Bumpy Oak Books

**I received an audiobook galley from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for honest review.**

3 stars

James R Tuck adds to the novels of the Marvel universe with Venom: Lethal Protector. Tuck essentially novelizes the comic by the same name and narrator David Bendena lends voice to antihero Venom.

Overall, I enjoyed this audiobook. David Bendena has a particularly good character voice for Venom, bringing in the appropriate grit and tension for a superhero novelization.

My main issues with this novelization surround the fact that it is meant to standalone. As a Venom fan, I am aware of Venom’s backstory. However, I feel that if a reader were not already familiar with the Marvel universe (Venom/Spiderman, in particular), they could have easily been overwhelmed or lost within the story. Even as a fan, I was having to dredge up memories of things that had happened before to remind myself of past occurrences in order to keep up.

I would say that this novel is a welcome addition to the Marvel novels and had a good time with it, but would not recommend it as a starting off point.