J.M. Clarke books

A Book of Blades: Sword and Sorcery Anthology Reading Order

Mark of the Fool Reading Order

Mark of the Fool (Light Novel) Reading Order

Oaths Blood & Coin Reading Order

Rune Seeker Reading Order

J.M. Clarke writes progression fantasy with a strong focus on character and magic systems. His breakout series, Mark of the Fool, began as a web serial on Royal Road and found an enormous readership before making the jump to professional publication. The series follows Alex Roth, a young man who receives the prophecy-assigned mark of “The Fool” — a brand that suppresses his magic use but enhances his ability to learn other skills. Rather than accept a doomed fate, Alex exploits every loophole the mark offers.

Beyond Mark of the Fool, Clarke has built out a substantial catalog. Rune Seeker, co-written with C.J. Thompson, follows a young man on a flying island who is the only person born unable to channel his world’s sun-powered magic — until he finds a way into the dungeon system. Oaths Blood & Coin is his ongoing epic fantasy series, and A Book of Blades is his contribution to the sword and sorcery anthology tradition. Clarke is one of the more productive voices in the progression fantasy genre.