The Alchemancer Series by Scott Marlowe

Aaron—scholar, alchemist, and sorcerer's apprentice—wants nothing more than to study his tomes, perform his experiments, and spend time with his closest friend, Shanna. Substitute the occasional romp about the city for the books and plenty of games of crutchit for the smelly alchemicals, and Shanna is just fine with that, too.Their routines—and their lives—are thrown into chaos when an elemental attack is launched against their home... moreAaron—scholar, alchemist, and sorcerer's apprentice—wants nothing more than to study his tomes, perform his experiments, and spend time with his closest friend, Shanna. Substitute the occasional romp about the city for the books and plenty of games of crutchit for the smelly alchemicals, and Shanna is just fine with that, too.Their routines—and their lives—are thrown into chaos when an elemental attack is launched against their home. Aaron thinks Shanna killed, while Aaron himself is forced to flee for his life. For Shanna, who survives that fateful night, the greatest adventure of her life is about to begin. Only the worst of nightmares awaits Aaron: pursued by dwarves, hell hounds, and a demon who will not stop until he is dead, the only thing keeping him alive is his own resourcefulness and an eslar mercenary whose reputation as a killer might make him the worst threat of all.Though Aaron and Shanna travel different paths, their purpose is joined when they individually learn of the mysterious Fifth Element. Shanna sees it as the final piece in the puzzle that is her destiny. To Aaron's logical mind, it is an impossible ambiguity. Whatever the answer, the Fifth Element draws them back together and into a final confrontation not as allies, but as adversaries. less

The city of Brighton promises new beginnings for Aaron, Serena, and the taciturn eslar, Ensel Rhe. But, upon their arrival, Aaron and Serena are arrested for their role in the Chaos of a week ago, while Ensel Rhe slips away on business of his own... moreThe city of Brighton promises new beginnings for Aaron, Serena, and the taciturn eslar, Ensel Rhe. But, upon their arrival, Aaron and Serena are arrested for their role in the Chaos of a week ago, while Ensel Rhe slips away on business of his own.The pair are given the opportunity to plead their case before the earl himself, whereupon they are released and assigned a very special duty, for deep below the palace lies the Nullification Engine, an ancient machine completed hundreds of years ago but never activated. Until now. While Aaron and Serena struggle to unravel the machine's mysteries, Ensel Rhe confronts his past once more when he learns his daughter has come to Brighton, but in the company of one of his greatest enemies.A race against time begins as Aaron comes to realize the Nullification Engine was never turned on for a reason, for once the machine reaches a state of full nullitivity, it will destroy Brighton and everyone in it. less

Eslar invaders occupy half of Brighton. The elemental nexus spirals into instability. A sitheri magi lurks in the shadows, pulling strings and threatening all life. The Alchemancer series continues.Aaron never thought he’d have to navigate through an elemental maelstrom, but then he never thought he’d find himself trapped in the Underland, either... moreEslar invaders occupy half of Brighton. The elemental nexus spirals into instability. A sitheri magi lurks in the shadows, pulling strings and threatening all life. The Alchemancer series continues.Aaron never thought he’d have to navigate through an elemental maelstrom, but then he never thought he’d find himself trapped in the Underland, either. He’s traveled deep into the earth and is prepared to travel even deeper to find the alchemist’s forge, where he hopes to fabricate a device capable of correcting the elemental instability and saving everyone from annihilation or worse.Though revenge remains elusive, Ensel Rhe knows the true face of his enemy now. With his adversary far away in the Grimmere, he turns his attention toward destroying the infernal machine at the center of it all, even though such destruction will destroy Brighton along with it.Serena has lost control of her magic twice now, and too many have paid the price. Yet she is determined to never let it happen again. But her desire to save her people means she must face the deadliest of sorcerers. Can she control her magic against such a foe? Does she even want to?Science and sorcery collide in The Alchemist’s Forge, the fourth book in the Alchemancer fantasy adventure series. Continue your reading adventure today. less