What do you think?
Rate this book
China Maroc #1
Quattro pezzi di Giada
The consummate warrior. The man who excels. The supreme master of all the arts--love and combat, strength and wisdom--who holds the fate of all China in his hands. In a vast arena with its vivid scenarios of war and revolution, its intricate loyalties of clan and creed, many vie for total mastery. Four ancient pieces of jade are the key to unlocking the grand scheme of the Jian. The prize is Hong Kong--the glittering jewel that sets the KGB, the Communist Chinese, and the Americans in deadly battle.
720 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1985
324 people are currently reading
787 people want to read
About the author
Eric Van Lustbader
167 books1,226 followersEric Van Lustbader was born and raised in Greenwich Village. He is the author of more than twenty-five best-selling novels, including The Ninja, in which he introduced Nicholas Linnear, one of modern fiction's most beloved and enduring heroes. The Ninja was sold to 20th CenturyFox, to be made into a major motion picture. His novels have been translated into over twenty languages.
Mr. Lustbader is a graduate of Columbia College, with a degree in Sociology. Before turning to writing full time, he enjoyed highly successful careers in the New York City public school system, where he holds licenses in both elementary and early childhood education, and in the music business, where he worked for Elektra Records and CBS Records, among other companies.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/ericva...
Mr. Lustbader is a graduate of Columbia College, with a degree in Sociology. Before turning to writing full time, he enjoyed highly successful careers in the New York City public school system, where he holds licenses in both elementary and early childhood education, and in the music business, where he worked for Elektra Records and CBS Records, among other companies.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/ericva...
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
July 4, 2019
This is the kind of book from the era of Ludlum and reminiscent of the book James Clavell wrote, like Taipan & Shogun. Oriental based tales of adventure and complex thrillers.
The book has several tracks it is running on one of them being Jake Maroc special agent of an American spy department by the name of Quarry. The book is advertised as a Jake Maroc story but his story is the closing part of the whole story set up in the book. While he is hunting an elusive assassin who did take/kidnap his wife to Japan he and his squad lose their live in a clear ambush he never saw coming. He then alone starts tracking the man who took his wife and with the next confrontation he ends up on the hitlist of his own company.
The there is the story of the Russian female director who tries to mark out her own fiefdom among the power-hungry elite of the Russian government, her story is one of a smart and beautiful woman who is underestimated by her male superiors. They will pay a price for their shortsightedness.
Then there is the story of a Chinese man who wants to save the Chinese from themselves and is involved in the creation of the modern China with an endgame that is rather grand and has to do with the safety of China and Hong Kong, he is the puppet-master called the JIAN.
This whole book is well written and feels at the end the prologue of the story that continues in the next book of this series. You will want to rad the next installment to find out what is is that created such a frantic murder mayhem in the first book and what the endgame is actually about.
A tour the force of writing by a writer that in my teens blew me away and the sex stuff kinda was over my head anyhow. As an older person I read a very different novel than in my teens. This writer now does the new Bourne books but I actually prefer his earlier work like this one. I am still looking for a hardcover version of "black Heart"to reread it and exchange my old paperback copy. While I always enjoyed the oriental adventure books like nobody did better than Lustbader I never eased in the martial arts movies, the books always felt more grown up.
Anyhow I really enjoyed a reread of an old friend that pleasantly surprised me in its intricacy of plotting a tale.
The book has several tracks it is running on one of them being Jake Maroc special agent of an American spy department by the name of Quarry. The book is advertised as a Jake Maroc story but his story is the closing part of the whole story set up in the book. While he is hunting an elusive assassin who did take/kidnap his wife to Japan he and his squad lose their live in a clear ambush he never saw coming. He then alone starts tracking the man who took his wife and with the next confrontation he ends up on the hitlist of his own company.
The there is the story of the Russian female director who tries to mark out her own fiefdom among the power-hungry elite of the Russian government, her story is one of a smart and beautiful woman who is underestimated by her male superiors. They will pay a price for their shortsightedness.
Then there is the story of a Chinese man who wants to save the Chinese from themselves and is involved in the creation of the modern China with an endgame that is rather grand and has to do with the safety of China and Hong Kong, he is the puppet-master called the JIAN.
This whole book is well written and feels at the end the prologue of the story that continues in the next book of this series. You will want to rad the next installment to find out what is is that created such a frantic murder mayhem in the first book and what the endgame is actually about.
