Poisoned Message

Enforcers and Coterie #5

by Veronica Del Rosa

Last in the Enforcers and Coterie series, Poisoned Message delves deeper into a world where magic co-exists peacefully with the ordinary, for the most part…

After thousands of years under the thumb of the Overlord, Nicor is on the cusp of freeing his people. He should be focused on cementing his allies, building his army, and hiding the rebellion—not courting a mage who would sooner throw a fireball at his head than admit she has something so useless as feelings.

As an Elite Enforcer and a powerful mage from a tainted bloodline, Alina clings to the ruthless training that strips Enforcers of any emotion—making her a competent, lethal machine. But when her boss orders her to work with a treacherous demon, one who refuses to accept her cold exterior, it’ll take every ounce of her training to keep her distance.

Nicor and Alina have only a month left until the world is brought down by a virus engineered to kill preternaturals and make Earth vulnerable to attack. But as Nicor peels Alina’s emotional armor away, she’s left exposed to enemies closer than she knows. As armies collide and centuries of secrets come to light, Nicor and Alina must overcome their mutual suspicions—and their mounting attraction—to stop the Overlord before there’s no one left on Earth to save.

326 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 23, 2018

About the author

Veronica Del Rosa is a master at disguises. She can be a computer geek, an obsessed reader, a fun-loving mom, a sci-fi lover, a distracted gamer, and occasionally, a wise-cracking author. But don’t let the disguises fool you. First and foremost, she’s a romantic at heart.

Want to see what the supervillain hero is up to? Hunt her down at these following locations:

Twitter: @Veronica_DelRos,
Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/pages/Veroni...

Reviews

[✘✘ Sarah ✘✘ (former Nefarious Breeder of Murderous Crustaceans) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Actual rating: 4.5 stars.

Disclaimer: yeah yeah yeah, Veronica Del Rosa is my friend some chick I vaguely know, blah blah blah and all that crap.

I have a new boyfriend. And his name is Nicor. And he is a demon. And it is a truth universally acknowledged that all demons are yummy and stuff. And it is also a truth universally acknowledged that all book boyfriends are mine (just ask Jane Austen). Ergo, Nicor is mine (logic really is a thing of beauty, if you ask me). And I don't care if he has a girlfriend distant female acquaintance because her name is not Sarah so she doesn't count and stuff. I mean, Alina, what kind of a silly name is that? No "s," no "r" and no "h," it's the most ridiculous name I've ever heard. Also, she does not deserve Nicor. Obviously. Can you believe the silly girl actually resents him for kinda sorta kidnapping her in the previous instalment?! What a selfish, ungrateful, ungracious little barnacle! Something must have gone really wrong in her formative years. Yes, Veronica Del Rosa, it's YOU I'm looking at!



You look a little green around the edges, dear. Are you sure you didn't eat too much for Christmas?

And you know what? Not only is Alina unnecessarily and most aggressively hostile towards my Nicor, she is repugnantly anti-demon, too! She's prejudiced, a bloody shrimping racist and hates their deliciously demonic guts! It's outrageous! It's scandalous! It's shocking! But wait, it gets worse! She's as emotional as a brick, too! And totally lacks compassion! The Bad Parent (aka Veronica Del Rosa, in case you'd forgotten) will tell you that Alina is like that because of her training as an Enforcer, that she was taught to put a lid on her emotions, to never get involved, to always keep her distance from super hot demons who get her pincers tingling all over everyone and everything, that her parents spoiler spoiler spoiler, blah blah blah and all that crap. Fine, sure, okay, whatever. Doesn't change the fact that she's a patronizing, stuck-up snob. And that she doesn't deserve my boyfriend. And that her name isn't Sarah. Ha.



That was a dancing interruption. You're welcome.

Okay, so my Nicor seems to be slightly obsessed with Alina think Alina isn't completely useless, so maybe she isn't that bad. Well, it is true that she does take a little after me in the kick ass department, so I guess there might be hope for her yet. Another thing we have in common is showing our affection through head-butting and ass slapping, which makes me think she might not be entirely expendable. And I have to admit (very reluctantly, of course) that her brickness level goes down as the story progresses (nothing like getting a demon in your panties your panties in a twist to help with that). She even ends up realizing how wrong her erroneously inaccurate ways were! I kid you not. It's amazing what a little dose of Nicor will do to a girl's reluctant knickers bigoted attitude. My boyfriend really is the Mother Theresa of the demon world, come to think of it. I mean, he has to be, to burden himself with the task of rescuing the Poor Girl Whose Name Isn't Sarah (PGWNIS™) from herself. Such a lickable kind, tasty compassionate, luscious charitable soul is he. Sigh and stuff.

