Reviews

Mark of the Fool by J.M. Clarke

j_mandrake's review

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adventurous funny slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

bearspectacled's review

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adventurous lighthearted relaxing slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

r_ali's review

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funny hopeful medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

meaganpauli's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging funny slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I loved this. A progression story that feels like a slice-of-life adventure and beautifully builds up the suite of side characters so they begin to stand on their own but don't overshadow our MC and his path to power. Looking forward to book 2!

rofitz's review against another edition

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adventurous hopeful inspiring lighthearted slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

lundos's review

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3.0

The author is clearly talented. The writing, dialogue and ideas are all good. But the pacing after they reach the wizard school is terrible to an extend that almost made me dnf. Following our MC get stronger and better the same way (hard work and a cheat sheet called the Mark) is just boring. All of the characters are robots that just work, work, work. There are no stakes since the Mark will make sure that the MC will overcome everything and, unsurprisingly, a universty and perfect recall is a perfect match. Boring.

Mark of the Fool oversells its premise. There's nothing foolish or bad about the mark.

atlas1327's review

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adventurous inspiring lighthearted relaxing slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

shonari's review against another edition

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5.0

This book was great! Loved the characters, loved the slice-of-life meets hero story, and I loved the humour. I also like that it's clearly (read as: maybe) a different universe, but there is some bleed-through and references to the real world. Brilliant first instalment, can't wait for the next!

PS. Being narrated by Travis Baldree is also a huge plus.

mahaliathenerd's review

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5.0

The Fools Mark is a thrilling story about a boy turning 18 chosen to stop the evil that haunts this world every hundred years. However, he sticks his two middle fingers up, and instead of going down the hero's journey as we expect him to, he goes to college. The mark of the fool is a mark that nobody wants to be. The Packmule, the burden, the deadweight, and the worst party member to have. With his little sister, his best friend, a badass huntress with a Cerberus! Need I say more?

jasonabbott's review

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adventurous lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75