Venor (Werewolf Novel #1) by Halli Starling

Venor (Werewolf Novel #1) Reviews

• 
  Abigail Walker

  Thank you to Indie Visible and the author for gifting me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
  
  WARNING: the book contains violence and the topic of addiction.
  
  Renzo, a bartender at the Silver Crow Pub, is having a normal night at work when a patron suddenly turns vicious. Renzo is ready to fight this guy off, but a handsome stranger, Cedric, quickly jumps in to save the day. Renzo soon discovers that Cedric is a PI who is looking for information on a woman who had randomly turned rabid like the patron and ultimately died. She was last seen at Renzo’s pub, so the two men decide to work together to uncover the truth, but the further they delve into things, the more dangerous things become.
  
  This was a well-written werewolf novel with an interesting queer storyline that touched on some serious issues. For example, Renzo is a recovering drug addict who is still fighting his demons, and his involvement in Cedric’s case makes him have to confront drugs and his past in an intense way. This was handled well and I praise the author for that.
  
  I love queer romance books so I was happy when I saw this book focused on a romance between two men. Although it was a bit of a slow burn, I enjoyed the chemistry between the two protagonists and I’m excited to see how it develops in the next book.
  
  My only gripe with the book is that the ending seemed rather abrupt. I get the author wanted to leave it open ended, but the whole book was building up a case which we didn’t see concluded. In a way I wish the book was longer as ending the book without the case solved was a bit unsatisfying.
  
  Overall, a great, scary mystery book that demonstrates good, non stereotypical queer characters and supernatural elements! I just wish it didn’t end as suddenly as it did.
• 
  Menoa

  Thanks to the author for the arc, all thoughts are mine.
  
  I think I can now say I’m a fan of Halli’s work. It’s my fifth book by her and I loved it. AND I CANNOT WAIT FOR BOOK 2 because damn that ending.
  
  Venor is a book about addiction, redemption, corruption and attraction.
  
  It’s a fast paced book with multiple pov, but mostly centering on Cedrick’s and Renzo’s. The story kickstart when someone attacks people in Renzo’s bar, merging Cedrick and Renzo’s life together.
  They quickly realise that they’re in the middle of something bigger than themselves. And IN THE MEANTIME THEY TRY TO DEAL WITH THEIR ATTRACTION TOWARDS EACH OTHER. I love them.
  
  Gosh. This just kicked all my boxes.
  It’s ruthless, violent, gore and it has werewolves. What else could you need ???
  
• 
  andshe.reads

  This book is a thriller, touch of horror and a slow burn romance all wrapped into one. The author created such a tense and mysterious storyline with believable characters that I felt were well developed.
  
  Messy characters, messy lives, it's all relatable. Like things happen, and like the characters, we still find time to smile and for a little romance.
  
  I appreciated how the author weaved werewolves in with some real life shiz, like substance abuse, suicide and the like. The characters showed their strength and weaknesses and sheer determination as we got to know them.
  
  Ugh, that cliffhanger, though!! Oh wow. No joke, it's a whopper of a cliffhanger, so I can't wait to see what 2025 brings for sure.
  
  A huge thank you to indie visible for the review opportunity.
• 
  namatayi

  firstly, thank you thank you to indie visible for putting this ARC in my hands (on my phone- potato potata) i have always wanted to beta-read books for authors and the fact that they’re all indie authors make me feel so incredibly lucky! thank you again! can’t wait to be reusing and reviewing more!
  
  before i start, this is a wonderful novel but please check tws there’s themes of abuse, drug addiction and relapsing that might make the experince a bit different for you (not in a pleasant way,) read carefully and intentionally lovelies 🫶🏿
  
  i’m still reeling from the fact that there’s a “continued in 2025” like this was truly such a brilliant fantasy thriller. it read like a movie, i pictured everything very clearly in my head. followed the relationship between all the main characters with such hunger im not quite sure what to do when it sinks in the book is done. i’m very much invested in our central main characters story and relationships between each other. the vulnerability they show between the pages, their growth from how they first met to the final few. it’s very exciting when you feel as though you are going on a journey with the main characters!
  
  when i first showed my interest in reading this book i wondered how the author would mix werewolves with some very real themes like substance abuse and relapsing. i can’t speak for people who have share Renzo’s experince (or even Cas’) but i felt the very real truth of the story being the driving force. there is some real resilience and strength shown in both of our main characters, the werewolf storyline was integrated so naturally and so well that it didn’t make light or make the topics feel any less real- which i really appreciated given the type of topics dealt with.
  
