Chaos King

Met the author and I am a fan!

I loved Infinity Alchemist, and though the emotions evoked by Chaos King are more complicated, I found it excellent and just as powerful. This world of New Anglia that Callender has created is a feat, with its beautiful alchemy and spirituality, normed gender fluidity, history and social hierarchy and politics. In this book especially, Callender illustrates how religious discourses can be manipulated to fuel hate and justify oppression/violence. And even with the often unflinching ugliness of the above, these books have a lovely conception of the interconnectedness of human beings and the universe that created them. Ash’s conviction of the fundamental inherent worth of every person and his desire not to take life is something we don’t see as often in this kind of dystopian fantasy, even in YA.-mild spoilers-In Chaos King, Callender takes Ash’s polyamorous relationship, started in the intensity of their quest and the ensuing trauma, and muddles it with real conflict and diverging beliefs/paths. It’s heartbreaking and painful but beautifully rendered. Book 2 really highlights how Ash’s different upbringing and social power make his relationship to the government/institutions of this world different from Ramsay and Callum. Callender shows the blinders of privilege, the way Ramsay and Callum are almost participating in gaslighting themselves. Ramsay’s notion that she has to prove herself, Callum’s idea that he can reform the system from the inside, in a twisted way these well-intentioned beliefs make it easier for them to be used. Callum in particular is like a frog in boiling water.Ash’s character development continues to be so nuanced. I love his combination of impulsivity and self-reflection, wisdom and immaturity, hard won cynicism but prevailing love. The one thing I wanted more of from this book was a bit more page time for the transformation of Ash’s relationship to the chaos magic, from that of an addict to that of a mystic.The ending was incredible and devastating. Overall I thought this was a masterful book 2, though I won’t be able to fully say how I feel about it until I know if this is the end or if there is a book 3.

Chaos King is the second book in the Infinity Alchemist duology. There is great political strain in the world of alchemy, as anti-alchemists make a stand. Ash thought he saved New Anglia, but nightmares and premonitions haunt his sleep, inferencing that the world may still need saving. In a content polyamorous relationship with Ramsey and Callum, Ash knows solace should be just around the corner. He can even legally practice alchemy now! But the strain of politics weighs heavy on all.When Ash is captured by a radical alchemist group, inspired by his own father who he helped bring down, he questions the great power he once sought. Alchemy can certainly be dangerous in the wrong hands. Now being force to work with Lord Alexander, everything he thinks he knows is in turmoil: his relationships, the truth, and everything he once thought about the power of alchemy. There is one aspect that may yet bring the political tensions to fruition, but at what cost? Chaos.I thoroughly enjoy the LGBTQ representation in this novel. It explores polyamory, transgender, and gender fluidity. The characterization is well-done, and the way this follows the first novel is an exploration of the world dynamics  themselves. The one thing that really threw me for a loop was the ending. I saw in someone else's review that you could read this book first and then the first book second, and this is an extremely interesting idea! This could work, because wow, what a way to leave us, Kacen!If you are a lover of alchemy, young adult fantasy, or need something in the LGBTQ realm, this duology is for you!