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Swing Shift #3
Swing Shift 3
Reports to write, forms to fill, coffee to drink, leads to run down, organized crime syndicates to break.
Gus’s life had been a tedium and boredom he’d grown comfortable with. One that he sought out after he’d come back from his tour of duty.
That was before Melody, a contractor, more or less blew his life up as if it were a building packed full of c4.
Then helped him make a new life, which he himself ended blowing up.
A cushy new job with the FED, thrown out the window with a single gunshot.
All based on an assumption of who was working for who, and that he’d been on the wrong side of the equation.
And so ended his career in law enforcement after he became the assassin of a presidential candidate.
Now Gus is on to the next job. This time, working for his contractor and wife. The job they’re about to be given is a high paying one.
The thing is that the people they’re going up against? They’re just out to see the world burn. To send it screaming back down into the dark ages.
It’s a good thing that he’s a Boogieman.
Because being an apex predator that made the entirety of the Paranormal world fear him was something he could fall back on even in this situation. To hunt, investigate, and watch from the shadows.
Wouldn’t be the first time he’d put his life on the line either.
Unfortunately for everyone involved, the long forgotten and primordial past was rearing its ugly head.
Gus knows he can certainly punch above his own weight class, but this case might just be the one that ends him.
Warning and minor spoiler: This novel contains graphic violence, undefined relationships/harem, unconventional opinions/beliefs, and a hero who is as tactful as a dog at a cat show. Read at your own risk.
Gus’s life had been a tedium and boredom he’d grown comfortable with. One that he sought out after he’d come back from his tour of duty.
That was before Melody, a contractor, more or less blew his life up as if it were a building packed full of c4.
Then helped him make a new life, which he himself ended blowing up.
A cushy new job with the FED, thrown out the window with a single gunshot.
All based on an assumption of who was working for who, and that he’d been on the wrong side of the equation.
And so ended his career in law enforcement after he became the assassin of a presidential candidate.
Now Gus is on to the next job. This time, working for his contractor and wife. The job they’re about to be given is a high paying one.
The thing is that the people they’re going up against? They’re just out to see the world burn. To send it screaming back down into the dark ages.
It’s a good thing that he’s a Boogieman.
Because being an apex predator that made the entirety of the Paranormal world fear him was something he could fall back on even in this situation. To hunt, investigate, and watch from the shadows.
Wouldn’t be the first time he’d put his life on the line either.
Unfortunately for everyone involved, the long forgotten and primordial past was rearing its ugly head.
Gus knows he can certainly punch above his own weight class, but this case might just be the one that ends him.
Warning and minor spoiler: This novel contains graphic violence, undefined relationships/harem, unconventional opinions/beliefs, and a hero who is as tactful as a dog at a cat show. Read at your own risk.
373 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 5, 2020
411 people are currently reading
162 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 129 reviews
October 2, 2020
I get so frustrated with this author. He has a pattern consistent in all his series that holds true here, and it drives me up the wall.
The first book is usually pretty epic and introduces the world with a really interesting concept, an interesting cast of characters, and draws you into the series.
The second book expands on that concept a little, but starts to add more women to the story without fleshing them out as characters. The author is slowly watering down the concentrated awesome that was present in the first book.
The third book is where it really goes off the rails because all of the side characters we enjoyed getting to know over the first book are thrown aside so that we can bring in new women to add to the MC's harem. The problem with this is that we liked the original characters, they were the most well-rounded because we had two books to get to know them. Replacing them is really annoying, especially when there is no time to flesh out the new characters that are bought in. Usually, by this point the harem element has become so complicated it overtakes the other elements of the story.
It's a frustrating pattern because the first book is usually 4-5 stars, the second is 3-4, and the third book comes down to around 2-3. Yet they can all be five stars if the author made just a few little tweaks.
1 – Don't make the harems so enormous. 3 to 4 women is already exciting enough and by staying with those 3 to 4 women and developing them as characters over the course of the three novels you will make them much more interesting to be around. When you have great and interesting characters they make everything else in the novel that happens through them that much more impactful and enjoyable.
2 – Don't bury the elements that made your story interesting in the first place. Develop them instead. Gus as a bogeyman and telepath, Melody's contractor skills, the Fed, the Elves, the rest of the world-building... All the unique elements that combined to make the first story so interesting could have been developed over the next 2 novels to make them awesome.