  four stars because im just not a fan of cliffhangers they take waaaayyy too much space in my brain (which i guess is a good thing? depending on the person) and now i will be doing everything i can to not think about what happens next because i hve A JOBBBB and uni to think about 😭😭😭 anyways thoroughly enjoyed this novel! thank you halli starling 🌟
  
  
  
  EDIT: i was so taken by the writing and world building that i forgot to mention this is QUEEEEER with omg. just devoured on all fronts to be honest.
• 
  A Bookworm In Chile

  Given how much I enjoyed Halli Starling's Coup de cœur, I jumped at the chance to read Venor. Much to my delight, this second foray into the author's work did not disappoint. Once again, the writing was good and while the subject matter may familiar (not complaining, I'm a sucker for a good werewolf story) it's creatively presented in a way that gives the old tale a fresh breath.
  
  It must be said though, that this take might not for everyone. It's dark, tackling some heavy topics, particularly addiction. Addiction can be a sensitive subject, but I think that here, it's handled well and with empathy. Although I am no expert on the topic, I really appreciate how the book presents it with nuance. It doesn't sugar-coat. None of our main characters are angels, but none of them are really bad either. Renzo, for example, is arguably a really good person. He's strong and wants to do the right thing while, at the same time, he's made bad choices and his recovery journey will never be over.
  
  If I had to criticize one thing, however, it would be that there are sometimes small discrepancies in the text. They're not a huge problem, but they did cause me to pause once or twice.
  
  I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
• 
  Hundred Acre

  The first book in what is going to be a fantastic duology. This does end on a cliffhanger so be prepared to wait with questions desperately needing to have answers, not least of which is who has been giving out the drugs, why have they been doing it and can they be stopped. So, now you know that some of the storyline, well a nice chunk of it, remains unresolved, for now, what else about this book?
  
  Halli Starling knows how to write horror which teeters on the edge, this book has some disturbing moments but then it is not a werewolf story for the faint of heart. However it is also a romance so it has some genuinely warm moments too, the balance is struck very well.
  
  Come to Silver Crow, the bar tended by Renzo. He is, on paper at least, part owner but he ex has the majority stake and then there is the fact he is an ex! Sill Renzo owns part, he works there and it is where he meets Cedrick during what was an average midweek night.
  
  Cedrick went to the bar looking for information but ends up saving Renzo when another patron turns what can only be described as rabid... With blackened gums, a snarl and a knife he is not a pleasant customer and now both Renzo and Cedrick have been drawn into something big. But that is not all, there is a murderer on the loose yes, but they have pasts to come to terms with, a possible relationship brewing and not a lot of time...
  
  A gripping thriller, not for the faint of heart and please do read the trigger warnings, they are there for a reason. Halli Starling, please don't make us wait too long for the conclusion to this story!.
  
  I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
• 
  Shelby

  **New Review!**
  Venor by Hallie Starling
  A werewolf novel
  This book does have a trigger page in the beginning so if you are easily triggered make sure you read that before diving into this book!
  ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
  I’ve never in my life had a book make my heart race with anticipation! This book takes the cake for that. A good quick read. Addicting from the jump. The buildup in this book was.. chefs kiss! It definitely leaves you wanting more!! My only thing is I don’t like how it abruptly ended and book two (comes out next year) is supposed to pick up. I wish there was a little more to the ending leading up to book two. Other than that. This book was an exciting ride! Any werewolf/fantasy peoples would love this book! I’m dying for book two!!!
  Renzo is a bartender and part owner of a bar. He co owns with his ex boyfriend Cas. They are both recovering addicts. One night a rabid man came into the bar and started attacking people. Renzo jumped in to save the day but was saved himself by a different patron of the bar. He ends up becoming tangled up with this other person as they dive into the problems of addiction and these weird attacks in the city. It’s all linked back to a “rehab center”. One Renzo is sensitive about. he thought it saved him. He was unaware of the darkness actually taking place inside….
  
• 
  Deborah Varnado

  Omegaverse is one of my favorite genres and this story gives a unique perspective on the shifter dynamic. It is in an urban contemporary setting and covers the heavy topic of addiction, which is not often seen in this genre. As sensitive as that subject can be I have to say it is written in a realistic yet compassionate way that I appreciate. I also like that it has a detective/mystery-type vibe to it. As a fan of the Law and Order type shows this ticks all the boxes. 
  
