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Echoes of the Void #2
The Sorceress and the Incubus
I'm supposed to save the world. The last thing I need is an incubus who can't leave my side. After ten lonely years of catching the meteors raining from the broken sky, all I wanted was a little help. Maybe some companionship. Then I gave my summoning a little too much power... and now I'm bonded soul-to-soul with an incubus. He's undeniably sexy. A flirt. The sort of distraction I can't afford. He says he wants my heart—but how can I ever trust that I'm more than a convenient meal? The final meteor storm is coming, and if I can't stop it, everyone will die. If we can't learn to be together, it doesn't just mean lonely nights. It means annihilation. "The Sorceress & the Incubus" is a standalone high fantasy romance with an eager-to-please incubus and a slow burn leading to a steamy, happily-ever-after payoff.
341 pages, Paperback
Published January 13, 2023
138 people are currently reading
741 people want to read
About the author
Mallory Dunlin
18 books406 followersMallory Dunlin is a certified monster lover who cut her reader eyeteeth on fantasy epics. She combines her reading passions into writing romantasy novels with powerful women and traumatized, dangerous, non-human male leads.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews
May 10, 2024
I don't know if this is going to flow well because there were a lot of moving parts of this book and I don't want to give away the whole story either. But here we go...
I grabbed this book as a freebie during one of the Stuff Your Kindle days and I’m glad I did (though this author’s books are also on KU). The magic system and world building had depth, though were sometimes confusing, and there was a nice balance between character development and the action portion of the plot. Political intrigue and machinations were critical to the story and while I was sometimes confused by these too, I was also riveted. The main characters felt dynamic and each had a bit of an emotional journey to navigate, though both had similar core challenges (loneliness and fear being primary). Seeing them struggle was hard at times, esp since part of that struggle felt like it fell more on one character vs. the other. I cried in a couple of places. But by the end you know they’re in a place where both are thriving and that held a great deal of satisfaction given where they started from.
To start, the author does have a list of content warnings at the start of the book (which includes violence, descriptions of injury and recovery, and open door sex scenes) and then a full list on her website. Her dedication following this list is amazing and esp touching after completing the book. Then is a section of the book that I missed when I started and when I finished (I literally just found it as I was writing this review) that summarizes the four planes of this world and their characteristics. These parts are all before the Table of Contents and the book opens past them so if you need to, just scroll on back to get the full effect.
The story jumps right in with both feet with Rain (h) performing spellwork for a plane-saving task that she and another mage complete. Because the story does this, it did take time for me to get my bearings on this world and Rain. I also found myself adjusting my understanding throughout the book, because the full picture of her powers and her past filter down throughout. But something happens during this opening spell that could have ended in the death of many people and it prompts Rain to think of calling a cat as a familiar. Except when she does, her call is answered by a quite more complex being in the form of a shapeshifting incubus on death’s door because he accepts her call right before he’s about to die on a battlefield on another plane. Rain has to leap into action to save him and it’s a couple of chapters before we learn a bit about Saker (H) from his POV. This is a common element in the book, where the author jumps back to give a perspective from the other main character, but since their mental and emotional state is crucial, I didn’t mind that sometimes there was a bit of backtracking.
Written in first person, dual POV. No ow drama, some om drama in the form of a sometimes lover of h’s who she considers still sleeping with at one point in the story (she doesn’t, but this was a point where I wanted to smack her; the sometimes lover also suggests a possible threesome with H, which also doesn’t happen). Some mentions of both h and H’s past romantic and sexual histories. H’s past was so trauma filled and painful for him, the number of partners he had because of his powers was more sad to me than anything else. He is naturally flirty and he does attract attention and lean into that at times, but only has eyes for h.
Rain was compassionate, self-sacrificing, crazy powerful and competent, and so fearful of certain connections, specifically ones that meant forever. Yet, she finds herself soul bound and you don’t get more forever than that. Saker was wounded (emotionally as well as all that physical damage), eager for affection and care, and uncertain. Where Rain was coming from a position of general respect and power in her world, Saker was so lonely and his only connections were ephemeral and centered around sex in his. He had to learn social, emotional, and behavioral cues and actions. I adored Saker and while Rain was often tender and caring with him, she also sometimes hurt him unintentionally, which made me really mad at her at times. A lot of the story focuses on the adjustment both have to go through with their new bond (which is described in a very cool way with them able to share magical, physical, and emotional parts of themselves). Additionally, Saker quickly feels strong emotions for Rain and she’s got some thick walls because of her personal hang-ups (which take time to reveal).
This book had a lot of intimacy and connection built because of Rain and Saker’s bond. Vulnerability was also very present in their thoughts and interactions since both were often exposed to the other. There were tender moments, hurtful ones, funny bonding times, instances of needing space, sweetness and light, some darkness, and a bunch of growing pains. This is a slow burn despite there being an incubus involved. For much of the book, boundaries are in place regarding sex and instead these two get busy solo, while also being sort of together through their bond. So in spite of the slow burn to actual full on fulfillment, there’s a good dose of steaminess before the full act. Saker also has different anatomy with an expressive tail, wings (wing cuddles y’all), horns, and some uniqueness under the belt.
Beyond the bond and relationship development, Rain has her plane-saving duties, research, and those pesky political challenges. Saker helps where he can and because of his own magical talents, he has some pivotal contributions. I enjoyed the spell casting and magical details, even when I felt a bit lost in some of the overwhelming details and influx of information. I was particularly confused when Rain’s past exploits were mentioned, sometimes repeatedly. Same with the politics since Rain has an adversarial role when it comes to two other mages and there are complicated dynamics there. Though she also has allies and close friends, all of whom that had page time I enjoyed. Her staff were especially great characters and I need to circle back and read the first book in this world that features her gardener and the elemental of the lack surrounding their island.
