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Mark of the Fool #7
Mark of the Fool 7
Armed with new knowledge, Alex is confronted by ancient conspiracies.
After going to hell and back, Alex Roth has gained knowledge about the Traveller, Thameland’s cycle, and the hidden priests that serve Uldar’s will.
Anticipating his identity being discovered sooner or later, he plans to make himself so famous and indispensable to Generasi that the priests would not even have a prayer of dragging him into the war’s frontlines.
With newfound power, he and his companions seek to prove themselves once more in the Games of Roal, all the while Alex expands his business empire, grows stronger and researches his foes.
But those foes are not idle.
After going to hell and back, Alex Roth has gained knowledge about the Traveller, Thameland’s cycle, and the hidden priests that serve Uldar’s will.
Anticipating his identity being discovered sooner or later, he plans to make himself so famous and indispensable to Generasi that the priests would not even have a prayer of dragging him into the war’s frontlines.
With newfound power, he and his companions seek to prove themselves once more in the Games of Roal, all the while Alex expands his business empire, grows stronger and researches his foes.
But those foes are not idle.
680 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 15, 2024
1023 people are currently reading
886 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 143 reviews
May 18, 2024
the usual
Slow start, meandering through slice-of-life events. Side quests and a bit of romance.
Then it builds momentum. And we finally get progress. Resulting in…
Whoa. Did not see that coming.
Now to wait for eight.
Slow start, meandering through slice-of-life events. Side quests and a bit of romance.
Then it builds momentum. And we finally get progress. Resulting in…
Whoa. Did not see that coming.
Now to wait for eight.
February 11, 2025
90% of this book is filler. Shit, most of the sentences in this book are pointless. I don’t care about anything that happens in this book until the end. I’m not sure if bro has an editor or what’s going on here but when it’s good it’s amazing but what’s the point when it’s only good and interesting for 10%
August 25, 2025
Another great book in this fantasy series. Great plot that twists and changes as the series progresses. Lots of action and just enough humor throughout. Very recommended
May 27, 2024
Best Of The Series - Needs An Editor
Fantastic book, fantastic cliffhanger of an ending, but I can’t give it five stars because it is riddled with typos, misplaced quotation marks, and just a lack of copy editing in general.
Fantastic book, fantastic cliffhanger of an ending, but I can’t give it five stars because it is riddled with typos, misplaced quotation marks, and just a lack of copy editing in general.
July 15, 2024
Rating 4.0 stars
A good installment in the series. It was a little long and it did start off kind of slow, but the second half really picked up and we got a lot of answers toward the end about what is really going on. Overall, a very good series. I am looking forward to the next one.
A good installment in the series. It was a little long and it did start off kind of slow, but the second half really picked up and we got a lot of answers toward the end about what is really going on. Overall, a very good series. I am looking forward to the next one.
October 27, 2025
Ratings :- 4.5 stars
May 29, 2024
The last 20% was really good…
… but the first 80% felt really pointless.
And on top of that, the main characters became economic villains, denying others who are in the same position of poverty that they’d been in last year from having the opportunity to compete meaningfully in the Games and improve their station. It honestly made me like Alex and company less, which is sad.
I’m looking forward to where the series goes from here, but would have preferred if the first 80% were condensed to 10% and then an additional bunch of actual talk plot-driving content were to be added. I guess that’s what book 8 will include.
… but the first 80% felt really pointless.
And on top of that, the main characters became economic villains, denying others who are in the same position of poverty that they’d been in last year from having the opportunity to compete meaningfully in the Games and improve their station. It honestly made me like Alex and company less, which is sad.
I’m looking forward to where the series goes from here, but would have preferred if the first 80% were condensed to 10% and then an additional bunch of actual talk plot-driving content were to be added. I guess that’s what book 8 will include.
August 11, 2024
Half the time im reading these. My thoughts are essentially "Gods, this series is silly, I'm having a great time." Then Clarke will add a level of pathos to his narrative that reminds me that the silliness is a stylistic choice, not a limit of the author.
