Reviewed by Nikyta
Title: Intoxicated by the King Cobra
Author: Jackie Nacht
Series: Venomous Mates #1
Heroes: Reese/Kalder
Genre: M/M Post Apocalyptic
Length: 75 Pages
Publisher: Extasy Books
Release Date: May 15, 2014
Available at: Extasy Books, Amazon and All Romance Ebooks
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads
Blurb: When desperation has you seeking help from your worst nightmares.
It’s been seventy-five years since the toxins dropped and the world became dark. No one knows this more than Reese and his friends. On the verge of starvation, Reese will do the unthinkable—he’ll steal away into Venom City to get the food they so urgently need.
Kalder’s been infected by the cobra venom, and even as a third generation, the toxin has passed on to physically alter future generations forevermore. Known as ruthless and cruel, he’ll kill anyone that threatens those he protects. When a desperate anti-venom shows up to steal food, his world is irrevocably changed.
Review:
Seventy five years ago, a toxin infected the world, killing or infecting a majority of the population with deadly venom. Only a small portion survived unscathed. Now, the world is divided into venom and anti-venom where the venom have taken over cities and the anti-venom hide and fight for their safety. Now, Kalder, a third generation king cobra, is one of the leaders who’ve taken over a portion of Venom City. He’s ruthless, dangerous and enraged that his twin brother was killed by a rival leader. Reese is an anti-venom who’s just trying to survive in the wild but when him and his friends become desperate, he risks going into Venom City to steal food for them. Unfortunately, before he can make his escape, Kalder catches him. Knowing instantly they’re mates, Kalder doesn’t want to let Reese go but he knows he has to, especially with the threat of the rival leader. But when one of Reese’s friends falls ill, Reese goes to the only person he can think of to help – to the very place he may be at his most vunerable – to Kalder.
It’s been a VERY long time since I’ve loved a short story as much as I loved this one. Right from the start, I knew this series would be one I’d follow closely. I loved that Ms. Nacht decided to create a world such as this one where the toxin that infected so many people altered them into venomous creatures. From snakes to spiders to octopus and everything in between, I was instantly drawn into how these people were changed to resemble their venomous counterparts. Even more so, I loved that those humans that weren’t infected by the toxin became the anti-venom, and as such, provided a cure to any poison ever used on someone.
As characters, I loved Reese and Kalder. Kalder is a scary, ruthless leader who won’t let anything get in his way in protecting his people. He’s gutted when his brother is killed but he’s determined to get the bastard that did it. Reese is similar but much different. He’s physically weak but he’s also determined in sacrificing himself to save his friends. I loved the way that Kalder was so cold-hearted when it came to others but so gentle and caring when it came to Reese. It was sweet and definitely put a smile on my face.
My biggest issue (and why I can’t give this five stars) is that it was so short. Due to the length, it wasn’t as in depth as I would have liked it to be. I was instantly captivated by the world but I felt like the world AND the characters could have been more developed. This could have made a great novel, if it were expanded to one. It has a lot of potential and a lot more details and descriptions would have only aided the story in becoming better, IMO.
Overall, though, I adored this story. It’s very short so it didn’t take long to read but the world is awesome. I loved that it was so unique and dealt with venomous animals while also having the mates theme that I can’t help but love. A great start to a new series, one that I can’t wait to continue reading and seeing what other couples will get their stories, I know there’s already one or two that I’m DYING to read right now!
Overall Impression: I loved it!
*I received a copy of this book from the publisher in return for a fair and honest review.*
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