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The Messenger Chronicles #4
Prince of Dreams
“Oh what a tangled web we weave…”
Kesh fled Faerie as a queen killer. Now she returns as the Faerie King’s secret obsession. But on Faerie, nothing is as it seems, not even Kesh herself.
With days to stop Arran’s execution and the stoic guardian, Sirius, as her constant shadow, Kesh must weave her lies deep within Faerie’s courts where magic and whispers combine and conspire. Soon, Kesh learns there is more at stake than Arran’s life. Faerie is dying. Oberon’s reign is crumbling. The time to strike against the fae is now. But with Talen and Kellee a thousand light-years away, Kesh knows she cannot succeed alone…
Beneath the courtly politics, the glittering facades, and the King’s fragile hold on his people, the Dreamweaver is locked in eternal slumber, dreaming of the day his Queen of Hearts will set him free… because he knows, Kesh has no other choice.
Kesh survived the Dreamweaver once before. Now all she has to do is control him.
But Faerie's Dreamweaver has other ideas for the peoples’ Messenger. He knows who, and what, Kesh really is and he has every intention of using her to make all his dreams come true.
He takes your mind, makes it his, takes your soul, makes you cruel.
Dare you answer the Dreamweaver’s call?
Kesh fled Faerie as a queen killer. Now she returns as the Faerie King’s secret obsession. But on Faerie, nothing is as it seems, not even Kesh herself.
With days to stop Arran’s execution and the stoic guardian, Sirius, as her constant shadow, Kesh must weave her lies deep within Faerie’s courts where magic and whispers combine and conspire. Soon, Kesh learns there is more at stake than Arran’s life. Faerie is dying. Oberon’s reign is crumbling. The time to strike against the fae is now. But with Talen and Kellee a thousand light-years away, Kesh knows she cannot succeed alone…
Beneath the courtly politics, the glittering facades, and the King’s fragile hold on his people, the Dreamweaver is locked in eternal slumber, dreaming of the day his Queen of Hearts will set him free… because he knows, Kesh has no other choice.
Kesh survived the Dreamweaver once before. Now all she has to do is control him.
But Faerie's Dreamweaver has other ideas for the peoples’ Messenger. He knows who, and what, Kesh really is and he has every intention of using her to make all his dreams come true.
He takes your mind, makes it his, takes your soul, makes you cruel.
Dare you answer the Dreamweaver’s call?
390 pages, Paperback
First published December 6, 2018
119 people are currently reading
641 people want to read
About the author
Pippa DaCosta
79 books1,559 followersTwo-time DragonCon Finalist & Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award semi-finalist--- "Wait a second. Let's cut to the chase. I write kick-ass urban fantasy & sci-fi novels with conflicted characters, breathless action, and no-holds-barred dialogue. My books may not leave you feeling all fluffy and warm inside, but they will excite you. There will be plot-twists, angst, probably a few dead bodies, and very likely your favorite character will turn out to be the bad guy. Don't say I didn't warn you..."
www.pippadacosta.com
(I review on Goodreads as a reader, not a writer. Reviews here are my personal opinion, not a professional one).
www.pippadacosta.com
(I review on Goodreads as a reader, not a writer. Reviews here are my personal opinion, not a professional one).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 111 reviews
December 17, 2018
I think the Messenger Chronicles has finally become my favorite RH series. It's official with this latest installment, Prince of Dreams.
The series' two strongest features are its world and its character development.
The world Pippa has built is a complicated mix of epic fantasy and gritty sci-fi: picture a galaxy in which mythical fae have planted the seeds of life in different star systems, creating sentient races (including humans) meant to someday evolve to serve their creators. However, humans fought their subjugation by developing tek, machines that are capable harming the immortal fae. The Messenger Chronicles takes place across star systems and so far we have visited human, fae, and in between planets. Each setting has its own secrets and complicated history, which the author reveals in slow bits and pieces.
As for the characters, our leading lady Kesh is as multi-faceted as they come. So far she has adopted and shed many different identities throughout the plot: Kesh Lasota, the Wraithmaker, the nothing girl, the Messenger, and so on.
What I liked about these many identities residing within one character is the way Kesh's inner dialogue and actions change depending on which identity she feels closest to. Living in her head is a wild ride, it never gets boring. Also, many of the love interests and supporting cast also take up different roles, or have done so in the past.
A word about the rollercoaster relationships
A common criticism I hear for this series is that keeping up with the erratic behavior of Kesh and the supporting cast is frustrating, especially when the main relationships are volatile as well. I agree that there was a pattern of trust and mistrust between the main characters in the first two books of the series, as the characters changed their minds about each other seemingly every two pages. At some points it seemed as though Kesh loved her men one second, and didn't trust them as far as she could chuck them the next second.
However!! Trust has consistently built and bloomed between main characters, especially Kesh, Kellee, and Talen, since the third book. That trust has bloomed into relationships that I believe will last from here on out. Remember, this is a sloooooooowburn RH, but for those worrying that we'll never get to see love, it does begin to show in the latest books.
Moreover, I actually like how all the relationships are complex. They are multifaceted and unstable, just like the characters. Just like the different settings and different races in the Messenger world. The entire series is thematically consistent. The more I read, the more I get the feeling that Pippa is not just telling a story for the heck of it; she's making a point about the world in which we live. (The exact point she is making is up to interpretation.) This thematic coherency is so rare in RH, but so vital to writing a meaningful story. It makes me happy enough I want to forgive any flaws I might otherwise find with the series.
So, tl;dr: I can't recommend this series enough to those of my friends who love the RH genre but are getting tired of the fluff and repetitiveness that many new series entail. The Messenger Chronicles is a dark, slowburn fantasy/scifi RH that's written with a lot of skill and creativity. Give it a try!
The series' two strongest features are its world and its character development.
The world Pippa has built is a complicated mix of epic fantasy and gritty sci-fi: picture a galaxy in which mythical fae have planted the seeds of life in different star systems, creating sentient races (including humans) meant to someday evolve to serve their creators. However, humans fought their subjugation by developing tek, machines that are capable harming the immortal fae. The Messenger Chronicles takes place across star systems and so far we have visited human, fae, and in between planets. Each setting has its own secrets and complicated history, which the author reveals in slow bits and pieces.
As for the characters, our leading lady Kesh is as multi-faceted as they come. So far she has adopted and shed many different identities throughout the plot: Kesh Lasota, the Wraithmaker, the nothing girl, the Messenger, and so on.
What I liked about these many identities residing within one character is the way Kesh's inner dialogue and actions change depending on which identity she feels closest to. Living in her head is a wild ride, it never gets boring. Also, many of the love interests and supporting cast also take up different roles, or have done so in the past.
A word about the rollercoaster relationships
A common criticism I hear for this series is that keeping up with the erratic behavior of Kesh and the supporting cast is frustrating, especially when the main relationships are volatile as well. I agree that there was a pattern of trust and mistrust between the main characters in the first two books of the series, as the characters changed their minds about each other seemingly every two pages. At some points it seemed as though Kesh loved her men one second, and didn't trust them as far as she could chuck them the next second.
However!! Trust has consistently built and bloomed between main characters, especially Kesh, Kellee, and Talen, since the third book. That trust has bloomed into relationships that I believe will last from here on out. Remember, this is a sloooooooowburn RH, but for those worrying that we'll never get to see love, it does begin to show in the latest books.
Moreover, I actually like how all the relationships are complex. They are multifaceted and unstable, just like the characters. Just like the different settings and different races in the Messenger world. The entire series is thematically consistent. The more I read, the more I get the feeling that Pippa is not just telling a story for the heck of it; she's making a point about the world in which we live. (The exact point she is making is up to interpretation.) This thematic coherency is so rare in RH, but so vital to writing a meaningful story. It makes me happy enough I want to forgive any flaws I might otherwise find with the series.
So, tl;dr: I can't recommend this series enough to those of my friends who love the RH genre but are getting tired of the fluff and repetitiveness that many new series entail. The Messenger Chronicles is a dark, slowburn fantasy/scifi RH that's written with a lot of skill and creativity. Give it a try!
Read
November 8, 2018One word:
Eledan.
Are you ready for the Prince of Dreams?
Eledan.
Are you ready for the Prince of Dreams?
July 16, 2024
✅ Action and magic
✅ Plot and pace
✅ Expanding world-building
✅ Characters
✅ Complex relationships
✅ Reverse-harem
✅ Eledan is back!
✅ 2 POVs (Kesh and Kellee)
✅🆗 Sexual tension
Strong 4.5 stars
Once again, it was a story full of emotions and action.
After Arran’s betrayal, Kesh is now stuck on Faerie, back in Oberon’s court, and Sirius is appointed as her guardian... day and night... I had a feeling that Sirius would gain some importance in this series and I was right, Kesh just added another man to her harem... And I am not mad at all. I was not surprised to find out that Sirius had a thing for Kesh underneath all his snarky attitude, and hatred, but I was surprised to find out that he could be kind and caring and actually have good principles and wants to help the saru. For him, it is not only about serving and protecting the crown, he wants what is best for Faerie, even if he is not happy with what he needs to do. The important is the end result.
The relationships between Kesh and her team are still changing and they are getting better and stronger. They finally trust each other and Kesh seems more certain of her feelings. In the first two books, she had a way of going from lust, to hate, to love, to mistrust every 5 pages or so. Now the Messenger crew knows that they can count on each other and they are willing to do almost anything to protect each other.
There is a lot of character development in this series, it is definitely a strength of the books. That and the great world-building. Kesh is a multi-layered main character that I love more with each book. I was not her biggest fan at first, but she changed a lot in the 3rd and 4th books and I really like her now. Thanks to her change of character, the trust between her and her, Kellee, and Talen was able to bloom and grow stronger in the last two books and it was a nice change from all the mistrust and angst. I love angst, but I am ready for less angst and more romance now.
I am sad that Kesh was away from Kellee, Talen, and Sota for most of the book, but I think it helped her create a stronger bond with Sirius, and it also helped everyone realize how they care and love each other, and how they need to be together because they are stronger together (even though their relationships are still unstable at times and so damn complex). We also got some Kellee chapters so I’m not complaining. I am still hoping for more smut in the last book though because even though his series is a reverse-harem, there is not much spice so far. There is sexual tension for sure, but I want moooooore!
Also, Sota and Kellee’s interactions were so funny, I laughed out loud more than once thanks to their silly banter. Sota is such a sassy robot, I love him!
Eledan is back in the series and I am SO HAPPY about it!!! That means a whole lot of mind trick (and mindfuck), illusions, and mistrust. I’m just so happy that he’s back in the game, he is such an interesting and complex villain. I also feel that he still has his part to play in the final book and the author may surprise us with him.
