Riley Russell

Venture is one hell of a book. I heartily recommend it. Riley Russell does an amazing job characterizing the protagonist, Venture, as an endearing trouble maker right from the first page. She fills out the book with a cast of well fleshed out characters, but Venture is the real gem--though the love interest, Jade, shines forth too.

This is a book in which the main character is an underdog and has to fight his way to the top literally and figuratively. Born a free citizen, his father's death forces him and his mother into economic bondage as indentured servants. This book is an excellently written account of how Venture uses his skills at fighting to change his circumstances and try to attain the girl he loves. Sounds schmaltzy but Russell handles this tale with finesse. One hell of a read.… (meer)