Of Venom and Vengeance Review: A Thrilling Mix of Magic, Revenge, and Romance

Genre: YA Fantasy, Romance

Publishing date: July 6, 2026

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Synopsis:

Prepare for a deliciously dark standalone, set in the same world as Of Flame and Fury, where star-crossed enemies gamble with their hearts, their empires, and the fate of a lost god.

On an island ruled by pageantry and pain, power comes at an impossible price.
Inna is the perfect heiress to the Pallo crime family: poised, cunning, untouchable. Behind this glamorous facade, she hunts for the sinister truth behind her older sister’s death. Despite the cover-up she’s been led to believe, Inna can feel an enemy lurking in the shadows, or perhaps even hiding in plain sight.

Rylan has sculpted himself into a talented thief. His heart may be guarded, but his purpose is clear: retribution for his family, murdered by Inna’s mother. Armed with illusion magic, Rylan plans to steal an ancient riddle from the Pallo vault, one that leads to a sleeping god. Whoever wakes the Serpent King will be granted any wish they desire. Rylan means to claim this power, and with it, Inna’s ruin.

But when Inna catches Rylan sneaking past her family’s security, he proposes a deadly alliance that each desperately needs but neither intends to keep – even as bitter attraction threatens to unravel into something more.

If you’re looking for a fantasy read that’s equal parts magic, twisty, and romantic, this is definitely worth your time. I went into it without having read Of Flame and Fury and had no trouble following along, as it shares the same rich fictional universe but works perfectly as a standalone. The story weaves together crime-family politics, fascinating magic, and long-buried secrets that drive a compelling mystery from start to finish, set in a dark, immersive world with just enough detail to draw you in without feeling overwhelming. At its core lies the tense relationship between Inna and Rylan. Their complicated shared history, slow-growing attraction, and uneasy alliance create constant friction, and their struggle between seeking revenge or opening up to love feels authentic and well-written, making it easy to root for them. 

Overall, this is an ideal read for anyone who enjoys fantasy centered on mystery with a satisfying enemies-to-lovers romance running through it.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)

Thank you to Macmillan Children's Publishing Group and Toppling Stacks Tours for the opportunity to be part of this book tour. Please check this link for the Book Tour schedule.

About the Author

Mikayla Bridge is a fantasy author based in Melbourne, Australia. She loves writing books that feel like a triple espresso: high-energy, heart-racing, and (hopefully) disastrous for your sleep schedule.

Whether she’s weaving romance, action, or horror into her fantasy, she does it with plenty of plot twists, complicated characters, and loud feelings.

In her free time, you’ll find her playing mahjong, talking about (and occasionally reading) books, trying to keep her plants alive, hitting the gym, and working through plot holes with her very patient partner.

Mikayla has a BA with Honours in Political Science and International Relations from Deakin University.

After graduating, Mikayla decided to pursue everything but politics and has worked as a tennis coach, journalist, blue-collar recruiter, editor, copywriter, and even a Christmas elf—though she’s made sure there’s no photographic evidence of that.

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