Sweet Venom

This was such a fun read. It's certainly a new take on the Medusa story (no turning people to stone here or slithering tresses). I am such a sucker for myth retellings, and this one did not disappoint.

I LOVED the characters. Well, most of them. For some reason, the surly Gretchen was my favorite. She was fiesty, independent, and always kicking monster butt. While she came across all touch and stone cold, she had a soft spot too. That made her even more likable. Then there was Nick, the boy who shows up at her school and won’t stop hitting on her. She resists (reluctantly) but he is one persistent fella. I really liked Nick. He was a nice touch of comedic relief to Gretchen’s Gorgon-ish side.

The other sisters really didn’t do much show more for me. You get a sense of their unique personalities, but they aren’t that likeable. Grace is a geek (in a good way). She’s a major techie, which is a nice touch since so many girls aren’t thought of that way (in books and real life). I liked her well enough; but, she wasn’t my favorite. I did like her “real” feel—even for a girl that is a descendant of Medusa. She has self-esteem issues, gets tongue-tied around a super cute boy, and can’t find the confidence to stand up to the school bully. Well, that last part isn’t 100% true. She does find some courage to take a small stand. Baby steps… As for Greer, eh. She comes across as a social climbing, stuck up snot. I would, however, like to have her EBT card and shoe collection. She’s definitely a fashionista.

You don’t meet Greer until much later in the book, which is why I don’t think I cared for her as much. I didn’t have enough time to connect with her character. I suspect she will have a MUCH larger part in Sweet Shadows since she has one of the most important Gorgon gifts of all (or so I think). As for other characters I hope to see more of in Sweet Shadows: Nick and Thane. I KNOW these boys are HUGE in this storyline, I’m just not sure what their roles are yet. I have a sneaky feeling that one is representing evil and the other the goodness factor. I have my suspicions as to which one is on which side too, but I won’t share. I do hope I’m wrong. I loved both of these guys. I also hope there is more romance between Milo and Grace. Their chemistry was so well written and subtle. It was a refreshing side story.

Overall, I really liked this book. It was different from what I expected it to be, but in a good way. I was expecting some sort of Paranormal Romance like The Goddess Test. (I was wrong.) Sweet Venom is definitely more about kick butt girls out to save the world, with a smidgen of school girl crushes thrown in. If you like myth retellings, you should check this one out. show less

Sweet Medusa's stony stare! This was full of awesome!! I took my time reading this one savoring every bit of mythology and loving every little bit of discovery the girls came across, first Gretchen and Grace, then all three with Greer added! I have to say, and I know you aren't going to like me for this I loved Greer! This was a girl that was not going to let seeing monsters get in the way of her social obligations! "This monster fighting gig cannot...interfere with my social schedule."(p.338) Then later she admits "I'm joking." but she is serious. I just love that she fights a monster in Jimmy Choos and Kate Spade!

But seriously could any three girls be more different and yet have such a common goal and common powers and destinies? I show more totally loved everything about this book. The boys with names like Thane and Milo and the irreprssible Nick. I have a feeling there will be some mixing and matching going on and that Thane will somehow meet Greer. I just can't tell which boy is on who's side. Somebody has to be working for the other side. This story is full of holes and not in a bad way, just lots of questions for the next book. And I seriously am having withdrawal for the next one which seems like light years away. I don't think I've ever been left on such a huge cliff hanger. Who did that to them? And I loved that place! It was so cool, but obviously compromised.

So I've rambled enough, just to say, Sweet Venom is the beginning of a series worthy of the gods! You know how jealous they are so they'll all be clamoring for their own story, but this one belongs to one particular goddess I believe. And I love how Tera Lyn Childs has set this one up. It's got everything I love about YA. Mystery, mythology, danger, characters that wouldn't be together thrown together by circumstance and a little romance. I love it! And poor Medusa, misunderstood all these years!

I highly recommend this for all teens! Unless you're squeamish about killing monsters. show less

I got an ARC of this book through the Amazon Vine program. I was excited to read this because I love books based around mythology. This was a very creative and well done book. I enjoyed the premise of Medusa having descendents that are supposed to be Guardians of the human race. This book is the first of a planned trilogy, the seond book (Sweet Shadows) is scheduled for a 2012 release.

Gretchen has known from a young age that she is a Guardian. She uses her powers as Medusa's descendant to fight the evil creatures that cross over into San Francisco. Grace has moved to San Francisco in hopes of a new start; but when she starts seeing monsters roam the streets and meets Gretchen she isn't sure what to think. Greer has is all put together show more and has hopes of presidency in her future; but when Grace and Gretchen show up on her doorstep claiming to be her sisters her world starts to fall apart. Can these three sisters save humanity from the monsters that hunt them?

