Rating: 
Summary: A terrible writer
Review: I'm sorry, this guy just can't write worth a darn. It's almost like he's a teenager or something. If you want to read someone who knows how to write, George Martin's books are so much better. I'll finish this series, but it's difficult. The characters are stupid, they say really dumb things, they think like morons. I can't believe so many people rate them so highly. Have you never read really good authors? Try C.J.Cherryh, or even Jordan, but this author is hopeless.
Rating: 
Summary: Rare gem!
Review: I've been waiting for a year for the second book, since I bought the first one soon after it first came out. It was definitely worth the wait! The characters are well thought out, and the plot is second to none. The author again manages to avoid cliche while providing all the elements of a truly epic fantasy. Originality abounds, with the power struggles, the ravens...I could go on, but I don't want to give too much away for those not fortunate enough to have read it yet. If you're one of these people, go out and get this book! It is a rare gem in world of copy-cat stories. All I can say is, I want more!
Rating:
Summary: Fantastic Book
Review: I've just finished reading this book. The book is amazing.Great characters, who are very believeable and understandable.Istill have problems with Richius, who I find a little stupid at times, and a little weak at others, but the other characters, particularly Simon and Deena were excellently drawn. Read this book
Rating: 
Summary: An Improvement Upon The Original
Review: In "Grand Design," author John Marco has much improved upon his first book, "The Jackal of Nar." As others have noted, incorporating multiple points of view has added depth and greater dimension to his ongoing story, while provided additional characters whose personalities at time outshine Richius'. Simon in particular is intriguing, providing almost a parallel to Marco's hero, and often upstaging his treatment, both in strength of character and sensitivity. Unburdened by Richius' peripatetic uncertainties and inability too see himself clearly, Simon comes across as a much stronger character when confronted by similar situations in which Richius tends to waffle. It is my hope that we will see Simon in further installments. Abandoning his earlier concentration upon Richius, many of the earlier secondary characters, as well as some new ones, are given equal billing in this book, doing much to expand upon the complexity of the author's story, not only in terms of its characters but the storyline as well. Marco handles the shifts in perspective deftly, and, unlike his first novel, has imbued them with greater emotional intensity. As always, his characters are both sympathetic and flawed, though I believe in this book the author has taken his characterizations to a new level, with only his original hero changing relatively little from the first installment. As his presence is less obtrusive amongst the varied cast here, problematic elements about Richius that persist from the first book are less noticeable and intrusive. I guess the biggest problem that I have with the character of Richius is that he seems not to learn from his previous errors, paying great lip-service to the destructive nature of vengeance, vacillating back and forth between participation and regret, yet persisting in its pursuance, once again placing all he loves at risk for the illusory goal of retribution. As the self-destructive and empty reward of revenge and consuming hatred is a major theme of this novel, echoed again and again, it would be more convincing if the main hero experienced an epiphany equal to those of Herrith, Simon, and Enli. Instead, he often seems simply carried along with events. I would have given this work a greater score were it not for the implausibility of events that take place at the book's conclusion. Not wishing to give the end away, I will only say that an act of forgiveness takes place that seems weakly founded upon one character's response to another, and while some effort is expended to provide reasons for the character's change of heart, I found it unconvincing. Further, in structure the conclusion to this book is very similar to the last, an emerging device that I think it would be better for the author to jettison. Nonetheless, the author is moving from strength to strength, and this book should do much to remove the doubts of earlier detractors. Certainly one of the better series currently going, (I find myself in accord with the praise of an earlier reviewer, author Victoria Strauss--not surprising, perhaps, when you consider she's mentioned in the book's acknowledgements), and I heartily recommend it while you wait for the release of Martin and Jordan's newest books later this Fall.
Rating:
Summary: An Improvement Upon The Original
Review: In "Grand Design," author John Marco has much improved upon his first book, "The Jackal of Nar." As others have noted, incorporating multiple points of view has added depth and greater dimension to his ongoing story, while provided additional characters whose personalities at time outshine Richius'. Simon in particular is intriguing, providing almost a parallel to Marco's hero, and often upstaging his treatment, both in strength of character and sensitivity. Unburdened by Richius' peripatetic uncertainties and inability too see himself clearly, Simon comes across as a much stronger character when confronted by similar situations in which Richius tends to waffle. It is my hope that we will see Simon in further installments. Abandoning his earlier concentration upon Richius, many of the earlier secondary characters, as well as some new ones, are given equal billing in this book, doing much to expand upon the complexity of the author's story, not only in terms of its characters but the storyline as well. Marco handles the shifts in perspective deftly, and, unlike his first novel, has imbued them with greater emotional intensity. As always, his characters are both sympathetic and flawed, though I believe in this book the author has taken his characterizations to a new level, with only his original hero changing relatively little from the first installment. As his presence is less obtrusive amongst the varied cast here, problematic elements about Richius that persist from the first book are less noticeable and intrusive. I guess the biggest problem that I have with the character of Richius is that he seems not to learn from his previous errors, paying great lip-service to the destructive nature of vengeance, vacillating back and forth between participation and regret, yet persisting in its pursuance, once again placing all he loves at risk for the illusory goal of retribution. As the self-destructive and empty reward of revenge and consuming hatred is a major theme of this novel, echoed again and again, it would be more convincing if the main hero experienced an epiphany equal to those of Herrith, Simon, and Enli. Instead, he often seems simply carried along with events. I would have given this work a greater score were it not for the implausibility of events that take place at the book's conclusion. Not wishing to give the end away, I will only say that an act of forgiveness takes place that seems weakly founded upon one character's response to another, and while some effort is expended to provide reasons for the character's change of heart, I found it unconvincing. Further, in structure the conclusion to this book is very similar to the last, an emerging device that I think it would be better for the author to jettison. Nonetheless, the author is moving from strength to strength, and this book should do much to remove the doubts of earlier detractors. Certainly one of the better series currently going, (I find myself in accord with the praise of an earlier reviewer, author Victoria Strauss--not surprising, perhaps, when you consider she's mentioned in the book's acknowledgements), and I heartily recommend it while you wait for the release of Martin and Jordan's newest books later this Fall.
