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The Lost Gods #4
Poison
Nine gods ruled the world, until the ultimate betrayal resulted in their destruction. Now, the world is dying and only by restoring the Lost Gods can it be saved. Verde is ruled by the mortal reincarnations of their Lost Gods: the Faerie Queen, the Pegasus, and the Unicorn, slain nine centuries ago at the base of their Sacred Oak. Every one hundred years, the tragedy repeats itself, plunging Verde ever deeper into despair. Now, the Tragedy of the Oak draws near and Gael, the Unicorn, grows increasingly afraid because of a dark secret kept by the Three: If he cannot find a way to break the tragic cycle, the Twelve White Beasts and his secret lover are cursed to die right alongside him.
252 pages, Paperback
First published July 24, 2012
17 people are currently reading
286 people want to read
About the author
Megan Derr
283 books2,936 followersMegan is a long time resident of queer romance and keeps herself busy reading and writing it. She is often accused of fluff and nonsense. When she’s not involved in writing, she likes to cook, harass her wife and cats, or watch movies. She loves to hear from readers and can be found all over the internet.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
August 15, 2012
Review posted at The Armchair Reader.
4.75 stars (allllmost perfect!)
There is a real benefit to reading the books later in a series, besides having more information at the reader's disposal. For the most part, each of these books are tied together by world only, the lands of each book separated by country, culture, and geography. Each book has a whole new set of characters. With these later books that means that the newly restored gods from previous books can make a timely reappearance. The best part about this novel, however, and the reason that I've been looking forward to this book about Verde the most, is because of the one character, who more than any other, has made appearances in most of the books. Poison, like several of the previous books, revolves around more than one central romance, and of these is the character I've come to love most of all of them, Ailill.
In the 900 years since the fall of the gods, Verde has had 9 times to get it right. Every 100 years the White Beasts, the Voice, and the Triad come together to recreate the Ceremony to hopefully restore the power of the gods in their avatars. Each time they convene under the Oak, something goes wrong, ending in the deaths of the Triad, the Pegasus, the Unicorn, and the Faerie Queen. Suspiciously, there are no records kept about the days leading up to the Ceremony from years past, so when things start to go very wrong time time around, no one has any clue what to do about it. Three of their neighboring countries have successfully restored their gods, but with Verde falling apart and the people of the country reverting to their animal nature in a savage state of anarchy, there seems to be no hope that Verde could finally see the same hopeful restoration of their own.
I have been enjoying this series, but because of the nature of the stories -- that they're all so inherently different from the others -- I have enjoyed them in different ways and some more than others. Poison already had one thing going for it, the return of Ailill. We first met Ailill in Treasure, but only for a very brief time. We get to know him most in Burning Bright where he falls in love with Vasha, the leader of a band of mercs trying to protect the street thief and Vessel Raz. They parted ways at the end of that book, and we finally get to see the resolution of their romance in Poison. I love this couple, they are part of what made Burning Bright my favorite novel of this series. So to see them reunited here automatically made this book of my favorites.
We also meet Gael and his secret lover, the Voice. Gael is the only male of the Triad, the avatars of the three lost gods of Verde. He represents the Unicorn and is increasingly dissatisfied with the rigid tradition of their lineage. Reborn after every tragedy, the three migrate to one another in a love affair that Gael no longer wants part of. He no longer loves his sisters that way, though still he loves them as family, but the alliance between the three is the core strength of Verde. Much of that dissatisfaction is also due to his lover Noire, the Voice of the Triad. Gael is afraid that their secret affair will undermine their rule with his betrayal of his sisters and lovers, though his love for Noire.
Ailill is put to the test (along with Vasha, in a surprise visit) when each of the White Beasts (almost a council of sorts, each representing an animal of the shifters of Verde, whose minds literally keep the peace among their citizens) falls prey to a poison one by one in the months leading up to the Ceremony. As each White Beast falls, and Ailill waiting for his demise as the Jaguar, the country and those ruling in the palace start to fall into anarchy, each unable to trust the others. Megan Derr is so wonderful at writing in depth fantasy worlds, especially the subtle political machinations at court, that this is what really made the novel shine -- the suspicion and alternately, the trust among some and the betrayal among others. I don't think that I could find fault at all with the writing here and fans of this author will once again delight in this story. The only thing fans of the series will have to decide is if they like this book as much as the previous ones, and I have to say that next to Burning Bright, it was my favorite. As the series draws to a close (one book left -- Chaos), more information is available to the reader to put the events as a whole together, and that's where the real art of the writing lies. Each of these stories can be taken as a standalone novel (though this one in particular would be better served by reading Burning Bright first). However, very little information has been given to us outright about the actual fall of the gods 9 centuries in the past, and because of that we have very little information about the end of the overall plot arc of the series. And I cannot wait too see those fireworks!
This is really a series I would rather urge you to read rather than dissect myself (unless you have and want to talk about it!), and I think, overall, this is probably my favorite series by this author. Everyone knows that Megan Derr is one of my very favorite authors, and because of that, I love most of her work, so that is really saying something about the beauty of this series in particular. Each book offers a progression of the world, but a completely new and captivating reading experience. It is such a great way to engage readers, because with a series we love something that is different, but not too different. The format of these does that well.
4.75 stars (allllmost perfect!)
There is a real benefit to reading the books later in a series, besides having more information at the reader's disposal. For the most part, each of these books are tied together by world only, the lands of each book separated by country, culture, and geography. Each book has a whole new set of characters. With these later books that means that the newly restored gods from previous books can make a timely reappearance. The best part about this novel, however, and the reason that I've been looking forward to this book about Verde the most, is because of the one character, who more than any other, has made appearances in most of the books. Poison, like several of the previous books, revolves around more than one central romance, and of these is the character I've come to love most of all of them, Ailill.
In the 900 years since the fall of the gods, Verde has had 9 times to get it right. Every 100 years the White Beasts, the Voice, and the Triad come together to recreate the Ceremony to hopefully restore the power of the gods in their avatars. Each time they convene under the Oak, something goes wrong, ending in the deaths of the Triad, the Pegasus, the Unicorn, and the Faerie Queen. Suspiciously, there are no records kept about the days leading up to the Ceremony from years past, so when things start to go very wrong time time around, no one has any clue what to do about it. Three of their neighboring countries have successfully restored their gods, but with Verde falling apart and the people of the country reverting to their animal nature in a savage state of anarchy, there seems to be no hope that Verde could finally see the same hopeful restoration of their own.
