"The Fenmere Job" The Streets of Maradaine By Marshall Ryan Maresca: Review/Giveaway

by Terrance McArthur

Details at the end of this post on how to win a copy of this book and links to purchase it.

I am a fan of Marshall Ryan Maresca. The land of Maradaine is his beat, and he covers it from many angles that each have their own world-sharing series: the magic-student avenger fighting the drug trade in his neighborhood, the constable-detective possessed of untrained magic whose partner used to be a spy and forged her way onto the force, the brothers who grew up in a criminal family and use their illegal talents to ferret out who burned down their neighborhood and why, and the warrior/society-protector unwittingly a pawn involved in plans to take over the government. It’s a combination of magic and steampunk, political thriller and swordplay, and Harry Potter and Ocean’s 11.

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Image Source DAW Books
The latest entry in this mass of writing is The Fenmere Job, focusing on the Rynax Brothers and their Holver Alley Crew. After a delightful, convention-flouting chapter of Pass-the-Point-of-View, where the focus changes from one character to the next person they encounter, the story enters the world of Asti and Verci Rynax. Recently betrayed by the crime-mistress who had mentored them, the brothers are trying to go legit, with their bakery and the about-to-open Gadgetorium, marketing the tools and toys invented by Verci, thanks to some monetary help from a grateful government’s spy operations. Asti does his best to control the voices in his head and his ability to unleash a killing-machine beast unlocked by PTSD. Helene, the crossbow markswoman sells sausages and cheeses made by her brother Julien, the former muscle-for-hire whose gentleness comes out as a shopkeeper. Mila, the street-smart girl who used to lead and protect a band of younger kids, is preparing to start University classes. Kennith, driver and fabricator, has found a love from his racial culture. The apothecary/healer has a storefront, and the actors have a prosperous theatre company. Things are just fine…until a new, powerful drug enters the city.

The gang goes into caper mode to conduct a sting that will get the contraband off the streets. However, there is a complication—The Thorn, the avenger with magical equipment and a grudge against the pushers. Things get convoluted, of course, and action veers from heist to kidnapping to armed conflict with mages and mercenaries, crime lords and street gangs…and romance.

There are pitched battles, thwarted plans, betrayal, help from unexpected quarters, and some hilarious developments. All of Maresca’s series characters are coming together to a final resolution that will reveal all and boggle the mind. I plan to keep reading all the way to the end of the line.

To enter to win a copy of The Fenmere Job, simply email KRL at krlcontests@gmail[dot]com by replacing the [dot] with a period, and with the subject line “job" or comment on this article. A winner will be chosen March 28, 2020. U.S. residents only and you must be 18 or older to enter. If you are entering via email please include your mailing address in case you win. You can read our privacy statement here if you like. We delete all emails after the contest is over. BE AWARE THAT BOOKS COULD TAKE AWHILE TO GET TO THE WINNERS DURING THIS TIME OF CRISIS many publishers are not currently in their offices and are working from home where they don't have access to the books to send out.

You can use these links to purchase the book. If you have adblocker on you may not be able to see the Amazon link:





Terrance V. Mc Arthur is a Librarian in Fresno County, California. He is also a storyteller, puppeteer, magician, and maker of pine needle baskets. On top of that he writes stories that range from rhymed children's tales to splatterpunk horror. He's an odd bird, but he's nice to have around.

Disclosure: This post contains links to an affiliate program, for which we receive a few cents if you make purchases. KRL also receives free copies of most of the books that it reviews, that are provided in exchange for an honest review of the book.









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