Bite the Terror That Feeds

Dirty Blood #2

by Penelope Barsetti

He gave me his word—and he broke it.

Kingsnake promised me he would let me go once he found the cure, but he’s known this entire time and never once shared it with me. And now that I know the truth, that there is no cure, he still won’t let me go. Now I’m his prisoner once again.

He asks to feed from me several times, but I refuse all his advances. If he wants my blood, he’ll have to force it from me. He comes to my bedchambers to speak with me, but I pretend he doesn’t exist. Once his hunger intensifies and the weakness sets in, he’s forced to feed—and it won’t be from me.

Viper escorts me from my chambers to the brothel where his prey awaits, and I’m forced to look at a gorgeous and naked woman waiting for him. His betrayal has iced my heart and closed off my feelings, but my jealousy can’t be controlled. I may be angry with him, but I don’t want him to have anyone else but me.

So I submit to the vampire king—again.

Genres: Fantasy, Vampires, Romance, Paranormal, Enemies To Lovers, Romantasy, Audiobook

338 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 1, 2023

About the author

Penelope Barsetti is a New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author. Her beloved novels have sold more than 5 Million copies, and her work has been translated into a dozen languages. Readers may know her by another name, Penelope Sky, where she writes contemporary dark romance.

An avid wine drinker, napper, and Netflix junkie, she lives in California with her family, but if she could live anywhere, it would be Florence, Italy. For those familiar with her work, you’ll know exactly why that’s the case.

Fantasy Romance is her favorite genre to read, and she’s excited to release her own novels into the world.

Reviews

[Connie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I ended up devouring the first two books in this series in less than a day!

Get ready because the plot just thickened! Larisa has recently discovered that Kingsnake has been keeping a significant secret from her. The question is, can they reconcile their differences and work together to uncover the truth about who caused the outbreak? Time is running out, and the stakes are high. So stay tuned for the next turn in this exciting adventure! Additionally, there's a new couple in town, Cobra (Kingsnake's brother) and Clara.

Can't wait to find out what happens next!

***Thank you to NetGalley, Penelope Barsetti, and Dreamscape Media for graciously sending me the audiobook to review. As always, all thoughts are my own.***

[Celina Mlj · Rating 1 out of 5]

I thought I finally found a heroine who has a backbone and can resist the oh so hot hero with the big dick.

Well, I was proven wrong.

At the beginning she was so heartbroken and couldn’t get over the betrayal of Kingsnake (understandable). But one show of another woman that he is going to feed from and she forgets and forgives everything? I mean hellooooo? She was f#cking suicidal because of his decisions.

Then she gives him her conditions, which include no sex or relationship whatsoever. The next thing you know, she lets him f#ck her again because she can’t resist him and everything is like it’s been before.

AND THAT WERE THE FIRST 10% OF THE BOOK. Not two whole chapters until she forgot her backbone and self respect.

I can only applaud, really.

[Anaïs_Frenchy · Rating 1 out of 5]

I stopped reading after the first few pages. I thought she finally grew some backbone, but nah.... All it took was for Viper to show her some big titties lady naked in some bed for her to change her mind and go back to the man who abducted her, violated her MULTIPLE time, lied to her, broke her heart than broke his promise. I just started this book, and I can't even finish it. I'm disgusted. Who wrote this?!? A 14 years old who doesn't know better? Because that's some high school level of "romance." Back when we thought that violence was "normal" because it means "he loves you," type of bulshite. Give me a fucking break!!!!!

[Elif Arslan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Başta ilkinden çok daha iyi gidiyordu ve mutluydum 🙄 savaş için müttefik bulmak, hastalığa bir çözüm aramak ve yeni karakterlerle tanışmak falan her şey iyiydi. Sonunda bir şeyler oluyor gibi hissettim. 👍🏻