I have been enjoying this series, but because of the nature of the stories -- that they're all so inherently different from the others -- I have enjoyed them in different ways and some more than others. Poison already had one thing going for it, the return of Ailill. We first met Ailill in Treasure, but only for a very brief time. We get to know him most in Burning Bright where he falls in love with Vasha, the leader of a band of mercs trying to protect the street thief and Vessel Raz. They parted ways at the end of that book, and we finally get to see the resolution of their romance in Poison. I love this couple, they are part of what made Burning Bright my favorite novel of this series. So to see them reunited here automatically made this book of my favorites.
We also meet Gael and his secret lover, the Voice. Gael is the only male of the Triad, the avatars of the three lost gods of Verde. He represents the Unicorn and is increasingly dissatisfied with the rigid tradition of their lineage. Reborn after every tragedy, the three migrate to one another in a love affair that Gael no longer wants part of. He no longer loves his sisters that way, though still he loves them as family, but the alliance between the three is the core strength of Verde. Much of that dissatisfaction is also due to his lover Noire, the Voice of the Triad. Gael is afraid that their secret affair will undermine their rule with his betrayal of his sisters and lovers, though his love for Noire.
Ailill is put to the test (along with Vasha, in a surprise visit) when each of the White Beasts (almost a council of sorts, each representing an animal of the shifters of Verde, whose minds literally keep the peace among their citizens) falls prey to a poison one by one in the months leading up to the Ceremony. As each White Beast falls, and Ailill waiting for his demise as the Jaguar, the country and those ruling in the palace start to fall into anarchy, each unable to trust the others. Megan Derr is so wonderful at writing in depth fantasy worlds, especially the subtle political machinations at court, that this is what really made the novel shine -- the suspicion and alternately, the trust among some and the betrayal among others. I don't think that I could find fault at all with the writing here and fans of this author will once again delight in this story. The only thing fans of the series will have to decide is if they like this book as much as the previous ones, and I have to say that next to Burning Bright, it was my favorite. As the series draws to a close (one book left -- Chaos), more information is available to the reader to put the events as a whole together, and that's where the real art of the writing lies. Each of these stories can be taken as a standalone novel (though this one in particular would be better served by reading Burning Bright first). However, very little information has been given to us outright about the actual fall of the gods 9 centuries in the past, and because of that we have very little information about the end of the overall plot arc of the series. And I cannot wait too see those fireworks!
This is really a series I would rather urge you to read rather than dissect myself (unless you have and want to talk about it!), and I think, overall, this is probably my favorite series by this author. Everyone knows that Megan Derr is one of my very favorite authors, and because of that, I love most of her work, so that is really saying something about the beauty of this series in particular. Each book offers a progression of the world, but a completely new and captivating reading experience. It is such a great way to engage readers, because with a series we love something that is different, but not too different. The format of these does that well.
March 2, 2016
Какая-то суета вокруг дивана в доме Обломовых @.@
Двойка.
---
Сhaos and mayhem. Two stars.
Двойка.
---
Сhaos and mayhem. Two stars.
December 12, 2012
I am going to call this one and say this series is turning out to be my fave this year. There is so much to love about the Lost Gods; I believe it should be on everyone's radar (if you love a good fantasy series). Though, Poison isn’t a fave of mine it’s still an excellent read, which should tell you a lot about the other books that came before this one.
Poison brings the return of Aillill who we first met in Treasure, and then in book two, Burning Bright where he was poisoned (tada) while on a mission to return the royal jewels to the Faire Queen of his homeland Verde. So I was happy to see him return healthy, and fulfilling his duty as a white beast. Being noble is not something Ailill wants to be, but he has a duty to fulfill and he will see it through. He will play a part in restoring the mortal reincarnations of the gods, the Pegasus, the unicorn, and the Faire Queen. For 900 years, the ritual has failed and this time they are hoping to finally restore the gods. Seem that someone has other plans and Ailill is smack dab in the middle of it. Because someone is poisoning all the white beasts and Ailill knows in due time he will be next.
Then comes Ivan, a mercenary Ailill met on his travels and a man he brought to his bed. It comes as a surprise when Ivan shows up at his home no longer a merc, now a duke. Together they try to solve the mysterious poisonings, so close to the ceremony of bringing the gods back to Verde. With no idea of where to start or where to look, Ailill can only look on as his brothers, sisters, and his home perish in a state of anger and hatred.
Seems that the gods of Verde have built a home on lies and betrayal and 900 years of history has been repeating itself. The unicorn, Prince Gael has a secret lover he hides from his siblings and use to be lovers. The story follows the two couples as they try to keep their relationship flowing in an up heave of violence and destruction. Whoever is poisoning the white beasts is someone close to them but if only they could figure out who would want to destroy them when they are close to bringing all three gods back.
All right folks, I really enjoyed this story but I did it find it frustrating and a little drawn out. It was so easy to figure out who was behind the poisonings and for the life of me; I just could not understand why it took so long for everyone else to. Yeh, it’s hard to see something when you are close to the problem but... gawd they took forever. Upside, lots more loving in this one and that made me happy. This one lacks the adventure and roller-coaster story line that I liked so much about the books before, but seriously, Poison is no disappointment. The ending kind of fell out in a rush but I always look forward to the endings in this series, I get to read, if only a little about the gods from the previous books.
Should You Read It? Yes! I believe this series is for all the fantasy lovers out there and should not be missed. Every story is so intricately woven together that I found myself going "oh I remember this". I freaking love all the colourful characters, and it is never a dull moment with the Lost Gods. Fantastic!
Poison brings the return of Aillill who we first met in Treasure, and then in book two, Burning Bright where he was poisoned (tada) while on a mission to return the royal jewels to the Faire Queen of his homeland Verde. So I was happy to see him return healthy, and fulfilling his duty as a white beast. Being noble is not something Ailill wants to be, but he has a duty to fulfill and he will see it through. He will play a part in restoring the mortal reincarnations of the gods, the Pegasus, the unicorn, and the Faire Queen. For 900 years, the ritual has failed and this time they are hoping to finally restore the gods. Seem that someone has other plans and Ailill is smack dab in the middle of it. Because someone is poisoning all the white beasts and Ailill knows in due time he will be next.
