What do you think?
Rate this book
Mark of the Fool #4
Mark of the Fool 4
The Fool has returned to a realm in chaos.
As Generasi recovers from the wrath of a demon knight, Alex Roth travels to Thameland to uncover the mysteries of the Ravener. He and his friends have grown in power, ready to take on any threat lurking in the hills of Greymoor, where their university mounts their expedition.
But some things await Alex that no amount of training can counter.
For soon, the Heroes of Thameland will be reunited with the Fool.
And his secrets are on the line.
As Generasi recovers from the wrath of a demon knight, Alex Roth travels to Thameland to uncover the mysteries of the Ravener. He and his friends have grown in power, ready to take on any threat lurking in the hills of Greymoor, where their university mounts their expedition.
But some things await Alex that no amount of training can counter.
For soon, the Heroes of Thameland will be reunited with the Fool.
And his secrets are on the line.
600 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 19, 2023
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 168 reviews
November 29, 2023
Not my favorite of the Series but super entertaining
March 18, 2025
Really nice read. Lots of action throughout and the story moves along very well. Recommended
July 20, 2023
These are getting a little weird, but . . .
Still very fun. The interesting part is that it doesn't feel drawn out. The day to day combined with the well defined characters keep it from dragging on inbetween the action bits. I can't wait to see where this goes.
Still very fun. The interesting part is that it doesn't feel drawn out. The day to day combined with the well defined characters keep it from dragging on inbetween the action bits. I can't wait to see where this goes.
June 16, 2025
A good read. I feel like the main character is getting cocky though which took me out of the story a bit. Hopefully that will not continue in the next book.
Took away a star on re-read. Hoping the next book improves.
Took away a star on re-read. Hoping the next book improves.
October 30, 2023
Alex gets 2 hours of sleep to work out and study all day. I stayed up till 6 am to read this book and avoid my exams, we are not the same. Really adds to the fantasy aspect!!
August 3, 2023
Rating 5.0 stars
I am really enjoying this series. There is a great balance of magic, world building, interesting characters, crafting and an OP MC. The weird thing is that the MC has the limits he has and still ends up OP. He just needed to find new ways to use his talent. Alex spends half of the book in school, learning and growing stronger, and the other half back in his homeland fighting monsters and researching dungeons. Overall I am happy with this series and can't wait for the next one. My only complaint is the audiobooks have been coming out later and later than the kindle version. I was able to wait for the audiobook for the last one but I just couldn't with this one and read instead of listened to it.
I am really enjoying this series. There is a great balance of magic, world building, interesting characters, crafting and an OP MC. The weird thing is that the MC has the limits he has and still ends up OP. He just needed to find new ways to use his talent. Alex spends half of the book in school, learning and growing stronger, and the other half back in his homeland fighting monsters and researching dungeons. Overall I am happy with this series and can't wait for the next one. My only complaint is the audiobooks have been coming out later and later than the kindle version. I was able to wait for the audiobook for the last one but I just couldn't with this one and read instead of listened to it.
January 22, 2026
cedric my goat
July 27, 2023
It concerned me a little when Alex yet again found a way to power-up that thousands of years of mages had failed to find. Ignoring this author-forced development, I enjoyed most of the book.
On the negative side, I'm not a fan of extended enemy perspectives, and it seemed convenient that the all-powerful chancellor was absent for all of the battles. On the positive side, I think the dark hints about the motivations of the church, and perhaps the god, are exciting foreshadowing for the remainder of the series. This also implies that the enemy may, at least in part, also be a victim. That would be an interesting subversion of expectations.
Now, if I'm ticking off boxes for Alex's ultimate form. He's maximized his physical strength, developed a dance/martial-art to near peak, and seems on track to match the Sage in magic. Will he find a way to access divine powers as well, to become a one-man team of heroes?
On the negative side, I'm not a fan of extended enemy perspectives, and it seemed convenient that the all-powerful chancellor was absent for all of the battles. On the positive side, I think the dark hints about the motivations of the church, and perhaps the god, are exciting foreshadowing for the remainder of the series. This also implies that the enemy may, at least in part, also be a victim. That would be an interesting subversion of expectations.
