Tyrants & Kings
3 primary works
Book 1
The first of a new fantasy series. A fast-paced epic with enormous scope, believable and appealing characters and an impressively imagined world.
The Empire of Nar is being torn apart by the ambitions of its states and the lax rule of its Emperor. The balance has been tipped by the unleashing of magic by the sorcerer Tharn. The Emperor wants control of the magic, Tharn wants to rule the Empire and countless thousands of people are caught up in the struggle. And now the love of Prince Richius's life has been spirited away by Tharn.
But all is not what it seems. Richius is a flawed hero pursuing a woman he has met just once. The Emperor is greedy and lazy, while Tharn is a dying man touched by the gods and struggling to use his power for good.
Book 2
In THE JACKAL OF NAR Prince Richius forsook his command in the savage war that was tearing apart the lands of Nar and Lucel-Lor in search of the woman who had captured his heart in the briefest of moments. But he cannot escape the reach of the war as his king becomes ever more maniacal in his pursuit of victory against the wizard whose evil designs on the world have their own genesis. A genesis which casts severe doubt on the question of which side has right on its side.
John Marco has created a richly imagined world full of characters with believable flaws and motivations fighting a war full of darkness shot through with the light of dangerous magic. In its plotting it compares to the best of Robert Jordan, in its depictions of characters caught up in epic conflict it bears comparison with the best of Harry Turtledove.
Book 3
In "The Jackal Of Nar", Prince Richius forsook his command in the savage war that was tearing apart the lands of Nar and Lucel-Lor in search of the woman who had captured his heart in the briefest of moments. In "The Grand Design" he had to thwart Biagio's plan to destroy him and his family while a new war raged in Nar following the death of the Emperor. But now, in amongst the shadowed towers, and cloud wreathed spires of Nar's great city a new plot against him is being hatched and a new phase in the conflicts that have torn apart Nar is brewing.
John Marco has created a richly imagined world full of characters with believable flaws and motivations fighting a war full of darkness shot through with the light of dangerous magic.