Özellikle Larisa biraz daha kendini geliştirdi ve Kingsnake ile aralarındaki ilişki daha katlanabilir hale geldi. Ama sonra başka bir karakter olan Cobra bölümleri gelmeye başladı. 🥲 Clara ile iki dövüştü adam şey demeye başladı. Onu yatağıma almalıyım? Kılıçlarla dövüşürken? Abi bu yazar… Kadın erkek ilişkilerinin seks ile başladığını falan sanıyor galiba. İki çift okuduk şu ana kadar ikisi de yatağına almak için kadınlarla anlaşma yaptı çünkü kadınlar onları istemedi başta 😂 yani ben artık yazarın erkek olduğunu bile düşünmeye başladım o kadar sinirimi bozdu 😫

Aksiyon bu kitap biraz daha iyiydi ama bilmiyorum sanırım devam etmicem seriye 🤝 merak unsuru kalmadı ve karakterler sürekli yiyişerek bir şeyleri halletmeye devam ediyor. Sarılarak uyudukları tek bir an YOK. Aşırı samimiyetsiz olduğu için bana duygu geçmiyor bu yüzden okuma hevesim kalmadı.

Seriyi tavsiye etmiyorum. Konusu için sadece bir puan, bir YILAN olan Fang için de bir puan veriyorum.

[Beyza · Rating 2 out of 5]

İlk kitaba göre daha iyi bir kitaptı.
Daha çok olaylı geçti, en azından evde odada boş boş oturmadık🙄

En başta bazı olaylar yaşandı açıkçası pek hoşuma gitmedi, kız ve adam küstü diyelim ve adam beslenmek zorundaydi ve baska bir kadinla birlikte olacakti nerdeyse orayi asla sevmedim.

Sonra Kingsnake'in babasının yanına gittik ve oradan da uzun bir yolculuğa çıktık şükür olaylar vardı. Aurelias da onlarla geldi ve babanın favori oğlu. Kızla olan etkileşimlerini gördük.

Çiftin karakter gelişimleri ilk kitaba göre iyiydi ama bana duygusu asla geçmedi maalesef.
Bu kitapta adamın kardeşlerini daha çok okuduk ve bunu sevdim, onları daha çok tanıdık. Viper, Kobra, Aurelias.
Kitapta bazı bölümleri Kobra'dan ve Clara'dan da okuduk. Onlar yeni çiftimiz ve Clara düşmanın kızı. Açıkçası sadece cinsellik üzerine kurulmuş gibiydi. Asla sevemedim.

Sonlarda ise bir savaş oluyor gibi. Ve sonu bir uçurumda bitiyor ama kitabın sonu çok tahmin edilebilir.

Yazarı sevemedim benlik değil. Bir daha okur muyum hayır. Seriyi de tavsiye etmem.

[Shelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

I feel like I say this about most books written by this author, but I really feel like this may be her best series yet! I said what I said. Just like with book one, once I started reading this, I could not put it down.

I absolutely love watching the relationship between Kingsnake and Larisa develop. Of course, Fang is always my favorite character! But we really got to see alot more with Cobra and Viper in this book too, and seeing the relationship between the brothers, and the positive impact Larisa is having on them, without them even realizing it. And Aurelias... man, is he a character! But seeing what Larisa did for him and the impact it made on him was awesome! I'm really looking forward to seeing more of him, and when we were first introduced to him, I did not think I'd ever say that.
As I'm trying to do justice to the book with this review, I'm realizing it really covered ALOT of ground! We got to meet Clara too, and see the impact she made on Cobra. It's going to be interesting to see that play out in the next book, too. So we've got a lot of stuff happening with the vampires and the Ethereals, and let's not forget hateful Daddy Serpentine. There's a lot to resolve in the next book.
And that's not even touching on the KILLER cliffhanger we're left with. Omg, how do you leave us hanging there?? I need the next book, and I need it now!! This is an absolutely amazing series. Everyone needs to read it, I cannot wait for the finale!
I know my review didn't do justice to the book, and I'm sorry. I tried! It's just impossible to talk about without giving away any spoilers!! 🤷‍♀️

[↬ Ⓛ · Rating 4 out of 5]

OMFG. I JUST REALIZED BOOK 2 IS GIVING ME VIBES OF TVD (the vampire diaries) 🩸

Larisa (heroine) is immune > Elena blood is special
Larisa doesn’t want to be turned into a vampire > Elena doesn’t either
Larisa is turned against her will > same with Elena when she was “dead.”



