Mark of the Fool

After his parents died, Alex Roth had one desire: become a wizard. Through hard work, he was accepted into the University of Generasi, the world’s greatest academy of wizardry.... Fate, however, had another plan. On his 18th birthday, he is Marked by prophecy as one of his kingdom’s five Heroes, chosen to fight the Ravener, his land’s great enemy. But his brand is "The Fool". Worst of the marks.

After a grueling trial, Alex Roth had reached the University of Generasi and learned much about the Mark of the Fool and how to exploit it for new paths of power. Making friends and training in alchemy, all seemed to be going well. But shadows stir. The dark secrets of his homeland haunt him. His sister—Selina—learns that she is what she hates most. And unfriendly, monstrous eyes track him.

As the university prepares for an expedition to Thameland, Alex makes himself ready by growing stronger, taking summer courses on magic and spending time with his new friends and family. But conspiracy brews in Generasi. Demonic attacks target the expedition, and as the city prepares for its annual Games of Roal, Alex must make sure that his own secrets don’t come back to bite him.

As Generasi recovers from the wrath of a demon knight, Alex Roth travels to Thameland to uncover the mysteries of the Ravener. He and his friends have grown in power, ready to take on any threat lurking in the hills of Greymoor, where their university mounts their expedition. But some things await Alex that no amount of training can counter. For soon, the Heroes of Thameland will be reunited with the Fool.

Accompanying an expedition of wizards, Alex has proved himself against the dangers of Greymoor, calling upon summoned servants to defeat the Ravener’s hunters. But with the death of his pursuers, no answers are apparent, only more questions. And now Alex, the Heroes, his cabal, and the mighty Baelin seek answers in the ancient Crymlyn swamp, which the Sage of Thameland calls home.

To preserve the future, Alex must find the secrets of the past. After a devastating battle, Alex Roth is left with more questions than answers, and—as the Ravener grows more aggressive—he and his companions struggle to learn the truth of Thameland’s Cycle.