Then comes Ivan, a mercenary Ailill met on his travels and a man he brought to his bed. It comes as a surprise when Ivan shows up at his home no longer a merc, now a duke. Together they try to solve the mysterious poisonings, so close to the ceremony of bringing the gods back to Verde. With no idea of where to start or where to look, Ailill can only look on as his brothers, sisters, and his home perish in a state of anger and hatred.
Seems that the gods of Verde have built a home on lies and betrayal and 900 years of history has been repeating itself. The unicorn, Prince Gael has a secret lover he hides from his siblings and use to be lovers. The story follows the two couples as they try to keep their relationship flowing in an up heave of violence and destruction. Whoever is poisoning the white beasts is someone close to them but if only they could figure out who would want to destroy them when they are close to bringing all three gods back.
All right folks, I really enjoyed this story but I did it find it frustrating and a little drawn out. It was so easy to figure out who was behind the poisonings and for the life of me; I just could not understand why it took so long for everyone else to. Yeh, it’s hard to see something when you are close to the problem but... gawd they took forever. Upside, lots more loving in this one and that made me happy. This one lacks the adventure and roller-coaster story line that I liked so much about the books before, but seriously, Poison is no disappointment. The ending kind of fell out in a rush but I always look forward to the endings in this series, I get to read, if only a little about the gods from the previous books.
Should You Read It? Yes! I believe this series is for all the fantasy lovers out there and should not be missed. Every story is so intricately woven together that I found myself going "oh I remember this". I freaking love all the colourful characters, and it is never a dull moment with the Lost Gods. Fantastic!
September 27, 2018
I am really enjoying this series.
I loved Gael and Noires story. At first I was a little worried with Noire being kept a secret, but once I got to know Gael I soon realised he was the real deal.
The mystery with this one was deep and I could not for see how it would play out. But as always once it was explained it all came together perfectly.
Catching up with Ivan and co was the icing on the cake so to speak.
The little extra with Andre and Karp was a delightful bonus
ETA Such an interesting world.
I loved Gael and Noires story. At first I was a little worried with Noire being kept a secret, but once I got to know Gael I soon realised he was the real deal.
The mystery with this one was deep and I could not for see how it would play out. But as always once it was explained it all came together perfectly.
Catching up with Ivan and co was the icing on the cake so to speak.
The little extra with Andre and Karp was a delightful bonus
ETA Such an interesting world.
May 13, 2017
3.5 stars
Exhausting, particularly the 65% of this book (the first 14 of 20 chaps), and not what I was expected. It suffices to say this book is my least favorite in the series.
I started this book with really high hope. I mean a kingdom of shifters with faery queen and her guardians, Unicorn and Pegasus, and 12 White Beasts. Sadly what I got is a stupid couple (Gael and Noire) and nope, not the kind of stupid that you'd find it adorable, the kind of stupid in bad way, the kind of stupid that you want to strangle or punch them, especially Gael. But it seems Derr need them all to be stupid so the mystery of the tragedy of Sacred Ceremony can be unraveled, so she used those classic formula : "Gael had to kept his lover as dirty secret for his lover's safety because Gael thought it's the best even though it hurt them both so much" and .
Ahhh, classic, right? And that's why I think they are stupid. Actually, if Gael really cared and loved and proud of his lover and want to show him off to others just like he religiously professed to Noire and readers in the 65% of this book, he would just keep Noire beside him all the time to protect him from the start. And also, if he had ever really considered to try to build a good relationship between leader and subordinate from the start, then he had failed to do so. Not only that, he didn't trust his subordinates/ the 6 of White Beasts under his supervision (another 6 under Freddie the Pegasus), something that hurt his White Beasts much. I think he and Freddie should learn about leadership from Ivan the former 1st King of Pozhar.
What's more, the foolish Noire is just like his lover, love to bottle it up himself, won't even rely or trust his only friend, Ailil the White Panther (one of the White Beasts), at least not until the dire situation forced him.
Even Gael didn't bother to find out whether his black kitten has friends or not, someone to trust, because based on his '6th sense' (oh yes, he has faith in himself so much, because he's gonna be god in 2-3 months), it seemed revealing his black kitten to the world only means the death of Noire. And no wonder the 'enemy/betrayer' get the upper hand over his well-hidden secret.
Let me remind you that not only I had to watch this stupid couple kept wallowing about their backstreet for 14 chaps, I had a good portion of 9 White Beasts' squabbles (minus Ailil, Verenne the White Bat, and Seraphin the White Moongose) over trivial matters, and there's also a group of wolf against rabbits, or cats against dogs, etc. It's so messy and totally reminds me of my own country, in which like the Verde (the kingdom of shifters in this book), has so many ethnic groups that to unite the diversity is really difficult and somewhat impossible, and not to mention the strifes between almost every ethnic groups, and do you want to know what is it that can successfully united the diversity? A football match against Malaysia, our neighbor, lol.
Fortunately the last 6 chapters is somewhat appeased my disappointment over this book as I was growing weary with the situation and couldn't bear it anymore and thought, "Okay, it's about time we get to that damn Sacred Ceremony because I couldn't handle any more tension, can we move forward please and catch the witch and let this over and get some clues about Litch so I can move to the next book?"
So finally some mysteries were solved, but not all, because the last book aka the 5th will be the ultimate answer of the big riddle of this series. And that's also why you can't read all the book in this series as standalone, as I noticed quite many readers done that, they skipped book 2 (which is the best one in the series) because the romance portion in it is the least of all, however I think if you want to wholly understand this series, it's best to read them all. So do not shy away from reading this book just because I think its romance (especially Gale x Noire) is disappointing. You will need some answers to get ready for the last book.
Oh, but there are other couples in this book that I loved, *grin* Ivan x Ailil that appeared in book 2 and Andre the ferret x Karp which only appeared in the last pages of this book and I need moreeee story about Andre and Karp, I mean, it's ferretttt, they're so adorable, I wanna see Karp's POV when Andre in his ferret form, haha. XD
Last but not least, I just couldn't help but think .
