Review: Venom by Fiona Paul

Release Date:

October 31st, 2012.

Grade:

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Cover:

Cassandra looks seductive and beautiful. She has green eyes though and the cover girl has brown. *pouts* 

Summary/Synopsis

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.

"Beauty, love, romance, and mystery weave together in a stunning novel that’s [..} seductive and surprising [...]" I love it when I read the synopsis and it's actually true. We have the beauty of Venice. The love between Cassandra and her aunt. The romance, lots of it, between Falco and Cass and mystery with a killer in their midst.

Venom being set in Renaissance Venice definitely gave me things to think about. Cass being already engaged to her fiance, Luca. Bodies being stolen for the sake of science. It gives a certain qualities to a character because during the Renaissance, things were just starting to become unique. I immediately took a liking to Cass. One thing that irked me about her was that she said she wouldn't do things and she ends up doing it! I loved it too because it was an internal struggle. To be free with Falco or stay the way she is. Falco makes her realize things and she recognizes that.

Falco? He's my new fictional boyfriend. I'LL GO WITH YOU, FALCO!! I'LL GO!

The plot line is simply, how shall I put it? WOW-ZA! I'm here having trust issues trying to decide who is the killer and stealer of bodies asking myself "Is he/she the killer?" "Are they the same person?" "Who's next?" Throughout this entire novel I'm just asking questions and Fiona gives you hints and she gives you reasons to have trust issues. Even Cass had trust issues. Secrets are embedded in the mystery. Secrets I found out about but some I have yet to discover. 

I loved all the Renaissance aspects. The scenary and places. This novel has it's fair share of romance that I enjoyed reading very much. Although finishing this novel left me with a CLIFFHANGER. A CLIFFHANGER! I almost, mark my words, almost threw the novel across the room. 

All in all, Venom does not disappoint. I read this with high exceptions that I didn't even know I had until Fiona blew them away. This is not a novel you want to miss. Beautiful, great pacing and a story that will keep you on your toes.

P.S Part 2 of interview and giveaway will be up at noon today. :)