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Debt Collection #1
Soul Fraud
Matthew Carver has a terrible life. Seriously - it's awful. It is so bad that Dan the Demon is shocked when Matt turns down his infernal offer: ten years of a blissful life in exchange for his soul.
But Dan is a salesman behind on his quota and his demonic managers are running out of patience. He forges Matt's signature on the dotted line, stealing his soul and thrusting him into a supernatural world he never knew existed.
Now Matt must figure out how to get his soul back and stop a war before it is too late...
But Dan is a salesman behind on his quota and his demonic managers are running out of patience. He forges Matt's signature on the dotted line, stealing his soul and thrusting him into a supernatural world he never knew existed.
Now Matt must figure out how to get his soul back and stop a war before it is too late...
364 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 30, 2022
442 people are currently reading
1554 people want to read
About the author
Andrew Givler
7 books1,038 followersAndrew is the author of the Debt Collection and Ironbound series and also a gaming YouTuber known as Sigils. He loves making people laugh, video games, and food. (Not always in that order.) He lives in LA.
To learn more about him you can go to his website: http://andrewgivler.com
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BookTube: http://youtube.com/@GivReads
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To learn more about him you can go to his website: http://andrewgivler.com
Social Media
BookTube: http://youtube.com/@GivReads
Twitter: http://twitter.com/sigils
Instagram: http://instagram.com/sigils
TikTok: http://tiktok.com/@GivReads
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 131 reviews
April 17, 2023
Read this book a year ago and forgot to post a review 😅
It's fun, fast-paced and weird!
I have a full spoiler free review on my channel!
It's fun, fast-paced and weird!
I have a full spoiler free review on my channel!
October 12, 2023
My two sons watch Givler's YouTube channel, so I bought this to pre-screen it in anticipation of them asking to read it. I write the following as a father, a professor who reads constantly, a (non-fiction) author, and a co-owner of a small, indie publishing company. I may not be the world's greatest expert, but I'm approaching this book from a variety of different angles.
First, the story is entertaining. I would have never conceived of the basic premise, but as soon as I heard what it was, I thought it was clever and catchy. I wasn't sure where it would go after that, but I enjoyed the journey along the way. In general, it's a good book and fun to read. For a debut novel, it's excellent.
Second, the book is kid-friendly without being a kid's book. Givler's YouTube channel is family-friendly and that tone continues into this medium as well—though pushes it from, say, PG to PG-13 in the transition from YouTube to SOUL FRAUD. Even so, it is something I am comfortable letting my kids read, which I thoroughly appreciate. In a culture where a G-rating means a death sentence and PG is nearly as bad, we need more examples of why it doesn't have to be R to be top-notch and sell well. Moral questions aside, vulgarity (verbal or otherwise) is frequently a poor mask for a small vocabulary and an unimaginative mind, neither of which are a millstone around Givler's neck.
First, the story is entertaining. I would have never conceived of the basic premise, but as soon as I heard what it was, I thought it was clever and catchy. I wasn't sure where it would go after that, but I enjoyed the journey along the way. In general, it's a good book and fun to read. For a debut novel, it's excellent.
Second, the book is kid-friendly without being a kid's book. Givler's YouTube channel is family-friendly and that tone continues into this medium as well—though pushes it from, say, PG to PG-13 in the transition from YouTube to SOUL FRAUD. Even so, it is something I am comfortable letting my kids read, which I thoroughly appreciate. In a culture where a G-rating means a death sentence and PG is nearly as bad, we need more examples of why it doesn't have to be R to be top-notch and sell well. Moral questions aside, vulgarity (verbal or otherwise) is frequently a poor mask for a small vocabulary and an unimaginative mind, neither of which are a millstone around Givler's neck.
June 21, 2022
Soul Fraud isn’t a fall down a rabbit hole. The main character was actually thrown into the hole, by a demon bad at sales. This book is a peek at just how deep the rabbit hole goes.
Character is a strong point with this novel. Each character feels distinct and comes off the page in a unique way to make the story even more colorful and with added depth. The main character brings an awkward sarcasm to the story which balances out the danger around him and leaving me laughing throughout.
The plot gives the sense of organized chaos, underscoring the MC’s perspective of a whole new world underpinning our own while not taking away from the author’s control of the story. It kept me guessing at every turn without leaving me lost and confused.