🎶 So I say to you
Come home, come home
'Cause I've been waiting for you
For so long, for so long
And right now there's a war between the vanities
But all I see is you and me
And the fight for you is all I've ever known
So come home
Ooh 🎶
Come Home - One Republic

[Sierra Hudspeth · Rating 2 out of 5]

All I have to say is the jump scare to Cobra’s and Clara’s POV is unparalleled. Did not see that coming and still picture Cobra as a teenage mutant ninja turtle. I don’t know why.

[Lydia Hill · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF at 46%

🥱 thank u, next

[hi (spicy.spine.breaker) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fang is still the best 🐍
Kingsnake is literally the worst name I cannot take it seriously no matter how much the character is pining 💀😭💀
2 new POVs were wtf ?

CLIFFHANGERRRRR

Onto book 3

[Tim Preston · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aurelias: 'Let's discuss this further without the human'
Kingsnake (his brother, and fellow vampire): 'Her name is Larisa'
Aurelias: 'Her name is food'

This is the second book of a trilogy, so if you have not yet read the first one 'Bite the Woman that Feeds', better to read that first, although this book is even more enjoyable and exciting than its predecessor.

I am reviewing the Audiobook.

-This book 📖 (I am getting to like the little pictures that my predictive text suggests, which I hope transfer to whatever form in which you read this) is quite short, light reading 📚, despite themes of danger, deception and blood sucking vampires. Although they must live on human blood, vampires are not necessarily evil in this World, nor necessarily the enemies of humans, although some of them can be.

-It is part of a genre called Dark Fantasy Romance that I did not know existed before I came across this series, so I cannot compare it to other works or authors in the same field. Almost everyone else reviewing this is female, but I enjoyed it although a heterosexual man.

-The authoress 🖊 Penelope Barsetti avoids lengthy exposition of the fantasy World in which this story is set, although in the course of this novel we visit another of its Continents and meet new creatures including a fierce Yeti and a people called The Teeth, and learn more about the elflike Ethereals, including the sinister way they achieve immortality and their connection to the deadly plague that threatens humanity, and thus also endangers the vampires, who must feed on human blood.

-Clara, an Ethereal Princess, and would-be Assassin, becomes a major character in this novel. So do some of Kingsnake's vampire brothers, alongside the main characters from Book 1: Larisa, Kingsnake and the telepathic, sibilant sssssnake Fang from Book 1. Clara is interesting, although somewhat like Larisa. This impression is strengthened💪 in the Audiobook, as both parts are read by Ramona Masters. Michael Ferraiuolo reads the male parts. They are the same readers as for the first book 'Bite the Woman...'.

-Like 'Bite the Woman', 'Bite the Terror' has several sex scenes, which I have nothing against but were far from the highlight of this book for me. For me, the best parts were the long, dramatic big battle near the end and the revelations about the Ethereals, secrets few, even of their own kind, know.

-As in 'Bite the Woman' this is set in an imaginary World 🌎 reminiscent of Medieval Europe and of Tolkein, but with modern elements sprinkled in. We are mostly in a World of swords and plate armour, but the battle near the end includes cannons (possible, primitive cannons existed in the late Middle Ages) and mountain-blasting explosives that sound more powerful in their effects than gunpowder (less likely). Even more anachronistically, the characters drink coffee ☕️, women wear 'panties' and the ease with which hot showers 🚿 are available suggests their castles 🏰 have modern plumbing with hot and cold running water💧. To reviewers who object that this is unrealistic, I suggest that if you demand 'realism' in a book featuring vampires, elves, and a snake who plays card games, you are in the wrong genre.

-The novel ends with Kingsnake taking a drastic, irrevocable step, against Larisa's wishes, to preserve her existence. We shall have to read Book 3 (Bite the Power that Feeds) to see what this means for their relationship and for Larisa, and how the other plot strands are resolved.

[Leah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bite the Terror that Feeds is book two in a dark fantasy romance set in the same world as The Forsaken King trilogy.