I like the universe Randy Darren/William D Arand has been building, but when you can't read to the end of the series you start missing out on important elements that the other books seem to rely on.
At the end of the day, the best novels in this genre are always ones that understand that the harem element is a nice flavour but it's not enough to carry a story. It's like adding spice to a meal, as a flavouring it adds heat and takes the meal to a whole new level, but if you ate nothing but that spice it would be far from an enjoyable experience.
So overall I'm disappointed with this. I had high hopes from the start of the series but I struggled to finish this and wouldn't have if I hadn't read other reviews that said there is important information given out at the end of this book about the universe as a whole.
The first book is usually pretty epic and introduces the world with a really interesting concept, an interesting cast of characters, and draws you into the series.
The second book expands on that concept a little, but starts to add more women to the story without fleshing them out as characters. The author is slowly watering down the concentrated awesome that was present in the first book.
The third book is where it really goes off the rails because all of the side characters we enjoyed getting to know over the first book are thrown aside so that we can bring in new women to add to the MC's harem. The problem with this is that we liked the original characters, they were the most well-rounded because we had two books to get to know them. Replacing them is really annoying, especially when there is no time to flesh out the new characters that are bought in. Usually, by this point the harem element has become so complicated it overtakes the other elements of the story.
It's a frustrating pattern because the first book is usually 4-5 stars, the second is 3-4, and the third book comes down to around 2-3. Yet they can all be five stars if the author made just a few little tweaks.
1 – Don't make the harems so enormous. 3 to 4 women is already exciting enough and by staying with those 3 to 4 women and developing them as characters over the course of the three novels you will make them much more interesting to be around. When you have great and interesting characters they make everything else in the novel that happens through them that much more impactful and enjoyable.
2 – Don't bury the elements that made your story interesting in the first place. Develop them instead. Gus as a bogeyman and telepath, Melody's contractor skills, the Fed, the Elves, the rest of the world-building... All the unique elements that combined to make the first story so interesting could have been developed over the next 2 novels to make them awesome.
I like the universe Randy Darren/William D Arand has been building, but when you can't read to the end of the series you start missing out on important elements that the other books seem to rely on.
At the end of the day, the best novels in this genre are always ones that understand that the harem element is a nice flavour but it's not enough to carry a story. It's like adding spice to a meal, as a flavouring it adds heat and takes the meal to a whole new level, but if you ate nothing but that spice it would be far from an enjoyable experience.
So overall I'm disappointed with this. I had high hopes from the start of the series but I struggled to finish this and wouldn't have if I hadn't read other reviews that said there is important information given out at the end of this book about the universe as a whole.
September 22, 2020
Rating 4.0 stars
There is good and bad in this book. Like most of this author's writings I liked the first books the best and the last books the least. I love how he comes up with different worlds and different scenarios, then things usually get muddled as the trilogy continues. There ends up being too many characters to keep track of. Or the characters that I really liked in the first book are set as background characters in later books.
This book had that same problem but it also had something new. This book had more explanation and interaction with the universe as a whole. Again there is both good and bad in this. Sam from Incubus inc was in this book as well as the characters in Right of Retribution. There was mention of both Vince and Felix as well as Steve from Remnant. We find out how those characters are connected more in this book. It is good to finally get somewhat of an explanation for all this, but there is still a problem. I didn't like some of the books and I stopped reading them. I didn't finish the final book in the otherworld series. I stopped reading the second book in Incubus inc because I didn't like it. This reminds me of comic book crossovers when they crossover to a book or character I don't follow/like. That is my problem now. I feel like I am missing something but I also know I won't/don't like the books that I skipped. It is what it is.
There is good and bad in this book. Like most of this author's writings I liked the first books the best and the last books the least. I love how he comes up with different worlds and different scenarios, then things usually get muddled as the trilogy continues. There ends up being too many characters to keep track of. Or the characters that I really liked in the first book are set as background characters in later books.
