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Echoes of Elarien #1
Venomborn
Venom changed them in the womb; now they must change the fate of Ortland.
Fermented monster venom is highly addictive, rich in magic, and dangerous. The unfortunate children of addicts are born with purple eyes and strange abilities. They are venomborn. It should be a blessing they are rare, but a danger is coming only their strange powers can stop.
The tarnished raiders sail for Ferth, flanked by fox-like redback wyverns. Ferth’s soldiers have no defence against such a force, and what’s more, few even believe they are coming.
Effy Heartham knows the danger, and she knows she is one of the few who can save her homeland. Together with Kite Coppersmith, who’s vowed to rescue or avenge his missing father, the pair stand as Ferth’s last hope.
This is the start of their legend.
Fermented monster venom is highly addictive, rich in magic, and dangerous. The unfortunate children of addicts are born with purple eyes and strange abilities. They are venomborn. It should be a blessing they are rare, but a danger is coming only their strange powers can stop.
The tarnished raiders sail for Ferth, flanked by fox-like redback wyverns. Ferth’s soldiers have no defence against such a force, and what’s more, few even believe they are coming.
Effy Heartham knows the danger, and she knows she is one of the few who can save her homeland. Together with Kite Coppersmith, who’s vowed to rescue or avenge his missing father, the pair stand as Ferth’s last hope.
This is the start of their legend.
- GenresFantasy
313 pages, Paperback
Published March 1, 2025
About the author
Benjamin Aeveryn
11 books43 followersBenjamin Aeveryn is an author of upmarket SFF about love, nature, and monsters. He lives in Cambridgeshire with his beautiful wife and a grumpy old cat. His debut Salt in the Wound was both an SPFBO and BBNYA semi-finalist and his novella Blackcap was a SFINCS finalist.
Grab a free fantasy novella at benjaminaeveryn.com/mailing-list
Grab a free fantasy novella at benjaminaeveryn.com/mailing-list
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
This review was originally published on Grimdark Magazine
3.5 stars (rounded up)
Benjamin Aeveryn’s wild imagination is on full display in Venomborn, an grimdark progression fantasy set in a world where monster venom is both a powerful magic source and a deadly addiction. It wears the trappings of epic fantasy proudly with its warring kingdoms, mythic magic, bloody battles, and monsters stalking the deep, but where it truly earns its venomous bite is in the quiet, uncomfortable spaces between the magic and violence.
Now, Aeveryn absolutely blew me away with his novella Phantasm in the anthology ETHOS, so that got me beyond excited to read more of his works. Venomborn immediately piqued my interest with its wicked premise, but I decided to first pick up the (free!) prequel novella The Heroes of Ferth before diving into this first instalment in the Echoes of Elarien series. And I am so glad I did, because not only is that novella just a great one-sitting read full of wildly tantalising concepts that will leave you desperate for more in the best way possible, but it also does a great job of establishing the political fractures, cultural scars, and lingering resentments that define the setting of Venomborn a hundred years later. The world already carries history and damage when the main story here begins, and I loved how that immediately made me feel grounded and invested from the start.
The narrative of Venomborn focuses on Kite and Effy, both children of monster venom addicts who inherit long forgotten powers from the poisonous wine they were exposed to in their youth. Kite is the epitome of a reluctant hero as he’s a failed smith turned wandering monster hunter who is weighed down by trauma and self doubt, while Effy is a young noble woman born ready to meet her destiny, only to discover that she has badly underestimated its cost. Their shared outcast condition and familial strife binds them together despite their differences, and when Effy has a dreamwalker vision of an invading force of raiders coming for their shore, they soon find themselves carrying the fate of their county in their hands.
