Fiona Paul

In Renaissance Venice, orphaned Cassandra Caravello is one of the elite but feels trapped in the city of water until she stumbles upon a murdered woman and is drawn into a dangerous world of courtesans, grave robbers and secret societies, guided by Falco, a mysterious and alluring artist.

Venom

Cindy Lee

You can also read this review here.

So I finished this book quite a while ago and never found the time to write a review.. <-- Me being lazy..

Anyways, Venom was a very entertaining book that kept you on your toes at all times. So for me, it took me a while to actually get into the book. Maybe skip the first 3 or 4 chapters. After that, I started to get sucked into the story.

Renaissance Venice is a very interesting setting. I just love Venice, okay? Add that with some Italian phrases like Mi dispiace (I'm sorry) made the setting all the more believable. I could tell the author did some research on Renaissance Venice. Me loving the setting just because of Assassin's Creed II <-- Me being a nerdy gamer girl

And Falco <3 He was just oh so charming. And thank goodness it wasn't insta-love!!! They were actually just acquaintances at first. I just love Falco, okay?

The mystery of finding the murderer was actually very entertaining. Solving pieces of puzzle at one time. At the end, the murderer actually showed himself to Cassandra (in what way, that I'm not going to tell you). So I don't know if all their research and stuff was made useful at all :s

Overall, Venom is a spectacular book that will keep you on your toes.. and once you're done, it leaves you wanting more :)

Gorgeous frocks, murder, illicit romance...This series has it all. Ages: 12+ Beauty, romance, murder...A novel as stunning and seductive as Renaissance Venice itself. Cassandra Caravello is part of Venice's wealthy elite. Her world is one of fabulous gowns, society parties and privilege, yet she longs for something more. While her fiance is away studying in Paris, she has a chance meeting with an artist called Falco. He is attractive, audacious...and highly unsuitable. When Cass stumbles upon the body of a murdered woman - with a bloody X carved across her heart - she's drawn into a dangerous world of secret societies, courtesans and killers. Falco is quick to offer his assistance, but then another body is found and Cass starts receiving death threats...Is Falco more involved than she imagined? And will she be able to stay true to her fiance, or succumb to her uncontrollable feelings for someone she's not even sure she can trust? Ages: 12+

Justine Rose

What was once a five star is now a three for me, which I’m sad about but not overly surprised. Things I used to love and now don’t understand why: the romance, Cass’ character, the writing. The only thing that felt like it held up to my memory and taste was the Venetian setting. Honestly it probably would have gotten 2 stars because it was such a slog to get through (and the “I’m not like other girls” trope was too rampant for me), but surprisingly, the entry of Luca to the story made it pick up the pace, when I never used to care about him. 

Basically what I’m saying is maybe don’t read this in or after 2021 unless you have a strong nostalgia for the story to get through it like I did.

In Renaissance Venice, orphaned Cassandra Caravello is one of the elite but feels trapped until she stumbles upon a murdered woman and is drawn into a world of courtesans, grave robbers, and secret societies, guided by Falco.

Venom

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