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3.88 AVERAGE
3.88 AVERAGE
This is definitely an interesting one! Humans transformed into magical creatures - and not your usual vampires and werewolves, though they're around, too! Deities, demi-gods, and folklore monsters, all living in a society where humanity has an uneasy truce with the beings it considers to be non-human.
This is an absolutely great twist on the usual hero and monster tale, and the main character is well-developed and interesting. It's not easy being able to transform into a gigantic venomous snake!
This is an absolutely great twist on the usual hero and monster tale, and the main character is well-developed and interesting. It's not easy being able to transform into a gigantic venomous snake!
Fun
A fun take on supernatural creatures. The planning by the human was well done and our monster hero has some weaknesses she works through. I hope the last book can sum this up nicely.
A fun take on supernatural creatures. The planning by the human was well done and our monster hero has some weaknesses she works through. I hope the last book can sum this up nicely.
This second book in the Venom Trilogy starts off almost right where the last one ended. After defeating her enemy in the first book, Alena thought maybe things would settle down. However, Theseus shows up and says he will defeat her as her last enemy didn't, with cunning. As her friends start turning against her, she realize Theseus won't be easy to defeat, even with her powers. Adding to that, she wants to get her bakery back and divorce Roger. Will she win in the end, or will her friends pay the ultimate price? Again, as with the previous book, I had so much fun reading this book! The writing is very different than what I'm used to with Ms. Mayer, but that isn't a bad thing. Humor, action, fun, romance, and a tiny thread of seriousness run through this book making it a fast, exciting read. At times, I have to admit I did get a little irritated with Alena being a little naive and acting a little childish, but it never lasts long as the book is so much fun. Ms. Mayer's wonderful writing shines through in this book and I can't say enough good things about it. If you like fun, fast, and fantastic reads, this book is for you. You don't have to have read the first one to really enjoy this one, but I do recommend this first one, as well. Pick up the series today, you won't regret it! Highly recommend!
Thanks to NetGalley and 47North for the e-book which I voluntarily reviewed. This exact review posted on both Amazon and Goodreads.
Thanks to NetGalley and 47North for the e-book which I voluntarily reviewed. This exact review posted on both Amazon and Goodreads.
Really good
These are really cool stories about finding yourself and coming to terms with who you are and what you can do. I like them a lot. Alena is a bada** and her Yaya is amusing as all get out.
These are really cool stories about finding yourself and coming to terms with who you are and what you can do. I like them a lot. Alena is a bada** and her Yaya is amusing as all get out.
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I am warming up a tad more to this series, even if it frustrates me at times. I just think that if there was some more depth, we could have a real winner on our hands.
At one point, one of the characters says to Alena “you’re a hot mess of contradictions” and I totally agree with that. Maybe that’s just the way her character is but I really don’t like it. One minute she’s all “omg how could I kiss this guy when I’m still technically married” and the next she’s like “allow me to seduce and manipulate every man/enemy I come across. Hmm. What I will say is that I like her aversion to killing (even though it’s annoying that it’s mostly explained that she’s that way because of religion rather than her just being a decent person???)
At one point, one of the characters says to Alena “you’re a hot mess of contradictions” and I totally agree with that. Maybe that’s just the way her character is but I really don’t like it. One minute she’s all “omg how could I kiss this guy when I’m still technically married” and the next she’s like “allow me to seduce and manipulate every man/enemy I come across. Hmm. What I will say is that I like her aversion to killing (even though it’s annoying that it’s mostly explained that she’s that way because of religion rather than her just being a decent person???)
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
So I went ahead and read this book after barely being able to finish the first (Thank you kindle unlimited).
I don’t know if the writing of the book was better, or if I managed to be so desensitized to all the “super dupers” and juvenile “swearing” (donkeys butthole, Summers eve, blah blah blah) from the first book that the second book went by fast. I do think this book felt kinda meh? Like everything happened so fast (Roger/court case subplot, other gods getting involved subplot, what type of Supernatural is her family subplot, the whole Remo will-they-won’t-they, pledging allegiance to another vampire bs) with no breaks in the story making the main event (defeating Theseus) seem rushed and not as tense as it should be? I’m glad we do finally get a magical plot device for how Alena isn’t impenetrable because I was getting tired of the “I’m so strong I can defeat anyone without trying” trope.
There was, to the authors credit, some character development (thank god) for our main character Alena who is now embracing the protector role her monster can provide her family and friends and who is now refusing to let people tell her how weak she is (which is more important now that she can actually be injured and can be in actual danger).
I don’t think I’d buy this book or even reread it again, but I will take advantage of the Kindle Unlimited to read the third book.
I don’t know if the writing of the book was better, or if I managed to be so desensitized to all the “super dupers” and juvenile “swearing” (donkeys butthole, Summers eve, blah blah blah) from the first book that the second book went by fast. I do think this book felt kinda meh? Like everything happened so fast (Roger/court case subplot, other gods getting involved subplot, what type of Supernatural is her family subplot, the whole Remo will-they-won’t-they, pledging allegiance to another vampire bs) with no breaks in the story making the main event (defeating Theseus) seem rushed and not as tense as it should be? I’m glad we do finally get a magical plot device for how Alena isn’t impenetrable because I was getting tired of the “I’m so strong I can defeat anyone without trying” trope.
There was, to the authors credit, some character development (thank god) for our main character Alena who is now embracing the protector role her monster can provide her family and friends and who is now refusing to let people tell her how weak she is (which is more important now that she can actually be injured and can be in actual danger).
I don’t think I’d buy this book or even reread it again, but I will take advantage of the Kindle Unlimited to read the third book.
I tried, I really did. DNF @ 64%
I can't think of a single redeeming thing about this book. The heroine, Alena, is a complete imbecile. And the narrative - from her POV - is so stupid and juvenile that I grit my teeth just trying to get through it. If I have to read her whining that no one thinks she can handle herself one more time, I'm going to punt my kindle out a window.
There are no likable characters in this book. I hate Alena. I hate Roger and the bimbo. I hate Remo (stop being a cagey douche and be straight with her). I hate Tad and Dahlia (Tad because he's as dumb as she is, Dahlia because she just goes along with whatever dumb crap Alena wants to do ... like
I loathe Alena's family. I think Theseus and the entire Greek pantheon are utter wastes of air.
There is literally no single redeeming character or element. I quit the book when I realized that the best thing that could happen would be for them all to die in a blazing meteor impact.
Fuck this.
I can't think of a single redeeming thing about this book. The heroine, Alena, is a complete imbecile. And the narrative - from her POV - is so stupid and juvenile that I grit my teeth just trying to get through it. If I have to read her whining that no one thinks she can handle herself one more time, I'm going to punt my kindle out a window.
There are no likable characters in this book. I hate Alena. I hate Roger and the bimbo. I hate Remo (stop being a cagey douche and be straight with her). I hate Tad and Dahlia (Tad because he's as dumb as she is, Dahlia because she just goes along with whatever dumb crap Alena wants to do ... like
Spoiler
who the fuck thinks it is a good idea for the VAMPIRE to protect the superweapon, when she's dead to the world all day? Alena does. And so Dahlia is like "okay, that's a great idea, I'll protect it" ... and it is literally stolen like FOUR FUCKING HOURS LATER. She can't even protect it for a single day.I loathe Alena's family. I think Theseus and the entire Greek pantheon are utter wastes of air.
There is literally no single redeeming character or element. I quit the book when I realized that the best thing that could happen would be for them all to die in a blazing meteor impact.
Fuck this.
Really enjoyed this second installment in the Venom Trilogy. I particularly enjoyed watching Alena come into her own, decide exactly what kind of "monster" she was going to be, and find a way to be herself in the midst of all of the change!
After adoring the Desert Cursed series I was excited to read more by this author on KU. About all I got from this one was an intense desire to bake. And while I can relate more to her other lead lady’s propensity for cursing, I did appreciate this lead lady’s creativity in not cursing.
To be fully fair, I didn’t realize this was the second in the series and read it first. I’m not sure reading the first will help though.
To be fully fair, I didn’t realize this was the second in the series and read it first. I’m not sure reading the first will help though.