Exhausting, particularly the 65% of this book (the first 14 of 20 chaps), and not what I was expected. It suffices to say this book is my least favorite in the series.
I started this book with really high hope. I mean a kingdom of shifters with faery queen and her guardians, Unicorn and Pegasus, and 12 White Beasts. Sadly what I got is a stupid couple (Gael and Noire) and nope, not the kind of stupid that you'd find it adorable, the kind of stupid in bad way, the kind of stupid that you want to strangle or punch them, especially Gael. But it seems Derr need them all to be stupid so the mystery of the tragedy of Sacred Ceremony can be unraveled, so she used those classic formula : "Gael had to kept his lover as dirty secret for his lover's safety because Gael thought it's the best even though it hurt them both so much" and .
Ahhh, classic, right? And that's why I think they are stupid. Actually, if Gael really cared and loved and proud of his lover and want to show him off to others just like he religiously professed to Noire and readers in the 65% of this book, he would just keep Noire beside him all the time to protect him from the start. And also, if he had ever really considered to try to build a good relationship between leader and subordinate from the start, then he had failed to do so. Not only that, he didn't trust his subordinates/ the 6 of White Beasts under his supervision (another 6 under Freddie the Pegasus), something that hurt his White Beasts much. I think he and Freddie should learn about leadership from Ivan the former 1st King of Pozhar.
What's more, the foolish Noire is just like his lover, love to bottle it up himself, won't even rely or trust his only friend, Ailil the White Panther (one of the White Beasts), at least not until the dire situation forced him.
Even Gael didn't bother to find out whether his black kitten has friends or not, someone to trust, because based on his '6th sense' (oh yes, he has faith in himself so much, because he's gonna be god in 2-3 months), it seemed revealing his black kitten to the world only means the death of Noire. And no wonder the 'enemy/betrayer' get the upper hand over his well-hidden secret.
Let me remind you that not only I had to watch this stupid couple kept wallowing about their backstreet for 14 chaps, I had a good portion of 9 White Beasts' squabbles (minus Ailil, Verenne the White Bat, and Seraphin the White Moongose) over trivial matters, and there's also a group of wolf against rabbits, or cats against dogs, etc. It's so messy and totally reminds me of my own country, in which like the Verde (the kingdom of shifters in this book), has so many ethnic groups that to unite the diversity is really difficult and somewhat impossible, and not to mention the strifes between almost every ethnic groups, and do you want to know what is it that can successfully united the diversity? A football match against Malaysia, our neighbor, lol.
Fortunately the last 6 chapters is somewhat appeased my disappointment over this book as I was growing weary with the situation and couldn't bear it anymore and thought, "Okay, it's about time we get to that damn Sacred Ceremony because I couldn't handle any more tension, can we move forward please and catch the witch and let this over and get some clues about Litch so I can move to the next book?"
So finally some mysteries were solved, but not all, because the last book aka the 5th will be the ultimate answer of the big riddle of this series. And that's also why you can't read all the book in this series as standalone, as I noticed quite many readers done that, they skipped book 2 (which is the best one in the series) because the romance portion in it is the least of all, however I think if you want to wholly understand this series, it's best to read them all. So do not shy away from reading this book just because I think its romance (especially Gale x Noire) is disappointing. You will need some answers to get ready for the last book.
Oh, but there are other couples in this book that I loved, *grin* Ivan x Ailil that appeared in book 2 and Andre the ferret x Karp which only appeared in the last pages of this book and I need moreeee story about Andre and Karp, I mean, it's ferretttt, they're so adorable, I wanna see Karp's POV when Andre in his ferret form, haha. XD
Last but not least, I just couldn't help but think .
October 5, 2024
Not my favourite. The mystery was bloody obvious and it was frustrating that they just explained them not working it out, as oh the magic was preventing it.
Ugh
Ugh
February 18, 2022
3.5 stars rounding up of Ivan blowing up at the Beasts, Gael and Freddie on why they don't deserve Ailill.
Gotta say Megan Derr had us floundering when it came to Ailill, his illness and how long it took to overcome it. I mean we reached the second third of the book to get some info in, when it came to Gael and who and what Etain and Freddie and their "relationship" with "his sisters". Man I went through a whole chills to the bone moment when it came to the relations these three had till almost at the beginning of the third part of the story Gael mentioned he was the reincarnation and was born to a bookseller or something, thus I realized that they aren't actually siblings.
Should I start ranting that none of the Triad, not even Gael, pushed the whole thing with the Jewels but let it languish like no one really cared about them and fool Ailill that spend so much time searching for them and almost was a suspect because he "didn't have as strong ties with the Beasts and the Triad".
Dare I even mention the fact that the Pegasus could fly and check what was going with the White Eagle moments after they started worrying but they left things be for months? Although I could attribute that to the same thing that kept everyone blind on realizing who was doing the poisoning. Which was brilliant in the way that I spend most of the story screaming at the characters who the culprit was but then Megan plot twisted the why they didn't figure crap out.
I really liked the end BUT after the dialogue was clichéd and the ending bland.
Still Ailill and Ivan and Gael with Noire were ❤️🔥🥵
Gotta say Megan Derr had us floundering when it came to Ailill, his illness and how long it took to overcome it. I mean we reached the second third of the book to get some info in, when it came to Gael and who and what Etain and Freddie and their "relationship" with "his sisters". Man I went through a whole chills to the bone moment when it came to the relations these three had till almost at the beginning of the third part of the story Gael mentioned he was the reincarnation and was born to a bookseller or something, thus I realized that they aren't actually siblings.
Should I start ranting that none of the Triad, not even Gael, pushed the whole thing with the Jewels but let it languish like no one really cared about them and fool Ailill that spend so much time searching for them and almost was a suspect because he "didn't have as strong ties with the Beasts and the Triad".
Dare I even mention the fact that the Pegasus could fly and check what was going with the White Eagle moments after they started worrying but they left things be for months? Although I could attribute that to the same thing that kept everyone blind on realizing who was doing the poisoning. Which was brilliant in the way that I spend most of the story screaming at the characters who the culprit was but then Megan plot twisted the why they didn't figure crap out.
I really liked the end BUT after the dialogue was clichéd and the ending bland.
