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    Venom
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    Venom
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    Venom
    Ebook452 pages5 hours

    Venom

    By Fiona Paul

    3.5/5

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    About this ebook

    Gorgeous frocks, murder, illicit romance... This series has it all. Ages: 12+
    Beauty, romance, murder... A novel as stunning and seductive as Renaissance Venice itself. Cassandra Caravello is part of Venice's wealthy elite. Her world is one of fabulous gowns, society parties and privilege, yet she longs for something more. While her fiance is away studying in Paris, she has a chance meeting with an artist called Falco. He is attractive, audacious...and highly unsuitable. When Cass stumbles upon the body of a murdered woman - with a bloody X carved across her heart - she's drawn into a dangerous world of secret societies, courtesans and killers. Falco is quick to offer his assistance, but then another body is found and Cass starts receiving death threats... Is Falco more involved than she imagined? And will she be able to stay true to her fiance, or succumb to her uncontrollable feelings for someone she's not even sure she can trust? Ages: 12+
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherHarperCollins Publishers Australia
    Release dateDec 1, 2012
    ISBN9781743097427
    Unavailable
    Venom
    Author

    Fiona Paul

    Fiona Paul resides in the Midwest but travels a lot since she can’t breathe if she spends too much time away from the ocean. In addition to being a writer, she’s also worked as a line cook, retail manager, veterinary assistant, medical recruiter, English teacher, and registered nurse. When she’s not working, you can usually find her kayaking, reading, or helping turtles cross the road. Her future goals include diving with great white sharks and writing more novels, not necessarily in that order. VENOM is her first novel

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    Reviews for Venom

    3.5/5

    72 ratings13 reviews

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    • 3/5
      Ok, I like the main character well enough but everybody else around her deserve a sound slapping.

      I guess that is my way of saying, the strengths of this book lie in its authentic recreation of renaissance Venice. In the end, I think the best thing this book has to offer is that it is a sound exercise in examining the societal prejudices of the time. (...Then again, you could probably say that for just about anything in historical fiction...). And as a feminist I really appreciated that I was able to look at it through the lens of a sixteen year old girl - that was a perspective I could relate to and could sympathize with given the state of affairs for young girls in renaissance Europe.

      Still, historical setting aside, the story line and characters themselves were mediocre. It starts interesting, and then drags. Mostly it consists of Falco and Cassandra moonlighting around Venice. At some point, Falco obliviously leaves her to fend for herself in the middle of the night in a brothel. Charming. (But then, if you were to describe Falco in one word for the entire book it would be "oblivious".) The questions and ideas concerning bodies and bodily functions were...interesting but not compelling. The return of Luca just dragged the plot out even more than necessary and forced the incredibly tired love-triangle trope too soon.

      Overall, nothing about this book moved me. I was interested, but not wholly engaged or invested, in what happened to the characters. And I would have to say, this is true for both Venom and its sequel, Belladonna.
    • 4/5
      Due to copy and paste, formatting has been lost.I have to say, Venom really surprised me. I mean, I love historical and strong lead characters, but for some reason I had convinced myself that this wasn't for me. But then Inky from Book Haven Extraordinaire kept telling me that it was amazing. She finally convinced me, and here we are! *applause for Inky*I was hooked from the very first page! There was intrigue and romance, a mystery-- all wrapped up and served to me with a pretty little bow.Cass was a really good main character. She was headstrong and fierce, with a thirst for knowledge and freedom that so many characters just don't have-- and I personally love it, because I have that too. It gives her a certain depth, on the grounds that I can relate to her. She was also really brave and impetuous, kind of flighty, but overall a great character.But Falco really takes the cake for me-- that is one beautifully delicious boy. An artist. In the beginning, he may have been a little rough-talking, but he got over that right quick. My only real issue with him is something that I won't (can't, spoilers) explain in this review. Basically, the boy makes some bad choices. But I'm over it.Although Cass and Falco really made this for me, I also really enjoyed the mystery. It was so creepy, and it kept me turning pages like a maniac. I skipped back and forth about who it could be, until the very last reveal. By then there was no hiding the guy.All in all, Venom was a great read. I liked the mystery, and I can't wait to read more about Cass and Falco.
    • 2/5
      I feel like I need to start by saying that I didn't go with 2/5 stars because Venom was "bad". Initially I was actually really excited about this title. And I think, for the most part, it's actually written fairly well. The right reader would probably find Venom thoroughly enjoyable. For me, however, it just wasn't my cup of tea.Initially I was attracted to the novel based off its premise. The tease of murder and mystery taking place in historic Venice sounded exciting. However, I felt kind of cheated, and overwhelmed, as I made my way through this novel.First I'll start with the "overwhelmed" comment. The novel takes place in Venice, which is a bit of a setting jump all on its own (well, it was for me, at least -- I've never been out of the country), and this novel obviously has to attempt to take you back in time. There were two issues I had with this novel in this regard. The first was the abundance of architectural structures. The second was the amount of text dedicated to the description of said structures. To put it simply, I got lost in the words, finding myself skipping parts of the text to get back in to the actual story.As for being "cheated"... I thought I was going to get a much stronger heroine than what was delivered. I could see where there was attempts at making her seem strong, making it seem like she was the one in charge... but ultimately I felt like she was very much controlled by the men in her life: Falco and Luca. I suppose since it is a period piece, it's not that surprising... but I guess I just expected more. As for the characters, I'm sure you can already tell how I feel about Cass. So I'll focus more on Falco and Luca. Let's just say I really love Luca, and you only see him for something like 100 pages. He's the "proper" choice for Cass, and technically they're already engaged. But Cass isn't necessarily attracted to him. At least not really. But the author did throw some confusing thoughts to make the love triangle more plausible, I suppose (basically what felt like an attempt at making the idea of Cass running away with Falco a little less likely). Then there's Falco. He's pretty much your stereotypical "bad boy". He's an artist, and not exactly a wealthy one. The big thing is that ultimately he can't provide for Cass. But, obviously, that doesn't matter to Cass because she's totally attracted to him instantly, even when she doesn't know anything about him (which she repeatedly reminds herself throughout the entire novel, but that's clearly not enjoy to stop her from continuing to see him). Normally I'm a fan of the bad boy, but this time around I just didn't feel like there was enough to really... appreciate him, I guess.Now, I never want to leave a novel without mentioning something good. I really loved the premise of the secret group, The Eternal Rose. Each chapter starts with a quote from their book, and they're all a very nice combination of dark, creepy, and intriguing. At the end of the novel Luca hints at knowing something more about them... and while the novel never clearly introduces us to them to the reader... you know you're going to get more about them in the novels following Venom. My interest in this group may just be enough for me to try the next novel in the series. So I suppose we'll see what happens.Like I said at the beginning of this review. It's not "bad". It just... clearly wasn't for me (though part of me really wants to give the next book a try). But I never discourage readers! The point of my review is just to voice my personal opinion. And just because I felt this way about Venom doesn't mean you will. So I still say you should give it a try. If you like historical fiction, Venice, and the promise of a murder mystery... this novel might fulfill your bookish fix.
