Normally, I find that the second book in a series tends to be weaker then the first but this was not the case! Venom was such a strong sequel with new challenges and the introduction of new characters, especially Olwyn, Ravyn, Jax and Raoul, who only appears briefly. Review will come shortly when I can form words I still want to know how everything will end, so thankfully the wait for the third and final book at least isn't too long I guess. On top of this, Venom ends with a brutal cliffhanger something that always irritates me highly and especially when the next book isn't even published yet. But I felt a bit distracted by the behavior of certain characters, and not in a good way. The descriptions of the high fantasy world were well done, and really made them come alive. Don't get me wrong, I did love that we got to see more of the Western Isles in the sequel, learning more about magic and Marianne's past in the process. But somehow I didn't enjoy Venom as much as I thought I would when I started it. Somehow I think I actually prefer the first book? It might have had to do with the lack of ship setting, it might have had to do with the fact that Marianne REALLY started to annoy me, it might have had to do with the fact that the whole love triangle vibe and Marianne sacrificing herself for the greater good got old fast. I had high expectations for Venom, so that's why I was a bit surprised to end up having mixed feelings instead. Maybe it's time I listened.”Īfter loving the first book earlier recently, I couldn't resist picking up the sequel while memories of this high fantasy world were still fresh.

“The magic in my blood calls for others' blood to be spilled.

So, Vulture has to be read pretty much immediately because of that ending and I can't wait to finish this journey. The way the animals were written and Marianne's connection with them, really had me glued. I loved the animals, the snow mares and the vulture in particular. There were new and old characters in this intallment and I liked most of them. Bronn was less prevalent in this story but he's there lurking. Marianne spent this story following her destiny that was unclear at best, I rolled with the journey and it was a good one. All that said, there is self-reflection, realisation and humility. Marianne is an immature protagonist (she has every right to be, she's 17) but at times she did fustrate me. Occasionally, I wanted to draw breath a bit but the story doesn't relent and pulls you along easily.

Everything about Venom was reminiscent of Viper, in that it was fast-paced, a packed plot but it was fresh, the story went all sorts of ways. Well, I need to pick up my jaw still from that ending which is clever, amazing and thank goodness I have book three ready to pick up.

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