Unveiling Venus

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Pub Date 8 Feb 2018 | Archive Date 8 Feb 2018
Little Tiger Group | Stripes Publishing

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Description

In the gossip-fuelled world of Victorian London, Persephone Lavelle is the name on everyone’s lips. As Mary’s secret identity is exposed and rumours fly, she flees the scandal by escaping to Venice. Lost among the twisting alleyways and shadowy canals she encounters a mysterious, masked young man. He offers her the world, but at what price?

In the gossip-fuelled world of Victorian London, Persephone Lavelle is the name on everyone’s lips. As Mary’s secret identity is exposed and rumours fly, she flees the scandal by escaping to Venice...


A Note From the Publisher

Unveiling Venus is the highly anticipated sequel to Following Ophelia. Get in touch for interview requests for Sophia Bennett, spots on the blog tour, or to request an author event.

Unveiling Venus is the highly anticipated sequel to Following Ophelia. Get in touch for interview requests for Sophia Bennett, spots on the blog tour, or to request an author event.


Advance Praise

Praise for Following Ophelia


“A dreamy, romantic novel about a young woman becoming embroiled in the Pre-Raphaelite art scene …I'm very happy to learn that this is the first in the series, as I feel Mary had only dipped her toe into this fascinating and scandalous world and there's so much more I want to know and see through Mary's eyes.” – Melinda Salisbury, author of The Sin Eater’s Daughter

 

“A vivid portrait of Pre-Raphaelite glamour and the perils of beauty, desire and independence.” – Anna McKerrow, author of Crow Moon

 

“Sophia has conjured up a world as alive with colour and texture and beauty and rebellion as the paintings that she references…I was utterly engrossed from first page to last. Please can I have the sequel now?” – Perdita Cargill, author of Waiting for Callback 

 

“Following Ophelia paints a vivid tapestry of the world of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood, familiar to anyone who has seen Desperate Romantics (one of my favourites!). New and old characters are equally charming, and Mary(/Persephone) caught my heart straight away. She holds her own in a new and intimidating world of flamboyant, talented men brilliantly. I was completely convinced by her as a character and could happily read a whole series about her. Thank god there is going to be one! I can't wait for the next book in this series!” – Lauren James, author of The Loneliest Girl In The Universe

 

“I especially enjoy novels where there is real-world knowledge woven around the story and Following Ophelia does this in terms of Greek myths, the pre-Raphaelite art movement and 1850s London...I was completely swept up in Mary’s life.” – Anne Miller, Standard Issue Magazine


“It’s like the nineteenth century version of Hannah Montana.” - Jess, Heart Full of Books         

 

“In a story filled with glamour and excitement, Bennett paints her own portrait of 1850s London, its fusty interiors and filthy streets, describing Victorian clothes – her own passion - in particularly wonderful detail…It makes for heady, absorbing reading; fans will want to know what happens to Mary next, and may well be inspired to seek out Pre-Raphaelite paintings, and Millais’s Ophelia in particular.” – Andrea Reece, LoveReading4Kids 

 

“This book is perfect for fans of YA and history and art. I think that Sophia Bennett's familiar tone means that this would be a fantastic start for fans of contemporary who are looking to try something new. The writing is beautiful and slightly decadent, rich with research and passion.” – Cora, Tea Party Princess

 

“The pomp. The flair. The excess. The detail. Nothing was missed and it made for such an enthralling read.” - Sarah Clare, Behind on Books          

 

“A lush historical fiction steeped in research about the pre-Raphaelites in Victorian London. I for one know far too little about this at the moment and so I'm very excited to not only be swept away by gorgeous descriptions and a kick-ass story, but also to learn a thing or two along the way.” – Zarina, Page to Stage Reviews

 

“I was very happy to hear about Following Ophelia, written by one of my favourite UKYA authors, Sophia Bennett. It’s set during the Pre-Raphaelite period and discusses art, betrayal, secrets, and achieving your dreams.” – Lucy, Queen of Contemporary

 

Praise for Following Ophelia


“A dreamy, romantic novel about a young woman becoming embroiled in the Pre-Raphaelite art scene …I'm very happy to learn that this is the first in the series, as I feel...