Still Ailill and Ivan and Gael with Noire were ❤️🔥🥵
May 26, 2025
2.5 stars
Poison answers some big questions and rounds out plotpoints that have been developing since the beginning of the series.
Did it do so well? I'm not sure.
There was so much running back and forth. It felt like all the characters did in this book was running from A to B or falling unconscious. Particularly at the end of the book one or the other happpened in every single chapter, it was ridiculous.
The frequent time jumps did not help.
Ultimately, the book could have been much shorter.
That said, I liked seeing Ailill as a POV character, since he was introduced in the first book already, and I loved seeing him together with Ivan again, even if Ivan did not get a POV like in book 2. That said, while their dynamic was clearly a romance, I was severely confused as to why their entire romantic development was just... ignored. It was clear from the start when they met in book 2 that their dynamic would be one of "We are so used to casual relationships that we don't know what to do with these romantic feelings", so they were both confused about where their care for each other came from... and they still never talked about it. Not a single conversation or mention of love or what they are or their future together.
Also, the mandatory incest was stupid. Like why? I get that the tradtition of romantic entanglement between those characters was a central plot point, but did they have to be siblings?? That said, it was not made clear if the people are actual blood siblings, as from what I gather they are reincarnations of the sibling gods. Doesn't make it much better though.
Poison answers some big questions and rounds out plotpoints that have been developing since the beginning of the series.
Did it do so well? I'm not sure.
There was so much running back and forth. It felt like all the characters did in this book was running from A to B or falling unconscious. Particularly at the end of the book one or the other happpened in every single chapter, it was ridiculous.
The frequent time jumps did not help.
Ultimately, the book could have been much shorter.
That said, I liked seeing Ailill as a POV character, since he was introduced in the first book already, and I loved seeing him together with Ivan again, even if Ivan did not get a POV like in book 2. That said, while their dynamic was clearly a romance, I was severely confused as to why their entire romantic development was just... ignored. It was clear from the start when they met in book 2 that their dynamic would be one of "We are so used to casual relationships that we don't know what to do with these romantic feelings", so they were both confused about where their care for each other came from... and they still never talked about it. Not a single conversation or mention of love or what they are or their future together.
Also, the mandatory incest was stupid. Like why? I get that the tradtition of romantic entanglement between those characters was a central plot point, but did they have to be siblings?? That said, it was not made clear if the people are actual blood siblings, as from what I gather they are reincarnations of the sibling gods. Doesn't make it much better though.
November 15, 2019
Not guna lie I am loving this set of books. Again I toyed with giving this a 3 for the spelling and grammar mistakes but just thought fuck it ive give the others a 3 I’ll push the boat out with this one!
I like that all of these are stand alone books and the only thing that connects them really are the world that they live in, that being said it’s also a downfall in a way because I want to know what all the other gods and characters are up to and I’m abit miffed that once a book ends that’s it. They’re gone! And you ain’t never finding out about them again :(
I like that all of these are stand alone books and the only thing that connects them really are the world that they live in, that being said it’s also a downfall in a way because I want to know what all the other gods and characters are up to and I’m abit miffed that once a book ends that’s it. They’re gone! And you ain’t never finding out about them again :(
December 28, 2018
I think this book is by far my favorite of the lost gods series! It has Ailill and Ivan <3 and I positively adored Ailill in here. I really waited for the Verde story to see more of his romance. But that aside, I love the Lost Gods universe - it's mythology, differences between countries, the mystery in each book... Poison gets 4* from me and it's not 5 only because I didn't care too much for Gael and his behavior in regards to Noire.
March 18, 2023
The end is worth it, but this one was a bit of a trial for me and I'm glad to move on to the last book. I wish I could've been surprised by the reveal, but I'm too experienced a reader. I also found the sex scenes uninspired, but that's a me thing, and unimportant to the story as well. Anyway, onward to the final book: Chaos. How can that not be fun?
December 28, 2018
So... keep relationships and work separated... got it.
I like it.
I like it.
February 15, 2019
No sympathy left in me for that one character.
Smh
Smh
June 24, 2024
The most cohesive and propulsive book yet.
November 25, 2012
3.5 Stars
Nine Gods ruled the world in peace until betrayal caused their destruction. Now the world is slowly dying, and the only way for it to survive is to restore the Lost Gods to their former glory. The country of Verde is ruled by three of the Lost Gods, the Faerie Queen Etain, the Pegasus Freddie, and the Unicorn Gael. Slain nine centuries earlier, they must die every 100 years only to relive their lives once again until the cycle can be broken. Each time they die, Verde dies a little more with them. As the current 100 year cycle is drawing near, Gael must find a way to break the curse before Verde is destroyed, the court’s White Beasts, all the people and more importantly his lover along with it.
Ms. Derr builds a world where a man is not only a man but might be a panther, the woman waiting on you in the bar might be a tiger, and the man cooking your meal could well be a wolf. While this world is ruled by the Lost Gods, their twelve White Beasts help to maintain peace by sending out calming thoughts and strong discipline when necessary. If the Beasts fall, the citizens will have no way to calm themselves, thus chaos will ensue.
As the story progresses, we learn that someone has figured out a way to poison the powerful beasts, not killing them but putting them into a coma like state, as each one falls the ones left must take up the burden of not only calming their own people but the fallen beasts’ as well. When the first beast falls, the Triad asks newly returned White Beast Lord Ailill Le Blanc, the white panther, to discreetly investigate the incident. The story alternates between Ailill’s investigation and Gael’s desperate attempts to figure out who the culprit might be. Helping Ailill is his lover, Vanya a mercenary he met on one of his adventures. Gael leans heavily on the Royal Voice, a black panther named Noire Chevalier who happens to be his lover.
We meet Ailill in the beginning of the story and learn some of his story, which gets fleshed out as we continue to read. He is a wanderer, happiest when traveling the world on his ship and isn’t comfortable with court life or the trappings of royalty that he must wear. He wants nothing more than the cycle to be broken this time and to be able to once again resume his travels. He met Vanya (Ivan) two years earlier in Pozhar, and they became lovers. A mercenary by trade, Vanya was made a Duke by the Lost God of his own country. Vanya appears at Ailells’s home just as he is getting ready to leave on his investigation. Not one to be put off, Vanya decides to stay and help Ailell so they can be together.