May 28, 2024
It has grown increasingly hard to root for the smug fat-cat Alex, rolling in gold and priceless treasures. The bakery thing put the cap on it for me. Does he really have to have the best bakery in all of existence, with the most amazing opening ever witnessed? Then there was the bit where he strolled about sneering at the prizes and money for the games of Roal, which I’m not particularly pleased to see pop up again either. And it feels like the plot is going backwards, it’s so slow. Didn’t see this coming, as I loved this series originally, but, I’m out. I hope Alex and his money are very happy.
January 23, 2025
I'm halfway through this book. It feels like we are looking in on people's everyday lives, or getting updates on people we haven't seen for a while. Is this another slice of life tier book in the series?
This book was a slog to get through. It really felt like a bridge book. laying foundations for the next book to come. Then it goes and ends on a cliffhanger.
I will read the next one, but I'm not happy how this book went. Yes, the protag made great advances as a person and a wizard. But scattered very heavily between those achievements, were unwanted flotsam that I could have done without.
We will see what the next book brings.
2.5/5 Stars
This book was a slog to get through. It really felt like a bridge book. laying foundations for the next book to come. Then it goes and ends on a cliffhanger.
I will read the next one, but I'm not happy how this book went. Yes, the protag made great advances as a person and a wizard. But scattered very heavily between those achievements, were unwanted flotsam that I could have done without.
We will see what the next book brings.
2.5/5 Stars
March 24, 2025
I've no major complaints but I'm also not fully engaged. It seemed like a shame to feature hundreds of priests so willing to oppose the heroes, their holy paladins in a sense, with little justification or push-back. At the same time the big final battle was messy and impersonal. Both sides were using the Ravener's creatures, but no-one blinked an eye. Odd.
I should also note that the first two-thirds of the book contained no real conflict, just artificial games.
I should also note that the first two-thirds of the book contained no real conflict, just artificial games.
May 22, 2024
Another home run
Wild. Didn’t think the author could top the last one, and I was wrong. This series really picked up pace and it continues to get better. Can’t wait for the next one.
Wild. Didn’t think the author could top the last one, and I was wrong. This series really picked up pace and it continues to get better. Can’t wait for the next one.
July 16, 2024
Some slice of life, a lot of holy ****
I loved the beginnings simple slice of life style building of an empire and casual game, but that ending was heavy and powerful. Cannot wait for more.
I loved the beginnings simple slice of life style building of an empire and casual game, but that ending was heavy and powerful. Cannot wait for more.
June 4, 2024
Mostly filler.
May 17, 2025
This book picks up in a high-energy scene immediately after the cliffhanger ending of book #6. The middle of the book is basically a cozy progression fantasy. And the end is another high-energy, high-consequence story that ends again in a cliffhanger.
The writing of the action sequences is done well. It's easy to tell what is going on and to follow the ebbs and flows of the balance of power. The writing of the cozy sequences was entertaining and advanced the development of most of the characters.
But the combination of the parts didn't flow well. And the decision to stop the book in the middle of a sentence was indefensible.
This would be a four-star book if those writing choices had been made differently. As it is, this is only interesting to a continuing reader, and problematic for a reader who isn't reading the entire series back-to-back.
The writing of the action sequences is done well. It's easy to tell what is going on and to follow the ebbs and flows of the balance of power. The writing of the cozy sequences was entertaining and advanced the development of most of the characters.
But the combination of the parts didn't flow well. And the decision to stop the book in the middle of a sentence was indefensible.
This would be a four-star book if those writing choices had been made differently. As it is, this is only interesting to a continuing reader, and problematic for a reader who isn't reading the entire series back-to-back.
February 8, 2025
Best so far! A lot of plot threads get closed with a few brand new ones. The story takes a big leap.
June 17, 2025
The first 3/4 of the book felt like a bunch of disconnected side quests. Then the last quarter amped up the stakes, the tension, everything, and had maybe the most exciting ending yet.
August 3, 2025
Holy reveals….
November 13, 2025
I got bored when they did the Colosseum games again, but they are always fun. Once they got to the final scenes of the book, it was great. I especially loved how it ended on the phrase “Oh fuck”.
May 20, 2024
The best in the series yet
This book continues the story of Alex, the Fool, who has been working to solve the problems of his homeland in a different way. This volume has a return to the tournament games from a few books ago and shows us the growth of our heroes. Things really ramp up towards the end, leading to an ending that nobody could have predicted. I can't wait for book 8.
