Veranix Calbert has his hands full. Between his studies at the University of Maradaine and his nightly forays into town disguised as The Thorn so he can fight the deadly effitte drug trade, Veranix has little time for other activities. Unfortunately, someone else has other plans for the students at the University this exam week as a series of rapidly escalating pranks have Veranix trying to uncover the culprit before things turn even more deadly. Meanwhile, things are heating up in Aventil as The Thorn has now become the pursued rather than the pursuer.

THE ALCHEMY OF CHAOS is the second book in the Maradaine series. I highly suggest reading the series in order as Marshall Ryan Maresca plunges readers headlong into his complex and multilayered world with little time for a recap of past events or characters. THE ALCHEMY OF CHAOS features a plethora of factions, from the Constabulary to the magic circles to the gangs and even to the University. Each faction has other groups or levels within it and the overall picture of life in Maradaine can be quite confusing if one doesn't have some the foundation of world building established in the first book, THE THORN OF DENTONHILL.

THE ALCHEMY OF CHAOS expands upon the world we first visit in THE THORN OF DENTONHILL, as we delve further into the various gangs that inhabit Aventil. I love how Marshall Ryan Maresca doesn't resort to stereotypes but instead creates multidimensional characters. In particular, I love that Colin Tyson and Jutie take on much bigger roles as we begin to see the fight between the Rabbits and the Princes in a much different light.

And Veranix—I can't help but love his heroism, even when he takes ridiculous risks! His heart is definitely in the right place as he seeks to rid the city of effitte. THE ALCHEMY OF CHAOS begins to develop his role a bit more as Veranix starts to see himself more as a protector than just a lone avenger fighting the effitte drug trade. Veranix is quickly growing up, and I'm curious to see whether we will see his character continue past his university days as I'm quickly becoming attached to him and his friends.

THE ALCHEMY OF CHAOS is a rich and multilayered fantasy tale full of action and intrigue. With complex world building and multidimensional characters, THE ALCHEMY OF CHAOS continues the Maradaine series in a most satisfying way. Marshall Ryan Maresca has definitely moved onto my must-read list with his Maradaine series!

Book Summary

Veranix Calbert is The Thorn—the street vigilante-turned-legend—and a danger to Willem Fenmere, the drug kingpin of Dentonhill. Veranix is determined to stop Fenmere and the effitte drug trade, especially when he discovers that Fenmere is planning on using the Red Rabbits gang in his neighborhood.

But Veranix is also a magic student at the University of Maradaine, and it's exam week. With his academic career riding on his performance, there's no time to go after Fenmere or the Red Rabbits. But when a series of pranks on campus grow deadly, it's clear that someone has a vendetta against the university, and Veranix may be the only one who can stop them...