I also have to say that I love the idea that Faerie is a sentient entity and not just a magical place. Faerie has a will and a way and She is a living thing and it made this whole world even more magical. It was also very nice to finally see more of Oberon and the homeland of the pretentious and cruel faes.
This book was, once again a delight to read. It had me at the edge of my seat from the beginning to the end and what an end! Pippa DaCosta is giving us yet another mind-blowing action-packed ending (that leaves us with so many questions!), even more intense than the ending of the third book!
1. Shoot the Messenger ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
2. Game of Lies ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
3. The Nightshade's Touch ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
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✅ Plot and pace
✅ Expanding world-building
✅ Characters
✅ Complex relationships
✅ Reverse-harem
✅ Eledan is back!
✅ 2 POVs (Kesh and Kellee)
✅🆗 Sexual tension
Strong 4.5 stars
Once again, it was a story full of emotions and action.
”You survived…” his deep voice rumbled. “How frustrating.”
After Arran’s betrayal, Kesh is now stuck on Faerie, back in Oberon’s court, and Sirius is appointed as her guardian... day and night... I had a feeling that Sirius would gain some importance in this series and I was right, Kesh just added another man to her harem... And I am not mad at all. I was not surprised to find out that Sirius had a thing for Kesh underneath all his snarky attitude, and hatred, but I was surprised to find out that he could be kind and caring and actually have good principles and wants to help the saru. For him, it is not only about serving and protecting the crown, he wants what is best for Faerie, even if he is not happy with what he needs to do. The important is the end result.
”You don’t care. You never did.”
“May the Hunt have you, but you’re wrong… I heard your screams long after you left. Heard them over and over, year after year, because I could not make them stop. I could not move against the king. All I could do was watch and carry you from the torment when he was finished. But it never ended. Not for me.”
The relationships between Kesh and her team are still changing and they are getting better and stronger. They finally trust each other and Kesh seems more certain of her feelings. In the first two books, she had a way of going from lust, to hate, to love, to mistrust every 5 pages or so. Now the Messenger crew knows that they can count on each other and they are willing to do almost anything to protect each other.
There is a lot of character development in this series, it is definitely a strength of the books. That and the great world-building. Kesh is a multi-layered main character that I love more with each book. I was not her biggest fan at first, but she changed a lot in the 3rd and 4th books and I really like her now. Thanks to her change of character, the trust between her and her, Kellee, and Talen was able to bloom and grow stronger in the last two books and it was a nice change from all the mistrust and angst. I love angst, but I am ready for less angst and more romance now.
I am sad that Kesh was away from Kellee, Talen, and Sota for most of the book, but I think it helped her create a stronger bond with Sirius, and it also helped everyone realize how they care and love each other, and how they need to be together because they are stronger together (even though their relationships are still unstable at times and so damn complex). We also got some Kellee chapters so I’m not complaining. I am still hoping for more smut in the last book though because even though his series is a reverse-harem, there is not much spice so far. There is sexual tension for sure, but I want moooooore!
”Hello, Marshal Kellee,” Sota said. His lens swiveled upward. “Are you saving me?”
“I couldn’t find a damsel, so you’ll have to do.” I tore the cable ties from around Sota’s casing. “Hopefully, you have a plan, because diplomacy won’t cut it.”
“I have a kill them all plan? Will that work?”
Also, Sota and Kellee’s interactions were so funny, I laughed out loud more than once thanks to their silly banter. Sota is such a sassy robot, I love him!
”I think I should shoot her again,” Sota said, “just to be sure.”
I scooped Pierce against my side and hobbed toward Sota and the door.
“Just her knees,” Sota continued. “She doesn’t need those.”
I caught Hulia’s wide-eyed gaze and smiled reassuringly. “I thought we agreed not to make him more annoying.”
She shrugged. “He’s the same he’s always been, just with legs.”
“And arms,” Sota added. “And fingers. Can I cut off her fingers?”
“Also, I have fingers now.”
The rapid change of subject almost tripped me up.
“They’re amazing,” he went on. “Ten of them. Can you believe that?”
“Actually, yes.”
He waggled his fingers in front of his face. “They fit into all sorts of interesting places.”
“Yes.” What has Hulia been thinking? “They do.”
“I have an extra one. It’s enormous. Between my-“
“Okay, all right, you know what, let’s finish this conversation later…” Much later. Preferably never.
Eledan is back in the series and I am SO HAPPY about it!!! That means a whole lot of mind trick (and mindfuck), illusions, and mistrust. I’m just so happy that he’s back in the game, he is such an interesting and complex villain. I also feel that he still has his part to play in the final book and the author may surprise us with him.
Faerie liked to be helpful, until She stabbed you in the back.
I also have to say that I love the idea that Faerie is a sentient entity and not just a magical place. Faerie has a will and a way and She is a living thing and it made this whole world even more magical. It was also very nice to finally see more of Oberon and the homeland of the pretentious and cruel faes.
This book was, once again a delight to read. It had me at the edge of my seat from the beginning to the end and what an end! Pippa DaCosta is giving us yet another mind-blowing action-packed ending (that leaves us with so many questions!), even more intense than the ending of the third book!
1. Shoot the Messenger ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
2. Game of Lies ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
3. The Nightshade's Touch ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
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September 5, 2022
*flails around*
How dare you do this to my babies?!
CANT THEY JUST BE HAPPY FOR ONCE?!
And... that one part. Why do I feel like she's going to be like 'he is the droid i was looking for'
Like ... it got me even smouldering?
AM I CRAZY OR SOMETHING?
DO NOT READ IF YOU HAVE NOT READ THIS BOOK!!!
DON'T JUDGE ME.
December 9, 2018
I thought that the last book’s ending was brutal but Prince of Dreams slayed me. The ending is very different yet it packs a similar emotional punch. In fact for the most part of this book my heart was pounding so hard (both from fear and pure unadulterated lust) that midway through I gave up on trying to finish it sober and went for the bottle of wine I keep for special occasions. I’m not sure what impact the alcohol had on my perception of the book but I know for sure that I would have had a lot of trouble accepting the ending otherwise.
You see, this is not the typical series where the main character, while flawed is completely trustworthy. Kesh is a basket case due to her upbringing and that makes her unpredictable and not always in a good way. But she’s trying and at the end of the previous book there was finally some progress on the trust front with Kellee and Talen. She was finally throwing off the Fae’s poisonous influence on a deeper more meaningful level. So watching how Oberon and Eledan were undermining her progress and doing their damnest to entrap her in their beautiful lies, to turn her back into that nothing girl, that empty shell from the beginning was painful as hell.
At the end of The Nightshade’s Touch I was terrified not for Kesh but for what it would mean for her relationships, the one with Kellee in particular. He’s the most difficult to win over and she had finally managed to crack some of his armor. So seeing him fight so damn hard to get her back and that he didn’t doubt her devotion was a relief. I love the violent vakaru and I want him to have some happiness in his world. He deserves it more than anyone else of Kesh’s men. And that final scene with him was so sweet it melted something deep inside me, something cold and frozen and cynical that doesn’t believe in love and happy endings. Now I want that happy ending for him and Kesh, and Talen and Sirius. But I’m afraid as I know that Pippa is not really into the HEAs and there’s a big chance that someone (if not most of them) will end up dead or somehow separated for eternity (I still have not forgiven Pippa for what she did with Muse and Akil).
Talking about Sirius, I’m pretty surprised at how things turned out. Oh I was pretty sure that beneath all the snark and disgusted looks he had a thing for Kesh but I never expected that haughty Fae to have a heart, yet alone to do what he did. But I’m glad he did surprise me as I found him particularly interesting and want him added to the Messenger’s harem even before he showed up his true colors. Besides there’s one dream I’m really keen to see play out for real ;) I’m just not sure how he will fit in with the rest of the guys but considering the latest revelations he deserves a place in Kesh’s life and her revolution.
Now for those of you who have not yet read this book, I suggest you skip the next paragraph as I\ll be sharing my thoughts on an event that is a major spoiler. I’ll talk about Arran and his betrayal.
Okay… this turned out to be a lot longer than I expected. And I wasn’t done but it’s doubtful anyone is going to read something this long. Anyway, a few words about my favourite character Sota. He undergoes quite the metamorphosis in this installment which will make things even more interesting. While I was reading that scene I couldn’t help but remember one of Pippa’s extra “scenes” (she shares those in her private Facebook group so join to see what I’m talking about) and now I can’t stop thinking about ‘leg-fingers’. Oh how I hope she’s going to publish those out-takes. They deserve to be more than Facebook posts.
Last paragraph. I promise! There’s only one more book left in this series and knowing what happens in this one I have to say I don’t know how Pippa will manage to wrap all things up in only one novel. The situation is quite tangled and there are even more questions that demand answers now than when The Nightshade’s Touch ended. I can’t wait to see how everything will be resolved. Thankfully Pippa’s a fast writer so I won’t be waiting an year or more to get my answers.
You see, this is not the typical series where the main character, while flawed is completely trustworthy. Kesh is a basket case due to her upbringing and that makes her unpredictable and not always in a good way. But she’s trying and at the end of the previous book there was finally some progress on the trust front with Kellee and Talen. She was finally throwing off the Fae’s poisonous influence on a deeper more meaningful level. So watching how Oberon and Eledan were undermining her progress and doing their damnest to entrap her in their beautiful lies, to turn her back into that nothing girl, that empty shell from the beginning was painful as hell.
At the end of The Nightshade’s Touch I was terrified not for Kesh but for what it would mean for her relationships, the one with Kellee in particular. He’s the most difficult to win over and she had finally managed to crack some of his armor. So seeing him fight so damn hard to get her back and that he didn’t doubt her devotion was a relief. I love the violent vakaru and I want him to have some happiness in his world. He deserves it more than anyone else of Kesh’s men. And that final scene with him was so sweet it melted something deep inside me, something cold and frozen and cynical that doesn’t believe in love and happy endings. Now I want that happy ending for him and Kesh, and Talen and Sirius. But I’m afraid as I know that Pippa is not really into the HEAs and there’s a big chance that someone (if not most of them) will end up dead or somehow separated for eternity (I still have not forgiven Pippa for what she did with Muse and Akil).
Talking about Sirius, I’m pretty surprised at how things turned out. Oh I was pretty sure that beneath all the snark and disgusted looks he had a thing for Kesh but I never expected that haughty Fae to have a heart, yet alone to do what he did. But I’m glad he did surprise me as I found him particularly interesting and want him added to the Messenger’s harem even before he showed up his true colors. Besides there’s one dream I’m really keen to see play out for real ;) I’m just not sure how he will fit in with the rest of the guys but considering the latest revelations he deserves a place in Kesh’s life and her revolution.
