Lies aren’t her only weapons against the fae…In the Halow system, one of Earth’s three sister star systems, tek and magic—humans and fae—are at war.Kesh Lasota is a ghost in the machine. Invisible to tek, she’s hired by the criminal underworld to carry illegal messages through the Halow system. But when one of those messages kills its recipient, Kesh finds herself on the run with a bounty on … herself on the run with a bounty on her head and a quick-witted marshal on her tail.
Proving her innocence should be straightforward. Until a warfae steals the evidence she needs. The fae haven’t been seen in Halow in over a thousand years. And this one—a brutally efficient killer able to wield tek—should not exist. But neither should Kesh.
As Kesh’s carefully crafted lie of a life crumbles around her, she knows being invisible is no longer an option. To hunt the warfae, to stop him from destroying a thousand-year fragile peace, she must resurrect the horrors of her past.
Kesh Lasota was a ghost. Now she’s back, and there’s only one thing she knows for certain: Nobody shoots the messenger and gets away with it.
Reader note: This series is professionally edited and proofread for your reading enjoyment.
DragonCon Award finalist for Best Fantasy (Paranormal) 2018
Messenger Chronicles complete series reading order:
Shoot the Messenger, #1
Game of Lies, #2
The Nightshade’s Touch, #3
Prince of Dreams, #4
Her Dark Legion, #5
Shoot the Messenger is a full-length novel: 80,000 words.
Genre: Science-fantasy. Paranormal in a sci-fi setting. Slow-burn alternative relationship dynamic.
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Reverse harems usually aren’t my thing, but the fantasy aspect and world building of the story had me hooked. This is one of those books you reread, before reading the next in the series.
This is the first book in a new series by this author. I’ve just finished this book, and I am speechless. I don’t know what to say, but I’ll start with: this book was fabulous! I’m already a big fan of Ms. DaCosta’s, but if I hadn’t have been, this one would have made me one. She is such a masterful writer, and this book just shows how good she really is. Layers upon layers, she reveals secrets and lies, and just draws you in until you are just, like I said before, speechless. Excellent writing, imaginative plots, and very interesting characters keep me coming back. Now, I’m left bereft, wanting the next book to see Talen, Kellee, and Kesh again, and to see exactly how everything is going to shake out. If you enjoy a great, dark (not real dark, but her books aren’t walks in the park), wonderfully written urban fantasy, try this one. You will not regret it. Oh, and if you are turned off by “reverse harem,” don’t be with this one. Can’t recommend enough!
So very exciting
An exciting tale, wonderful characters, beautifully vivid descriptions. A series so epically engaging I looked forward to more of Kesh, Talen, and Kellee.
Enjoying reading this (my first) reverse harem and fae in space! I’m up to book three now.
This was a seriously well-written mix of space and sci-fi with fantasy elements like magic and fairies. I really enjoyed the world building and descriptions. This book did use a storytelling technique that I’m not a huge fan of, an unreliable narrator, but still, like love triangles (which I also don’t like), it didn’t ruin the book for me. Let’s face it, as another author, there are always going to be things I love and don’t love about storytelling, but when another author uses the things I don’t love and does them well? They get major kudos from me. This is a great series for fans of both sci-fi and fantasy!
This review MAY contain spoilers.
There is something so thrilling about reading a genre mashup that contains two of my favorite reading genres – fantasy and science fiction. You get the best of both worlds. And I have to say, this book is so unique because of all the elements involved.
I felt that the world-building in this was spectacular. I really loved how the science fiction aspect and the fantasy aspect of the story really came alive in the world-building. I was very engaged by the descriptions of how the world in this story works. I loved all the little details and the slang that made me feel immersed in this world.
I have to applaud the author for the plot twists in this book. I was totally sideswiped by the major plot twist in the end of the book. I didn’t see it coming at all. There is so much intrigue and mystery woven into the plot. I was so compelled to continue reading. While I felt that the book was a little too short, the story didn’t lack at all. The pace was excellent and the story didn’t ever get boring.
I really loved these characters and how they kept surprising me. These characters in this book all have complicated pasts and that sheds a bit of mystery on them. Every moment that I was reading I was trying to get into their heads and figure them out. They are all very interesting and you will definitely want to root for them. In this story, it is hard to decipher what a character’s drive is and why. Everyone keeps their cards hidden. I also really loved the villain in this book. He gave me a total Darkling (from Leigh Bardugo’s Grisha trilogy) vibe and I was totally into it! I love the gray area surrounding him.
The romance in this story is a slow-burn romance. There isn’t a lot of actual romance in this book, but there are moments where the characters get close to one another and start forming romantic bonds. There is some kissing, but nothing further. This is a reverse harem series and I am interested to see which characters are going to be love interests in the end. So many options!
Overall, I was over the moon in love with this story! I was impressed by the world-building and the plot was amazing. The characters drew me into the story and the romance was the perfect slow-burn that I like. If reverse harem books are your jam, then I’d definitely recommend this book! And even if it isn’t, this is still a wonderful story that any science fiction and fantasy lover would enjoy!