To recap, a plague swept across the kingdom, and only one woman is immune. With the human race is dying, and the vampire’s food source is depleting. The Vampire King (aka Kingsnake and Lord of Darkness) bargained with King Elias for Larissa’s capture and for the safety of his kingdom. Additionally, Kingsnake strikes a bargain with his captive Larissa to find out what’s in her blood in hopes of saving others from the plague. Then, he will set her free. Only that’s not as easy as he hopes. Larissa has grown impatient. But, he didn’t expect to fall for her.

Read this series if you enjoy :
🖤Dark Romantasy
🌶️Spice
🧛🏻Vampires
🔥Slow burn
🗡️Enemies to Lovers
💪 Strong FMCs
🗺️ Quests
😏 Only One Bed… and it’s mine
4️⃣ Multiple Perspectives

My thoughts:
One of my favorite parts about book two is the character development. At the beginning of book one, Larissa appears fragile to those around her. But, it didn’t take long for her confidence to grow, and she wields a sword in battle like a pro.
In book two, her confidence and strength have really grown, and she shines on her own. She’s practically fearless and definitely admirable. She doesn’t care what challenge she meets or foe awaits her. It doesn’t matter if she’s against a human, an original vampire, or a legendary creature with razor sharp teeth. 🦷

On the flip side, Kingsnake has no doubt proved he can rule and is a formidable foe. But who is Kingsnake? Book two answers so many of those questions for me and I enjoyed getting a glimpse into his past. It only further added to his character. He seems so wretched and cold hearted, the opposite of Larissa. But the Vampire King shows Larissa he has a much softer side to him.

As we learn more about the Ethereal, we learn about Kingsnake’s brother, Cobra. There is more to be explored there, and the epic long awaited battle with the Ethereal finally occurs!

I look forward to reading book three and finding out what happens next for Larissa, Kingsnake, Cobra and Clara. 😍

Thank you Penelope for sending me an ARC for review.

[Pat Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loyalty and Love is the theme of this book….
*****ARC REVIEW*****
The second book of this series continues where the first one left off. Larisa and Kingsnake are at an impasse….Larisa locked up and Kingsnake dealing with his broken promise. However, Kingsnake’s brother Viper steps in and convinces Larisa to let Kingsnake feed from her…thus starts the reconciliation and revealing truths to each other. They start on the long trek to get the venom which brings them to The Original – Kingsnake’s father and Aurelias his brother. Both have negative feelings for Larisa and are hostile toward Kingsnake. During this journey to get the venom, Larisa proves her love and loyalty for Kingsnake by saving his brother and changes the direction for the relationship of the group.

While protecting Kingsnake’s kingdom - Grayson, they are attacked by 4 people which introduce the character, Clara. Clara is captured and more secrets become uncovered, and Clara must choose to whom she is going to be loyal too. What kind of Queen would she be? What are her feelings for Cobra and her father? Plus, Larisa and Kingsnake declare their love for one another. How do you live this out? This starts the ultimate battle and how love plays out. Loved this story and cannot wait to see how all this ends in book three…yes this does end in a cliffhanger….

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐5 Stars for the story
🔥🔥🔥- for the steam and spice

[Jordan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not for me 2.5/5 ⭐ 3/5 🌶️

What to expect:
Vampires
Magical creatures
Forced proximity
Enemies to lovers
Quest
Politics

⚠️ Disclaimer
Thank you to Dreamscape Media, Penelope Barsetti, & NetGalley for giving me access to this audiobook in return for an honest review. As always, the opinions expressed are my own.

▪️ Speedy synopsis:
On a quest to save humanity, Larissa and King Snake also need to navigate the troublesome political climate, as well as their relationship.

🔺 What I liked:
I liked the slow burn between the FMC and MMC.

I liked Cobras side relationship.

I still like Fang.

🔻 What I didn’t like as much:
I didn’t like some of the character names. Every time I heard “King Snake” particularly in a smutty chapter I cringed a bit. I couldn’t take anything seriously when his name was mentioned.

Not much world building.

I didn’t feel that the voices of the narrators matched the characters.

I found Larissa really annoying as a character.

The spice was repetitive.

📚 Summary:
If you liked Twilight, this might be for you. I won’t be continuing with the series.

[Natascha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omg you did it again 🤩 i can't wait to read how the story goes on! This book also ends on a hugh cliffhanger and i'm already sitting on the end of my seat!

