Devri Walls

4.5

Book source ~ Tour

Rune Jenkins and Grey Malteer have crossed over into Eon, a parallel world where all the things fantasy are actually real. They’ve been recruited by the Council because they are Venators, and Tate, a Venshii, is the one who retrieved them. Rune’s twin Ryker has also crossed over, but he’s in the hands of Zio. The Council hates Zio and that hate is mutual. But is one side really good and the other bad? Or is this world just totally fucked up? I’m forming an show more opinion, but won’t share yet.

Rune and Grey are knee-deep in secrets and politics of a world they have no idea how to navigate. It is nothing, I mean, nothing like Earth. Well, ok, the sneaky politics are the same, but think about if you could add magic and powers and otherworldly beings to our world and then you have an inkling of what Eon is like. Rune and Grey keep thinking they are back in Kansas (metaphorically) and this leads to serious trouble for them.

Ryker is another story. Man, I don’t know that this guy is going to be salvageable after staying with and believing everything Zio says.

When Grey’s dumb ass goes running into enemy territory and becomes the captive of Feena the Fae Queen, well, I can’t say I felt sorry for him. Rune also has me wanting to slap her around because seriously? How stupid do you have to be?

This book is at times frustrating and at others intriguing. I get that the characters are YA and in over their heads AND not by their own choice. But they are supposed to be smart. Not to say smart people don’t do dumb things, but after nearly dying in book 1, you’d think book 2 would see some epiphany billboards being lit up. However, the frustration is rewarded by character growth during the course of this book, so I’ll allow it. Every other character is fabulous. Every single one has an agenda and I don’t know what they are yet. I’m fully invested in finding out how all these pieces are going to fit together. Also? Beltran is perhaps my favorite character so far.

I will end this review with one thing that bugged the shit out of me. There is a moment, when Grey is off doing his stupid thing, that he leaves his boots by a river. Verida and Rune see those boots later. That’s how they know he did the stupid thing. But for the rest of the book, Grey suddenly has his boots on. This is the kind of thing I notice and it drives me nuts. Other than that, I recommend this book. It has danger, action, sexual attraction, magic, and intrigue. Layer upon layer of intrigue. Bring on the next book! show less

Venator is my first encounter with Devri Walls, but given how much I enjoyed it, I’m sure it won’t be the last. Her writing style is fluid, without many embellishments, which helps with the fast-paced action of the story. I found the difference between the two realms exciting.

The story starts in the human world with relatable situations such as family problems, frat parties, and getting drunk. The world as we know it disappears once we get to Eon, another realm, a different reality where show more every mythological creature you could imagine is real and hints towards a rather medieval setting. We encounter shifters, succubi, incubi, vampires, goblins, and even a fire breathing dragon. The intricate storytelling, characters, and the world-building reminded me of Kingdom of Exiles, by Maxym Martineau, which I reviewed last year. However, the action and fight scenes surpassed anything I have ever read before, both in intensity and creativity.

Character-wise, I connected with both main characters, Grey and Rune, and loved to watch them come into their powers. They are like different sides of a coin. It’s hinted that Grey is an abuse survivor, broken inside but puts up a brave front. He’s trained hard for years, he physically strong but hides under baggy clothes and doesn’t open up to anyone. Rune, on the other side, seems to have it all, but deep down, she crumbles under her family’s expectations and the perfectionism forced upon her by her mother. Her allegiance to her twin brother, Ryker, who acts like a jerk all the time, is hard to relate to.

They are venators (the Latin word for hunter – for once I was happy I studied Latin in school), genetically enhanced humans who hunt the supernatural being. The Venator markings, intricate tattoos are dormant until they come in proximity of a supernatural creature. That’s when they activate and start glowing red and green from underneath the skin.

Besides the venators, I loved the supporting characters Veridia and Tate, and last but not least, Beltran, the shapeshifter with a trickster mindset, and I’m confident a hidden agenda.

Devri Walls lightens the mood with bits of humor and even sarcasm, especially when describing the characters.

“Rune faced down life with all the reserve of an attacking polar bear.”

“So, how are you doing?”
“I’m sitting on the outskirts of a black faery forest that’s filled with little demons. I’m great. Thank you for asking.”

Verida is an enchanting character, smart, sassy, and cunning. I noticed a certain similarity with Pam, the vampire from The Southern Vampires Mysteries by Charlaine Harris.
Before introducing Rune and Grey to the council, Verida shows them pictures of the council members, so they’ll know who’s who.

