The SF Site: Featured Reviews Archive

The reviews are sorted alphabetically by authors' last name -- one or more pages for each letter (plus one for Mc). All but some recent reviews are listed here. Links to those reviews appear on the Recent Feature Review Page.

Author & Fan Tribute Sites • Feature Reviews • An Interview with...

A • B • C • D • E • F • G • H • I • J • K • L • M • Mc • N • O • P • Q • R • S • T • U • V • W • X • Y • Z

Page 1 • 2 • 3 • 4 • 5 • 6

The Eyes of God by John Marco
reviewed by William Thompson
Recently crowned, Akeela the Good hopes to put to an end the interminable wars fought by his father, ushering in a era of peace and prosperity for his country that will nourish noble and peasant alike, in which justice will be based upon notions of equality and mercy, education available for all, and where even the deformed and downtrodden will be provided for. As a symbol for his vision, he desires to construct a vast and wondrous library where all can have access to the power knowledge can confer. His new bride, Cassandra, herself barely more than a girl, while drawn to the goodness and nobility of his heart, elects to marry Akeela not only to cement the peace between her father's kingdom and a former foe, but more importantly to escape the confines of her father's house. But the king's former captain, Lukien, now champion to the queen, also falls in love with Cassandra, and, unbeknownst, she with him. Madness, murder and imprisonment will follow.

The Saints of the Sword by John Marco
reviewed by William Thompson
The author has continued to improve upon his military saga, Tyrants and Kings, with this novel, building upon the strengths of the previous two books, while continuing to step back from some of their earlier weaknesses. In particular, he has skillfully expanded upon his use of multiple point of view used to such good effect in The Grand Design, adding new and strong characters with the introduction of Alazrian, Kasrin and Elrad Leth, as well as further developing the emerging roles played earlier by Biagio, Nicabar and the Queen of Liss.

The Grand Design by John Marco
reviewed by Trent Walters
There is nary a dull moment. Before the reader even gets to know the characters, a medieval battle rages with catapults and chemical weapons against the city of Goth. Once that city is destroyed and the evil ones of Nar bring the traitor to his knees, the scene moves to a torture chamber. From there, we're whirled off to join Richius in the hunt for an escaped lion that has killed a man... Then off again to the laboratory where a scientist creates the ultimate weapon of war... Soon the reader learns that this story is more than just a simple case of us versus them.

The Jackal of Nar by John Marco
reviewed by Victoria Strauss
John Marco manages to avoid nearly all the pitfalls of fantasy cliché. There are no quests to be followed, enchanted talismans to be won, Evil Overlords to be overthrown, or dark forces to be confined. Though set in an invented world, this is very much a story of human tribulation and triumph.

Page 1 • 2 • 3 • 4 • 5 • 6

A • B • C • D • E • F • G • H • I • J • K • L • M • Mc • N • O • P • Q • R • S • T • U • V • W • X • Y • Z