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Fostering Faust #2

Fostering Faust 2

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((Minor Spoiler and Warning at the bottom of the blurb. Please read all the way through.))Alex has taken firm control over his County, as the Count of Brit. By and large, everything has settled into a fairly normal pattern for him, his Numbered, and his wife.The problem of course is there's still an ongoing war between two Duchies, and Regina Tanulf, Alex's liege and lord, has plans for him.Plans that he wants no part of. Except that he doesn't really have a choice in the matter.Everything begins to spin back out of control as a messenger from the Wild Lands arrives with a plea for help.It’s time for Alex to get back to work. Because Leah still owns his soul, and if he wants to keep it safe, he needs to make deals in his favor, in her This novel explores dark subjects, and what people will give up of themselves, and each other, to get what they want. The main character is written as a real person in a tough situation and will not make choices that line up with societal and cultural norms.It contains adult themes and moral ambiguities.As with my previous work, explicit scenes are found within. It has violence and a harem relationship.

222 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 31, 2019

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210 people want to read

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Randi Darren

25 books974 followers

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5 stars
1,250 (60%)
4 stars
556 (26%)
3 stars
206 (9%)
2 stars
49 (2%)
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18 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 102 reviews
Profile Image for Steve Naylor.
2,502 reviews127 followers
February 20, 2019
Rating 4.5 stars

Wow, this is a really good series now. I was a little conflicted with the first book. It was very good but Alex wasn't really a good guy, and he wasn't really doing good things, but he also was likeable. I imagine he would probably be the world's greatest cult leader in how he can get inside almost anybody's head and twist them into what he wants. The only difference in his case is that the women he manipulates and messes with actually are better people and happier in the end because of it. So does that mean he is doing a good thing?

Alex is one of the most interesting characters I have ever read about. He surrounds himself with broken women and breaks them down even more so he can then build them up into something that fits his needs. All his "numbered" are completely devoted to him thanks to his "programming" if you will. This sounds like a monstrous thing to do to someone but in the end the women are much happier and more fulfilled. In this book it no longer seems like a one way relationship though. All the women are completely in love with him now and will do anything he tells them. At the same time though, he very deeply cares for them as well enough so that he allows them to take control of him at times (sort of). He has never gotten angry at any of his numbered, always treating them with respect and constantly giving them positive feedback and telling them how much he appreciates everything they do for him. He is doing this to shape the way they think and act around him, but he also is sincere. It's kind of a wild dichotomy. This book didn't have as much of this as well. By the end of the book there were only 2 more numbered and their "programming" wasn't really as involved as with the other numbered.

Most of this book revolved around the War. Alex was called on to help a nearby land and it's queen (he ended up getting a great deal out of that), and then almost immediately after that he was called on by the duchess to help her fight the war with the rival duke. This is where Alex really shines. For as caring as he can be about the people he likes, he can be the worst person in the world to his enemy. He ended up using fire again to help with one of the conflicts which helped him earn the nickname Count Inferno. This guy was brilliant. I can't believe some of the things he was able to accomplish.

This series is awesome. I can't wait to find out what happens next.
Profile Image for Akshay.
820 reviews5 followers
July 1, 2025

Fostering Faust 2 by Randi Darren is the second installment in the *Fostering Faust* series, continuing the morally dubious adventures of our protagonist, Alex, as he navigates a world where he can manipulate people’s emotions and desires for his benefit. While the series thrives on the concept of moral ambiguity and the exploration of power, this sequel, unfortunately, falters in key areas, leaving readers with a mixed experience that struggles to balance its potential with its flaws.



Plot & Structure

At its core, Fostering Faust 2 revolves around Alex continuing to expand his influence and power while managing his growing harem of women who are inexplicably bound to him through their desires. The premise still holds some intrigue—after all, the idea of manipulating others for personal gain while navigating a world filled with political machinations and fantasy elements is ripe for storytelling. However, Darren’s execution leaves much to be desired.



One of the major issues with the plot is its lack of direction. The first book set the stage for Alex’s morally grey journey, but this second installment seems to meander without a clear purpose. We’re treated to multiple subplots, none of which seem to culminate in anything meaningful. Instead, the book feels more like a collection of loosely connected events, where Alex solves problems, gains more power, and manipulates people with little consequence or long-term impact. The stakes are low because, much like many overpowered protagonists, Alex seems to breeze through every obstacle, further eroding any sense of tension.