Now, if I'm ticking off boxes for Alex's ultimate form. He's maximized his physical strength, developed a dance/martial-art to near peak, and seems on track to match the Sage in magic. Will he find a way to access divine powers as well, to become a one-man team of heroes?
August 24, 2025
My favorite so far. Read this one in 5 days.
August 7, 2023
Mark of the Fool 4 delivers an exhilarating fantasy adventure as Alex and his friends face new threats in a realm marred by chaos. With growing power and mysteries to unravel, the Heroes of Thameland are ready to reunite with the enigmatic Fool. Action, magic, and secrets intertwine, making this installment a gripping read for fans of the series. However, prior knowledge of the preceding books is recommended for a fuller experience.
June 26, 2025
This is the book I’ve been wanting from this series!
September 27, 2025
Alexander Roth vai vienkārši kā Alekss ir vien Generasi maģijas universitātes otrā gada students, bet iepriekšējā mācību gada un sērijas pirmo trīs grāmatu ietvaros, pateicoties gan Muļķa markas iegūšanai astoņpadsmitajā dzimšanasdienā, gan paša talantam un neatlaidīgajam darbam, puisis ieguvis gana lielu spēku, lai būtu nozīmīga Dženerasi ekspedīcijas savstāvdaļa.
https://poseidons99.com/2025/09/27/j-...
https://poseidons99.com/2025/09/27/j-...
November 10, 2023
Better than book 3
In this book it's year 2 at the magical university and Alex returns to his home country.
Things proceed in more or less the way you would expect them to, Except that I see the author is going to squeeze out way more books than I thought he would.
In this book it's year 2 at the magical university and Alex returns to his home country.
Things proceed in more or less the way you would expect them to, Except that I see the author is going to squeeze out way more books than I thought he would.
April 9, 2024
This one was slower than usual, focusing on character build up. A few seeds were planted for future plot threads. Looking forward to the next one!
October 15, 2025
Started slow, had some cheesy stuff in the middle, but it ended on an exciting note.
January 23, 2025
Liked this one more
July 25, 2023
another good offering
Really like how Alex is finally coming into his own, and how the author is slowly peeling the layers of this intriguing onion.
I don't know why I do this to myself, reading the books as they come out.
Time for the wait again.
Really like how Alex is finally coming into his own, and how the author is slowly peeling the layers of this intriguing onion.
I don't know why I do this to myself, reading the books as they come out.
Time for the wait again.
July 22, 2023
moar powah
Alex continues to grind. Uses the Mark to find answers others have missed.
The early parts dragged a bit, mostly the academy stuff. But the intrigue, meeting three of the Heroes, and fighting monsters picked things up towards the end.
Already pre-ordered book 5.
Alex continues to grind. Uses the Mark to find answers others have missed.
The early parts dragged a bit, mostly the academy stuff. But the intrigue, meeting three of the Heroes, and fighting monsters picked things up towards the end.
Already pre-ordered book 5.
August 11, 2023
What? Oh no, don't read this!
Unless you like adventure, magic, wonder, mystery, exciting characters, battle scenes, and, uh... There was a lot of cool stuff, I lost a bit of sleep reading it, and I was happy to get to it, k? But, yeah, more of this please Mr J.M. author person!
Unless you like adventure, magic, wonder, mystery, exciting characters, battle scenes, and, uh... There was a lot of cool stuff, I lost a bit of sleep reading it, and I was happy to get to it, k? But, yeah, more of this please Mr J.M. author person!
July 30, 2023
The only downside to this series is that the next book, 5, isn't written yet and at the end of this book, you are left wondering a bit about what will happen next. Not a true cliffhanger but still, it would have been nice to have the next book ready when I finished this one. Decent action, minimal romance, a good world and character building. The core idea of an edge with an offsetting downside is always interesting and the character diversity (different unusual races) makes for a fun read. I enjoyed the book and had trouble putting it down.
July 22, 2023
The next one cannot come soon enough
This book was well-written and well-paced, with excellent characterisation and progression. The fight scenes were thrilling. Cannot wait for the next one.
This book was well-written and well-paced, with excellent characterisation and progression. The fight scenes were thrilling. Cannot wait for the next one.
July 25, 2023
Cool book
Had fun, can't wait for more. It's quite interesting where the story is going. Hopefully the next one is even longer.