The climax was actually unexpected for me and another portion of the book that was a little confusing unfortunately. I liked the lead-up to it and the challenging and heavy events Rain and Saker overcame prior to it. But then the climax itself felt kind of rushed and left me with some questions that just couldn’t be answered. It did give Rain the final push she needed and Saker an opportunity to show his strength. It also at least presented a solution to a concern Saker had, that also unexpectedly popped up close to the end. The epilogue is a couple years into the future (I think it was a couple years) with Rain and Saker in love and tweaking the nose of one of Rain’s adversaries so ending on a happy and funny note. I do wish that there had been a transition with more time between the fallout from the climax and the epilogue, but a bonus epilogue is also available for signing up for the author’s newsletter that’s their wedding day and apparently a primal chase scene. I didn’t download it right now but I might in the future.
I’d definitely read more of this author’s work. I liked her writing style, though this book felt so much longer than it was. It took a substantial amount of time to read, this is not a skimming kind of story.
I grabbed this book as a freebie during one of the Stuff Your Kindle days and I’m glad I did (though this author’s books are also on KU). The magic system and world building had depth, though were sometimes confusing, and there was a nice balance between character development and the action portion of the plot. Political intrigue and machinations were critical to the story and while I was sometimes confused by these too, I was also riveted. The main characters felt dynamic and each had a bit of an emotional journey to navigate, though both had similar core challenges (loneliness and fear being primary). Seeing them struggle was hard at times, esp since part of that struggle felt like it fell more on one character vs. the other. I cried in a couple of places. But by the end you know they’re in a place where both are thriving and that held a great deal of satisfaction given where they started from.
To start, the author does have a list of content warnings at the start of the book (which includes violence, descriptions of injury and recovery, and open door sex scenes) and then a full list on her website. Her dedication following this list is amazing and esp touching after completing the book. Then is a section of the book that I missed when I started and when I finished (I literally just found it as I was writing this review) that summarizes the four planes of this world and their characteristics. These parts are all before the Table of Contents and the book opens past them so if you need to, just scroll on back to get the full effect.
The story jumps right in with both feet with Rain (h) performing spellwork for a plane-saving task that she and another mage complete. Because the story does this, it did take time for me to get my bearings on this world and Rain. I also found myself adjusting my understanding throughout the book, because the full picture of her powers and her past filter down throughout. But something happens during this opening spell that could have ended in the death of many people and it prompts Rain to think of calling a cat as a familiar. Except when she does, her call is answered by a quite more complex being in the form of a shapeshifting incubus on death’s door because he accepts her call right before he’s about to die on a battlefield on another plane. Rain has to leap into action to save him and it’s a couple of chapters before we learn a bit about Saker (H) from his POV. This is a common element in the book, where the author jumps back to give a perspective from the other main character, but since their mental and emotional state is crucial, I didn’t mind that sometimes there was a bit of backtracking.
Written in first person, dual POV. No ow drama, some om drama in the form of a sometimes lover of h’s who she considers still sleeping with at one point in the story (she doesn’t, but this was a point where I wanted to smack her; the sometimes lover also suggests a possible threesome with H, which also doesn’t happen). Some mentions of both h and H’s past romantic and sexual histories. H’s past was so trauma filled and painful for him, the number of partners he had because of his powers was more sad to me than anything else. He is naturally flirty and he does attract attention and lean into that at times, but only has eyes for h.
Rain was compassionate, self-sacrificing, crazy powerful and competent, and so fearful of certain connections, specifically ones that meant forever. Yet, she finds herself soul bound and you don’t get more forever than that. Saker was wounded (emotionally as well as all that physical damage), eager for affection and care, and uncertain. Where Rain was coming from a position of general respect and power in her world, Saker was so lonely and his only connections were ephemeral and centered around sex in his. He had to learn social, emotional, and behavioral cues and actions. I adored Saker and while Rain was often tender and caring with him, she also sometimes hurt him unintentionally, which made me really mad at her at times. A lot of the story focuses on the adjustment both have to go through with their new bond (which is described in a very cool way with them able to share magical, physical, and emotional parts of themselves). Additionally, Saker quickly feels strong emotions for Rain and she’s got some thick walls because of her personal hang-ups (which take time to reveal).
This book had a lot of intimacy and connection built because of Rain and Saker’s bond. Vulnerability was also very present in their thoughts and interactions since both were often exposed to the other. There were tender moments, hurtful ones, funny bonding times, instances of needing space, sweetness and light, some darkness, and a bunch of growing pains. This is a slow burn despite there being an incubus involved. For much of the book, boundaries are in place regarding sex and instead these two get busy solo, while also being sort of together through their bond. So in spite of the slow burn to actual full on fulfillment, there’s a good dose of steaminess before the full act. Saker also has different anatomy with an expressive tail, wings (wing cuddles y’all), horns, and some uniqueness under the belt.
Beyond the bond and relationship development, Rain has her plane-saving duties, research, and those pesky political challenges. Saker helps where he can and because of his own magical talents, he has some pivotal contributions. I enjoyed the spell casting and magical details, even when I felt a bit lost in some of the overwhelming details and influx of information. I was particularly confused when Rain’s past exploits were mentioned, sometimes repeatedly. Same with the politics since Rain has an adversarial role when it comes to two other mages and there are complicated dynamics there. Though she also has allies and close friends, all of whom that had page time I enjoyed. Her staff were especially great characters and I need to circle back and read the first book in this world that features her gardener and the elemental of the lack surrounding their island.
The climax was actually unexpected for me and another portion of the book that was a little confusing unfortunately. I liked the lead-up to it and the challenging and heavy events Rain and Saker overcame prior to it. But then the climax itself felt kind of rushed and left me with some questions that just couldn’t be answered. It did give Rain the final push she needed and Saker an opportunity to show his strength. It also at least presented a solution to a concern Saker had, that also unexpectedly popped up close to the end. The epilogue is a couple years into the future (I think it was a couple years) with Rain and Saker in love and tweaking the nose of one of Rain’s adversaries so ending on a happy and funny note. I do wish that there had been a transition with more time between the fallout from the climax and the epilogue, but a bonus epilogue is also available for signing up for the author’s newsletter that’s their wedding day and apparently a primal chase scene. I didn’t download it right now but I might in the future.
