Das Zeichen des Narren 2: Eine magische Progression-Fantasy Serie

Mark of the Fool #2

by J.M. Clarke, Lukas Speitling (Narrator)

Er versuchte, zu entkommen. Aber etwas ist ihm auf der Spur.

Nach vielen Gefahren hat Alex Roth die Universität von Generasi erreicht. Er hat inzwischen allerhand über das Zeichen des Narren erfahren und darüber, wie er es für neue Pfade zur Macht nutzen kann. Er gewinnt neue Freunde, lernt Alchemie und alles scheint gut zu laufen. Aber in den Schatten bewegt sich etwas. Die dunklen Geheimnisse seines Heimatlandes lauern, seine Schwester Selina erfährt, dass sie das ist, was sie am meisten hasst, und feindselige Monsteraugen folgen jeder seiner Bewegungen.

Während er versucht, ein normales Leben zu führen, muss er riskieren, dass düstere Geheimnisse enthüllt werden, er muss den Zorn derer überstehen, die Dämonen beschwören können, und den Blicken eines Jägers entkommen, der von einem uralten Feind geschickt wurde...und dann beginnen die Morde.Ach ja, er muss auch weiterhin die Studiengebühren aufbringen.

Ein Coming-of-Age-Zauberakademie-Fantasy-Abenteuer mit Fortschrittsentwicklung hin zur Macht, einem von D&D beeinflussten Schauplatz, detailliertem Worldbuilding und magischen Wissenschaften, Action, Witz, Alltag und GameLit-Elementen.

Please This audiobook is in German.

Genres: Fantasy, Litrpg, Audiobook, Fiction, Magic, Science Fiction Fantasy, Adventure

Audible Audio

First published January 10, 2023

Reviews

[Andrews WizardlyReads]

Wow just wow!!!! I loved this book

[Little Timmy]

Very good fantasy read. Entertaining and funny. Very recommended

[Quentin]

Eh... About 30% too slow.
While some of the expectations that have been built up until now were rewarded, the payoff was quite small and came really late.
At the same time, I am not even sure where this story is going since the main arc hasn't been progressing at all. So... the protagonist is the chosen one but escapes to live the life he wants to live free of his duty. But clearly, he inevitably has to face his destiny, right?
But little to nothing of this is hinted at!
I am sure the coming books will progress the main storyline much more, so I will continue.

But the next book gotta be a banger.

[Matthew]

Just like all of these types of books I liked the first one much more. The problem with a direct port of these stories is that the traditional book format doesn't happen. This one had a strange flow since it was as expected just a continuation of the previous novel. The book sufferers from this and you don't get the expected clutch, mid book climax, and workup to a finale. Overall it was great the narration was world class as always and the premise was fun and creative. I am glad that I bought it and listened to it, and I will absolutely continue to read as these are released, but I do wish that some of these ports from web to hard copy would take a longer route to publishing and do some rewriting and get a better product. Basically I find that as the story goes on it gets worse. The further from the original idea and intent the book gets the lower the story quality is in my opinion. It is difficult to just write a story day to day and get everything in the right place. I personally tried to write on Royal Road and can say that it isn't easy, but also that it isn't nearly as much work as someone like Sullivan that has upwards of 5 rewrites prior to release.

[Roberto Flores]

Overall this is very fun but still with a few issues.

It has all the high marks of book one but lacks the newness as well. The first part drags as a result. There is nothing wrong with any of it, it just has no new material to entice you.

[William Howe]

fun

I like this series. It’s not amazing and it can be a bit tedious, but it is decently written and has fun ideas.

I look forward to the next book.

[Enzo]

This is really a fun series. Alex continues his studies and as he and his friends grow they keep finding more and more action for us to enjoy. Alex has had to tell more people about his mark including the Headmaster. But he has found support and now he is planning on making a Golem. This is where the story really shines. The description of magic and golem making are amazing. Lots of details that adds to the world building.

[Tony Hinde]

I'm still enjoying the series although it's settling down into a familiar groove, so the impact of the power-up gimmick is waning.

