By Venom's Sweet Sting

By Venom's Sweet Sting is the engrossing second Hallowmere book, a series atmospherically rich in history and faery lore. After the events of the first book, Corrine and everyone else from Falston find themselves in Scotland, the journey there and the settling-in afterwards packed with intriguing, chilling, and sometimes downright creepy incidents with the Fey, or even their Prince himself. Throughout it all, Corrine finds it difficult deciding whom she can really trust while also seeking answers to questions others seem to know, but are not willing to share. There's a sense of foreboding that pervades this book up to its climatic confrontation, one that has you speeding through the final pages until you're left eager for the third installment.

After the destruction of Falston, Corinne and her friends Christina and Ilona, along with Miss Brown and Father Joe sent off for Scotland, to fight the fey on their terms. A mysterious man comes along to help them. Euan is attractive but also very mysterious. Plus, Corinne finds herself attracted to him. But once on the estate of Sir James, the fey refuse to leave Corrine alone. Frustrated that no one will tell her the reason the Prince seeks her, Corinne only has her dreams and a serpent-bound book that gives her glimpses into the mind of the fey. Though the Scottish estate has wards around it, the fey still get in. During a ball, a mysterious visitor asks Corinne for a dance. This causes her to let her guard down. Which she finds is very dangerous. Admidst all this, new danger lurks in the Scottish moors. Who can Corinne trust? And can she resist the Prince before she ends up lost like the other girls at Falston? I loved this tale. I could see the fog rising up in the Scottish moors as Corinne searches for the rathstones before the Unhallowed get them. The author does a great job of showing the struggles and conflict going through Corinne. She longs for the Prince though she knows it's wrong. Plus her frustration at wanting to know why she plays an important part of all this is shown in a believable way. Euan is mysterious and alluring. I also like the Father Joe character, who though a man of the cloth has his own mysterious past which is somehow linked to the Fey queen. I can't wait for book three, BETWEEN GOLDEN JAWS, which is set to come out in March. Also I ordered MAGIC IN MIRRORSTONE, which promises an unknown tale of Father Joe.

The groundwork laid in the first Hallowmere book, "In the Serpent's Coils", really pays off in "By Venom's Sweet Sting." Corrine and her friends are propelled into the world of the Fey and into direct conflict with the Fey Prince. The second book picks up the pace and moves along with exciting encounters and unexpected plot twists. Hallowmere is fast becoming one of the best Faerie world settings in recent years. I look forward to the third book, "Between Golden Jaws."

After reading In the Serpent's Coil I couldn't wait to read the next book, and my waiting was rewarded. If you thought the first one was creepy, this one won't let you sleep! In a nutshell: - Corrine learns who she really is and why the Unhallowed follow her - She learns more about the Fey - There is a new guy, Euan, and he has a secret - Corrine finally sees the Captain's face - She encounters new horrible Fey - She learns more about the Prince and also finally sees his face. It is shocking, but somehow you expected it... The book is great. There is a lot of blood, murder and mystey. Not your usual Holiday read but ohh soo good!!! I can't wait for March to read the next one!