The world-building is excellent, sharing an urban fantasy style that fans of the Dresden Files or Iron Druid will instantly enjoy.
My one complaint about the story is the ending. It left me wanting more from this world, and I can’t wait for the next iteration.
Character is a strong point with this novel. Each character feels distinct and comes off the page in a unique way to make the story even more colorful and with added depth. The main character brings an awkward sarcasm to the story which balances out the danger around him and leaving me laughing throughout.
The plot gives the sense of organized chaos, underscoring the MC’s perspective of a whole new world underpinning our own while not taking away from the author’s control of the story. It kept me guessing at every turn without leaving me lost and confused.
The world-building is excellent, sharing an urban fantasy style that fans of the Dresden Files or Iron Druid will instantly enjoy.
My one complaint about the story is the ending. It left me wanting more from this world, and I can’t wait for the next iteration.
January 6, 2025
I was not familiar with this author, but he posted a self promo in the Facebook group Fans Of Urban Fantasy and l gave him a try.
An interesting dynamic, Matt Carver was feeling sorry for himself, so he went alone to the movies on his birthday with a bottle of tequila. He soon has a demon seated next to him offering "the deal of a lifetime". Somehow, despite his self pity Matt turns down the deal.
The demon, frustrated with his inability to seal the deal forges Matt's signature on the contract.
Now Matt finds himself with impending Hell in 10 years and in a deal he never agreed to. Demons, demigods, dragons and other supernatural beings Matt never knew existed are now part of his life, and he has no clue if there's any way out of it.
A fun book, and I will at the very least be trying the next book.
An interesting dynamic, Matt Carver was feeling sorry for himself, so he went alone to the movies on his birthday with a bottle of tequila. He soon has a demon seated next to him offering "the deal of a lifetime". Somehow, despite his self pity Matt turns down the deal.
The demon, frustrated with his inability to seal the deal forges Matt's signature on the contract.
Now Matt finds himself with impending Hell in 10 years and in a deal he never agreed to. Demons, demigods, dragons and other supernatural beings Matt never knew existed are now part of his life, and he has no clue if there's any way out of it.
A fun book, and I will at the very least be trying the next book.
March 30, 2024
I don't know about that ending. Yet everything leading up to that boss fight. Was...pretty...cool
August 28, 2025
This was overall a fairly enjoyable book. The plot was very intriguing and new, at least for me, and the humor was my kind of humor. However, it was also noticeable that this was Givler’s first book (not saying I could do better; just stating a fact). The plot got a little slow, in that the continual escalation was a bit overbearing. I also thought Matt had a little too thick of plot armor. In every situation, he seemed too calm or to get over things too quickly. It kept saying he was scared, but I couldn’t feel it because the next second would be super lighthearted. In other words, the tensions and releases were too quick and too frequent.
That said, he does know how to leave a compelling cliffhanger; while the escalation was tiring, it did make me want to read Dandelion Audit, so I’m sure I’ll be back for more Soul Fraud
That said, he does know how to leave a compelling cliffhanger; while the escalation was tiring, it did make me want to read Dandelion Audit, so I’m sure I’ll be back for more Soul Fraud
January 25, 2025
I really enjoyed the originality in the book and how the story unfolds with a revelation and cliffhangers in each chapter. Really hard to put down till it was finished!
September 30, 2023
I give this book 5 stars. This book was very good and interesting. It kept you wondering at every turn, had shocking surprises, and was overall a very enjoyable read. Here are 3 things I liked about the book. I liked how there were not too many characters. There were a handful of characters and they were all enjoyable. With there not being many characters, the story was easy to follow. Even when there was chaos, there was still a clear story to follow. The second thing I liked in this book was the story. The author has confirmed that the story was based off an interaction that he had. A coworker had forged their signatures and took thousands from them. It's cool how the author was able to put this real life story and twist it to fit an urban fantasy novel. The amount of detail you get while reading is insane. You can imagine yourself in Matt’s shoes and it feels awesome. The last thing I liked about this book is the main character. Matt is really trying his best. But with life kicking him down, it seems hopeless. Even with Dan the Demon offering him 10 years of bliss, he says no. He might not like the majority of his life, but he has people who make him happy and vice versa. Overall it’s really cool when we see him grow in this book. In conclusion, this book is awesome. I would recommend it to anyone who like the supernatural and an awesome adventure.