I was in this weird reading mood and wasn’t sure what to read next, then this one caught my eye and I decided to read it. Shoot the Messenger is on one hand totally different than what I expected (although I can’t really say what I had expected) and at the same time it was exactly the type of read I was in the mood for.
It’s a dark and twisted world. There are lies, secrets and illusions. And a bunch of plot twists that I hadn’t expected. It’s unique and the story multiple times went in a direction I hadn’t expected. It’s refreshing. It’s sci-fi and a bit of fantasy. It’s the Fae as you see them in paranormal books, but then in space. And by the end I wasn’t even fully sure what was true and what not. And even with all the lies, the one at the end might be the one that hurts most as I am not sure how they are going to get over that one.
Kesh is a messenger. One day when delivering a message the recipient gets shot right in front of her face and that’s when things start going wrong. She’s the prime suspect and her proof that she is innocent gets stolen. She finds out that a Fae is here, on this planet, where he shouldn’t be. Many people believe them legends and fae don’t deal well around tek, so it’s a mystery what is this fae doing. And she uncovers a conspiracy bigger than she even imaged. And that’s only the start.
It’s so hard to describe this book as so much happens in this book. It’s quite a long book and there are multiple parts and every part is different, but also part of the same story. And the way the author flips everything you know and changes things up, was so well done. I liked the writing style of the author and really enjoyed the book, although there are some parts that were quite twisted and dark as well and could be a bit uncomfortable to read.
Kesh is a great main character, she build a life for herself, but it becomes clear quickly that she has a dark past she’s trying to avoid or escape. And piece by piece you learn more about that and even at the end of the book I am sure there is so much we don’t know yet. She’s very tough, she survived a lot of difficult stuff and at times she could be a tad too cold and tough. But the great part is that there are also holes in that tough facade. She cares. First about her drone Sota and later about other characters the meets too. And that makes her relatable and realistic. And I like to see that even with how well she could handle everything thrown her way, she also was vulnerable. I also really liked her drone Sota, it’s too bad due to events that happen there aren’t as many scenes with him.
This series is marketed as a Reverse Harem and while there are hints that it will go in that direction, this first book has very little romance at all. It’s definitely a slow burn. With both the characters that I suspect will be part of her harem things progress slowly. There is only a hint of romance in this book and only one kiss in the whole book. I think the romance and the pace things progressed very much fitted the story tough. And I am curious to see where things will go in the next book. I liked both potential love interest and I have the feeling there is much more we will discover about both of them in the next books.
I like how the author wrote the Fae. There were intriguing. They were despicable on the one hand and on the other hand they also seemed realistic. Like their actions made sense, because that was how they viewed the world. Human were their playthings as no one was on their level. And all the illusions and secrets. Just like in some other Fae stories, they can’t lie, but they are the masters of the manipulation and illusion. It was creepy at times how they behaved and acted, but it also felt very much in tune with who there are.
To summarize: Shoot the Messenger was a great read. I wasn’t sure what to expect from this space fantasy read, but it was exactly the type of read I was in the mood for. The world is dark and twisty. It’s a sci-fi book, but with Fae. And there are a bunch of plot twists that were quite unexpected and I liked how they changed things and put things in a whole new perspective. The story was compelling and so much happens in just one book. I liked Kesh, how she was tough and capable, but also had her vulnerable side with how she cared. There is a hint of romance, but it’s a very slow burn, but I am curious to see where things go in the next book. The fae were well written and I liked how the author brought them alive. How cold they could be and view human as only their playthings, how they could create illusions even tough they could not lie. They were creepy, but interesting as well. All in all this was a great start of this series and I am looking forward to the next book and plan to pick up more books by this author.
A badass heroine with shocking layers. Flashes of heat, twisty, sneaky plot. Loved. The ending is killer.
It’s always a total pleasure when a favorite author comes out with a new series. It’s virtually a guarantee of enjoyment. That’s why I was so gleeful to grab Pippa DaCosta’s Shoot the Messenger: A Paranormal Space Fantasy (Messenger Chronicles Book 1) – and I’m happy to report that this book lived up to that “virtual guarantee”. It’s a supremely imaginative sci fi space / fantasy mashup with tek vs fae, and now a “warfae” that can use tek (which isn’t supposed to happen) vs our heroine, Kesh Lasota, invisible to tek (also not supposed to happen). Action and adventure, plus the lead-in to what we are promised will be a slow-burn reverse romance, ensue. Pure enjoyment too as this book is superbly written, with an excellent plot (the start of what I can tell will be a great story arc) and great characters. But for the fact that I’m literally dictating this review my husband from my hospital bed I could go on and on with praises – the book definitely deserves it. Since I can’t do that I will simply note that the book is most definitely one to read, and it is easy to highly recommend. I’m definitely looking forward to the next book in this series.
This book was great! Lots of twists and turns and I loved the characters. Ms. DaCosta knows how to build a great world and story. I highly recommend this book.