This book continues the story of Alex, the Fool, who has been working to solve the problems of his homeland in a different way. This volume has a return to the tournament games from a few books ago and shows us the growth of our heroes. Things really ramp up towards the end, leading to an ending that nobody could have predicted. I can't wait for book 8.
December 16, 2024
The first half was lackluster, but it picks up at the end. I’m still interested enough in the main story to read the next book, but I’m hoping there’s not as much filler in future installments.
June 7, 2024
Another fantastic entry
The book picks up immediately after the end of Book 6. As others have said it seems like it might have better belonged to the previous volume.
It is a great battle and then our heroes get to return home. After that Baelin departs to repay his Cabal members.
Spoilers below....
Love is in the air. Khalik and Sinope are engaged, Alex and Theresa get engaged, Thundarr finally realizes he likes the Sage and asks her out...
Carey London finally talks with Alex and he introduces her to the Traveller (aka St. Hannah Kim), which helps her spiritually.
I loved seeing Lucia come back and with so much more joy in her life. Alex's opening of the Roth Family Bakery was amusing, as was concluding the previous owner's storyline.
The Games of Roal was decent, but with how upgraded everyone was it seemed like a walk in the park, save for the final battles.
We got some good level ups this novel.
Alex figured out teleportation using the Traveler's power (so no Mana). Brutus became Theresa's Blood Familiar - making him much bigger and stronger. Selina finally learned fire magic (from Khalik's mom!). Thundarr infused shadow essence into his illusions (so they can start interacting with the real world). Oh, and Claygon is now an Iron Golem.
This generation's holy Saint has been having trouble. He's been excluded from all the other Heroes' activities since they don't want him to know Alex is the Fool. That leads to him being too trusting which results in him allowing Carey to be kidnapped by the secret church. They tell Carey she'll never leave their cloister, but tell Merhzin other things to try and get him on their side.
Alex and all the expedition forces, plus the heroes track her down. They start the climactic battle and it is a doozy. Alex is finally revealed as the Fool, and the First Apostle is revealed to be the Chosen of 500 years ago! He used Life Enforcement to keep himself hale and hardy. He attacks and tries to kill basically everyone. It looks like things are going to work out for him when Carey sacrifices herself to set off the Dungeon Core Chaos Bomb.
Alex fights through his mark to teleport the First Apostles arm which almost kills Alex. Merhzin shows up and starts healing. First Apostle manages to help all his people escape to an island to the north.
Carey's... Specter comes and aids everyone (thanks to the Traveller) and they go to Uldar's sanctum.
There we find out that the Mark of the Fool replaced the Mark of the General. In Uldar's hall are pictures of every team, and they see when it was changed (or "patched" as Hannah told us I'm a prior novel). The General looks like he might have also commanded Ravener forces. Presumably we'll learn more next volume.
The final bombshell... Uldar is dead!
The book picks up immediately after the end of Book 6. As others have said it seems like it might have better belonged to the previous volume.
It is a great battle and then our heroes get to return home. After that Baelin departs to repay his Cabal members.
Spoilers below....
Love is in the air. Khalik and Sinope are engaged, Alex and Theresa get engaged, Thundarr finally realizes he likes the Sage and asks her out...
Carey London finally talks with Alex and he introduces her to the Traveller (aka St. Hannah Kim), which helps her spiritually.
I loved seeing Lucia come back and with so much more joy in her life. Alex's opening of the Roth Family Bakery was amusing, as was concluding the previous owner's storyline.
The Games of Roal was decent, but with how upgraded everyone was it seemed like a walk in the park, save for the final battles.
We got some good level ups this novel.
Alex figured out teleportation using the Traveler's power (so no Mana). Brutus became Theresa's Blood Familiar - making him much bigger and stronger. Selina finally learned fire magic (from Khalik's mom!). Thundarr infused shadow essence into his illusions (so they can start interacting with the real world). Oh, and Claygon is now an Iron Golem.