Now for those of you who have not yet read this book, I suggest you skip the next paragraph as I\ll be sharing my thoughts on an event that is a major spoiler. I’ll talk about Arran and his betrayal.
Okay… this turned out to be a lot longer than I expected. And I wasn’t done but it’s doubtful anyone is going to read something this long. Anyway, a few words about my favourite character Sota. He undergoes quite the metamorphosis in this installment which will make things even more interesting. While I was reading that scene I couldn’t help but remember one of Pippa’s extra “scenes” (she shares those in her private Facebook group so join to see what I’m talking about) and now I can’t stop thinking about ‘leg-fingers’. Oh how I hope she’s going to publish those out-takes. They deserve to be more than Facebook posts.
Last paragraph. I promise! There’s only one more book left in this series and knowing what happens in this one I have to say I don’t know how Pippa will manage to wrap all things up in only one novel. The situation is quite tangled and there are even more questions that demand answers now than when The Nightshade’s Touch ended. I can’t wait to see how everything will be resolved. Thankfully Pippa’s a fast writer so I won’t be waiting an year or more to get my answers.
March 26, 2021
Go, go Kesh!
![Profile Image for Namera [The Literary Invertebrate].](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.gr-assets.com%2Fimages%2FS%2Fcompressed.photo.goodreads.com%2Fusers%2F1647896333i%2F31792110._UX200_CR0%2C96%2C200%2C200_.jpg&w=128&q=75)
December 9, 2018
ARC received in exchange for an honest review - thank you!
Excellence as usual.
While I've knocked a star off because Kesh spent most of the book separated from Talen and Kellee, it did help her relationship with Sirius flourish. (Aside: Sirius is awesome. In fact, all of Kesh's men are. Lucky cow). We also got to see a ton of Eledan, which was great because I absolutely bloody LOVE him.
The plot twists were brilliant and the cliffhanger is brutal - cannot wait for more!
[Blog] - [Bookstagram]
Excellence as usual.
While I've knocked a star off because Kesh spent most of the book separated from Talen and Kellee, it did help her relationship with Sirius flourish. (Aside: Sirius is awesome. In fact, all of Kesh's men are. Lucky cow). We also got to see a ton of Eledan, which was great because I absolutely bloody LOVE him.
The plot twists were brilliant and the cliffhanger is brutal - cannot wait for more!
[Blog] - [Bookstagram]
May 28, 2019
First Sentence:
"Faerie was not how I remembered."
Genre:
Sci-Fi/Dystopian (RH)
Cover Art:
I'm in lust with this series gorgeous cover art. Hat's off to the artist.
Romance:
Change is afoot
World:
SOL Alliance (Earth)
Hapters
Faerie Land
My thoughts:
Unlike my previous reviews for this series, this review will be short in both length & details. Mostly because it's the fourth book in the Messenger Chronicles & as such most fans will have already become familiar with each character's personality, the romantic interests, the overall plot arc & of course the inevitable twists we've come to expect from this series. Also, I'm determined not to hint to any plot twists or include the slightest spoiler bc it would take away from the amazing story.
So I'll skip to what's relevant to fans of an established series. Rest assured fans the characters remain authentic to their established personalities, Pippa continues to play the evil author with Kesh's love life. I'm happy to report I continue to enjoy the anxiety & heart palpitations Pippa's twists cause in me & this book moves the overall arc forward. That said it does end in a cliffhanger.
Will I continue the series?
No doubt. I don't want to sour anyone's enjoyment of reading. Read often, as many books as you can because books truly have the ability to enrich your life. However, as a bibliophile, the reality is I read hundreds of books in a year making my ability to predict outcomes surprisingly accurate. The Messenger series is one of the few I can't confidently predict while reading. After I finish the book it always takes me a few minutes to mentally review the story... follow the series of events & author's logic to its conclusion. That's an incredible gift (from the author to us bibliophiles). Thank you, Pippa.
Recommendation:
I'd recommend this book to fans of slow burn non-traditional romance, antiheroes, subterfuge, magic, space, the fae, Artificial Intelligence, war, assassins, double agents, & dystopian worlds.
Rating:
5 stars
Disclaimer:
eARC kindly provided to me in exchange for a review.
"Faerie was not how I remembered."
Genre:
Sci-Fi/Dystopian (RH)
Cover Art:
I'm in lust with this series gorgeous cover art. Hat's off to the artist.
Romance:
Change is afoot
World:
SOL Alliance (Earth)
Hapters
Faerie Land
My thoughts:
Unlike my previous reviews for this series, this review will be short in both length & details. Mostly because it's the fourth book in the Messenger Chronicles & as such most fans will have already become familiar with each character's personality, the romantic interests, the overall plot arc & of course the inevitable twists we've come to expect from this series. Also, I'm determined not to hint to any plot twists or include the slightest spoiler bc it would take away from the amazing story.
So I'll skip to what's relevant to fans of an established series. Rest assured fans the characters remain authentic to their established personalities, Pippa continues to play the evil author with Kesh's love life. I'm happy to report I continue to enjoy the anxiety & heart palpitations Pippa's twists cause in me & this book moves the overall arc forward. That said it does end in a cliffhanger.
Will I continue the series?
No doubt. I don't want to sour anyone's enjoyment of reading. Read often, as many books as you can because books truly have the ability to enrich your life. However, as a bibliophile, the reality is I read hundreds of books in a year making my ability to predict outcomes surprisingly accurate. The Messenger series is one of the few I can't confidently predict while reading. After I finish the book it always takes me a few minutes to mentally review the story... follow the series of events & author's logic to its conclusion. That's an incredible gift (from the author to us bibliophiles). Thank you, Pippa.
Recommendation:
I'd recommend this book to fans of slow burn non-traditional romance, antiheroes, subterfuge, magic, space, the fae, Artificial Intelligence, war, assassins, double agents, & dystopian worlds.
Rating:
5 stars
Disclaimer:
eARC kindly provided to me in exchange for a review.
December 17, 2018
Following on from the end of the last book Prince of Dreams sees Kesh back in Faerie with Sirius, trying to find a way to stop Arran's execution, while Kellee and Talen are still back in Hallow trying to figure out a way to get to Faerie to rescue her. With both Oberon and Eledan trying to ensure Kesh's loyalty her newfound resolve to be the protector of Hallow and free her own people is being severely put to the test but she's come a long way from the girl we met at the beginning of the series and she's stronger than either of them imagine.
This series is just getting better and better and I loved the chance to explore more of Faerie and get to know Oberon a bit better. He is definitely not a character to be trusted but he's had a huge influence over Kesh's entire life and he's very good at pulling her strings. Not quite as good as Eledan though and he is doing his best to play her again now as he makes a bid for freedom. Kesh will do anything to save Arran but she could be making a huge mistake by placing her trust in Eledan so things are definitely about to get interesting.
I have to admit I missed seeing Kesh spending time with Kellee and Talen but I loved getting to know Sirius better. There is a lot more to his character than we first realised and I'm enjoying peeling back a few of those layers to see what is underneath. I also loved getting some of the story from Kellee's point of view and was glad to see him and Talen working together towards a common goal. They seem to have come to an understanding now and they're quite a formidable team when they're on the same page.
There is so much going on in this story that I was on the edge of my seat while reading it. This series is full of plots within plots and you can never quite tell what twist Pippa DaCosta will throw at us next so it's always a little worrying but that also makes it more fun to read. Kesh's harem is growing and there has been some fantastic relationship development across the series but I'm a little nervous that not everyone is going to get the happy ending that they deserve. I know which characters I'm rooting for though and I hope I don't end up completely heartbroken in the end - I know there was already one heart stopping moment here that nearly broke both Kesh and me!
I absolutely can't wait for the next instalment and I'm already a little devastated that it will be the final book in the series. I'm definitely not ready to say goodbye to these characters or this world yet but I trust Pippa to end it on a high note.
This series is just getting better and better and I loved the chance to explore more of Faerie and get to know Oberon a bit better. He is definitely not a character to be trusted but he's had a huge influence over Kesh's entire life and he's very good at pulling her strings. Not quite as good as Eledan though and he is doing his best to play her again now as he makes a bid for freedom. Kesh will do anything to save Arran but she could be making a huge mistake by placing her trust in Eledan so things are definitely about to get interesting.
I have to admit I missed seeing Kesh spending time with Kellee and Talen but I loved getting to know Sirius better. There is a lot more to his character than we first realised and I'm enjoying peeling back a few of those layers to see what is underneath. I also loved getting some of the story from Kellee's point of view and was glad to see him and Talen working together towards a common goal. They seem to have come to an understanding now and they're quite a formidable team when they're on the same page.
There is so much going on in this story that I was on the edge of my seat while reading it. This series is full of plots within plots and you can never quite tell what twist Pippa DaCosta will throw at us next so it's always a little worrying but that also makes it more fun to read. Kesh's harem is growing and there has been some fantastic relationship development across the series but I'm a little nervous that not everyone is going to get the happy ending that they deserve. I know which characters I'm rooting for though and I hope I don't end up completely heartbroken in the end - I know there was already one heart stopping moment here that nearly broke both Kesh and me!
I absolutely can't wait for the next instalment and I'm already a little devastated that it will be the final book in the series. I'm definitely not ready to say goodbye to these characters or this world yet but I trust Pippa to end it on a high note.
December 20, 2018
THERE IS A FIFTH BOOK!
It’s not a dream.
You know, book 3 really had me all worked up.
Now, now. Book 4 has me all sorts of fucked up.
I MEAN....
Sirius???
ARE YOU SIRIUS???
Lololol. Sorry had to. Hahahahaha I mean... the opportunity presented itself graciously. Serious=Sirius. I couldn’t take it seriously at first but then I realized Kesh was all for Sirius.
I still can’t believe Sirius is now... a part of the harem.
I now have to reimagine him in my head. So far my feeble mind has conjured a HOT Ron Weasley.
Seriously still in shock.
I MEAN....
What a fucking book am I right????
So many loops and turns and I know shit is supposed to be coming together but if anything...
nothing is what it seems
And I have no idea who to trust.
Or any idea as to what half this shit means.
Is it all a dream?
All I know if that I liked Kesh most in this book.
And I loved Kellee.
And DAMNIT I LOVED SIRIUS.
Like, seriously.
Lol okay I’ll stop. I hope by now you’re still reading despite my corny humor.
This installment has me R E A D Y and waiting for book 5. So happy there’s a fifth book.
I need some ACTION if I’m to consider this an RH.
So far it’s just a LOT of emotional beings who resemble humans but aren’t humans
And is anyone else laughing at Kellee’s Dracula name? I’m dying. It’s perfect.
The Dreamweaver.