Available Editions

EDITION Other Format
ISBN 9781847158253
PRICE £7.99 (GBP)
PAGES 400

Average rating from 21 members


Featured Reviews

This was such a lovely and enjoyable continuation to Persephone's story! I didn't think it would be possible to enjoy the sequel as much as I did Following Ophelia, but here we are! There's passion and scandal and, of course, art. What's not to like?

It's split into three distinct parts and I definitely loved the first where she went to Venice the best, because the description was so vivid. Sophia Bennett's got such a great eye for detail and bringing costumes, paintings and settings to life. This is also where the biggest plot thread occurs, where Perspehone's best friend's fiance admits that he loves her rather than Kitty. It's a powerful and compelling resistance that reminded me of the rakish figures I've encountered reading women's writing from the eighteenth century.

I loved getting to meet the characters from the first book again and see how they were doing. Of course, I wanted happy endings for them all, particularly Persephone's cousin, who's just the sweetest. Rather than just being a muse, Persephone becomes a hero, rescuing her friends from unjust situation. This girls-helping-girls theme that followed the final section of the book was a pure delight. It was reminiscent of the final book in the 'Hetty Feather' series by Jacqueline Wilson and I was here for it.

The ending was really sweet and filled me with all of these warm feelings. Just like the first book, this ended with such potential for a sequel, and I hope I get to read more about Persephone's life in the future! I need more about her romance, as she has two different love interests in both books, so I'm fascinated to see who she chooses and whether she'll be able to get a certain painter out of her mind...

If you like historical fiction that gives you a deep sense of place and livelihood, I couldn't recommend this more. Rather than just adding token street lights and horse-drawn carriages, Sophia Bennett's 18th century feels rich, just like her characters. I'm giving this sequel 4 stars and I've got my fingers crossed that her story continues!

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More than once a book's cover has already persuaded me to read it even if I have not read the synopsis at all. Unveiling Venus was a book like that. The beautiful cover attracted my attention the moment I lay my eyes on it. Turned out the book itself was not disappointing either, not at all.

Unveiling Venus follows Persephone Lavalle, no longer a maid but now a muse for painters, a girl with a keen eye for fine arts and now a frequent visitor to fancy affairs with London's high society. Set in the Victorian Era Persephone joins her friend Kitty and her family during their stay in Venice. At first, Persephone is eager to escape from certain individuals in London. In Venice, she is captivated by the finesse of their architecture, culture, and art. But soon a meeting with a mysterious Harlequin stirs things up A LOT.

Unveiling Venus was a perfect read to start the year. Even though I was slightly irritated by the number of times the name of our charming main character was mentioned in this book (it seemed as of it could not be repeated often enough), I grew to love her. Rarely have I read a book in which I could connect with a character as much as I could with Persephone. That might sound strange if you read the initial description of her situation, but I imagine she would be a very relaxed and trustworthy friend to have? She does not make (much) stupid decisions, which is very refreshing.

The amount of detail in this book is astonishing. Whether it is art, fashion, or character, Sophia Bennet knows a way to bring it to life in this book. It was so beautiful and I adored her descriptions of, well, basically anything! I NEED MORE.

5/5 stars.

I received a digital review copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are entirely my own. My review is susceptible to changes in the final copy of this work.

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A suitably boisterous return to the world of Persephone Lavelle and the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood.

The sequel sees our heroine shaking off the privileged shackles she was bound in at the end of Following Ophelia, and journeying to Venice at the request of Kitty, who has fallen deeply in love. There Persephone meets the Harlequin, and it soon becomes apparent he's not the hero he seems to be...

It's a fitting second part to the saga, a fun, lighthearted read that will appeal to readers of romance, and those who can take their history with a liberal pinch of salt. But if you're looking for light-hearted, escapist romance set in a world of art and intrigue, you're sure to adore it!

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