Rating: 
Summary: The Best Sequal I have ever read!
Review: After reading 'Jackle', I nearly peed my pants in anticapation for this book. And, trust it dose not dissapoint! Unlike the first novel, which focased mainly on Richius, this actually adds some depth to Nar. Many books say "Yeah, with this one we're trying to add new depth to our world" all of them lie, but not this one. There are a lot more charecters to follow in this book, which is good, because it makes Nar seem so much more real. The basic plot is: Richius is living not-so-happily ever after in Lucel-Lor, when Biagio send this guy Simon, out to get his baby girl. Simon works his way into Richius' and Dyana's lives, and when Richius leaves with the Croatans, Simon takes the baby. From there, Biagio's 'Grand Designs' pretty go better than anyone planed. The new charecters introduced all, in some way or another have to do with Biagio's plans. In the end, Richius gets his kid back, but it's really the bad guys that win, at least from my perspective. I can't wait for number 3 in the series, maybe Richius wil get killed and Biagio will take over Lucel-Lor, from the darker than usuall way the series is written, that seems likly. If the badies do win in the end, it will be extremly refreshing. I highly, highly, highly recomend this, so far, it's the best fantasy book of 2000, though Haydon's 'Prophecy' came very close. The Geaorge R.R. Martin book, 'A Storm of Swords' could topple it, or maybe the new Goodkind, or maybe even the new Jordan, only time will tell.
Rating:
Summary: An intelligent, well-written fantasy
Review: After reading the first book in the series, I waited eagerly for The Grand Design to come out. I wasn't disappointed. This has already become one of my favorite series, because the stories are intelligent and the characters are fully rounded and believeable. And unlike many middle books in a trilogy, this one is complete. There is no cliff-hanger ending, and the climax is exciting and surprising. This author is in the league of Willaims and Martin. A highly recommended book.
Rating:
Summary: Wow!
Review: Battles, intrigue, revenge, blackmail. Who could ask for more? The book starts off one year after the Jackal of Nar ends. Richius is trying to make a life for himself and his young family in Lucelor, trying to forget what he's left behind. But Biagio has other plans for Richius. He wants to make Richius pay for the death of Arkus, by using Richius' young daughter against him. Biagio also has plans for himself. He's in a battle of survival with Bishop Herrith for control of Nar. Marco draws you in from the first page and doesn't let you go until the shattering ending. The second installment of this series lives up to, and exceeds, the promise of the first. I highly recommend it to everyone.
Rating:
Summary: An excellent followup to a terrific debut
Review: Book 2 is very different from Book 1: more action-focused (though the first book was no slouch on action), more complex, and more nuanced. It's not a simple followup to THE JACKAL OF NAR: it adds a lot of depth to the world of the series and focuses not just on Richius and Dyana, but on many new and memorable characters. John Marco has a knack for creating characters who straddle the line between good and evil: even the most heroic are flawed in some way, and even the most evil are portrayed with understanding and sympathy. Impressive also is the degree to which this middle book of a trilogy stands alone, deftly incorporating all the backstory from Volume 1 into the flow of the action. Once again, a strong performance from a talented new author.
Rating: 
Summary: Underwhelming and somewhat contrived...
Review: Book two is almost as good as book one. The exception is the character of Richius. He has become a brooding and depressed refugee. He sees an enemy around every corner. However, when an enemy does show up, Richius very quickly befriends him. It was convenient for Marco 's story to have Richius take on a friend when it would seem obvious that the character was an enemy. I enjoyed the book. Marco's descriptive style paints a very appealing picture of his world. He has added new characters and eliminated an even greater number. This was risky for the author and I commend Marco for taking the chance. He has kept his story fresh and, by doing this, maintains his readers interest.
Rating:
Summary: No sophmore jinx
Review: Book two is almost as good as book one. The exception is the character of Richius. He has become a brooding and depressed refugee. He sees an enemy around every corner. However, when an enemy does show up, Richius very quickly befriends him. It was convenient for Marco 's story to have Richius take on a friend when it would seem obvious that the character was an enemy. I enjoyed the book. Marco's descriptive style paints a very appealing picture of his world. He has added new characters and eliminated an even greater number. This was risky for the author and I commend Marco for taking the chance. He has kept his story fresh and, by doing this, maintains his readers interest.
Rating: 
Summary: Disappointing Sequel
Review: I began "The Grand Design" as soon as I finished "The Jackal of Nar." After thoroughly enjoying "Jackal," I was just as disappointed with "Design." I realize that middle books of trilogies are typically the weakest the of the series. It's rare that I experience such a decrease in quality. Marco took 785 pages to describe events that neither warranted this much detail nor provided much intrigue. Biagio's "grand design" really wasn't all that grand. I figure he could have cut about 675 pages and condensed everything into a prologue for book 3. Without going into too much plot detail, I will touch upon the aspects that bothered me (in no particular order). While nice to see different characters' points of view, the focus that made "Jackal" so compelling is missing. "Design" is disjointed and incredibly uneven. In "Jackal" I cared when characters died. In "Design" I shrugged. There was no sense of loss because I didn't really care about anybody. The Dragon's Beak subplot took up hundreds of pages but Marco did not do a good job of making it seem necessary or vital. The Lissens that were intriguing and mysterious in "Jackal" are empty characters. I could sympathize with their need for revenge, but Marco's depiction of their drive was unconvincing. More than anything, however, I sensed that the characters were puppets with no life. They danced to as Marco pulled the strings, but there was not one convincing moment of decision. They did what they did because Marco needed to move the plot along, not because they would really do what they were doing. I found myself muttering, "yeah, right" quite a bit. I plan to read the final book in the series, but I no longer feel the need to rush right out and buy it like I did when I finished "Jackal."