  The connection between Renzo and Cedrick is a slow burn but since this is Book 1 and we're just becoming familiar with the characters that's not a bad thing. I'm sure it will continue to grow going forward. Cas really burned my nerves in this story but his antics and issues do add to the storyline and explain a lot about Renzo and his eventual evolution from the codependent relationship they have. 
  
  If you are a fan of crime thrillers and Omegaverse reads, this is the book for you. The only issue I had with the story is that at times the dialogue from the MC and the narrator got a little blurred and switched quickly. Also, the ending was very abrupt although nothing major was going on at the time. I guess we will find out what happens when Book 2 is released. 
• 
  Niké

  I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
  
  I feel a bit conflicted about this book. At one hand, I really liked the worldbuilding, like a lot. Werewolves are one of the supernatural creatures I prefer, and the way they were conceptualized, especially the packs and lone wolves, by Starling was new and refreshing. I also enjoyed the mystery surrounding the drug and how addiction was one of the central themes of this story.
  On the other hand, I unfortunately didn't really care about the main characters and especially Cedric. I don't know what exactly it was, but he just was a bit bland to me and the only thing about him I liked was the lycan lore. Renzo's story was definitely the more interesting one, it still didn't make me as invested as I would like, and thus I didn't enjoy the whole book as a whole.
  It's was still fine. The writing was good and the plot flowed nicely. I liked how it build the stakes for the next book in the duology.
• 
  Sky

  3.5
  
  This one took a little bit to get into, as the writing was quite different to other books I’ve read, it was also a struggle to get a grasp on the characters, where the connection was going to be and how they fitted together. As much as I loved the slow-burn between the characters and the connection they built, I would have loved to have seen it come into action just that little bit sooner, so that I could enjoy them as a partnership a bit more before the next book comes into play, just because I feel like the next book we are going to see a lot more of plot play out. The representation of addiction and the emotional investment was done so well and I can’t wait to see more of it spoken about and how it can still affect people later in life, as I think this is gonna be a major point in the next book, based on what I’ve read (these are just my theories). I’m definitely invested and want to see where the rest of the story goes, and watch the characters come out of their shells a bit more.
  
  I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
• 
  Tay

  This was a really interesting take on werewolves with a thriller/mystery twist! The story starts out with a bang when a bar fight breaks out but the instigator isn't exactly *normal*, even for a druggie. In a whirlwind, Cedrick and Renzo get caught up together and need to find out what exactly is going on. One thing to note, werewolves are real in this world, not just fantasy.
  
  Cedrick and Renzo are very well-crafted, complex characters. They have their flaws, strengths, and a realness about them. Especially with the way that Renzo's addiction is dealt with. I feel like as we get older, we all know someone who has or has struggled with addiction ourselves, and it was portrayed so real.
  
  The romance is definitely a slow burn and many questions remain, but this is the start to a series, so I'm excited to see what comes next!
  
  I received a review copy for free from BookSirens, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
• 
  Hayley Anderton

  This was a solid read! The best thing about it was the characters for sure - Renzo and Cedrick had so much chemistry and I felt pretty invested in them considering that it was a short book. I always love to read queer books so this was a big plus for me to see such a dynamic duo! I loved the premise of the werewolves and I feel they had their own original twist. I also think the subject of addiction was really cleverly weaved into the dark fantasy vibe and was handled with care. Another big win for me was the action scenes. I’ve read a lot of books where the details of fights are really skimmed over so I loved that Starling got right into the nitty gritty each time the stakes were ramped up.
  
  There is a pretty big cliffhanger and I do wonder whether the story could’ve been continued into a longer book rather than spanning two. That said I look forward to the continuation next year!
• 
  Beth

  Thank you to @indie_visible_services and the author for allowing me a copy of this book! I believe it is out on 17th September!
  
  This book brings lots of different elements to the pages. As the blurb states: werewolves, horror and romance. So this book is ideal for anyone who enjoys their stories on the darker side. It's not too long either so makes for a couple of sittings read.
  
  My favourite thing about this book was the character development. Although the plot was interesting, I felt these messy people with their messy relationship was the most memorable part. The author does a really good job of bringing them to life, to a point you feel as if you can hear their voices as you're reading.
  