October 12, 2025
There HAVE to be better fantasy books than this. Not only does it have a childish protagonist without interesting characteristics (silly me, I thought it might be more like Buffy), it was it episodic, mostly filler. Worse still. but it turns out not to have an ending, save “See volume 2.” A bit Dickensian. And not “Tale of Two Cities” Dickens either.
Light (excuse me, Lite®️) beer has to disclose its calorie content right there on the can, so you know before opening it has no taste (not, you understand that it’s tasteless; I might have liked it better were it tasteless). Why isn’t there a similar rule for fiction, on the order of: “Danger Will Robinson; Quicksand!”?
The only idea I liked was that there are two types of people in the world: people who need 20 minutes of silence after they wake up, and (the main character’s “mortal enemy”), morning people. Yet even that was wrong. Everyone knows there’s three types of people in the world: those who can do math, and those who can’t.
Light (excuse me, Lite®️) beer has to disclose its calorie content right there on the can, so you know before opening it has no taste (not, you understand that it’s tasteless; I might have liked it better were it tasteless). Why isn’t there a similar rule for fiction, on the order of: “Danger Will Robinson; Quicksand!”?
The only idea I liked was that there are two types of people in the world: people who need 20 minutes of silence after they wake up, and (the main character’s “mortal enemy”), morning people. Yet even that was wrong. Everyone knows there’s three types of people in the world: those who can do math, and those who can’t.
April 14, 2024
Over all the book was well written and sucked me in and made me want to keep reading.
The author did a great job because he made it easy to follow the story and visualize in your head
I am excited to read the next book Dandelion Audit
The author did a great job because he made it easy to follow the story and visualize in your head
I am excited to read the next book Dandelion Audit
October 9, 2023
This book is one of my favorites though some parts of the story can be a bit iffy it’s the first book of the series and improvement must come eventually and I can honestly say it did I’ve read Dandelion Audit through an ARC giveaway and it took a big step up but it wouldn’t have gotten there without this wonderful foundation Soul Fraud is in my top four only second to Dandelion Audit.
July 1, 2022
I’m working on my second read through of this book, and I just love it. The human characters are relatable, and even the non-human or part-human characters find ways to to wiggle in to your heart.
This story is a really fun exploration into the idea of “what if myths were real.” Normal people live alongside of demigods and supernatural creatures without even realizing it, until reality smacks them in the face. It’s fun, engaging, well-paced, and thought provoking.
It feels like it is written for adults, but I would let a kid read it too. The difficult content is handled in a nuanced way that makes it very readable for a young teen or older child. I would say that the story is too complex for a young child.
I first read this book digitally, and I am now listening through the audio book. I am somewhat picky when it comes to narrators, and this narrator is really quite good. His voice and accent suit the main character very well, and he does an excellent job of creating distinguishable voices for all the side characters.
You’re in for such a treat! I hope you enjoy this book as much as I have.
This story is a really fun exploration into the idea of “what if myths were real.” Normal people live alongside of demigods and supernatural creatures without even realizing it, until reality smacks them in the face. It’s fun, engaging, well-paced, and thought provoking.
It feels like it is written for adults, but I would let a kid read it too. The difficult content is handled in a nuanced way that makes it very readable for a young teen or older child. I would say that the story is too complex for a young child.
I first read this book digitally, and I am now listening through the audio book. I am somewhat picky when it comes to narrators, and this narrator is really quite good. His voice and accent suit the main character very well, and he does an excellent job of creating distinguishable voices for all the side characters.
You’re in for such a treat! I hope you enjoy this book as much as I have.
March 12, 2025
Reviewing after I have finished book 3: I was really compelled by Givler’s ability to write convincing conversation between characters and also the way Matt narrates is a very natural conversational tone that really draws you in and it doesn’t let up. Matt develops very real feeling relationships with banter that I’m not accustomed to in a book. It’s no doubt that the author’s age being close to mine has a big influence on this for me personally but Givler has truly mastered the formula for me. Every character is believable and while not every character is dynamic, not everyone learns lessons in real life either. The world building is protracted at times but I like how things tie into the real world in a way that makes the consequences feel more real. I’m a Givler stan now. Can’t wait to see what else they do. Only gave 4 stars because book 3 is so great by comparison to 1 and 2.