The Messenger.
The guardian.
The Nightshade.
The.. oh lord I can’t even spell it.. Drouftcôöla???
Hahahaha. Okay I’m done. Next book please!
It’s not a dream.
You know, book 3 really had me all worked up.
Now, now. Book 4 has me all sorts of fucked up.
I MEAN....
Sirius???
ARE YOU SIRIUS???
Lololol. Sorry had to. Hahahahaha I mean... the opportunity presented itself graciously. Serious=Sirius. I couldn’t take it seriously at first but then I realized Kesh was all for Sirius.
I still can’t believe Sirius is now... a part of the harem.
I now have to reimagine him in my head. So far my feeble mind has conjured a HOT Ron Weasley.
Seriously still in shock.
I MEAN....
What a fucking book am I right????
So many loops and turns and I know shit is supposed to be coming together but if anything...
nothing is what it seems
And I have no idea who to trust.
Or any idea as to what half this shit means.
Is it all a dream?
All I know if that I liked Kesh most in this book.
And I loved Kellee.
And DAMNIT I LOVED SIRIUS.
Like, seriously.
Lol okay I’ll stop. I hope by now you’re still reading despite my corny humor.
This installment has me R E A D Y and waiting for book 5. So happy there’s a fifth book.
I need some ACTION if I’m to consider this an RH.
So far it’s just a LOT of emotional beings who resemble humans but aren’t humans
And is anyone else laughing at Kellee’s Dracula name? I’m dying. It’s perfect.
The Dreamweaver.
The Messenger.
The guardian.
The Nightshade.
The.. oh lord I can’t even spell it.. Drouftcôöla???
Hahahaha. Okay I’m done. Next book please!
December 30, 2018
This review contains minor spoilers. Read at your own risk.
This series has seriously captured my heart. It brings my love of fantasy and my love of science fiction crashing together to form something truly unique. The mashup of genres is like drugs for me. I get so excited just thinking about the fantasy and science fiction aspects that compliment each other splendidly. My fangirl heart just won't rest.
One thing to mention about this series is that it is a reverse harem series. I am very new to this genre, but I have learned very quickly what I like and what I don't like when it comes to these types of books. The one thing that I can't stand and that really ruins the reading experience for me if when the plot is exceedingly unconvincing or ridiculous. Pippa DaCosta knocks this out of the park with a truly convincing story. She does this very well with an interesting and compelling plot that doesn't feel smothered by the reverse harem aspect. I like that it is there, but it doesn't dominate the story. The reverse harem aspect has a slow-burn romance as well so that also makes it more convincing than a lot of other books that I have read by other authors in this genre. The last thing that really makes the reverse harem aspect great in this series is the complex characters and the way that they interact with each other. The chemistry between the characters is really top notch.
There was a ton of development with the plot in the last book. This book seemed more character driven. There are some new developments with the plot that I really liked, but this book felt like the characters were at a crossroads. Kesh is on Faerie with Sirius trying to save Arran and Talen and Kellee are trying to get back to Kesh and find the pieces of the Polestar. Each side had decisions to make that put them at odds with other aspects of the story.
I loved the character development in this installment of the series. In this book, we get chapters from Kellee's point of view as well as Kesh's, which was new. I liked seeing things from Kellee's perspective. Since this is a slow-burn reverse harem, the harem is being introduced slowly. We get to know some of Kesh's harem better in this book. We get a deeper look at Sirius, which I adored! His mysteries are slowly uncovered and I loved the journey from broody guardian to loving protector. We also get to see more of Eledan in this book. I don't know if he is actually a part of the harem or not, but I sure as hell hope that he is. His development in this was amazing! I have always liked Eledan, even when he was a creep and a dick. The chemistry and he and Kesh had is undeniable in my opinion. He is also so flawed, just as much as Kesh is, and I love that! All of the characters in this series are flawed in one way or another and I think that also makes this series so incredible. But, back to Eledan. He was still his usual cryptic self, but I loved the small things that he did for Kesh. He can come off as a little possessive, but he still gave Kesh the "gift" of having Kellee in her dreams. He may be a little twisted, but I am sure that he cares about Kesh. I am excited to see where their relationship goes in the last book.
The romance in this is hard to explain. There is a slow-burn between Kesh and Sirius. True feelings aren't revealed until the end of the book, but it was awesome. Perfect, really. The relationship with Eledan is up in the air. He clearly wants her and makes the deal with her to be his. He mentioned to the Fae guards that she would be his queen, so yeah. Kesh and Eledan's interactions were much softer than in the past. They used to clash and now they seem to be comfortable with each other. Kelle and Talen are away from Kesh, but we get Kellee's point of view and we can hear his thoughts about how he loves Kesh. I loved his moment with Kesh at the end of the book once they find her. I love that he wanted to share his Vakaru customs with her when it came to being mates.
Overall, this is a bloody fantastic series and I can't urge you enough to read it! If you appreciate real and flawed characters, intricate plots, and entirely unparalleled worlds then this is a perfect book series for you. There is only one more book left in this series after this book, and I am honestly getting a little nervous because I simply don't want this journey to end. I have been so taken with this series and it will hold a special place in my heart for years to come.
More reviews on my blog: Novel Nerd Faction
This series has seriously captured my heart. It brings my love of fantasy and my love of science fiction crashing together to form something truly unique. The mashup of genres is like drugs for me. I get so excited just thinking about the fantasy and science fiction aspects that compliment each other splendidly. My fangirl heart just won't rest.
One thing to mention about this series is that it is a reverse harem series. I am very new to this genre, but I have learned very quickly what I like and what I don't like when it comes to these types of books. The one thing that I can't stand and that really ruins the reading experience for me if when the plot is exceedingly unconvincing or ridiculous. Pippa DaCosta knocks this out of the park with a truly convincing story. She does this very well with an interesting and compelling plot that doesn't feel smothered by the reverse harem aspect. I like that it is there, but it doesn't dominate the story. The reverse harem aspect has a slow-burn romance as well so that also makes it more convincing than a lot of other books that I have read by other authors in this genre. The last thing that really makes the reverse harem aspect great in this series is the complex characters and the way that they interact with each other. The chemistry between the characters is really top notch.
There was a ton of development with the plot in the last book. This book seemed more character driven. There are some new developments with the plot that I really liked, but this book felt like the characters were at a crossroads. Kesh is on Faerie with Sirius trying to save Arran and Talen and Kellee are trying to get back to Kesh and find the pieces of the Polestar. Each side had decisions to make that put them at odds with other aspects of the story.
I loved the character development in this installment of the series. In this book, we get chapters from Kellee's point of view as well as Kesh's, which was new. I liked seeing things from Kellee's perspective. Since this is a slow-burn reverse harem, the harem is being introduced slowly. We get to know some of Kesh's harem better in this book. We get a deeper look at Sirius, which I adored! His mysteries are slowly uncovered and I loved the journey from broody guardian to loving protector. We also get to see more of Eledan in this book. I don't know if he is actually a part of the harem or not, but I sure as hell hope that he is. His development in this was amazing! I have always liked Eledan, even when he was a creep and a dick. The chemistry and he and Kesh had is undeniable in my opinion. He is also so flawed, just as much as Kesh is, and I love that! All of the characters in this series are flawed in one way or another and I think that also makes this series so incredible. But, back to Eledan. He was still his usual cryptic self, but I loved the small things that he did for Kesh. He can come off as a little possessive, but he still gave Kesh the "gift" of having Kellee in her dreams. He may be a little twisted, but I am sure that he cares about Kesh. I am excited to see where their relationship goes in the last book.
The romance in this is hard to explain. There is a slow-burn between Kesh and Sirius. True feelings aren't revealed until the end of the book, but it was awesome. Perfect, really. The relationship with Eledan is up in the air. He clearly wants her and makes the deal with her to be his. He mentioned to the Fae guards that she would be his queen, so yeah. Kesh and Eledan's interactions were much softer than in the past. They used to clash and now they seem to be comfortable with each other. Kelle and Talen are away from Kesh, but we get Kellee's point of view and we can hear his thoughts about how he loves Kesh. I loved his moment with Kesh at the end of the book once they find her. I love that he wanted to share his Vakaru customs with her when it came to being mates.
Overall, this is a bloody fantastic series and I can't urge you enough to read it! If you appreciate real and flawed characters, intricate plots, and entirely unparalleled worlds then this is a perfect book series for you. There is only one more book left in this series after this book, and I am honestly getting a little nervous because I simply don't want this journey to end. I have been so taken with this series and it will hold a special place in my heart for years to come.
More reviews on my blog: Novel Nerd Faction
December 15, 2018
This whole series is like this for me
I just want it to fit into my idea of RH which it just never will
Every time I thought Kesh was taking a step forward she seemed to take 2 back instead. So frustrating, the grovelling (even if it was a lie) and kneeling to Oberon grated on my nerves the most.
This instalment was broken in Kesh's story and we also it another POV from Kellee which was nice. Marshal and Talen were on their own mission apart from Kesh who was on Faerie
Yes just as things were coming together in the last book they were split up for the whole book
Will they ever be a happy harem?
In my most experienced RH opinion is
But I love the new Sota so it might be worth going on to the last book just for him
I just want it to fit into my idea of RH which it just never will
Every time I thought Kesh was taking a step forward she seemed to take 2 back instead. So frustrating, the grovelling (even if it was a lie) and kneeling to Oberon grated on my nerves the most.
This instalment was broken in Kesh's story and we also it another POV from Kellee which was nice. Marshal and Talen were on their own mission apart from Kesh who was on Faerie
Yes just as things were coming together in the last book they were split up for the whole book
Will they ever be a happy harem?
In my most experienced RH opinion is
But I love the new Sota so it might be worth going on to the last book just for him
January 1, 2019
Need a defibrillator over here!
My poor human heart can’t handle all the feels! Just when you think you know what is going on, the rug gets pulled out! So much happened in this book; I laughed, cried, rejoiced and fretted. All I know is Kesh is on the right path with her guys (even the tek boy toy). This story has more lies and twists that I can’t even keep up! But it’s soooo good and I can’t wait to see where the next book takes us!
My poor human heart can’t handle all the feels! Just when you think you know what is going on, the rug gets pulled out! So much happened in this book; I laughed, cried, rejoiced and fretted. All I know is Kesh is on the right path with her guys (even the tek boy toy). This story has more lies and twists that I can’t even keep up! But it’s soooo good and I can’t wait to see where the next book takes us!
December 15, 2018
Well,
karushit.
