cover image The Alchemy of Chaos

The Alchemy of Chaos

Marshall Ryan Maresca. DAW, $7.99 mass market (400p) ISBN 978-0-7564-1169-5

The adventures of Veranix Calbert—full-time magic student, part-time costumed vigilante—continue in Maresca’s fun fantasy adventure series (following The Thorn of Dentonhill). Veranix is haunted by his mother’s death, which was caused by addiction to the drug effitte. His alter ego, the Thorn, has worked tirelessly to suppress sales of the drug in the neighborhoods around the University of Maradaine. But the demands of school exams and street justice are just the beginning of Veranix’s troubles. A prankster starts setting off increasingly dangerous spells on campus, and the local crime lord hires assassins to deal with the Thorn. Maresca mixes magic and martial arts in a story brimming with action, intrigue, and student hijinks. Fantasy adventure readers, especially fans of spell-wielding students, will enjoy these lively characters and their high-energy story. Agent: Mike Kabongo, Onyxhawke Agency. (Feb.)