    • 5/5
      Set in the mysterious canals of 19th century Venice, this seductive YA historical novel takes readers on a mystical and thrilling adventure through crypts, fancy parities, seedy pubs and dark secrets. To everyone else, Cassandra seems to live a charmed life filled with elegant parties, fancy dresses and a rich fiance -even though it's not what she wants. After a chance meeting at her friend's grave, Cass finds herself thrown into a dark mystery filled with murdered courtesans and secret societies -and the arms of a struggling artist named Falco. I would warn readers that Venom offers an incredibly frank (and historically accurate) discussion of lower class Venetians of the period -meaning that their is shockingly ample talk of prostitutes, drugs use, grave robbery, houses of ill repute and other unseemly things. As a history fan, I could at least appreciate Paul's unflinching nod to historical accuracy, but some readers would be uncomfortable with such material in a teen novel. (Thus, you have been warned.) Aside from this, I really have no other comments or criticisms of Venom. This is an excellent book, full of action, romance and plenty of unexpected twists and turns. I especially enjoyed the classic gothic overtones here, with supernatural undertones (though not overt), romanticized themes shrouded in darkness, and mysterious (and semi-religious) settings. Great stuff that seems to be making something of a comeback in modern teen literature. A major element of the gothic feel here comes from the incredible setting and vivid writing -with incredible tone. Paul paints a dark, yet enticing Venice and an innocent young woman tone between the high society rules of the time and the seeming "freedom" of the lower classes -and her desire to follow her heart. The tone, the setting, the writing -it dripped with seduction, oozed secrets and jump off every page. Some passages were so beautiful and well-written that I had to read them more than once.I wasn't expecting anything incredible from this book, but that's what it was. Incredibly well-written, beautifully told and irresistible. Cannot wait for the sequel.
    • 4/5
      This book has been on my radar for quite some time because Antony John, the author of Five Flavors of Dumb and the soon to be released Elemental, as well as Lauren Oliver, author of Delirium and Before I Fall, have lauded this one up and down heartily. And if those two are backing it, I'm in!Venom by Fiona Paul centers on Cassandra, an upper class teenager, who is already set to marry Luce, another noble. She lives in Venice, which is richly described (and if anyone doesn't want to visit this place after reading this book is definitely deranged), and falls for an artist, Falco, whom she meets in a graveyard of all places. We, as readers, are swept from one gorgeous location to the next, as we creep around in the dark, and take multiple gondola rides, trying to figure out who is murdering beautiful young women in Venice and the secrets we know most other characters are hiding.I really enjoyed reading this book. One of the greatest strengths of this novel, which I already alluded to, is the setting. I'll tell you upfront, I am not a setting girl, but I desperately want to put Venice way higher on my MUST VISIT list just after reading this book. I felt like I was seeing all of the beautiful buildings, visiting all the gorgeous landscapes. The atmosphere was so deftly painted that I felt like I was there. I also loved all the great twists at the end, and I'm always a huge fan of murder mysteries.Surprisingly, the biggest strength in this novel to me (the setting) also presented somewhat of an issue-- because the setting was so dramatic and amazing, it almost overshadows the characters. I liked Cass for the most part, and was definitely interested in Luce and the mysterious Falco, but there's much more growth and development I'd like to see in those characters. I know that may be planned for the next few books, but Cass to me (although she does some maturing at the very end), is still somewhat of a naive, spoiled royal, and I want to see more of her coming into her own. Again, this may be just me being impatient for the next novel :-)Fiona Paul is a talented new writer who has just appeared on the YA scene. I'll be definitely watching out for this sequel!
    • 1/5
      This one has been on my to-read list since BEA. I'm a sucker for good historical fiction, and this promised Renaissance Intrigue.