A tour the force of writing by a writer that in my teens blew me away and the sex stuff kinda was over my head anyhow. As an older person I read a very different novel than in my teens. This writer now does the new Bourne books but I actually prefer his earlier work like this one. I am still looking for a hardcover version of "black Heart"to reread it and exchange my old paperback copy. While I always enjoyed the oriental adventure books like nobody did better than Lustbader I never eased in the martial arts movies, the books always felt more grown up.
Anyhow I really enjoyed a reread of an old friend that pleasantly surprised me in its intricacy of plotting a tale.
February 20, 2021
Credo di aver già raccontato questa storia anni fa su un altro social, ma mi fa sempre piacere evocarla.
Nei primi anni della mia lunga storia d’amore con la lettura (ero alle medie), i libri li prendevo pressoché tutti in prestito nella biblioteca comunale della mia città. Eccezionalmente, ogni tanto facevo una gita in libreria con qualche soldo in tasca e passavo ore a setacciare gli scaffali alla ricerca dell’acquisto perfetto, reso possibile dalle mie 10.000 Lire.
Per qualche ragione, i libri che guardavo con maggiore cupidigia erano quelli di Lustbader, che all’epoca (almeno credo, a giudicare dalla loro collocazione in bella vista) tiravano abbastanza [per inciso, anche i suoi attuali romanzi vendono bene, mi risulta, ma avendo lui raccolto l’eredità di Ludlum ora il suo nome è solo in seconda riga sulle copertine, quindi meno visibile].
Negli anni ottanta e primi anni novanta Lustbader ha scritto un cospicuo numero di voluminosi thriller ambientati in estremo Oriente, dai nomi molto esotici e dalle copertine ancora più esotiche e lucide lucide. Io li tenevo in mano, li rigiravo, leggevo e rileggevo le quarte di copertina, immaginando intrecci internazionali, arti marziali ed erotismo (capirai, a quell’età camminavo avvolto in una nuvola di feromoni come Pigpen…). Poi li mollavo lì e tipicamente uscivo dalla libreria con un tascabile di Calvino o Simenon.
Sono passati tanti anni e – approfittando del fatto che questi volumoni (ormai fuori catalogo) si trovano su Ebay a prezzi molto popolari – in un accesso notturno di nostalgia due o tre anni fa li ho comprati tutti e poco alla volta li sto leggendo (questo è il mio terzo).
Ci ho trovato dentro esattamente quello che mi aspettavo, e sono anche contento di leggerli oggi e non allora, visto che hanno intrecci molto complicati e decine di personaggi; rimane intatto il fatto che mentre li leggo mi sento ancora un tredicenne, anche se adesso ho il triplo dell’età di allora.
Tre stelle al romanzo (che non è poi chissà che capolavoro, come potete immaginare), la quarta è un omaggio a questa storia e ad uno dei periodi migliori della mia vita.
Nei primi anni della mia lunga storia d’amore con la lettura (ero alle medie), i libri li prendevo pressoché tutti in prestito nella biblioteca comunale della mia città. Eccezionalmente, ogni tanto facevo una gita in libreria con qualche soldo in tasca e passavo ore a setacciare gli scaffali alla ricerca dell’acquisto perfetto, reso possibile dalle mie 10.000 Lire.
Per qualche ragione, i libri che guardavo con maggiore cupidigia erano quelli di Lustbader, che all’epoca (almeno credo, a giudicare dalla loro collocazione in bella vista) tiravano abbastanza [per inciso, anche i suoi attuali romanzi vendono bene, mi risulta, ma avendo lui raccolto l’eredità di Ludlum ora il suo nome è solo in seconda riga sulle copertine, quindi meno visibile].
Negli anni ottanta e primi anni novanta Lustbader ha scritto un cospicuo numero di voluminosi thriller ambientati in estremo Oriente, dai nomi molto esotici e dalle copertine ancora più esotiche e lucide lucide. Io li tenevo in mano, li rigiravo, leggevo e rileggevo le quarte di copertina, immaginando intrecci internazionali, arti marziali ed erotismo (capirai, a quell’età camminavo avvolto in una nuvola di feromoni come Pigpen…). Poi li mollavo lì e tipicamente uscivo dalla libreria con un tascabile di Calvino o Simenon.
Sono passati tanti anni e – approfittando del fatto che questi volumoni (ormai fuori catalogo) si trovano su Ebay a prezzi molto popolari – in un accesso notturno di nostalgia due o tre anni fa li ho comprati tutti e poco alla volta li sto leggendo (questo è il mio terzo).
Ci ho trovato dentro esattamente quello che mi aspettavo, e sono anche contento di leggerli oggi e non allora, visto che hanno intrecci molto complicati e decine di personaggi; rimane intatto il fatto che mentre li leggo mi sento ancora un tredicenne, anche se adesso ho il triplo dell’età di allora.
Tre stelle al romanzo (che non è poi chissà che capolavoro, come potete immaginare), la quarta è un omaggio a questa storia e ad uno dei periodi migliori della mia vita.
August 13, 2020
Este o poveste despre China, cu punct central pe situatia Hong Kong-ului de la sfarsitul secolului trecut, chiar inainte de terminarea perioadei de cesionare de care a beneficiat Marea Britanie in zona. În 1997 teritoriul urma a fi retrocedat guvernului de la Peking. Acum această regiune beneficiază de 50 de ani de autonomie politică, în baza unei legi speciale, adoptată în urma semnării unui tratat in 1984.
Sunt impletite elemente de cultura chineza si japoneza veche in societatea moderna. Traditii si obiceiuri din alte timpuri care inca supravietuiesc si sunt respectate cu sfintenie. Este o intriga ampla ce ne poarta pe 3 continente: Asia, America si Europa, fiecare aruncandu-i pe cei mai buni in lupta: comunisti chinezi, CIA si KGB. O poveste cu spioni si povesti de dragoste, o poveste despre copii abandonati care-si regasesc radacinile dupa multe decenii de singuratate si zbatere. O poveste care vede metropola Hong Kong-ului ca fiind cheia ce va reusi sa unifice China. Nu e Shogun, se apropie mai mult de ideile si cursul evenimentelor din Tai-Pan.
Jake Maroc, agent de frunte al organizatiei Quarry (organizatie antiterorista aflata sub obladuirea personala a presedintelui american si top-secreta) este trimis sa opreasca un asasin de temut, foarte bine antrenat si foarte greu de dibuit: Nichiren. Prima incercare de capturare a acestuia se soldeaza cu un esec si cu pierderea mai multor vieti omenesti, toti prieteni sau apropiati ai lui Jack. Dupa aceasta, tot ce-l mai intereseaza e razbunarea. Intre lupta personala a lui Jack si cea a marilor puteri pentru Hong Kong, apar si povesti de dragoste, traume din copilarie si multe episoade din primii pasi facuti de comunismul chinez.
Sunt impletite elemente de cultura chineza si japoneza veche in societatea moderna. Traditii si obiceiuri din alte timpuri care inca supravietuiesc si sunt respectate cu sfintenie. Este o intriga ampla ce ne poarta pe 3 continente: Asia, America si Europa, fiecare aruncandu-i pe cei mai buni in lupta: comunisti chinezi, CIA si KGB. O poveste cu spioni si povesti de dragoste, o poveste despre copii abandonati care-si regasesc radacinile dupa multe decenii de singuratate si zbatere. O poveste care vede metropola Hong Kong-ului ca fiind cheia ce va reusi sa unifice China. Nu e Shogun, se apropie mai mult de ideile si cursul evenimentelor din Tai-Pan.
Jake Maroc, agent de frunte al organizatiei Quarry (organizatie antiterorista aflata sub obladuirea personala a presedintelui american si top-secreta) este trimis sa opreasca un asasin de temut, foarte bine antrenat si foarte greu de dibuit: Nichiren. Prima incercare de capturare a acestuia se soldeaza cu un esec si cu pierderea mai multor vieti omenesti, toti prieteni sau apropiati ai lui Jack. Dupa aceasta, tot ce-l mai intereseaza e razbunarea. Intre lupta personala a lui Jack si cea a marilor puteri pentru Hong Kong, apar si povesti de dragoste, traume din copilarie si multe episoade din primii pasi facuti de comunismul chinez.
January 8, 2015
Brilliant web of intrigue and spy fast action carrying you all across the globe and back in time giving one an inkling of how things worked in China in the early 1900's. Definitely an author to look out for. Busy with the next book in the Maroc series and it is just as brilliant.