July 17, 2022
Fantastic read
I absolutely loved this book! It flows beautifully, start to finish. It's very well written and full of excitement and laughs. I'm looking forward to reading the next one. Well done Andrew Givler.
I absolutely loved this book! It flows beautifully, start to finish. It's very well written and full of excitement and laughs. I'm looking forward to reading the next one. Well done Andrew Givler.
November 5, 2024
Even better on the re-read. Prepping to read the 4th book for the first time, and am constantly remembering events I had forgotten, and discovering new info, as well as foreshadowing for books 2 and 3. Absolutely love the books.
March 5, 2025
If you think this book is about Dan the Demon and soul fraud, you'd be wrong.
You do get like 8 meal scenes, a bunch of thoughts on sleeping/waking up, and a billion pop-culture references and pointless tangents.
I'm unbelievably disappointed. :\
You do get like 8 meal scenes, a bunch of thoughts on sleeping/waking up, and a billion pop-culture references and pointless tangents.
I'm unbelievably disappointed. :\
January 12, 2023
AIGHT DUDES!
May 21, 2023
I am DNF-ing this book at 130 pages.
I wanted to love this book, my brother bought it for me hoping I would love it. Unfortunately that didn't happen.
This book has so much potential. There were some aspects I really like. But I couldn't get over my frustration with the Writing and the Main character. The more I read the more I hated the main character and got sick of him.
Lets start with the major issue for me which is the inclusion of some problematic language. Multiple times throughout the book there are displays of male friendship. However these get promptly followed by comments about them being within bro code or being man-to-man things that obviously only men would do, such as profane hand gestures at each other as a joke (only men will understand). There are also multiple times where the main character brings up his height in comparison to other people. He says other characters must be very tall because they are taller than him and he's 6ft like it's a badge of honour. It just felt very toxic. It's perpetuating this idea of intimacy between men is wrong, and that men need to be a certain height to have value. I don't think the comments are malicious but they are there, and they are unnecessary and they made me sigh in frustration and roll my eyes every time. 2 guys hug because one of them has just lost his sister and it has to be clarified as a "Bro-hug". Why? A friend looking out for his friend does not need to be clarified, I didn't think it was anything more than a friend comforting his distressed friend. A sign of a good friendship. what is the worry that it needs to be clarified?
The most problematic thing that I read is when the author uses a metaphor comparing clearing smashed glass away to removing mines from Western Germany After world war 2. Which was unnecessary, strange and not similar in any way at all. But to top it off he calls the acts, and says that clearing away dangerous weapons from a war zone that could kill someone as a "waste of time". At that point it was just a ticking clock when I called this book over. That metaphor is insensitive and uncalled for.
Now the main character, Matt. He's a dick. He imagines his friend dying so he can then get with his Fiancé. He imagines his best friend dying in detail at night so he can have his partner because he can't have her. em...excuse me? A best friend he calls brother. I can't. Then he asks us not to judge him, he's just sad. Em... I'm gonna judge you mate. And you can't put this down to teenage angst cause the character is 21. And even if he was a teenager imagining your best friend dying so you can bone his future wife just makes you an awful human being.
He also says at one point that seeing his friends enjoying a meal he couldn't enjoy made him want to kill them. Now this could be his dry humour (which isn't very humourous) but to me it didn't come across like that. At this point I wondered if he actually liked his friends and family at all?
I really wish this book was good. The premise sounded amazing and there are parts of the book where you could see it could have been amazing and then the main character is a twat, with some internalised toxic masculinity and just generally being an awful friend.
I wanted to love this book, my brother bought it for me hoping I would love it. Unfortunately that didn't happen.
This book has so much potential. There were some aspects I really like. But I couldn't get over my frustration with the Writing and the Main character. The more I read the more I hated the main character and got sick of him.
