Drop of Venom, A

A parent would reach for this book when their teenager is struggling to process feelings of betrayal, anger, or the weight of unfair expectations. It is particularly resonant for young people who feel they have been cast as the villain in their own story and need to find the agency to reclaim their narrative. This reimagining of the Medusa myth, rooted in Indian mythology and Hindu culture, follows Manisha, a girl who is cursed by the gods after a horrific trauma. The story moves beyond the typical monster tale to explore themes of resilience, female rage, and the restorative power of protective boundaries. While the book deals with heavy emotional themes and the aftermath of sexual assault, it does so with a focus on survival and the transformation of pain into strength. Parents will appreciate how it validates the complexity of a teen's anger rather than asking them to suppress it. It is best suited for older teens (14 and up) who are ready for a darker, more nuanced fantasy that tackles social injustice and the reclaiming of one's body and identity.