Had fun, can't wait for more. It's quite interesting where the story is going. Hopefully the next one is even longer.
April 2, 2024
Why did you read this book?
I am really enjoying this series, and I plan to read what is published.
What format did you read this book in?
Read it as an eBook on Kindle.
Is this an educational book or a book for entertainment?
I read this book for pure entertainment purposes.
What genres do you think this book belongs to?
Fantasy, Humor and Comedy, Romance, Young Adult
What was your favorite part of the book?
My favorite scene in this book is when the little fae attached to Alex gives the Hags a pity compliment. They were more enraged by his backhanded comment than by Alex’s insults! It's too funny.
Who would you suggest this book to?
Anyone who likes slow-building LitRPG fantasy stories.
What is your general opinion/ rating of this book?
This book is mainly about the exposition of Alex’s home country so they can study the dungeon cores. One of the things I enjoy about this series is that the MC struggles for every inch of strength he fights for. Even when I think the MC is too OP, there is a force of monsters that proves me wrong. The author does a great job of balancing each battle. I really like the last battle in this book. The use of the flour in the mill was genius. I am nervous that the heroes might figure out that Alex is the fool. Overall, I enjoyed this book and can’t wait to read the next one.
EXTRA
Any trigger warnings?
Mental Health: PTSD, Panic Attacks, Trauma
Violence and Death: Death, Animal Death, Graphic Deaths, Mass Death, Murder, Execution, Suffocation, Burning People, Extreme Violence, Gore, Mutilation, Mutilation of Corpses, Cutting of Limbs, Forced Blood Draining, Animal Cruelty, Escalating Violence, Described Blood, Graphic Violence
I am really enjoying this series, and I plan to read what is published.
What format did you read this book in?
Read it as an eBook on Kindle.
Is this an educational book or a book for entertainment?
I read this book for pure entertainment purposes.
What genres do you think this book belongs to?
Fantasy, Humor and Comedy, Romance, Young Adult
What was your favorite part of the book?
My favorite scene in this book is when the little fae attached to Alex gives the Hags a pity compliment. They were more enraged by his backhanded comment than by Alex’s insults! It's too funny.
Who would you suggest this book to?
Anyone who likes slow-building LitRPG fantasy stories.
What is your general opinion/ rating of this book?
This book is mainly about the exposition of Alex’s home country so they can study the dungeon cores. One of the things I enjoy about this series is that the MC struggles for every inch of strength he fights for. Even when I think the MC is too OP, there is a force of monsters that proves me wrong. The author does a great job of balancing each battle. I really like the last battle in this book. The use of the flour in the mill was genius. I am nervous that the heroes might figure out that Alex is the fool. Overall, I enjoyed this book and can’t wait to read the next one.
EXTRA
Any trigger warnings?
Mental Health: PTSD, Panic Attacks, Trauma
Violence and Death: Death, Animal Death, Graphic Deaths, Mass Death, Murder, Execution, Suffocation, Burning People, Extreme Violence, Gore, Mutilation, Mutilation of Corpses, Cutting of Limbs, Forced Blood Draining, Animal Cruelty, Escalating Violence, Described Blood, Graphic Violence
October 19, 2023
I'll give you a hint on how to get through the first part of this book. Drink two of Alex's Haste Potions, and speed read through it as fast as you can. It was really bad writing.
This is a progressive fantasy, which means things develop slowly. Clarke has done a good job up to this point of meticulous growth. However, in this book, we are reintroduced to the Heroes, who have been on the sidelines for most of this progression. Clarke needs to get them involved in the plotline quickly, so he does a really quick once over on character development. It is filled with stereotypical behaviors and personality quirks, clichés, and other writing shortcuts. Painful to read.
The other bad writing was in the dungeon fight at the start of this book. It was basically a cut and paste of previous fights. Our author simply replaced the names of the monsters and the fighting locations, but everything else was pretty much status quo. There was may be one or two new fighting techniques, but the rest was a rehash.
