Chaos Rising

Montague & Strong Detective Agency #30

by Orlando A. Sanchez

Ordered chaos demands chaotic order. In the still point between the two—balance must always be maintained.

Dira was only the beginning—a test.

The attacks she executed against Monty and Simon were used to assess weaknesses, strengths, and another target—Tristan, the Mage Montague.

Now, the Grand Council has unleashed a threat greater than Dira. Someone ancient and powerful—tasked with only one purpose—the destruction of Montague & Strong.
This enemy, powered by chaos, has studied and learned where others have failed. In order to face this threat, Monty with Simon’s help, must tap into an ancient unknown source of power.

A source so powerful, wielding it could destroy them both.

Genres: Fiction

235 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 30, 2026

About the author

Orlando Sanchez has been writing ever since his teens when he was immersed in creating scenarios for playing Dungeon and Dragons with his friends every weekend. An avid reader, his influences are too numerous to list here. Some of the most prominent are: J.R.R. Tolkien, Jim Butcher, Kat Richardson, Terry Brooks, Piers Anthony, Lee Child, George Lucas, Andrew Vachss, and Barry Eisler to name a few in no particular order.
The worlds of his books are urban settings with a twist of the paranormal lurking just behind the scenes and generous doses of magic, martial arts, and mayhem.
Aside from writing, he holds a 2nd and 3rd Dan in two distinct styles of Karate. If not training, he is studying some aspect of the martial arts or martial arts philosophy.
He currently resides in Queens, NY with his family and can often be found in the local Starbucks where most of his writing is done.
Please visit his site at: www.OrlandoASanchez.com for more information about his books and upcoming releases.

Reviews

[Todd · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book starts a multi-book arc. The story begins with a couple honor duels which set the tone for the entire book.

As always Monty & Strong have pissed off some mighty powerful beings and it comes home to roost once again.

[Jeff Underwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just gets better and better

My I only negative is that I finish in one afternoon and have to wait!!
These books are excellent. Go read them all

[Cheryl Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, the book just keeps going and every inch of the way, we are there. 30 books in and still going strong. I just love the story line, the trio have to work hard to contain a threat that is directed against them, with no clue as to what the real end game is. Monty needs to power up and it is not going to pretty, Simon does his best, but let's face it, they were always going to end up where they are. We have new info on his eyes, which will come in to play in book 32 by the sounds of it. I almost don't want to read to book 33 because that might well be the end of their adventures and we can't have that can we? Meat is life you know.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, Is All I can say

An absolute page turner. The Grand Council needs to be ended. Montreal and Simon have to face the Fifth Pillar, who happens to be related to Monty. Monty and Simon are put in a position that if they don't face him then Dex wi!l have to and Monty won't allow that. This is another amazing story from a great author. I will be waiting impatiently for the next book. I highly recommend that you read this series and everything written by the amazing Orlando Sanchez.

[Julie Gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s a tough few days for Simon

An honour duel followed by an honour duel just to clear the decks ready for another fight where the odds have been stacked against our trio. But chaos is needed to fight chaos and is Monty sound enough of mind to withstand the energy required and to come out the other side.
Peaches is just happy that they’ve been to visit The Man for vast quantities of pastrami as when in doubt, meat is life.
The boys could do with a good nap by the end of this sequence of events. Loved it!

[Richard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Great Action book

You can’t go wrong with a M & S book by Sanchez, and they are all excellent and this one is no exception. While Strong is worried about his match with Nan (the Dark Valkyrie) and has to confront the leaders of the Swordmaidens, Monty gets blindsided by an invitation they can’t refuse. As always, lots of action and great story telling. Must read.

[Trevor · Rating 4 out of 5]

As Simon prepares to face off against Nan and then the blade maidens, another dire emergency emerges, as the Grand Council issues a blood debt to Monty. Monty must power up, so he can face the challenge. As the battle begins, they find they have been played and things are worse than they could have dreamed. Can they survive, let alone win??

