Profile of Mark J Ferrari

More Information

  • Web Site
  • E-mail: mferrari@removethismcn.org

This profile moderated by Mark J Ferrari.

Bio

After nearly two decades as a free-lance illustrator for such clients as Lucasfilm and Lucas Arts Games, ILM, EA, Chaosium Games, Amaze Entertainment, TOR, ACE, NAL, Doubleday Sci-Fi Book club, and many others, Mark has finally conceded that one good book is worth a thousand pictures, and written a fantasy novel, The Book of Joby, released by TOR on August 21st, 2007. He is currently finishing the next in a whole flock of novels, which he says have been circling the airport in his head for years. He currently resides near Seattle, Washington, where he does background and concept art by day for a large computer gaming company, and describes himself as: single, non-smoker, no pets.

Bibliography

The Book of Joby - Published by Tor Books, August 21st, 2007.

Reviews

Booklist - starred review
on "The Book of Joby"

The prologue of Ferrari's first novel sweeps us into a monumental modern-day fantasy of good versus evil when Lucifer proposes a wager that he has made many times over the millennia - the same stupid bet, according to God. If he wins this time, God will have to destroy his Creation, and they will start over with what Lucifer considers an orderly, "virtuous" universe without free will. God will name a champion, who Lucifer will try to subvert by putting him to the test in the hope that he will choose, of his own free will, to follow Lucifer. Also, the Creator must "forbid all immortal beings in His service from intervening unless directly asked to do so by the candidate." God's champion is unsuspecting, 9-year-old Joby, a bright, imaginative boy with a loving heart. And so, the Arthurian legend is replayed over a span of 30-plus years and through incarnations of Arthur (Joby), Guinevere, Galahad, and Modred. The original Merlin plays a prominent role, as does the chalice known as the Holy Grail. The story is mesmerizing, Joby's angst is palpable, the love of God overwhelming, and the malevolence of Lucifer and his minions terrifying. A decidedly unorthodox twist on the personalities of God and the devil that offers much to ponder as well as enjoy." -- Sally Estes, Booklist starred review

Book Sense - October 2007
on "The Book of Joby"

The Book of Joby With its winning combination of King Arthur and the Book of Job, this book deserves to stand on the bookshelf next to C.S. Lewis' Chronicles of Narnia. A witty and thought-provoking contemporary fantasy about the vicissitudes of life that we all face." -- Erik Tsao, Books Etc., Portland, ME (From The October 2007 Book Sense Picks & Notables Preview)

John C. Write
on "The Book of Joby"

The Book of Joby should have been called the Book of Joy. The magic of childhood, the magic of Camelot, the grand mystery of Creation, the tears of humanity, the petty cruelties of Hell, all are within these leaves. From schoolboy bullies to homeless shelters to an enchanted hometown where time stands still, from shy first love to tragedy and death... Mark Ferrari weaves his spell." -- John C. Wright

David Farland
on "The Book of Joby"

The Book of Joby is a rare gem, the kind that is only seen once every generation or so--a novel that sparkles with wit and charm, humor and wisdom, courage and compassion. Mark Ferrari reveals himself to be a master storyteller, never once faltering in his quest to entertain. Imagine a novel where Harry Potter meets King Arthur and they both go on a quest to fight the devil--and you'll only begin to grasp the kind of fun you'll have reading this book." -- David Farland, author of Sons of the Oak

James Morrow
on "The Book of Joby"

A grand eschatological epic that rings heretofore undreamt changes on the eternal drama of a blameless man caught in a cosmic wager between Lucifer and the Creator." -- James Morrow, author of The Last Witchfinder on The Book of Joby