I’d definitely read more of this author’s work. I liked her writing style, though this book felt so much longer than it was. It took a substantial amount of time to read, this is not a skimming kind of story.
July 25, 2025
I loved Saker and his brokenness and sweetness. I just wanted to protect him from life. Rain was strong and broken in her own way, and that kept her from opening herself to the idea of being with Saker. The world building in these books is, as always, phenomenal. There were a couple places I had to reread to make sure I understood, but I love it. The epilogue was also so fun.
Spice: 4/5
Triggers: violence, gore, death, child abandonment (past), accidental manslaughter of loved one (past), accidental manslaughter of town (past), murder of romantic partner (past), apocalyptic/end of world scenarios, threat of drowning, threat of burning, sexism, speciesism, PTSD, dubcon from power imbalance (they do their best to mitigate), torture and murder of children (past), soul death, political machinations, emesis, hunting
Spice: 4/5
Triggers: violence, gore, death, child abandonment (past), accidental manslaughter of loved one (past), accidental manslaughter of town (past), murder of romantic partner (past), apocalyptic/end of world scenarios, threat of drowning, threat of burning, sexism, speciesism, PTSD, dubcon from power imbalance (they do their best to mitigate), torture and murder of children (past), soul death, political machinations, emesis, hunting
May 16, 2024
I feel like I have a lot of thoughts about this book.
1. Every single page felt like it took 5 min to read. I don’t know why but I would be reading for hours and then realize I barely got anywhere.
2. I really wanted to DNF it but for some reason I powered through.
3. The author is an exceptional writer. This book technically was so well written!
4. I didn’t know what an Incubus was before I read this book AND perhaps I should have done some research before I read it. So I was better prepared.
5. I find it hard to connect that Saker was a ruthless killing war-mage and then he became a devoted familiar that pouted a lot and lived in a bubble of pitiful emotions. Should we mention when he turned into a cat, ran away and hid when Rain kissed another man AFTER he told her it was okay? And then she sat there for HOURS trying to coax him out? Big tough war mage hiding cause he wanted to throw a fit.
6. Aside from the friends/lover story, the other plot line with Jace and their tasks with the Celestial Realm and the void had SO much potential. It was glossed over pretty quickly when it actually was a BIG deal.
7. If I never hear “sometimes lover” or Ledaji” ever again, it will be too soon.
8. I wanted to love the love-story in this. But there were times when they talked to each other that made me cringe. Like audibly out-loud while I was reading. They were full grown adults but talked and joked with each other like they were 14.
9. Yes I realize that there are readers who eat this up… and that’s okay! I love that for them. It just wasn’t for me.
1. Every single page felt like it took 5 min to read. I don’t know why but I would be reading for hours and then realize I barely got anywhere.
2. I really wanted to DNF it but for some reason I powered through.
3. The author is an exceptional writer. This book technically was so well written!
4. I didn’t know what an Incubus was before I read this book AND perhaps I should have done some research before I read it. So I was better prepared.
5. I find it hard to connect that Saker was a ruthless killing war-mage and then he became a devoted familiar that pouted a lot and lived in a bubble of pitiful emotions. Should we mention when he turned into a cat, ran away and hid when Rain kissed another man AFTER he told her it was okay? And then she sat there for HOURS trying to coax him out? Big tough war mage hiding cause he wanted to throw a fit.
6. Aside from the friends/lover story, the other plot line with Jace and their tasks with the Celestial Realm and the void had SO much potential. It was glossed over pretty quickly when it actually was a BIG deal.
7. If I never hear “sometimes lover” or Ledaji” ever again, it will be too soon.
8. I wanted to love the love-story in this. But there were times when they talked to each other that made me cringe. Like audibly out-loud while I was reading. They were full grown adults but talked and joked with each other like they were 14.
9. Yes I realize that there are readers who eat this up… and that’s okay! I love that for them. It just wasn’t for me.
did-not-finish
July 24, 2024dnf at 60% and it’s crazy because rain is a character that in theory i should like a lot, the world building in this is better, but almost 600 pages long and it just drags along. from chapter 12 onwards, scenes are so stretched out that the chapters breaks loses all meaning. i also don’t find it sexy to see people flirting and making moves while seriously ill but it’s probably because i’ve been bedridden and sick for many months before and had help showering sometimes from my partner, hard to connect with it on page personally. i haven’t picked it up back again in days so yeahhh, i’m not finishing this.
May 15, 2024
I really tried to get into this book but i had to DNF at 29%. I just couldn’t get into it, I’m not sure if it’s because i didn’t vibe with the FMC or because the pace just felt slow. I found myself checking how far along in the book i was constantly, thinking i should be well into it since it felt like I was reading for hours. This may have been someones favourite read but unfortunately its not mine :/
July 22, 2023
3.5 Stars - I think I enjoyed the Gardener and the Waterhorse a bit more than this book, but the characters were still very well written and the story had a lot of depth to it. It was very fun to return to the characters we met in the first book and see how they were doing ten years later.
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April 3, 2023Dnf @ 50%
My sincerest wish for this author is for her to get picked up by a publisher and showered with fame and fortunes and the guidance of an editor. Her world building and empathy for her characters are some of the best I’ve ever read.
This book was just…not fun to read. At all. I’m slogging at the halfway point and it’s such a shame because it’s all here. It’s just not quite *there* yet. I don’t know how to explain it.
My sincerest wish for this author is for her to get picked up by a publisher and showered with fame and fortunes and the guidance of an editor. Her world building and empathy for her characters are some of the best I’ve ever read.
This book was just…not fun to read. At all. I’m slogging at the halfway point and it’s such a shame because it’s all here. It’s just not quite *there* yet. I don’t know how to explain it.