This book had that same problem but it also had something new. This book had more explanation and interaction with the universe as a whole. Again there is both good and bad in this. Sam from Incubus inc was in this book as well as the characters in Right of Retribution. There was mention of both Vince and Felix as well as Steve from Remnant. We find out how those characters are connected more in this book. It is good to finally get somewhat of an explanation for all this, but there is still a problem. I didn't like some of the books and I stopped reading them. I didn't finish the final book in the otherworld series. I stopped reading the second book in Incubus inc because I didn't like it. This reminds me of comic book crossovers when they crossover to a book or character I don't follow/like. That is my problem now. I feel like I am missing something but I also know I won't/don't like the books that I skipped. It is what it is.
September 7, 2020
Great addition (Minor Spoilers at the end of review)
Another great addition to this multiverse series. Really cannot wait for the next book to release. Minor spoilers after this point.
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Really sad that they teased Felix and Vince's arrival in the last book but we didn't get to see them arrive. Also loved when Miles realized he had more family than just Melody on that world.
Another great addition to this multiverse series. Really cannot wait for the next book to release. Minor spoilers after this point.
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Really sad that they teased Felix and Vince's arrival in the last book but we didn't get to see them arrive. Also loved when Miles realized he had more family than just Melody on that world.
September 7, 2020
Amazing! *
*with conditions. (Spoilers below)
This was a great conclusion to swing shift. What was probably the best part was how it is wrapping the entire universe together and getting everything set for Runner's return. On the other side of this though I hate how long it is between books and now there are so many that I lose track of characters and plot lines. Like I forgot who Yellow Eyes was for a bit and there was an entire book about him!! Which leads me into the next point yellow eyes was a big part of the first third of the book and then it was kinda just dropped, expected a bit more there.
Next, loved the family reunion and revelations there. I like how all of the main series are like extended family for each other. Seville is a big grey spot for me but it he definitely seems more human now.
The end was a little annoying what with the characters who were lost. I say annoying because we know there is an afterlife and they can visit, is it really that much harder to just let them pop back over?! Just a personal preference for thing.
By far my favorite part of the book though is how new harem members can still be added despite last book Melody seeming to have her full rainbow. Honestly think Jill is my favorite member now.
*with conditions. (Spoilers below)
This was a great conclusion to swing shift. What was probably the best part was how it is wrapping the entire universe together and getting everything set for Runner's return. On the other side of this though I hate how long it is between books and now there are so many that I lose track of characters and plot lines. Like I forgot who Yellow Eyes was for a bit and there was an entire book about him!! Which leads me into the next point yellow eyes was a big part of the first third of the book and then it was kinda just dropped, expected a bit more there.
Next, loved the family reunion and revelations there. I like how all of the main series are like extended family for each other. Seville is a big grey spot for me but it he definitely seems more human now.
The end was a little annoying what with the characters who were lost. I say annoying because we know there is an afterlife and they can visit, is it really that much harder to just let them pop back over?! Just a personal preference for thing.
By far my favorite part of the book though is how new harem members can still be added despite last book Melody seeming to have her full rainbow. Honestly think Jill is my favorite member now.
September 7, 2020
This one gets a 4.5 from me, as I thought there was a bit too much of the "how much I love you" bits in it. I know that's nothing new in the author's books, so maybe I'm just getting tired of the repetition. A little slow getting off the line, but when it gets moving it takes off.
Aside from that, this is an essential book if you are following the Runnerverse. Many major pieces start dropping into place here, although it makes me really want to see what happens in book two of "Right of Retribution". Can't say any more than that without spoilers, but that or the next "Incubus Inc." will have to see some major moves.
This whole thing is building to a pretty much literal Gotterdammerung, so it promises to be interesting. What I will also be interested to see is where the author goes from there. There are essentially unlimited possibilities in the "Otherlife" universe, but at some point I suspect a change will be in order.
Aside from that, this is an essential book if you are following the Runnerverse. Many major pieces start dropping into place here, although it makes me really want to see what happens in book two of "Right of Retribution". Can't say any more than that without spoilers, but that or the next "Incubus Inc." will have to see some major moves.
This whole thing is building to a pretty much literal Gotterdammerung, so it promises to be interesting. What I will also be interested to see is where the author goes from there. There are essentially unlimited possibilities in the "Otherlife" universe, but at some point I suspect a change will be in order.
September 12, 2020
The end is in sight
What a wonderful conclusion to the Swing Shift series. A fun and thrilling read bring together threads from all of the other series into an outline of what we can expect to come.