The pacing is another significant problem. The book drags through long stretches of monotonous scenes where not much happens beyond the acquisition of more resources, more power, and more women. It’s a slow burn without the satisfying payoff, and while some readers might appreciate the methodical buildup, it quickly becomes repetitive. There’s a sense that the book is merely spinning its wheels, with the real story being postponed for later installments.



Character Development

Alex, as the protagonist, is a fascinating concept. A man who can manipulate others, often in questionable ways, provides an opportunity for a deep exploration of morality, power, and the consequences of one’s actions. Sadly, in Fostering Faust 2, Alex remains largely unchanged. He continues to make morally ambiguous decisions, but there’s little introspection or growth. His internal conflict, if it exists, is barely touched upon, and he continues to come across as a power-hungry opportunist. While this can work for certain anti-heroes, the lack of emotional depth makes Alex feel one-dimensional. We rarely see him grappling with the weight of his actions or the ramifications they have on those around him.



The women in Alex’s life are another weak point in the book. They are, quite frankly, underdeveloped and serve more as accessories to Alex’s power rather than fully realized characters. Each woman is introduced with the promise of being important or adding complexity to the story, but they are quickly relegated to background roles where their main purpose is to serve Alex’s needs. There’s a distinct lack of agency among the female characters, which becomes frustrating as the book progresses. They are essentially interchangeable, with their personalities blending into one another. The dynamic between Alex and his harem is uncomfortable at times, and Darren does little to address the imbalance of power or offer any deeper examination of these relationships beyond surface-level attraction.



World-Building

One of the more redeeming aspects of the book is its world-building, though even this is not without its faults. Darren introduces an intriguing fantasy world filled with magic, political intrigue, and complex systems of power. The world is dark and unforgiving, and the concept of a Faustian bargain gives the setting a unique twist. However, much like the plot, the world-building feels underutilized. We’re given glimpses of how the world operates, but there’s little depth or explanation. Major events happen off-screen, and key political factions are mentioned in passing without being explored in a meaningful way.



The magic system is also vaguely defined. While it’s clear that Alex can manipulate people’s emotions and desires, the limits of his power are unclear, which further reduces any sense of tension or stakes. Without clear boundaries, Alex’s abilities feel more like convenient plot devices rather than well-thought-out magical mechanics.



Writing Style

Darren’s writing style is functional, but it lacks polish. The prose is straightforward and gets the job done, but it often feels flat and uninspired. The dialogue is a particular weak point, with many conversations feeling stilted or awkward. Characters frequently engage in discussions that feel more like exposition dumps than natural interactions, which disrupts the flow of the narrative. The tone of the book is also inconsistent, swinging between dark and gritty to moments of levity that feel out of place.



One of the biggest challenges with Darren’s writing is the lack of emotional engagement. The story deals with morally grey characters, but there’s no real emotional weight behind their decisions. The violence, manipulation, and power struggles feel hollow because the characters themselves don’t seem to feel anything deeply. As a result, it’s hard for the reader to become invested in their fates.



Final Thoughts
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Fostering Faust 2 is a frustrating read because it had the potential to be much more. The premise—a man manipulating others for personal gain in a morally grey world—offers so much room for deep exploration of themes like power, consequence, and human nature. Unfortunately, Darren’s execution falls flat. The plot is meandering and directionless, the characters are underdeveloped and lacking in agency, and the world-building, while intriguing, remains largely untapped.


#my gifs from ange

For fans of dark fantasy who are more interested in power fantasy elements, Fostering Faust 2 may still provide some entertainment. However, for readers seeking a more complex narrative with emotional depth and meaningful character development, this installment will likely be a disappointment. As it stands, it’s a book that offers plenty of spectacle but little substance, and it leaves one hoping that future installments will provide the much-needed depth and growth this series is sorely lacking.

