What do you think?
Rate this book
The Books of the Cuari #1
Essence of Chaos
When monstrous hounds chase Jenna Reilly into a ditch outside LA, she finds herself thrown into a world far stranger than Los Angeles -- and trapped in a body that isn't her own.
The inhuman man who rescues her has been hunting monsters, and finding Jenna is a clue to a coming apocalypse. Forces of a lost evil from the past are coming back to reclaim their land. Over the centuries, a select group of people had been in place to stop that from ever happening.
One of these was the woman whose body Jenna had been slammed into.
Unfortunately, the body’s previous owner had been brutally mind-sacrificed by the followers of the dark gods, leaving Jenna with no knowledge of how she was to stop the coming slaughter of the world she was now in. The uncontrolled magical powers that are growing inside her could save this world, or seal its fate in brutality and horror.
A brutality that would branch back to Earth after it destroys this world.
The inhuman man who rescues her has been hunting monsters, and finding Jenna is a clue to a coming apocalypse. Forces of a lost evil from the past are coming back to reclaim their land. Over the centuries, a select group of people had been in place to stop that from ever happening.
One of these was the woman whose body Jenna had been slammed into.
Unfortunately, the body’s previous owner had been brutally mind-sacrificed by the followers of the dark gods, leaving Jenna with no knowledge of how she was to stop the coming slaughter of the world she was now in. The uncontrolled magical powers that are growing inside her could save this world, or seal its fate in brutality and horror.
A brutality that would branch back to Earth after it destroys this world.
418 pages, Paperback
Published May 28, 2020
About the author
Marie Andreas
52 books252 followersMarie is a fantasy and science fiction reader with a serious writing addiction, and a few awards to go with it. If she wasn't writing about all the people in her head, she'd be lurking about coffee shops annoying total strangers with her stories. So really, writing is a way of saving the masses. Her fantasy series, The Lost Ancients, starts with The Glass Gargoyle. The entire six book, Lost Ancient series is complete for binge time!
There is also a completed space opera trilogy, with Warrior Wench, Victorious Dead, and Defiant Ruin. Vas and her crew of mercs launched a new series with Traitor's Folly which is also now complete.
A Curious Invasion-- a steampunk-is out and has two more books out as well. Vampires, mermaids, pharaohs, and TEA!
Essence of Chaos is the first book in a completed epic fantasy trilogy.
The Girl with the Iron Wing is a thriller/Urban Fantasy, and the first book in the Broken Veils series. The trilogy is now completed.
A trio of sisters is represented facing their biggest challenges in the Magic & Sorcery Chronicles--a clean romantasy trilogy.
A new paranormal cozy mystery fantasy series launches with Mischief in a Bottle.
More new books, series, and adventures coming in 2026!
When not saving the masses from coffee shop shenanigans, Marie likes to visit the UK and keeps hoping someone will give her a nice summer home in the Forest of Dean or northern Wales.
To find out more about the books, and future series, please visit her website at www.marieandreas.com--especially if you happen to have a small cottage to give her.
There is also a completed space opera trilogy, with Warrior Wench, Victorious Dead, and Defiant Ruin. Vas and her crew of mercs launched a new series with Traitor's Folly which is also now complete.
A Curious Invasion-- a steampunk-is out and has two more books out as well. Vampires, mermaids, pharaohs, and TEA!
Essence of Chaos is the first book in a completed epic fantasy trilogy.
The Girl with the Iron Wing is a thriller/Urban Fantasy, and the first book in the Broken Veils series. The trilogy is now completed.
A trio of sisters is represented facing their biggest challenges in the Magic & Sorcery Chronicles--a clean romantasy trilogy.
A new paranormal cozy mystery fantasy series launches with Mischief in a Bottle.
More new books, series, and adventures coming in 2026!
When not saving the masses from coffee shop shenanigans, Marie likes to visit the UK and keeps hoping someone will give her a nice summer home in the Forest of Dean or northern Wales.
To find out more about the books, and future series, please visit her website at www.marieandreas.com--especially if you happen to have a small cottage to give her.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
June 5, 2026
I have been trying to read through my to-read list. I started this series when I completed The Lost Ancients series by Marie, quite by accident.
Essence of Chaos follows Jenna's story as she navigates a new world. There is magic and prophecies and demons; interesting stuff. I also found the writing style to be much improved from the Lost Ancients series. I am not a fan of how Marie ends her novels, though. It sort of forces you to read the next book in the series. Fortunately, I am invested enough that this is never a problem.
Essence of Chaos follows Jenna's story as she navigates a new world. There is magic and prophecies and demons; interesting stuff. I also found the writing style to be much improved from the Lost Ancients series. I am not a fan of how Marie ends her novels, though. It sort of forces you to read the next book in the series. Fortunately, I am invested enough that this is never a problem.
July 4, 2021
No drunken fairies
Unfortunately there are no fairies, drunken or otherwise, in this story. Elves yes, fairies no. As usual with her books, there is a lot going on and we don't come anywhere close to getting our questions answered. Nevertheless it's a fun ride and I'm eagerly awaiting the next installment.
Unfortunately there are no fairies, drunken or otherwise, in this story. Elves yes, fairies no. As usual with her books, there is a lot going on and we don't come anywhere close to getting our questions answered. Nevertheless it's a fun ride and I'm eagerly awaiting the next installment.
July 22, 2023
another female lead without confidence
Entertaining enough she constantly needing reassurance if you are looking for a female with you is the most powerful being on the planet, but is constantly waiting for someone else to lead the way in this book, probably appeals to you
From the cover, I was expecting different
Entertaining enough she constantly needing reassurance if you are looking for a female with you is the most powerful being on the planet, but is constantly waiting for someone else to lead the way in this book, probably appeals to you
From the cover, I was expecting different
November 27, 2024
Essence of Chaos, book one of the Books of the Cuari series, is an ebook I borrowed through Kindle Unlimited (KU). There was a lot of originality in the story line and the characters were strong and diverse. A good read.
June 13, 2021
Rollicking good time
Well written. Good diaogue. Excellent characters. Story moves along with ease. Ready for the next installment. Magic, Intrigue, plenty of twists.
Well written. Good diaogue. Excellent characters. Story moves along with ease. Ready for the next installment. Magic, Intrigue, plenty of twists.
August 17, 2021
An excellent new series
Another unique story from the pen of Marie Andreas with great characters and dialog. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and I look forward to the next release.
Another unique story from the pen of Marie Andreas with great characters and dialog. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and I look forward to the next release.
November 24, 2024
DNF. Not bad per se, but pretty boring and generic.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews