Sweet Venom - Book Review

Sweet Venom – Book Review

Tera Lynn Childs

YA Fantasy/Mythological

Synopsis:

Grace just moved to San Francisco and is excited to start over at a new school. The change is full of fresh possibilities, but it’s also a tiny bit scary. It gets scarier when a minotaur walks in the door. And even more shocking when a girl who looks just like her shows up to fight the monster.

Gretchen is tired of monsters pulling her out into the wee hours, especially on a school night, but what can she do? Sending the minotaur back to his bleak home is just another notch on her combat belt. She never expected to run into this girl who could be her double, though.

Greer has her life pretty well put together, thank you very much. But that all tilts sideways when two girls who look eerily like her appear on her doorstep and claim they're triplets, supernatural descendants of some hideous creature from Greek myth, destined to spend their lives hunting monsters.

These three teenage descendants of Medusa, the once-beautiful gorgon maligned by myth, must reunite and embrace their fates in this unique paranormal world where monsters lurk in plain sight.

Review:

Tera Lynn Childs has written some brilliant YA books and Sweet Venom is yet another fantastic read to add to your bookshelves. Rich with mythology, it is a light hearted story with a fresh concept - and written with the usual wit and charm that I’ve come to expect from this author.

Written in a triple-narrative, Sweet Venom tells the story of three sisters. Separated at birth, Gretchen, Greer and Grace may be identical in looks but their personalities could not be more different. Now sixteen years later, the trio suddenly find themselves reunited through a mix of fate and destiny. But they are no ordinary girls – they are the descendants of Medusa, charged with the sacred duty of guarding the world from the demons and monsters that plague it.

But now something in the underworld is stirring, and the sisters must unite together in order to overcome the evil that is threatening their lives. Because if they don’t learn to trust each other soon, then the world as they know it will end…

I really enjoyed this book. The characters are well written and through them the story is brought bubbling to life. While the three sisters are identical in looks, their styles and personalities are so unique that there is no trouble telling them apart, and they each add their own contributions to the story.

The book begins with Gretchen. Tough and fierce, she grew up on the streets where she learned to fight and defend herself. Learning of her destiny at an early age, she has spent most of her teen years fighting demons, making her the most kick-ass of the three sisters.

Grace on the other hand is just your typical, high school girl. Raised within a normal family, she has a cute, overprotective brother and parents who generally care about her. Her sense of humour is quite quirky and although she is unwilling at first, she soon excepts her fate as a descendant of Medusa.

Greer however, I feel like we don’t know so much. She enters the book close to end and the reader doesn’t have a lot of time to understand her character. Coming from a very rich family, she is a bit of a spoiled snob. Yet she is intelligent, but also reluctant to have her life ruled by destiny. I’m looking forward to learning more about her as the series progresses.

Also as a sucker for romance, I’m pleased to say that this book had plenty. Each sister has a love interest that suits them, and Tera Lynn Childs does a fantastic job of drawing out the suspense of each romantic moment. Given all the trouble the girls seem to get into, I can’t wait to see how their relationships with the boys will develop.

Story wise, the author has put her own fresh spin onto the legends of Greek mythology. Medusa is portrayed as a good and very misunderstood character, and I like how believable the tale is. The plot is fast paced and keeps you turning pages which make this book a quick, but delicious read.

Suitable for girls 12 years + I would recommend this book to anyone who loves strong heroines, romance, action and a good laugh. This story has it all! A fabulous read, Sweet Vemon gets 4 stars!

Stealing Phoenix - Book Review

Stealing Phoenix– Book Review

Joss Stirling

Benedicts series book #2

YA Paranormal

Synopsis:

Phoenix belongs to the Community - a gang of thieves with paranormal powers. Yves Benedict - an American student visiting London - is her mark. But Yves turns out to be more than just a target. He is her destiny. Her soulmate. But the Community owns Phoenix's past and it wants her future too…

Review:

When I picked up this book, I didn’t realise it was part of a series. However despite it being the second book, Stealing Phoenix read very well as a standalone novel and I had no problem understanding the storyline. It was all in all, a very enjoyable read.

The story follows Phoenix, a light fingered thief with uncanny abilities. When she is assigned to target Yves Benedict, a rich American student, she expects it to be an easy job with a hefty payoff. Yet when her quick snatch does not go as planned, she soon discovers that Yves Benedict isn’t just your average tourist, but does in fact have unconventional abilities of his own.

Determined to procure the items her boss, ‘the Seer’ demanded, Phoenix follows Yves and to her dismay, ends up a reluctant guest in his house. Now her whole world is thrown into question when she discovers for the first time the warmth of a family, and the heart pounding rush of true love. But even if Yve’s is her soul mate Phoenix knows, ‘the Seer’ will never let her leave his community alive…

There were so many things about this book that I loved! Its biggest draw for me however, was that in takes place in modern day London England. I just think it’s so refreshing to read a story that weaves in places you know, where the surroundings are easy to picture and everything about the scene can come alive through your own senses :)

I also couldn’t help but fall in love with the characters. The romance between Yves and Phoenix is wonderful to watch blossom and I liked the enormous differences between them. For example Phoenix has never been to school, but she is independent and street savvy, tough and slow to trust. Alone in the world, it was interesting to read how she adapted to Yves family and their giving hearts.

Yves, on the other hand is very academic. Sheltered by the loving arms of his family, he has all the best things money can buy, comfort, luxury and total security. Yet he is a kind character and his patience with Phoenix is admirable. I liked watching him try to relate to her life, a life of which he could barely imagine.

Otherwise the plot was fast paced and full of drama and tension. It certainly kept me turning the pages and I’ll deffinetly be checking out the other books in the series. So overall, Stealing Phoenix is a brilliant read and one I would recommend. 4 stars!