Gael spends his time taking care of court business with his two sisters, who just so happen to be his lovers as well. While he is fond of them, his heart belongs to Noire. As the Royal Voice, Noire knows all the secrets of the court and is responsible for carrying messages for the Lost Gods. Gael is torn between wanting to be open in his love of Noire and his duties as a God and ruler and knows that if he goes public, his sisters will be upset. He seems to be a good man and truly is torn between what is best for his land and what his heart wants. Noire is loyal to Gael and will do anything for him even though he is heartbroken each time he sees Gael with one of the other Lost Gods.
This is an interesting story but the world that it is set in is more than a little confusing. This is the fourth book in a series and I have a feeling had I read the first three it might have been less confusing for me, but I haven’t, so I was lost most of the time. I did like the characters and the mystery kept me speculating until the end. While I did enjoy the bits I understood, I would have enjoyed the story more had the back-story not have been so reliant on the previous books. I can’t say for sure, but I think it would be wise to read the first three books first before picking up this one. My issues aside, anyone who enjoys fantasy should enjoy this book. While not erotica, there are a number of M/M sex scenes that are slightly graphic but most are pretty tame.
Member of the Paranormal Romance Guild Review Team
Nine Gods ruled the world in peace until betrayal caused their destruction. Now the world is slowly dying, and the only way for it to survive is to restore the Lost Gods to their former glory. The country of Verde is ruled by three of the Lost Gods, the Faerie Queen Etain, the Pegasus Freddie, and the Unicorn Gael. Slain nine centuries earlier, they must die every 100 years only to relive their lives once again until the cycle can be broken. Each time they die, Verde dies a little more with them. As the current 100 year cycle is drawing near, Gael must find a way to break the curse before Verde is destroyed, the court’s White Beasts, all the people and more importantly his lover along with it.
Ms. Derr builds a world where a man is not only a man but might be a panther, the woman waiting on you in the bar might be a tiger, and the man cooking your meal could well be a wolf. While this world is ruled by the Lost Gods, their twelve White Beasts help to maintain peace by sending out calming thoughts and strong discipline when necessary. If the Beasts fall, the citizens will have no way to calm themselves, thus chaos will ensue.
As the story progresses, we learn that someone has figured out a way to poison the powerful beasts, not killing them but putting them into a coma like state, as each one falls the ones left must take up the burden of not only calming their own people but the fallen beasts’ as well. When the first beast falls, the Triad asks newly returned White Beast Lord Ailill Le Blanc, the white panther, to discreetly investigate the incident. The story alternates between Ailill’s investigation and Gael’s desperate attempts to figure out who the culprit might be. Helping Ailill is his lover, Vanya a mercenary he met on one of his adventures. Gael leans heavily on the Royal Voice, a black panther named Noire Chevalier who happens to be his lover.
We meet Ailill in the beginning of the story and learn some of his story, which gets fleshed out as we continue to read. He is a wanderer, happiest when traveling the world on his ship and isn’t comfortable with court life or the trappings of royalty that he must wear. He wants nothing more than the cycle to be broken this time and to be able to once again resume his travels. He met Vanya (Ivan) two years earlier in Pozhar, and they became lovers. A mercenary by trade, Vanya was made a Duke by the Lost God of his own country. Vanya appears at Ailells’s home just as he is getting ready to leave on his investigation. Not one to be put off, Vanya decides to stay and help Ailell so they can be together.
Gael spends his time taking care of court business with his two sisters, who just so happen to be his lovers as well. While he is fond of them, his heart belongs to Noire. As the Royal Voice, Noire knows all the secrets of the court and is responsible for carrying messages for the Lost Gods. Gael is torn between wanting to be open in his love of Noire and his duties as a God and ruler and knows that if he goes public, his sisters will be upset. He seems to be a good man and truly is torn between what is best for his land and what his heart wants. Noire is loyal to Gael and will do anything for him even though he is heartbroken each time he sees Gael with one of the other Lost Gods.
This is an interesting story but the world that it is set in is more than a little confusing. This is the fourth book in a series and I have a feeling had I read the first three it might have been less confusing for me, but I haven’t, so I was lost most of the time. I did like the characters and the mystery kept me speculating until the end. While I did enjoy the bits I understood, I would have enjoyed the story more had the back-story not have been so reliant on the previous books. I can’t say for sure, but I think it would be wise to read the first three books first before picking up this one. My issues aside, anyone who enjoys fantasy should enjoy this book. While not erotica, there are a number of M/M sex scenes that are slightly graphic but most are pretty tame.
Member of the Paranormal Romance Guild Review Team
August 6, 2012
5 Hearts
First published at MM Good Book Reviews
http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.co...
Gael, the Unicorn is praying and hoping that this time around they will break the curse that has befallen Verde time and time again. He knows that if they fail not only himself and his sister Gods, but also his secret lover and the Twelve Beasts are cursed to die. Ailill is the White Panther asked to undertake the investigation. when the White beasts start to fall, can he discover who is behind the poisonings and why?
Okay. if you have read the previous blog story, then you want to rip it up, chuck it over your shoulder and dance in joy over this much darker and angstier Poison. Gael has been keeping a secret from his sister Gods, Freddie and Etain; he has a lover who he wants to be with more than anything else. Gael no longer loves his sister Gods in any way other than as family, but knows that he cannot reveal his secret until after the Ceremony. Now the White Beasts are being poisoned and the people of Verde are out of control. Ailill is asked to discover the culprit, but the answer is always just out of reach.
This is a wonderful continuation of The Lost Gods series. Ailill is a character that we have seen many times before in previous books; the most memorable being in Burning Bright with Vanya (Ivan). In this one, Ailill is missing Ivan enormously, even though it has been nearly two years since he last saw him. When Ivan comes to visit, he is delighted, but he is embarking on an investigation into the poisoning of the White Eagle. So Ivan helps him out. Gael and his lover are both being pulled apart with keeping their secret and are hoping that the Ceremony will be a success so they can be together. But, as more White Beasts fall they begin to despair as Verde falls apart.