[Lillian Cheung]

Part of me really wants to know if this author has taken chemistry classes cause god it sure sounds like several of the lectures from my previous chemistry classes .

[Dave Stone]

Still pretty good...

Fantasy / refusal of the call/ magical academy / is this curse a blessing? / YA coming of age
I've got a little problem, I started book 3 before writing this review and events in That book colored my view of This book. Unless I'm reviewing this as a complete series I should let each book stand or fall on it's own strength. I'll try to do that but... I'm not sure if this book actually deserves 4 stars. I absolutely did think so when I finished this so 4 stars it will remain.
-This book is the second semester of year one in Ye Olde Magical Academy. You can settle in for a nice comfortable ride. The characters think foolish young thoughts, and get bad ideas but when the moment to act arrives they do the smart / right thing.
At this point that is one of my favorite things about this series, The author does not contrive to have his characters make stupid choices just to advance the plot or to introduce cheep drama. Seriously, applause to J.M. Clarke for not stooping to that tired gimmick. IF you are as sick of that bad sit-com ploy as I am you can read this book with confidence. (but don't expect the same in book 3 )
So, If you liked book 1 you will like this just fine. It has a little less fizz in the punch, but it's still the same flavor.

[Patrick Ryan]

4.5 stars

I felt the plot was better during book 1, but book 2 was a big improvement in writing, pacing, world building and character. If the author continues to improve, then I'll have a lot of 5 star reviews coming up as I continue the series.

[Matt B]

I enjoyed this book, and it was an easy listen. Progression Fantasy is my favorite sub-genre right now, and I think there is a lot to like about the book. That being said, I think there were a lot of things the author could have done to build and hold tension. For much too long of the book, I didn’t feel like the stakes didn’t feel actively that high. Various characters have some interesting backstories (albeit not very original backstories), and I think the author could have done a lot to flesh them out. I will continue on with the series, and I am interested to see how this book evolves.

If I end up finishing the series, I’ll try and write a more in-depth review with Spoilers.

[Arnis]

Pārdabiskais mošķis Raveners un tā dēmonu un citu monstru armijas atkal griež savas neglītās galvas Rainianas impērijas un tās galvaspilsētas Thameland virzienā. Mošķis, kurš reizi simts gados prasa no pieciem nejauši izvēlētiem Varoņiem ar lielo burtu visu iespējamo un varbūt pat to dzīvības, lai glābtu savu dzimteni. Diemžēl no pieciem Varoņiem vienam tiek, nodēvēts par Muļķi, tiek vairāk kā pārējo atbalstoša loma, un kaut arī vēstures annālēs ir piezīmes, ka bez Muļķa markas īpašnieka neiztikt, tad ar tikpat vieglu roku tā pienesums tiek, ja ne gluži noniecināts, tad noteikti ne tik augstu godā celts un slavināts, kā pārējo varoņu pienesums.

https://poseidons99.com/2025/09/06/j-...

[Caylah Coffeen]

3.5 stars
Better than the first, since there was a greater focus on relational conflict, mistakes, and resolution. It felt less like a summary of events and class lessons, with more varied and in-depth content.
Claygon is super cool and I love that a certain romance started to bloom without unnecessary drama.
It’s certainly hard to put down.

[Ty MaC]

4/5


Very good slice of life magic school. Progression fantasy with some great characters.

Prose is mid but the world building is fun.

Action scenes are weak.

Enjoyed the paceing.

Very intrigued by the overall plot but so far the story has been 90% Slice of Life and maybe only 10% of the overarching story

[Fernando]

Slower pacing than first book but still very entertaining. The protagonist is developing quite well. The rest of the characters are falling behind a bit though it aligns with the lore. Onward to the next one!

[Atlas]

Book One of 2025: this is like a cozy, low stakes academia read where nothing really bad or difficult happens (yet) to Alex or his friends. They study and get knocked around a bit, argue a bit, but mostly they just grow and have a good time. Hope my year will be like that!

