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Lady Venom Takes a Mistress

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From international bestselling author Kat Blackthorne comes a haunted and spooky twist on Medusa and Beauty and the Beast. For everyone who needs a sapphic story where the women are lethal and insatiable.

To be bid on was to be bought as a wife. To the winning bidder his prize, a maid, a servant, a child-bearer. That would be Poesy Laroche’s life, she realized, as she walked down the aisle to her future husband. He’d promised to break her into submission, and she knew his words were true.

In an act of desperation, she takes the reins of her fate and dives into the woods rife with terrors. The screams that come at night become only whispers of stories about the mysterious Lady Venom. Her manor is filled with snakes and horrors. And when Poesy gets lost within her maze, Lady Venom claims her as her own mistress, with no hope to escape.

Poesy is locked into a haunted estate where the flowers watch, the ghosts whisper while the snakes slither, and everyone knows the deadliest of them all is their Lady that rules them.

But there are secrets to uncover both within the eerie walls and in the riddles atop Lady’s Venom’s forked tongue as she incites more danger and pleasure than Poesy ever thought possible.

But will it be enough to keep Poesy from her fate? Or will the hidden truths prove more fateful than a serpent’s bite?

Lady Venom is a haunted, spooky, lesbian romance with lethal women and gothic magic. It’s a twist on both Medusa and Beauty and the Beast and features femme dom and captive tropes with off the charts spice. This story is set in The Halloween Boys universe with crossover of lore, but you do not need to read The Halloween Boys before enjoying Lady Venom Takes a Mistress. Please see authors site for content information.

124 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 7, 2023

170 people are currently reading
4527 people want to read

About the author

Kat Blackthorne

34 books1,081 followers
Kat Blackthorne is a bestselling author of haunting romance. She writes passion, characters, and worlds that linger past the last page. Her tales embrace cozy darkness with magical and spooky twists. Catnip for her is banter, begging, challenging norms, and beings who worship their women.

Kat lives somewhere deep in the mountains in a witch's cottage with her talking feline. She has a collection of quotes and character names a mile long, her favorite holiday is Halloween, and her favorite book is whatever she read last.

Join her spooky reader coven on Facebook: Kat Blackthorne and The Black Hearts Coven
Follow her on Tiktok where The Halloween Boys hashtags have over six million views: @katblackthorne
Find her on Instagram: @katblackthorneauthor

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5 stars
763 (29%)
4 stars
822 (31%)
3 stars
656 (25%)
2 stars
244 (9%)
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87 (3%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 581 reviews
Profile Image for Erica.
706 reviews847 followers
June 2, 2024
ok so my fav genre might actually be lesbians falling in love then killing men together
Profile Image for Celeste Raine.
247 reviews204 followers
October 21, 2025
Sapphic. Snakes. So many snakes in various shapes and sizes. An insertable snake. A vicious and delicious woman with rage and she kills men. Bellflower. The sentence: “oh, look at you taking it for me”. Honestly can’t ask for much more than that. Don’t even know what more you could want.
Profile Image for Sunny Groves.
423 reviews3 followers
September 21, 2023
I wanted to like this so much bc of why the author wrote it: "For all the girls like me who grew up needing to see the duality and fierce beauty within lesbian love." like that's so sweet and I'm obsessed with that idea and that's why I wanted to read it, but sadly it just fell flat in its execution.

pros:
-gay shit!!!!!
-hot, man-murdering villainess
-I support women's wrongs

cons:
-I know it's a novella but it's simply too short for how much stuff she tried to pack in there. the pacing was rushed as fuck. EVERYTHING needed to be fleshed out more, especially the developing relationship between Poesy and Lady Venom because it ended up reading as very wishy-washy, like one paragraph Poesy would be like "wow I love Lady Venom" and then five seconds later she'd be like "oh no I think I might be furious with her!" and five more seconds later she'd be over it. and it was like that over and over for 118 pages.
-the writing wasn't great, like it was digestible and comprehensible but lacked any sense of suspense or really anything special overall, and some details were inconsistent.
-epilogue was pointless, and so was the scene with Ezmeralda - both just ate up pages that could've been spent on the development of Lady Venom/Poesy's relationship
-the pet names were truly terrible
-

