints of the Sword). The first book was gritty and interesting for me, although I will concede that his writing was rough around the edges. Most folks will put down the series after the first novel, and that is a mistake in this case. His writing only improves after the first novel, and he does some things with the characters, especially the bad ones that I have never seen done. The strength of the character interaction and conflict is what really drew me into the last two books.

His other series, which started with The Eyes of God, is a little more straightforward heroic fantasy. I liked the first book, but I reserve the right to delay judgement until after I read the The Devils Armor which comes out this fall.

DrB

[ChrisW]

Parker and Marco have a similar writing style and both are great "militaristic-fantasy" (don't know if that is the correct term=) writers. What??? Granted i didn't read much of Marcos first book before giving up but I can see no foundation for you saying they have the same writing style. Parker imo is unique in his/her wierd style.

[Cannon Fodder]

Simply put, no. I read the next two books in the series having heard the series got better but there was no significant improvement in the writing.