After that rough beginning though, the story glistened. While the dungeon fight was a cut & paste job, the battle at the windmill was clever, creative, and novel. There was just a hint of repetition, but it was done deliberately with a nod to the Mark in the process. Which is why it ended up getting its full four stars. The progression of Alex's skills is well thought out and logically developed. There is a glimmer of hope (to be played out in the next book?) that
Alex will acquire a staff
Claygon will acquire sentience
Alex will succeed in his long term goal
Selina will overcome her fears
There is also a hint that MAY BE we don't really want the cycle to be broken. That there is a reason behind all these recurring cycles. Might that also be revealed in Book 5?
This is a progressive fantasy, which means things develop slowly. Clarke has done a good job up to this point of meticulous growth. However, in this book, we are reintroduced to the Heroes, who have been on the sidelines for most of this progression. Clarke needs to get them involved in the plotline quickly, so he does a really quick once over on character development. It is filled with stereotypical behaviors and personality quirks, clichés, and other writing shortcuts. Painful to read.
The other bad writing was in the dungeon fight at the start of this book. It was basically a cut and paste of previous fights. Our author simply replaced the names of the monsters and the fighting locations, but everything else was pretty much status quo. There was may be one or two new fighting techniques, but the rest was a rehash.
After that rough beginning though, the story glistened. While the dungeon fight was a cut & paste job, the battle at the windmill was clever, creative, and novel. There was just a hint of repetition, but it was done deliberately with a nod to the Mark in the process. Which is why it ended up getting its full four stars. The progression of Alex's skills is well thought out and logically developed. There is a glimmer of hope (to be played out in the next book?) that
Alex will acquire a staff
Claygon will acquire sentience
Alex will succeed in his long term goal
Selina will overcome her fears
There is also a hint that MAY BE we don't really want the cycle to be broken. That there is a reason behind all these recurring cycles. Might that also be revealed in Book 5?
February 18, 2024
4 All's Fair In Love And Fighting Monsters Stars
Mark of the Fool 4 is the fourth book in A Progression Fantasy series by J. M. Clarke.
While I still majorly enjoyed this book, I am getting annoyed about the utter lack of revelation in regards to the Ravener. Yet, we have come to learn something of the secrecy within Thameland and past cycles. Fueled by a hidden society of assassins and spies, brought up Uldar's and the secret path the First Apostle directs them on.
It is interesting to see Alex start to more resemble the other Heroes with their Uldar given gifts. Advancing in both magic and magical ability. All of his new capabilities led me to question Uldar's design, like Alex and Baelin have discussed. What purpose does giving four of the five great gifts from the start, and having the singular Fool struggle to amass any form of protection. Has history been twisted so much that there was once some grand design behind this discrepancy?
There are more demon summoning to counter in their future. Combined with that of the ever-present scrouge of Ravener kind and this new and decisively most wicked new development regarding trust within Thameland and Uldar's citizens and Generasi's visiting researchers.
Mark of the Fool 4 is the fourth book in A Progression Fantasy series by J. M. Clarke.
While I still majorly enjoyed this book, I am getting annoyed about the utter lack of revelation in regards to the Ravener. Yet, we have come to learn something of the secrecy within Thameland and past cycles. Fueled by a hidden society of assassins and spies, brought up Uldar's and the secret path the First Apostle directs them on.
It is interesting to see Alex start to more resemble the other Heroes with their Uldar given gifts. Advancing in both magic and magical ability. All of his new capabilities led me to question Uldar's design, like Alex and Baelin have discussed. What purpose does giving four of the five great gifts from the start, and having the singular Fool struggle to amass any form of protection. Has history been twisted so much that there was once some grand design behind this discrepancy?
There are more demon summoning to counter in their future. Combined with that of the ever-present scrouge of Ravener kind and this new and decisively most wicked new development regarding trust within Thameland and Uldar's citizens and Generasi's visiting researchers.
