Venomoid by J.A. Kossler
*This book was given freely for a fair and honest review from Riverdale Avenue Books.
**This book was reviewed for NetGallery.com
This book takes us into a world where supernatural creatures not only exist, but live freely among humans. Well, maybe not freely, you see they are governed by the IPO (International Paranormal Organization). This is a governing body, whom sets all rules and regulations, regarding the paranormal community. It is run and opperated by only humans, except one.
Illegally turned vampire Lorin, is only seventeen. At the tender age of ten, he was remanded into IPO custody, already having been turned. Remanded is such a harsh word, he was rescued at the time by the only human, the only person, he can now call his only friend, Jud.
At only fourteen, he was forced to join the IPO’s military ranks in order to remain alive. His contract states; as long as he remains a productive member, never biting a human, continues to act like the IPO’s puppet, he would not be executed. Basically, if a mission was to dangerous for a human, Lorin was sent out. He was expendable, he was not able to ever say no, either. Thus, because of his age, and even though he works for them; he is basically a prisoner until he turns eighteen. This means, unless he is out on a mission, he is confined to headquarters.
When Lorin reaches the age of eighteen and can finally leave the confines of his “prison“, he must first undergo the invasive surgery of turning him into a “Venomoid“. This is one of the regulations the IPO has put onto all vampires, the removal of their fangs. Therefore rendering them venomoids. The IPO considers vampires to be the strongest and most dangerous of the paranormals.
Kinda makes you wonder why the IPO even exists? They are really just are a front in my opinion for a glorified terrorist cell. Only in this reality it’s legal. The experimentation, regulations, and down right torture of paranormal species, makes you wonder why they keep up the front instead of just exterminating the paranormals. That’s in my opinion what IPO’s board would really rather do.
The IPO says their misson is to regulate the violence under the guise of science. What you will read , goes way beyond that. The board is full of sadistic members, only are all who work under the IPO the same, or are they fed up with the torture, working conditions and threates to their families? You’ll have to read to find out.
What happens when a new species of paranormal surfaces? Why you capture, and study them of course. The problem is, the new creature is viscous, bloodthirsty, and a preditor to even the vampire. It does not discriminate, it only consumes it’s victims, alive. Therefore, given the name Zombies, by the IPO.
While Lorin is out on a mission, he runs across one of the zombies, who actually saves him. Lorin is on the fence. There is something about this zombie that calls to him. Against better judgment, he mets the zombie named Lex.
Lex is different then what the IPO claims this species is about. He slowly finds himself falling for Lex and falling fast. Lex just so happens to be his mate. Pulled against his heart versus his lievlyhood, is there a choice? The problem is, one of the zombies factions are wrecking havock on the city. Their main target to start is Lorin.
When the IPO sends Lorin out on a call to a zombie attack, he finds himself cornnered by a creature that is stronger and nastier then even his species. Nichodimous, is the personification of what the IPO warns about. He tortures Lorin and kills his entire squadron sent with him to contain the zombie.
At this point, just as in everything else, things are not all black and white. While Lorin is recovering in the infirmary, Lex visits him and explains, yes, though he is a zombie, he is not like Nicodemous.
Their species is divided into two factions. One whom believes they are the top of the food chain and should be the ruling class, they kill for the fun of it. (Nichodimous); and one who wants to live in peace with the other people of society and take down the other faction. Respecting the lives they take only as a means for survival. (Lex).
Problems begin to arise when Nichodimous and his plan is revealed. He succeeds in step one. Making Lorin, IPO’s newest traitor. Thinking Lorin is leading the IPO to Nichodimous nest, he inadvertently brings them straight to Lex’s door. While Lorin tries to save his angry mate, his team is slaughtered. That’s twice, two teams under Lorin’s watch have been murdered. He must be the cause, in the eyes of the IPO.
Lorins time in captivity is heartbreaking. Years of service and loyalty wiped away in a matter of minutes. Making Lorin suffer the tortures, the paranormals he’s captured have endured. He is subjected to his envenomation without proper care. After all is done, what is Lorin?
At this point my heart is breaking for Lorin. He may have lost his mate, he has lost the trait that recognizes him as a vampire. He is lost. I felt myself yelling at the book trying to encourage Lorin.
I have found very few books that have sucked me in the way this book has. Kossler’s description of Lorins treatment, his despair is so vivid. You truly are able to feel as if you were Lorin.
I am trying to be careful not to give away to many spoliers because, once you dig into this book, it is really hard to put it down.
As always Lex comes to Lorin’s rescue. Though being an known ex-IPO agent isn’t an easy thing for the zombies to accept into their fold. Without meaning to Lorin’s bonded dragon finds Lorin and set’s the IPO upon them. Capturing Lex in the process.
This is Nichodimous second part of his plan to become top of the food chain. With his mate captured, Lorin’s vampire side is released and even though they did what they did, he turns the faction over to the IPO.
Only the old Lorin is gone. In his place is the vampire he is meant to be. With the help of Jud, they begin the work of bringing the current board at the IPO down. Saving Lex is first on his agenda. With new plan in place he rejoins the IPO as a squad leader. Somehow, even though Lorin served him up on a silver platter Nichodimous escaped.
I think I will leave you with this cliff hanger. ONLY because the rest of the book is so action packed and information filled that to continue on would take some of the joy away from reading it first hand.
This is the first book by Kossler that I have read, but he has definitely made me a fan. This book encompasses every emotion you want to feel when you read.
The relationship between Lorin and Lex as it builds is priceless. The honest emotions both display seem to bring back some of their humanity they had lost. (Well in Lorin’s case, Lex begins to feel and want to live a somewhat normal human existence. )
Throughout the rest of the book some of Lorin’s allies will surprise you. The goal of making the IPO what it should have been exists. Can they stop Nichodimous in time to complete their goal? Read to get the answer. This book is to good to give away any more of its secrets.
This book is another I would take with me if I was stranded on a deserted island for company. The more you read, the more info and clues you pick up.
I rank this book at 4.5*
Link to buy
https://riverdaleavebooks.com/books/5119/venomoid-book-one-of-the-night-code-saga
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