So it begins with Larisa and Kingsnake and they are still fighting, she still will not let Kingsnake feed on her. It has been weeks since he fed himself and slowly he begins to waist away. He will not betray Larisa to feed on another woman but his brother Viper almost force him. So he agreeds in the end but right before Kingsnake goes to the willing woman, Viper takes Larisa to see her and she changed her mind. She seeks for Kingsnake and lets him feed. So their love story slowly burns again. They are seeking for a cure for the humans and their journey begins. But the clock is ticking because the Eternals are coming for them! The war starts and end but at what cost? What will become of Larisa and Kingsnake, will they make it or not? Can't wait to find out! I love how protective Fang get's for Larisa, they are best friends! I also would love to read more about his brothers and their story's.

[Cassandra Mitchell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bite the Terror that Feeds by Penelope Barsetti
4/5 Stars
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

•••Spoiler free review below•••
Book 2 is even better than book 1! I was hooked by the romance in book 1 but I stayed for the plot in book 2. I’m really excited to see where this series goes!

Read this book if you like:
-vampires
-🌶️🌶️🌶️
-magical reptile sidekicks
-sassy main character
-fast paced plot

Bite the Terror That Feeds is already available and is newly released in audio format. If it's not yet on your tbr, it should be!
.
.
.
Special thanks to Dreamscape Media for sharing a free copy with me in exchange for my honest opinions.

Review on Instagram

[Peggy Koehler Hiller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book two is just as good as the first one. It draws you in and you can’t stop reading until you’ve finished. Larissa and Kingsnakes relationship continues to grow and Fang is just as committed to her as he is to Kingsnake. Another great series by Penelope Barsetti. I can assure you it’s one of the best and a must read!

[Bulma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ohhhhhhhhhh my god

[Shanaya Page · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I could give it ten stars I would. Larissa and Kingsnake are back and they did not come to play. I’m glad there wasn’t a long wait to see them reconcile but if I was Larissa I would have made kingsnake suffer a little more. I was excited for the father and older brother to finally make an appearance. The father is definitely no father of the year in my book and Aurelias he has replaced Cobra in the dislike department for now. Cobra has managed to do a 360 and land in my favorite character department. I would for Clara and him to have their own series. If Larissa thought her and Kingsnake had no future she should think again. Viper got on my nerves a lot in this book. He’s the younger brother that really needs another sibling to play with cause he was just moody every where he went. I didn’t get a chance to read all of the Forsaken King books but I definitely will be putting them back on my to do list. Fang omg Fang he really reminds me of a auntie at the cookout just shaking his head watching the next generation mess up lmao I love him. I can’t wait to read the finale and see what happens with Larissa Kingsnake!!! 10 stars MS. Sky❤️

[Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first book in this trilogy, I finished in a sitting. This one was the exact same way. I couldn’t put it down.

The start made me so anxious because of all the tension between Larisa and Kingsnake.

There are monsters I haven’t seen in many fantasy books, that absolutely terrified me. I loved how they were wrote in, and how it was the most believable monster for that type of climate.

The family dynamic continues to be just as tense through this book, but you can see at one point it takes a turn and the bonds start to strengthen even more.

The POV in this book is also between four characters, and normally that would bother me but it’s so well done and the characters are just as interesting. Clara is amazing.

And the spice in this one, holy fire. The scenes are hot and we get multiple and it’s NOT a slow burn.

The book ends on a crazy cliffhanger. I need the next one immediately.

[Carol Myers · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this, the second book of the series, Kingsnake and Larissa work on their relationship (yes they have a relationship) and try to overcome the numerous obstacles in their way. We meet Kingsnakes brothers and father, also we revisit the Teeth and the Yetis. Through all of the trials and tribulations Larissa holds on to her sincerity and empathy to the point she wins over Aurelias during a battle. In this 400+ page book we also meet new characters and of course Fang is in the thick of it! I am highly anticipating the next book, can't wait to see how Penelope brings it all to completion.