I eagerly await the next chapters in this multi-series saga.
What a wonderful conclusion to the Swing Shift series. A fun and thrilling read bring together threads from all of the other series into an outline of what we can expect to come.
I eagerly await the next chapters in this multi-series saga.
November 12, 2021
The Swingshift series started out as one of my favorite series by this auther but this third book became unlistenable to me. what was once a interest paranormal mystery and investigation series became this weird incelly fantasy were the MC could do no wrong just because he was a nice guy. including violating a woman's mind and her being okay with it and just falling in love with him dispite it.
It also has the same problem all Arand/Darren trilogies have, it losses focus on what made the first two good and instead builds up some big universal crossover. It makes the book's story feel lackluster and goes from a self-contained story to just another building block for something else. This is a pity since I loved the first two books so much. If they are going to continue to sacrifice the last books in their series to build a multiverse then this mega-crossover event (whenever it comes out) better be something great at this point.
Plus, I am sick and tired of the constant lovey-dovey and sexual talk that has become the character interactions. I have been finding myself skipping character scenes just to get back to the plot similar to how I skip sex scenes in most of these types of stories. With as much focus as Arand gives to it, I am starting to wonder why he just doesn't include the sex scenes link Darren's books. It seems clear that Arand wants to at this point. Also, I get it that everyone is okay with this harem relationship thing you don't need to continually verify it with every conversation the MC has with a woman. It's a male power fantasy so I think you can drop it after the first confirmation.
It also has the same problem all Arand/Darren trilogies have, it losses focus on what made the first two good and instead builds up some big universal crossover. It makes the book's story feel lackluster and goes from a self-contained story to just another building block for something else. This is a pity since I loved the first two books so much. If they are going to continue to sacrifice the last books in their series to build a multiverse then this mega-crossover event (whenever it comes out) better be something great at this point.
Plus, I am sick and tired of the constant lovey-dovey and sexual talk that has become the character interactions. I have been finding myself skipping character scenes just to get back to the plot similar to how I skip sex scenes in most of these types of stories. With as much focus as Arand gives to it, I am starting to wonder why he just doesn't include the sex scenes link Darren's books. It seems clear that Arand wants to at this point. Also, I get it that everyone is okay with this harem relationship thing you don't need to continually verify it with every conversation the MC has with a woman. It's a male power fantasy so I think you can drop it after the first confirmation.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 9, 2022
I mean...
Does this author not have any beta readers? How did this (and several previous books) make it to final form with so many conversations literally starting with "I mean..."? One span of a couple of pages had 3 or 4 instances of it all in a row. The first book of Rights of Retribution is doing the same thing.
That's not including my huge pet peeve of the main character thinking to himself, and then rejoining a conversation midstream with a "... blah blah" to indicate he wasn't listening. Through EVERY book he has written as far as I can tell.
Either the beta readers don't exist, or they are just "yes" men/women/xhen.
Also, please try to come up with different stereotypes for all of the supporting characters. Oh no, one is crazy! But MY crazy! Another is super-organized. Another is super-sexual. Another is reserved and shy at first. Not to mention the "let's forget about the original ones as they are replaced by newer ones" trend in every trilogy. Seriously, pay attention to how much the original couple of girls are pushed aside for newer ones in books 2 and 3. Doesn't matter which trilogy, they all do it.
Yet I've read all of them to this point, hoping for a culmination of the entire Runner-verse. Jokes on me, I guess.
Does this author not have any beta readers? How did this (and several previous books) make it to final form with so many conversations literally starting with "I mean..."? One span of a couple of pages had 3 or 4 instances of it all in a row. The first book of Rights of Retribution is doing the same thing.
That's not including my huge pet peeve of the main character thinking to himself, and then rejoining a conversation midstream with a "... blah blah" to indicate he wasn't listening. Through EVERY book he has written as far as I can tell.
Either the beta readers don't exist, or they are just "yes" men/women/xhen.
Also, please try to come up with different stereotypes for all of the supporting characters. Oh no, one is crazy! But MY crazy! Another is super-organized. Another is super-sexual. Another is reserved and shy at first. Not to mention the "let's forget about the original ones as they are replaced by newer ones" trend in every trilogy. Seriously, pay attention to how much the original couple of girls are pushed aside for newer ones in books 2 and 3. Doesn't matter which trilogy, they all do it.