Rating:
Summary: A Masterpiece in Storytelling
Review: John Marco has truely outdone himself! THE GRAND DESIGN is an outstanding sequel to his first book THE JACKAL OF NAR. It isn't very often that the sequel is better than the original, but John has done just that. In other fantasy series where the action and storyline tend to begin dragging with additional volumes, John has put his storytelling talents into high gear for his TYRANTS AND KINGS saga. I won't get into too much of the story line, because other reviews have covered that, however I do want emphasize the development of characters in this novel are amazing. The reader finds themselves feeling for, not only the heroes and victims in this book, but the antagonists as well. No character is one sided, being wholely evil or purely good. Even the most righteous can have moments of moral weakness. There were two books I've read this year that I could not put down. This was one of them. The other was A CLASH OF KINGS by George R. R. Martin. John Marco has been the only other author to capture my imagination and fantasies and keep me eagerly guessing throughout the entire book as well as Martin has in the last few years. He is truely proving himself to be a fantasy giant on the ranks with Robert Jordan, Terry Goodkind, George R. R. Martin, and even J. R. R. Tolkein himself. This book is a must read for fantasy fans and I am fervently awaiting the sequel, THE SAINTS OF THE SWORD.
Rating:
Summary: A Masterpiece in Storytelling
Review: John Marco has truely outdone himself! THE GRAND DESIGN is an outstanding sequel to his first book THE JACKAL OF NAR. It isn't very often that the sequel is better than the original, but John has done just that. In other fantasy series where the action and storyline tend to begin dragging with additional volumes, John has put his storytelling talents into high gear for his TYRANTS AND KINGS saga. I won't get into too much of the story line, because other reviews have covered that, however I do want emphasize the development of characters in this novel are amazing. The reader finds themselves feeling for, not only the heroes and victims in this book, but the antagonists as well. No character is one sided, being wholely evil or purely good. Even the most righteous can have moments of moral weakness. There were two books I've read this year that I could not put down. This was one of them. The other was A CLASH OF KINGS by George R. R. Martin. John Marco has been the only other author to capture my imagination and fantasies and keep me eagerly guessing throughout the entire book as well as Martin has in the last few years. He is truely proving himself to be a fantasy giant on the ranks with Robert Jordan, Terry Goodkind, George R. R. Martin, and even J. R. R. Tolkein himself. This book is a must read for fantasy fans and I am fervently awaiting the sequel, THE SAINTS OF THE SWORD.
Rating: 
Summary: Coming along nicely.
Review: Much less hectic than the first. Marco is getting his writing style more in order with his second book, although he's still got a ways to go if he wants to move beyond the level of competent hack. Still, the first book and this sequel are enjoyable if somewhat predictable. And therein lies the catch. Marco tries desparately to avoid the classic cliches but with everyone else trying the same now even anti-cliches are cliche these days. After reading the first book you should have no problem figuring out that, ultimately, there are no good or bad characters. Everyone just swings back and forth between good and evil; some swing a little more than others is all. Reading this sequel reminded me strongly of Empire Strikes Back and is also somewhat reminiscent of a lightened version of Glen Cook. High Kudos there! All in all, very enjoyable. I look forward to further books in this series and I hope he gets around to fleshing out his world a little more. It'll be fun watching Marco grow into a big time author. Now if he would actually put an actual Fantasy aspect in his later books.
Rating:
Summary: A great sequel to The Jackal of Nar
Review: The Grand Design is the second book by the American writer John Marco. This book is the sequel to John Marco's thrilling debut The Jackal of Nar. After the death of emperor Arkus of Nar, the empire of Nar has exploded into civil war. The fight for power is between the religious supporters of Bishop Herrith and the ruthless supporters of the former right hand of the emperor, Count Biagio. Meanwhile the main character from The Jackal of Nar, Richius Vantran, lives together with his wife Dyana and his daughter Shani in Lucel-Lor. Despite this easy (and seemingly safe) life, Richius can only think of one thing..revenge on his arch-enemy Count Biagio. When Richius is offered the change to get his revenge by an old friend, he grabs it with both hands. Unfortunately for Richius hasn't Biagio forgotten him. On the contrary, Biagio is even more after revenge than Richius ever can imagine. Even worse, Biagio plans to get rid of all his enemies in one blow..... For the second time John Marco has succeeded to put down a readable, thrilling novel. The Grand Design offers even more depth than The Jackal of Nar, since John Marco succeeded to build a story around more then one main-character. Where The Jackal of Nar was mainly situated around Richius Vantran, The Grand Design has four main characters who are all equally important to the story. Besides that John Marco's great knowledge of military history shows in the realistic way he describes the battles between the armies, both on land and at sea. The most important thing I like about John Marco's writing is the way he keeps you guessing about what will happen next..and most of the time you're wrong about it. After writing The Grand Design John Marco now has definitely joined the ranks of famous writers like Tad Williams, Terry Goodkind and Robert Jordan. Pieter Willem Lak Leeuwarden, 2nd June 2000
Rating:
Summary: A Fitting end
Review: The Grand Design was a awsome ending to the series so far. Marco really focused on the characters that were not a important in the first book , such as the Arch-Bishop Herrith. Biagio, did seem to dip in and out of evil and good, but I must say he was very dashing. I did miss Lucyler a bit and some of the other characters,but they are still in there. I don't want to give much away. This book will keep you on your toes.
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