To me, Aeveryn’s unique imagination and rich world building is one of the book’s greatest strengths. The venom based magic system and Effy’s dreamwalking powers are unsettling and more imaginative than anything even Sanderson would come up with, and I also loved how the flora and fauna of this world feels both so wondrously mythic and mysteriously toxic. Dragon foxes armored in burnt titanium are just one example of the vivid, often striking imagery scattered throughout Venomborn, and Aeveryn’s strong prose with its lyrical vibes and hints of Old English cadence made the whole experience just all the more immersive for me.
Yet despite that deep sense of immersion, I didn’t feel as emotionally invested as I would have liked. See, on paper I absolutely love Kite and Effy in all their complicated, flawed, and charmingly chaotic messiness as outcasts shaped by systems that failed them, but I personally found that their arcs rarely dig as deep as the setup promises. Don’t get me wrong, the characters and their inner conflicts are very honestly written, and I think there is a lot of exciting room for growth in the sequels, especially with Kite and Effy still being so young in this first instalment. I also really appreciated how Aeveryn explored themes of family, war, moral corrosion, addiction, childhood trauma, loss, and ‘otherness’ through their eyes, even if those themes sometimes felt a bit on the nose and repetitive rather than being seamlessly woven into the characters’ personal journeys.
I think the main hindrance to my emotional connection is the fact that Venomborn is a novel that goes quite hard on the action with its threat of invading raiders, political conflicts, monster-slaying sequences, and the progression aspect woven into this magic system, and it just so happens that I am not the most action-driven reader. To me, it felt like the story often moved past quieter moments that might have benefited from more reflection, which made the pacing feel a bit chaotic and left certain aspects feeling slightly underdeveloped despite their strength. To be fair, this is probably more of an ‘it’s not you, it’s me’ issue, and I think the action junkies will probably love what Aeveryn delivers here because there is no denying that all the cinematic fights and skill power-ups are well written, exhilarating, and equal parts awe- and terror-inducing.
Venomborn may not fully realize every ambitious idea it introduces, but its wild imagination, strong prose, and deep character conflict make it a rewarding read anyway. Despite some of my quibbles, I still devoured this dark genre-blending gem of a book in just two sittings and had a great time marvelling over all its horrors and wonders along the way. It’s a relatively short read that serves as a very promising start to a refreshingly unique series in the grimdark sphere, and I think especially fans of Peter V. Brett, Brandon Sanderson, and Will Wight will find a lot to love here.
Thank you to the author for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review. Venomborn is scheduled for release on January 2nd, 2026.
3.5 stars (rounded up)
Benjamin Aeveryn’s wild imagination is on full display in Venomborn, an grimdark progression fantasy set in a world where monster venom is both a powerful magic source and a deadly addiction. It wears the trappings of epic fantasy proudly with its warring kingdoms, mythic magic, bloody battles, and monsters stalking the deep, but where it truly earns its venomous bite is in the quiet, uncomfortable spaces between the magic and violence.
Now, Aeveryn absolutely blew me away with his novella Phantasm in the anthology ETHOS, so that got me beyond excited to read more of his works. Venomborn immediately piqued my interest with its wicked premise, but I decided to first pick up the (free!) prequel novella The Heroes of Ferth before diving into this first instalment in the Echoes of Elarien series. And I am so glad I did, because not only is that novella just a great one-sitting read full of wildly tantalising concepts that will leave you desperate for more in the best way possible, but it also does a great job of establishing the political fractures, cultural scars, and lingering resentments that define the setting of Venomborn a hundred years later. The world already carries history and damage when the main story here begins, and I loved how that immediately made me feel grounded and invested from the start.
The narrative of Venomborn focuses on Kite and Effy, both children of monster venom addicts who inherit long forgotten powers from the poisonous wine they were exposed to in their youth. Kite is the epitome of a reluctant hero as he’s a failed smith turned wandering monster hunter who is weighed down by trauma and self doubt, while Effy is a young noble woman born ready to meet her destiny, only to discover that she has badly underestimated its cost. Their shared outcast condition and familial strife binds them together despite their differences, and when Effy has a dreamwalker vision of an invading force of raiders coming for their shore, they soon find themselves carrying the fate of their county in their hands.