This generation's holy Saint has been having trouble. He's been excluded from all the other Heroes' activities since they don't want him to know Alex is the Fool. That leads to him being too trusting which results in him allowing Carey to be kidnapped by the secret church. They tell Carey she'll never leave their cloister, but tell Merhzin other things to try and get him on their side.
Alex and all the expedition forces, plus the heroes track her down. They start the climactic battle and it is a doozy. Alex is finally revealed as the Fool, and the First Apostle is revealed to be the Chosen of 500 years ago! He used Life Enforcement to keep himself hale and hardy. He attacks and tries to kill basically everyone. It looks like things are going to work out for him when Carey sacrifices herself to set off the Dungeon Core Chaos Bomb.
Alex fights through his mark to teleport the First Apostles arm which almost kills Alex. Merhzin shows up and starts healing. First Apostle manages to help all his people escape to an island to the north.
Carey's... Specter comes and aids everyone (thanks to the Traveller) and they go to Uldar's sanctum.
There we find out that the Mark of the Fool replaced the Mark of the General. In Uldar's hall are pictures of every team, and they see when it was changed (or "patched" as Hannah told us I'm a prior novel). The General looks like he might have also commanded Ravener forces. Presumably we'll learn more next volume.
The final bombshell... Uldar is dead!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 24, 2025
This was essentially the Games of Roal episode 2, providing a chance to see just how far our heroes have come in the last four books. On the one hand, this is a fun idea to give the audience a chance to revel in the progression of these characters and provide the characters with an opportunity to show off the things about them that make them special. On the other hand, this goal could have been accomplished much quicker, and as a result, the tournament arc drags on.
It's a shame because this series has reached a point where I am utterly hooked on it now. I love the story, I love how the overarching series is progressing, and I am fascinated to find out what comes next. I also love the slice-of-life/empire-building elements, as it explores a really fun aspect of Alex's character, especially his ability to hack the Mark of the Fool to give him power beyond straightforward martial might. It nicely binds the author into a situation where he needs to be creative to keep Alex in a position of believable competence in facing his foes, and it makes for a much more interesting story.
The perfect example of this is Alex's plan to make himself so valuable within Generasi that they will have his back when Thameland finally learns of his secret and comes looking for him. It's a creative solution to a huge problem in Alex's life, and it makes for fascinating reading.
Speaking of fascinating reading, this novel ended with a bang that leaves you salivating to read what comes next.
Given that I enjoy this series so much, it pains me that I haven't been able to award this series a 5-star rating yet. However, while there is so much that I love in this series, I also can't ignore the filler/side-quest story arcs that suck the momentum out of every book. I've said it a million times before, but action for the sake of action is far less interesting than a book without any action but filled with meaningful story progression.
Overall, like most books in this series, this is an enjoyable 4-star book that is just that one last step away from 5-star brilliance.
It's a shame because this series has reached a point where I am utterly hooked on it now. I love the story, I love how the overarching series is progressing, and I am fascinated to find out what comes next. I also love the slice-of-life/empire-building elements, as it explores a really fun aspect of Alex's character, especially his ability to hack the Mark of the Fool to give him power beyond straightforward martial might. It nicely binds the author into a situation where he needs to be creative to keep Alex in a position of believable competence in facing his foes, and it makes for a much more interesting story.
The perfect example of this is Alex's plan to make himself so valuable within Generasi that they will have his back when Thameland finally learns of his secret and comes looking for him. It's a creative solution to a huge problem in Alex's life, and it makes for fascinating reading.
Speaking of fascinating reading, this novel ended with a bang that leaves you salivating to read what comes next.
Given that I enjoy this series so much, it pains me that I haven't been able to award this series a 5-star rating yet. However, while there is so much that I love in this series, I also can't ignore the filler/side-quest story arcs that suck the momentum out of every book. I've said it a million times before, but action for the sake of action is far less interesting than a book without any action but filled with meaningful story progression.
Overall, like most books in this series, this is an enjoyable 4-star book that is just that one last step away from 5-star brilliance.
May 20, 2024
The first few chapters just rounded up the fight from the end of the last book (could've just been part of that book) - I was expecting something bigger left to do. Anyway, what followed was mostly slice-of-life stuff and a tournament arc (the same one from before, but as second years this time) before the real action happened at the end.