November 17, 2025
I think I've just read too much Mallory Dunlin this year, and the books have started to feel a little repetitive to me. The MMCs are always very similar to each other, kind of shy and damaged and touch starved yet ultra powerful. They always wear loads of jewelry. They're different from a lot of the other stuff out there in fantasy romance land, so they feel refreshing in contrast to that. I thought this one was just too long, it felt like they kept having the same conflict over and over of him being obsessed with her and her being too damaged to be able to accept it without hurting him. It could have easily been a third shorter.
That being said, the two sides of the coin are if you liked Mallory Dunlin's other stuff, you'll probably like this too. It is nice how the female main characters are always levelheaded and a touch older and not running around sassing and stabbing people. If you've read her other stuff, it might feel like you've read this before, to an extent.
That being said, the two sides of the coin are if you liked Mallory Dunlin's other stuff, you'll probably like this too. It is nice how the female main characters are always levelheaded and a touch older and not running around sassing and stabbing people. If you've read her other stuff, it might feel like you've read this before, to an extent.
April 7, 2025
4.25/5
I really enjoyed this. Saker was so sweet and he just wanted to be loved so bad. He was a perfect familiar. I would take one exactly like him.
The writing was a little too whimsical/flowery/fairy taley, which it made it a little hard to follow what exactly was happening with all the magic and bad guys at times. And I would have really, really liked to see more of their time actually together. We saw Rain and Saker become very close, but technically they were still only familiar and mage for most of the book. I would have liked to see more of their love, their HEA, their time in the spire, learning new magic, healing past wounds, making friends with everyone. It all felt a bit crammed into the last 8%. I still really enjoyed the story and recommend if you enjoy the other books in this world/universes.
I really enjoyed this. Saker was so sweet and he just wanted to be loved so bad. He was a perfect familiar. I would take one exactly like him.
The writing was a little too whimsical/flowery/fairy taley, which it made it a little hard to follow what exactly was happening with all the magic and bad guys at times. And I would have really, really liked to see more of their time actually together. We saw Rain and Saker become very close, but technically they were still only familiar and mage for most of the book. I would have liked to see more of their love, their HEA, their time in the spire, learning new magic, healing past wounds, making friends with everyone. It all felt a bit crammed into the last 8%. I still really enjoyed the story and recommend if you enjoy the other books in this world/universes.
June 30, 2023
Is this really the first book? Because I felt like I was dropped into the middle of a story.
I mean, honestly, this didn't have terrible writing. It was just written like I should know what is going on with the world and then data dumping a bunch of info on me. All this information and world building (kind of, but not really?) and nothing happened until 80% of the book. It needed some serious editing and restructuring.
Both of the main characters think they can't be loved or cannot love someone else and that is their story: Angst filled people that are horny, but they don't want to cross a line.
Also, things are plummeting to their world, about ready to annihilate everything insight...but we don't need to worry about that. That is a sub plot.
I mean, honestly, this didn't have terrible writing. It was just written like I should know what is going on with the world and then data dumping a bunch of info on me. All this information and world building (kind of, but not really?) and nothing happened until 80% of the book. It needed some serious editing and restructuring.
Both of the main characters think they can't be loved or cannot love someone else and that is their story: Angst filled people that are horny, but they don't want to cross a line.
Also, things are plummeting to their world, about ready to annihilate everything insight...but we don't need to worry about that. That is a sub plot.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 24, 2024
Probably the most annoying FMC I’ve ever read. The MMC was super sweet but she was horrible. Yeah, great idea, invite the guy who is pathetically in love with you, and can feel all of your emotions through a soul bond, to your fuck buddies house. All he did was try to stay out of her way while she planned to fuck another guy because he knew he had no right to tell her what to do with her body, and she got pissed and blamed him for not telling her not to do it. That ruined the book for me, I couldn’t get past how shitty she was to him
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 7, 2023
More an adventure-filled saga than a romance. I found the smut lacking in this book- a shocker since it has an incubus aka a sex demon in it. Seriously?! How do you have a book with a sex demon and not have tons of dirty goodness? We get a few scenes but nothing earth-shattering and I disliked the FMC.
February 15, 2024
An interesting premise, and fun magic system, but unfortunately it depends a bit too much on pushy-dude-as-sexy for my tastes. It's got some light femdom elements, but largely just flirts with kink rather than delivering on it.
November 18, 2024
This took too long for me to read 😅😅review to come
April 3, 2025
This book was absolutely delightful and I loved reading about Rain and Saker.
November 19, 2024
An emotionally unavailable sorceress tries to summon a cat to take care of her mouse problem and instead ends up with a love-starved incubus as her soul-bonded familiar. The MMC is so devoted and eager to please from the minute he appears on page it is borderline painful to watch him strung along (and not in the fun toxic way) for no reason other than page count padding. I love a yearning hero who falls first but either the emotional arc of both characters could have used some reworking or this should have been a novella. Friends to lovers is one of my least favorite tropes and I didn’t realize that was how the author intended to address the power imbalance of the forced proximity. There’s a lot of talk about consent and the soul bond and everything is sweet and respectful, and while that’s appreciated, that means that the primary barrier to the them getting together is just the FMC being an idiot. I love a slow burn and will accept almost any arbitrary reason to prolong mutual pining but it did not work for me here. The author clearly put a lot of effort into the world building but unfortunately it’s info dump style and the plot is so so boring. Somehow this book feels 800 pages long despite being nowhere near that. I did like the love interest though so I might check out more from the author because it’s rough out here for anyone looking for variation on the male dom default love interest in romantasy. 2.5 stars.
April 5, 2023
Mallory Dunlin has penned a surprisingly unique take on magic. Her world building is superb and the rules of her magic system consistent throughout the text. There isn't a info dump on the system and one has to figure out the rules of a complex world by reading the story. There are times that it's complexity takes you out of the story. And sometimes, i decided to ignore any hard to understand parts in favor of continuing with the plot.