      Well. It was historical fiction. Set in Renaissance Venice.
      But.
      At first, I thought I would power through what felt like a slow start.
      And then there was the kind of love interest angst that even my 14 year old self might have rolled eyes at a bit. Kind of wanted to whack the heroine upside the head.
      Also, I think I'd thought, from misreading the cover copy that the heroine was a courtesan in Venice. Or an Assassin. No such luck! I think I kept reading hoping that plot twist would emerge instead of the murders and artists and love affairs and midnight sneaking about.

      I'll say this- there was enough misdirection about the mystery that I didn't see the plot twist at the end coming.

      And it's a series? Why is it a series? Bah!
    • 5/5
      Set in Renaissance Venice, Venom is a fabulous YA historical fiction and one that I instantly fell in love with. Blending together romance, mystery, family drama and lush historical setting, Fiona Paul weaves a compelling and highly addictive plot line full of thrilling events and dangerous encounters. Featuring mutilated corpses, secret societies, a mysterious (and seductive) artist and a steaming romance that is just as exciting as it is forbidden, Venom is a phenomenal beginning to a new and gorgeously imagined YA series. What an absolutely fantastic read! I devoured it in just one day! Venom is full of delicious kisses and steamy love scenes. The chemistry is almost unbearable (in a good way!). Paul's descriptions are amazingly detailed and they're sure to make you blush. If you're a kissing enthusiast you will love this book! And the best part is, even though the characters are almost instantly attracted to each other (whether they admit it or not), the romance builds up at a very good, not-too-fast pace. Spiced up with danger and mystery, it's one of the most swoon-worthy books I've read this year. Hot! Venom's heroine is strong and that's a quality I always appreciate in characters. Engaged to Luca de Perega (an arranged marriage that has nothing to do with love and affection), she's a high-society girl who always has to look and behave flawlessly. Don't let that fool you though, Cass is the exact opposite of a pampered girl. She's down-to-earth, clever, modest, impetuous and very curious. Having lost both of her parents at a young age, she's emotionally mature, but also a little bit insecure and yearning for love. Personally, I thought she was a great character - easy to like and sympathize with, relatable, authentic. She isn't a flawless person, but one that learns and grows a lot as the story progresses. Falco, oh Falco! What a gorgeous, swoon-worthy hero he is! Handsome, mysterious, funny, witty and just a tiny bit cocky, he's as charming as Casanova and as romantic as Romeo. He's bold, brave and quite unpredictable. Girls beware, this guy will steal your heart! I loved everything about this book. The historical setting was vivid, beautiful and mesmerizing (and obviously well researched). The characters didn't feel like characters at all, they felt real and convincing. The plot line was surprisingly unique, often scary and scandalous, full of romantic tension, fast-paced and dream-like. Paul's attention to details - from the 16th century Venetian gowns, corsets, braided hair, gorgeous jewellery and expensive fabrics to vibrant social life, customs and masquerade balls - was simply stunning. I loved every single page of this book and would recommend it to everyone. It's a must read not only for fans of historical fiction and suspenseful mysteries, but for anyone who appreciates skilful world building and excellent prose.
    • 3/5
      It took me a long time - more than half way through the novel - to really get into Venom, and there was a time when I contemplated not finishing it. Something about Cassandra and her predicament refused to click with me, and I couldn't see the so-called romance between her and Falco as anything but an overly contrived way of showing the choices Cass has to make in her life. But the story grew on me, as did the characters, and I ended up liking it in the end. I think this has a lot to do with Luca.Cassandra is a noblewoman in Venice, who gets caught up in a murder mystery when the body of her recently deceased friend is replaced by that of a murder victim. She's engaged to Luca, a boy she thinks of with disdain and faint horror, and is basically desperately searching for an adventure. Enter the artist Falco, who starts helping her uncover the mysterious deaths occurring in Venice, who provides just the distraction, and thrill of the forbidden, that Cass is looking for.I couldn't like Cass for so long throughout this book - she constantly complains of the 'cage' around her and the fact that her life is predetermined for her. However, she  readily escapes her home to accompany Falco on many late night adventures, and successfully pulls the wool over everyone's eyes, so you'll have to forgive me for not taking her seriously. Her dissatisfaction with her upcoming wedding also seemed forced to me - she never considers that the boy she hasn't seen for three years may have grown into a man she could