“The next image was so stereotypical it was almost comical.
“It’s Merlin!” Rune said.
“Merlin’s son, actually,” Verida said.
Rune’s jaw fell open. “I was kidding.”
She shrugged. “I wasn’t.

Perhaps that matter-of-factly tone is why I thought of Pam.
Read the whole review here: https://www.summonfantasy.com/book-reviews/venators-by-devri-walls-book-review show less

I started this book later than I should, but it came at the right moment. Devri Walls creates a perfect place for us readers. It's the kind of book you go to in order to escape reality. I've had enormous fun reading it. The writing style is easy to follow with the exact amount of everything you need. It keeps you connected, keeps you right in the middle of the action. Oh, you might have to dodge a storm or two, and maybe some fire balls and tree branches... all magic induced.

The story show more brings together wizards, hunters and common people, all believing they are doing right for their island Eriroc. After losing his mother and sister in a terrible storm that changed to worse the life in the land, Tybold is raised by a strange man who later sends him to live at the castle, where he learns how to be a hunter. He learned how to fight, resist against magic and bring in front of the king the wizards who have brought so much disaster to his city. The story takes a different turn, once he finds out he is of royal blood and has the power to take the throne and do well by the poor and hungry people in Eriroc. Go on and find out who stands by his side and who his true enemies are.

From characters perspective, all are well developed and all have a purpose in the story. Tybold is a fighter with a good heart, he is kind to the poor and brings them food and some comfort when needed. He is willing to sacrifice his well-being for that of the villagers, so when the opportunity to become king appears, he decides to take the risk, being fueled not by the desire for power or revenge, but by wanting to bring back the land's prosperity and peace. Auriella is seen as the Ice Qeen. A strong hunter, with a kindness not seen by anyone. Her desire not to let her guard down is only defeated by her affection for Tybold. The wizards and thieves that are also present in the story are also very well built and for that I cannot ignore the author's attention to details.

A lot of themes are also quite visible. Most evident is family. The link between father and son, father and daughter, cannot be broken, regardless of distance or words. Love, under all forms, is also present.

All in all, this is a complex story, with action, action and some more action. As I mentioned in the beginning of my review, this is your kind of escape book. With magic at every page, with affection and kindness. I loved it; all my five stars go to "The Wizard's Heir" and Devri Walls. An author who I will for sure follow. ENJOY! show less

Book source ~ Tour

The Council’s Venators Rune & Grey, the shapeshifter Beltran, and Council member and vampire Verida set off to rescue their Venshii friend Tate from the dreaded Games. While they cross the land to the Underground several factions are making their move as well. Rune’s twin Ryker, also a Venator, is in the hands of the Council’s enemy, the sorceress Zio and he doesn’t mind at all. Secrets are rampant and war is coming. Who will survive to rule Eon?

In order to post for show more the tour I’m writing this review while only having completed 68% of the book. Real life has just been getting in the way of my reading. Being an adult just sucks. I will update when I finish. However, in the meantime…

Here’s what I know: Grey is really getting the bad end of the stick in this book. Yikes! Rune is being a whiny-assed beyotch that I just want to smack around a bit to knock some sense into her. Plus, I’d enjoy it. Beltran can be quite annoying, but at least he’s also being helpful. Verida is just plain annoying. I hate Ryker. I mean, seriously, actually, loathe him. He is not redeemable in my eyes. Slit his throat and move on. Zio is a mystery. I am jonesing for her back story, but at this point I’ve only been teased with it. Arwin, the wizard, is probably my favorite character. I hope he kicks some serious ass in the last portion of the book. I dislike the vampire Dmitri, the werewolf Silen, the incubus Shax, and the succubus Tashara is kinda pathetic really. I hope she does some good work later. I have not yet seen the Fae Ambrose and the Elf Omri only had a small part before running off to take care of an emergency in his kingdom, so I hope to see more soon. Feena the Fae Queen is pretty much dead. I think? Her son Keir is King, but I don’t think he’s nearly as sneaky nor as smart as she is/was.

There are a LOT of underground and behind the back machinations going on and it’s hard to keep up with them. I just find this part a bit wearing. It seems like everyone except the Venators have two, three, or more faces and it’s exhausting.

The world is vastly interesting and built fairly well, the characters are in-depth and not cardboard caricatures, and while the plot is convoluted it is moving the story forward. I look forward to rounding third base and sliding into home soon with this one.

Update: I finally managed some time to finish this book. The only thing I need to add is…that ending!! Holy shit! I’m looking forward to book 4 because I have a feeling it’s going to be a doozy. show less