Review: Imposters of Aventil by Marshall Ryan Maresca
Reviews / September 25, 2017

Imposters of Aventil carries forward with the fun and excitement I’ve come to expect from the Maradaine series. The Thorn has a habit of getting himself in compromising positions sometimes, and bending (OK, maybe breaking) the law to suit his end purpose fighting the drug trade. But in this, he finds himself the suspect in cases he has nothing to do with. There is an imposter who is using the guise of the Thorn while stirring up trouble with both the constabulary, but also the gangs. Effate also appears to have made its way onto campus. Both of these things make Veranix’s work as the Thorn considerably more dangerous, but also motivates him. Like he needed more motivation to fight the effate drug trade! Previously I have said that I think Maresca’s series could be read independently and in any order. I mean, I guess you still could, but with this book I would no longer recommend it. This may be the third book in the Maradaine series, but it prominently features Minox and Satrine from the Constabulary series and knowing their background makes this book feel more complete and satisfying. For example, the Constabulary series provides the reader with…

Cover Reveal: The Imposters of Aventil by Marshall Ryan Maresca
Cover Reveal / April 7, 2017

We here at The Speculative Herald a definite fans of the Maradaine series, so we are thrilled to be hosting the cover reveal today for Marshall Ryan Maresca’s upcoming release, The Imposters of Aventil. For those unfamiliar, Maresca currently has 3 parallel series in the same world, city, time frame, but the are executed in a way they can easily be read independently from one another and in any order (at least so far). The Imposters of Aventil is the conclusion of the original Maradaine trilogy, and I’m really excited to for it. Now, for the cover! Once again, we get those wonderful pops of color that make this series stand out on the shelves! I love all the action going on, and that if features the Thorn’s rope (and arrows). Now I just can’t wait to read it!!   So here it is! The Imposters of Aventil Cover  Here’s a look at all the covers in the series together     About the Book Blending vigilante justice with epic fantasy, this third Maradaine novel finds student Veranix Calbert returning to fight crime • “Veranix is Batman, if Batman were a teenager and magically talented.” —Library Journal Summer and the…

Review: Alchemy of Chaos by Marshall Ryan Maresca
Reviews / January 27, 2016

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…