The opening of the bakery shop was done pretty well as was the partnership with a surprise return of a side-character from earlier books (wish there had been more focus on that but I suppose by now I should know to expect the pay-offs to come in later books).
Given the strength gained by Alex and friends from their various dangerous activities, they routed the tournament. But we did get a few pleasant surprises too.
The action at the end was intense and surprisingly even more dangerous than what we had seen so far. That's probably expected as the series is getting close to finishing, but still I wasn't expecting the amount of losses they took. And the ending had the biggest twist, even if I feel I should've easily predicted.
There were only a few typos - I'd normally not mention it given the length of the book, but a couple of them had random numbers at the start of words!
The opening of the bakery shop was done pretty well as was the partnership with a surprise return of a side-character from earlier books (wish there had been more focus on that but I suppose by now I should know to expect the pay-offs to come in later books).
Given the strength gained by Alex and friends from their various dangerous activities, they routed the tournament. But we did get a few pleasant surprises too.
The action at the end was intense and surprisingly even more dangerous than what we had seen so far. That's probably expected as the series is getting close to finishing, but still I wasn't expecting the amount of losses they took. And the ending had the biggest twist, even if I feel I should've easily predicted.
There were only a few typos - I'd normally not mention it given the length of the book, but a couple of them had random numbers at the start of words!
December 6, 2025
Goodreads I've clicked 'Post' on this review 3 times and the website breaks every time. If it happens again I'll never forgive you.
I'm still wildly impressed by this story. While this book in particular was a little slower, by no means did I have a problem getting through it. The tone was a little wild, hence the rating, but still leagues beyond most other progression fantasy books that I've read.
I honestly forgot what I wrote the first time, but in case this breaks again I'm not about to waste a bunch of time writing a ton like I did last time. So: Games of Roal were a little boring. Sorry, but after the revelations we got in book 6, they felt incredibly underwhelming. I found myself skipping through the duel-by-proxy events because I felt like I was rereading the previous book.
Still though, the author is an amazing storyteller. He keeps his plot in nice, neat lines. The perspectives of different characters really brings the story together. While parts of this book did feel like filler, I'm very much looking forward to the culmination of a lot of things that happened in this book.
I'm still wildly impressed by this story. While this book in particular was a little slower, by no means did I have a problem getting through it. The tone was a little wild, hence the rating, but still leagues beyond most other progression fantasy books that I've read.
I honestly forgot what I wrote the first time, but in case this breaks again I'm not about to waste a bunch of time writing a ton like I did last time. So: Games of Roal were a little boring. Sorry, but after the revelations we got in book 6, they felt incredibly underwhelming. I found myself skipping through the duel-by-proxy events because I felt like I was rereading the previous book.
Still though, the author is an amazing storyteller. He keeps his plot in nice, neat lines. The perspectives of different characters really brings the story together. While parts of this book did feel like filler, I'm very much looking forward to the culmination of a lot of things that happened in this book.
March 17, 2025
this is 99.9% a 5 star book, but with the cheep ending really only 4. I enjoyed everything about book 7, except for the last minutes.
I wasn't sure about this series being one of the greats in progression fantasy, but as the series has gone on it has only gotten better. The limitations on the main character get frustrating at points, but it is written in a way that everything always comes together in the end, and it doesn't detract from the story in a meaningful way.
All that being said, can authors please stop using cheap tricks at the expense of their readers to end books with a pointless manufactured cliff hanger? If your books are good enough on their own then you don't need silly tricks to encourage someone to pick up the next book. It is just disrespectful to the readers, and makes me wonder about the author writing the book. Wrap up your books with a bow, and we'll still want to continue reading.
A great 5 star book with a 1 star ending that only hurts the book, and will not convince someone to read the next.
I wasn't sure about this series being one of the greats in progression fantasy, but as the series has gone on it has only gotten better. The limitations on the main character get frustrating at points, but it is written in a way that everything always comes together in the end, and it doesn't detract from the story in a meaningful way.
All that being said, can authors please stop using cheap tricks at the expense of their readers to end books with a pointless manufactured cliff hanger? If your books are good enough on their own then you don't need silly tricks to encourage someone to pick up the next book. It is just disrespectful to the readers, and makes me wonder about the author writing the book. Wrap up your books with a bow, and we'll still want to continue reading.