Yet I've read all of them to this point, hoping for a culmination of the entire Runner-verse. Jokes on me, I guess.
July 22, 2021
3.5 rounded up.
I am salty about something that happens 3/4s into the book. . William D. Arand has this thing for third book tragedies for his protagonists that I find myself getting tired of. It has gotten to the point that I do not get excited for book 3s anymore. I know that a character most likely from book 1 that hasn't had much screen time, but is a loved one of the protagonist is going to die. Sometimes off camera.
I am salty about something that happens 3/4s into the book. . William D. Arand has this thing for third book tragedies for his protagonists that I find myself getting tired of. It has gotten to the point that I do not get excited for book 3s anymore. I know that a character most likely from book 1 that hasn't had much screen time, but is a loved one of the protagonist is going to die. Sometimes off camera.
September 30, 2020
Biggest crossover yet
Just wow. Another fantastic installment into the expanding universe Mr. Arand has created. And unless I miss my mark, this also has the most crossover action in terms of characters and their interactions.
Gus and friends might be in over their heads on their newest assignment. They're a group of powerful mortals, but when they have to face down demigods and cults of gods they're still just mortals. Good thing they know a demigod or two of their own.
My two gripes are that some of the scene transitions are like a splash of water to the face, but most of the time things get sorted after a few paragraphs but I'd still prefer fewer "wait what? Where are we? How much time has passed?" Questions running through my head while I try to catch up to where the characters are/ what they're doing. Secondly, it would be that "loss" encountered by the main characters is largely hand waived away greatly deflating the emotional impact, of both the reader and the characters. I'm a believer that character growth benefits from conflict and consequences, and if you lessen the impact it lessens the characters' potential for growth and change.
BUT I still loved the story and it really feels like all the different series are converging toward a critical moment in the overarching plot (kicked off way back in the Otherlife series).
Will we start to see the existing series expand past the trilogy point? Are we going to get an MCU style all-encompassing crossover series? Maybe another brand new story filled with new characters to weave into the mix? Who knows?! Not me, but I can't wait to find out!
Just wow. Another fantastic installment into the expanding universe Mr. Arand has created. And unless I miss my mark, this also has the most crossover action in terms of characters and their interactions.
Gus and friends might be in over their heads on their newest assignment. They're a group of powerful mortals, but when they have to face down demigods and cults of gods they're still just mortals. Good thing they know a demigod or two of their own.
My two gripes are that some of the scene transitions are like a splash of water to the face, but most of the time things get sorted after a few paragraphs but I'd still prefer fewer "wait what? Where are we? How much time has passed?" Questions running through my head while I try to catch up to where the characters are/ what they're doing. Secondly, it would be that "loss" encountered by the main characters is largely hand waived away greatly deflating the emotional impact, of both the reader and the characters. I'm a believer that character growth benefits from conflict and consequences, and if you lessen the impact it lessens the characters' potential for growth and change.
BUT I still loved the story and it really feels like all the different series are converging toward a critical moment in the overarching plot (kicked off way back in the Otherlife series).
Will we start to see the existing series expand past the trilogy point? Are we going to get an MCU style all-encompassing crossover series? Maybe another brand new story filled with new characters to weave into the mix? Who knows?! Not me, but I can't wait to find out!
September 17, 2020
Somewhat conflicted with this review
I think Swing Shift is one of my favourite series by William, but as with the others it seems to be meshing this series into a converged story of the multiverse that all his stories reside in. Gus is a great character, both dark and light when he needs to be and all of his crazy wives and other love interests that pop into the picture are so colourful and unique that make this such a fun read. I’m not sure if there will be any more in this series with what I’m calling the convergence of his stories which seem to point to a massive battle between “good” and “evil” involving a majority of the MC’s of all of his other books Avengers or Justice League style. To understand Seville (aka Steve) you will need to read the Remnant series from Randi Darren (aka William D Arand) whose books contain more sex scenes. To understand the Campbells you will need to read Super Sales on Super Heroes and Wild Wastes. To understand the universe you probably need to read the Otherlife series..... all connected.
