Rick Riordan Presents: A Drop of Venom

By: Sajni Patel

Narrated by: Soneela Nankani

All monsters and heroes have beginnings. This is mine.

Sixteen-year-old Manisha is no stranger to monsters—she’s been running from them for years, from beasts who roam the jungle to the King’s army, who forced her people, the naga, to scatter to the ends of the earth. You might think that the kingdom’s famed holy temples atop the floating mountains, where Manisha is now a priestess, would be safe—but you would be wrong.

Seventeen-year-old Pratyush is a famed slayer of monsters, one of the King’s most prized warriors and a frequent visitor to the floating temples. For every monster the slayer kills, years are added to his life. You might think such a powerful warrior could do whatever he wants, but true power lies with the King. Tired after years of fighting, Pratyush wants nothing more than a peaceful, respectable life.

When Pratyush and Manisha meet, each sees in the other the possibility to chart a new path. Unfortunately, the kingdom’s powerful have other plans. A temple visitor sexually assaults Manisha and pushes her off the mountain into a pit of vipers. A month later, the King sends Pratyush off to kill one last monster (a powerful nagin who has been turning men to stone) before he’ll consider granting the slayer his freedom.

Except Manisha doesn’t die, despite the hundreds of snake bites covering her body and the venom running through her veins. She rises from the pit more powerful than ever before, with heightened senses, armor-like skin, and blood that can turn people to stone. And Pratyush doesn’t know it, but the “monster” he’s been sent to kill is none other than the girl he wants to marry.

Alternating between Manisha’s and Pratyush’s perspectives, Sajni Patel weaves together lush language, high stakes, and thrilling suspense, demanding an answer to the question “What does it truly mean to be a monster?”

©2024 Sajni Patel (P)2024 Disney Hyperion

A Drop of Venom

Such a great listen!! A unique new story and exciting new adventure for all mythology lovers

I really loved the story

Our character found strength and comfort after life altering obstacles. I am new to fiction genres but the context is relatable for real life. Thank you

Great Story but warnings with hard themes

This was a wonderful story but hard subject matters with lots of truth.

****spoiler of sorts*****

The are subject matters of rape and the aftermath of it. Please take caution.

The characters are good and a wide variety. I wish the culture was brought up more, since India has a rich culture and tons of history. However it is subtle through the book, but if you don't know much about India you will miss a lot of these references.
The two leads are well developed and are growing. I hope there will be a 2nd book because it did leave a lot out there with little to no conclusion.

Worth a read/listen, but keep the warning too, it is hard at parts.

Powerful New Beginning

This was a fun, inventive new look at a classically powerful story!! It was very easy to get lost this book. I enjoyed these characters. I love a powerful tale about a powerful woman coming into her own. I’m sucked in for the next book.