Lets start with the major issue for me which is the inclusion of some problematic language. Multiple times throughout the book there are displays of male friendship. However these get promptly followed by comments about them being within bro code or being man-to-man things that obviously only men would do, such as profane hand gestures at each other as a joke (only men will understand). There are also multiple times where the main character brings up his height in comparison to other people. He says other characters must be very tall because they are taller than him and he's 6ft like it's a badge of honour. It just felt very toxic. It's perpetuating this idea of intimacy between men is wrong, and that men need to be a certain height to have value. I don't think the comments are malicious but they are there, and they are unnecessary and they made me sigh in frustration and roll my eyes every time. 2 guys hug because one of them has just lost his sister and it has to be clarified as a "Bro-hug". Why? A friend looking out for his friend does not need to be clarified, I didn't think it was anything more than a friend comforting his distressed friend. A sign of a good friendship. what is the worry that it needs to be clarified?
The most problematic thing that I read is when the author uses a metaphor comparing clearing smashed glass away to removing mines from Western Germany After world war 2. Which was unnecessary, strange and not similar in any way at all. But to top it off he calls the acts, and says that clearing away dangerous weapons from a war zone that could kill someone as a "waste of time". At that point it was just a ticking clock when I called this book over. That metaphor is insensitive and uncalled for.
Now the main character, Matt. He's a dick. He imagines his friend dying so he can then get with his Fiancé. He imagines his best friend dying in detail at night so he can have his partner because he can't have her. em...excuse me? A best friend he calls brother. I can't. Then he asks us not to judge him, he's just sad. Em... I'm gonna judge you mate. And you can't put this down to teenage angst cause the character is 21. And even if he was a teenager imagining your best friend dying so you can bone his future wife just makes you an awful human being.
He also says at one point that seeing his friends enjoying a meal he couldn't enjoy made him want to kill them. Now this could be his dry humour (which isn't very humourous) but to me it didn't come across like that. At this point I wondered if he actually liked his friends and family at all?
I really wish this book was good. The premise sounded amazing and there are parts of the book where you could see it could have been amazing and then the main character is a twat, with some internalised toxic masculinity and just generally being an awful friend.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 27, 2023
I'll start with my criticisms. First, Matthew Carver's sense of humor gets irritating after a bit. I think that the book was going for the idea that he cracks jokes to hide his fear or to avoid having to take things seriously but there were points where I'm thinking, "This is a very serious moment, you think you could shut up and take this seriously for a moment?" But that is me being irritated with Carver, not necessarily the book.
The second is that this book very much feels like store brand Dresden Files. And I can't even call that a real criticism because I picked it up looking for that feel. Also, as I went that feeling decreased and by the end the book felt more distinguished as its own thing based on how the characters developed, the plot unfolded and the world building was revealed. Like plot and character wise So, I'm interested to see how this develops.
And I'll offer a counterpoint to the previous criticism about the plot in that the basis of the protagonist's soul being stolen and that being how he's introduced to the supernatural world certainly offered a unique lens for the story to unfold.
The second is that this book very much feels like store brand Dresden Files. And I can't even call that a real criticism because I picked it up looking for that feel. Also, as I went that feeling decreased and by the end the book felt more distinguished as its own thing based on how the characters developed, the plot unfolded and the world building was revealed. Like plot and character wise So, I'm interested to see how this develops.
And I'll offer a counterpoint to the previous criticism about the plot in that the basis of the protagonist's soul being stolen and that being how he's introduced to the supernatural world certainly offered a unique lens for the story to unfold.
January 15, 2025
I started out with a sample of this one on Kindle. The sample started a little slow for me, but I had an opening on my KU stuff and decided I would try for a bit more beyond the sample, and see how I felt about it.
I stand by saying that it started out slow for me, but the more I read of it, the more I grew to like it. I found the main character of this thing surprisingly relatable--even though I am not male, haven't had the same kind of tragedy in my life, and certainly haven't had the supernatural elements from this book happen to me either. Somehow he was very relatable anyway, for me. Even when he did something stupid, it was UNDERSTANDABLE. Usually, when a character does something stupid it really upsets me because it doesn't feel like it makes sense. Or that the author made them stupid so the plot could happen. This time, I understood why, because it felt like something a real person would do in that situation, who didn't, perhaps, know all the rules. And I found several instances where I thought the author had very clever descriptions or details in this book as well. The plot was interesting enough to keep me from putting the book down, but honestly, the strength of the portrayal of the main characters, and the strength of some of the writing is probably what I was most interested in as this thing continued on.
