The Alchemy of Chaos

Have you ever been vaguely discontented with a book until a sudden realization of where it fit in the genre scheme of things made it thoroughly enjoyable? No? Oh, well. For me, this was one of those books.I first encountered Maresca through Murder of Mages, which is set in the same world and the same city but features different protagonists. I enjoyed Mages so much that I immediately picked up The Thorn of Dentonhill, the prequel to this book. The protagonist of both books is Veranix Calbert, a [...]

Review from The Speculative Herald: speculativeherald/2016Alchemy of Chaos is another great installment in the Maradaine world. It continues to carry forward the excitement of magic, gangs we met in The Thorn of Dentonhill and even introduces some deadly female assassins into the mix.Veranix, known as The Thorn on the street, has become a notorious vigilante in Maradaine. His presence and interference has caused disruption and concern not just amongst his target, the effite trade and Fenmere’s [...]

Having read and enjoyed the other two Maradaine novels that Maresca has written, it was no surprise to me that I similarly enjoyed this one. The story returns to Veranix, still attempting to get through his classes at the university while maintaining his secret life as a vigilante bent on bringing down a druglord. The pressure rises as attacks on the University and its residents disrupt life and make it more difficult for Veranix to sneak out and live his alternate life, and at the same time a g [...]

This is the second novel of Maradaine that features Veranix Calbert, otherwise known of as the Thorn, who's a student of magic at the local university by day and a crime-fighting superhero at night. I enjoyed both books and look forward to the next.Premise: Veranix has ticked off the local crime lord selling the drug effitte and is now this lord's number one target, enough that he's willing to pay a local assassins guild a good deal of money to see not only Veranix killed, but taken down in a sp [...]

Another stellar work by Maresca. The story is quick paced and lively. The mystery is detailed and the clues are there if you look for them throughout the story but don't leap out and make everything obvious. The world of Maradaine is expanded and we see more details become apparent. Can't wait for the next work by Maresca.

*Source* Library*Genre* Fantasy*Rating* 3.5-4*Full Review Shortly*Now that I am fully caught up on this series, I really am eager to read book # 4 to see where Maresca goes with the series. Loved the relationships that sprout out from this story. Really appreciate the difficulties that Colin is having among his own people and not wanting to get revenge for previous acts against his family. Kai is still my favorite character outside of Vee. I adore her. I do wish that the author would consider ac [...]

Although the first half of this book feels just a little slow at times, there's some excellent payoff in the second half, when all of the elements really come together. It really is like a superhero crime-fighting team story, perhaps even more so than the previous installment. Though focus is on vigilante/magic student Veranix Calbert, and I agree with those who say its like a cross between, say, Batman and Patrick Rothfuss' Kingkiller Chronicle books, I'd also say this book is almost like Marve [...]

I received a free copy of this title through NetGalley.3.5 starsA solid sequel to the first Maradaine book. All this has done is whet my appetite for the next installment in the Maradaine Constabulary series, which sadly isn't due until November - but really, for a universe that just started publishing in 2015, 4 books in 2 years is a fantastic pace!After reading The Thorn of Dentonhill and The Alchemy of Chaos back to back, I can confirm that I like the Constabulary series vibe a bit more. It t [...]

It's always a pleasure to discover a new author, especially when you read a second or third book and can really see them coming into their own, in terms of writing quality and story development. While I enjoyed the first book, The Thorn of Dentonville it was not without its flaws. I was pleased to see that the Alchemy of Chaos pretty much addressed my main concerns as this is in all ways a more tight, interesting and inclusive book.While the beginning was a bit slow and felt a little like a retr [...]

I thought the story could have been a little tighter. Maybe we could have learned a little bit about these "Birds" and why they were so bad ass and how they were finding him so easily Ahhh well, still very enjoyable It seemed like this book was setting up many future comic book storylines with all of these sub-characters who are now part of the Thorn's team. Looking forward to his next book in this world.

Well, well, well. Mr. Maresca has provided his readers with another dashing adventure in Maradaine and it was GREAT. He has yet to disappoint and I love how he’s writing two series at once, both set in the same city but in totally different atmospheres. I’m waiting for the characters to overlap, even if it’s just a tiny, insignificant interaction. I’m going to shriek and wave the book about in a dangerous looking manner and find someone to fangirl about it to if that moment ever comes.On [...]

The Alchemy of Chaos differs greatly from Marshall Ryan Maresca’s A Murder of Mages. While the latter is a fantasy/police procedural, The Alchemy of Chaos is a fantasy adventure set in the same world. Both are excellent novels, but The Alchemy of Chaos is likely to appeal to a broader audience, particular younger fantasy fans.Veranix (the Thorn) is a blend of Harry Potter and Zorro - a student of magic by day, and a vigilante mage by night. Armed with a whip and a quip, Veranix’s alterego Th [...]

Moves like a breezeIf the first tale of Veranix Calbert was a fantasy spin on Batman comics, this second volume plays like a season of a comic book TV show (or perhaps a Harry Potter novel). A trio of plots wind throughout the story, seemingly unconnected, before dovetailing neatly into a thrilling climax just in time for the summer break.If the coincidences that tie these threads together feel a little neat and forced, the plot drives forward with a fascinating set of characters caught up in it [...]

