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A review by seshoptaw
Venom by Fiona Paul
3.75
EDIT 1/12/20
3.75*
Secret Societies
Murder
Mystery
Romance
Suspense, intrigue, and adventure
This book started checking off a lot of things I really enjoy and it was so much fun to be transported to Venice, Italy around the time of the Renaissance.
The pages were filled with macabre references and with this, the setting, and the murders, the author created an atmosphere that was tangible – the tension in the air was transported all the way back to my safe living-room, far away from Venice. And goodness, the descriptions of Venice! Beautiful, intriguing, and slightly dangerous, it created such an allure that I was ready to buy a plane ticket and see it for myself. It was absolutely wonderful.
I also really enjoyed the plot. It was a little reaching at times, but overall, I loved all of the places it took our heroine to (from strange workshops full of dead bodies to whore houses to forbidden artist studios, each place was an exciting adventure). The author created a rich world that made my imagination run wild.
Additionally, I enjoyed the love interest as well. It’s a story that has been told a million times (noblewoman falls in love with a commoner) but I really liked Falco. I loved the mystery that surrounded him, I loved how much he pushed Cass to grow and develop as a character throughout this novel, and I loved that he fell hard for her too. There was just something about it that captured me. He oozes charm and has a crooked smile, what’s not to love?
The Society of the Eternal Rose (i.e. the secret society) was not very fleshed out. With 2 more books in the series though, I can’t wait to see what’s revealed about this order.
I will admit that Cass’ attitude toward her societal norms seemed a bit disjointed at times. She seemed to want to shed the yoke of a young (and engaged) woman of nobility. Understandable. But there are bounds within that that I believe even our wild and reckless Cass would’ve followed. The story makes you believe that Cass’ freedom means more to her than the loss of her reputation and standing in society, her virtue, and her financial stability. She’s ready, at times, to throw them all away on a whim, even, for example, stating on more than one occasion that she’d rather be homeless and live on the streets than be trapped in her “cage.”
Unfortunately, I don’t find this very believable or realistic for a girl in her position. She has so much to lose and the consequences of even stepping a toe out of line could be monumental. Although this perhaps shouldn’t stop the adventure she goes on completely, Cass would know the rules and the cost of breaking them more than what was portrayed here. A lady of her standing would not be so quick to toss it all away.
Cass’ attitude toward societal norms was not the only flaw in her character. From the beginning, she seems very self-absorbed. At her friend’s funeral, for example, she’s incredibly distracted and bored with the sermon, even leaving the church before the service is over. Later on, at another friend’s wedding, Cass doesn’t even stay to watch her friend’s wedding vows being said, even though throughout the book, Cass has acted as a Maid of Honor (of sorts) to the friend. She never acted like a good friend who really cared about the people around her and she just didn’t win any points here.
Additionally, Cass came across as rather fickle toward the end of the book. Falco and her seem to be star-crossed lovers, doomed to be separated due to their societal standings. Then we have Luca, whom Cass has been engaged to for years. She has found him dull, boring, and predictable and yet, the second he shows up (several years after they have last seen each other), she begins to notice how handsome he’s become. She’s giving him a chance without things being totally resolved with Falco. The book ended in a way that this didn’t cause any issues but I can see it becoming a problem in subsequent books.
I would recommend this novel and look forward to the next!
1/30/13
This book takes place in Italy many many years ago. It is full of suspense and intrigue as well as conflicting upper-class/lower-class relationships. It has murder, romance, dead bodies, threats, adventure and so much more! It frequently had me on the edge of my seat and it leaves me craving book 2. I can't wait for the second one to come out!
3.75*
Secret Societies
Murder
Mystery
Romance
Suspense, intrigue, and adventure
This book started checking off a lot of things I really enjoy and it was so much fun to be transported to Venice, Italy around the time of the Renaissance.
The pages were filled with macabre references and with this, the setting, and the murders, the author created an atmosphere that was tangible – the tension in the air was transported all the way back to my safe living-room, far away from Venice. And goodness, the descriptions of Venice! Beautiful, intriguing, and slightly dangerous, it created such an allure that I was ready to buy a plane ticket and see it for myself. It was absolutely wonderful.
I also really enjoyed the plot. It was a little reaching at times, but overall, I loved all of the places it took our heroine to (from strange workshops full of dead bodies to whore houses to forbidden artist studios, each place was an exciting adventure). The author created a rich world that made my imagination run wild.
Additionally, I enjoyed the love interest as well. It’s a story that has been told a million times (noblewoman falls in love with a commoner) but I really liked Falco. I loved the mystery that surrounded him, I loved how much he pushed Cass to grow and develop as a character throughout this novel, and I loved that he fell hard for her too. There was just something about it that captured me. He oozes charm and has a crooked smile, what’s not to love?
The Society of the Eternal Rose (i.e. the secret society) was not very fleshed out. With 2 more books in the series though, I can’t wait to see what’s revealed about this order.
I will admit that Cass’ attitude toward her societal norms seemed a bit disjointed at times. She seemed to want to shed the yoke of a young (and engaged) woman of nobility. Understandable. But there are bounds within that that I believe even our wild and reckless Cass would’ve followed. The story makes you believe that Cass’ freedom means more to her than the loss of her reputation and standing in society, her virtue, and her financial stability. She’s ready, at times, to throw them all away on a whim, even, for example, stating on more than one occasion that she’d rather be homeless and live on the streets than be trapped in her “cage.”
Unfortunately, I don’t find this very believable or realistic for a girl in her position. She has so much to lose and the consequences of even stepping a toe out of line could be monumental. Although this perhaps shouldn’t stop the adventure she goes on completely, Cass would know the rules and the cost of breaking them more than what was portrayed here. A lady of her standing would not be so quick to toss it all away.
Cass’ attitude toward societal norms was not the only flaw in her character. From the beginning, she seems very self-absorbed. At her friend’s funeral, for example, she’s incredibly distracted and bored with the sermon, even leaving the church before the service is over. Later on, at another friend’s wedding, Cass doesn’t even stay to watch her friend’s wedding vows being said, even though throughout the book, Cass has acted as a Maid of Honor (of sorts) to the friend. She never acted like a good friend who really cared about the people around her and she just didn’t win any points here.
Additionally, Cass came across as rather fickle toward the end of the book. Falco and her seem to be star-crossed lovers, doomed to be separated due to their societal standings. Then we have Luca, whom Cass has been engaged to for years. She has found him dull, boring, and predictable and yet, the second he shows up (several years after they have last seen each other), she begins to notice how handsome he’s become. She’s giving him a chance without things being totally resolved with Falco. The book ended in a way that this didn’t cause any issues but I can see it becoming a problem in subsequent books.
I would recommend this novel and look forward to the next!
1/30/13
This book takes place in Italy many many years ago. It is full of suspense and intrigue as well as conflicting upper-class/lower-class relationships. It has murder, romance, dead bodies, threats, adventure and so much more! It frequently had me on the edge of my seat and it leaves me craving book 2. I can't wait for the second one to come out!