April 19, 2026
I’m so happy we’re finally getting more from the heroes! Very exciting!! The whole part of the wizards of Generasi and the heroes fighting together to defeat two dungeons was amazing! It was pretty stressful the whole time thinking the other Heroes were going to discover Alex, but even when Cedric suspected something he ended up gaslighting himself out of it. Which is hilarious. But I am in love with the idea of Cedric and Isolde getting together. It’s so cute. Alex is finally acknowledging the fact that Claygon is gaining consciousness! And he’s even helping him along with the process with the puzzle books which is very sweet. I’m so excited to see how this turns out for him. My favorite part of the whole final battle part is how stressed the fae guy is while Alex is fighting and goading the hive queen/blue hags. The little guy sounds close to tears but Alex having the time of his life. So now that the last of the Raveners hunters is dead, I wonder if Alex will ever figure out they were sent by the Ravener. He has all these questions but he can’t quite seem to get any closer to the answers. Though it was a really good seed that the Hunter planted when it told Alex he is their enemy and it needs to destroy his kind. Very excited for the next book!
July 26, 2023
Solid sequel
This book is a change of pace from the prior books with less studying and slice of life and more hands on action — to mixed results.
On the whole I enjoyed the book immensely: characterisation still shines, I still enjoy the slower elements and the story is continuing to develop interesting elements. On the other hand I missed the time at generasi with much less time there this book and studies taking a back burner. Towards the end I just wanted some time with Alex learning another summoning spell, instead we get my mortal enemy: a shifting perspective. Done to an extent it can be effective I must admit but in this we go from side characters, to heroes, to monsters, to priests and all I wanted was to get back to the core of the book. The pacing also just felt a little off this book — it’s the first one I’ve been somewhat bored and disinterested in parts, largely due to the perspective changes. It just felt like it was meandering all over the place at points and felt unfocused.
Overall still really enjoyed this book and looking forward to the next but it’s my least favourite so far.
This book is a change of pace from the prior books with less studying and slice of life and more hands on action — to mixed results.
On the whole I enjoyed the book immensely: characterisation still shines, I still enjoy the slower elements and the story is continuing to develop interesting elements. On the other hand I missed the time at generasi with much less time there this book and studies taking a back burner. Towards the end I just wanted some time with Alex learning another summoning spell, instead we get my mortal enemy: a shifting perspective. Done to an extent it can be effective I must admit but in this we go from side characters, to heroes, to monsters, to priests and all I wanted was to get back to the core of the book. The pacing also just felt a little off this book — it’s the first one I’ve been somewhat bored and disinterested in parts, largely due to the perspective changes. It just felt like it was meandering all over the place at points and felt unfocused.
Overall still really enjoyed this book and looking forward to the next but it’s my least favourite so far.
June 16, 2026
Series continues to improve [as expected].
What stood out the most in this book was the inclusion of more POVs. For the most part the first 3 books were very [about 98%] from Alex's POV. That's fine, but having multiple POV's can help to flesh out the world, and it's characters as we get to spend time in each person's head. Experience things from their perspective, or gain access to their thoughts otherwise not available. What I mean to say is that this book introduces a more continuous narrative from the perspective of one of the Ravener's Hunters, as well as of the other Heroes of Thameland. A smaller shift of POV to some of the priests of Thameland, and so on.
The Multi-POV I felt is what was preventing this story from holding my attention. Meaning I was just kind of reading the books, but not really consumed by them like I was expecting. As mentioned previously my wife has read this series, and praised it to high heaven, so I was going to read it anyways simply to join in her excitement. She has assured me the multi-POV continues through the rest of the series, so that is a plus.
I look forward to continuing Alex's path to power.
What stood out the most in this book was the inclusion of more POVs. For the most part the first 3 books were very [about 98%] from Alex's POV. That's fine, but having multiple POV's can help to flesh out the world, and it's characters as we get to spend time in each person's head. Experience things from their perspective, or gain access to their thoughts otherwise not available. What I mean to say is that this book introduces a more continuous narrative from the perspective of one of the Ravener's Hunters, as well as of the other Heroes of Thameland. A smaller shift of POV to some of the priests of Thameland, and so on.
The Multi-POV I felt is what was preventing this story from holding my attention. Meaning I was just kind of reading the books, but not really consumed by them like I was expecting. As mentioned previously my wife has read this series, and praised it to high heaven, so I was going to read it anyways simply to join in her excitement. She has assured me the multi-POV continues through the rest of the series, so that is a plus.
I look forward to continuing Alex's path to power.