I think I fried and lost thousands and thousands of brain cells while making an attempt to deliver the poetic justice of a review this read deserves. And at the same time, I don't want to be the one to spoil any of you and other readers because let's be real here...I can't not speak about any of it without ending up revealing spoilers every now and then. And I know most of the times I end up having side notes/comments. So here goes:
(Non-spoiler ver) I want to say I haven't expected this...I mean, yes I haven't expected any of this EXACTLY as they are BUT I have dreamed about a couple of theories, a couple of possibilities. And I have expected a lot from the author. So let it be known here first and foremost that the story and the author DISHED. OUT. AND. MORE. To steal Oberon's words, “It is a dangerous thing to wish for the dark. It answers.” (In this context, the dark is the author herself LMAO. And my wish is to be annihilated and/or be completely fudged by the whole thing. JFC.) The Messenger Chronicles as a whole is everything I feel like I haven't really deserved but most definitely needed the most. I'm just nothing but a smithereens of emotional messes and major, major book hangover. I'm done, I just am.
Lol, kidding. Obviously, I'm not done. Yet. I still a whole lot to talk about. And speaking of things to talk about - the plot, jesus, mary and joseph, the plot you guys. I think it's safe to say that I expect the twists, the mind-fudging word games. There is just something so exceptional with the way the author unravels the great picture that is the plot. The way she uncovers each layer while leading up to the (upcoming) end. It's crazy-genius level. As in mind-blown. The bigger picture is becoming less and less blurry as the plot unravels but holy wow, one can't just simply expect everything to happen like this-and isn't that the most fun part of reading? To escape, to delve and to discover.
Then there are the characters....no one's spared, not one's out there just to stand still and be pretty. Well, maybe Talen...but nah, that's just him being all mysterious and incognito and on the down low. But seriously, what I've been meaning to say beneath all the mumbo-jumbo is, every single one of them is so UNREAL that they're all basically REAL. You get whatever I'm saying? Nobody's a filler, no one's just an accessory. Everyone has a role to take and carry out. They're all raw and complex and just. So. Fudging. GD. Real! (Who's hysterical? NOT ME, OKAY)
Now onto the more fun part, since I can barely contain what I actually am thinking about this read, here's the spoiler-filled part of my review. (SPOILERS, SPOILERS EVERYWHERE. Consider yourselves THOROUGHLY WARNED.)
I will not get into the plot, the story itself because I have just realized I might as well highlight the whole thing. And let's be real here, I can't be any much more coherent if I'm to get into the insanity that is this series. The plot twists, the mindfudgery thing going all over and all throughout, all the foreshadowing that has happened but I have missed and just remembered again...see? I'm saving us all from the madness. So let's just not.
What I want though is to psychoanalyze my most beloved and most favored characters. Starting with the heroine of the year, Kesh. Just, wow. Started from the bottom, a simple messenger from Calicto; and now we're here, GD wraithmaker, queenkiller, kingkiller turned THE Messenger. I really think she's one of the most developed heroine out there, if not, the most well-developed character. Period. She's strong, crazy smart, and so fracking beautiful it always hurts to think of my literary life without her. She's got one of the bloodiest and most tragic history and metaphoric baggages. Then when she decided to bat for the right side, she built herself even more passionate ideals. But for all her strength and fire and ice, there's a fragile not-saru/not-fae/not-human underneath. As in one crack against those things and people and ideals, which and whom she all holds dear to her heart, and this amazing female will either go batshirt crazy or crumble helplessly.
Imagine identity crisis with the additional weight of doing what her conscience is telling her to do. And her conscience has taken a brutal beating. So let's just say guilt upon guilt upon more guilt. All those times she, almost, wants to just throw it away and be done herself, I cried. All those times she's being haunted by the mistakes and sins and wrong decisions she made, I felt it all. Her emotions are so tangible I just want to give her a freaking hug. And a break. And a breather. And for all the negativity directed at her (the fear, the hate, the suspicions and distrust from basically, everyone), I see her. I see Kesh. Yes, I've seen the wraithmaker, the nothing girl, Mylana...but those pieces of her aren't her everything.
There is also Kellee, whose POVs has been provided in almost every other chapter. At first, I'm like heckening-heck I must've been real good in my previous lives then I'm like, oooh, can I get ones from Talen or Sirius or Eledan or Sota? (Give the girl a piece and she gets greedy.) And honestly I'm kind of still reeling from his POVs because I. Have. No. Freaking. Idea. Whatsoever. Just how taken he is with Kesh. And boy is he taken real bad. The image of this frustrating marshall (whom I might have wanted to kiss in the face with five fingers ala Kesh style) is such a jarring one because deep inside he's big softie. I feel like I've had a whiplash from the Kellee in Kesh's perspective to the actual Kellee without the messenger. Ughhh (I feel like joining his fan club is equal to being caught with one hand inside the metaphoric cookie jar.)
Then there's Talen, still as quiet and as mysterious as before. Only, since Kesh is not around her man-toys, Talen and Kellee are forced to act more civilized with one another. All the meanwhile, they protect each other against common enemies (in fear of Kesh's wrath in case the other one's lost or left behind.) I most definitely love this side of Talen. Is it too much to want his POVs too (commence staged ugly sobbing here)
Sirius...yep, that guardian. The one who is just as frustrating and as judgemental and just so freaking hard on Kesh as Kellee has been before. Maybe even worse. And of course, in the end, I have came to understand why he's wired like that, why he's acting like that specifically to Kesh. But even during my second reading, I still want to punch him for all the hurtful things he said to Kesh. He's like Kellee and Talen wrapped in one, which is such a frustrating thing because, hello? Stubborn + mysterious = the death of me. But yeah, he has pulled through. Esp that very adorable and very special moment with Kesh during their stay at the knoll? I freaking melted and sizzled like butter on a hot pan. Ugh, stupid and stubborn males.
Eledan. This one, I may have not survived. It's more probable for me to walk in the moon than for me to have any insight to Eledan's mind. With that said, he's the most interesting one and def deserved this book.
And Arran. I'm butthurt too with what he's done but jesusfchrist he has the most tragic storyline here next to Kesh. It's times and circumstances like this one when all the love in the world can't be enough. There are too many external factors surrounding him and Kesh, outside the safe haven they built for themselves in the past, to ever survive each other. Yes, there are people who needed and deserved help. But not every one of them will be wanting it. And with the idea of him finally being at peace, I have to let him go. The idea that he won't hurt anymore, or that in his final moments, he saved his loved one (Kesh)...I really have to let him go. Even if it freaking hurts like a mf.
Last but DEFINITELY NOT the least, SOTA. I want to take the humor and laughter where I can and the 'where' is with Sota. OMFG, I dare every reader out there to not fall for this tek-extraordinaire. I know no one's surviving that challenge. I happily admit defeat for that one. His bantering with Kellee and Talen. His shyness to Kesh when he's had his upgrades. He's practically the source of joy and dark humor from this read. A total win istg.
So yeah. /stares off into nothing because WHAT THE HECK TO DO AFTER. I'M FOREVER RUINED.
PS So I have read the latest newsletter from the author and Her Dark Legion, the last book in the series, will be released sometime in April 2019. And that she's working on another series, a dark one apparently, featuring LGBT characters. First of all, WHAT THE HECKENING HECK? THE. LAST. BOOK????? Oh no, nope. Not going to touch that bit. ffs I'm prepared to read about Kesh's grandkids from the 129th book. Nope, no no no la la la. Second thing, DARK SERIES? (The messenger chronicles: Am I a joke to you???)
-----
THREE MORE DAYS, PEOPLE! THREE!!! I FELT LIKE THE LESSER THE DAYS I WAIT, THE LONGER THE TIME STRETCHES! EEEEEK! (12/11)
-----
ONE WEEK YOU GUYS.
ONE WEEK AND WE'LL ALL SUFFER AND GRIEVE AND FALL IN LOVE...AND UGLY SOB SOME MORE. BUT, RIGHT NOW? RIGHT NOW I'LL BUY ME SOME STRONG GLUE FOR MY POOR WRECKED ACHING HEART. (THERE WILL BE A TIME I WON'T FALL FOR THESE SADDISTS HIDING IN THE FORM OF GENIUS AUTHOR AND HEARTBREAKING CHARACTERS AND STRONG PLOTS...ALAS, THIS WILL BE NOT THE DAY.)
OH, WHO AM I KIDDING? WHAT I ACTUALLY NEED IS A STRONG AND STIFF DRINK OF THE ALCOHOL VARIETY TO LET ME DEAL WITH THIS ONE...EXCEPT I DON'T DRINK ALCOHOL. IN THAT CASE, EXTRA WHIPPED CREAM TO MY DARK MOCHA FRAP. (HEY I NEED TO HEAL, NO JUDGING-SNEERING ALLOWED HERE.)
OBVIOUSLY, MY ACTUAL REVIEW WILL COME LATER (ON THE 14TH - RELEASE DAY) FOR I DON'T TRUST MYSELF TO NOT SPOIL EVERY MF THING.
YOU'RE WELCOME.
I think I fried and lost thousands and thousands of brain cells while making an attempt to deliver the poetic justice of a review this read deserves. And at the same time, I don't want to be the one to spoil any of you and other readers because let's be real here...I can't not speak about any of it without ending up revealing spoilers every now and then. And I know most of the times I end up having side notes/comments. So here goes:
(Non-spoiler ver) I want to say I haven't expected this...I mean, yes I haven't expected any of this EXACTLY as they are BUT I have dreamed about a couple of theories, a couple of possibilities. And I have expected a lot from the author. So let it be known here first and foremost that the story and the author DISHED. OUT. AND. MORE. To steal Oberon's words, “It is a dangerous thing to wish for the dark. It answers.” (In this context, the dark is the author herself LMAO. And my wish is to be annihilated and/or be completely fudged by the whole thing. JFC.) The Messenger Chronicles as a whole is everything I feel like I haven't really deserved but most definitely needed the most. I'm just nothing but a smithereens of emotional messes and major, major book hangover. I'm done, I just am.
Lol, kidding. Obviously, I'm not done. Yet. I still a whole lot to talk about. And speaking of things to talk about - the plot, jesus, mary and joseph, the plot you guys. I think it's safe to say that I expect the twists, the mind-fudging word games. There is just something so exceptional with the way the author unravels the great picture that is the plot. The way she uncovers each layer while leading up to the (upcoming) end. It's crazy-genius level. As in mind-blown. The bigger picture is becoming less and less blurry as the plot unravels but holy wow, one can't just simply expect everything to happen like this-and isn't that the most fun part of reading? To escape, to delve and to discover.
