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Character art: Venom and Blaze

8 January, 2026 by Roz MacLaren Leave a Comment

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This breathtaking work of art is Venom and Blaze, brought to life by Abeer Malik.

I’ve wanted to commission character art for these two for a while – and I’m so pleased with the way Abeer brought my vision to life.

Venom is a princess, who discovers when she’s seventeen that she can communicate with spiders. As she develops through the story, she goes on to wear a ‘dress’ of live spiders. It was Abeer’s idea to incorporate gossamer and cobwebs into the dress, which actually wasn’t something I’d considered – and it worked beautifully. I actually think it makes Venom look a little scarier, as if her dress is melting slightly.

Blaze is a prisoner, who has been raised in a dungeon for his first seventeen years. I love how Abeer captured that dark and brooding background.

Abeer also went to great pains to capture Venom’s crown, as depicted on the cover image.

CHECK OUT ABEER’S WORK

Here’s a lovely review I received yesterday about Venom and Blaze.

The book hooked me from the start with the world-building legends, and the good vs bad theme. I felt for those five kids growing up in a dungeon for seventeen years, and honestly, I couldn’t stop turning the pages to see what happened next. The royal intrigue was deliciously dramatic, and now I’m left with so many questions heading into the next book.

Reading Thoughts
📙 The legend at the start of the book explaining the world were brilliant to begin the story
📙 The concept of good and bad really has you thinking
📙 Seventeen years is as long time to grow up in a dungeon, really felt for those 5 kids
📙I couldn’t stop reading to know what happens next and next.
📙The royal intrigue and games were soo interesting
📙Ohh there is still a lot I need to know going into the next book.

Words that linger
🍷There exists a prophecy of a Good girl and a Mirror boy who pair. They destroy everything they touch, until, ultimately, they destroy themselves.
🍷Vaguely, Blaze is aware that his heart should be racing, there should be some kind of emotion in him. But there’s nothing. Not even excitement.
🍷“It doesn’t mean I’m not still furious with you. But yes. I love you.”
🍷“Let’s run away. Like you wanted. Let’s make our own destiny, Blaze.

Tropes
🕷️Animal companion
🕷️Good vs Evil
🕷️Royal Intrigue
🕷️Found Family
🕷️Princess/Commoner

If you’ve already read Venom and Blaze, does Abeer’s art match how you perceived the characters?

READ VENOM AND BLAZE

Psst. My Street Team were the first to see this character art revealed. Want to unlock exclusive access to the world of Mirrordom? Join us.

ENTER THE STREET TEAM

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Filed Under: Character Art, Venom and Blaze

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