Review: Venture Untamed
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 12 30, 2011
This is originally posted on my blog @Bibliophile MysteryR. H. Russell  is a fresh author of promise, with a first book who breaks the foolish rule of being just an introduction to the series.Venture Untamed, in defiance of a relative old plot, is a beautiful story, told in an alert manner, with attractive and well built characters, suitable for both: boys (they'll love the fight scenes) and girls.In a world based on social discrimination and on written and unwritten laws that support it, some individuals dream to have more and sometimes they just need a good enough reason to engage in the fight to get what they want.The best chance for Venture to exceed the limits imposed by others is to do that thing he excels in and likes so much - fightings. Sport, regardless of its form and especially if it is a national sport, is a flagship for its champions in every society. More difficult is when you can't do what you want and what you are apt to do not only because of stupid rules of the conquerors but also because of your family history. But Venture has an important advantage because when he is about to give up or when he feels that is no other chance, the help comes from where neither he or you - the reader - expect. Anyway it won't be easy for him.The romance is well kept under control. When you think the author forgot about the relationship between Venture and Jade, you get a fresh breath of oxygen, but just to enhanced you and make you want more. Do you want more? Then it's time to cool down a little bit, because probably based on "abstinence sports law", the author stops and leaves you longing more than you did before you inhaled that craving relief.Their relationship - if we can call it like this - even if it's friendship, brotherly love or romantic love, can bring only trouble to both of them. Even graver is that Venture, like any boy or man in this world, is not always capable of understanding which one of them he's dealing with.Sometimes you have the impression that Venture is worn by the destiny. If he doesn't do what others impose to him (because he's obliged to do it), then he does do what Jade cunningly makes him to do. Jade is strong and she opposes to the system in every way she can. I like to believe that she has a long term strategy and all she needs is Venture to do what he must: become a champion. Her importance is felt in every step, even if she is not present.I said that for Venture won't be easy. Why? Because, despite the help he gets, despite the self-control that he imposes to himself, it appears that he can't have absolutely all he wants, maybe he can't have anything at all, and all this because those written and unwritten laws are in force, because most of the people are willing to comply with those rules, because... because almost nothing is in his favor.What are his options? How his options are influenced by his own choices and by the choices of those who have the right to decide for him? You'll see. Anyway, nothing is solved and nothing is final at the end of the first book (and I was relieved when I saw it's just volume one). There is still hope and I want to believe Venture will catch it with both his hands.Even the carping readers will be eager to learn further.[...] but Venture knew her better. Well enough to detect a trace of loneliness, a whisper of the girl who'd poured her heart out of him [...] who was increasingly left behind by Grant to find her place among the women of Society. [...] A friend who had, more often than not, delighted in being a partner in his boyhood schemes. A friend who didn't know how not to be a part of his plans now. She wanted more for him than his place in Twin Rivers Town could offer him. Had he ever cared as much for her unhappiness with her position, for her dreams of something more, as she had for his?"