A Drop of Venom

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In this unapologetically feminist retelling of the Medusa myth, steeped in Indian mythology, sixteen-year-old Manisha has been fleeing monsters for years, from jungle beasts to the King’s army that has scattered her people, the naga. Though she serves as a priestess in the kingdom’s holy temples atop floating mountains, safety is an illusion. Seventeen-year-old Pratyush, a renowned monster slayer and prized warrior of the King, visits these temples often. He believes that true power lies with the King, and after years of battle, he longs for a peaceful life. When Manisha and Pratyush meet, they each see a chance for a new beginning. However, their hopes are dashed when a temple visitor assaults Manisha, sending her plummeting into a pit of vipers. A month later, the King tasks Pratyush with killing a nagin, a powerful creature that has been turning men to stone, before granting him freedom. Miraculously, Manisha survives the snake bites, emerging stronger with heightened senses and the ability to turn others to stone. Unbeknownst to Pratyush, the “monster” he’s been ordered to kill is the girl he wishes to marry. Alternating between their perspectives, the story explores the complexities of identity and the true nature of monstrosity.