This is a very intricate storyline and although you are given subtle hints along the way, it is still a shock to discover the depths that someone will go to out of jealousy and the refusal to let go. If you have read the original blog story, well here’s a warning because this one is a lot darker and more violence, and with much more bitterness and vindictiveness with no remorse in sight. If you haven’t read the blog story then be prepared for violence, angst, bitterness and vindictiveness with no remorse in sight. In this one we again get a visit from the Gods from the previous books and more clues fall into place as to why Licht turned on his brother and sister Gods.
If you love high fantasy, fantasy, hot sex, brilliant storylines, incredible characters, twists, betrayal, secrets kept for hundreds of years, two great couples fighting their way to be together and a happy ending, then this is the story for you.
First published at MM Good Book Reviews
http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.co...
Gael, the Unicorn is praying and hoping that this time around they will break the curse that has befallen Verde time and time again. He knows that if they fail not only himself and his sister Gods, but also his secret lover and the Twelve Beasts are cursed to die. Ailill is the White Panther asked to undertake the investigation. when the White beasts start to fall, can he discover who is behind the poisonings and why?
Okay. if you have read the previous blog story, then you want to rip it up, chuck it over your shoulder and dance in joy over this much darker and angstier Poison. Gael has been keeping a secret from his sister Gods, Freddie and Etain; he has a lover who he wants to be with more than anything else. Gael no longer loves his sister Gods in any way other than as family, but knows that he cannot reveal his secret until after the Ceremony. Now the White Beasts are being poisoned and the people of Verde are out of control. Ailill is asked to discover the culprit, but the answer is always just out of reach.
This is a wonderful continuation of The Lost Gods series. Ailill is a character that we have seen many times before in previous books; the most memorable being in Burning Bright with Vanya (Ivan). In this one, Ailill is missing Ivan enormously, even though it has been nearly two years since he last saw him. When Ivan comes to visit, he is delighted, but he is embarking on an investigation into the poisoning of the White Eagle. So Ivan helps him out. Gael and his lover are both being pulled apart with keeping their secret and are hoping that the Ceremony will be a success so they can be together. But, as more White Beasts fall they begin to despair as Verde falls apart.
This is a very intricate storyline and although you are given subtle hints along the way, it is still a shock to discover the depths that someone will go to out of jealousy and the refusal to let go. If you have read the original blog story, well here’s a warning because this one is a lot darker and more violence, and with much more bitterness and vindictiveness with no remorse in sight. If you haven’t read the blog story then be prepared for violence, angst, bitterness and vindictiveness with no remorse in sight. In this one we again get a visit from the Gods from the previous books and more clues fall into place as to why Licht turned on his brother and sister Gods.
If you love high fantasy, fantasy, hot sex, brilliant storylines, incredible characters, twists, betrayal, secrets kept for hundreds of years, two great couples fighting their way to be together and a happy ending, then this is the story for you.
February 5, 2013
At first I had some difficulties with this book because it has an element I really don't like in my M/M books and that is M/F (or in this case M/F/F). I just prefer my M/M books being M/M. But after reading further I realised the neccessity of this constellation so it was ok (and luckily there was no sex-scene). It took me not too long to suspect the culprit of the poisonings (yay, me! ^^) and as far as the storyline is concerned this book was really awesome.
It would have been 5 stars if not for a little thing that made reading this book really hard and annoying.
The proof-reading. It was shitty. I'm sorry but at this point I really have to vent my anger because it's not the first time I came across mistakes in a Megan Derr book, so the anger has built for a while ;).
It is one thing to have one or two little mistakes in a book. That happens, that is ok. But the proof-reader of this book (if there was one!) really must be blind because there were so many words just MISSING. How can you not see that? It's not just things like "He hart" instead of "He heard". The words were simply missing, in the middle of a sentence, in the end.
If that were my book I would be ashamed for so many mistakes. And I as a reader wonder why they didn't correct and exchang the file. When I pay 7 dollars for an ebook I expect a good proof-reading! And even if that happened while formating the file (because everyone knows that computers and programms can be a bitch!), read it a second time before selling the book! I really got angry while reading, so I could not enjoy it as much as I would have.
But the bad proof-reading doesn't change the fact that the story is great and I love the series.
It would have been 5 stars if not for a little thing that made reading this book really hard and annoying.
The proof-reading. It was shitty. I'm sorry but at this point I really have to vent my anger because it's not the first time I came across mistakes in a Megan Derr book, so the anger has built for a while ;).
It is one thing to have one or two little mistakes in a book. That happens, that is ok. But the proof-reader of this book (if there was one!) really must be blind because there were so many words just MISSING. How can you not see that? It's not just things like "He hart" instead of "He heard". The words were simply missing, in the middle of a sentence, in the end.
If that were my book I would be ashamed for so many mistakes. And I as a reader wonder why they didn't correct and exchang the file. When I pay 7 dollars for an ebook I expect a good proof-reading! And even if that happened while formating the file (because everyone knows that computers and programms can be a bitch!), read it a second time before selling the book! I really got angry while reading, so I could not enjoy it as much as I would have.
But the bad proof-reading doesn't change the fact that the story is great and I love the series.
December 29, 2012
Ailill and Ivan are my new favorite couple in this series! I'd been looking forward to reading the rest of their story ever since book 2, and I love how it turned out. I adored how they didn't betray their tough-guy-ness that had been built up so fantastically well in book 2 and suddenly go all mushy in this one. And yet, their scenes--especially near the end--are some of the most romantic in the series.
The other couple in this book, however, frustrated me. Noire was whiny to the point I wanted to start skimming whenever I saw his name on the page. Fortunately right when I was about to give up on him was when things between Gael and him started getting better. He did become significantly less annoying, but it didn't make up for how he'd been...
Getting to explore a fourth country in this one was again delightful, and I continue to be fascinated with the world Ms. Derr has created in this series. I just wish I could have seen some of Verde before everything started to go so badly.
I also appreciate that excuses were given for why nobody caught on to who the poisoner was, but it still frustrated me how obvious it was and how none of them seemed to care enough to put the pieces together in time. I know that's totally my personal hang-up and one of the big reasons I'm not very into mysteries, but I think it's why I couldn't appreciate this one quite as much as I'd wanted to.
Looking forward to seeing how the series ends!
