Court of Venom drips with atmosphere, magic, and intrigue. The Middle Eastern fantasy setting and unique magic system reminded me of Tasha Suri's Empire of Sand , however, the protagonist, Badriya, is darker than Suri's Mehr. Partially blackmailed, partially driven by her own motivations into being the queen's assassin and the court's herbalist (for a price), when Badriya says she's full of poison, she doesn't mean it figuratively. The title is absolutely apt for this royal drama set in a lush yet venomous oasis amid a treacherous desert, and the tight cast of characters each surprise you in their own way. I would highly recommend the book to Middle-Eastern-inspired fantasy fans, and I would happily read a sequel! Received for review from LibraryThing Early Reviewers.
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