The hero and heroine are fleshed out characters with personalities that stay consistent throughout the text. I have said it before and I will say it again, I LOVE Dunlin's heroines.
The themes of war, power and sexuality are discussed with tact and sensitivity. I love how she portrays consent in relationships in this text.
This was an excellent read. I can see Mallory Dunlin becoming one of my favorite authors.
The hero and heroine are fleshed out characters with personalities that stay consistent throughout the text. I have said it before and I will say it again, I LOVE Dunlin's heroines.
The themes of war, power and sexuality are discussed with tact and sensitivity. I love how she portrays consent in relationships in this text.
This was an excellent read. I can see Mallory Dunlin becoming one of my favorite authors.
December 6, 2024
3.5 stars rounded down.
I love Mallory Dunlin & I love her Echoes of the Void universe.
This was SUCH a fun premise for a story. One of the most powerful sorceresses in the world summons a cat familiar to hunt the mice that keep interrupting her important spell castings….. but instead of a regular cat, she ends up summoning a part incubus-part man- part cat (and more).
Obviously the results are… complicated. Rain (the FMC) is life bonded to this familiar (Saker, MMC) now, and his incubus form has to “consume” lust to survive.
Anyway, they form a friendship/get to know each other, and it’s just a great story.
I do wish Rain would have communicated with Saker better, because I felt bad for him for half of the book.
But I loved the world and the overall plot, Mallory Dunlin certainly has a knack for writing memorable main characters!
I love Mallory Dunlin & I love her Echoes of the Void universe.
This was SUCH a fun premise for a story. One of the most powerful sorceresses in the world summons a cat familiar to hunt the mice that keep interrupting her important spell castings….. but instead of a regular cat, she ends up summoning a part incubus-part man- part cat (and more).
Obviously the results are… complicated. Rain (the FMC) is life bonded to this familiar (Saker, MMC) now, and his incubus form has to “consume” lust to survive.
Anyway, they form a friendship/get to know each other, and it’s just a great story.
I do wish Rain would have communicated with Saker better, because I felt bad for him for half of the book.
But I loved the world and the overall plot, Mallory Dunlin certainly has a knack for writing memorable main characters!
March 15, 2023
This was such a surprising book for me I don’t even know where to begin, but I will definitely try.
The characters are so compelling and charismatic, our FMC, Rain is a powerhouse of a sorceress who LITERALLY catches meteors with the help of her best friend, who is also another powerful sorceress. She’s altruistic, independent, understanding and so, so strong but she is incredibly afraid of romantic feelings.
Saker, our MMC sorcerer warrior incubus, suddenly finds himself bound to Rain after he answers a familiar calling spell. He’s the gentlest, most adorable character I’ve ever had the chance to read and all he wants is to love and feel loved. He is also resentful of what he is.
The lore is fantastic and one thing I’ve noticed as a reader is that if there isn’t good lore I absolutely won’t read a book. The way Mallory Dunlin describes the world(s)/planes of existence is beautiful, she’s extremely descriptive to the point where I don’t really have to fill in gaps when it comes to picture her beautiful sceneries/landscapes. The magic system is also extremely detailed and she makes sure to be very thorough when it comes to write about the casting of spells or any other situation that requires magic, even the “technology” is powered by magic which I found very original.
Her writing is gorgeous yet super easy to follow. There are different languages for the different planes of existence she writes about, one that’s quite present in this book is Abyssal, the plane where Saker comes from. I found it fantastic that the characters got to speak it, it’s a surprisingly beautiful language and it just added that extra something to the lore. As I said, Mallory Dunlin is very thorough!
She also describes the relationship between Saker and Rain a slow-burn romance sizzling with desire but I’d describe it more as scorching desire. It’s the slowest of the burns (which I LOVE) with a lot and I mean A LOT of sexual tension. Both characters have boundaries that they share with each other and they’re very respectful in respecting them, consent is also something major in their relationship and it’s emphasized countless times. To me, the way she wrote about their relationship was extremely sensual and beautiful and I found myself quite satisfied with it! It’s definitely a HEA.
I can’t recommend this book enough, it has everything I love: An incubus (my favorite “monster” type) who happens to be a complete and utter cinnabon, a kickass, independent, understanding heroine, a slow-burn with scorching desire, and a dense, well constructed world!
What a wonderful book!
The characters are so compelling and charismatic, our FMC, Rain is a powerhouse of a sorceress who LITERALLY catches meteors with the help of her best friend, who is also another powerful sorceress. She’s altruistic, independent, understanding and so, so strong but she is incredibly afraid of romantic feelings.
Saker, our MMC sorcerer warrior incubus, suddenly finds himself bound to Rain after he answers a familiar calling spell. He’s the gentlest, most adorable character I’ve ever had the chance to read and all he wants is to love and feel loved. He is also resentful of what he is.
The lore is fantastic and one thing I’ve noticed as a reader is that if there isn’t good lore I absolutely won’t read a book. The way Mallory Dunlin describes the world(s)/planes of existence is beautiful, she’s extremely descriptive to the point where I don’t really have to fill in gaps when it comes to picture her beautiful sceneries/landscapes. The magic system is also extremely detailed and she makes sure to be very thorough when it comes to write about the casting of spells or any other situation that requires magic, even the “technology” is powered by magic which I found very original.
Her writing is gorgeous yet super easy to follow. There are different languages for the different planes of existence she writes about, one that’s quite present in this book is Abyssal, the plane where Saker comes from. I found it fantastic that the characters got to speak it, it’s a surprisingly beautiful language and it just added that extra something to the lore. As I said, Mallory Dunlin is very thorough!
She also describes the relationship between Saker and Rain a slow-burn romance sizzling with desire but I’d describe it more as scorching desire. It’s the slowest of the burns (which I LOVE) with a lot and I mean A LOT of sexual tension. Both characters have boundaries that they share with each other and they’re very respectful in respecting them, consent is also something major in their relationship and it’s emphasized countless times. To me, the way she wrote about their relationship was extremely sensual and beautiful and I found myself quite satisfied with it! It’s definitely a HEA.