The other couple in this book, however, frustrated me. Noire was whiny to the point I wanted to start skimming whenever I saw his name on the page. Fortunately right when I was about to give up on him was when things between Gael and him started getting better. He did become significantly less annoying, but it didn't make up for how he'd been...
Getting to explore a fourth country in this one was again delightful, and I continue to be fascinated with the world Ms. Derr has created in this series. I just wish I could have seen some of Verde before everything started to go so badly.
I also appreciate that excuses were given for why nobody caught on to who the poisoner was, but it still frustrated me how obvious it was and how none of them seemed to care enough to put the pieces together in time. I know that's totally my personal hang-up and one of the big reasons I'm not very into mysteries, but I think it's why I couldn't appreciate this one quite as much as I'd wanted to.
Looking forward to seeing how the series ends!
November 23, 2016
I liked this book, however it was painfully obvious who the bad guy was from the beginning. Specially with the spoiler from Lost Gods 3 about the Fairy Queen and the whole affair with Licht.
I loved Noire and Gail, but than again, it was obvious they were together and what would be his role in the ceremony. All in all, I saw the end coming a mile away.
I have wondered if the names of the characters on each book are chosen from a particular nation. Book 1 - Japan (or maybe China?) with Raiden, Nankyokukai, Takara..., book 2 - Russia (or maybe Eastern Europe contries) with Nicolai, Sonya, Ivan..., Book 3 - Spain (or other Spanish speaking country) with Cortez, Corinos, Fidel..., book 4 - Lord of the rings Middle Earth - with Aillil, Etain, Seraphin (definitely elfish lands).
2nd read:
I liked it better the second time around.
I loved Noire and Gail, but than again, it was obvious they were together and what would be his role in the ceremony. All in all, I saw the end coming a mile away.
I have wondered if the names of the characters on each book are chosen from a particular nation. Book 1 - Japan (or maybe China?) with Raiden, Nankyokukai, Takara..., book 2 - Russia (or maybe Eastern Europe contries) with Nicolai, Sonya, Ivan..., Book 3 - Spain (or other Spanish speaking country) with Cortez, Corinos, Fidel..., book 4 - Lord of the rings Middle Earth - with Aillil, Etain, Seraphin (definitely elfish lands).
2nd read:
I liked it better the second time around.
November 8, 2020
I liked this book, however it was painfully obvious who the bad guy was from the beginning. Specially with the spoiler from Lost Gods 3 about the Fairy Queen and the whole affair with Licht.
I loved Noire and Gail, but than again, it was obvious they were together and what would be his role in the ceremony. All in all, I saw the end coming a mile away.
I have wondered if the names of the characters on each book are chosen from a particular nation. Book 1 - Japan (or maybe China?) with Raiden, Nankyokukai, Takara..., book 2 - Russia (or maybe Eastern Europe contries) with Nicolai, Sonya, Ivan..., Book 3 - Spain (or other Spanish speaking country) with Cortez, Corinos, Fidel..., book 4 - Lord of the rings Middle Earth - with Aillil, Etain, Seraphin (definitely elfish lands).
2nd read:
I liked it better the second time around.
I loved Noire and Gail, but than again, it was obvious they were together and what would be his role in the ceremony. All in all, I saw the end coming a mile away.
I have wondered if the names of the characters on each book are chosen from a particular nation. Book 1 - Japan (or maybe China?) with Raiden, Nankyokukai, Takara..., book 2 - Russia (or maybe Eastern Europe contries) with Nicolai, Sonya, Ivan..., Book 3 - Spain (or other Spanish speaking country) with Cortez, Corinos, Fidel..., book 4 - Lord of the rings Middle Earth - with Aillil, Etain, Seraphin (definitely elfish lands).
2nd read:
I liked it better the second time around.
February 20, 2016
I think I'm going to start a 'Three Things' tradition every time I finish reading a book.
So here's the three things:
First, that Witch Queen. I have a lot to say to that witch better left unsaid or I might find myself banned for 'inappropriate' words. Livid is not even deep enough to describe how I loath that Witch of a Queen.
Second, there's so many emotions here, more than the previous 3 books I think, especially that part of Gael in chapter 11. I especially love that one.
Third, I AM SO GONNA SHIP THE TWO MAIN CHARACTERS!!!! xD If ever they are real, I am so gonna be their number one fan!!! xD
So here's the three things:
First, that Witch Queen. I have a lot to say to that witch better left unsaid or I might find myself banned for 'inappropriate' words. Livid is not even deep enough to describe how I loath that Witch of a Queen.
Second, there's so many emotions here, more than the previous 3 books I think, especially that part of Gael in chapter 11. I especially love that one.
Third, I AM SO GONNA SHIP THE TWO MAIN CHARACTERS!!!! xD If ever they are real, I am so gonna be their number one fan!!! xD
September 16, 2012
Megan's ability to interconnect the lands in this series by their reactions to their Lost Gods amazes me, because they're all so very different. Their strategies concerning their gods are so very different from each other, that it's fascinating watching to see how each dilemma will be resolved.
This is the fourth book in the series, and I've pre-ordered the fifth, as it's not possible to stop reading at this point.
Excellent series that everyone who like m/m stories, especially fantasy, should read right now.
This is the fourth book in the series, and I've pre-ordered the fifth, as it's not possible to stop reading at this point.
Excellent series that everyone who like m/m stories, especially fantasy, should read right now.
February 7, 2013
See that title? "Poison". Well, this book is just that. Poison. That will burn at your soul and heart, make you want to cry and laugh, and will take away all the hours of sleep you should have gotten but didn't because it is an addictive poison at that. Read at your own risk.
October 14, 2015
Having read and thoroughly enjoyed the previous versions of the Lost Gods series, I found that I did not care for the revision of Poison. It's probably ok, but the for my tastes, the old version was better.
August 20, 2012
just in time for my holiday
November 3, 2012
3.5 stars
Want to read
December 29, 2012*Currently on a mission to buy all of these books.
June 18, 2013
Aillil and Ivan are my favorite couple in this series!
August 4, 2014
this I think was my favorite of the series so far.
April 7, 2015
Nice :) same thing, no actual explicit scene... it feels hanging to me, it lessens my belief of their desire with each other but anyway... it was a nice read. :)
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