Wrench is a Fixer.Someone born to maintain, fix, and correct any and every issue that could go wrong in the Habitat that he lives in. To make sure he and his fellow humans can remain on display and entertain their owners as any good human pet would.Or at least, that’s what he was born to be.Now after getting a second chance along with a super power that lets him alter anything and everything in regards to his own body, he’s trying to fix his life.To live his life for himself with the goal of actually enjoying it, all while being thrust ever deeper into a situation he didn’t expect.A situation involving Tongsta, their pets, and the galaxy as a whole.One that’s going to need his help to fix it, whether anyone wants it to happen, including Wrench, or not.He’s been dumped into an unfamiliar Hab after having survived a pirate attack with his Tongsta, Goodie.She’s likely recovering somewhere after being wounded, so he can’t look to her for help.Stripe and Seventh are here as well, and his first goal is to find them.Which will likely require him to fix anyone and anything that gets in his way.Good thing he’s well suited to fixing problems.After all, most issues only needed a great deal of violence to be solved. Wrench has lots of that in his toolbox to go around.
I can't tell if this is Runnerverse or not, but I guess it doesn't matter. Overall an interesting story, and if you read the first book you have a good idea what this one's going to be like. Too many repetitions of expressions of sexual interest, common in the author's work, are one of the things that drag this down a bit for me. Decent forward story movement here, so there is hope for a book 3.
Good, lacks some of the pizazz of book one I liked this book. I did it in one marathon session. There's quite a few philosophical points to ponder here that I never thought I'd hear this guy make. It's a bit of a trip to read a Randi Darren book that doesn't advocate some form of "Grab all you can get, and F*ck everybody else". -so that was interesting. The idea that serving the larger society could result in a better outcome for the self is startling for this guy. And yet, as a reading experience it's good not great. This seemed to consist of interruptions and digressions that took up a large portion of the book. Then we jump ahead to an abrupt conclusion. There was also a likeable character who got converted into an annoying pest in this book. I had to set the book down a few times to regain my patients and collect myself. Other than that... Meh' pretty good.
System Overclocked is a non-standard story as it has humans (Hume) as pets to an alien Tongsta race (more like space going slimes). The story of Wrench is contained in the books, as he fights and thinks his way to progress humans to more than just pets. He also brings another race ‘Grae’ into the mix as he works to get the Tongsta to consider the smaller Hume & Grae as sentient beings. Some sex scenes are contained in the books, and the story arc is completed in this book so not sure if there will be more in this series, or if it eventually joins up with characters and storyline’s in the authors other series as many of them have converged and intermingled. This was an enjoyable read.
While reading this book, the song "Look at me by Xxxtentacion" just keep going through my head. I think I saw that phrase far too much. I wonder if the author was listening to that song when he was penning the outline for this story.
I've read so many bad books recently, that this book with its constant repetition, and use of character traits that were in all the previous books the author wrote... I actually found this entertaining. This is sad because I don't really see any change in the author's writing.
I really don't know if I will read the sequel. This entire series is weird. If there was a deeper meaning other than the protagonist can smut about, I probably would have enjoyed it.
This was perfect. A Sci-fi with actual alien and unknown concepts and people and technology. The characters are all great, and the whole book comes together so well. Wrench and the women are so damn sweet and nice. I love it how Wrench is dismissive of any kind of transactional or hollow relationships. Harem novels can be really, really bad about that, but Darren's novels are not like that at all and it's really refreshing. I binged this book in 8 hours and am now eyeballing a jar of moonshine so I might forget it and be able to read it all over again.
I've read many sci-fi and fantasy books throughout the years. You would think this overall theme would pop up more often, but I honestly haven't seen it before. In a unique world, inside of a larger story universe, Wrench and his gang of Humes continues to realize how much larger the universe is than they thought. As the plot develops, The story expands from small interpersonal relationships and caste and societal issues, to literally larger proportions. I can't wait to see what happens next.
What the author has done is twisted the way i/ the reader thinks of parts. Humans (Hume) start off as pets and then slowly, bemoaning, gradually use they circumstances to do things and prove themselves to their alien "masters." And I love the characters. They are all very interesting, and there is not too much focus except on the MC, and the variety is great. Highly rescind this book. And this series.
For those who have read the first book, this picks up right where the first book left off. Wrench, Goodie, Stripe, Seventh, and other characters populate this story of three species learning to work together. Plenty of action and tension to keep reader interest. Hope the next book comes out soon. Enjoyed.
This is my new favorite series from Darren/Arand! I love all the multiple characters and how the story has progressed. Such an interesting concept that humans are pets to aliens and the fight to be recognized as sentient beings. The pace was great and the story flowed smoothly. There's a nice balance of romance, action, and science fiction. I'm extremely grateful for this reading experience!
I came expecting a typical harem litrpg, and quickly realized to my delight that here is a solid work of SF. This series reminds me of the classic Heinlein short story “Goldfish Bowl” with perhaps a touch of Abbot’s “flatland”. Human survival as pets to a nearly incomprehensible and capable higher order of life makes for a great setting. Not without its problems but overall a great fun read.
I didn't think the characters could be deceloped that much further. The story and the twists had me in astonishment, and the book had me clutching onto my phone for dear life. I mean some of the tense moments were rough I swear. Hope you enjoy it as much as I have and I swear to Runner Mr Darren, there better be a book 3 😁
This is an excellent story with a crafty mc and a great variety of interesting females.strong minds, strong bodies, and a soft sides. The story is the best of Arand and Darren's grand Sovereignverse so far. Gamelit style without all the constant stat updates.
Have been a fan of this author for some time now and each and every book he writes is just awesome. Each character is there own person who you can’t help but get attached to. And each story is just as great as the prior. Great series and am really looking forward to the next one.
This was a great read. I love how the characters are progressing. The storyline is expanding into the larger universe and creating some interesting possibilities. I'm very much looking forward to the next book already.
If this is the end of the series I wouldn't be disappointed. I loved the growth of not the individual, but the races within this series and the elevation of a species. A novel approach that I wouldn't have considered, but it made for a great read.
This book is so well written that I felt like the humains in the book were big like hamsters all around.. Awesome story, great characters, I can’t wait for the next book!
This series has been very different than any other by this author and I'm loving it! Great sci-fi concepts, interesting characters, and a attention grabbing plot. Definitely earned the five stars.
I can't say enough great things about this story. The unique setting, the characters, the plot twists.....all top tier. I really love this universe and every entry in it. Can't wait for the next.
Another wonderful book from Randi Darren. Well thought out plot lines, good characters who grow. Some humor to give laughs, the whole rollercoaster of emotions. I look forward to his next book.
This is a delightful expansion to Wrench's story and the universe therein. Always good to have authors tackle aliens and alienness in a novel way that still works.
That’s all I can say. Such an amazing story. Knowing Randi Darren/William D Arand, we will get at least one more System Overclocked out of this. Looking forward to it.
Such an original premise, I love how different this story is to the usual human vs alien resistance story. Very interesting characters set in a fascinating world
More good stuff, starting to get worried some plot holes won't get closed or questions answered. I will read book 3, though this author doesn't have a great track record for third books...