TLDR: it could've been good, but it just wasn't, and that's unfortunate. maybe I'm taking it too seriously for being an erotic novella, but it's labeled as a "gothic lesbian romance" so I just expected more.
Profile Image for Brianna.
88 reviews1 follower
October 12, 2023
jesus christ that was actually the worst 100 pages of my life. this is literally just the lesbian version of Neon Gods and if u know me you know how much i despise that book


i understand it’s a short story but the pace moves too fast and like why are they having sex after 24 hours??? 24 hours and lesbian bella swan over here is already “my lady, my dark, mysterious madam”

it sounds like someone wearing a fedora wrote this. way too much cringe but this is what i get for trying to listen to booktok
Profile Image for Christi (christireadsalot).
2,793 reviews1,430 followers
June 12, 2024
This was so delicious and I only wish it was longer (since it’s novella length)! This is a twist on Medusa and Beauty and the Beast, it’s sapphic, we have lethal women, a demoness, a human, a gothic castle, so many snakes. Stopppp, but also give me more. The audiobook was especially fantastic, it’s pretty much a graphic audio with sound effects and just an overall amazing delivery for the story.
Profile Image for Fey Flowers (enbytweenthepages).
292 reviews65 followers
December 1, 2023
Alabaster and Poesy have me under their spell and all I need is more... Why is it so short? I want to read 400 pages 😭
The characters, the plot and the setting are far too good for such a short novella and only whetted my appetite, I would love to enjoy it slower 🥺
Please give me more, Serpent Mommy 🥹
.
It was good to see Red - I hope she gets her own book 🌹
Profile Image for Romantically Inclined Reviews.
728 reviews2,853 followers
February 5, 2024
Loved the idea but the execution was lacking a bit. Wish it had been full length instead of a novella.

The names were a crime against humanity. Why Poesy?! Why not Posy or Posey? Alabaster? I'm not screaming that when I cum that's for sure.

Love all the destroying of men though.
Profile Image for Sapphic Reads.
228 reviews375 followers
July 6, 2025
This was my first Kat Blackthorne read, and I had a great time with it. At just 124 pages, it’s a very quick read, but it still manages to pack in a fun premise, intriguing characters, and some very spicy scenes that definitely turn up the heat.

I really enjoyed the dynamic between Posey and Lady Venom—there’s a sharp tension between them that’s both dangerous and compelling. The snakes and ghosts were a nice touch, adding some eerie flair and fleshing out the world in an unexpected way.

If anything, I kind of wish the story had taken its time a bit more. I would’ve loved a slower burn and a longer journey with these characters, just to really soak in the atmosphere. That said, if you're into fast-paced, extra-steamy paranormal reads with a bite (literally and figuratively), this one's worth picking up.
Profile Image for lauraღ.
2,342 reviews170 followers
October 15, 2023
“There’s no need to be afraid of me. I don’t bite.” 
“Yes, but do you poison and torment men?” 
“I don’t bite.”

3.5 stars. Ahem. This was a good, fun time! Shorter than I'd have liked and I could pinpoint a lot of areas where I wish there had been more description and more plot, because certain events were definitely rushed. But it was a sexy little novella that worked so well thematically and hit all the buttons it needed to. Poesy is auctioned off at her village's marriage mart, but her prospective husband is so horrible she runs away, right into the arms of the dangerous, venomous woman who lives in the woods. Pretty insta-lust, but I was expecting that because it's so short, and hey, I didn't mind. It's this great blend of paranormal and light horror that really appealed to me, especially with all the snakes and how they were connected to Lady Venom. She's the perfect mix of dark and dreamy. And look, if I were in Poesy's shoes, I'd have done everything she did. The writing was pretty; maybe a bit overwrought in a few places, but most of the time, it was lavish in just the way I like. ( and she sighed along with my moans, like my pleasure was the glass she drank from. SWOON.) I went in expecting something hot and slightly spooky, and that's what I got. While I do wish there'd been juuuust a little more substance to this, I still had a great time. 

Content warnings:

She was slithering into my heart and soul, wrapping around my wrist and my ribs, and squeezing out anything that wasn’t of her. And I welcomed my glorious death.
Profile Image for marr;་༘࿐.
280 reviews295 followers
February 2, 2024
1.5
Amo 100% cuando me dan una villana lesbiana misteriosa, pero también amo una buena trama y desarrollo de personaje, incluso aunque la historia sea corta, y eso tristemente no hubo en este libro :(
Profile Image for Lesbereading.
186 reviews503 followers
September 9, 2023
Steamy spooky read, yes please. This Medusa/Beauty and the Beast style book is the perfect fall read that includes lots of spice which was off the charts 🔥. I absolutely loved Lady Venom. Poesy knew how good she had it and it was nice to have a character not second guess herself around the “monster”. This is a shorter book, but was just the right length to devour in one night. If you’re looking for a sapphic, spooky, and spicy read, do not hesitate to pick this one up. I know I’ll be rereading it again in the future. Can’t wait for more sapphic novels in this universe!

Thanks so much to the author for providing me an arc for an honest review!
Profile Image for Emily Sarah.
432 reviews948 followers
February 23, 2025
An enjoyable read but the grammar and sentence structure needed a big edit.

