Rick Riordan Presents: A Drop of Venom

Circe goes YA in this unapologetically feminist retelling of the Medusa myth steeped in Indian mythology, a YA epic fantasy addition to the Rick Riordan Presents imprint. All monsters and heroes have beginnings. This is mine. Sixteen-year-old Manisha is no stranger to monstersshes been running from them for years, from beasts who roam the jungle to the Kings army, who forced her people, the naga, to scatter to the ends of the earth. You might think that the kingdoms famed holy temples atop the floating mountains, where Manisha is now a priestess, would be safebut you would be wrong. Seventeen-year-old Pratyush is a famed slayer of monsters, one of the Kings most prized warriors and a frequent visitor to the floating temples. For every monster the slayer kills, years are added to his life. You might think such a powerful warrior could do whatever he wants, but true power lies with the King. Tired after years of fighting, Pratyush wants nothing more than a peaceful, respectable life. When Pratyush and Manisha meet, each sees in the other the possibility to chart a new path. Unfortunately, the kingdoms powerful have other plans. A temple visitor sexually assaults Manisha and pushes her off the mountain into a pit of vipers. A month later, the King sends Pratyush off to kill one last monster (a powerful nagin who has been turning men to stone) before hell consider granting the slayer his freedom. Except Manisha doesnt die, despite the hundreds of snake bites covering her body and the venom running through her veins. She rises from the pit more powerful than ever before, with heightened senses, armor-like skin, and blood that can turn people to stone. And Pratyush doesnt know it, but the monster hes been sent to kill is none other than the girl he wants to marry. Alternating between Manishas and Pratyushs perspectives, Sajni Patel weaves together lush language, high stakes, and page-turning suspense, demanding an answer to the question What does it truly mean to be a monster?