I think Swing Shift is one of my favourite series by William, but as with the others it seems to be meshing this series into a converged story of the multiverse that all his stories reside in. Gus is a great character, both dark and light when he needs to be and all of his crazy wives and other love interests that pop into the picture are so colourful and unique that make this such a fun read. I’m not sure if there will be any more in this series with what I’m calling the convergence of his stories which seem to point to a massive battle between “good” and “evil” involving a majority of the MC’s of all of his other books Avengers or Justice League style. To understand Seville (aka Steve) you will need to read the Remnant series from Randi Darren (aka William D Arand) whose books contain more sex scenes. To understand the Campbells you will need to read Super Sales on Super Heroes and Wild Wastes. To understand the universe you probably need to read the Otherlife series..... all connected.
October 3, 2020
A satisfying conclusion to the Swing Shift trilogy, with an ending that leaves open the possibility of seeing these characters in action again in the future.
After the wild and hectic events of the second book, Gus and his growing family are trying to keep a low profile while still looking into the mysterious council responsible for trying to expose the paranormal world to the normal one. However, keeping a lower profile publicly doesn't mean that they can avoid the council's attention, and the freedom of working freelance comes with the danger of not having reinforcements when you really need them, and that could be deadly.
This book ties in closely with other series by the author under both his William D Arand and Randi Darren names, specifically Incubus Inc., Fostering Faust and Super Sales on Super Heroes. Again, reading these series aren't mandatory, but it will help you understand some of the new characters that show up. A fun read, well paced, and like I said a satisfying ending which leaves you wanting more.
After the wild and hectic events of the second book, Gus and his growing family are trying to keep a low profile while still looking into the mysterious council responsible for trying to expose the paranormal world to the normal one. However, keeping a lower profile publicly doesn't mean that they can avoid the council's attention, and the freedom of working freelance comes with the danger of not having reinforcements when you really need them, and that could be deadly.
This book ties in closely with other series by the author under both his William D Arand and Randi Darren names, specifically Incubus Inc., Fostering Faust and Super Sales on Super Heroes. Again, reading these series aren't mandatory, but it will help you understand some of the new characters that show up. A fun read, well paced, and like I said a satisfying ending which leaves you wanting more.
September 9, 2020
Still digging into things others would rather be kept out of.the light
His is back and going legit. With Park Investigation LLC. With Cat and Lilly for the it first paying client, Gus and his harem plus a couple new girls, are looking for " Retribution " , yeah, That " Retibutior" the real honest to God diety. Speaking of which they are hoping Retribution can put them in touch with the big "G"to ask if he'd like to stop by and do a little cleaning. Waaay above Gus's pay grade, and there's the little problem of the " Other team" getting bent out of shape and wanting to do away with a certain ex PID/ FED investor. Lots of things going on in this installment! Grab it up now!
His is back and going legit. With Park Investigation LLC. With Cat and Lilly for the it first paying client, Gus and his harem plus a couple new girls, are looking for " Retribution " , yeah, That " Retibutior" the real honest to God diety. Speaking of which they are hoping Retribution can put them in touch with the big "G"to ask if he'd like to stop by and do a little cleaning. Waaay above Gus's pay grade, and there's the little problem of the " Other team" getting bent out of shape and wanting to do away with a certain ex PID/ FED investor. Lots of things going on in this installment! Grab it up now!
January 13, 2021
1 star, I put a book down. 2 stars, I wouldn't read again and won't pick up a sequel. 3 stars, I won't read again, but maybe the sequel would move forward. 4 stars, I enjoyed it and would recommend it to a friend. 5 stars, I'll reread it, recommend it.
The books in this series probably the closest of any of Arand's and his pseudonym's books that could stand on its own without the harem theme. The stories fit well in a single novel, telling one story with beginning, middle, and resolution while sitting in the larger campaign which seems to becoming quite epic.
I guess the best way to sum up this book is it is good enough to make me look forward to reading the next in the series, but not so good as to make me want to go back and try to complete some of his other series.
The books in this series probably the closest of any of Arand's and his pseudonym's books that could stand on its own without the harem theme. The stories fit well in a single novel, telling one story with beginning, middle, and resolution while sitting in the larger campaign which seems to becoming quite epic.
I guess the best way to sum up this book is it is good enough to make me look forward to reading the next in the series, but not so good as to make me want to go back and try to complete some of his other series.