I really enjoyed this book, it was a lot of fun. I was a bit worried that switching between the three sisters' points of view would be distracting, but it wasn't...the story flowed beautifully and I enjoyed how each sister had such a unique voice to add to the story.

This is a world very similar to other YA paranormal worlds I've read about but with more rules and restrictions. There can only be one bad monster out at a time and it is up to the girls to send the monster back home. They are supposed to keep balance and prevent San Francisco from falling into chaos.

Each of the sisters has some admirable traits and some quirks. They all come off as being very human and are very easy to relate to. They also all have love interests: Gretchen's love interest is the most interesting, this boy Nick that keeps following Gretchen around has some interesting predictive powers that I can't wait to learn more about.

The majority of the book deals with Grace discovering monsters and then learning how to cope, so most of the story is from Grace's point of view. A good portion of the story is also told from Gretchen's POV; there are some awesome action scenes in Gretchen's parts. Greer doesn't join the story until much later in the book.

The book was an easy and fun read, I enjoyed the premise and some of the creative elements to the monster hunting. I loved how the story was tied in with Greek mythology. There are a number of tantalizing mysteries that are left unsolved at the end of this book; this book mainly served to set up the world and introduce the characters.

Overall a great book and a fun read. Those who enjoyed The Demon Trapper's Daughter, Every Other Day, or Buffy the Vampire Slayer should enjoy this story; basically this is a paranormal story with a monster hunting bent to it. The characters are likable, the story engaging, and there are some creative elements to the world Childs has created here. I enjoyed how mythology tied into the main premise of the story and am absolutely dying to know what happens next. I can't wait to read Sweet Shadows when it comes out in 2012. show less

Ooooh WHY did I wait so long to read this book??? Right from the beginning, I knew I was going to LOVE Sweet Venom!

Gretchen is a complete butt kicking, rock your face off kind of chick- from her Kevlar wrist cuffs to her military grade daggers, and she's ready to take down whatever beasties get in her way!

Grace, having just moved from Orangevale, Nowhere to Alpha High School in San Francisco and is sure that this is her big chance at a brand new start... Then her older brother brings home a very swoon-worthy Milo after their first day of school. They all decide to go for dinner, and while at the restaurant a man walks in- but he has the head of a BULL! And no one else sees it but her!!!

Greer, is well... Fairly snobby and stuck up! But show more totally and completely likable in her own way! I loved her just as much as Gretchen and Grace!

Come to find out, these three girls are the descendants of none other the Medusa herself! And TRIPLETS to top it all off! I love how they find each other, and completely compliment the others with their emerging abilities! Seriously, I was completely in love with each of these girl's characters... Not to mention Nick and Milo... *swoon* and truth be told... I totally had a thing for Thane (Grace's *adopted* brother) who I HOPE plays a huge part in the rest of the books... Maybe for Greer??

While, I LOVED the whole twist on Medusa as the misunderstood- 'feel sorry for me', I'm really the good guy and Athena is "so horrible"... *ahem* Being that I LOOOVE Greek mythology hardcore- and Athena has ALWAYS been my favorite goddess of all of them. I chose to ignore the Athena bashing, and enjoy the story! :) Because it was AMAZING!

(and just to point out there are several versions of the myth to WHY Athena turned Medusa in the monster she is... Not just the one that painted Athena as evil and malicious beyond compare in this book!)

Sweet Venom is NOT to be missed, completely action packed, amazing, fabulous and I absolutely LOVED, LOVED, LOVED it! show less

Gretchen is a teenager torn between two worlds. While trying to keep up with school, she hunts monstrous creatures from the underworld at night. Meanwhile, Grace is new to San Francisco and her elite school. Then one night she sees a minotaur right out of Greek mythology, making her question her sanity. But the next time she sees a monster, Grace is confronted with a girl that looks exactly like her. Greer is living the high life with money, popularity, and a wannabe-surfer boyfriend. But when two girls that look just like her arrive on her doorstep claiming that they are triplets descended from a Greek myth with a destiny as hunters, Greer will have to reevaluate her priorities in life.

With a creative twist on Greek mythology, Childs show more has created a world where Medusa was misunderstood and cursed by a jealous Athena. Now, her teen descendents must join forces and become huntresses and fulfill a mysterious destiny. The three sisters could not be more different. Gretchen is jaded, standoffish and wholly embraces her huntress lifestyle. Grace is quiet, geeky and a bit of a pushover. And, at least on the surface, Greer is the typical spoiled, rich girl. Childs' characters are incredibly vivid and complex.

First in a new series, Sweet Venom had me hooked from the start with great characters and plenty of fast-paced suspense, mystery and action. It's highly entertaining and captivating. The Greek myth aspect of the story certainly adds a fun spin to this promising new series for young adults. With surprising revelations and a major cliffhanger, readers will be left wanting more. I, for one, can't wait for the sequel. show less

Medusa, you had kids??