I really want to like this book more than I did (actually that is a good synopsis for the entire series). It has everything I enjoy in a swashbuckling fantasy but at the end of the day it left me feeling 'meh'.Positives - Maresca's world is shaping up nicely (over the first three books) and demonstrates some interesting world-building. I would strongly recommend his series for his world-building alone. His characters and their relationships are interesting; I particularly like the Thorn's profes [...]

wears a flowing cloak parents died athletic gymnast This guy would be Batman except that he can do magic, and Batman was merely very rich.The Thorn has been hassling the local drug kingpin, and the kingpin is Not Stupid [tm]. He brought in assassins, laid lovely traps, and nearly caught and killed the Thorn. Point to him.The Thorn has friends and enemies among the street gangs, and more friends (and fewer enemies) in college, so point to him, he doesn't have to do all the thinking on his own. Ma [...]

More fun in Maradaine. Same vibe as the previous book in this series; Veranix is still basically fantasy Batman (although maybe Robin is a better comparison), and there are lots of fights salted with lots of interesting world stuff. Maradaine is one of the few fantasy cities that I can actually imagine living in, along with Camorr in the Locke Lamora books (I wonder if Scott Lynch, with upcoming The Thorn of Emberlain, was annoyed at the naming of The Thorn of Dentonhill?) Also, there is clearly [...]

This book was very quick but I didn't like it as much as the first one; it followed the classic superhero/ vigilante "I want to save my city" trope and I watched to many Batman movies and Arrow/Daredevil episodes for this thing to work on me anymore. The characters were interesting to read about but I didn't especially like the way female protagonist were portayed and so far, I am not interested at all in a Veranix/Kaiana romance because those two have zero connections (if you take away the fact [...]

4.5 stars Good sequel to Thorn of Dentonhill.I re-read Thorn of Dentonhill as a refresher prior to reading The Alchemy of Chaos and thoroughly enjoyed it again. Unfortunately the sequel suffers from 'patchiness' and some overcrowded scenes in a few places and this tends to detract from the charm of the first story.That being said, I love this author's writing and I am looking forward to all future works, especially if he continues to hang out with Stina Leicht (another literary genius)

The first book was the Hook .Now this one is the line nt wait for the sinker .The setting is vivide gangs are back .No "paper " job this time around though .The daily struggles of a mage in training by day and and a vigilante by night is brought out well .The secondary characters are nuanced , and deliver .The 'birds' are killer .Mr.Maresca , slap on a tattoo , you are a #RoseStreetPrince

Veranix Calbert is prepping for magical finals when his war with Fenmere, the "effete" drug distributor, gets an extra push from a hidden vigilante who starts out with pranks and advances to death-dealing attacks. With help from his friends and some other students, The Thorn might get out of this alive.

Finished it today faster than I wanted to. Great scenes, a wonderful, ingenious world. Well thought out plot.A little something missing from the action scenes but still well done and I recommend it whole heartily. I will read it if there's a third one.

I enjoyed both of the previous Maradaine books but this is my favorite. The characters are maturing and the world is filling out. Plus the pacing is just great – rapidly flowing, but never too fast and certainly never too slow. It was a lot of fun.

Pretty much non-stop action. Between the Prankster, the Deadly Birds, and the ongoing gang and drug activity, there weren't many places to relax. By the way, I hope we learn more about the Birds in future books, they're bad-ass.

Disclosure: I received a review copy from the publisher in exchange for a honest review.The Alchemy of Chaos is the second novel in the Maradaine series following Veranix, a magic student at the University of Maradaine by day and a crime fighter by night known as The Thorn. There is certainly no rest for the wicked as Fenmere hires one of the gangs, The Red Rabbits, to distribute effite in Aventil and female assassins to take out The Thorn.With it being finals week, it’s almost impossible for [...]

This installment was much improved on the last one, in my opinion. Veranix acted a lot more sensibly, possibly because Fenmere wasn't directly involved. I expected him to keep dodging his school responsibilities to go play vigilante and was pleasantly surprised when he didn't. The characters around him also advanced farther, though Colin seemed somewhat lost in the street politics arc. That particular section didn't grab my attention as much; Colin just seems to be singularly focused on Veranix [...]

Given how the previous book ended, Veranix proves himself to be the veritable Thorn in the side of the drug boss. However, he has other things to contend what with this 3rd year exams around the corner and the emergence of a new gang that wants to tear down the old orderYet another super packed, super fun book that is a delightful breeze to read even as it doesnt stray far from the YA tropes. Nothing groundbreaking save an exploration into the nature of magic. The action sequences are amazing an [...]

I liked this entry into the "Thorn" line of Maradaine better than the first. I liked most of the added characters and I feel like the two major protagonists are growing up a little (which they both needed to do). I look forward to reading the third adventure soon.

A very good follow up book,full of even more adventure and intrigue

4.5 stars“The Alchemy of Chaos” by Marshall Ryan Maresca is part of the ‘Maradaine’ series and picks up the action right after the ending of “The Thorn of Dentonhill”, as Veranix tries to finish his pivotal exams while keeping an eye on the upheaval he has caused in his quest to eliminate the distribution of the deadly drug effite. Unfortunately, attacks are escalating both on Veranix and his alternate identity, with serious efforts that may end both the college and the Thorn.This st [...]

Marshall Ryan Maresca has a fun series set in a world with both magic and beginning science that take place in the city-state of Maradain. Veranix Calbert is a university student in Magic by day and the The Thorn of Dentonhill (paper). Things have gotten a bit complicated. There’s someone doing impossible pranks at the University. The Red Rabbits, one of the gangs in the city, has found a way to make effitte, the drug that took his mother’s mind when she was overdosed with it. To make things [...]