I certainly enjoyed this book well enough to read the next entry, especially if it is free on KU.
I stand by saying that it started out slow for me, but the more I read of it, the more I grew to like it. I found the main character of this thing surprisingly relatable--even though I am not male, haven't had the same kind of tragedy in my life, and certainly haven't had the supernatural elements from this book happen to me either. Somehow he was very relatable anyway, for me. Even when he did something stupid, it was UNDERSTANDABLE. Usually, when a character does something stupid it really upsets me because it doesn't feel like it makes sense. Or that the author made them stupid so the plot could happen. This time, I understood why, because it felt like something a real person would do in that situation, who didn't, perhaps, know all the rules. And I found several instances where I thought the author had very clever descriptions or details in this book as well. The plot was interesting enough to keep me from putting the book down, but honestly, the strength of the portrayal of the main characters, and the strength of some of the writing is probably what I was most interested in as this thing continued on.
I certainly enjoyed this book well enough to read the next entry, especially if it is free on KU.
September 14, 2023
I originally bought this as a fan of the author. I waited over 9 months to read it and man am I sorry I waited. Soul Fraud is an exciting and action packed read that drops the veil to another reality that seems not far off. Set in modern day LA, this is gives the story a familiar feel but a new adventure. The characters are well developed and the action is well timed and easily one of the reasons this book was hard to put down. The main characters are incredibly relatable and very well matched, playing off each other in a fascinating way. Givler transports the reader into the world of the main characters life, making the story come alive in vivid detail. The first novel of the Debt Collection was addicting, entertaining, and on my list of favorite books.
Givler's waiting style is reminiscent of Salinger, with internal monologue that brings comfort and relatability to the pinnacle of a best seller. With impressive plot, design, and tone, Soul Fraud could easily top bestseller charts. Givler delivered a fantasy fiction that easily stands tall among others in the genre, while also rivaling other drama and fiction novels with the character development in Soul Fraud.
If you have not read Soul Fraud, it is a MUST READ! You will not be disappointed, especially considering that novel 2 (Dandelion Audit) releases soon!
Givler's waiting style is reminiscent of Salinger, with internal monologue that brings comfort and relatability to the pinnacle of a best seller. With impressive plot, design, and tone, Soul Fraud could easily top bestseller charts. Givler delivered a fantasy fiction that easily stands tall among others in the genre, while also rivaling other drama and fiction novels with the character development in Soul Fraud.
If you have not read Soul Fraud, it is a MUST READ! You will not be disappointed, especially considering that novel 2 (Dandelion Audit) releases soon!
November 2, 2024
Matt is your basic kind of nebbishy mediocre white dude main character, at first. When I found out it was a trilogy, I at first thought "Maybe this is one series I don't need to follow to the end." But Matt surprised me. He's pushed to become extraordinary over the course of four books when a demon forges his signature on a contract for his soul. He learns to initiate rather than just reacting or avoiding. He learns to take advice. He works to become skilled at something. He learns to see things from other people's perspectives, both in empathy and in anticipating their future actions. He takes responsibility for the consequences of his actions, and makes effort to minimize the damage they do. And of course as he overcomes challenge after challenge, the stakes rise. Apparently this one little contract is pretty darn important, and Hell would like to keep this whole thing quiet. His dad is a real piece of work, and his future father in law is diabolical.
I've heard rumors that Givler is taking a break on this project and working on another title. I hope this doesn't turn into another Furies of Calderon or Dark Tower, where I end up losing track of when new books are coming out.
I've heard rumors that Givler is taking a break on this project and working on another title. I hope this doesn't turn into another Furies of Calderon or Dark Tower, where I end up losing track of when new books are coming out.
November 10, 2024
Oh, this one was FUN. Our Hero is down-on-his-luck Matthew Carver, who lives with his best friend and his friend’s girlfriend and is an easy guy to root for – he’s down-to-earth and very funny. Reminiscent of Harry Dresden, but younger and not at all versed in the world of the magical when we meet him. So when his soul is stolen by a demon named Dan, who has forged his signature, Matt finds himself getting a crash course in myth, as he finds himself meeting folks from multiple cultures’ folklores and caught in the beginnings of a war (because Hell’s actions have broken the accords between the various pantheons).