To me, Aeveryn’s unique imagination and rich world building is one of the book’s greatest strengths. The venom based magic system and Effy’s dreamwalking powers are unsettling and more imaginative than anything even Sanderson would come up with, and I also loved how the flora and fauna of this world feels both so wondrously mythic and mysteriously toxic. Dragon foxes armored in burnt titanium are just one example of the vivid, often striking imagery scattered throughout Venomborn, and Aeveryn’s strong prose with its lyrical vibes and hints of Old English cadence made the whole experience just all the more immersive for me.
Yet despite that deep sense of immersion, I didn’t feel as emotionally invested as I would have liked. See, on paper I absolutely love Kite and Effy in all their complicated, flawed, and charmingly chaotic messiness as outcasts shaped by systems that failed them, but I personally found that their arcs rarely dig as deep as the setup promises. Don’t get me wrong, the characters and their inner conflicts are very honestly written, and I think there is a lot of exciting room for growth in the sequels, especially with Kite and Effy still being so young in this first instalment. I also really appreciated how Aeveryn explored themes of family, war, moral corrosion, addiction, childhood trauma, loss, and ‘otherness’ through their eyes, even if those themes sometimes felt a bit on the nose and repetitive rather than being seamlessly woven into the characters’ personal journeys.
I think the main hindrance to my emotional connection is the fact that Venomborn is a novel that goes quite hard on the action with its threat of invading raiders, political conflicts, monster-slaying sequences, and the progression aspect woven into this magic system, and it just so happens that I am not the most action-driven reader. To me, it felt like the story often moved past quieter moments that might have benefited from more reflection, which made the pacing feel a bit chaotic and left certain aspects feeling slightly underdeveloped despite their strength. To be fair, this is probably more of an ‘it’s not you, it’s me’ issue, and I think the action junkies will probably love what Aeveryn delivers here because there is no denying that all the cinematic fights and skill power-ups are well written, exhilarating, and equal parts awe- and terror-inducing.
Venomborn may not fully realize every ambitious idea it introduces, but its wild imagination, strong prose, and deep character conflict make it a rewarding read anyway. Despite some of my quibbles, I still devoured this dark genre-blending gem of a book in just two sittings and had a great time marvelling over all its horrors and wonders along the way. It’s a relatively short read that serves as a very promising start to a refreshingly unique series in the grimdark sphere, and I think especially fans of Peter V. Brett, Brandon Sanderson, and Will Wight will find a lot to love here.
Thank you to the author for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review. Venomborn is scheduled for release on January 2nd, 2026.
March 1, 2026
We join Kite a slaughtering a monster as a would-be hunter for hire however it certainly doesn’t go to plan. Manages to stir up a nest, everything goes awry, he drinks venom and when he awakes hours later the village is decimated but none of the monsters survive. Kite is the son of a blacksmith and Venomborn but hasn’t ever tried to tap into his potential power before. What he wants most in the world is not only to fit in, in his community but to not be a disappointment to his father. Their relationship is fraught to say the least. Kite feels like his father blames him for the death of his mother and to a degree I must agree with him. There is a lot of miscommunications here between them which really taps into the realistic human emotions and the ways people deal with their own traumatic experiences and sometimes end up taking it out on the people closest to them. Kite decides to go out into the world to prove himself but the first encounter between him and some monsters terrorising a village doesn’t go exactly to plan, leading to a lot of self-reflection and the overarching feeling of just not being good enough. Effy by contrast is the only daughter of a noble Lord. She has everything at her fingertips and to the outside world her life is a perfect blend of clothes, parties and not much else. However, behind closed doors things are very different. Her relationship with her parents is one of the only things she has in common with Kite. Her mother is an addict and abusive to her and her father is indifferent to the point of cowardice. Effy is not Venomborn but did intake Venom at a young age and survived by pure luck. She is a Dream Hiker. She can sail over the world in dreams and also influence them to a degree, but it is draining, and she can only do so at night. In her dream she sails across the sea where on the horizon she spies a fleet of ships filled with soldiers and escorted by gigantic, winged beasts. Ferth County is woefully unprepared for an invasion. Her father doesn’t believe her, and her mother is lost to Reapers Wine. But for this fight they will need the Venomborn. But they are now few and far between, those that are, are scattered and completely unaware of their potential as much of the educational aspects of being Venomborn is lost to time.
Presentation
The world building in this book is so rich and vibrant and it is incredibly immersive. As we follow Kite and Effy it really feels that you are journeying in this immense fantasy world which is full of danger, terrifying monsters and dark foreboding forests but also filled with people going about their daily lives despite these creatures roaming about the countryside. Life is lived. There is so much history in this volume, there’s not so much that it overwhelms the plot but just enough to leave you hungry for more. We get tantalizing snapshots of the politics in Ferth County and whispers of its relationship with other counties which is not always to the good. The Venomborn aspect is so interesting and powerful but also immensely tragic considering what domino effect it leaves in its wake and the fact that addiction is the main cause of babies being born with Venom in their veins or being killed in the womb. There are five tiers of Venom power in this world and you just can’t skip a tier and go straight for the most powerful monster venom to make yourself the most powerful, because in a very realistic way it is woven that the body of the consumer has to be able to adapt to this poison in its veins and that takes time and is incredibly excruciating as it rips your innards apart and rebuilds them stronger.
I would really have to scratch around for a criticism of this book because for me it was perfect in every single way. The only thing I can push in here is that the second book isn’t out yet (well neither is this one, it’s an ARC at the moment) and I can’t dive straight on into that and inhale that book too!
I am lost for words trying to articulate how much I loved reading this book, so much that it’s taken me over a week to finish writing this review, even when before I reached the end of the third chapter, I knew it was going to be a 5 star. I both wanted to get to the end to find out what happened and equally didn’t want to get there at all because then I would be finished and nothing I read afterwards would compare. It blew my mind how young these characters are because they are written so well that their age doesn’t become a needless character trait. Aeveryn is, in my opinion, one of the top writers of the fantasy genre. His world building is intricate and expansive, it is vibrantly populated with characters of power, grit and compassion interspersed with humour. All of this makes this a glorious book to lose yourself in. It is criminal that these books are not being talked about in the wider fantasy arena.
Presentation
The world building in this book is so rich and vibrant and it is incredibly immersive. As we follow Kite and Effy it really feels that you are journeying in this immense fantasy world which is full of danger, terrifying monsters and dark foreboding forests but also filled with people going about their daily lives despite these creatures roaming about the countryside. Life is lived. There is so much history in this volume, there’s not so much that it overwhelms the plot but just enough to leave you hungry for more. We get tantalizing snapshots of the politics in Ferth County and whispers of its relationship with other counties which is not always to the good. The Venomborn aspect is so interesting and powerful but also immensely tragic considering what domino effect it leaves in its wake and the fact that addiction is the main cause of babies being born with Venom in their veins or being killed in the womb. There are five tiers of Venom power in this world and you just can’t skip a tier and go straight for the most powerful monster venom to make yourself the most powerful, because in a very realistic way it is woven that the body of the consumer has to be able to adapt to this poison in its veins and that takes time and is incredibly excruciating as it rips your innards apart and rebuilds them stronger.
I would really have to scratch around for a criticism of this book because for me it was perfect in every single way. The only thing I can push in here is that the second book isn’t out yet (well neither is this one, it’s an ARC at the moment) and I can’t dive straight on into that and inhale that book too!
I am lost for words trying to articulate how much I loved reading this book, so much that it’s taken me over a week to finish writing this review, even when before I reached the end of the third chapter, I knew it was going to be a 5 star. I both wanted to get to the end to find out what happened and equally didn’t want to get there at all because then I would be finished and nothing I read afterwards would compare. It blew my mind how young these characters are because they are written so well that their age doesn’t become a needless character trait. Aeveryn is, in my opinion, one of the top writers of the fantasy genre. His world building is intricate and expansive, it is vibrantly populated with characters of power, grit and compassion interspersed with humour. All of this makes this a glorious book to lose yourself in. It is criminal that these books are not being talked about in the wider fantasy arena.
March 2, 2025
Benjamin Aeveryn positioned himself as one of my favorite authors with his first trilogy Rainfallen. And his new series, starting with Venomborn, does not disappoint.
Venomborn is an epic Fantasty story with LitRPG elements, focusing on Kite (reluctant hero) and Effy (born ready to meet her destiny but completely underestimated it) - both Venomborn, rare children of addicts who possess long-forgotten powers.
I just love Benjamin Aeveryn's writing style. Great prose, bordering on lyrical and Old English, but not so over the top that it becomes unreadable. He brings the scenery and characters to life in a seemingly effortless way. Because of this, I couldn't stop reading and devoured this book in just a few days.
There are so many little things that I loved about this story:
- Medium to slow pace that feels like a country breeze carrying you through the story (I'm getting a little carried away here... pun intended ;) )
- Introspective characters - Kite, in particular, remembers a lot about his family and how their life together affected him.
- Unique magic system and unique bestiary
- The LitRPG fights to grow their abilities are well handled
- Even little things like how Kite behaves around horses and that one scene in a forest where Kite reaches a magical (?) wall
One thing both of his series have in common is the heavy theme of addiction. I usually stay away from books that deal with addiction, especially alcohol (which I think the poisoned drinks here are related to), because I've had some bad (codependent) experiences with it and don't like to be reminded of it. But he handles the subject with such grace that I can't help but be grateful. It actually feels somewhat cathartic to read these stories.
I can't wait to see how Effy's and Kite's journey continues. Good to know that this is going to be a slightly longer series when it's done, so lots of story to get lost in.
Thanks to the author for sending me an eArc without any expectations. All opinions are my own. Also, I already ordered the paperback copy ;)
Venomborn is an epic Fantasty story with LitRPG elements, focusing on Kite (reluctant hero) and Effy (born ready to meet her destiny but completely underestimated it) - both Venomborn, rare children of addicts who possess long-forgotten powers.
I just love Benjamin Aeveryn's writing style. Great prose, bordering on lyrical and Old English, but not so over the top that it becomes unreadable. He brings the scenery and characters to life in a seemingly effortless way. Because of this, I couldn't stop reading and devoured this book in just a few days.
There are so many little things that I loved about this story:
- Medium to slow pace that feels like a country breeze carrying you through the story (I'm getting a little carried away here... pun intended ;) )
- Introspective characters - Kite, in particular, remembers a lot about his family and how their life together affected him.
- Unique magic system and unique bestiary
- The LitRPG fights to grow their abilities are well handled
- Even little things like how Kite behaves around horses and that one scene in a forest where Kite reaches a magical (?) wall
One thing both of his series have in common is the heavy theme of addiction. I usually stay away from books that deal with addiction, especially alcohol (which I think the poisoned drinks here are related to), because I've had some bad (codependent) experiences with it and don't like to be reminded of it. But he handles the subject with such grace that I can't help but be grateful. It actually feels somewhat cathartic to read these stories.
I can't wait to see how Effy's and Kite's journey continues. Good to know that this is going to be a slightly longer series when it's done, so lots of story to get lost in.
Thanks to the author for sending me an eArc without any expectations. All opinions are my own. Also, I already ordered the paperback copy ;)
April 24, 2025
An intense, classic fantasy adventure with unique magical tropes and a strong narrative voice, Aeveryn opens a grand new series with precision and deliberation - despite slowing in the middle passage, it retains great drive right through to the very end, with an intriguing finale too.
April 30, 2025
Leave it to Benjamin Aeveryn, the author of the fabulous Rainfallen series, to dream up one of the most creative fantasy premises in recent memory. Children born to women addicted to a particular type of snake venom (stay with me here)--if they don't die in the womb--are born with unusual powers that level up (gamers are going to love this "system") with the continued consumption of various other types of monster venom. The process is, as you might guess, extremely painful and life-threatening. It also results in the sorts of damaged familial relationships that often occur when children are raised by addicts.
Venomborn also features a land in which the traditional hierarchy has been subverted by a new social order in which all people are theoretically equal. The old ways prove extremely difficult to abandon, however, even by people from the traditionally lower orders. I found this social/political adjustment to be one of the more fascinating elements of the book.
We've got the premise, and we've got the setting, but do we have a story? Indeed we do! Kite (the Venomborn son of a blacksmith) and noble-born, dream-traveling Effy (Kite's trainer, more or less) are destined to be figures of myth and legend (the minstrel traveling with them will see to that). Filled with equal parts ambition and angst, they may save their county from mysterious and powerful invaders if they don't destroy themselves first.
As with the Rainfallen series, Venomborn combines the elements of epic fantasy with down-to-earth naturalism, giving it a story-behind-the-myth vibe. My only criticism of the book is that the family relationships are a bit overwrought at times, but they work within the context of the story's vivid settings and brutal action sequences. I'm eagerly looking forward to Book Two of this series.
Venomborn also features a land in which the traditional hierarchy has been subverted by a new social order in which all people are theoretically equal. The old ways prove extremely difficult to abandon, however, even by people from the traditionally lower orders. I found this social/political adjustment to be one of the more fascinating elements of the book.
We've got the premise, and we've got the setting, but do we have a story? Indeed we do! Kite (the Venomborn son of a blacksmith) and noble-born, dream-traveling Effy (Kite's trainer, more or less) are destined to be figures of myth and legend (the minstrel traveling with them will see to that). Filled with equal parts ambition and angst, they may save their county from mysterious and powerful invaders if they don't destroy themselves first.
As with the Rainfallen series, Venomborn combines the elements of epic fantasy with down-to-earth naturalism, giving it a story-behind-the-myth vibe. My only criticism of the book is that the family relationships are a bit overwrought at times, but they work within the context of the story's vivid settings and brutal action sequences. I'm eagerly looking forward to Book Two of this series.
February 1, 2025
Venomborn is another hit for Benjamin Aeveryn. We follow Kite and Effy, two people from very different backgrounds who share something special... being venomborn. Both these POV characters hold something special in different ways. Kite is a boy who doesn't know where he fits in and has spent his young adult years seemingly lost in the world. Effy, on the other hand, has everything, her whole life mapped out for her, but wants to break those choices and make her own decisions.
Venomborn tries to cover a lot of things. It is high fantasy, epic in scope. There are battles, monsters, kingdoms, lore, and a multitude of underlying themes the author wants to explore. Where he excels, though, is in those quieter parts between all the action. The character work and development is where this novel shined for me. These characters are flawed people, and the entire concept of being venomborn is one that is tackling a very real and personal issue with addiction and pregnancy. Underneath all the war, fights and magical creatures, if you try to boil things down, this book is about tackling real life issues though a fantasy lens and how those actions of being an addict can have knock on effects for generations.
I'll be excited to see where the series goes next. There was a lot put into this first book, but none of it felt rushed or slow or draining. It was the perfect length and left me wanting to continue reading. Here's to the sequel!
Venomborn tries to cover a lot of things. It is high fantasy, epic in scope. There are battles, monsters, kingdoms, lore, and a multitude of underlying themes the author wants to explore. Where he excels, though, is in those quieter parts between all the action. The character work and development is where this novel shined for me. These characters are flawed people, and the entire concept of being venomborn is one that is tackling a very real and personal issue with addiction and pregnancy. Underneath all the war, fights and magical creatures, if you try to boil things down, this book is about tackling real life issues though a fantasy lens and how those actions of being an addict can have knock on effects for generations.
I'll be excited to see where the series goes next. There was a lot put into this first book, but none of it felt rushed or slow or draining. It was the perfect length and left me wanting to continue reading. Here's to the sequel!
February 28, 2025
I really enjoyed this progression fantasy story.
The Venomborn power is a killer concept. Advancing in skills and power using monster venom, the Venomborn take on certain abilities based on that monster. There are graduated levels of power and each individual has different specialties.
I loved the characters Kite and Effy and the side characters that move around the central duo.
This is a tale of war but also of character growth.
The ending was stellar! Definitely a cliffhanger and I want book 2 very soon!
My rating is 4.5 rounded for GR
I received this ARC in return for an honest review. My thoughts are my own.
The Venomborn power is a killer concept. Advancing in skills and power using monster venom, the Venomborn take on certain abilities based on that monster. There are graduated levels of power and each individual has different specialties.
I loved the characters Kite and Effy and the side characters that move around the central duo.
This is a tale of war but also of character growth.
The ending was stellar! Definitely a cliffhanger and I want book 2 very soon!
My rating is 4.5 rounded for GR
I received this ARC in return for an honest review. My thoughts are my own.
May 2, 2025
This is my first lit RPG or progressive fantasy. It’s a slow burner with a lot of world-building, which was cool and easy to follow. Though sometimes it felt long-winded, it was worth it when it all came together. The build-up to the payoff was worth it. The last six chapters were amazing and I couldn’t put the book down. I was a little worried about the ending, but I’m ready for the second book.
March 14, 2026
Wonderful
The characters are deep and real. The story is gripping and engaging. I look forward to what this author does in the future
The characters are deep and real. The story is gripping and engaging. I look forward to what this author does in the future
March 28, 2026
Great book
Great read. This book has it all, adventure, budding romance, coming of age stuff and war. What more can you ask for?
Great read. This book has it all, adventure, budding romance, coming of age stuff and war. What more can you ask for?
April 7, 2026
Brilliant story well written, can't wait to read the second book.
May 15, 2025
4.75 - Stars
Opening:
After reading a couple of books from Benjamin's Rainfallen series over the last couple of years, and then reading the novella prequel to Venomborn (Heroes of Ferth), I knew I'd be itching to read this one as soon as possible once it was released.
I was able to stick to that plan and still read it the month it was released. I had to make a couple of last minute changes to reading prompts for the readathon I was taking part it, but it was easy enough to slot this one in, and I'm glad I did!
Pacing:
The pacing seems to follow what I come to expect from Benjamin's works. All of his books to date have been smooth easy reads. I don't know who does his editing and proofreading but I very rarely come across any issues with typos or the like to trip up the flow of the story being told.
I also feel that Venomborn, as well as his other books, have a good mix of build up as well as action. It just seems like a very good balance for a style that fits my reading pleasure very well.
World Building:
I have quickly fallen in love with the world where Venomborn is taking place. I previously had a nice sample of this world from the prequel novella and enjoyed it. This seems to be a high fantasy with plenty of magic as it relates to the Venomborn themselves which is a very interesting take on how these individuals are born and receive their powers. There is also a nice variety of these characters. They aren't simply an all powerful race but a wide spectrum of strength and abilities.
There is also a good backdrop of political intrigue as book one takes place a bit forward in the future from the prequel where the scope of politics and the history of the Venomborn seems to have been watered down a bit. So far there has been a lot to enjoy in this world as it feels we have only scratched the surface of possibilities.
I mean a world with a profession called Monstrologist who studies and catalogs information regarding monsters of the world, is a clear sign of creativity and depth to me.
Character Development:
The character development in book here was great. It was a little jarring for me with the jump forward in time from the prequel to these current events. It just meant we had to slow down a bit and lay the ground work for both Kite and Effy.
Both of these character arcs were great though. Their beginnings and endings in Venomborn took some twists and turns. They are very different characters but make a great team and it was great to see them both learn much of themselves and the world around them. I'm excited to see both of their journeys in book two and beyond.
Closing:
In closing this one left off as a bit of a cliffhanger. No so much where it just loose ends but it has me very excited to see what is next for both Kite and Effy. One finds themselves in a very unknown location with a familiar face and the other is about to embark on what I'm guessing will be an exciting adventure to find the other.
The easiest recommendation I can make for this one is if you enjoyed Benjamin's first series (Rainfallen), I definitely think you will find plenty of enjoyment with this one.
If you haven't read anything from this author yet, this one is a bit different compared to the previously mentioned series. Both are fantastical worlds with wonderous creatures and rich in magic. But they are a very different box of goodies. If you prefer to read completed series, go with Rainfallen, if you prefer to read more recent works and follow along as books are released, then Echoes of Elarien is the one for you.
Scoring:
Pacing 5.0 / 5.0
World Building 4.75 / 5.0
Character Development 4.5 / 5.0
Opening:
After reading a couple of books from Benjamin's Rainfallen series over the last couple of years, and then reading the novella prequel to Venomborn (Heroes of Ferth), I knew I'd be itching to read this one as soon as possible once it was released.
I was able to stick to that plan and still read it the month it was released. I had to make a couple of last minute changes to reading prompts for the readathon I was taking part it, but it was easy enough to slot this one in, and I'm glad I did!
Pacing:
The pacing seems to follow what I come to expect from Benjamin's works. All of his books to date have been smooth easy reads. I don't know who does his editing and proofreading but I very rarely come across any issues with typos or the like to trip up the flow of the story being told.
I also feel that Venomborn, as well as his other books, have a good mix of build up as well as action. It just seems like a very good balance for a style that fits my reading pleasure very well.
World Building:
I have quickly fallen in love with the world where Venomborn is taking place. I previously had a nice sample of this world from the prequel novella and enjoyed it. This seems to be a high fantasy with plenty of magic as it relates to the Venomborn themselves which is a very interesting take on how these individuals are born and receive their powers. There is also a nice variety of these characters. They aren't simply an all powerful race but a wide spectrum of strength and abilities.
There is also a good backdrop of political intrigue as book one takes place a bit forward in the future from the prequel where the scope of politics and the history of the Venomborn seems to have been watered down a bit. So far there has been a lot to enjoy in this world as it feels we have only scratched the surface of possibilities.
I mean a world with a profession called Monstrologist who studies and catalogs information regarding monsters of the world, is a clear sign of creativity and depth to me.
Character Development:
The character development in book here was great. It was a little jarring for me with the jump forward in time from the prequel to these current events. It just meant we had to slow down a bit and lay the ground work for both Kite and Effy.
Both of these character arcs were great though. Their beginnings and endings in Venomborn took some twists and turns. They are very different characters but make a great team and it was great to see them both learn much of themselves and the world around them. I'm excited to see both of their journeys in book two and beyond.
Closing:
In closing this one left off as a bit of a cliffhanger. No so much where it just loose ends but it has me very excited to see what is next for both Kite and Effy. One finds themselves in a very unknown location with a familiar face and the other is about to embark on what I'm guessing will be an exciting adventure to find the other.
The easiest recommendation I can make for this one is if you enjoyed Benjamin's first series (Rainfallen), I definitely think you will find plenty of enjoyment with this one.
If you haven't read anything from this author yet, this one is a bit different compared to the previously mentioned series. Both are fantastical worlds with wonderous creatures and rich in magic. But they are a very different box of goodies. If you prefer to read completed series, go with Rainfallen, if you prefer to read more recent works and follow along as books are released, then Echoes of Elarien is the one for you.
Scoring:
Pacing 5.0 / 5.0
World Building 4.75 / 5.0
Character Development 4.5 / 5.0
April 1, 2026
Actual rating 4.25
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