A great 5 star book with a 1 star ending that only hurts the book, and will not convince someone to read the next.
May 29, 2024
Great story
TBH this would have been a great alternative place to end the series. Sure there would some big questions left but mostly simple ones rather than lots of detailed ones. Too many series answer every little question on the way to "happily ever after"...even to the point of slapping on "nothing is allowed to go wrong ever after".
Still looking forward to the next in series. Logically the next should be the last in this series considering the intensity of circumstances reached at the end of this one.
Not to say that there might not be another series chronologically following this one where most current characters who survive begin fading into a Balean role. While Alex's younger sister and friends begin their ascent into adventure with less godlike support from remaining cast of characters. A good way to occasionally peek into lives of old favorite characters while avoiding too much of their constant OP action.
TBH this would have been a great alternative place to end the series. Sure there would some big questions left but mostly simple ones rather than lots of detailed ones. Too many series answer every little question on the way to "happily ever after"...even to the point of slapping on "nothing is allowed to go wrong ever after".
Still looking forward to the next in series. Logically the next should be the last in this series considering the intensity of circumstances reached at the end of this one.
Not to say that there might not be another series chronologically following this one where most current characters who survive begin fading into a Balean role. While Alex's younger sister and friends begin their ascent into adventure with less godlike support from remaining cast of characters. A good way to occasionally peek into lives of old favorite characters while avoiding too much of their constant OP action.
September 20, 2025
You can tell the Patreon word vomit is affecting this book greatly.
Each chapter is broken into: discussion of something, planning of something, prelude to something, moments before something happens, then something happening over 2-3 more chapters. It is insane that this structure happens over and over again. The Games of Roal felt like they went on forever.
At a certain point we're going to need something more than apocalyptic battles to end every book. The battle with Uldar's priests wasn't very gripping to me.
I also have to say I’m getting sick of all the mixed POVs. Every time I get the POV of the bad guys I just roll my eyes and can barely force myself to get through it. I almost want to give this book 1 stars for the bad guys getting away at the cusp of defeat. Such bad tropes.
Each chapter is broken into: discussion of something, planning of something, prelude to something, moments before something happens, then something happening over 2-3 more chapters. It is insane that this structure happens over and over again. The Games of Roal felt like they went on forever.
At a certain point we're going to need something more than apocalyptic battles to end every book. The battle with Uldar's priests wasn't very gripping to me.
I also have to say I’m getting sick of all the mixed POVs. Every time I get the POV of the bad guys I just roll my eyes and can barely force myself to get through it. I almost want to give this book 1 stars for the bad guys getting away at the cusp of defeat. Such bad tropes.
May 18, 2024
It was a solid outing for the series; I enjoyed that. The first 3/4 or so of the book was a little uneven. I enjoyed the storytelling and the tying up of some loose ends, but it all felt a little meandering and like unnecessary filler, like the bakery and shipping business. I did not understand why we would revisit a tournament that our merry band had already won most of the events in, only for them to show up dramatically more powerful. I mean, did we run out of babies to steal candy from?
Strong finish, though, with lots of new revelations and questions I want answered in the next book.
Strong finish, though, with lots of new revelations and questions I want answered in the next book.
May 19, 2024
I’m feeling all the feels right now!
This was so very bittersweet. Alex, and his cabal, grew in power. Selina was able to begin to find some level of peace with her talent. And there was so much happiness that they all experienced. But that was tempered by sacrifice, death, and betrayal.
Will Hannah be able to use what power has been left behind to fully emerge as a deity? Is the patch permanent? Or can Alex find a way to reverse engineer the original? Does the First Apostle know who has been talking to him? What will come of the revelations that were revealed?
This was so very bittersweet. Alex, and his cabal, grew in power. Selina was able to begin to find some level of peace with her talent. And there was so much happiness that they all experienced. But that was tempered by sacrifice, death, and betrayal.
Will Hannah be able to use what power has been left behind to fully emerge as a deity? Is the patch permanent? Or can Alex find a way to reverse engineer the original? Does the First Apostle know who has been talking to him? What will come of the revelations that were revealed?
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