A Bond of Magic and Venom

The Goddess and the Guardians - Book 1

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Pub Date 14 Oct 2016 | Archive Date 02 Mar 2018

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Description

Read this sensational young adult fantasy, the first in a new series by British author Karen Tomlinson.

Magic awakens. Darkness stirs. The Wraith Lord is hunting.

The war raging in the South seems a remote danger for seventeen-year-old Diamond Gillon until her home is brutally attacked by the Wraith Lord’s monstrous hunters. Catapulted into a terrifying new world where legendary beasts arise, magic is condemned, and half-blood fae like her have no rights, Diamond is inexplicably drawn to her saviour. But Commander Hugo Casimir is a ruthless elite guard owned by a cruel, immortal fae queen who will murder her own people for magic.

As she sinks deeper into Hugo’s world, Diamond’s circumstances become ever more perilous, for the Queen desires her magic and covets the very same prize as the Wraith Lord. To discover who she truly is, Diamond must escape the Queen’s clutches—before her fate, and that of The Eight Kingdoms, is sealed in shadow and chaos.

Will Hugo prove to be her friend, her protector, or an enemy not worthy of her trust?

A Bond of Venom and Magic is an epic fantasy tale, ideal for mature Young Adult readers. Fans of Sarah J Maas and Leigh Bardugo will love to discover this spectacular new world steeped in dragons, monsters, and armoured winged warriors.

Read this sensational young adult fantasy, the first in a new series by British author Karen Tomlinson.

Magic awakens. Darkness stirs. The Wraith Lord is hunting.

The war raging in the South seems a...


Advance Praise

"A swoon-worthy page-turner from the start. Tomlinson finds the perfect balance of adventure and romance." -Kelly Oram, bestselling author of Cinder & Ella

"Magically fantastic. A five-star epic fantasy. The first book in a long time that left me with the dreaded book hangover!" -J.A. Culican, bestselling author of The Keeper of Dragons

"A swoon-worthy page-turner from the start. Tomlinson finds the perfect balance of adventure and romance." -Kelly Oram, bestselling author of Cinder & Ella

"Magically fantastic. A five-star epic...


Available Editions

EDITION Paperback
ISBN 9781545164228
PRICE $14.99 (USD)

Average rating from 23 members


Featured Reviews

A Bond of Venom and Magic is one of the best YA Fantasy debuts I have read, like ever. It's bewitching, I fell in love with all the characters from the very beginning. It is very easy to relate with the characters and understand them. For a first book, this is a very impressive masterpiece.

Things I loved about A Bond of Venom and Magic :
-The Magic(Obviously). I was very very impressed by the portrayal of magic in this book, the words flow in a way that not only arrests your attention but is also very vivid. It feeds your imagination and this already makes this a 5 star book to me.
-Originality. I have to give Karen Tomlinson a loud kudos for her awesome ideas that make up ABOVAM. This book stands out, it is literally incomparable to others in its genre. Diamond's story is one interesting story that I can verify is different from anything else you might have read in a better way.
-World. The world in ABOVAM is fascinating, really. That is the best word to describe it, Rhodenia, Avalonia and simply everywhere else in the book is just fascinating.
-Adventures. Diamond is a girl whose life never ceases to amuse me. From running from flesh eating monsters, being stuck in the forest with a handsome Prince, being attacked by a fierce dragon to being a magical vessel that could be used to resurrect an evil god, I am never short of behind entertained. Adventure fans would love ABOVAM immensely.
-A Fierce Heroine. I absolutely adored Diamond. She is not just strong but witty. Admittedly, there are times she is not at her best (In the presence of the Fae Queen) but she is badass when it matters. I am also glad she did not let the scorn aimed at half bloods (Half Fae and Half Human) destroy her spirit. Karen Tomlinson has created a heroine that is lovable and likeable despite her flaws. Diamond's most enviable trait is not letting men walk over her albeit her weird relationship with Hugo.
-The Characters. Hugo is a main character that I can gladly admit is not perfect, but that is precisely what I love about him. He is not always the white knight in shining armour but he is really protective of Diamond. His feeling for her are quite strong and very obvious to anyone who used to know him. He has many dark secrets and power but that does not hide the fact that underneath it all, there is a good, strong, loyal and lovable man. While he makes some epically stupid mistakes, you will still be rooting for him because you just can't help it.
Prince Jack Oden is simply a hero. He is all about protecting Diamond and caring for her and that makes him one of my favorite characters. He is not only strong and good but when he wants something he goes after it (i.e Diamond). He was always there for her till the end of ABOVAM and that makes him a notable character. His moments with Diamond in the forest when they were stuck for weeks were also cute.
The Fae Queen of Avalonia. Yes she is sort of the villain but she deserves a mention because she is a very very good villain. Not only is she a formidable opponent, she isn't as stupid as most villain in YA books these days. Her magic is quite strong and she has a twisted evil mind to back it up. She may not be the main villain but she is definitely not to be underestimated.
-The Fae. The version of Fae in this series is quite different from what is usually seen. I am pleased to see that new ideas are still surfacing.
-Monsters. YAY!!! Monsters!! Those who have read my previous reviews know how much I love monsters in a book. The uglier, fiercer and bigger they are the better. ABOVAM is full of monsters. Flesh eating carnivores called Seekers, Wolfmen, Shape Shifters, Dust Devils, Dragons and Wraiths. I just can't help but be insanely obsessed with this book.
-Plot. The storyline is fantastic and never bores me. All through the book is a thrilling ride that leaves one wanting more.
-Finally, The ROMANCE!!. Watching (Yup it's like a movie to me) Hugo and Diamond fall in love with each other is something I wouldn't want to miss for anything. Despite the Nexus bond, it is glaringly clear that they have developed strong feelings for each other. This is not a bubblegum love but an all consuming love that leaves everyone else in the dust and the two characters in their own little world. It was a blast to see it happen.