September 17, 2023
The expedition is underway---and between setting up a base in Thameland and clearing out the monsters and dungeons in their way, Alex has one more hurdle. The Heroes have come to help. Well, all but the Saint, who can't enter the grounds thanks to the prohibitions on priests. Who are these people who were Marked like he was, yet unhindered, who have been clearing out dungeons ever since he left? And how much should he help them?
So this book has a lot of my favorite scenes in the story so far. Alex meeting the Heroes is a big one---we finally get to see the others Chosen besides Alex and Cedric. And Alex might feel sorry for them, but he has absolutely no desire to get dragged into their world. He'd rather help from the side, by pulling in his university, instead of trekking into the dungeons without all the things he's gained from his last year in classes.
And some of those gains have definitely been his friends. Khalik, Thundar, and Isolde don't have the personal ties to Thameland, but they're just as invested in this expedition because of him. I like the friendships they have between them, and how they're all clearly distinct and different, but that's part of why they're so good as a group.
It's almost amusing to see how badly the dungeons fare against non-Hero raiding parties when those parties consist of some of the strongest wizards and warriors in the world.
Nor is Alex stagnant. My other favorite bit of the book is Alex's self-improvement plan. He's connected the dots on a few things after fighting the latest mana manipulation training device, and combined disciplines in a novel way. The weightlifting contests between him and the others are hilarious. Especially when Grimloch gets involved.
Overall this is a fantastic sequel. It's delivering a few things we've been waiting a while to see, unfolding small bits of information about the enemy, and promising a lot more to come. I rate this book Highly Recommended.
So this book has a lot of my favorite scenes in the story so far. Alex meeting the Heroes is a big one---we finally get to see the others Chosen besides Alex and Cedric. And Alex might feel sorry for them, but he has absolutely no desire to get dragged into their world. He'd rather help from the side, by pulling in his university, instead of trekking into the dungeons without all the things he's gained from his last year in classes.
And some of those gains have definitely been his friends. Khalik, Thundar, and Isolde don't have the personal ties to Thameland, but they're just as invested in this expedition because of him. I like the friendships they have between them, and how they're all clearly distinct and different, but that's part of why they're so good as a group.
It's almost amusing to see how badly the dungeons fare against non-Hero raiding parties when those parties consist of some of the strongest wizards and warriors in the world.
Nor is Alex stagnant. My other favorite bit of the book is Alex's self-improvement plan. He's connected the dots on a few things after fighting the latest mana manipulation training device, and combined disciplines in a novel way. The weightlifting contests between him and the others are hilarious. Especially when Grimloch gets involved.
Overall this is a fantastic sequel. It's delivering a few things we've been waiting a while to see, unfolding small bits of information about the enemy, and promising a lot more to come. I rate this book Highly Recommended.
November 20, 2023
The Fool returns home
The expedition is finally in Alex's home country! Alex and the others meet some of the other heroes though, thankfully not the priest, otherwise Alex might lose his ability to roam about the world. They would be asking him some very pointed questions about where he's been and why he hasn't been helping them.
Alex has in fact been helping them and this expedition is the biggest example of that. Together with the heroes, they squish two nearby dungeon cores and then show off what they can do with those cores, to explosive results. There's more fun with Claygon and Alex starts doing some questionable experiments with his own body. They seem to work out pretty well though. He continues to grow in power, though there's always something or someone more powerful. Fortunately, the most powerful person he knows, Chancellor Baelin, still seems to be on his side.
The expedition has a few hiccups but by and large the end of the novel shows it firmly entrenched in Thameland and with our heroes still happy and healthy.
The expedition is finally in Alex's home country! Alex and the others meet some of the other heroes though, thankfully not the priest, otherwise Alex might lose his ability to roam about the world. They would be asking him some very pointed questions about where he's been and why he hasn't been helping them.
Alex has in fact been helping them and this expedition is the biggest example of that. Together with the heroes, they squish two nearby dungeon cores and then show off what they can do with those cores, to explosive results. There's more fun with Claygon and Alex starts doing some questionable experiments with his own body. They seem to work out pretty well though. He continues to grow in power, though there's always something or someone more powerful. Fortunately, the most powerful person he knows, Chancellor Baelin, still seems to be on his side.
The expedition has a few hiccups but by and large the end of the novel shows it firmly entrenched in Thameland and with our heroes still happy and healthy.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 168 reviews