Venom Readalong Week 1!

 

Hi! This post is for the Venom Readalong that I signed up for (and hopefully you did too!). I've had an ARC of this book AND Belladonna, the sequel, since November, and have yet to read either book. Thank you, Annabelle and Nikki, for having this readalong; otherwise, Venom and Belladonna might sit on my stack of books for a long time.

 

SO! Here are my responses to the first set of questions!

 

What do you think of Falco so far? Do you trust him?

 

I'm still trying to get a feel for Falco. I definitely like him a lot, but I'm not sure how much I like his attitude towards Cass, and everything. It is so NOT like that time period. And this is great, but then, it's also anachronistic (same with Cass's behavior). I don't think I trust him (yet).

 

Thoughts on Siena?

 

She's so sweet! I would probably NEVER volunteer myself for what she tried to do for Cass, at the end of Chapter 8. She is very loyal, but somehow, there's something about her that I don't trust. But then, I rarely trust any characters at the beginning of the book.

 

If you were in Cass's place, would you sneak out and try to solve it or try your best to shake it off?

 

Me right now? In this time period? I would SO want to know. It is definitely in my nature to want to know what is going on and why things aren't the way they should be. But in that time period? Most likely I'd probably have some regard for the dead and things that are notmy business. Which is why I'm not a huge fan of Cass right now - her behavior is VERY anachronistic. I like it, but it just doesn't fit in this time period.

 

Do you have any suspects so far? Answer this ONLY if you haven't read the book!

 

I'd rather not guess. Could it be precious Mada? Or Siena? Or the man in the coat that Cass thinks is stalking her? I don't know, and I don't think I should yet. My guess is as good as what yours was when you read it! (if you have)

 

Is it stupid of Cass to trust Falco so much? Would you, in her place?

Whether in this time period, or the time period in the book, it IS stupid to trust Falco so much. A girl of that time would never run off with a boy of a lower class, no matter where it was or for how long. I might have, if I were in her place, but only if I were armed a little more, and was sure that I could escape and take care of myself. Most likely, girls of that time period did not know how to do either of those things, if placed in that situation.

 Do you think Cass' Aunt Agnese is smothering her?

 

I think Agnese is doing what any mother-like figure what do during the Renaissance (or any time period). Agnese wants Cass to be a proper lady, and there is nothing wrong with that. Cass does not act the part (again, anachronistic), and this worries Agnese, with good reason. Cass is set to be engaged; she shouldn't be doing some of things she is doing, no matter how good-looking the boy.

Did anything seem off about the funeral to you?

 

The first thing that ran through my mind, after reading a few lines, was FAKE. The funeral seemed so blah. Mada's crying and dabbing seemed fake. Maybe Mada actually felt something for Liviana's death, but her act seemed overdone. And I didn't really feel the funeral setting. Even the priests' part seemed off to me.

Do you think that Cass is too accepting or not accepting enough of her position in society, or do you feel she is just accepting enough?

 

I think Cass wields her position in society when she wants to, but then doesn't want to claim it at other times. She wants to have the benefits of being an upperclass citizen, but then, she wants to run about and be free of her "cage". Perhaps she is too confused as to what she wants at the moment.

Have you noticed any foreshadowing? If so, what? (You don't have to be right, just say what you think!)

 

Well, it seems as if Cass will have her time coming soon, according to the note. Also, it seems as if someone is performing experiments on humans and other once-living creatures. Perhaps Liviana was taken for experimentation. Perhaps Cass or Falco or Siena or Mada will be taken, and then will need to rescued. Also, Cass harbors somewhat ill feelings towards Luca. Perhaps her disdain for him will fade once she meets him in person, after three years.

 

What do you think about Cass' childhood so far from what we've heard?

 

I sympathize, because her parents are dead. No matter what era, it is awful to grow up without parents. It seems even worse when society expects so much from an upperclass citizen and the parents are not there to help. I also feel bad for Cass because her marriage was already arranged, as was typical of the time. Her life seems planned for her; but unlike most girls of the Renaissance, she is unwilling to accept this.

 

 

I am intrigued by this book. I didn't read past the end of Chapter 8 because I want to follow the reading schedule and not get ahead and confuse questions, but I cannot wait to see how this book starts to form, and to read the end!