Then there are the characters....no one's spared, not one's out there just to stand still and be pretty. Well, maybe Talen...but nah, that's just him being all mysterious and incognito and on the down low. But seriously, what I've been meaning to say beneath all the mumbo-jumbo is, every single one of them is so UNREAL that they're all basically REAL. You get whatever I'm saying? Nobody's a filler, no one's just an accessory. Everyone has a role to take and carry out. They're all raw and complex and just. So. Fudging. GD. Real! (Who's hysterical? NOT ME, OKAY)
Now onto the more fun part, since I can barely contain what I actually am thinking about this read, here's the spoiler-filled part of my review. (SPOILERS, SPOILERS EVERYWHERE. Consider yourselves THOROUGHLY WARNED.)
I will not get into the plot, the story itself because I have just realized I might as well highlight the whole thing. And let's be real here, I can't be any much more coherent if I'm to get into the insanity that is this series. The plot twists, the mindfudgery thing going all over and all throughout, all the foreshadowing that has happened but I have missed and just remembered again...see? I'm saving us all from the madness. So let's just not.
What I want though is to psychoanalyze my most beloved and most favored characters. Starting with the heroine of the year, Kesh. Just, wow. Started from the bottom, a simple messenger from Calicto; and now we're here, GD wraithmaker, queenkiller, kingkiller turned THE Messenger. I really think she's one of the most developed heroine out there, if not, the most well-developed character. Period. She's strong, crazy smart, and so fracking beautiful it always hurts to think of my literary life without her. She's got one of the bloodiest and most tragic history and metaphoric baggages. Then when she decided to bat for the right side, she built herself even more passionate ideals. But for all her strength and fire and ice, there's a fragile not-saru/not-fae/not-human underneath. As in one crack against those things and people and ideals, which and whom she all holds dear to her heart, and this amazing female will either go batshirt crazy or crumble helplessly.
Imagine identity crisis with the additional weight of doing what her conscience is telling her to do. And her conscience has taken a brutal beating. So let's just say guilt upon guilt upon more guilt. All those times she, almost, wants to just throw it away and be done herself, I cried. All those times she's being haunted by the mistakes and sins and wrong decisions she made, I felt it all. Her emotions are so tangible I just want to give her a freaking hug. And a break. And a breather. And for all the negativity directed at her (the fear, the hate, the suspicions and distrust from basically, everyone), I see her. I see Kesh. Yes, I've seen the wraithmaker, the nothing girl, Mylana...but those pieces of her aren't her everything.
There is also Kellee, whose POVs has been provided in almost every other chapter. At first, I'm like heckening-heck I must've been real good in my previous lives then I'm like, oooh, can I get ones from Talen or Sirius or Eledan or Sota? (Give the girl a piece and she gets greedy.) And honestly I'm kind of still reeling from his POVs because I. Have. No. Freaking. Idea. Whatsoever. Just how taken he is with Kesh. And boy is he taken real bad. The image of this frustrating marshall (whom I might have wanted to kiss in the face with five fingers ala Kesh style) is such a jarring one because deep inside he's big softie. I feel like I've had a whiplash from the Kellee in Kesh's perspective to the actual Kellee without the messenger. Ughhh (I feel like joining his fan club is equal to being caught with one hand inside the metaphoric cookie jar.)
Then there's Talen, still as quiet and as mysterious as before. Only, since Kesh is not around her man-toys, Talen and Kellee are forced to act more civilized with one another. All the meanwhile, they protect each other against common enemies (in fear of Kesh's wrath in case the other one's lost or left behind.) I most definitely love this side of Talen. Is it too much to want his POVs too (commence staged ugly sobbing here)
Sirius...yep, that guardian. The one who is just as frustrating and as judgemental and just so freaking hard on Kesh as Kellee has been before. Maybe even worse. And of course, in the end, I have came to understand why he's wired like that, why he's acting like that specifically to Kesh. But even during my second reading, I still want to punch him for all the hurtful things he said to Kesh. He's like Kellee and Talen wrapped in one, which is such a frustrating thing because, hello? Stubborn + mysterious = the death of me. But yeah, he has pulled through. Esp that very adorable and very special moment with Kesh during their stay at the knoll? I freaking melted and sizzled like butter on a hot pan. Ugh, stupid and stubborn males.
Eledan. This one, I may have not survived. It's more probable for me to walk in the moon than for me to have any insight to Eledan's mind. With that said, he's the most interesting one and def deserved this book.
And Arran. I'm butthurt too with what he's done but jesusfchrist he has the most tragic storyline here next to Kesh. It's times and circumstances like this one when all the love in the world can't be enough. There are too many external factors surrounding him and Kesh, outside the safe haven they built for themselves in the past, to ever survive each other. Yes, there are people who needed and deserved help. But not every one of them will be wanting it. And with the idea of him finally being at peace, I have to let him go. The idea that he won't hurt anymore, or that in his final moments, he saved his loved one (Kesh)...I really have to let him go. Even if it freaking hurts like a mf.
Last but DEFINITELY NOT the least, SOTA. I want to take the humor and laughter where I can and the 'where' is with Sota. OMFG, I dare every reader out there to not fall for this tek-extraordinaire. I know no one's surviving that challenge. I happily admit defeat for that one. His bantering with Kellee and Talen. His shyness to Kesh when he's had his upgrades. He's practically the source of joy and dark humor from this read. A total win istg.
So yeah. /stares off into nothing because WHAT THE HECK TO DO AFTER. I'M FOREVER RUINED.
PS So I have read the latest newsletter from the author and Her Dark Legion, the last book in the series, will be released sometime in April 2019. And that she's working on another series, a dark one apparently, featuring LGBT characters. First of all, WHAT THE HECKENING HECK? THE. LAST. BOOK????? Oh no, nope. Not going to touch that bit. ffs I'm prepared to read about Kesh's grandkids from the 129th book. Nope, no no no la la la. Second thing, DARK SERIES? (The messenger chronicles: Am I a joke to you???)
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THREE MORE DAYS, PEOPLE! THREE!!! I FELT LIKE THE LESSER THE DAYS I WAIT, THE LONGER THE TIME STRETCHES! EEEEEK! (12/11)
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ONE WEEK YOU GUYS.
ONE WEEK AND WE'LL ALL SUFFER AND GRIEVE AND FALL IN LOVE...AND UGLY SOB SOME MORE. BUT, RIGHT NOW? RIGHT NOW I'LL BUY ME SOME STRONG GLUE FOR MY POOR WRECKED ACHING HEART. (THERE WILL BE A TIME I WON'T FALL FOR THESE SADDISTS HIDING IN THE FORM OF GENIUS AUTHOR AND HEARTBREAKING CHARACTERS AND STRONG PLOTS...ALAS, THIS WILL BE NOT THE DAY.)
OH, WHO AM I KIDDING? WHAT I ACTUALLY NEED IS A STRONG AND STIFF DRINK OF THE ALCOHOL VARIETY TO LET ME DEAL WITH THIS ONE...EXCEPT I DON'T DRINK ALCOHOL. IN THAT CASE, EXTRA WHIPPED CREAM TO MY DARK MOCHA FRAP. (HEY I NEED TO HEAL, NO JUDGING-SNEERING ALLOWED HERE.)
OBVIOUSLY, MY ACTUAL REVIEW WILL COME LATER (ON THE 14TH - RELEASE DAY) FOR I DON'T TRUST MYSELF TO NOT SPOIL EVERY MF THING.
YOU'RE WELCOME.
January 3, 2019
Actual Rating: 4 Stars
Check out this review, and many more, on my blog: https://riaoum.wordpress.com !
"The good messenger was a myth. The truth of me wasn’t a shining star of hope at all. I was full of holes and wrongs and broken things, the pieces of which I’d picked up and tried to fix but none of it had fit. I did want to fuck them over. I did want them to bow to me, to kneel to me, to need me like I needed them. I’d wanted it since the first lash of Dagnu’s whip. I didn’t even need to beg. Eledan saw the truth inside me, saw the want and need in my eyes. I wanted all of them on their knees, all of them beneath me."
With the fourth installment of Pippa DaCosta's Messenger Chronicles comes Prince of Dreams, an action-packed, thrilling space adventure filled with mystery and twists at every turn.
In Prince of Dreams, Kesh finds herself back on Faerie with no easy tasks ahead of her. King Oberon is not pleased with her actions on Halow, but with her being of such high importance, he is forced to defer his wrath onto someone else: Arran. Oberon sets to execute Arran, and soon. Determined to stop Arran's death, as well as crumble Oberon's reign, Kesh must turn to her enemy, Eledan, in order to even hope to succeed. Will putting her trust in Eledan be the final piece in order to save her fellow saru and right the wrongs of Faerie, or will it be the very thing that destroys all she has ever worked for?
Compared to the rest of the books in this series, I thought Prince of Dreams to be the most put together and had the best storytelling thus far.
Kesh seems to have finally gotten her shit together and isn't playing a back and forth in her mind anymore. I was slightly annoyed with the trope of the hero making the big sacrifice that we know is definitely not a smart choice. But with said dumb choice, we get plot progression, so I guess I can't really complain all that much. Kesh is just so ready to sacrifice all the time it's a bit ridiculous - I wish she just cared about herself as much as everyone else did.
We also got something new with this book: dual perspectives, those being Kesh's and Kellee's. At first, I wasn't really digging it, but once the story progressed a little bit more, I definitely held a lot more appreciation for it. Kesh and Kellee are separated for the majority of the book, so I liked the we weren't completed cut off from Kellee, Talen, and Sota and still got to experience their characters, as well as all the shit they were dealing with in this big fight against Oberon.
I liked the way this book wrapped up more than the others. Even though there is another book scheduled to release sometime in April of 2019, Prince of Dreams still had this sense of finality to it that I enjoyed. The crew was finally successful at defeating one evil, which produced a much needed sigh of relief. However, with the last chapter especially, we still got this sense of impending doom that will have us waiting for the next book just to see what happens. In particular, I'm interested in seeing how Kesh will deal with the deals she has made, as well as the decisions she will need to make going forward.
As for the reverse harem, with this being my first real reverse harem story that I've read, it took some getting used to. That's not to say that I didn't enjoy this aspect of the story. I was really intrigued and never found myself rooting for the same guy (but Sirius really got my attention during this last book - swoon). It was just crazy for me to think outside of the monogamous box that I'm used to reading. Still, I absolutely loved all of the male leads and was totally fine with her having the lot of them all to herself. I would have them all to myself if I could. So I will for sure be checking out other reverse harem series; I already have a bunch on them on my TBR and can't wait to dive in.
Also, I really like the cover art for the books in this series. They're just so pretty!
Overall, I enjoyed the Messenger Chronicles, especially after it started to pick up in The Nightshade's Touch and Prince of Dreams. It was good, really good even, but it was missing that special something that made it hard for me to call it a favorite book of mine. I do recommend this series if you like the faerie genre, but also like it with a sci-fi (and reverse harem) twist. This series needs some commitment, but it does pay off in the long run.