Soooooo, now that I've so brilliantly demonstrated that Nicor is MINE and that Alina doesn't deserve him, let's talk about the story a little. If you don't mind, that is. And even if you do. I mean, you've made it this far, might as well keep suffering a little while more, right? Right. Okay, so for those Clueless Barnacles who had the tragic misfortune to miss the previous episodes, know that this world is scrumpalicious and original and fresh and super cool and stuff. Also know that, although this is disgusting PNR, Veronica Del Rosa has a thing for chopping tropes into tiny little pieces, stomping on them and setting them on fire for good measure. Which is slightly glorious, if you ask me.



Yes, I air-swim when I come across slightly glorious stuff.

Now this particular instalment (which, incidentally, is not entirely crappy and kind of entertaining and somewhat fast-paced and a little compelling and sort of a page-turner) is about villainous overlords who want to take over the world (yum), evil scientists evilly playing with DNA and creating evil viruses that spoiler spoiler spoiler (yay), vile scumbags being vile scumbags (goody), positively edible cunning undercover demons who do lots of cunning undercover demon things (whoopee), awesomely smashing fights that are, um, awesome and smashing (yippee), stupendously spectacular battles that are, you know, stupendous and spectacular (huzza), and teleporting to and from Ibiza (don't look at me, I'm innocent. I've no idea why some people would want to do such a silly thing, to be honest. They must have a shrimp fetish or something). Also, demons. They are yummy. And they are mine. Well the yummy ones are, anyway. The other one are all yours, my Little Barnacles. No really, I insist. Yes, I know, it is an awfully generous gesture on my part. What can I say, I'm considerate and thoughtful like that.



» And the moral of this Bloody Fishing Shrimp My High Security Harem is Getting So Crowded I'll Have to Invade the Ocean Next Door Soon to Make Room for all the New Boyfriends Lining Up at my Door Crappy Non Review (BFFMHSHiGSCIHtItONDStMRfatNBLUamDCNR™) is: I'd tell you I'm depressed as fish that this is the final instalment in this series, and that my life has no meaning now that Enforcers and Coterie has come to an end, but we all know that this would be an uncharacteristically dishonest statement on my part since I am slightly allergic to bloody shrimping PNR, and that what I'm really feeling right now is over-joyous elation and ecstatic bliss, because this nightmare is finally OVER and I won't have to read another book set in this silly world, at least not until the Slightly Deranged Author starts working on her new series, which will be (very unfortunately) set in the very same world, so lucky me and stuff, and now this sentence is over so feel free to resume breathing and you are quite welcome.

✉ A very private message to Veronica Del Rosa: you are now done writing this series and therefore are lost and slightly crestfallen and your life is in shambles. Worry not, for I just put together a tiny to-dowrite list that should keep you entertained for a little while: Elinor + Kellan, Renata + Simone (because we all need a little F/F action in our shrimpy lives), more Zephan, more Nicor (Alina optional) and more Victor. Also, don't forget to speed up the Revenant thing and the Mara thing and I think that's it for now but I shall return post haste with more stuff for you.

ARC kindly provided by the Slightly Deranged Author (SDA™) in exchange for an honest review.

✎ Book 1: Magic Resistant - Veronica said I shouldn't read it. So I didn't. Go me.
✎ Book 2: Sylvia's Torment ★★★★
✎ Book 3: Dawn's Keeper ★★★★
✎ Book 3.5: Assassinated Love ★★★
✎ Book 4: Chained in Desire ★★★★
✎ Book 4.5: The Love of a Good Fae ★★★★
✎ Book 4.6: Dabbling in Magic ★★★★★



[Pre-review nonsense]

Sigh. Yet another crappy instalment in this series. This really has to stop. And I wish Veronica Del Rosa would put an end to this silly Enforcers and Coterie business. I've had it with this uninspired, dull, unimaginative world.

*accidentaly stumbles upon the book blurb*

"Last in the Enforcers and Coterie series..."



Woo hoo and stuff!!! There is a God Shrimp and she loves me and stuff!

*reads a recent comment by Veronica Del Rosa*

"I decided spin-off series would be better than just continuing this one."

Bloody shrimping hell, I'm doomed.



➽ Full There Seems to Be a Glitch or Something I Wanted to Give this Book a 1 Star Rating but Goodreads Won't Let Me This is Outrageous and Stuff Crappy Non Review (TStBaGoSIWtGtBa1SRbGWLMTiOaSCNR™) to come.



