Alchemy of Chaos by Marshall Ryan Maresca is a somewhat enjoyable installment in the Maradaine world. It continues to carry forward the excitement of magic and gangs we met in The Thorn of Dentonhill and even introduces some deadly female assassins into the mix but I found myself bored by the novels end.

Once again Veranix Calbert, magic student and masked vigilante, gets in way over his head in his fight to stop the trafficking of the drug known as effitte. This time the trouble makes its way inside of the University’s walls and Veranix is fighting a war on several fronts- the malicious “pranks” happening on campus, the Deadly Bird assassins hired by Fenmere, and encroaching effitte trade. The whole situation is made even messier by the fact that Veranix is trying to pass his exams in the midst of this trouble.

How does Veranix deal with these new challenges? Will our masked vigilante pass his exams? Will his secret be discovered? How does he deal with facing flamboyant assassins and a formal collegiate dinner? You’ll just have to read to find out.

This book is full of character growth for our masked vigilante. Veranix is learning to rely (and trust) others to help him. He may have started as a solo vigilante, but taking out Fenmere’s entire effite trade is proving to be more than just a single man operation. Even powerful vigilantes need help sometimes (doesn’t Batman have Robin for a reason after all?). It's nice to see that Veranix has some limitations that prevent him from being completely unbeatable - he’s still a bit too eager for his britches. Without the help of his close friends and allies, the story would have gone much differently.

Alchemy of Chaos is a fast paced and fun book for fans of superheroes/fantasy/crime/academies of magic but the novel on the whole feels a bit pedestrian. And I think the problem is characterization. I just couldn’t relate to any of the characters and the magic system is honestly too simple (while attempting to appear complex) to be intriguing. And despite the danger that Mr. Marseca puts his characters into, you never feel as if they are ever really in any danger. I don't know how else to explain it other than to say that I was not invested in any of them so never had any concerns.

With that being said, there is an audience for this book, and if I were a teenager again, I would love the heck out of this series. But, alas, I think it’s just okay.

I’m not in a rush to pick up the third novel sadly. But if you love superheroes, fantasy, crime, schools of magic and all the trappings that come with it, take a chance of this one. ( )

Review from The Speculative Herald: http://www.speculativeherald.com/2016/01/27/review-alchemy-of-chaos-by-marshall-...

Alchemy 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 operation in Dentonhill, but the street gangs of Mardaine have also taken notice. Some view him as a positive thing, on their side. But others see him as a potential threat that may be out to take terrority from them. This definitely becomes more of a worry after The Thorn discovers that the Red Rabbits have begun to work their way into the effite trade. Dealing in effite makes them targets, but other gangs just see The Thorn starting to take out a fellow gang, raising fears about what his ultimate plans really are.

One of the things I enjoy about this book is how Veranix is learning to rely (and trust) others to help him. He may have started as a solo vigilante, but taking out Fenmere’s entire effite trade is proving to be more than just a single man operation. Even powerful vigilantes need back up sometimes. And as magical as this book is, it is nice to see that Veranix has some limitations that prevent him from being completely unbeatable. Without the help of his close friends and allies, the story would have gone much differently.

Be aware, this is a book that requires full and total dismissal of disbelief. I think this may be my only point that could be viewed negative, but really I think it is more just a result of the type of story it is telling. There were moments in the book where I would question a decision, feeling like resolution could have come quicker if only so and so and done x instead of y. And then there is the point that everything always seems to conveniently come together. Often times I think the author tries to make common sense/simple things sound like super genius moves. But ofcourse, as a reader, that is an easy thing for me think. And honestly, I don’t feel like any of it really deterred me from reading the book. Actually, I devoured this book in a little over a day which is something I never do if I have serious complaints. It takes a fun addictive book that I just outright enjoy for me to read it that fast, and this is that type of book.

The bottom line is that this is a story about enjoying the ride more than critiquing decisions and events. Or at least that is how I see it. Because despite any nitpicks I may find in it, I can not deny that it was another fun read. This is a book you read for the adventure, the friendships and the magic of making the impossible happen. In those things, this book and series does very well. ( )