Check out this review, and many more, on my blog: https://riaoum.wordpress.com !
May 15, 2019
I will say this is an awesome story! Five stars is not enough and even 10 barely begins to cover it! There is so much going on in this book and such plot twist and surprises. Kesh, Kellee and Talen have been separated for most of this book. Deals are made , betrayals will occur but the secrets revealed will surprise you! But when Kesh, Kellee and Talen come together again you will get plenty of food for thought. Sota is such an interesting character but he has his strong moments and can be such a funny character
The mad prince/ Dreamweaver is such a slick character, he is not trust worthy. By the title of the book you know he is a key player but I would have said what he wanted to hear ( lie) and do what was necessary to get what I wanted done.
Read this very interesting book as I do highly recommend it so you can see all that is going on and groan, laugh, and cry with the rest of us!
The mad prince/ Dreamweaver is such a slick character, he is not trust worthy. By the title of the book you know he is a key player but I would have said what he wanted to hear ( lie) and do what was necessary to get what I wanted done.
Read this very interesting book as I do highly recommend it so you can see all that is going on and groan, laugh, and cry with the rest of us!
December 9, 2018
This series just keeps getting better with each book. I am so in love with all these characters. This is a phenomenal series and this book was one of my favorite. The combination of Fae in outer space is so unique and creative. Sci-Fi / Fantasy , I cant seem to get enough! This series evokes all the feels. DaCosta has this talent, a super power if you will, to reach my heart and just squeeze! So much is happening in this book. Oberon is having Kesh watched, her every move is seen. Kesh is alone fighting against time in Faerie to save Aeon from execution. Everything seems to be stacked against her. Things are bad, she is really struggling and it feels as though all is lost, but is it? Is she truly alone? Kelle and Talen have been separated from her but continue to hunt for the polestar pieces. Oberon seems to have the upper hand in everything, Eledan is scheming. The action is non stop, the plot thickens, the love these characters have for each other grows so beautifully. And I can't forget to mention Sota. My favorite little bot! I wish I could give this book more than 5 stars.
January 30, 2023
Okay maybe I'm just reading them all too close together but a) I feel like Kellee has had a personality transplant and b) all I long for is like five minutes where everyone is on the same page and happy 😭 it is constant the interruptions the kidnapping the emergencies please just like one chapter I'm begging for a tiny break in the action
December 12, 2018
*Disclaimer, I received an ARC book in exchange for a fair and honest review. Not that it matters because I also pre-ordered the book because I LOVE this author!
How to explain why I love this entire series so much…. It isn’t often that a book can make you run the gamut of the emotional spectrum and leave you feeling wrung out, but also anticipating the next part of the story. That is how I have felt with EVERY book so far in this series. The emotional capacity of all the characters, even the “villains” is so well conveyed that it seems the reader is going through the upheaval of every twist, turn, and betrayal with them.
Kesh- I can only hope that one day Kesh can truly forgive herself and realize that she is someone worth saving, instead of sacrificing. Her capability to put everyone before herself has the potential to fall into that “self-sacrificing” trope, but it never does. She isn’t trying to throw herself away, she is just trying to save those whom she believes are more deserving.
Kellee- Once again surprises with his evolution into realizing that he can trust both Kesh and Talen, that he NEEDS to trust them if they are truly going to save Faerie and what is left of the human planets.
Talen- Seeing Talen fight to come back from his darkness, and being willing to succumb in order to save Kellee and Kesh. It just yanks those feels deep in your chest.
Sirius- Oh how I love thee, with the quiet unassuming way he just creeps into Kesh’s heart catching both of them by surprise.
Sota- I want a Sota of my own. He is amazing and now he is better than ever. If you ever watched Bones (the tv series) then you’ll know what I’m talking about when I say Sota is The Messenger’s Caroline Julian. Without Sota the whole Messenger crew would fall apart.
TL;DR- If you enjoyed the first 3 Messenger Chronicles than Prince of Dreams is for you. Just make sure you have someone to give you a hug when you are done, keep a box of tissues nearby, and possibly a pillow to punch when you get frustrated.
How to explain why I love this entire series so much…. It isn’t often that a book can make you run the gamut of the emotional spectrum and leave you feeling wrung out, but also anticipating the next part of the story. That is how I have felt with EVERY book so far in this series. The emotional capacity of all the characters, even the “villains” is so well conveyed that it seems the reader is going through the upheaval of every twist, turn, and betrayal with them.
Kesh- I can only hope that one day Kesh can truly forgive herself and realize that she is someone worth saving, instead of sacrificing. Her capability to put everyone before herself has the potential to fall into that “self-sacrificing” trope, but it never does. She isn’t trying to throw herself away, she is just trying to save those whom she believes are more deserving.
Kellee- Once again surprises with his evolution into realizing that he can trust both Kesh and Talen, that he NEEDS to trust them if they are truly going to save Faerie and what is left of the human planets.
Talen- Seeing Talen fight to come back from his darkness, and being willing to succumb in order to save Kellee and Kesh. It just yanks those feels deep in your chest.
Sirius- Oh how I love thee, with the quiet unassuming way he just creeps into Kesh’s heart catching both of them by surprise.
Sota- I want a Sota of my own. He is amazing and now he is better than ever. If you ever watched Bones (the tv series) then you’ll know what I’m talking about when I say Sota is The Messenger’s Caroline Julian. Without Sota the whole Messenger crew would fall apart.
TL;DR- If you enjoyed the first 3 Messenger Chronicles than Prince of Dreams is for you. Just make sure you have someone to give you a hug when you are done, keep a box of tissues nearby, and possibly a pillow to punch when you get frustrated.
December 31, 2018
I love this book... I had to re read it twice for all the emotions to sink in and not feel like my heart just got ripped out.
We finally get back stories of the characters in book 3 and it continues to expand in Prince of Dreams. Prince Eledan is back, but did we all seriously think he was gone for good in book 1? I love the depths that both Kellee and Talen feels for Kesh and the bond they are forming with each other. Kellee may have finally found his family. The surprise or maybe not was Sirius. I love that stoic guardian. He is the epitome of still water runs deep.
Kesh has been evolving nicely, I like where her character is going but I think she's still got some ways to go and I can see where the men in her life are able to balance her out and offer support and acceptance that she craves and needs. She has disappointed me in one part of the book but I will not mention it here as I feel it would spoil it for future readers. I want to say to Kesh: "don't make this about you and how you feel, but recognize the nobility of his love in his final action". Some people may disagree with me but when you love somebody, sometimes you need to let them go.
We finally get back stories of the characters in book 3 and it continues to expand in Prince of Dreams. Prince Eledan is back, but did we all seriously think he was gone for good in book 1? I love the depths that both Kellee and Talen feels for Kesh and the bond they are forming with each other. Kellee may have finally found his family. The surprise or maybe not was Sirius. I love that stoic guardian. He is the epitome of still water runs deep.
Kesh has been evolving nicely, I like where her character is going but I think she's still got some ways to go and I can see where the men in her life are able to balance her out and offer support and acceptance that she craves and needs. She has disappointed me in one part of the book but I will not mention it here as I feel it would spoil it for future readers. I want to say to Kesh: "don't make this about you and how you feel, but recognize the nobility of his love in his final action". Some people may disagree with me but when you love somebody, sometimes you need to let them go.
October 4, 2019
I actually had to force myself to finish this book. I devoured book one and two. Book three took more time and book four... I nearly forgot about. I had a few issues with this book but since I had invested so much time in the series, I wanted to finish book four. This means I will do my best to tackle book five. Wish me luck.
What I like best about this series is the world. Faerie, Hallow, and traveling in space. It's well depicted in my opinion. It's what gets me to read and want to keep reading. I like Faerie and how fucked up it. How you can simply touch a fruit or flower and be doubled over in pain or lost in a dream. Faerie is a dangerous world and that intrigues me. We'll see how book five goes and how long it takes me to read it. I can't really say I'm curious how it will end. Only time will tell.
What I like best about this series is the world. Faerie, Hallow, and traveling in space. It's well depicted in my opinion. It's what gets me to read and want to keep reading. I like Faerie and how fucked up it. How you can simply touch a fruit or flower and be doubled over in pain or lost in a dream. Faerie is a dangerous world and that intrigues me. We'll see how book five goes and how long it takes me to read it. I can't really say I'm curious how it will end. Only time will tell.
March 23, 2021
A little melodramatic but overall it's a good story.
December 15, 2018
"A fool, a prince no more, my Queen of Hearts has opened a door."
SHOOK.
Really I am not okay.
Waiting for the next book is seriously going to kill me...
SHOOK.
Really I am not okay.
Waiting for the next book is seriously going to kill me...
December 18, 2018
Draws you in
This was a book I was patiently waiting for. I love this entire series. There are twists and turns that I didn’t see coming. I cannot wait to see what happens next.
This was a book I was patiently waiting for. I love this entire series. There are twists and turns that I didn’t see coming. I cannot wait to see what happens next.
October 10, 2023
4.5
I'm scared of whats to come 😭
I'm scared of whats to come 😭
August 1, 2020
"Oh what a tangled web...... but who are the ones trapped in its sticky strands and who is the spider waiting to pounce on it's captured prey?"
Kesh, Kellee, Talen, Sota, Hulia, Arran, Sirius and Eledan return in this penultimate adventure of the Messenger Chronicles. Kesh, Arron and Sirius are on Faerie, playing a game of truth, dare or lie with both Oberon, King of all Faerie, and Eledan, the Prince of Dreams. Heartbreaking promises are made, truths are twisted and hearts are made and broken.
Kesh continues her battle to free all those oppressed by Oberon and the Fae, but without Talen, Kellee and Sota, will she have the strength to resist the temptation Faerie will weave? This is fast paced, action packed, full of intrigue, lies, plots, plans, highs and some shocking lows. Oh Ms Dacosta you are a cruel author who loves to toy with your readers emotions. Not only did she do that but she eviscerated them too.
The world building is phenomenal, the planning and plotting of both the characters AND the author will leave you spellbound. I wish I could say this was a one sit reading, but with its length of well over 6 hours, and the demands of life, I couldn't manage it in one go. That said, it most certainly held me hostage, living in my mind in between those times where I could immerse myself in this magnificent creation.
I loved getting more of Kellee's point of view, as well as seeing that the old adage of absence and the heart was true. Though there is yet more skulduggery by Ms D when she cruelly snatches away that which he has so recently only grasped ahold of.
Added into the mix we have some very lustful and steamy scenes that totally added to the emotional impact of this tale. By the end of this I was left feeling as though the Wild Hunt had ridden roughshod over me. I'm almost scared to read the culmination of this tale, not to mention sad that the story will be coming to a hopefully (though you never know with an author who obviously has a very devious and mean streak) happy and blissful conclusion.
