Incubus Inc.

This was another fun read from one of my favorite authors. New characters, new story-line... but this book is a lot less coy about being a part of the Sovereign-verse than some of the other books. We even get a straight-up meeting between the MC, and the MC of another series... albeit that second MC is a child here. That clearly sets the timeline of this book 30-or-so years in the past of the other series. We also get a few more hints around the edges, about how the Sovereign-verse is put together, and the over-arching mechanics... but also a few more puzzles to ponder.At the same time, if you're not following the greater Sovereign-verse, this books stands alone perfectly well: you don't have to have to have ready any of the other books at all (I promise), to enjoy this book by itself.The MC isn't any sort of protagonist here, at least not at the start. Not a BAD guy, exactly, but certainly not a hero. And he's still nothing approaching a hero at the end, either... but he's certainly changing. And he's still not sure if that's a good thing. But there is real evil in the MC's universe, and we all know our MC will end up on the right side of that eventual confrontation... right? :-)

I've read everything Darren/Arand has published thus far, and while this book is entertaining it's one of his weaker entries. It takes place in the same world and a few years before the events of 'Swing Shift', another recently published work of his.The sex scenes dominate this novel in a way they don't dominate Darren's other work (which is admittedly narratively appropriate given that the protagonist is literally a sex demon), and while those scenes are reasonably good, sex scenes aren't where Arand's writing is at is strongest. This entry is, unfortunately, dependent on 'Swing Shift' for its worldbuilding, and I think it suffers for it - the masks that the nonhuman characters wear to disguise their true nature is the center of the plot for 'Swing Shift', but Darren provides almost nothing in the way of explanation for the importance of the masks in this entry, for example.Some of the characters from 'Swing Shift' make cameo entries (a much younger Gus's Mother for example), and that's appreciated (I liked 'Swing Shift'), but they are mostly inconsequential to the plot and could have easily been skipped altogether. He also makes snide 4th-Wall-breaking jokes about the protagonists in his other works - something he's done before, and which I found much more amusing before the reveal that he was one man writing under two pennames and not two separate writers. Two indie authors poking fun at each other in print is much funnier than one man pretending to do the same.This entry is comparable in quality to his other recent entry 'Remnant' - not a bad story by any means but so strongly reminiscent of a manga I've been following (I believe it's called "Farming Life In Another World") that it came across to me as derivative.That aside, I'd like to say: I disapprove of some of the narrative decisions made by Arand/Darren, but *his work remains consistently readable and interesting even in weaker entries like this one* - an accomplishment not shared by many indie authors. I'll continue to buy his books in the future, and if you like this book you'll probably like his other works.This particular book is worth a buy and a read in spite of my criticism, but I'd suggest reading 'Swing Shift' first to understand the world it takes place in better.

I absolutely love all of these series and this one ties in so well with the others. I love reading about the world of Swing Shift from a different perspective and time period. The pace was great, and I cannot wait to read more.

MC is unique and interesting, im loving looking for mentions or easter eggs of other books in the overarching plot/universes and I cant wait for the next.I prepurchased it and as soon as it went live started reading, i couldnt put it down its a solid 10/10

I was a bit skeptical at first. I like good stories and the various erotic scenes are optional filler. With a story about an incubus, I thought the book would focus on those scenes rather than the story.I was wrong.Incubus Inc is the story of a planar lord getting a second chance after having been betrayed. However, it's not a story about revenge. There's actually a reference to another character in the Runner-verse and a joke is made. This is the story about starting over and learning from the past. As well as robbing, looting, killing bad guys only, and having sexy time. The mc is an incubus, after all.A great read, an interesting perspective, and one of the few times a Runner-verse book happens directly in the same world as another book (no spoilers, but a certain department is called out).

The genre is only slightly outside what is favored by me. Yet, the way the author describes the lives of his characters and the canon of his multiverse… planes, is very compelling to the distortion of mine. However, the story appears to meander a lot on the protagonist’s journey. It can easily be unclear who is the main villain, the imputus driving Sam’s journey until around Act IV, to the distortion of mine.The author puts more than one female ally of the protagonist, that can easily be preceived as more powerful than him. Using a rough outline to start from may help the author write a more active character, versus him mostly reacting to events.For sharing Gravity, grateful am I. May the Lady be allowed to alighten a path towards love, joy, & happiness along the self’determined life’cycle chosen by the Higher’Self of yours, pray do I.

This review covers volumes 1 and 2 as they're equal in quality and character development.At the heart of the story is the concept of redemption - sure the central character is an incubus (in terms of the book a demon that grants hot sex in exchange for life essence). However, his betrayal and isolation have left him with a rather odd view on things, his long avowed interest in the long-game rather than short term fixes does lead him down a path that can't be considered good, but is a long way away from the evil his kind is supposed to represent.The action takes place at an undisclosed timeframe prior to the 'Swing Shift' series - (guessing 20 years) based on the cameo's by minor participants in that series. This can be quite interesting as it ads a bit of depth to the characters and also highlights the main players in Swing Shift a bit more.The starring cast can get a bit out of hand at times, but then it is a harem fantasy so there's always a slew of ladies vying for our heroes services. Saying that most are fun, entertaining and sufficiently faulty to make them interesting to get you to engage with them (a certain prudish succubus for instance). Can't decide whether the succubus, the vampire or the doppel is my favourite character, they're all fun in their own way.Lots of action - both in terms of violence, mayhem and between the sheets activity, though sometimes the between-the-sheets stuff could feel uncomfortable. It's all consenting so that's not a problem but some bits do step awfully close to the edge of the comfort zone.Having said all that I'll certainly be buying the following volumes when they appear.

Great,great really great, It's got lots and lots of sex,violence, series demons ( sort of) and country music a different but really great story line.If you know Randi Darren's work this one is Mr Darren at his very best,Thank you sir.

I love Randi Darren's writing style and character development, was longer than I expected but I guess I just forgot the amount of work Randi puts in to get a story across. If I had one negative is that the characters almost appeared too quickly and I felt that I didn't quite have enough time to really get used to them and their personality. Still a great read and I look forward to more book either from this series or his other work.

Interesting, captivating and at times cheeky (Looking at you Arand). The story is amazing the little hints are funny as hell and the charachters are absolutely loveable. I want book 2 damn it! :D

It is well written, but the world isnt as enjoyable as the other series he has written such as dungeon deposed, fostering faust, otherlife etc etc. It is still worth reading but unlike the other series, I wasnt in a rush to consume the book. The world is well planned, detailed and vibrant but the characters seem lacking and it hard to care about them.