Thursday, November 22, 2012
Venom (Secrets of the Eternal Rose #1)
by Fiona Paul
Published: 10.30.12 by Philomel
Pages: 432
GOODREADS - PURCHASE
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.

Inky's Blurbings:
It is no small fact that I have been WAITING and WAITING for this book to come out. So when it reached my doorstep on that beautiful Tuesday in October I had a SPAZZ party! (See #VenomFreakoutParty). I literally had a Stare-At-This-Gorgeous-Book-For-Five-Minutes party. We had a photo shoot and everything. Then I read. Boy, did this book DELIVER! Time to fangirl!!! (Please do not be alarmed if new, unheard of words erupt in these paragraphs.)

I. HEART. Historical Fiction. It's a truth universally acknowledged, and if you didn't know that before you should now. So naturally, Venice Italy? Intrigue and Mystery? Can you say awesome? I totally love how will Paul was able to portray the aspects of the society. It was lush and beautiful, and deadly all at once. The grit of the harder edges of the society were portrayed, and we also got a look at what the richer societies had. It was intense, stunning, and pretty legit. I seriously need to just get on a plane and fly there or something.

Cassandra was a doll. I will admit, she is not my most favorite MC in the world. For one thing she's not told in First Person, which is my favorite narrative style. And honestly, it took me about 50 or so pages to get into her groove. But after we hit that mark, she took off. She was intense, she was independent and strong. She took the story in her own hands and made it rock. That was when it flowed and I just got on my raft and let it steer me.

What a ride. Through the deep canals of Venice into dark alleyways. Through passion, crushes, hot secrets. Betrayal. It was all there. And the end just left me hoping for more. We have so many secrets to be uncovered. What really is the Order of the Eternal Rose? What is Luca hiding? And FALCO. Oh boy, we need some more Falco! The romance hit a dive and I was like WHAT THE HECK HAPPENED?

>>>>>*Rewind*<<<<< Back to the Romance though. I can't NOT talk about Falco or Luca. For one thing they both have perfect Italian names. I HEART Italian names. (There's a random tidbit for ya.) I mean they end in the COOLEST letters, sounds, and um...I totally forgot the word....diphthongs? WELL, whatever it is, I heart the names of Luca and Falco. And the boys themselves of course. I'm not that shallow.

Luca. Cassandra's MYSTERIOUS fiance who we hear so much about. Cass thinks she doesn't like him, but she drops lots of hints. Then he appears! Handsome and much much different then she remembers. Honestly, at first he didn't appeal to me that much. He was a bit strange and awkward. Sure I got the HOT gist, but, maybe it was just that Cassandra was intent on shoving him out of her mind. But I wasn't getting the whole LUCA-VIBE, despite bloggers saying they liked him better. Needless to say I was quite CONFUDDLED. Then. Then, darlings. He started changing. It wasn't overnight. But he did. He had a mysteriousness about him that totally curiousified me!!! I wish Cass paid more attention to him. I liked him a whole lot better during the end of the book. I can't say if I LOVE him. But I for sure like his character, and there's so much we can LEARN that I'm just...CURIOUSIFIED!!!

I've talked up Luca. But oh. Dear, darling Falco.....how I like thee. Not Love thee. I'm so cunfouzelled at this romance triangle! I like Falco. OH BOY I LIKE HIM. He's for sure the epitome of a hot, mysterious, hilarious guy. But then there are HIS mysteries. SERIOUSLY! Every person has something they are hiding. It's like you can escape the secrets. There's always something hiding, doesn't matter who or what or where. So. I liked him, but as the story progressed I wasn't sure how I felt about him. I wanted more sincerity from him. I want more PROOF of his devotion to me Cass. But I will NOT in the slightest deny that I very much like Falco.

I JUST CAN'T MAKE UP MY MIND!!!!!


OKAY FINE. It's Falco. I've kinda always know this, you smexi artist hottie you. *INNER GIGGLE FANGIRL* So Fiona darling, give thyself a lovely pat on the back for wowing me with thy painting of Venice, and thy lovely character Cassandra. Wow. Just Wow. I can very much say that I totally dig this book. And if I have to wait any longer for Belladonna TO FIND OUT ABOUT FALCO AND LUCA to learn what happens to my dear Cassie-Pop, I will like....burst. Oh well. I guess that's why there are five Breathless Reads right?

Content: Milderate
(Italian swear words a few instances throughout. Mild crudity a couple times. They visit a very Fantine-like places and there are innuendos and a few descriptions. Cass gets an image in her head. Some kisses.)
5 Stars
~Hot-Diggity this book rocked my socks off. Lit-ER-Al-EE. Run to the bookstore RIGHT NOW and indulge yourself in some dessert.~

And that, my darling readers, are my thoughts on Venom. I approve very much. But what about you, thyself, and yours? Dust thou agree? Wilt thou share thy thoughts? Thy reviews? How didst I start talking like this? I think that review fairly befuddled me. ADIEU.



9 comments:

  1. Hahahaha awesome review! I've been hearing nothing but amazing things about Venom. I have been a little hesitant about picking it up myself since I'm not a huge fan of historical fiction, but I have not read a single bad review of Venom!

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Ashley! Haha you need to pick it up......Do it. Read it.

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  2. DUDEE you sound SO excited about this book! Hahaha even with The Iron Fey I never seem to be able to get into that rant mode! Maybe because I get into that groove of writing reviews after a while since I'm so boring like that :P But seriously. I wish I heard you on Twitter when you were having this party! You sound SO excited and I definitely understand what you're saying since you love historical fiction! I'm not the biggest fan, but I still really loved this one! Awesome review Hannah! :D

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  3. My review for this one goes up in a few days. Among my favorites EVER. I am a huge Italian nut and love the fact that I'm taking my 4th year of it and am going to Italy in a few months for the second time. So reading about Venice just brought back so many memories for me <3 The romance, along with the amazing plot, is what made this book for me. Falco is my new book boyfriend! And I saw that you love the name Luca. That's actually the name of my Italian teacher's son! He is such a heartbreaker, I'm telling you. If he weren't seven.... lmfao

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  4. I am so glad you loved this one! It was one of my favorites this year. I agree that the author did a remarkable job portraying the society and I ADORE Falco. I don't hate Luca either. I just prefer me a sexy artist. ;) Excellent review! :)

    ~Sara @ Forever 17 Books

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  5. I've never been a huge historical fiction reader, but I think that this sounds like a great one. Plus you loved it!! So I'm going to have to find some time to read it. Great review :D

    Oh, and love the new blog design ;)

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Heyo! Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment! I love to hear from my awesome-sauce blog readers. You just made my day! I try to reply to every comment I get so if you have a question check back later! Or just link me up to your blog (if you have one) and I'll visit you! Have a Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious day! <333 Inky

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