Profile Image for Петър Стойков.
Author 2 books330 followers
February 3, 2023
Всички книги на този автор са насочени главно към някакъв недомислен нърдски еротизъм, преливащ в порно и ориентиран главно към доминация над жените. Но по един особено нефелен и детински начин, показващ, че авторът и хабер си няма от БДСМ и целия си живот е тренирал с жени само в главата си.

В резултат на това не само самите еро-порно сцени са доста лемави, ами и извън тях репликите на "флиртуване" на главния герой с всякакви жени са доста, доста крийпи в своята неопитност и незнание как общуват нормалните хора.

На фона на цялата тази секси дейност, самото фентъзи действие в книгите е само бегло споменат декор за авторовите фантазии.
Profile Image for Jay Collins.
1,630 reviews15 followers
April 19, 2019
3.5 to 4 Stars.
If you liked the first book this one is very close to the same. I do enjoy these type of book and will continue with the series. This book will not be for everyone due to the adult content.
Profile Image for James .
1,346 reviews20 followers
February 4, 2019
Intrigue and Fire.

This book is very good and the growth of the MC is very interesting. The author has done a good job in making the MC likeable even though he is not a paragon of virtue. The characters continue to grow and develop into strong characters with interesting backstory that explains why they are the way they are. Count Inferno is very enjoyable to read about.
Profile Image for Kevin.
1,710 reviews30 followers
January 14, 2022
The harem thing gets tiring after a while. Having to pay attention to a bunch of women, and juggling all their emotions so a forest fire doesn't start, gets annoying. It's only because the author has such good stories to tell that I read these books. It isn't just about gathering as many diverse women as possible, and having all of them co-exist and hunger for your touch. There are interesting stories and plots... You just have to endure.

This is something I've realised recently. A lot of these self published smut have great stories, while the publishing houses have the same washed and recoloured stuff they were selling for years.
Any interesting stories from publishing houses are watered down and stretched to fill trilogies, and the stories suffer greatly for it.
These self published novels are usually short, and to the point. And if they do a trilogy, the three self published books combined pages are usually less than the first book in a publishing house's trilogy.

Sadly, this novel is more harem than plot. There isn't much soul crushing deals and breaking people like the first. If I had to put a name to it, I would call it "second book syndrome", although that would not fully be the case. More time was spent developing his relationships with his women, than making cunning deals.

I really didn't enjoy this, seeing as I read it for the deals, and not the women. I will read the sequel, but the whole premise is making people do things willingly, that they don't want to do. All his women love him. Does his deals HAVE to be sexual? He can male deals with men too. Just make more deals.

2.5/5 Stars
Profile Image for Donny.
279 reviews
December 13, 2019
I am hoping this series stays more as a tangent series to Otherlife, Wild Wastes and Super Sales.
690 reviews10 followers
February 9, 2019
Happy husband healthy harem

This was a great story. All the characters were really well thought out and described. From their personalities to their good and bad traits.
This is one of my now favorite harem adventure stories in a very long time. I strongly advise people to read this series. I'm so looking forward to the next book of this series. As an Amazon Kindle Unlimited, I read all these books for free, but I AM buying this for my library!
The story is about a bad guy that does in life and is given a second chance in another world. He is given a life from a bad man that had died and takes his place. He is a Count and has his own towns and people's to turnaround from poor to not poor (you'll see). He is both good and bad because he must make deal to take the souls and give them to the evil goddess. If the deal is broken, the goddess gets the soul. He begins with a Harem and in the process gets wives too. The adventures and wars increase his legacy and he continues to live.
READ THIS SERIES!
99 reviews
April 9, 2019
Honestly? I could almost copy-paste my review of Fostering Faust 1 into here as it is much of the same.

We see the MC's relationship with the goddess Leah evolve further and progress from "Your soul is mine" to a more "Manager and employee" status without losing much of the ruthlessness that made Leah's character a favourite of mine.

Something I do want to note is that several times through this book I checked the progress bar of the book thinking that I must only have a few pages left given how the story seemed to be wrapping up for a stereotypical end-of-book cliffhanger only to see the book was nowhere near finished. When the epilogue finally arrived I was almost crying because I finally realised there would be no more until the next book.

Congratulations, Randi Darren.... you turned a book into a metaphor for multiple orgasms! ... when can I read the next one?
Profile Image for Jake.
249 reviews7 followers
March 4, 2019
An excellent book and a wonderful addition to the story

This story is very similar to the first: great storytelling, great world building, and wonderful descriptions of all things without going overboard.