We have some Ancient Greek myth (Orion the Hunter, somewhat of a celebrity in this universe), the Fae (including a cameo from literature that I won’t spoil but who rather steals the show), and of course, demonkind. I liked the variety of creatures and beings that the author involves. Matt and his allies get into numerous scrapes, there’s plenty of action, and it’s an entertaining ride, with a surprising amount of heart as well. I will definitely be seeking out the rest of the series, as I’m curious where things are going, and I really, really liked the characters.
We have some Ancient Greek myth (Orion the Hunter, somewhat of a celebrity in this universe), the Fae (including a cameo from literature that I won’t spoil but who rather steals the show), and of course, demonkind. I liked the variety of creatures and beings that the author involves. Matt and his allies get into numerous scrapes, there’s plenty of action, and it’s an entertaining ride, with a surprising amount of heart as well. I will definitely be seeking out the rest of the series, as I’m curious where things are going, and I really, really liked the characters.
December 13, 2023
Very good!
I love myself a snarky yet innocent MC. They always make me laugh. But I loved seeing Matt grow in this, become a little harder without tearing our eyes out in sadness. It can be really gut wrenching watching an innocent MC lose that innocence with each dark conflict until they are just a shell of themselves. Matt is having the opposite effect. He is rising to the occasion and more then willing to leave behind the lonely and depressed boy that he was after his families accident. I'm excited to see how much he changes throughout the series.
The story was interesting but took a moment to get me to care. It was very nonchalant in the beginning, almost too much so. But as I got farther into the book and met more characters, the story started to have substance. I don't mind action/consequence stories, but I preferer one that has a reason behind it starting. The readers get a hint of why "Matt" was approached by a soul dealing demon but it isn't flushed out, yet.
I have high hopes for the rest of the series!
I love myself a snarky yet innocent MC. They always make me laugh. But I loved seeing Matt grow in this, become a little harder without tearing our eyes out in sadness. It can be really gut wrenching watching an innocent MC lose that innocence with each dark conflict until they are just a shell of themselves. Matt is having the opposite effect. He is rising to the occasion and more then willing to leave behind the lonely and depressed boy that he was after his families accident. I'm excited to see how much he changes throughout the series.
The story was interesting but took a moment to get me to care. It was very nonchalant in the beginning, almost too much so. But as I got farther into the book and met more characters, the story started to have substance. I don't mind action/consequence stories, but I preferer one that has a reason behind it starting. The readers get a hint of why "Matt" was approached by a soul dealing demon but it isn't flushed out, yet.
I have high hopes for the rest of the series!
October 12, 2023
Omg
So admittedly I went into this not expecting much. Just a book to read to get my reading quota in for the year.
After the first chapter, I was already planning on buying the rest of the series. Even if it ends up not being the best story, the way Andrew writes? I honestly had a hard time putting this down.
Everything flowed very well. Descriptions of people and places were done in such a way I could clearly picture it all. Characters were introduced in a way that fit. And they worked so well together.
I typically don't care much for the main protagonist as they're usually all the same... And while Matt shares the some typical characteristics of a main protagonist, he's so much more. And I just loved his way of thinking and little quips. Alex and Orion. Cassie. Lilith even.
I can't wait to see what happens next and hopefully he'll do well in keeping Violet and Connor together. Lol
So admittedly I went into this not expecting much. Just a book to read to get my reading quota in for the year.
After the first chapter, I was already planning on buying the rest of the series. Even if it ends up not being the best story, the way Andrew writes? I honestly had a hard time putting this down.
Everything flowed very well. Descriptions of people and places were done in such a way I could clearly picture it all. Characters were introduced in a way that fit. And they worked so well together.
I typically don't care much for the main protagonist as they're usually all the same... And while Matt shares the some typical characteristics of a main protagonist, he's so much more. And I just loved his way of thinking and little quips. Alex and Orion. Cassie. Lilith even.