This is a smutty demon/human dark romance that was fairly gripping. I did enjoy both the story and the smut in this and it was well written in that sense, and for that reason would definitely rec it if you’re not bothered by errors. The characters are all well fleshed out and keep you gripped and the pacing was solid. It is heavy at times so check the TWs.

Saying that there were many grammar/punctuation issues, sentences that simply made no sense, and other things. It did read like it was written in a rush and could have benefitted hugely from editing or proofreading. This didn’t personally bother me too much but just as a heads up if you’re buying it.

Rep// Plus sized White WLW MC, Plus Sized White WLW MC. Central romance is Sapphic/WLW.

TWs listed below, please skip if you don’t want vague spoilers.






TW// SA (on page, brief), threats of SA, gore, graphic murder, violence, blood, snakes.

Smut TWs// dubcon/captive elements, demon/human, praise, snake dildo, face sitting, oral, mutual/guided masturbation, size play.
Profile Image for Abigail.
282 reviews22 followers
February 3, 2025
Trigger warnings: attempted rape, sexual harassment.

Kat Blackthorne’s Lady Venom Takes A Mistress is one of those unexpected gems that I didn’t know I needed until I’m completely hooked! The premise is a lesbian retelling of ‘Beauty and the Beast,’ but trust me—it’s a lot darker and way more thrilling than you’d expect from that classic setup. It’s a delightful page-turner for sure, and I couldn’t put it down once I started!

Blackthorne’s writing style, in particular, is what I’d call "lyrically beautiful"—every word felt deliberate, and the way she described the world around the characters was nothing short of breathtaking. From the eerie, haunting woods surrounding the manor to the lavish, gothic interior of Lady Venom’s abode, everything is so vivid and atmospheric! And then, of course, there are the bloody scenes of man-killing! *smirks* It's like being swept up into a dream that is sinfully mesmerizing. *smirks*

But—and I’m being honest here—there was a couple of scenes in the novella that truly grossed me out. I get what Blackthorne was doing; she was making sure the men in the story were as vile and repugnant as possible, which adds to the overall dark tone of the plot. Still, one particular scene was just too much for me. It was vile in a way that I struggled to easily shake off, and even though it was short, it definitely put a damper on my enjoyment for a moment. I do get the intention, but I honestly find it vomit-inducing…

Anyway, the main characters—two fierce women!!—are a force to be reckoned with. One of them is a luscious serpent queen (yes, serpent queen!!), and the chemistry between them is undeniable—and spicy! The fact that they start off with pure lust and then fall for each other? Perfection! And the best part? They team up to slaughter men together! It’s as satisfying as it sounds! And I mean, what’s more thrilling than watching two badass women take on the forces of vile men together?

Overall, I liked this novella a lot. It was dark, thrilling, and kinky; it was satisfying in all the right ways. So, if you’re into gothic settings, strong female characters, and a plot that doesn’t shy away from blood and chaos, then Lady Venom Takes A Mistress is absolutely worth the read!
Profile Image for Jessica Rush.
Author 1 book71 followers
September 9, 2023
⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
🐍🍒👻🥀🗡

If you like dark romances, with all the triggers.

It is spicy and dark, with lots of killing, snakes, and ghosts.

Poesy gets away from a terrible situation in a world where males bid on females to make them their wives, to make them their slaves, and baby carriers. Her only choice is to run into danger by going to the mansion of Lady Vemon, a man-killer with a dark history. Here, she becomes Lady Venom's mistress and she realizes she is in love wit her.

Both are lethal, dark, and totally in love with each other.
It's a great story for those who love short spicy reads.

Thanks to the author, Kat Blackthorne, and Dark Hearts Press for a copy of the ebook. This review is left voluntarily.
Profile Image for Lauren.
89 reviews12 followers
August 30, 2023
This book was everything I could have hoped for and more. Especially because it sticks it to the patriarchy in the best ways. From the very first page, I was hooked. The story, the spice, the characters. Kat absolutely nailed it. The instant chemistry between Lady Venom and Poesy was fantastic and I loved the mystery around Lady Venom. It was addictive. Everything about Lady Venom is the quintessential bad ass anti hero and I loved every second of it.
If you’re wanting a spicy paranormal romance, fierce females, snakes and more spice, look no further.

Thank you to Kat and Indi Pen PR for sending me this arc.
Profile Image for biaanto ☆.
90 reviews11 followers
November 7, 2024
Es como un retelling de la Bella y la Bestia pero safico y eso esta bueno pero esto es porno puro y forzado darle más estrellas seria un atrevimiento.🫠

Tiene una idea buena pero como tiene tan pocas páginas es como "te amo y ya " sin sentir, porque en ningún momento dije que lindo es el amor, talvez podria haber sido un slow burn con más páginas 🤷‍♀️

Le doy un punto extra porque es una especie de "dark romance" en dónde la autora no puso a una protagonista abusar sexualmente de la otra como se esta haciendo costumbre en el género ☝️😫

Tiene cosas medias turbinas con el tema de las serpientes que dije que asco pero esta safable onda raspando 🐍🤮
Profile Image for Jess Brady.
Author 1 book166 followers
September 17, 2023
Lady Venom Takes a Mistress is the sapphic story my gothic heart has been aching for! There's nothing like lesbian lovers sticking it to the patriarchy all while finding their happily ever after...