I can’t recommend this book enough, it has everything I love: An incubus (my favorite “monster” type) who happens to be a complete and utter cinnabon, a kickass, independent, understanding heroine, a slow-burn with scorching desire, and a dense, well constructed world!
What a wonderful book!
November 6, 2023
3.5. Not sure if I wanna round up yet, but I did enjoy this one!
Except it took for fucking EVER to finish! Holy shit. How is it *only* 330 something pages, but it felt like a 800 page tome?
It's not that it dragged—I can't even say that. It just felt immensely long for no good reason. Every time I read one supposed page, it felt like it lasted 5 instead. I have no idea how that works. I had to stop noticing the percentage at some point in order to not feel helpless about finishing. Holy shit.
Anyway, that being said, I really enjoyed it. This book had a lot more smut than I typically feel comfortable reading—and I am never comfortable reading it, so you can imagine how that went. It was pretty well written, though, so I'm glad of that.
Dunlin does an amazing job of bringing life to her characters, which is the main reason I enjoyed this book. It is definitely not plot heavy—and, considering that it is a romantasy, that only makes sense. But in case anyone's confused! A good half of the book is focused on the main leads' growing relationship with each other. I loved it, honestly.
I loved Rain, who feels so vastly different from most female leads I've read. Powerful and understanding and putting communication as a priority over a lot of things. I adored Saker to bits, especially with how he could be flirty one scene and then shy, hesitant, and utterly vulnerable in the next. The two supported each other the entire time and it was just... really nice to read.
Of course, the whole thing dragged lol. I can finish a 300 page book of I like it enough in less than a day, even after work. This took so long to finally finish that I can't not complain about it. Just how tf do these pages work?
ANYWAY. Worldbuilding was intense too. It shows that it was really well thought out, and I appreciated that. Sometimes it felt like too much info dumping, which I didn't really care for, especially in the beginning. But it was an incredibly interesting universe and Dunlin did a great job at painting it.
Overall, I'd definitely recommend this one if yall are into romantasy. While it's a slow burn—in regards to the main character finally coming to terms with her feelings—there's a lot of "spice" for those who enjoy it. Paired with great characterization and a well thought out world (one where it isn't just a background for them to fuck!), it's a pretty good read!
Except it took for fucking EVER to finish! Holy shit. How is it *only* 330 something pages, but it felt like a 800 page tome?
It's not that it dragged—I can't even say that. It just felt immensely long for no good reason. Every time I read one supposed page, it felt like it lasted 5 instead. I have no idea how that works. I had to stop noticing the percentage at some point in order to not feel helpless about finishing. Holy shit.
Anyway, that being said, I really enjoyed it. This book had a lot more smut than I typically feel comfortable reading—and I am never comfortable reading it, so you can imagine how that went. It was pretty well written, though, so I'm glad of that.
Dunlin does an amazing job of bringing life to her characters, which is the main reason I enjoyed this book. It is definitely not plot heavy—and, considering that it is a romantasy, that only makes sense. But in case anyone's confused! A good half of the book is focused on the main leads' growing relationship with each other. I loved it, honestly.
I loved Rain, who feels so vastly different from most female leads I've read. Powerful and understanding and putting communication as a priority over a lot of things. I adored Saker to bits, especially with how he could be flirty one scene and then shy, hesitant, and utterly vulnerable in the next. The two supported each other the entire time and it was just... really nice to read.
Of course, the whole thing dragged lol. I can finish a 300 page book of I like it enough in less than a day, even after work. This took so long to finally finish that I can't not complain about it. Just how tf do these pages work?
ANYWAY. Worldbuilding was intense too. It shows that it was really well thought out, and I appreciated that. Sometimes it felt like too much info dumping, which I didn't really care for, especially in the beginning. But it was an incredibly interesting universe and Dunlin did a great job at painting it.
Overall, I'd definitely recommend this one if yall are into romantasy. While it's a slow burn—in regards to the main character finally coming to terms with her feelings—there's a lot of "spice" for those who enjoy it. Paired with great characterization and a well thought out world (one where it isn't just a background for them to fuck!), it's a pretty good read!
December 29, 2024
I feel like I was too excited by the premise and the actual execution of the story was a let down. While this author has beautiful prose and world building, I found that the actual romance dragged on and was hard to get invested in.
3.5 😢
Plot:
- h tries summoning a cat as a familiar, but gets H instead
- H is a demon warlord incubus from the abyss plane (fire) who was about to die
- h heals him and is overwhelmed with having her soul tied to another sapient being
- H is incredibly grateful for getting a chance to start over and how caring h is to him
- they start to get more comfortable with each other, and its the first friend H has ever had
- H is an incubus and needs to feed sexually, so h and him masturbate at the same time. h is too scarred to do more physically with H bc she is too scared to be that vulnerable to someone that she will be bound forever to
- they grow attracted to each other and H reveals that he loves h. However, he needs to set up physical boundaries like not kissing or having sex bc it'll be too much for him if h is not able to fully commit.
- h tells him about how a constellation fell and she and another sorceress are responsible for keeping the world from being destroyed. It was her fiancé that destroyed the constellation with a gift she gave him.
- H goes with her on a ship and they fix the tear between their world and the celestial plane. The other sorceress is holding it up from her end, h is holding it up in their world, and H destroys the astroids.
- Back home, h gets a visitor from the sorcerer who's been trying to do soul vivisection research at her spire. He has a soul parasite and tricks h into drinking a potion that disables all of her magic. While she's laying on the floor dying, h thinks of how she wish she had told H she loved him. Fortunately, H is able to save her and suck the soul out of the sorcerer.