November 22, 2022
This was a re-read after more than twenty years. I am disappointed. Why to complicate it like he did? On the final 50 pages, or so, it started to become insanely illogical.
Read
April 16, 2022I read this 1985 novel sometime in the 1990s while enamoured of the eastern settings of the novels of Clavell, Elegant and Han Suyin. Combining equal measures of action, intrigue, strong-willed characters and exotic settings, it did not disappoint. An American action hero, a beautiful Russian agent, a reform-minded Chinese leader all interact against the backdrops of present day Hong Kong, the Chinese mainland and the great power global struggle for world hegemony.
Unfortunately, the book did not leave that much of an impression since now, a quarter of a century later, I have no specific memory of any particular character or scene from this book.
Unfortunately, the book did not leave that much of an impression since now, a quarter of a century later, I have no specific memory of any particular character or scene from this book.
January 23, 2017
Typical Asian based spy thriller that Van Lustbader has written. This particular one bounces around between China, Hong Kong, Japan, Russia and the U.S. The ending I found a little disappointing. The most interesting parts were his incorporating Chinese history into the story. This indicates I probably should read an actual history book on the subject! I read several of his previous books shortly after graduating college--maybe I've outgrown these. An entertaining read though if this is your genre.
September 8, 2017
An all-around blockbuster
As in his famous Ninja novels, this first installment in the China Maroc series was an absolute blockbuster. Filled with sprawling characters, a seamless kaleidoscope of storylines come together to give us an action saga fit for tv screens. Typically rich in substance set against the backdrop of communist China and the later years of the Cold War, it is filled with all the cool elements of an action thriller: action, violence, intrigue and a lot of sex
As in his famous Ninja novels, this first installment in the China Maroc series was an absolute blockbuster. Filled with sprawling characters, a seamless kaleidoscope of storylines come together to give us an action saga fit for tv screens. Typically rich in substance set against the backdrop of communist China and the later years of the Cold War, it is filled with all the cool elements of an action thriller: action, violence, intrigue and a lot of sex
August 25, 2018
Non siamo all'altezza del grande Nicholas Linnear, ma anche Jake Maroc e le sue avventure sanno come emozionare il lettore.
Ottime le digressioni, soprattutto per comprendere personaggi altrimenti criptici come Nichiren, Shi Zilin e Tre Giuramenti Tsun.
Sinceramente, non avevo ancora letto il secondo volume, mi domando se tutta l'ingerenza dei russi proposta da Lustbader troverà poi una sua collocazione finale nella storia perché al momento ha solo rallentato la narrazione.
Ottime le digressioni, soprattutto per comprendere personaggi altrimenti criptici come Nichiren, Shi Zilin e Tre Giuramenti Tsun.
Sinceramente, non avevo ancora letto il secondo volume, mi domando se tutta l'ingerenza dei russi proposta da Lustbader troverà poi una sua collocazione finale nella storia perché al momento ha solo rallentato la narrazione.
September 1, 2018
Trama troppo intricata che costringe spesso tornare indietro nella lettura. Lo stile non è fluido e scorrevole anche se nel complesso è ben scritto. Appaiono inesatte alcune situazioni ipotizzate dall'autore (per esempio a metà degli anni Ottanta l'Unione Sovietica non era più in grado di nuocere a nessuno, tanto meno alla Cina). Tutto sommato è un buon romanzo ma la differenza tra l'autore e fuoriclasse del calibro di Ken Follett è evidente.
January 28, 2020
Ho iniziato a capire qualcosa degli intrighi che si celano in “Jian” solo dopo la pagina 360!
Dopo è tutto in discesa.
Bella la rappresentazione storica e filosofica delle tre nazioni protagoniste. Ti lascia un po’ con un “e ora?” Ma so che c’è un seguito.
Nichiren protagonista indiscusso per me del libro e che bello leggere tecniche con nome giapponese dell’aikido!!!
Dopo è tutto in discesa.
Bella la rappresentazione storica e filosofica delle tre nazioni protagoniste. Ti lascia un po’ con un “e ora?” Ma so che c’è un seguito.
Nichiren protagonista indiscusso per me del libro e che bello leggere tecniche con nome giapponese dell’aikido!!!
