publisher: Philomel
date of publication: October 30, 2012
format: ARC
pages: 432
source: Around the World ARC Tours
From Goodreads:
Cassandra Caravello is one of Renaissance Venice’s lucky elite: with elegant gowns, sparkling jewels, her own lady’s maid, and a wealthy fiancé, she has everything a girl could desire. Yet ever since her parents’ death, Cassandra has felt trapped, alone in a city of water, where the dark and labyrinthine canals whisper of escape.
When Cass stumbles upon a murdered woman—practically in her own backyard—she’s drawn into a dangerous world of courtesans, killers, and secret societies. Soon, she finds herself falling for Falco, a mysterious artist with a mischievous grin... and a spectacular skill for trouble. Can Cassandra find the murderer, before he finds her? And will she stay true to her fiancé, or succumb to her uncontrollable feelings for Falco?
Beauty, love, romance, and mystery weave together in a stunning novel that’s as seductive and surprising as the city of Venice itself.
Venom is one of those books that
captures your attention immediately and compels you to check out its
description. It's rare for me to read pure historical fiction
without any supernatural elements these days, but Venom brought me
back to a well-loved genre that hasn't received enough of my
attention recently. As I delved into the book, the pages seemed to
fly by. To call Venom captivating would be a gross understatement.
There is so much to discover between its covers and I enjoyed every
minute.
Cassandra was a vastly appealing
character for many reasons. At first, she is a naïve, sheltered
girl with very little experience with the less opulent side of
Venice. However, as she gets to know the flirtatious and mysterious
Falco, she begins to see her sheltered life as a cage that she longs
to escape. Her loyalty to her late friend and her dedication to
seeding justice make her a fiery character that I very much enjoyed
getting to know. Falco, too, is a great character that I enjoyed
immensely. His mischievous nature makes him just a fun character to
read, all around.
Venom is best described by one word:
lush. Everything from the background to the writing is surprisingly
sensuous. I was pleasantly surprised to see Venice portrayed so well
through the overall writing. The descriptions are so well rendered
as to make you sink right in until you feel as though you are
floating along the canals, yourself. The pace takes a few chapters
to build, but it is more than worth the wait. Once the background
was established and the plot was underway, I was thrilled enough to
forget all about the slow start. That's the sure sign that the
author has done something right.
As a lusciously detailed mystery and
thriller, Venom has earned every bit of anticipation it has drawn.
Fiona Paul has written a beautiful yet dangerous tale of murder,
secrets, and darkness. Filled to the brim with chilling moments,
Venom is a book that makes for a great read, especially on a stormy
evening, as I found out. If you enjoy a good historical romance with
a mystery involved, then Venom is the book for you. Prepare yourself
for a thrilling, vivid reading experience.
Preorder Venom at the Following Locations:
Obligatory legal statement: This ARC was provided to me free of
charge by the publisher via Around the World ARC Tours. No monetary
compensation was received in exchange for this fair and unbiased
review.