Nothing says I love you like being sold off to the highest bidder. In this case that highest bidder is a man, not just any man though. A Lord. For Posey that would be a death sentence. Her only choice is to run. And run she does directly into the arms of the one person she was looking for, Lady Venom.

Lady Venom is the woman of the woods the ones that the folklores and fables are about. Everyone always fears what they don't know and while Lady Venom is no saint, she isn't exactly what the towns people have cracked her up to be.

As most tales of woe go this wasn't love at first sight but it very well might have been lust. If you are looking for the perfect sapphic story with snakes and enough spice to soak those panties, then look no further than Lady Venom and her lover.

*ARC received from Indie Pen PR in exchange for my honest review. *
Profile Image for ToriLovesHea’s.
537 reviews98 followers
September 11, 2023
This gets two stars for the first…15 or so percent which was such a cool set up. I mean a historical sapphic monster romance featuring a human woman running away from a forced marriage and the monster lady that murders men and takes her in? Awesome.

Unfortunately, everything else devolved very quickly after our human FMC gets where she needs to be to meet our monster FMC. From there on out, 15-90% of the book is boring. Nothing happens. The human is just strolling in gardens and participating in lackluster sex scenes and being warned about the super evil lady of the manor who….is super gentle and kind to the human FMC? Alright.

Throw in a historical setting that’s not really historical too for good measure. I mean we’re riding on horses with swords and buying brides but we also have silicone dildos? Having and authors note that’s like “this isn’t historical fiction so I wrote modernity into it cause I wanted to” just…feels like an excuse to write a story that makes no sense.

Also the prose in this was…nonsensical. For example: “while they wore their ample breasts, their soft middles, and their supple thighs like entrancing gardens meant to entice, to touch, to sample.” HUH.
Profile Image for Lucia.
308 reviews24 followers
December 5, 2023
1.5 stars

This was not a slowburn, more like an arsonist's lullaby. After getting over the main characters name—which was, unfortunately, Poesy—I was immediately struck across the face by the love interest's name—which was, even more unfortunately, Alabaster Baudelaire.
Profile Image for Ava.
1,120 reviews1,726 followers
November 7, 2023
Oh, my word this was a hot read!!

If you want to read about a human woman falling for a demoness in a gothic castle, please pick this one up!

I loveeeed Lady Venom and her whole vibe. I would read a 500 page book just about her life if I could!

MEMORABLE QUOTES:
“Is a sunflower more beautiful than a daisy? All flowers just bloom. Beauty does not compete; it simply flourishes."

TW: death, killing, blood, SA, threats of SA, snakes, gore, dubcon, violence

TROPES: demon, fantasy, gothic vibes, kindle unlimited, monsters, sapphic, novella
Profile Image for Taylor.
29 reviews18 followers
March 20, 2024
My only complaint was how short this was! I read this in less than two hours. This was amazingly gay. I love women.
Profile Image for Jamie (TheRebelliousReader).
6,858 reviews30 followers
September 27, 2023
”You are going to be my glorious, rapturous downfall, Poesy Laroche.”

5 stars. The ‘touch her and you die’ vibes were STRONG in this one. We even got a “Who did this to you? I’ll kill them!” line and I just about combusted into a million happy little pieces. Also, the smut was hot as hell and Lady Venom is possessive, protective, and a badass. Five stars from me. I have no notes. I’m easy to please, what can I say?

Lady Venom rescues Poesy after she runs away from the awful man that she was supposed to marry. Poesy becomes her mistress and is taken to her castle and the gothic vibes in this were so well done. I really like Blackthorne’s writing style. It was vivid and descriptive. I liked that Poesy took to her role as mistress pretty quickly so there was no unnecessary scenes of her being scared or anything. She just adapted to everything. I liked the chemistry between her and LV (whose real name is Alabaster but hell no I’m not calling her that) and the sex scenes were super hot. There’s also some violence and action and those scenes were pretty cool. LV kills men and her snakes eat them. Wifey right there. Queen shit. I loved the way this wrapped up and the way that LV and Poesy get their own unique little HEA.

I feel like this review is all over the place but long story short I loved this and I would apply to be Lady Venom’s mistress any day. Bye.
Profile Image for Victoria.
525 reviews80 followers
September 8, 2023
I was looking forward to this one, but I ended up a bit disappointed. I LOVE the monster/human trope, and that was my only favorite part.
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