[December 11,2017]

The Slightly Deranged Author (SDA™) has audaciously stricken again!!! I have an AAAAAAAARRRRCCCCCC!!!! Not excited in the least. Couldn't care less and stuff.

[Heather Blair · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nicor.

At last.

I've been waiting for this demon's story since he first showed up in the pages of Del Rosa's Enforcers & Coterie series. It's fitting his is the last book in the series (though not in this world, or else Veronica knows I'd show up at her door in true Annie Wilkes fashion!)

Nicor is planning to overthrow the Overlord. Well, you can't say he doesn't dream big, but a thousand years or so in metaphorical chains will do that to a guy. But he needs help. Mage help, not to put too fine a point on it. And the mages are reluctant, especially a certain cool blond Elite Enforcer.

Alina hasn't forgiven the demon for using her a shield and threatening to teleport her to the bottom of the ocean. But as a powerful mage, she's learned to control her emotions.

Hasn't she?

This is a richly detailed world that I have grown to love, and most of our favorites make an appearance in this finale. Victor, Keeper, Dawn, the werewolves....sigh.

It was well worth waiting for. :)

[Ramona Plant · Rating 5 out of 5]

Poisoned Message is an amazing book written by Veronica DelRosa. I admit I am a huge fan and have read every book in the series. With that being said, you don't have to have read every book in the series to understand what is happening, but for one they are all amazing and you may as well start from the beginning and two you will get the little tidbits here and there that connect the background story and sort of ties them all together even though as I said you don't have to have read them all. This is why the plot in this last book is so genius, the author ties them all together, yet makes this book stand alone enough that you can read just this one on its own! That takes some serious skill!

The plot is just pure genius and very well developed. It has some very well placed twists that, that the author in a way set earlier on with little bread crumbs throughout the different books. This book however is the big grand finale and all comes together beautifully although the author sure keeps you at the edge of your seat. This book is on the longer side and I was happy about that because I love her books so I was happy about extra page to read. Even with that I literally ate that book up and had a difficult time putting it down. This is one of those page turners that grab you and are impossible to put down.

This book focuses on Alina, an elite enforcer as well as Nicor, a demon who we really haven't learnt much about yet, but I sure was happy to learn more about this two characters in this book. Alina is strong yet has her weak sides, which especially for an elite is frowned upon. Nicor, oh my, who knew who he really is and what he was about. Curious to see how these two will play some part in future books.

I loved this book from the first to the last word and can't wait for what this author will write next. I know the series of the enforcers is done, but I know she has more in store, thanks newsletters, and I for one am excited to read what she will write next! I am a die hard fan and can only highly recommend her to fellow lovers of the paranormal. This author knows how to write, has lots of action, intricate plots and ample romance, what else can you ask for?

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an exciting finale!

I’ve waited forever for Nicor’s book and to find Alina in it was a huge treat! I couldn’t believe the amazing way the whole series has been wrapped up. Five stars for the series and five stars for this finale. And can we please please please get a Revenant book?!? Wait, I know this answer...hurry up and wait. ;)

[Christine Karmelreads2665 W. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Betrayal in the Ranks

When I started reading poison message I was not sure what to expect from this author. I kind of thought this book would be some knight in shining armor but it really isn't and that was a good surprise.

In this book you will come across all kinds of supernatural beings who who are not all that super natural I believe the author uses the term preternatural. If you enjoy stories about the FAE, witches, Magic, demons or any other type of being this story will appeal to you.

Not to give away too much but one of my favorite scenes in the book as when Alina has an epiphany about herself and she says, "I'm a racist" was just the best. This may seem to be a weird quote to enjoy from the book but once you read the story up to this point and get to know Alina's character hopefully you will get why I think it's the best.

[Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

** I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.**

'Poisoned Message' was just as awesome as the previous books in the 'Enforcers and Coterie Series'. The story line was full of action, awesome scenarios, creative beings and some hot and steamy moments. Once I started reading, I couldn't stop. I loved the story and how it played out. The twists were very unexpected and hit me with a 'wtf?' a couple times, but man did it work. Alina has always been a bad-ass and reserved, to a point. In this book she's still a bad-ass, but I see a different side to her. Nicor is always a wild card. I never know what he's going to do. In this story it holds true again, kinda. I can't say a whole
It with out revealing some thing that needs to stay quiet, at least until you read it for yourself. The story as a whole was awesome. A must add to your tbr list. Recommended read.