- they finally have sex
- h shows up to a gala with H as a cat and then transforming into an incubus
3.5 😢
Plot:
- h tries summoning a cat as a familiar, but gets H instead
- H is a demon warlord incubus from the abyss plane (fire) who was about to die
- h heals him and is overwhelmed with having her soul tied to another sapient being
- H is incredibly grateful for getting a chance to start over and how caring h is to him
- they start to get more comfortable with each other, and its the first friend H has ever had
- H is an incubus and needs to feed sexually, so h and him masturbate at the same time. h is too scarred to do more physically with H bc she is too scared to be that vulnerable to someone that she will be bound forever to
- they grow attracted to each other and H reveals that he loves h. However, he needs to set up physical boundaries like not kissing or having sex bc it'll be too much for him if h is not able to fully commit.
- h tells him about how a constellation fell and she and another sorceress are responsible for keeping the world from being destroyed. It was her fiancé that destroyed the constellation with a gift she gave him.
- H goes with her on a ship and they fix the tear between their world and the celestial plane. The other sorceress is holding it up from her end, h is holding it up in their world, and H destroys the astroids.
- Back home, h gets a visitor from the sorcerer who's been trying to do soul vivisection research at her spire. He has a soul parasite and tricks h into drinking a potion that disables all of her magic. While she's laying on the floor dying, h thinks of how she wish she had told H she loved him. Fortunately, H is able to save her and suck the soul out of the sorcerer.
- they finally have sex
- h shows up to a gala with H as a cat and then transforming into an incubus
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 4, 2025
Struggling a bit to rate this one because this book has interesting ideas and a very well developed world, and there were definitely some really enjoyable moments throughout that kept me reading. There were definitely just some issues as well. I really loved the character of Saker throughout, and I did overall enjoy the plot and the romance. I think it was just the main character of Rain I struggled with because there just seemed to be some really odd inconsistencies with her throughout (and her teasing of Saker when he was already struggling just started to feel sort of mean) Also, it was odd to me that after all the relationship drama being from Rain's end, it abruptly shifted to Saker's concerns at the very end so it could all wrap up nicely. I liked the ending and found it very satisfying, but it seemed like if that was the direction it was going, we should have seen more of those concerns before. Especially with how long and detailed this already was (sometimes to the point of the plot dragging). Anyway, this is very vague to avoid spoilers, but the book overall was compelling and fun even with some issues throughout.
January 26, 2025
3.5 stars 🌟🌟🌟 Really slow pacing, but I loved the concept of the incubus
This was a really long read, and I echo other reviews that it felt like it took forever to get through. The pacing was slow, and Rain and Saker didn’t really get spicy together until about 80% into the book. If this had been shorter and written as a novella, I think it could have been a 5-star read.
Plot:
Rain, the Sorceress FMC, is 32 years old. She accidentally summons Saker, who also has powerful magic and is a shapeshifter in his late 20s, while searching for a cat as a familiar. Saker arrives in his cat form, and the two are forced to figure out how to live together as Sorceress and familiar. Saker can also shapeshift into many other forms, including an incubus.
Their relationship is a slow build, and while the premise was intriguing, the pacing dragged in many places.
Loved:
-Rain, as a 32-year-old FMC, was a highlight for me. It’s always refreshing.
-If you liked The Gardener and the Waterhorse, you’ll enjoy seeing Safira and Celyn in this book, which is set 10 years later.
Didn’t like:
-The slow pacing. This book felt like a marathon, and it was hard to stay engaged at times.
-The phrase "sometimes lover" was repeated so often that it became distracting. Mallory, I love your writing, but this one phrase made me roll my eyes every time.
Overall thoughts:
The slow pacing made the book hard to fully enjoy. I loved the characters and the premise, but I think it would have worked better as a novella. That said, if you’re a fan of The Gardener and the Waterhorse, you’ll appreciate the callbacks to Safira and Celyn here.
This was a really long read, and I echo other reviews that it felt like it took forever to get through. The pacing was slow, and Rain and Saker didn’t really get spicy together until about 80% into the book. If this had been shorter and written as a novella, I think it could have been a 5-star read.
Plot:
Rain, the Sorceress FMC, is 32 years old. She accidentally summons Saker, who also has powerful magic and is a shapeshifter in his late 20s, while searching for a cat as a familiar. Saker arrives in his cat form, and the two are forced to figure out how to live together as Sorceress and familiar. Saker can also shapeshift into many other forms, including an incubus.
Their relationship is a slow build, and while the premise was intriguing, the pacing dragged in many places.
Loved:
-Rain, as a 32-year-old FMC, was a highlight for me. It’s always refreshing.
-If you liked The Gardener and the Waterhorse, you’ll enjoy seeing Safira and Celyn in this book, which is set 10 years later.
Didn’t like:
-The slow pacing. This book felt like a marathon, and it was hard to stay engaged at times.
-The phrase "sometimes lover" was repeated so often that it became distracting. Mallory, I love your writing, but this one phrase made me roll my eyes every time.
Overall thoughts:
The slow pacing made the book hard to fully enjoy. I loved the characters and the premise, but I think it would have worked better as a novella. That said, if you’re a fan of The Gardener and the Waterhorse, you’ll appreciate the callbacks to Safira and Celyn here.
January 31, 2023
Working Together for Good . . .
Rain is a powerful sorceress who is not afraid to sacrifice herself for the good of those who matter to her. She is still battling to save humanity at any cost. When Saker, an incubus, comes into her life, he is grateful that she saved him and will deny his lusty urges to prove himself to her. And as a result, he begins to fall in love with her as they share a soul-bond. Their attention now focused on a meteor storm that will kill millions if they cannot stop it, the two will have to fully rely on each other or their mission will fail.
Loaded with details, the story line can bog down at times and lose the reader’s attention. Or it may be just what the reader appreciates. But overall, the story line is good because the main characters are worth cheering for and finding happiness if they ever get a break.