That was my first reaction to hearing that Gretchen, Grace, and Greer were descendants of Medusa.
And the answer to that question was: yes, yes she did. And her kids had kids, and their kids had kids, and so on until we reach Grace, Gretchen, and Greer's generation.

In Sweet Venom, Tera Lynn Childs plays with the Medusa myth and expertly creates a story where these three kick-ass sisters kick the monsters' behinds like they were meant to be doing it. Funny, touching, and action-packed, Sweet Venom is a unique novel that opens us up to more Greek myths.

The badass, the good girl, and the princess.

Gretchen, Grace, and Greer all have different personalities and live different lives.
Gretchen, for example, had been show more fighting monsters ever since Ursula took her in when she was twelve. She's known about her destiny and who she is longer than Grace and Greer has.
Gretchen knows how to take these monsters down and she does it like a pro.
But Gretchen's life hasn't been easy and she's struggled constantly, which makes her a tough cookie and a hard nut to crack.
I loved reading from her POV the most, probably because she's the tough cookie and it's always nice to see what's going on in their head.

Grace is lovable, cute, and determined. If I had to pick which character I instantly connected with, it would be Grace.
All she wanted was a new start, to be braver and bolder. When she moves to San Francisco, that's what's she's hoping for. She didn't expect to meet her twin sister, let alone find out that they're triplets and descends of Medusa.
But when she does, she accepts what she has to do and is willing to train and learn. Family is her motivation. Grace understands how important it is now that the sisters have found each other and she will do everything to keep them together. Grace and Gretchen bond over training, and the more time they spend together, the more they grow to like each other.
Between the three, Grace is the one who will easily come to love her sisters.
And she has such an adorable crush on Milo.

My first impression of Greer was that she was a snob. Rich and popular, the whole "princess" attitude completed Greer's personality. She was the hardest to convince about her destiny and she's stubborn. This I expected. Characters like her are always the hardest to sway. But eventually, they give in.
What I like about Greer is that she struggles to come to terms with the truth and she becomes likable when she finally accepts it.
Though I have to say that because Greer came later into the novel, I didn't get to know her as much as I knew Grace and Gretchen. But I was on a need-to-know basis and Greer's personality was the easiest to recognize.

Sister power!

If there's one big theme of this book, besides mythology, it would be the love between sisters.
I'm a sucker for books like that.

In Sweet Venom, there's a whole lot of sister love, especially towards the end. I think that it's powerful to show the relationship between sisters than focus on romance between couples. While there are very adorable, crushable guys in this novel, I'm glad to have taken a break from all the romance and focus on the story and the relationship between these sisters.
I love how the girls realize that they need each other and I think it's funny how all three of them go an epiphany at the same time. I loved reading how they worked things out and decided to be together.

Sister power, man. There's nothing better than that.

This was sweet.

Sweeeeeet. Totalllyy.

Sweet Venom was a brilliantly thought of take on mythology and Tera Lynn Child's characters were lovable and realistic. With detailed action scenes that'll get the reader pumped up, this book will catch the attention of it's readers.

I don't know how many times I'm going to say this, but I loved the Medusa myth factor in this novel. And the mythological Greek creatures included in this novel were creepy and accurate.
It's just brilliant.

I can't wait for Sweet Shadows! show less

This book was super cute and entertaining! I had never read anything by Tera Lynn Childs before, but had read good things about her mermaid books. When I was offered an ARC of Sweet Venom, I pounced on it.

First, I loved the plot of this novel. Triplets, separated at birth, who are descended from the gorgon Medusa. It's their job to protect the world from the monsters and other beasties who managed to escape their own realm and pop into ours. Gretchen is very accustomed to the monster killing routine. She's been saving the world, one monster killing at a time, for over 4 years. Grace and Greer are a whole other story. They know nothing of their heritage or a world where monsters can make a cameo at any moment. When the world of the three show more sisters collide, both hysterics and monster ass-kickings ensue.

I love mythology and a lot of YA is currently employing mythological references in their plots. I love how Childs re-wrote the mythology we know and tailored it to fit her novel. Mythology is YA is definitely my favorite trend right now.

I also loved that this novel was super quick to read because you just couldn't put it down. I had to know what was waiting around each plot twist. I also really enjoyed the light quality this novel has. The plot of Sweet Venom could have been very dark, but it was almost upbeat. There was the right mix of mystery, action, peril-inducing situations, without angst and a lot of the darkness that generally surrounds this kind of tale.

And then there's the triplets themselves. Love, love, love Gretchen, Grace, and Greer! They were all so different with really unique voices and unique lives. I was totally engaged by them. I love that they were very human despite not being totally human. The 3 Gs are great characters.

I really enjoyed this book. I cannot wait for the sequel! show less