Rating:
Summary: Not excellent
Review: I gave Marco the benefit of doubt in my review of his debut novel, "The Jackal of Nar". Basically, I thought he was bound to get better, once he got going. I did so thinking that the peculiarities of "Jackal" could well be due to severe editing. In some ways, I may have been right. "The Grand Design", Marco's second, is a more coherent affair than his first effort. Editing is obviously no longer a problem. "Design" is therefore obviously more representive of what Marco can do than "Jackal". In other ways, though, I was very wrong. The problem is, "Design" shows that Marco is, as present, not capable of doing all that much. It might be more coherent than its predecessor, but it is no better. Marco continues to struggle both with his characters and with his plot. With regard to character: the protagonist, Richius, remains an utter dunce. Marco's attempt to re-introduce an arch villain (Biagio) as an born-again hero is interesting but unconvincincingly presented. In fact, the only appealing character Marco manages to portray is a toy-maker, whose presence in the story is, however, contrived. With regard to plot: the "grand" design giving rise to the title is based solely upon the unconvincing assumption that it would be A Jolly Good Idea to blindly attack Biago's island retreat. If you think about it, that's not good idea at all. In fact, it's downright stupid. Any book is, by definition, constrained by its author's intellectual capacity. A reader doesn't generally have to think about that (which is a great tribute to most authors). In the case of Marco, however, you can't get around this fact. You find yourself reading a story which is not logical, based as it is upon flawed and unconvincing premises. In short, you find yourself reading (and criticising) a writer, not living a story. "Design" is not a good book. I recommend it only to casual readers. And I give it three stars only because I know a lot of readers are, indeed, casual, and couldn't care less about criticism such as mine (they may well be right, come to think of it!). Those readers may well enjoy this book, if only because it's a quick and easy read. A final note: Marco has been compared to George R.R. Martin as a writer of "military" fantasy. That's ridiculous. If you like Martin (and you should) don't read Marco. Check out Steven Erickson instead. Now that's an intelligent (and seriously exciting) writer!
Rating:
Summary: I Was Wrong!
Review: I rated "The Jackal of Nar" 4 stars. Here, six months later, I still see those scenes in my mind, still feel the emotions of those characters. The first book in "Tyrants and Kings" stuck with me much longer than I expected. I should've given it 5 stars. "The Grand Design" is no less impressive. John Marco, in a deceptively easy style, draws characters both likeable and despicable, sympathetic and pathetic. He takes these characters with all their flaws and foibles and knits them into a plot that remains intricate without ever being confusing. This alone is quite a feat. To find myself caring about so many people, even minor players and evil ones, is further proof of Marco's fictional powers. I will not soon forget Vorto's attack at the beginning, the 'army of the air' at Dragon's Beak, the enigmatic Simon Darquis, or the toymaker and his young accomplice, Lorla. I was happy to reunite with the anti-hero Richius Vartran and his wife Dyana. I was moved and disturbed by the fates of Eris and Prakna and even young Shii. John Marco concludes this book rather quickly. I actually hoped (after reading 785 pages!) that he would flesh out the final scenes a bit more. But can I blame him for running out of steam? Giving him the benefit of the doubt, I believe he wraps this up suddenly only so that he might lead us into the final book "The Saints of the Sword." My interest piqued and my emotions not yet satiated, I plan to jump straight into the finale. I'm a firm Marco fan. Final note: I ran across Marco's new book, "The Eyes of God," yesterday at the bookstore. It looks equally captivating. Lorris and Pris! Too many good books, too little time.
Rating:
Summary: I Was Wrong!
Review: I rated "The Jackal of Nar" 4 stars. Here, six months later, I still see those scenes in my mind, still feel the emotions of those characters. The first book in "Tyrants and Kings" stuck with me much longer than I expected. I should've given it 5 stars. "The Grand Design" is no less impressive. John Marco, in a deceptively easy style, draws characters both likeable and despicable, sympathetic and pathetic. He takes these characters with all their flaws and foibles and knits them into a plot that remains intricate without ever being confusing. This alone is quite a feat. To find myself caring about so many people, even minor players and evil ones, is further proof of Marco's fictional powers. I will not soon forget Vorto's attack at the beginning, the 'army of the air' at Dragon's Beak, the enigmatic Simon Darquis, or the toymaker and his young accomplice, Lorla. I was happy to reunite with the anti-hero Richius Vartran and his wife Dyana. I was moved and disturbed by the fates of Eris and Prakna and even young Shii. John Marco concludes this book rather quickly. I actually hoped (after reading 785 pages!) that he would flesh out the final scenes a bit more. But can I blame him for running out of steam? Giving him the benefit of the doubt, I believe he wraps this up suddenly only so that he might lead us into the final book "The Saints of the Sword." My interest piqued and my emotions not yet satiated, I plan to jump straight into the finale. I'm a firm Marco fan. Final note: I ran across Marco's new book, "The Eyes of God," yesterday at the bookstore. It looks equally captivating. Lorris and Pris! Too many good books, too little time.
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