Rain is a powerful sorceress who is not afraid to sacrifice herself for the good of those who matter to her. She is still battling to save humanity at any cost. When Saker, an incubus, comes into her life, he is grateful that she saved him and will deny his lusty urges to prove himself to her. And as a result, he begins to fall in love with her as they share a soul-bond. Their attention now focused on a meteor storm that will kill millions if they cannot stop it, the two will have to fully rely on each other or their mission will fail.
Loaded with details, the story line can bog down at times and lose the reader’s attention. Or it may be just what the reader appreciates. But overall, the story line is good because the main characters are worth cheering for and finding happiness if they ever get a break.
March 1, 2024
more like 3.9 stars but i'll definitely round up!
this was such a pleasing slow-burn within a book (which i usually don't prefer because i like the slowburn to last more than a book), but the pining, tension, longing, communication--very well done. i liked that rain was this bad ass fmc who has had her heart broken and is very emotionally fragile while saker (who is an incubus) despises who he is but is so sweet and gentle with rain. immediately they were so respectful of each other and their situation, and their powers complimented each other so well.
i loved the communication, apologies, and patience the two mc's had with one another and the realization that they liked each other was so satisfying. maybe the parts that dragged a bit (or was a bit confusing) was actually the world-building, which was more complex than i expected, but regardless, it was a fun read.
this was such a pleasing slow-burn within a book (which i usually don't prefer because i like the slowburn to last more than a book), but the pining, tension, longing, communication--very well done. i liked that rain was this bad ass fmc who has had her heart broken and is very emotionally fragile while saker (who is an incubus) despises who he is but is so sweet and gentle with rain. immediately they were so respectful of each other and their situation, and their powers complimented each other so well.
i loved the communication, apologies, and patience the two mc's had with one another and the realization that they liked each other was so satisfying. maybe the parts that dragged a bit (or was a bit confusing) was actually the world-building, which was more complex than i expected, but regardless, it was a fun read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 9, 2024
I LOVED this book. I'm always a big fan of interconnected standalone books and no one does romantasy interconnected series better than Dunlin. I really did enjoy the Water Horse story, but this one blows it out of the water (pun not intended). Saker is such an adorable MMC. I love all of his cat behaviours so much! Rain is also a super compelling FMC.
The magic system in this world is really interesting and unique. I would love to see all the intricacies fleshed out even more because the more I learned the more I wanted to know. I will say that as is the case with many indi authors, Dunlin's writing could probably use more professional editing which I truly believe would elevate and streamline stories like these. But, it does not impact how much I enjoyed it and the fact that I will be chomping at the bits for more of this series.
The magic system in this world is really interesting and unique. I would love to see all the intricacies fleshed out even more because the more I learned the more I wanted to know. I will say that as is the case with many indi authors, Dunlin's writing could probably use more professional editing which I truly believe would elevate and streamline stories like these. But, it does not impact how much I enjoyed it and the fact that I will be chomping at the bits for more of this series.
March 4, 2025
3.5 ⭐ - This book started off as a 5⭐, but it started going downhill for me at about the halfway point. It took way too long for them to finally "connect" and it just felt like she was dragging him along. She was sending very mixed signals. There was so much yearning from him and I really felt bad for him.
I really enjoyed the FMC for the most part - until she kept dragging the MMC along. She's funny and has a foul mouth.
The MMC was a sweetheart who wore his heart on his sleeves. Someone give him a hug please.
The world building and plot was very good, and a bit complex at times, but very interesting. Although it seems like things were dealt with too easily given the magnitude of what needed to be done.
Overall I liked the book, but I didn't love it.
I really enjoyed the FMC for the most part - until she kept dragging the MMC along. She's funny and has a foul mouth.
The MMC was a sweetheart who wore his heart on his sleeves. Someone give him a hug please.
The world building and plot was very good, and a bit complex at times, but very interesting. Although it seems like things were dealt with too easily given the magnitude of what needed to be done.
Overall I liked the book, but I didn't love it.
March 15, 2024
Mallory Dunlin didn't disappoint! The Sorceress and the Incubus is a captivating tale that keeps you hooked from start to finish. The journey of Rain and Saker finding each other is beautifully portrayed, and the development of their relationship is truly remarkable. As readers, we're eagerly anticipating the final coming together of Rain and Saker, which promises to be both heartwarming and satisfying. This story delves deep into themes of trust, making it not only entertaining but also thought-provoking. And let's not forget the added bonus: a male main character who isn't afraid to show vulnerability. Definitely a must-read!
July 30, 2024
I was intrigued by it, really. I was really confused by a lot of things. It talked about things without explaining what the hell they were talking about. So confused.
I liked Rain's relationship with Saker in the beginning, I like how soft with the touches they were being.
But god is their relationship weird. They have sex, but they can't kiss, or do certain things. And then after they established that relationship, Rain goes to fuck Qavan, and then gets angry and Saker for being jealous, and then basically tells him that she loves multiple people and he has to suck it up.
Basically, this is not a monogamous romance and I'm very upset that I wasn't warned.
I liked Rain's relationship with Saker in the beginning, I like how soft with the touches they were being.
But god is their relationship weird. They have sex, but they can't kiss, or do certain things. And then after they established that relationship, Rain goes to fuck Qavan, and then gets angry and Saker for being jealous, and then basically tells him that she loves multiple people and he has to suck it up.
Basically, this is not a monogamous romance and I'm very upset that I wasn't warned.
February 2, 2023
I enjoyed this book. Great world building. I liked Rain, but loved Saker and how he was willing to prove himself to her and appreciates her saving him (even if it was unintended). I liked the dynamic between them as a sorceress and a demon, and the strength of their bond. This story was a fun adventure with a lot at stake. This was the first book I've read by this author and I look forward to reading more. 5 stars
"I know I'm not what you wanted, but you have been my unwarranted salvation, and you may have all of me, for as long as I live."
"I know I'm not what you wanted, but you have been my unwarranted salvation, and you may have all of me, for as long as I live."
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