I can't wait to see what happens next and hopefully he'll do well in keeping Violet and Connor together. Lol
October 12, 2023
Soul Fraud
Once again, I am faced with how to describe the story without giving away anything & that sucks, but here goes nuffin! (Yes, I misspelled that on purpose, just laugh at me & keep reading)
This is an origin story, but not a bad one. Have you watched Farscape? If so, you know how John Crichton was a wuss at first? Yeah, think that, only with supernatural elements that make you want to see Sam & Dean come roaring up in Baby.
Sometimes the story bogs down a bit as the main character, Matt, gets all down in his feelings, but usually Alex & Orion bring it back into Funtown with a quickness!
There is a bit of a Dragonball power up feel at times, where you can't wait to see Goku's new power, but it is also balanced with comically awesome failure.
There are quite a few laughs in this story, so it is well worth the price of admission! I can't wait for the sequel to drop!
Once again, I am faced with how to describe the story without giving away anything & that sucks, but here goes nuffin! (Yes, I misspelled that on purpose, just laugh at me & keep reading)
This is an origin story, but not a bad one. Have you watched Farscape? If so, you know how John Crichton was a wuss at first? Yeah, think that, only with supernatural elements that make you want to see Sam & Dean come roaring up in Baby.
Sometimes the story bogs down a bit as the main character, Matt, gets all down in his feelings, but usually Alex & Orion bring it back into Funtown with a quickness!
There is a bit of a Dragonball power up feel at times, where you can't wait to see Goku's new power, but it is also balanced with comically awesome failure.
There are quite a few laughs in this story, so it is well worth the price of admission! I can't wait for the sequel to drop!
July 2, 2025
I found this vaguely reminiscent of Richard Kadrey's Sandman Slim series. Matthew Carver's life is going nowhere so an enterprising demon named Dan offers his a fantastic ten years in exchange for his soul. While Matt declines the offer, Dan nonetheless forges his signature (to meet a quota?), launching Matt into a battle against evil foes. He connects with a reporter named Alex, who tries to summon someone to speak to in an abandoned warehouse, but attracts Satan's girlfriend, Lilith. Alex then has to call in Orion, who is furious that hell is cheating humans in violation of a long-standing brokered peace. Matt has to deal with his lust for his roommate's perfect girlfriend, and a return from the dead of his sister, Megan. Lots of battles with ghouls and other dark forces. I found the book quite entertaining.
August 22, 2023
On his birthday, Matt may have started a war between heaven, hell, earth, and the worlds of myth and fantasy. Just by being depressed and alone. Dan the demon is awful at his job of acquiring souls and frantic to get some. He talks to Matt and Matt says no sale. So, Demon Dan forges the paperwork and fraudulently makes the deal.
In Matt's effort to expose the fraud and get his soul back things don't go as smoothly as he hoped. He discovers the worlds of ancient myths, gods and demi-gods, vampires, demons, mad scientists, and much more exist and he can accidentally find ways to offend them all.
This is a fun but weird and wild story that is well worth the read if the outline I gave above didn't send you running already.
In Matt's effort to expose the fraud and get his soul back things don't go as smoothly as he hoped. He discovers the worlds of ancient myths, gods and demi-gods, vampires, demons, mad scientists, and much more exist and he can accidentally find ways to offend them all.
This is a fun but weird and wild story that is well worth the read if the outline I gave above didn't send you running already.
April 28, 2025
Matthew Carver is just trying to hide from the fact his best friend is marrying the girl of Matthew's dreams when he is approached by a demon named Dan who offers him 10 years of bliss if he sells his soul. When Matt refuses, Dan forges his signature because he has a quota.
Matt has to figure out how to get his soul back all the while battling the strange things Dan's forgery produces, like having to save his friend's relationship even though Dan has made his girlfriend want Matt. Also he has brought back Matt's dead sister. It's very confusing to Matt who finds an ally in a supernatural reporter named Alex and his uncle Orion, yes, that Orion.
This seems like it would be a dark fantasy book because of the subject matter, but it was surprisingly lighthearted and funny!
Matt has to figure out how to get his soul back all the while battling the strange things Dan's forgery produces, like having to save his friend's relationship even though Dan has made his girlfriend want Matt. Also he has brought back Matt's dead sister. It's very confusing to Matt who finds an ally in a supernatural reporter named Alex and his uncle Orion, yes, that Orion.
This seems like it would be a dark fantasy book because of the subject matter, but it was surprisingly lighthearted and funny!
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