The Eyes of God

Rating:
Summary: A complex, unusual fantasy
Review: Although I am mostly a casual reader of fantasy, I found this book to be exceptional. While most fantasy is derivative, this one is unique and thought-provoking, and should be on everyone's "to read" list. This is no traditional quest novel, and there is not a great deal of magic either. Instead the reader is treated to a plot filled with twists and unpredictable characters. This book is hard to review because there is just so much that happens in it. It is difficult to even describe what it is about, aside from the obvious element of the Arthurian-like love triangle. So what's good about this book? First, it is extremely well written. Even though it's long it moves along briskly. It also holds attention by never letting the reader get to comfortable. Marco is known as one of the new wave of "gray" writers, creating characters that are neither good nor evil. In this book, the hero Lukien never seems to be sure what side he is on, either. Lukien is a magnifent, sexy anti-hero and carries the book almost entirely on his own. Fans of Romance book should definitely check this one out. So should readers or fantasy who are burned out by the same old cliches.

Rating:
Summary: Second Series From Newer Author as Refreshing as First
Review: I have waited eagerly for the past year to read John Marco's new novel The Eyes of God, the start of a brand new series, and could not have been happier with the end result. Continuing and even somehow managing to improve upon the fantastic style Marco introduced the Tyrant and Kings trilogy, The Eyes of God was the perfect example of a page turner that fills you with nonstop emotions and doesn't allow you to stop.

Since the brief diescription of the story is given above, I will nto go into the details, but I must say that the synopsis does not do the book justice. The premise in the synopsis is just a small part of the 800 page volume, and the story takes many twists and turns that lead it away from what seems at first the King Arthur style love story. By the end of the book, I doubt any reader will be able to stick with his initial feelings about characters, since they change so drastically in light of the many events that occur in the novel. These are characters that inspire a reader to love, respect, hate, and most of all, understand, even when the deeds they do are at their darkest.

Although at times I found the novel to be slightly depressing, for me it added to the total atmosphere. by the time I had finished, there were many moments that I wished I coudl change, but such is life, and I believe the author truly captured that aspect, making the novel feel more real than many others in this genre. If you read it and feel it is taking on to dark of a tone, I suggest continuing, for their are period in the novel that are uplifting as well, and in the end all is not that bad.

In conclusion, if you are a fan of more fantastical fantasy, along the lines of Shannara or Midkemia, I would say these may seem slightly harsh and dark to you, if you have never read outside these lines. However, if you are a fan of the darker, politically turmoiled worlds of George R.R. Martin's Game of Thrones, which capture a harsh sense of reality and yet demonstrate love and friendship as well, then this is definitely a novel to read, and I would say is at least as enjoyable to read if not more so than many others of its kind. It is a masterpiece of modern fantasy, and any true fan of the genre would be a fool not to pick it up.

I'd also reccomend reading Marco's first series, if you have not, though it has no connection to this series, since it is an equally entertaining and satisfying story in itself. I'm looking forward to reading the next book, and hope to see more of this incredible writing in the future.

Rating:
Summary: Fantastic Read
Review: Reading "The Eyes of God" by John Marco was a breath of fresh air. Marco creates some of the most complex and interesting characters in the industry -- and better yet, he isn't afraid to use them and he doesn't let them use him.

While other authors in the fantasy field protect the precious characters with meaningless drama, Marco puts them in the thick of it with rousing politics and battle, complex and meaningful romance, and eventual life and death situations that happen when "evil" perks up in good people.

This is a fast read; Marco's writing is beautiful but it doesn't stumble. Although I'm satisfied with the book overall, I'm drooling and waiting for the next installment, "The Devil's Armor." (On Feb 1, 2003, Marco's website mentioned it was on its way to the publisher for a late 2003 release.)

Thank you John Marco!!!