What. the. heck. did i just read? It was full of deceptions on top of deceptions on top of deceptions. In short, a total mindfck. And I fricking love it for that.
The plot left me bleeding my heart and mind out. It was gore and angst and just downright injustices here and there. It was beautiful and deceptive-mostly its beauty was deceitful. Everything I’ve read was…not what it had seemed like. It was a great buildup of the world/s. Although the faerie planet wasn’t physically described, it felt like I was able to be there whenever the heroine had flashbacks.
I think the heroine was pretty controversial herself. Not only in her fictional world, but also to me as a reader. Since being a slave to the royal faes was what she’s known all her life, if it all comes down to it, no one could really blame and shame her for the life she’s led on and for the decisions she made so far. And she’s a martyr so…she took matters on her own and acted alone. Still, not her fault. Her weakness, yes…but not really something to blame her for. And she had been living lies on top of lies on top of lies. It was very frustrating to read but I just couldn’t bring myself to not like her, honestly. Instead…I felt for her. I just did. (Side note: I think it was darn funny that she made a fool out of everyone else, even if it included me as a reader.)
I wasn’t sure what to feel for the two guys, though. I wasn’t sure if they could be the anchor to stabilize the heroine.
But anyway, I’m really, really curious as to how the story would pan out after that ending.
I am a long-time fan of this author and read pretty much everything she has written. This new series ALMOST pushes Muse and her story off my “can’t be beaten” pedestal. Yes, it is that great.
Unravelling the mystery of Kesh is going to be a delight – but strap yourself in because this is a wild ride! This first book is awesome – and you will crave more!
“Oh! What A Tangled Web We Weave When First We Practice To Deceive”
Pippa DaCosta has woven together sci-fi and fantasy to build the richly complex world in which Kesh, Kellee and Talon reside. As the story builds we gradually learn more and more about Kesh, Kelly, the fae and tek. I preferred this to an ‘information dump’ as it added to the twisty plot, suspense and sense of unease.
The book is written first person and entirely from Kesh’s point of view. Kesh is just a simple messenger, caught up in someone else’s battle, or is she? Oh my word, this is an onion of a book, made of layer upon layer of amazing story, action, adventure and mind-blowing plot twists. The blurb really doesn’t do the book justice BUT that’s to ensure the element of surprise. And there are surprises galore in this book.
It’s one of those stories that is impossible to properly review without giving away spoilers, and I really want to avoid them so that you get the full impact of the book, like I did. If you have read other books by this author then you will know some of what to expect, but this far surpasses any of her work to date. It takes all the best elements of her previous stories, polishes them up, adds extra glitter to them and twists them into something else altogether. If you haven’t read her books (a) why not? you’re missing some amazing stories and (b) this is really well written, drags you into the story and doesn’t let you go, leaves your head reeling in the best of ways and will have you begging and howling for Book 2 so that you can continue the story.
A standing ovation to the author for this awe-inspiring, mind-twisting, a-m-a-z-i-n-g read. I need to go and lie in a darkened corner to mull over this book and recover from the book hangover I now have.
Pippa DaCosta in the last year has easily become one of my favorite authors of all time. She delivers, yet again, another series that hits a home-run on the first pitch. She is amazing at creating deep and interesting characters with lots of nooks and crannies of personality to explore. Kesh Lasota is definitely one of those characters. She’s a Messenger and so much more but when you think you know her and what her reality is you realize you know nothing at all. Her story is one of intrigue, deception, desire….one of love and hate. The tale is woven so expertly. I pride myself on being able to see the things coming up, not being totally caught off guard or surprised but this book does just that….Surprises you! And it’s such an awesome thing. Another great quality of Pippa DaCosta’s books are the relationships between the characters. The way they bond, love and hate each other really grabs the reader and pulls them into the relationship with them. You feel for these characters, you root for them, you yell at them and you cry for them. Kesh, Kellee and Talen will have you doing all this and more.
(because nothing is perfect….) My only problem with the book is that it’s not an epic tome that is 800 pages full of super deep world building with extra insight to the characters. I love them so much I just want more…more..more..MORE! (not bad for a con right?)
If you can pick one author and only one series from that author then I would say right now you’re best bet is The Messenger Chronicles because it’s one amazing ride with a lot more to come.
I wish I could give a 3.5. I Loved the first part – it was action packed and I could not stop reading. The technology and world building was amazing. But then it sort of lost traction for me. It got confusing and some plots were not followed through completely. I would give book 2 a try, hopefully the kinks get worked out. I have read the Authors Veil Series and it is amazing so I have high hoped for this series
I was so excited to see that this book had been released! I’ve loved everything I’ve read from Pippa DaCosta and this is no exception. I made the dumb choice to start reading it at work during my lunch break and then couldn’t really go back to concentrating on work for want of getting back to the book! It’s full of multi-layered real personalities whose reactions always feel natural and not inserted simply because that’s where the plot needs to go.
This is a great adventure with a really faceted and interesting universe. I can’t wait for the next book!