love and there's very little discussion over whether she would have a choice in the match. Without ever coming out and saying she'd much rather not marry Luca, Cass assumes that everyone is hell-bent on forcing her to marry him, when it seems to me that this is far from the case. Everyone else assumes she's happy because they have been friends since childhood, and Cass has never implied that she doesn't want to marry him.Her romance with Falco doesn't make any sense to me. I recognise that he represents everything that Cass feels she doesn't have in her life: danger, excitement, love, but there are too many creepy vibes coming off him for me to really believe that she could like him. He hangs around in graveyards, has no problem kissing and making out with her even though she's engaged (although she has an equal choice in the matter and it doesn't seem to bother her either), takes her to the most unsavoury places and leaves her unguarded, free to be groped by strangers, and yet, Cass still swoons over his eyes, smile, hands, other anatomy. It's tragic.What really turned this book around for me was Luca. Once he was back on the scene I was a goner. Far from the awkward, socially inept boy Cass had repeatedly described, Luca is a wonderful gentleman. And good-looking to boot. I kept waiting for Cass to see how amazing he is, and I think she got there in the end. Luca has his mysteries too, but I always felt he genuinely cared to Cass's heath and wellbeing, and he is the only character in the book to ask her if she's happy with their match. I am really looking forward to seeing him and Cass built a relationship in future books.The murder mystery in itself is quite interesting, but there are too many players in it for my liking. There are still so many questions that have been left unanswered, but I liked the way the story was wrapped up. There are a lot of clues in this book, and it's hard to keep track of which murder victim knew whom, and how all the suspects and victims were related, but I enjoyed this aspect of the novel all the same.One of the major disappointments in the book is the general tone. I think the author has re-created the atmosphere of Venice quite well, but the way the characters talked felt off to me. There are many phrases and colloquialisms used in Venom that I feel are too modern-American for the setting of the book. I also disliked the smattering of Italian phrasing throughout the book. It seems wrong - supposedly the whole narrative is occurring in Italian, and we're obviously reading it in English, but the way mi dispiace, molte scusi, mannaggia and other Italian phrases are incorporated into the novel is tiresome. I feel like they should have been excluded all together, rather than kept in as clumsy reminders that the action is occurring in a foreign landscape as they have the effect of cheapening the setting.I ended up liking Venom quite a bit more than I'd first thought I would, and I am glad that I have the sequel, Belladonna, ready to read. I've been sucked into Cassandra, Luca and Falco's lives, and I want to see them unravel the mysterious society that is the Order of the Eternal Rose.You can read more of my reviews at Speculating on SpecFic.
    • 4/5
      Venom was not at all what I was expecting. The cover made me think it would be a beautiful, Anna-Godbersen type story. Venom, however, was sinister & creepy. While it is still a great story, it is important to note that this is really more of a murder mystery than anything. Many times historical fiction focuses on the lives of the people at the time, and while Venom does do this, it is more of a background to a sinister secret society and a girl who is determined to unravel their secrets—even if she doesn’t quite realize it yet.What I like best about our main character, Cass, is her fearlessness. She has a youthful recklessness to her that causes her to believe she is invincible. While this is obviously untrue, it causes her to take risks that more experienced characters would most likely avoid and she is clearly getting deeper and deeper into what will clearly be a bad situation. While we don’t know much about the eternal rose secret society—or what ever the society is actually called since we know next to nothing about it—it appears that Cass just might be digging her own grave.We also have a love triangle going on, which didn’t add too much to the story for me, but I suspect it will play a larger role in future novels.Even though the love story didn’t do much for me other than add another layer of defiance to the novel. It also caused Cass to take much longer putting the pieces of the puzzle together than it should have, as she was blinded by love (and at one point hallucinogenics).Venom is a creepy story with a romantic setting. This is a perfect series to read around Halloween time because its so sinister. We have clearly only hit the tip of the iceberg with the story, and there is a lot more for Cass to figure out about dead bodies and secret societies. Hopefully she’ll become slightly better at figuring out what is going on and how deep the conspiracy runs.
    • 3/5