The story of our antihero continues as more problems and intrigue are thrown his way. Political issues arise and must be dealt with and the relationships with his women continue to evolve, including his sponsor that owns his soul.

I love how Alex uses available resources to solve his issues and the way he gets out of some of the situations he's thrown into. The last third of the book was rather interesting, though I could see some people getting bored with it.

All in all, a great story I don't regret purchasing before reading!
Profile Image for Koffe.
736 reviews18 followers
June 19, 2019
Up date after reading book 3 all I can say is don't read this garbage you will be left with no answers and a bunch of bullshit.

Same as the last book 3.5 stars. Though the story develops some what. I still think it's very simple at times. An experience reader can tell the author didn't put too much effort into the plot or any details too build the world into a unique one. Instead it's focused around the MC bending every woman he meets over and having his way with them. If he isn't bending a woman over he is having a threesome or trying to get another woman too sleep with him for a deal. it gets very repetitive after the first book was very much the same and no improvements where made too the 2 installment. That being said I am actually liking the series. I can't put my finger on just what makes me eagerly anticipate the next in the series. Despite that I am looking forward too it.
10 reviews
August 12, 2019
Surprisingly good books

Ok that sounds bad.

I had no reason to doubt the books but I usually look at covers and quickly read a bit of the blurb and it sounded uninteresting. The warnings of content made it kinda sound like late night B films that try too hard to hide the fact that they are just D level porn. It popped up several times but I kept passing it until I ran out of things to read.

None of that was even close to being accurate. I actually like the story, the setting, and the strange direction the author took with the protagonist’s morality. Very interesting.

Now I’m getting ready to buy the third book. Well worth it. Lol
Profile Image for Charles Daniel.
585 reviews6 followers
April 21, 2022
Alexander, Count Inferno, Wages War

Of course Alexanber Brit's method of warfare mean making deals with allies and enemies alike -- and always to his advantage. Oh, and turning whole cities into burning deaths traps for the armies of those foolish enough to wage war against him. How would you like your Duke, medium-rare, well-done, or crispy?

This novel, and the trilogy of which it is a part, has none of the typical LitRPG features, but it connects to other works that do, so it will likely appeal to those who want to see the full tapestry of Arrand and Darren's literary universe. This is also a Harem and light erotica novel and may appeal to fans of such works.
15 reviews1 follower
February 3, 2019
An amazing continuation of a promising series.

Book 2 was even better than the first. My favorite character is Anna, who continues to move at her own charming pace. The story was a constant entertainment and I had to pace myself to make it last as long as I could.
Alex's harem continues to grow, a common theme for Arand/Darren, but every addition adds more color and entertainment as the Count schemes his way to greater success. His interactions with his Numbered and his wives had me smiling and laughing out loud.
I look forward to reading book 3 as soon as it releases.
Profile Image for Drew.
185 reviews3 followers
February 22, 2019
When’s the next one

A fantastic read that clips along at a great pace. I like that the author skips a day, week, month here and there as this lends to the boring side of being a prisoner and although the adult elements are plentiful they don’t need to dominate what is a well thought out plot and storyline.

Loving all the characters and even a wee soft spot for Coffin 🤪 which may say something about me!!!

All in all a book well worth reading and looking forward to the next one.
Profile Image for Curtis.
774 reviews20 followers
February 22, 2019
Great Read

Talk about mixing business with pleasure! This latest book is a fascinating read, freely mixing the mundane with magic, action with awaited opportunity, along with plenty of randy exploits (heh). Hopefully not the last we’ll see of Alex, but if so it makes a perfect cap to the series by wrapping up many threads. (It also offers new opportunities, so we shall see.) Required for fans of the series, and a pleasure for fans of the author. Recommended.
26 reviews
February 2, 2019
Amazing. Where's three?