What I didn't like:
- I wish Diamond used her magic more or at least controlled it to a certain extent but I understand that is to come in later books in the series.
-The fact that I can't get book 2 right now. I need it like AIR!!!!.

My Summary of A Bond of Venom and Magic.
Diamond Gillon is half fae and half human in a world where half bloods are regarded with disgust and loathing. She is also a schoolteacher who wants more in life. Her whole life changes when she and her father Arades are attacked by monsters working for the Wraith Lord Ragor. This leads to her father dying and her being rescued by a group of Fae warriors led by a member of the Queens guard Hugo Casimir. The entourage has to protect her and take her to the city Valentia where she will be relatively safe from the Wraith Lord because of the shield that protects the island city. During the journey, she learns many life changing things like the fact that she has more wild magic than anyone has seen in many years and the reason why the Wraith Lord is hunting her. She also grows feelings for her reluctantl savior, Hugo. Things between them gets even more complicated when they form a magical bond.
Diamond saves the life of Prince Jack Oden of Rhodania. After being stuck together alone in the forest for a few weeks, Jack begins to have feelings for her. In a world where people with magic are hunted down and killed by the mighty Fae Queen and her warriors, Diamond not only has more magic than the queen, she also falls in love with the queens favorite warrior.
Get this book to find out how Diamond survives this trials and hurdles to become the powerful woman and magician she is meant to be.

A Bond of Venom and Magic is one book I can definitely buy a thousand times. Anyone who is a fan of YA Fantasies had to geth this book, it is a must have.

P.S: Isn't that cover simply divine?? I mean who can resist that.

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The wraith Lord hunts...

The war in the south is far from Diamond's mind until her home town is attacked by the wraith lords hunter. In the new world, where magic is condemned and the half blood fae like her have no rights, she is drawn to her savior. But Commander Casimir is a ruthless elite guard owned by a ruthless fae queen.

As Diamond sinks further into Hugo Casimirs world, things become precarious as the queen desires her magic. To discover who she is she must escape.

Will Hugo prove to be friend or foe?

Don't expect this to be your typical fantasy novel where things aren't raw and gritty. There are so many different paranormal and fantasy creatures I was totally fangirling the whole time about how awesome this book is! It is a breath of fresh air in the fantasy world where it seems the same old stories are being remade (yes I am guilty of enjoying those books).

The author creates a beautiful and intriguing world. I absolutely cannot wait to see all the fan art that is based on this book!

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This was a wonderful read! I was captivated from the beginning. I wasn’t sure what to think before I started reading. I immediately fell in love with Diamond and Hugo. There was so much action and adventure. I would definitely recommend this book to all fantasy lovers!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC copy of this book. My thoughts and opinions are my own.

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