      Review courtesy of Dark Faerie TalesQuick & Dirty: Renaissance Venice explores young love and a mystery that takes place in the darkest corners of the graveyards.Opening Sentence: “Man falls down before the Angel of Death like a beast before the slaughterer.”The Review:I was on a renaissance kick recently, so I was happily surprised when I received a copy of Fiona Paul’s Venom. The first thing that I saw was the pretty cover. The mask, alluring eyes, and pretty typeface (font) made me want to read Venom immediately. Historical fiction is one of my favorite genres, so I was sure to enjoy Paul’s spin on this thrilling tale.In Venom, we meet Cassandra. Her childhood friend has just passed away. In Cass’ future, her life is destined in a path that she doesn’t particularly agree with. Engaged to a man, she fills her time amidst the safety of her home. In Paul’s version of Renaissance Venice, exploration and discovery was just blossoming. As proof of that, bodies were being stolen from their graves. Some say for the sake of science, others as something darker. One night, as Cass grieves at her friend’s crypt, she realizes that her body is gone, only to be replaced by another body. Within the darkness of the graveyard, she encounters a pair of blue eyes and a crooked smile. The mystery begins and so begins Cass’ tale.Cassandra Caravello has stumbled upon a mystery, and a complicated and dangerous one at that. To honor her friend, she begins her quest to uncover the secret of the missing body. What she doesn’t expect is to reveal more than just a one-chance mishap. Cass is adventurous and brave, but at times I wondered if she was naive at the world around her. Some of the chances she took were a little too dangerous, but that’s the difference from myself and Cass.Cass encounters many different characters, some that stand out more than others. Flaco is the dark and mysterious young man that captures Cass’ eye, prying her affection away from her future husband, Luca. Flaco, to me, was able to lighten up the mood of Venom just by his dialogue. I often found myself chuckling at the things he said. And with the tone of the rest of the book, I think it was needed.Paul’s Venom is filled with a lot of dark secrets. Between the historical elements and the paranormal details, Venom was filled with enigmatic aspects that had me wanting more. The historical details that Paul put into Venom created this realistic world for me. Plus, Venom is set in Renaissance Venice. The romance and beauty of that setting alone adds to the allure of the story.The different plots and twists within Venom created for a solid story. I must admit it took me a little while to fall in love with Cass. I wasn’t happy that Flaco’s influence over Cass was so large. It seemed like all common sense went out the window when it came to the two of them, but isn’t that the part of adventure that every young teen yearns for?Venom is a great read, especially one for these upcoming winter nights. Mystery, intrigue, and romance will accompany you perfectly.Notable Scene:Cass thought back to the fuzzy yellow circle she’d seen moving among the gravestones. She had assumed it was Falco, and that he’d drunkenly set it aside somewhere…But apparently she’d been wrong. The light had belonged to someone else. A tremor raced through her body, causing her to shiver beneath the warm cloak. A stranger was prowling the shadows of San Domenico Island.Was he looking for her? If so, what did he want?And what would he do if he found her?FTC Advisory: Philomel provided me with a copy of Venom. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review.
    • 4/5
      Venom has everything I want in a historical novel: a gutsy heroine, a decadent setting, and a fiery romance that almost transcends the time period. Venom also brings mystery to the table, but it’s not as edgy as I would have expected. Rather, the mystery develops slowly in the background, allowing the reader to focus on the setting and romance instead. I would have loved to see the mystery brought to the forefront of the novel, but Venom still satisfied me because of all of its other wonderful parts.
    • 4/5
      Venom by Fiona PaulARC received from Penguin at ALAOn Shelves NowReviewed by: Middle Sis JennThe Sisters Say: Vivacious, Virulent, and ViciousFiona Paul’s Venom is dazzling! Set amongst the foggy streets of Venice, Venom will ensnare you in a web of deceit, where passion and purity are pushed to their limits, and where the wrong move might land you in the hands of a psychopath.I enjoy historical romances, but it is not really one of my favorite genres. That is perhaps why I have had this ARC for months but just now read it. Boy, do I regret letting it sit on my shelf! Venom sucked me straight into Renaissance Venice—the gorgeous dresses, the forbidden trysts, the dangerous streets---I could go on and on about the amazing history that Fiona brought to life. I really think the historical aspect was my favorite part of this book, and Fiona did such a great job of integrating the past and the city into her story. I loved reading about the marriage customs and the expectations of nobles versus commoners. I had heard all these things before, but having them brought