Cosmo Digital

Author: John Marco
Page Count: 789 pages
Review originally written 5-27-2003

I find it hard to write about this book. I have heard of John March, a relatively new author who garnered much acclaim with his first fantasy trilogy, Tyrants and Kings. When I discovered this book I was unaware that it was his lastest offering, but I soon realized that this was Marco's newest novel, and that it was meant to be the first in another series, with the second book due out later this year, from what I believe. I find that a little strange, for this book is able to function easily as a stand alone novel. Near the end there was just enough information given to provide impetus for a second novel, mainly about the suit of enchanted armor. It seems that this will be a major aspect in the next book, for that volume is called The Devil's Armor, from what I recall. I wonder if the same characters from this book will be featured in the second. However, much like the second book of Peake's Gormenghast trilogy, many of the main characters were killed off in this volume. There are still enough remaining alive, I will admit, so it would not seem strange to set another novel entirely around them.

As for this novel, it fits quite nicely in the epic fantasy category. The main characters do indeed go on a quest, although the eventual outcome of that is somewhat different than I expected. I will admit that I was genuinely suprised when the Queen died of the curse from the jewel she wore, the Eye of God. I had assumed this curse to be false, and so when it was revealed as truth I had a difficult time as I contemplated how the other person to wear the jewel, Kadar, could have done so while being seen by others. This wasn't really explained, but I soon perceived that the curse did not affect him because he was the rightful wearer of the gem.

There isn't much about this book that will make it stand out from all the other fantasies out there. The two main characters, those of the King Akeela and Lukien the Bronze Knight, were interesting, and it was a nice twist to the tale to have Akeela descend into madness, although he was never outright evil. Other than those characters, not much will distinguish this book from the others. Marco is a good writer, however, and I will read the second book in this series, as well as the first fantasy trilogy he wrote.

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