Review: Game of Lies (The Messenger Chronicles #2) by Pippa DaCosta

Title: Game of Lies

Series: The Messenger Chronicles #2
Author: Pippa DaCosta
Publisher: Crazy Ace Publishing
Published: May 9, 2018
Pages: 320
Genres: Fantasy, Science Fiction, Adult, Romance, Reverse Harem
Source: Kindle Unlimited
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The Messenger rocked your world, and now she's back. But have her lies finally caught up with her? 

Trust doesn't come easy for Kesh Lasota. She survived life as a slave, survived the Dreamweaver's touch, but surviving Marshal Kellee and the mysterious Talen is a whole other game, one she's not sure she's ready for. 

When the three are captured by a bloodthirsty fae general sweeping through the last of Halow's human colonies, the only weapons they have left are lies. And so Kesh must pretend to be the gladiator they all expect, while Kellee is forced to fight against her, and Talen is... Well, just who is Talen when he can command soldiers with a glance and move among the fae elite as though he belongs?

Trust doesn't come easy for Kesh Lasota, neither does love. She must survive both, or everything she's fought for will be lost forever, including her men.

Goodreads / Amazon

MY REVIEW

DISCLAIMER: This review MAY contain spoilers. 

The absolutely awesome thing about this series is that it draws you in. I am absolutely obsessed! What first drew me into this story was the concept. I love the idea of sending fantasy and science fiction out on a date because that love has created the most damned beautiful celebrity babies. The meshing of the genres is truly magnificent, and DaCosta manages to nail it. 

The world that DaCosta has created is magical and inventive. I love that both genres are present in the world-building. And not only that, but they blend together seamlessly. The world-building is not limited to places though. This book is drenched in secrets and deception and you can smell it and breath it throughout the entire book like it's air. 

What I love about the plotting in this series is that it is so unpredictable. The plot twists are brilliant and you will not see them coming even with the foreshadowing. It is truly an art form to be this skilled in plotting stories. This series doesn't follow typical book tropes either. It plays by its own rules and comes out on top. There is plenty of action and the pacing is perfect. The storytelling is so powerful and beautiful.

These characters are so vibrant. They all have their own secrets and pasts and they keep themselves closed off. They just feel so real. These characters aren't fluffy and shiny. These characters are messy, flawed, traumatized, and altogether rough around the edges. I like that these characters dance around morality in varying degrees. They are not black and white and they act according to their own truths. Most of these characters have experienced extreme trauma in their lives and it comes across in their characterization. While there is a lot about these characters that is a mystery, I really felt like I knew them. 

The romance gets kicked up a notch in this book of the series, though a small notch. Kesh is growing closer to Talen and Kellee, but things are still pretty much in the air. No one has made any declarations, but it is clear that feelings are there. And since this is a reverse harem book, I am utterly curious to know who is going to be a love interest in the end. The sexual tension is tantalizing and the feelings that the characters have towards each other are both exciting and frightening. 

Overall, this was a fantastic sophomore novel to Shoot the Messenger! I am totally engrossed in this world and these characters have taken over my brain. Anyone that loves fantasy and science fiction will adore this series! 

Check out my review for the first book in this series!

Shoot the Messenger (The Messenger Chronicles #1)

Find my review here.

I am totally entranced with these characters. What was the last book that had that effect on you? What new releases are you looking forward to this July?