[✨Rae Dreamsmasher ✨]

This is the second semester at the school. There’s a lot of great crafting, especially the golem. This book moves at a nice pace and I enjoy that it takes his time. Some of the best parts are just when they’re taking it easy.

[Jonathan Ahmadi]

Great audiobook

[Megan Ferguson]

An improvement on the first installment and a fun read.

[Dom Henriott]

the pacing of this was not it. also the author uses onomatopoeias like a child writing a comic book.

I'll still probably read the next book tho lmao

[Myron Mollon]

3.6

[Jukka Jokela]

Kuunneltu. Tykkäsin paljon kirjasta ja sen juonenkäänteistä. Hahmot olivat samaistuttavia mutta samalla mielenkiintoisia

[Vilius]

Wow if the first book had something going for it well this one makes sure to get rid of everything interesting. The whole book is just endless studying with constant updates of the mc progress. There is no substance. Once again the world is made to make the mc feel so special in ways that don't make sense.

Since mc is still incapable of fighting in all the fights he mostly just distracts enemies and shouts commands that are usually just "behind you" and then just stands around and does nothing. This book managed to make magical schools sound boring. The combat got worse. The interactions between characters got worse. This whole book is just one big filler episode. 90% of the book could have been skipped and nothing of value would be lost

The only redeeming thing this book has is the explanations of alchemy and golem craft. The author does do a great job of making their magic science sound realistic and even interesting.

[Rudhrein]

It’s a fun slice of life and magic academy story, definitely wanna continue the series.
loved the beware of chicken reference hahahah !

[Rachael DeHaan]

So good. One of the best series ever.

[Amie Velasco Everson]

Love the characters, their camaraderie and their quips they throw back and forth at each other.

[Sydney]

5 In Time, Even Demons And Dragons Will Tremble At Your Coming Stars

Mark of the Fool 2 is the second book a Progression Fanstay Epic series by J. M. Clarke.

This book is annoyingly good. It contains companionship, battles against many foes, the pursuit of knowledge, and advancements in many arts. This story is still expanding, with the potential for more than just the previous tastes of political intrigue. Soon, we will be drawn back into the heat of Thameland's battle against the Ravener and its forces. All while the Fool continues to push the boundaries of what all thought him capable of.

It has enriching, mainly, to watch as this class of first year COMB-1000 students tackle the many obstacles and challenges placed before them. Even beyond the bonds tied with Alex's cabal; including Isolde, Khalik, and Thundar. This entire class has made lasting ties through facing such danger beside one another and triumphing.

The discoveries that have been made regarding the dungeon core, its capabilities, and ties to golem craft are exciting. Which will lend more aid to Thameland than I think Alex ever hoped for.

Yet, still more mysteries and dangers lurk unresolved in the background.

[Gavin]

This was the second instalment of the Mark of the Fool series. This is a progression fantasy series that mixes adventure and and adventure with magic school tropes. It also tries to offer a fresh twist on the "Chosen One" trope.

I actually really like most of the building blocks of this book/series. The world is fun, I love magic school stories, the characters are likeable enough, and the magic is pretty cool. It is a real pity that with all those fun ingredients we still get something that is just a bit bland!

Quality wise this was in line with the first instalment. I’m just not really feeling the series. There is nothing overtly wrong with it I’m just not drawn to it. I own the third book (thanks to getting books 2&3 in a 2 for 1 deal) but I’m probably not going to read it.

Rating: 2.5 stars.

Audio Note: This was narrated by Travis Baldree. He did OK.

[Jassa Myne]

I'm laughing, my goodness, I had a great time! Was it repetitive at times? Yes, we know Alex can't directly attack or learn attacks due to the mark. We also know his worry about being found by the priests. Although, I'm okay with him being nervous about that detail. Was it long and dragged out? Yup, here and there, but not everywhere. Did his little sister get better? Uh, no, not really, but I'll forgive her for being 10yo.

All in all, Alex is on his way to being a mad, evil wizard in the best way! And yes, he is very self-aware of this.