Venom & Vanilla

The Venom Trilogy, Book 1

By: Shannon Mayer

Narrated by: Saskia Maarleveld

Successful Seattle baker Alena Budrene doesn't want to die. But when she's infected with a lethal virus spread by supernatural beings, her only chance for recovery is to make a deal with the devil - or in this case, a warlock.

Though he saves her life, it looks nothing like the life she once knew - and neither does she. Alena is a new breed of "Supe" no one has ever seen before. Even the supernatural police don't know what she is. Now exiled to the northern side of the Wall, which marks the divide between humans and Supes, Alena is thrust into a dark and magical new world.

But just as she begins to adjust to all things supernatural, she realizes that her transformation is the least of her worries - and it was no accident. She was chosen...to be killed by a Greek hero trying to make a name for himself once more.

Alena was brought up to be subservient, preferring creating to fighting, and vanilla and honey to blood. But that was then. Now, to survive, she must stand up for herself - and this time she's got fangs. But will she be ready to use them?

©2016 Shannon Mayer (P)2016 Brilliance Audio, all rights reserved

Too annoying

I tried and I just can't keep going with this book. I bought this because I have previously enjoyed Shannon Mayers' other books but this was terrible. The heroine was clichéd stereotype with the vocabulary of either a five year old or an obnoxious kindergarten teacher. Super Duper? Really? The other characters were not much better. It's a pity because the basic premise is good.

Just couldn't finish

One of my favorite narrators and I've enjoyed this authors past books, however, I couldn't finish this one. I found the story slow and a little silly.

super duper

I couldn't get past the use of super duper. The main character didn't seem realistic.

Different

Was definately different. Didn't see the introduction of the Greek Gods coming. The main character was so insecure it was sickening. Especially when her husband threw her away when he needed her most. After becoming such a strong & beautiful woman she still struggled w/insecurities. It was a buzz kill! Hopefully things become more interesting w/the next novel in the trilogy. It definately was not as good as the Nix series.

Not perfect but I'm interested

So I picked up this book because, "hey it’s a female author writing urban fantasy and not paranormal romance", lets give it a shot and I wasn’t terrible disappointed. Yes I know I picked up a book expecting to be disappointed, again if you’ve read the number of paranormal romance I have over the last three years you’d be cautious of anything even vaguely resembling it too. But on to the review.

The good: first there is a decent amount of world building. Also despite there being vampires, they’re not the sparkle how tragic is my sunless life sort. Rather they’re the ‘we are the top of the food chain how awesome is this’ type which I much prefer. There’s a strong supporting caste that is begging to be fleshed and by every indicator will be. The heroine isn’t whiny or overly emotional which is nice; instead she IS actually smart, strong and determined instead of just being called that. In addition the monsters in use outside of the standard werewolf and vampire because we can’t have a single series without them, are the lesser known creatures which is nice. Plus let’s not forget the pacing is solid, I was never once bored or wishing they’d just get on with the plot. Over all this is a very strong opening book to a new series.

Of course no books perfect and I got a few bones to pick with this one.
Bone 1: can we stop beating the ‘religion is judgmental, out of touch and oppresses women’ horse, its dead people, it is so dead we’ve made nails out of its shoes, combs from its hair and a nice set of leather jackets from its hide. Can we please move on? Mean it’s almost like religion never did anything good at all, ever, not once. It’s not edgy anymore, it’s lazy and quiet frankly, as someone that is still religious if not church going, irritating.

Bone 2: Okay I know I said the monsters are different, which is nice and it is; unfortunately they’re also Greek. Again can we lay the Greek pantheon and mythology to rest? I’m tired of hearing about them in every single book! Or even better let’s do a little research about the mythology and ask why is Mr. Rapes a lot, ruins people’s lives because he feels like Zeus a good guy? Why is, I have a legitimate reason to be ticked Hera the bad guy? You know what, I don’t care can we just pick another mythology. We don’t even have to leave Europe to do so. There’s Celtic (beyond the nearly as overdone Fae), Norse, Christian (not the religion but the other stuff), and Slovic mythologies all in one continent. At this point it’s so uninventive and boring and nearly cringe worthy!

However those are the only two bones I have to pick, and are just general gripes. Ha! I got through a review without finding fault with much anything! Hallelujah! So yeah, if you want a decent, not a great or revolutionary, but a decent, fun, urban fantasy that is on the fringe of paranormal romance pick this one up; it’s actually worth the credit.

PS. Now just to find the money to buy book two.

Great book!

Another story by Shannon Mayer that I love. She brings to life such amazing characters. Elena gets sick and is dying and her husband decides to be. a jerk. I love how Elena keeps getting stronger throughout this book. I can't wait dor Roger to get what he deserves. Renmo is very intriguing and can't wait to see where their relationship may go.

Saskia Maarleveld is a great narrator. She did a great job with everyone's voices. I really enjoyed listening to her.

New Modern Fantasy

It is rare to find a fantasy novel so well integrated with modern culture. I greatly enjoyed this novel and look forward to the sequel. I purchased both the kindle and audiobook and switched back and forth seamlessly depending on whether I was alone or not at the time. The heroine Alena is a fascinating well rounded character, with strengths and flaws that give her a feeling of realism.

I actually liked this story more than I expected.

I got it as a freebie through Kindle and audible as part of my prime subscription. I probably wouldn't have given it the time of day otherwise.

Good things: Most of the major characters are decent and the story while carrying some cliches wasn't overboard. The world while it is based on Earth, it's just different enough to stay interesting. Her main character is probably one of my favorite female leads in a story.

Bad things: Remo, it's the most cliche vampire, Badboy, love interest the author could have drafted for this story.
This story isn't meant to stand on its own and it shows. You feel obligated to read the sequel, not because you're excited for it, but because the story can't possibly be finished without one.

interesting story

the story itself is good, but the main character is immature. She had one relationship in her whole life that was so far out of her normal life is like a form of rebellion. Now her next love interest is a bad boy that wants to own her, had hundreds of women and is used to getting what he wants, more so after what her blood does regardless that everyone tells her not to get involved. It's interesting that he shows kindness to get what he wants it would negate what people told her, guess it helps that she lusts after his physical appearance that readers would say they have great chemistry. did he have good chemistry with all the other girls he wooed

Unusual not really sure I enjoyed it

It was a Unusual story line which usually I really look for in a book, but not to sure I actually liked it. I have read this author before and so will give book 2 a try before I give a final decision on this series