But as Kesh has, to her great sorrow, learnt, nothing comes that easily.
Kesh, Kellee, Talen, Sota, Hulia, Arran, Sirius and Eledan return in this penultimate adventure of the Messenger Chronicles. Kesh, Arron and Sirius are on Faerie, playing a game of truth, dare or lie with both Oberon, King of all Faerie, and Eledan, the Prince of Dreams. Heartbreaking promises are made, truths are twisted and hearts are made and broken.
Kesh continues her battle to free all those oppressed by Oberon and the Fae, but without Talen, Kellee and Sota, will she have the strength to resist the temptation Faerie will weave? This is fast paced, action packed, full of intrigue, lies, plots, plans, highs and some shocking lows. Oh Ms Dacosta you are a cruel author who loves to toy with your readers emotions. Not only did she do that but she eviscerated them too.
The world building is phenomenal, the planning and plotting of both the characters AND the author will leave you spellbound. I wish I could say this was a one sit reading, but with its length of well over 6 hours, and the demands of life, I couldn't manage it in one go. That said, it most certainly held me hostage, living in my mind in between those times where I could immerse myself in this magnificent creation.
I loved getting more of Kellee's point of view, as well as seeing that the old adage of absence and the heart was true. Though there is yet more skulduggery by Ms D when she cruelly snatches away that which he has so recently only grasped ahold of.
Added into the mix we have some very lustful and steamy scenes that totally added to the emotional impact of this tale. By the end of this I was left feeling as though the Wild Hunt had ridden roughshod over me. I'm almost scared to read the culmination of this tale, not to mention sad that the story will be coming to a hopefully (though you never know with an author who obviously has a very devious and mean streak) happy and blissful conclusion.
But as Kesh has, to her great sorrow, learnt, nothing comes that easily.
December 24, 2018
There are no adequate words to describe my feelings right now.
Prince of Dreams rocked my world.
This one picks up right after Arran and Sirius were huge dip-shits.
Faerie is dying. Oberon’s reign is a mess. Oberon is a mess.
I can't even say things without ruining this book.
Kesh, Kesh, Kesh...
You are my spirit animal.
Kesh, Talen, and Kellee's relationship in this one slays me. There is finally trust between them, well almost. They are so far apart physically but so close in most other ways. I absolutely love that Kellee has so much faith in Kesh.
Eledan, The Dreamweaver, you are absolutely insane. I sort of love you though. This is messed up on my part but... it is what it is.
Sirius... you destroyed me. I am head over heals in love with you. I did not expect this to happen. I am so confused. I mean just... what? I had an inkling, but the depth to you shocked me a bit.
Sota. What can I say about Sota?
This scene with Marshal Kellee is everything.
"I think I should shoot her again," Sota continued. "Just to be sure."
I scooped Pierce against my side and hobbled toward Sota and the door.
"Just her knees," Sota continued. "She doesn't need those."
I now desperately need the fifth installment, Pippa DaCosta you are evil.
Prince of Dreams rocked my world.
This one picks up right after Arran and Sirius were huge dip-shits.
Faerie is dying. Oberon’s reign is a mess. Oberon is a mess.
I can't even say things without ruining this book.
Kesh, Kesh, Kesh...
You are my spirit animal.
Kesh, Talen, and Kellee's relationship in this one slays me. There is finally trust between them, well almost. They are so far apart physically but so close in most other ways. I absolutely love that Kellee has so much faith in Kesh.
Eledan, The Dreamweaver, you are absolutely insane. I sort of love you though. This is messed up on my part but... it is what it is.
Sirius... you destroyed me. I am head over heals in love with you. I did not expect this to happen. I am so confused. I mean just... what? I had an inkling, but the depth to you shocked me a bit.
Sota. What can I say about Sota?
This scene with Marshal Kellee is everything.
"I think I should shoot her again," Sota continued. "Just to be sure."
I scooped Pierce against my side and hobbled toward Sota and the door.
"Just her knees," Sota continued. "She doesn't need those."
I now desperately need the fifth installment, Pippa DaCosta you are evil.
June 9, 2019
Kesh is back on Faerie. Not her idea, but now it’s where she needs to be, if she’s going to stop Arran’s execution, and seize the chance to free her people, the saru, from a crumbling regime. Her master, the faerie king, Oberon, has plans for her, and with the enforced close attendance of the guardian, Sirius, the only place Kesh can advance her plans is in her dreams. Which, of course, means bargaining with Eledan, the Dreamweaver. He twisted her mind once before, and never truly left it, and yet she holds the key to something he needs to awaken from his prison of slumber: his heart.
Can Kesh trust the bargain she makes with the Prince of Dreams? Or is it all illusion?
Seeing Kesh back on Faerie, struggling to cope with both the perilous situation, and the overpowering effect of the planet’s magic, is mind-blowing. How DaCosta guides her characters through the twists and turns of this convoluted, thrilling ride, is nothing short of masterful - or perhaps that should be ‘mistressful’, considering the reverse harem involved.
I loved seeing and learning yet more about Kellee and Talen as they mount a raid on Earth – a planet where Kellee has history, and the inhabitants haven’t forgotten. Human duplicity, and their misguided belief in the over-riding power of technology rings sadly too true, but the Messenger lads are more than a match, even without Kesh.
And then we have Sota, finally with a body. And fingers… for the sake of spoilers, let’s not go there yet.
The sex began to heat up in the last book, and continues to do so in this one, but always as part of the plot, not an adjunct. It’s always more about the relationships, and the depths of feeling evoked by their complexities raises this series to heights few books accomplish, in my widely read experience.
Can you tell I really love this series? The final book is just released, and I feel ambivalent – I can’t wait to read it, and yet I don’t want to, because I really, really don’t want to reach the end of this journey.
Damn! I guess I’ll just have to suck it up, and read it anyway. If you are even slightly curious about this extraordinary genre mash-up of science fiction, classic faerie tale, and urban fantasy, I can’t recommend strongly enough that you do the same.
Can Kesh trust the bargain she makes with the Prince of Dreams? Or is it all illusion?
Seeing Kesh back on Faerie, struggling to cope with both the perilous situation, and the overpowering effect of the planet’s magic, is mind-blowing. How DaCosta guides her characters through the twists and turns of this convoluted, thrilling ride, is nothing short of masterful - or perhaps that should be ‘mistressful’, considering the reverse harem involved.
I loved seeing and learning yet more about Kellee and Talen as they mount a raid on Earth – a planet where Kellee has history, and the inhabitants haven’t forgotten. Human duplicity, and their misguided belief in the over-riding power of technology rings sadly too true, but the Messenger lads are more than a match, even without Kesh.
And then we have Sota, finally with a body. And fingers… for the sake of spoilers, let’s not go there yet.
The sex began to heat up in the last book, and continues to do so in this one, but always as part of the plot, not an adjunct. It’s always more about the relationships, and the depths of feeling evoked by their complexities raises this series to heights few books accomplish, in my widely read experience.
Can you tell I really love this series? The final book is just released, and I feel ambivalent – I can’t wait to read it, and yet I don’t want to, because I really, really don’t want to reach the end of this journey.
Damn! I guess I’ll just have to suck it up, and read it anyway. If you are even slightly curious about this extraordinary genre mash-up of science fiction, classic faerie tale, and urban fantasy, I can’t recommend strongly enough that you do the same.
December 10, 2018
WOW, WOW,
I received this book as an Arc for an honest review. Buy it, Read it, you’ll love it, I did, and have preordered a copy.
Absolutely Brilliant, Kesh has been separated from her two favourite men, taken back against her will to Farie, by Aeon, and boy has he gotten himself into big trouble, least of all by Kesh, but Kesh can put that aside to try and save him. I love how we get to hear Kellies point of view in this book, he is a million light years away, but we still get to hear from him. Difficult to write this review without spoilers, so I’ll try and just let little tit bits in. The Prince of Dreams is back in Kesh’s life, and weaving his own magic on Kesh, or is it the other way around? Sirius is ordered to guard over Kesh, he can’t stand the idea, can he? This book is full of a lot of emotion, love,hate, disgust, laughter, cringing, sadness, And hope, just to name a few. I hated Sirius in the Nightshades touch, but in this one he is so much more than you first think, you’ll get to love him, just like all her men, and Elendad we get to see a couple of different sides to him, like a nice surprise he does for Kellie.
Enlisting the Dreamweaver for help is a OMG why did you do. But who’s playing who.
Pippa has a way of writing that really gets you into her characters. Brilliant Absolutely Brilliant
I received this book as an Arc for an honest review. Buy it, Read it, you’ll love it, I did, and have preordered a copy.
Absolutely Brilliant, Kesh has been separated from her two favourite men, taken back against her will to Farie, by Aeon, and boy has he gotten himself into big trouble, least of all by Kesh, but Kesh can put that aside to try and save him. I love how we get to hear Kellies point of view in this book, he is a million light years away, but we still get to hear from him. Difficult to write this review without spoilers, so I’ll try and just let little tit bits in. The Prince of Dreams is back in Kesh’s life, and weaving his own magic on Kesh, or is it the other way around? Sirius is ordered to guard over Kesh, he can’t stand the idea, can he? This book is full of a lot of emotion, love,hate, disgust, laughter, cringing, sadness, And hope, just to name a few. I hated Sirius in the Nightshades touch, but in this one he is so much more than you first think, you’ll get to love him, just like all her men, and Elendad we get to see a couple of different sides to him, like a nice surprise he does for Kellie.
Enlisting the Dreamweaver for help is a OMG why did you do. But who’s playing who.
Pippa has a way of writing that really gets you into her characters. Brilliant Absolutely Brilliant
December 14, 2018
As always, the author makes the reader go from tremendously happy to heartbreakingly sad, and sometimes all in one chapter, in this latest installment of the series. Events are progressing quickly, and Kesh is at the middle of everything, of course. I love the latest addition to her harem, and I admit to some reservations at the beginning when the signs were there. There are no reservations now! Talen, Kellee, and Kesh were not together for most of the book, and I missed their interaction. That is probably the only thing I didn’t like about this book. Keeping them apart was necessary, though. And, at the end, I’m on the edge of my seat waiting to see how the author is going to conclude this series with everything going on. But, I’m not worried. Quite frankly, I don’t think there’s another author like this one, one so adept at writing and making you love the horrible emotional turmoil she puts you through. You need to read her ASAP to find out exactly what I mean. However, always start at the beginning so you can catch the full effect of her toying with your emotions. She’s awesome! I highly recommend this book and was provided a complimentary copy which I voluntarily reviewed.
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