A Drop of Venom

Gr 10 Up–Medusa meets Indian mythology in this fantasy novel. Sixteen-year-old Manisha lives without family and friends as an apsara, or priestess, on the Floating Mountains. No one knows she is a nagin except for the family she left behind. She gets closer to 17-year-old Pratyush, the monster slayer. He hopes to secure her hand in marriage upon his return. After leaving, Manisha is sexually assaulted by a temple visitor and kicked into a pit of vipers. She survives with heightened senses and the ability to petrify men with her blood. She searches for her family while Pratyush is unwittingly searching for her, the monster whose head he needs to deliver to the king. This novel handles sensitive topics, such as sexual assault, violence, and death of family members in an age-appropriate manner. Patel conveys devastatingly the complexities of grieving and the healing process as Manisha struggles with self-blame. Through friendship, she learns that the fault of sexual assault lies with the perpetrators and how to stand up for victims. Moreover, the worldbuilding is executed fantastically.