[Deborah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good instalment in the Monty and Simon chronicles.
First Simon battles Nan. Then it’s onto the Blademaidens followed by the Fifth Pillar.

As always our intrepid duo plus Peaches face a much more powerful foe. Again it’s a case of powering up with all the side effects that entails.

Warning it ends on a cliffhanger…..
So waiting for the next one now…..

[Olive-ann smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Will he or won't he

Mr. Sanchez is very good at the cliffhanger! This latest version forces the reader to immediately grab the next book to get the answer, leaving the reader truly involved in this question of good versus evil (all the while that magic in itself is neither, but the wielded who is the determiner). Put me firmly on the side of team Montague!

[Audrey Cienki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just amazing! Chaos Rising by Orlando Sanchez is great! Simon is coming into his own and Monty is facing more challenges. Of course, Peaches is there to help and eat meat, because ‘Meat is Life’
I can’t wait for more.

[Scarlett Holt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hill hugger 😊

Wow! What a ride. Chaos indeed. Monty and Simon have really stepped in it. Yes it ended on a bit of a hill hugger but the climb up that hill is so so worth it. Let's see what path they go down. Yes!!!

[Hugh Honts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shew! Great story!

Action packed! Tons of character development and plot twists. Can’t wait for the next one!

I can’t lie I am getting series mix ups…a great problem in my mind!

[Sally Antoinette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chaos happens will they survive

So much for keeping to a plan. It seems that chaos just was the way things happen to go. And it didn't look like they were going to be able to make up the magic problem. It looked like the dark was taking over

[Wendy Schindler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Action Packed!

The crew really get put through their paces again! From one fight to the next with barely a moment to catch their breath!
Simon had better take Peaches' advice and eat more meat so they can both get stronger, before it's too late!

[Kathleen Weller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Never enough

I swear these installments get shorter as they go along.
Monty is making some very questionable decisions. When Simon is the voice of reason you know that things are well beyond the pale.

[Gail · Rating 5 out of 5]

I need book 31 asap!

Monty's gone dark!

After getting to the White Hart and absorbing it to help fight the Fifth Pillar, and stop the council from killing everyone they love, things go very pear shaped.

I await book 31 with baited breath.

[Jim Stoltz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Monty does a thing?

Dang, I cannot believe the author can manage to continue to kick it up a notch, story after story. This one is all about Monty except when it isn’t. Yeah, a little(sic) twisted, one might say. Lots more insight and fighting and well … everything. Good stuff.

[Rew E. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Monty come back!

Will the white flame take over Monty, will he overcome the darkness? Guess we'll find out in the next book.

Good read

[Brad Griffeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fast turn

This is a pivotal book, a split in a long road. It moves fast and reads quick. A well written page turner.

[Shana Pare · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent!

I particularly enjoyed the fight between Simon and Nan. Very cleverly done, Simon! Then the fight between the boys and Treadwell is scary. Where does leave them?

[Michelle McCleese · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wait For the Next One to Read This

The ending is the cliffhanger to beat all cliffhangers! Aghhhhhhhh! C’mon Sanchez! Now I have to forget about this one until the next one.

[Ahmad Shaheed · Rating 5 out of 5]

battles galore

One of the best books of the series. Loved the growth in the characters. Acceptance of who they are and want to be. Great action and unpredictable twist and turns.

[Enid Rodriguez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow

As much as I dislike cliffhangers, this one is worth it. Me thinks Simon is becoming more... not a mage, but definitely mote than he was before.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

More power, more problems

The council is going after Monty and Strong, and maneuvering them into a no-win situation. And Ezra finally gets Strong to read a book!

[Julie S · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the story!

Monty and Triston have done it again😁 loved the storyline from beginning to the end. Poor Triston gets stuck with having to save Montys life again. Go team!!! 😋

[Galactus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Read

This is a wonderful continuation of the series. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Can hardly wait for the next adventure book.

[Linda A. McCleary · Rating 5 out of 5]

White heart, dark mage

Excellent build on the Montague and Strong power level. Can’t wait for the next installment. there is always a price to pay. How high will it be?