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A review by roaming_enn
The Jackal of Nar by John Marco
4.0
Like all books that begin in the middle of battle, things will make more sense in time. So try to bear with it, because this story is worth it. This volume introduces a group of characters that will make you cringe, or cheer, or both (because that's just how Marco is), at the sound of their name. Many, if not most, will only stick around in this book, so be prepared for that! Others will live on for the second, and even fewer for the third. So while I tried not to get too attached to any of the characters since I knew that many will die, I just couldn't help but love them. But I suppose that's just what a good writer can make you do.
There is a Socratic dialogue of sorts (though I'm well aware that the man instigating the conversation isn't as meticulous as Socrates was) within this book that I feel sums up much of what Marco writes. It's between four men, Tharn--leader of Lucel-Lor--Vorn, Raig and Nagrah. I don't believe this conversation exposes any spoilers, so I will write it here (pp. 602-3):
Tharn: "I have been wondering something. About cruelty. I am wondering where it comes from."
Raig: "Evil. Cruelty comes from evil."
Tharn: "Evil. Hmm, maybe. Like the Narens, Raig?"
Raig: "Yes. The Narens are evil. It makes them cruel. Only evil men could do what was done at Ackle-Nye."
Vorn: "Is this a game, Master?"
Tharn: "No, not a game. Oh, you three think I have all the answers, but I do not. I wonder things, too. Sometimes it helps me to philosophize." [Turns to Nagrah] Well? What do you say?"
Nagrah: "I think Raig is right. Evil makes men cruel. Why are you wondering this, Master?"
Tharn: "I ask the questions. What about the warlords? Are they cruel?"
Raig: "No. They are warriors."
Tharn: "When Delgar fought Praxtin-Tar at Reen, he buried fifty captured warriors up to their necks on the shore and waited for the tide to come in. Before they drowned the crabs and gulls ate out their eyes. Does that qualify as cruelty to you, Raig?"
Raig: [long pause] "Yes, I suppose. Maybe Delgar is evil."
Tharn: "Delgar is helping us now. He's fighting with us against the Narens. Does that make us evil?"
Nagrah: "Master, what is this about? I do not understand. We are not evil."
Tharn: "Hush, boy. I never said we were. Raig, tell me. Is Delgar evil, or are you wrong about the cause of cruelty?"
Raig: "I do not know."
Vorn: "I think Raig is wrong. Delgar is cruel. Shohar, too. But they are not evil."
Tharn: "No. I agree with you. They are honorable men, both of them. Brutal, perhaps, but honorable. As are we all. [Looks to Nagrah] Right, Nagrah? [Nagrah meets Tharn's eyes and a long pause ensues.] Nagrah? Why are men cruel?"
Nagrah: "Men are cruel when they are weak, Master. Men are cruel when they have desires and are frustrated."
The conversation cuts off at that uncomfortable conclusion. I wish Marco had written more. But I think it's a beautiful representation of what he tries to show in each of his books. Like pretty much every reviewer of John Marco on Goodreads says, every character has virtues and vices; each has his/her own motivations that make sense when seen from his/her point of view. When you're reading, be open to each character and their perspective. Just like each person in this world, each perspective in this book is just as valid as any other.
I award this book 4.5/5 stars. :)
There is a Socratic dialogue of sorts (though I'm well aware that the man instigating the conversation isn't as meticulous as Socrates was) within this book that I feel sums up much of what Marco writes. It's between four men, Tharn--leader of Lucel-Lor--Vorn, Raig and Nagrah. I don't believe this conversation exposes any spoilers, so I will write it here (pp. 602-3):
Tharn: "I have been wondering something. About cruelty. I am wondering where it comes from."
Raig: "Evil. Cruelty comes from evil."
Tharn: "Evil. Hmm, maybe. Like the Narens, Raig?"
Raig: "Yes. The Narens are evil. It makes them cruel. Only evil men could do what was done at Ackle-Nye."
Vorn: "Is this a game, Master?"
Tharn: "No, not a game. Oh, you three think I have all the answers, but I do not. I wonder things, too. Sometimes it helps me to philosophize." [Turns to Nagrah] Well? What do you say?"
Nagrah: "I think Raig is right. Evil makes men cruel. Why are you wondering this, Master?"
Tharn: "I ask the questions. What about the warlords? Are they cruel?"
Raig: "No. They are warriors."
Tharn: "When Delgar fought Praxtin-Tar at Reen, he buried fifty captured warriors up to their necks on the shore and waited for the tide to come in. Before they drowned the crabs and gulls ate out their eyes. Does that qualify as cruelty to you, Raig?"
Raig: [long pause] "Yes, I suppose. Maybe Delgar is evil."
Tharn: "Delgar is helping us now. He's fighting with us against the Narens. Does that make us evil?"
Nagrah: "Master, what is this about? I do not understand. We are not evil."
Tharn: "Hush, boy. I never said we were. Raig, tell me. Is Delgar evil, or are you wrong about the cause of cruelty?"
Raig: "I do not know."
Vorn: "I think Raig is wrong. Delgar is cruel. Shohar, too. But they are not evil."
Tharn: "No. I agree with you. They are honorable men, both of them. Brutal, perhaps, but honorable. As are we all. [Looks to Nagrah] Right, Nagrah? [Nagrah meets Tharn's eyes and a long pause ensues.] Nagrah? Why are men cruel?"
Nagrah: "Men are cruel when they are weak, Master. Men are cruel when they have desires and are frustrated."
The conversation cuts off at that uncomfortable conclusion. I wish Marco had written more. But I think it's a beautiful representation of what he tries to show in each of his books. Like pretty much every reviewer of John Marco on Goodreads says, every character has virtues and vices; each has his/her own motivations that make sense when seen from his/her point of view. When you're reading, be open to each character and their perspective. Just like each person in this world, each perspective in this book is just as valid as any other.
I award this book 4.5/5 stars. :)