Blending vigilante justice with epic fantasy, this second novel finds student Veranix Calbert returning to fight crime in the city of Maradaine "Veranix is Batman, if Batman were a teenager and magically talented." -Library Journal
Veranix Calbert is the Thorn-the street vigilante who became a legend to the people of Maradaine, especially the gangs that run the neighborhood of Aventil. The Thorn continues to harass Willem Fenmere, the drug kingpin of the Dentonhill neighborhood. Veranix is still determined to stop Fenmere and the effitte drug trade, especially when he discovers that Fenmere is planning on using the Red Rabbits gang to bring the drug into Aventil.
But it's also Exam Week at the University of Maradaine, where Veranix is a magic student. With his academic career-and future as a mage-riding on his performance, Veranix needs to devote himself entirely to studying and participating in a fellow student's thesis experiment. There's no time to go after Fenmere or the Red Rabbits.
Then a series of strange pranks begins to plague the campus, using a form of magic that Veranix doesn't recognize. As the pranks grow increasingly deadly, it becomes clear that there's someone with a vendetta against the university, and the Thorn may be the only one capable of stopping them. Between the prankster, the war brewing between the Aventil gangs, and the flamboyant assassins Fenmere has hired to kill him, Veranix may end up dead before the week is out. Which just might be preferable to taking his exams....
Industry Reviews
Praise for the Maradaine universe: "Maresca's debut is smart, fast, and engaging fantasy crime in the mold of Brent Weeks and Harry Harrison. Just perfect." --Kat Richardson, national bestselling author of Revenant
"Veranix is Batman, if Batman were a teenager and magically talented.... Action, adventure, and magic in a school setting will appeal to those who love Harry Potter and Patrick Rothfuss' The Name of the Wind." â Library Journal (starred)
"A well-conceived and well-written melange of popular fantasy sub-genres: there's a university with a magic department, there is some vigilante derring-do and thievery.... If you're looking for an action-and-adventure-filled new fantasy series, then The Thorn of Dentonhill will suit very well." --Civilian Reader
"The Thorn of Dentonhill is a light-hearted, fun read, and Maresca has introduced a hero with plenty of room to grow, a couple of villains who will provide plenty of conflict in upcoming books. And, most importantly, he's created a character that I care enough about to continue reading." --Relentless Reading
"Take the caped avenger of Batman, the teenage-superhero angst of Spiderman, the street-gang bravado of West Side Story, and toss in the magic of Harry Potter, and what have you got? Marshall Ryan Maresca's The Thorn of Dentonhill." --Kings River Life Magazine
"Maresca brings the whole package, complete and well-constructed. If you're looking for something fun and adventurous for your next fantasy read, look no further than The Thorn of Dentonhill, an incredible start to a new series, from an author who is clearly on his way to great things." --Bibliosanctum
"The Thorn of Dentonhill was a fast-paced read with action from start to finish. I loved every minute of it." --Short and Sweet Reviews
"Definitely a fun read, and one classic fantasy fans will likely enjoy." --Bibliotropic
"So much of it is terribly exciting and fun.... What I really liked about the ending was how it set up relationships and possibilities for the next book (which I definitely plan on reading)." --Tenacious Reader