[Terri Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

For the love of all that's holy, please reedit these books with better descriptive words. The story is so great and keeps me so invested, but some of the scenes, well, let's just say big d is referenced too much. Surely, we can come up with some better descriptive words. It truly is a captivating storyline, and I bet I would get 5 stars from many if it were for the one cringey, repetitive, descriptive word

[Melissa Lindsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

KINGSNAKE!! Let me just say, the first book my favorite was Fang. Now I’m totally team Kingsnake. This book was a crazy ride. I need book 3 yesterday.. Larissa and Kingsnake I’m cheering for you!! I’m pretty sure once this series is complete I’m going to cry 😢 this author has a way of making you connect with the characters, you become completely engrossed in their story. Characters you didn’t care for at the beginning (Cobra) you start to care for. I am so happy that I was given the chance to be on this arc team.

[Mysti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Arc read in exchange for an honest review.

This story just keeps getting better and better! I LOVED that we got to see Kingsnake and Larissa’s grow and become so much more and so much growth. It was exciting and sexy. We had so many plot twists and even got introduced to a new couple and I think I might even like them more!

With the cliffhanger in this one I CAN NOT wait for book 3! And I can not wait to see what happens with the women and these 4 sexy vamp brothers!

Tropes:
Vampire
Forced Proximity
Captive
Enemies to lovers

Spice:
🌶️🌶️🌶️

[Maja (MyawithaJ22) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series keeps getting better and better!
Love that this book kept its fast-paced energy throughout the book. Action packed and full of spice!! We got more of the side characters and POVs which added more to the story line. The cliffhanger at the end of this book was a bit predictable, but I can't wait to read the next book!
I didn't want to put this book down at all. Which is why, again, I finished in less than 24 hours!

[Trish Wallace · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW this is Fangtastic 🐍 best book yet from Penelope Barsetti without a shadow of doubt, what a trip !! We have Kingsnake, Viper, Cobra and Aurelias vampire brothers then we have Larisa the human, Clara the Ethereal who is also King Elrohir’s eldest daughter and therefore heir to the thrown, King Serpentine the vampire brothers father and Ellasara the woman who betrayed Kingsnake !! Fang is of course never far away from Larisa and Kingsnake.

The story continues with the search for the cure to the disease killing the humans, lies unravel as the truth comes out and war commences. This is packed with twists, turns, love, passion and conflict throughout. A must read

[Kristina Trematore · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an amazing story!!! Kingsnake and Larissa are truly a power couple. To have this steam, strong connection keeps me at the edge of my seat. Did not expect Corba and Clara's engagement to be so hot and passionate. To have to wait for keep 3 is going to be torture, lol.
Vampires might just be my new thing.

[Davina · Rating 1 out of 5]

continued on to book 2 simply because I’m hoping the next series is better somehow however, it’s getting worse and worse she actually called him a punk ass bitch and THEN a drama queen lol is this really Penelope sky? Because this book is terrible . 😂

I mean is this a HS bully book?

I’m out DNF @ 34% I really tried . 🤦🏼‍♀️

[Emily · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm not even sure I can finish this. I'm listening to the audiobook and I think it's making a whole different story than I would read in my head. The reader is reading it all as if she's incredibly annoyed. Even when she said, "it was delicious" it was as though she spit the words out in disgust. Who chose these readers??
Every female character is reading in a completely annoyed and rude tone.
And I'm sorry, but seriously??? Are you going to talk to a king vampire that way?? I don't know who she thinks she is or why she's so special. King Snake can not protect you from everything and everyone. Or maybe he can. 🙄🙄 This whole story is ...I'm not sure how I made it this far. The spicy scenes aren't even that good.

[Joceline · Rating 5 out of 5]

One word. USELESS.
Dear lord the hold that this book had on me 🥵🥵🥵 once I saw that I received the book…. I WAS USELESS. I opened one email at work that morning and I made myself believe that it was sufficient for the rest of the day. You can question me on what all happened that day and I couldn’t tell you because I was too busy trying to finish the book in one go. OBVIOUSLY I have no other choice but to wait for the third book because Miss little Penelope Sky dared to leave all her readers on a CLIFFHANGER. I may or may not say this about all her other MMCs but I absolutely love Kingsnake. Put me in the same room as him and I’d volunteer as tribute 🫡