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Reviewed by Makeda Cummings for Readers' Favorite
Venomous by Brian Clifford follows the story of Oliver Stanton, a Boston teen, whose sarcastic tongue and reactive nature land him in trouble. One thing leads to another, and a school fight earns Oliver a quick suspension. His weary parents see this as an opportunity to take a family trip to Arizona to spend time with his mother's extended family. At first, Oliver's new surroundings seem benign enough. He has a neurodivergent cousin, John, who prefers to spend his time gaming rather than socializing. Oliver also encounters Gabriela, his blunt and obstinate cousin, who doesn't let his sarcasm slide. Then there is Uncle Hank, an ex-soldier turned geologist, who lives as though ghosts from the past are still haunting him. Together, they discover the legend of the Josephine Mine, where treasures, superstition, smugglers, and environmental danger put their survival skills to the test.
In Venomous, Brian Clifford uses the desert environment of Arizona in the dual role of both a formidable threat and a wise teacher. Throughout his journey in this vast space, Oliver is forced to confront his defiant persona and mature in ways that surprise him and the reader. Over time, Oliver’s snide humor collides with fear, his arrogance softens, and his anger begins to take shape into something more powerful: courage. His character growth is undoubtedly one of the most iconic moments of the story. I particularly enjoyed how the pacing skillfully pivoted between quiet evenings in Arizona and Oliver's unexpected brushes with danger, always keeping readers on the edge of their seats. What stays with you long after the last page is not so much the search for the legendary Josephine Mine, but how the open wilderness can guide a boy to decide what kind of man he might become.
