BOOK CLUB: Of Venom and Vengeance

Of Venom and Vengeance is Mikayla Bridge’s second novel, set in the same world as her debut, Of Flame and Fury. Although linked to that first novel – an overarching story is slowly emerging – it stands alone.

It’s a young adult fantasy, or romantasy if you prefer. Like many of the best young adult novels, it will also appeal strongly to many adult readers. I enjoyed it immensely, although it took me a few pages to adjust to the fact that it follows different characters than the first novel did.

Inna Pallo is the unwilling heir to her family’s criminal empire. The most important thing in her life is finding out who murdered her older sister, the original heir. Inna feels that she’s constantly failing as she tries to step into her sister’s shoes.

Rylan Flint, meanwhile, wants to kill all members of the Pallo family. He holds them responsible for the massacre that left him the only survivor of his family. The best way he can think of doing that is to break into the Pallo vault and steal information that will help him find the mythical Serpent King. He’s sure the King exists, and can help him find his revenge.

Inna doesn’t know what Rylan’s overall goal is, but she joins his quest to find the Serpent King. The King is looking to be the best way to find out who murdered her sister.

This novel rests largely on the quest for the Serpent King, but there’s a lot more woven into it. The two young people have a lot to discover about the different magics each wields, about their families, and about each other.

As an adventure story, this is well plotted and fast-moving. A few story beats will feel familiar, but that’s largely because the structure of a quest is pretty familiar to us all. Within that structure, this is lively and fresh. Readers will often be holding their breath waiting to see what happens as different obstacles emerge for one or both of the young people.

The two also have a lot to discover about themselves. This process of growing up will probably be the weakest for adult readers; there are no great surprises here. Still, it feels very real and is emotionally believable. It also ties in well with the growing relationship between the two.

Inna in particular has a lot to figure out about her family, and although none of this was very new, it fitted the character and story well. The characters and relationships are vivid and real.

Readers of the first novel might be momentarily thrown by the way the novel takes on completely different characters and a seemingly unrelated storyline. In time it becomes clear that there are connections, though. I think there’s an underlying story emerging about the world and its forgotten past, and I’m curious about where Bridges is going with it.

My teenager tried to rip this out of my hands when she saw me reading it – she’d loved the first, and couldn’t wait to get her hands on this one. She found the first few pages not what she’d expected, but then loved it. She really cared about the characters, and the story and the action had her hooked.

In short, this is a really enjoyable young adult fantasy. It’s got a fast-moving plot, believable characters, and emotionally engaging relationships. The narrative is in a readable style which should appeal to both younger and older readers. If you’re a continuing reader, it develops the world considerably. But if you’re a new reader, the plot and characters stand alone.

A selection of our Beauty and Lace Club Members are reading Of Venom and Vengeance by Mikayla Bridge. You can read their comments below, or add your own review.