  I recommend this one! And if what I said isn't enough to tempt you, just look at that cover!
• 
  Finn

  I liked the version/mythology of werewolves in this book and the mystery and thriller elements as well as a touch of horror and how real life/tough topics were included like addiction. Although it took a while to build and sometimes I got confused between the character dialogue and the MCs inner monologue (I’d forget what had been said) I enjoyed this book, it has an interesting story and character development.
  
  That ending? I have one more thing to wait for in 2025. Overall I like it and would recommend it.
  
  Because of some of the themes in this book please check the trigger warnings!
  
  🌙 Fantasy
  
  🌙 Slow burn romance
  
  🌙 MM
  
  🌙 Thriller
  
  I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
• 
  Jay Beau

  *This book was free, but this opinion is my own.*
  
  This was a good book. I enjoyed reading it. The characters were very interesting, and the mystery kept me reading. What was nice was that the relationship isn't in your face. The characters can stand on their own. The stakes and the tension were really good. There was a stylistic choice where the author decided to use brackets (see how annoying it can be?) when they could've used sentences. I found that the brackets brought me out of the story. However, the writing made up for it. It was beautifully written.
  
  What annoyed me was that this book only introduced the danger and mystery, and only when things are getting interesting do we have to start book 2.
  
  That being said I'd totally read the next book. The mystery has me hooked.
• 
  Sky

  This book is like a suspenseful thriller with a touch of horror and slow burn romance sprinkled throughout. I really like the new approach to werewolves and their transformations, and the parallels drawn between those struggling with addiction and the lycans.
  
  It was a little hard to follow sometimes with the multiple POV switches, sometimes they were labelled and other times they were not.
  
  Thanks to booksirens for the ARC - The cliffhanger ending has be itching to pick up the next one.
  
• 
  Deb Kel

  I thoroughly enjoyed this book. A well written storyline based around werewolves yet with all the issues faced today such as addiction etc. a fast paced action packed storyline that had plenty of tense moments and great interaction between the characters. I was completely hooked until the end! And what an ending! Now I need the next book now!.
  
  I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
• 
  Lou Nova

  Thank you to Halli Starling for this ARC! This was exactly what I’ve been wanting from a werewolf novel. Halli is such a talented writer and the way she weaves gloriously messy relationships in with a compelling plot is stellar.
  I honestly don’t have many notes other than I loved it and Cas is my babygirl.
  
• 
  Emerald Bryant

  3.75
  
  I received an ebook copy as an ARC, so thank you to the author for that. ♥️
  
  So I need to know how the story ends. Knocked off some points because the beginning was slow and the ending was a major cliffhanger. Now I have to wait months to find out how the story comes to a close.
  
  Was a super fast read and I look forward to reading more from this author.
• 
  Hazelnut Starlight

  A little different from what I usually read.... And yet I still found it to be rather enjoyable. I don't read a whole lot of gore/horror type novels - so beware of that going in to this one - but I'd be interested in reading the sequel just to see how their relationship continues to develop. A bit of a dark werewolf novel.
  
  **** I received an advance copy of the book for free and am leaving this review voluntarily.
• 
  Destiny Imperati

  ARC Review ✨️
  
  ☆Amazing☆
  
  The whole storyline was very unique. I loved the werewolves and the characters. I thought it was really interesting how the main characters are exes but own a bar together. They made it work, though! After that cliffhanger, I can't wait for the next book!
  
  Thanks so much to the author and booksirens for the ARC!
• 
  Ann Brown

  An enjoyable story with mystery , thrills and a touch of horror. The characters were interesting and complex and the plot intriguing with the werewolves and the drug. Took a while for things to develop but by the end was really enjoying it. Looking forward to the next book.
  
  I received an advance review copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
• 
  Tahnia Ross

  Renzo is on duty the night a black sumac addict enters The Silver Crow Pub wielding a knife. Renzo was talking to Cedrick, a PI investigating the death of a woman who was last seen at the Pub. This story has plenty of violence and the beginnings of a romance, ending with a cliffhanger. Very highly recommended.
  
  I received a copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
• 
  AMBER CLARK

  The first book in The Werewolf Novels is both suspenseful and dark. Werewolves with a thriller/mystery twist. The setting was interesting but this was not my kind of story.
  
  
• 
  Linda Carter

  book review
  
  This book was wildly interesting with tons of twists and turns. It was definitely different from what I’m used to.