forth within a storyline was enchanting.I actually really enjoyed Cassandra as the female main character. Before I read this, I assumed she would be the typical snobbish, dull noblewoman that we think of from the Renaissance; and at first, Cass follows these very rules. However, soon, her true nature shows; and we see her start to push back against what society expects of her. It wasn’t long before I got the rush of excitement like I was the one sneaking out in the middle of the night to consort with a handsome artist instead of Cass. I loved seeing her break free of her confines and start to question everything she has been told. She became a strong female lead who was determined to find the truth, no matter the danger; and I found myself cheering her along. For all you teachers or English majors or anyone else who finds themselves picking out themes and motifs—I loved the caged bird motif! Falco’s nickname for Cass is “Starling,” and on more than one occasion, he mentions how she is a bird beating her wings against her noble cage. Oh Falco, Falco! He’s an artist (I say this with the pronunciation of ‘are-teest’ because it just feels like its how Falco would say it), and a commoner, but he doesn’t let that stop him from going after the girl. I like his resilience and tenacity—and I love how he doesn’t hesitate to put Cass in her place when she’s being a spoiled little rich girl. At the same time, he’s sensitive and sweet, caring for Cass and her safety. I immediately fell for Falco, even though I knew he was hiding something. Full of charm and charisma, Falco definitely adds some spice to this story. I loved the scenes with him, and when he wasn’t there, I felt myself missing him! I can’t wait to find out what’s next in Belladonna (book 2).The only downfall for this book was that it started out a little slow. I think I was 100 pages in before I really was taken with the characters. BUT, at that point, I couldn’t put it down. I had to know what was going to happen next, and I just couldn’t wait to discover the identity of the killer. This book was not predictable in any way for me. I kept trying to guess who the stranger at the masquerade ball was—I was wrong. I tried to guess who the killer was—I was wrong. So, Fiona did a great job of throwing in red herrings and what not to throw me off my track. It was great to be kept guessing up until the very end.Venom was brilliantly written, full of breath-taking imagery and poetic motifs. Fiona knows how to take you from merely reading a book to living it. Full of seduction, secrets, and sinister violence, Venom will challenge everything you know about Renaissance Italy. I will say, Fiona knows how to bring history to life.Content Warning: Sexual content. There is a scene where Cass witnesses sexual acts while in a brothel. I would recommend this for high school age or higher.
    • 3/5
      This novel had so many external factors working for me: the cover is gorgeous, I am a sucker for any type of period novel/show/art form, the plot sounds intriguing, and I love everything Italian. Unfortunately it seems that I had played up the novel so much in my head that the story it contains did not exactly live up to my hopes and expectations. It is not terrible by any means, it just did not swipe me off my feet like I was hoping. The biggest strength of this novel is the world building. I'm not sure if that is the correct terminology, considering Renaissance Venice was an actual thing, but the atmosphere of the novel is incredible. From the description of clothes and towns, to inclusion of customs and italian language, the author clearly worked hard at getting everything just right. It really was this incredibly vivid interpretation of a time period none of us have seen that kept me invested in the novel. The factor that does not work well for me, unfortunately, is the main charter, Cassandra. It seems the author tries to create a love triangle type thing, but for me, it made me continually frustrated with Cassandra. From the start of the novel she is engaged to be married and her fiancé is conveniently away study in Paris. This provides the opportunity for slumming with Falco, the rude but oddly intriguing artist who begins an affair with Cassandra, breaking all sorts of social etiquette rules. What bothered me about this situation is not the transgression, but that Cassandra continually comments on how she feels bad sneaking around with Falco, and she really should tell him about her fiancé, but yet her actions prove that she does not care at all. Instead of making me sympathize with her feelings, I instead found her whiny and unappreciative of her very privileged life. I was more interested in her best friend's wedding preparations than Cassandra's romp with Falco. Overall, the plot was interesting, albeit slow at times. However, a lot of questions remain unanswered after reading Venom and I'm torn between needing the second book to realize the answers, or boycotting it for not presenting enough information in this installment... But who am I kidding here, historical novels are practically my drug, of course I'll be checking out the next book, Belladonna, releasing in 2013.