Another wonderful installment of my favorite series by him. I cannot wait for another, even if this one just came out. He moves so beautifully between books, setting them up without another book feeling forced. And I love/hate the little cliffs he ends on. 10/10
188 reviews1 follower
February 2, 2019
Wow

Another hit by Randy. When i started this series i wasnt sure i would like it much. By the end of the first one i was totally hooked. And the second one was just as good if not a bit better in a couple ways. I am really looking forward to the 3rd. And i cant wait until Leah has her child and brings it for a visit lol.
Profile Image for Steve.
1,616 reviews61 followers
February 6, 2019
I was looking forward to a continuation of Fostering Faust, and this one didn't disappoint. As a harem-ish book this will not be to everyone's taste, but I found in this second book that the MC was developed more and the power dynamic with and within his "numbered"became both more complex and more interesting.

Take the harem and (fairly explicit) sex scenes out and this is an interesting tale of feudal politics and intrigue. The way the harem is handled in the story actually adds to it, as all of the women are highly capable in their own spheres and essential to the MC's success without making him a mere figurehead. Well done, and I am keen to read more of this world.
266 reviews13 followers
February 5, 2019
A but different than book 1

It isn't quite as manipulative and intriguing as the first one and I definitely sort of missed that aspect. However, the core premise is still there and as always with his books it is a raunchy and enjoyable read. There was more fighting and less maneuvering in this book.
Profile Image for Eric Bertone.
286 reviews1 follower
February 6, 2019
Slow in the middle but overall gold

I love the thought put into these. Vince was a man of action, Felix a man of business, and Alex is a man of psychology. The difference between all of the main characters and still keeping an extremely interesting story is great. Why can't the third already be out?
273 reviews6 followers
February 9, 2019
Excellent storytelling

Given the theme of the book, I almost didn’t pick up book two. It still has the uncomfortable soul brokering thing going on, but manages it in such a way as to make it interesting. As with all of the other books penned by this author under the various pen names, this is excellent storytelling.
78 reviews2 followers
February 9, 2019
Fostering Faust book 2

Randi Darren is one of the most popular and talented and skilled author . With his Wild Wastes series and now this series . I love this book from start to finish the characters are well written and informed . This book is a must to buy and own I could not put this book down 12/10 stars ☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆,.
586 reviews7 followers
February 11, 2019
Another a great one

This is a great book. You should read it. I like the story. The characters are interesting. Although almost no magic that I am used to the story does not need it. I love the harem building and political intrigue. The manner in which the MC solves dilemmas is fun.
Profile Image for Paul.
438 reviews
February 15, 2019
My Favorite Scoundrel

Count Brit describes himself as not a good man, he’s right. But with the right amount of selfishness and generosity, plus the ability to read people and capitalize on opportunities, he makes a great main character. Throw in interesting supporting characters along with unique situations, well that a formula for a good book.
2 reviews
March 1, 2019
Enjoyable Continuation

I enjoyed heading back to the world of our dear Count Inferno and seeing how he goes about gaining new Numbered while winning praise from losing battles.

Learning more about how it fits in to the universe at large is always an exciting part of any Darren book and this one is finally teasing more about how everything fits together.
Profile Image for Irizumi.
446 reviews3 followers
March 29, 2019
Simply amazing

I absolutely love this series. The complexity of the characters and how the MC interweaves his webs is supremely interesting. Lots of action and well written adult content sprinkled in to give it additional bite. Actually held off on reading the book because I knew once I started I was going to keep reading till I finished and then have a wait for the next one.
113 reviews1 follower
August 14, 2019
Wonderful plot

I love the writing from this author. Darren's plot lines weave and twist like a snake procuring its dinner! All of the character interactions are well written. Never dry, repetitive or unnecessary. Even the scenes with adult content add to the plot. Please keep writing.
42 reviews
February 18, 2021
A fun read.

I love all of William/Randi's books. Only 1 thing I didn't like about this one, was the character Rebekah. I get the feeling is going to be the direct cause of the conflict in #3. But only finding 1 thing I didn't like out of the 31 books of his I have read, is very impressive.
Profile Image for Al.
236 reviews1 follower
July 5, 2022
Since the goddess was introduced early in book 1, the continued inclusion of the goddess isn't really an issue. The MC doesn't really have any magic or superhuman powers, just the human power to manipulate people to his own ends and of course the knowledge, money and prestige to make it work.

Overall still enjoying the series.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 102 reviews

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