July 3, 2021
Apart from Black Heart this is one if my favourite Lustbader books. Set in China, Washington, Hong Kong. This is an international novel of political power shifts, revenge and oriental philosophy. Love it
August 15, 2025
Kirja alkaa kokouksella, jossa joukko äijiä mansplainaa toisilleen asioita, jotka kaikki heistä jo tietävät. Kun se jatkui yhä sivulla 50 niin totesin, että jos tämä ei pian parane, niin jätän kesken.
Ei parantunut.
Ei parantunut.
February 5, 2018
If you like the book, you need to read the second one in the series, "Shan". ☺
July 8, 2021
The ending wasn't completely satisfactory to me, but the writing was gorgeous, and though all the moving parts could be difficult to keep up with, I really enjoyed reading this!
May 20, 2022
while interesting, the book deviates too much from the main plot and at times one feels that some things have been put there only to increase the page numbers
April 21, 2024
A fun, exciting read in the manner or a Robert Ludlum book- full of unrealistic twists and turns but entertaining all the way. My biggest problem with these books is that there is always a traitor and he is always the one the author tries to make the least likely suspect.... which gives it away! The reason for the traitor's conversion, as well as many of the byzantine backstories are not very believable. In the end the Premier of China is the good guy!
September 30, 2025
Tremendous!
**** 4 Stars.
**** 4 Stars.
October 5, 2010
Amazing spy/thriller book. A bit too romantic for my taste, but the rest of it is hard to beat. It might be a bit confusing at start, but if the reader is sharp, he/she will notice the main fabula elements and will start feeling excited and anxious about what might happen next.
I loved reading it, even read it like 10 times over the course of several years. I am happy I never met in real people like the Jian character, it would make me feel way too much insignificant.
I loved reading it, even read it like 10 times over the course of several years. I am happy I never met in real people like the Jian character, it would make me feel way too much insignificant.
September 8, 2008
I hadn't read Lustbader for a while and if I'm honest I really missed his style. This book was definitely up there with the Nocholas Linnear series and is Lustbader at his best.
The mix of intrigue, intense action and the marrying of two cultures is a delight to read and I can't wait to read the next book in the series - Shian.
Definitely recommend this book.
The mix of intrigue, intense action and the marrying of two cultures is a delight to read and I can't wait to read the next book in the series - Shian.
Definitely recommend this book.
May 5, 2010
This was the first Lustbader book I have read.
It was 'ok'.
I did like the weaving in of history and present but everything was a little 'too perfect'. It all fit too neatly.
The story of an assassin living in Hong Kong and another in Japan and how they fight and the story of how they are all being controlled by China, USSR and USA.
It was 'ok'.
I did like the weaving in of history and present but everything was a little 'too perfect'. It all fit too neatly.
The story of an assassin living in Hong Kong and another in Japan and how they fight and the story of how they are all being controlled by China, USSR and USA.
January 17, 2011
If you like intrigue, spies, double agents, you won't be disappointed with Jian, the first of a series developed around the history of China from the 1930's to modern day. The author uses many Chinese terms that enrich the story (and thankfully includes a glossary). There are also several sexual trysts that might earn the book at least an R rating.
December 28, 2009
Reading this was tiring. So much action, sometimes I got confused. Hard to figure out who the villian really is. CIA, KGB (back when there was still a Soviet Union), Red Chinese diplomats, and assorted underlings and street thugs. Hold on tight to the book; it may jump right out of your hands.
June 22, 2011
This was the second Lustbader book I ever read; and even more than The Ninja, his writing style excited my imagination. While true that you must "give in to the story" more than other works based in the real world, once you do the story takes over all your senses. An excellent read.
April 21, 2012
This book can fool you because the begining was a bit convaluted and seemed to be a little confusing. It ends up being an excellent story. I was surprised at the ending. You need to read this entire book to appreciate the work that went into the writing.
July 25, 2014
I read this book some years ago and found like other Eric Van Lustbader books it was interesting. I had to keep reading to find out what happened in the end. This I think is an excellent book, which I highly recommend you read.
October 21, 2022
Eric's books usually include erotism, violence and history. I found his books very entertaining, and this one has a special place on my shelf because is a book separated from the ninja Saga. The story develops in Hong Kong. O love how he describes action scenes: is like watching a movie.
Read
May 1, 2009Fiction
June 20, 2010
A new series for Lustbader, while not as strong as the Nicholas series it is still a great series this time focusing on a different character and part of the world.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews