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Deadly Trades #1
Venom in the Skin
Nowhere to run. Nowhere to hide. No allies to call on.
I'm Ava Locke. I have three dozen problems. But remaining the anonymous champion of Midnight's fighting ring wasn't one of them - until tonight, when a change in the rules pitted me against a fellow Fire Circle Hunter, and I lost. Badly.
Without the champion title masking my identity, my location is now a blinking neon sign beckoning Veynix, the demon who slaughtered my entire team. And this time, he's leaving a new wave of victims on his path to me. But since the demon-fighting Fire Circle thinks I bargained for my life when the rest of my team was murdered, I'm fresh out of allies - except for the Hunter I fought in Midnight's ring.
For some reason, Mr. Tall-Dark-And-Handsome is on my side, despite clearly having a few skeletons in his own closet. But I'm not choosy because I can't do this alone. Not if I want any chance of stopping Veynix from taking more innocent lives. And saving my own.
I'm Ava Locke. I have three dozen problems. But remaining the anonymous champion of Midnight's fighting ring wasn't one of them - until tonight, when a change in the rules pitted me against a fellow Fire Circle Hunter, and I lost. Badly.
Without the champion title masking my identity, my location is now a blinking neon sign beckoning Veynix, the demon who slaughtered my entire team. And this time, he's leaving a new wave of victims on his path to me. But since the demon-fighting Fire Circle thinks I bargained for my life when the rest of my team was murdered, I'm fresh out of allies - except for the Hunter I fought in Midnight's ring.
For some reason, Mr. Tall-Dark-And-Handsome is on my side, despite clearly having a few skeletons in his own closet. But I'm not choosy because I can't do this alone. Not if I want any chance of stopping Veynix from taking more innocent lives. And saving my own.
- GenresUrban FantasyFantasy
306 pages, Paperback
First published February 26, 2018
82 people are currently reading
67 people want to read
About the author
Jessica Gunn
55 books129 followersJessica Gunn is a Fantasy author and avid science-fiction and fantasy fan. Her favorite stories are those that transport the reader to other, more exciting worlds. To catch up with Jessica, follow her on Twitter (@JessGunnAuthor) or on her website, www.jessicagunn.com.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
May 27, 2020
Full review: https://girlswithguns.org/venom-in-th...
To be fair, the low rating here is not necessarily just the author’s fault. It was only almost at the end – when I was checking to see how much more I had to endure – that I discovered a salient fact. While this is described as being “Book 1” in the series, it appears to be a follow-up to the same writer’s five-volume Hunter Circles series. The heroine there, Krystin Blackwood, turns up in a cameo here, as do other characters, and it’s quite possible this would make more sense if you’d read that series. However: if you call your novel “Book 1”, it should be capable of standing on its own merits. Otherwise, call it “Book 6,” dammit.
To be fair, the low rating here is not necessarily just the author’s fault. It was only almost at the end – when I was checking to see how much more I had to endure – that I discovered a salient fact. While this is described as being “Book 1” in the series, it appears to be a follow-up to the same writer’s five-volume Hunter Circles series. The heroine there, Krystin Blackwood, turns up in a cameo here, as do other characters, and it’s quite possible this would make more sense if you’d read that series. However: if you call your novel “Book 1”, it should be capable of standing on its own merits. Otherwise, call it “Book 6,” dammit.
February 21, 2018
Venom in the Skin is the first book of a new series arc set in the Hunter Circles world. It introduces new heroes to love and new villains to hate along with a new threat to all. Some familiar faces drop by for an appearance too. Venom is dark, fast paced and full of action and drama ... everything a book of this genre should be. I had a hard time putting it down and can't wait for the next one. Good read.
Venom in the Skin can be read as a stand alone but I think you'll enjoy it more if you've been following the series.
For those who want to know: This one has violence and some language.
Venom in the Skin can be read as a stand alone but I think you'll enjoy it more if you've been following the series.
For those who want to know: This one has violence and some language.
February 24, 2018
Spin-Off series by Jessica Gunn that takes place months after the Hunter series ends. So it definitely helps to read the previous books. New characters are introduced, with some appearances from Ben and Krysten! This is an amazing start to a new series that is fast paced and very well written. Here we start off with the fighting rings and a Hunter in hiding after her whole team was murdered. Each new character is so raw, with an amazing backstory and personality that really makes the book! Very action filled and is one of my favorites from the Author!
December 1, 2019
I purchased Venom in the Skin, book 1 of the Deadly Trades series, as a box set. This was a fun read. The world-building was great (I later realized this is an offshoot series, which explained how well-developed the world was). Fast-paced action and lots of twists to hold the reader's interest.
May 28, 2018
Felt like there was very little progress with the plot in this novel. The protagonist kept encountering the villain and getting defeated by the villain throughout this novel.
August 12, 2018
A competent and reasonably enjoyable read, 3.5 stars.
July 23, 2022
The writing style is.. not for me
March 21, 2022
An interesting plot, but a ton of typos. It could use better editing than what a computer program is capable of producing.
First person isn't my preferred narrative style -- too many I's. It's like being told a story by an ego maniac.
First person isn't my preferred narrative style -- too many I's. It's like being told a story by an ego maniac.
May 19, 2018
To see my full review of this title, visit the So Few Books blog at: https://sofewbooks.blogspot.com/2018/...!
Having been through the sagas of Ben Hallen, Krystin Blackwood and their team (in the Hunter Circles series), I was not at all surprised at the lack of support for Ava from the Fire Circle, but I was disappointed...
I didn't really enjoy the fight scenes... And the main demon antagonist in this tale is really sadistic and cruel.
At least Ava did have Kian on her side through most of the battles. He is a very intriguing character in his own right, with plenty of baggage in his closet. It will be interesting to see what more we learn of him, and how things develop between these two characters and others as things progress in the story.
It was nice to see Ben, Krystin and some of the other characters from the Hunter Circles series make an appearance; as well as meet several new characters who seem as though they might play important roles at some point.
I'm looking forward to this being another entertaining series in the Fire Circle field, as future volumes become available. I also understand that there are two additional series set in this in this realm, that all have one large arch for this world. I can't wait to see how the final product comes together!
I received a free eBook of this title from the author and have willingly provided and honest review.
Having been through the sagas of Ben Hallen, Krystin Blackwood and their team (in the Hunter Circles series), I was not at all surprised at the lack of support for Ava from the Fire Circle, but I was disappointed...
I didn't really enjoy the fight scenes... And the main demon antagonist in this tale is really sadistic and cruel.
At least Ava did have Kian on her side through most of the battles. He is a very intriguing character in his own right, with plenty of baggage in his closet. It will be interesting to see what more we learn of him, and how things develop between these two characters and others as things progress in the story.
It was nice to see Ben, Krystin and some of the other characters from the Hunter Circles series make an appearance; as well as meet several new characters who seem as though they might play important roles at some point.
I'm looking forward to this being another entertaining series in the Fire Circle field, as future volumes become available. I also understand that there are two additional series set in this in this realm, that all have one large arch for this world. I can't wait to see how the final product comes together!
I received a free eBook of this title from the author and have willingly provided and honest review.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews