Thread:AngryLance/@comment-26517142-20191009083651/@comment-39280634-20191013201934

Heya, i wanted to let ya know that i just finished the Mark Maker series (all 8 of them, assuming i did not miss one, lol) and first i have to say: it was a much longer read than House of Gaunts (couldn't read it in one sitting, sorry) and i'd like to structure my thoughts on it too. Warning though; i made a HUGE ass review of it so i apologise for the oncoming wall of text:


 * Part 1: I found it so charming and even nostalgic for some reason (i felt like i have discovered MGE for the first time, all over again). Marden Bale is a funny and charming character, clumsy yet skilled and Ryla seems like a cool, noble Dragon (most people make them out to be stuck-ups who don't look at anyone but i don't agree with that). Story was funny and heartwarming, i liked the 'platonic' interactions between the two.


 * Part 2: Nadredda is... quite the character. And quite smart for a Wurm. But my biggest surprise was her dad. I was amazed to realise the connection to House of Gaunts; so Caballan, after betraying Ronald from HoG and causing that massacre with Leila, became a blacksmith, mentored Marden and then married a Wurm ? All that teaching about 'protecting women' must be a big sign that he was marked by his past screw-up. Another big thing for me here was the battle scene with Nadredda; it's so well described and 'choreographed' it makes me jealous (i know you told me not to compare myself to you but i can't help but feel i'm lagging behind because i'm not so good at it; i left Lance's fights vague in his backstory because of this and i don't know how to approach fight scenes in general). And as a result, i'm really trying to take notes for myself here.


 * Part 3: Yep, good ol' cat-fight (erm, dragon) between two jealous girls; Ada's really pushy here. Again, the scene, and especialy the dialogue is well put together and makes for a funny exchange (of insults... poor Marden XD). Fight scenes are well described, as usual. And it was interesting you added a Chimerae here (she's a quarter snake and a quarter dragon so that makes sense). Ironic that Ryla's father was a dragon hunter (as with part 2, the pieces of trivia are quite nice, wish i thought about this too XD)


 * Part 4: Zmey is being interesting again, someone with multiple personalities being 'emotionless', yet open for conversation and even being caring (what's with the 'compeling voice' thing ?). I bet her master HAS to be someone connected to someone, in some way... And wait, Marden is 18 ?! That means he faced Ada while he was 16 ?! (Man, if this was based on Anime, i forgot how ridiculous Shonen heroes were... i miss those times). Oh and, nice ending there :-)


 * Part 5: Cool, more into Ryla's backstory; her mom was an Echidna instead of a Dragon ?! That must've been rare (you fleshed her well and i like it) and even more 'banter' with Ada (no lie, she's kinda mean). Suddenly, A NEW CHALLENGER HAS ENTERED THE RING ! (...not sure how a Salamander would measure up to two power-houses like Ryla and Ada but me don't care, me like Salamanders XD).


 * Part 6: Zmey is getting more and more endearing by the second and Marden once again proves to be a gentleman. And speaking of him, more insight into his past; him training under an Echidna for five months (suprised it wasn't Ryla's mom) and we also got to see Silah the Salamander (boy, she's so bratty and has no chill, lol). Also interesting to see an Echidna train Marden to become a Hero (much better than that... trainwreck they call a "game"). Also, not creepy at all that Chyrene may or may not have just groomed Marden as her future husband, no sirey XD. Oh, and more cool trivia at the end.


 * Part 7: Marden's is once again a gentleman, worrying so much for his 'captor' and searching for her. More Zmey scenes and glimpses into her story, now with angry, racist mobs of ignorants threatening her (how was she depowered here ?). Ending with an epic, heroic entrance from Marden (and more cool magic from him, i realised i didn't look much into his spells; i'm really digging his 'magic runes' style).


 * Part 8: ... I think i'm in love with Zmey. Poor girl, i want to hug her so badly. Hell, if it weren't for her master and Marden, i would take her for myself, lol. She's my favorite of the bunch. And it's genius how you wrote her multiple personalities, how each is an integral part of her and how to represent them. Marden's beatdown on the mob was cathartic, hehe. And the ending... ho boy, s%!t's about to go down and heads are gonna to roll !

Personal nitpicks: - Marden's and Ryla's constant competivity; i know this may be another Anime thing but personally i always found it annoying when two or more MC compete with one another to see 'who's better' (i remember the Naruto-vs-Sasuke rivalry got on my nerves at time, but that's just me; i'm not that kind of competitive person myself) -Nadredda; i'm not sure i like her that much (i mean, i love Wurms but... i dislike sadistic and yandere people). Then again, she is yet to be better fleshed out so who knows, i might change my mind later (...maybe)

And here you have it; my "book" of a review for Mark Maker. I loved it. And i can't wait for the rest. Sorry if i may have been rude about the nitpicks, hopefuly they might grow on me later. And let me know if i missed anything. I'm now off to read Mamono Quest since i understand it's your very first series AND it's the start of you OC, so i'm looking forward to it XD