September 19, 2021
A fairly solid continuation
Good plot, decent pacing. That being said I did struggle on this one more than the previous ones, putting it down for a bit. I... I wonder a bit about some things that occur. *possible spoilers*
There is some death. It's not..fridge deaths per se, they did make some sense, well one almost was. Couldn't have tried other methods to incapacitate them? I dunno it also kind of felt like pairing done people out to make room for new characters.
Also, maybe it's cause I put the series down and it was addressed before, but I don't remember fear energy bombs? That felt...sudden to me. It could be faulty memory though but there was a lot to unpack.
Overall still good, I only nitpick a little. I'd stick with it.
Good plot, decent pacing. That being said I did struggle on this one more than the previous ones, putting it down for a bit. I... I wonder a bit about some things that occur. *possible spoilers*
There is some death. It's not..fridge deaths per se, they did make some sense, well one almost was. Couldn't have tried other methods to incapacitate them? I dunno it also kind of felt like pairing done people out to make room for new characters.
Also, maybe it's cause I put the series down and it was addressed before, but I don't remember fear energy bombs? That felt...sudden to me. It could be faulty memory though but there was a lot to unpack.
Overall still good, I only nitpick a little. I'd stick with it.
September 7, 2022
Although the series started quite well, this is where I got really disappointed. The story is not complete; it links up with some other series (plural). I did go on to read "Super Sales on Super Heroes" to try and make sense, but that series is still ongoing (18 months later) and itself ties in with one or two other series, and I've had enough "your princess is in another castle"
Also, as is frequently the case, settings and characters that were strong when the scope of the plot was some events in a city become shallow when the story expands to trans-universal struggles between gods.
Shout-out for the absolutely gorgeous cover, by Caterina Kalymniou, which is the reason I picked this series to read in the first place.
Also, as is frequently the case, settings and characters that were strong when the scope of the plot was some events in a city become shallow when the story expands to trans-universal struggles between gods.
Shout-out for the absolutely gorgeous cover, by Caterina Kalymniou, which is the reason I picked this series to read in the first place.
October 8, 2020
This covers all three of the swing shift offerings.
Mr. Arend, I absolutely loved these books. At no point did the pacing and plot get mixed up or confused. To be honest there were a few grammatical errors (mostly tenses and use of similar but wrong words {hominyms ?}). Aside from these few errors these books were amazing. I will not go into the plot or details because I hate i when I read a review and find them instead of allowing me to discover them myself. Needless to say I eagerly await your next offering in this verse and strongly encourage you to begin on it forthwith! Thank you Mr. Arand for a wonderful series and a well spent three days!
Mr. Arend, I absolutely loved these books. At no point did the pacing and plot get mixed up or confused. To be honest there were a few grammatical errors (mostly tenses and use of similar but wrong words {hominyms ?}). Aside from these few errors these books were amazing. I will not go into the plot or details because I hate i when I read a review and find them instead of allowing me to discover them myself. Needless to say I eagerly await your next offering in this verse and strongly encourage you to begin on it forthwith! Thank you Mr. Arand for a wonderful series and a well spent three days!
March 9, 2022
Wow! Just WOW!
What an ending to this trilogy! Convoluted twists and turns, hidden armies, exciting chases and battles. Sadly not everyone made it out alive, but thats the reality of life. Powerful new friends as well as advesaries. Old and new gf's and new abilities unlocked. All said this was a really enjoyable segment of the Runner omniverse. Gus is the (boggie)man and his crew are awesome and memorable (sadly, many supporting characters are quite unmemorable).
Really looking forward to the trilogies that l have not yet read and this will definitely be getting a re-read when lm done.
What an ending to this trilogy! Convoluted twists and turns, hidden armies, exciting chases and battles. Sadly not everyone made it out alive, but thats the reality of life. Powerful new friends as well as advesaries. Old and new gf's and new abilities unlocked. All said this was a really enjoyable segment of the Runner omniverse. Gus is the (boggie)man and his crew are awesome and memorable (sadly, many supporting characters are quite unmemorable).
Really looking forward to the trilogies that l have not yet read and this will definitely be getting a re-read when lm done.
September 22, 2020
A bit chaotic but good
A bit chaotic but good. Plenty of page turning action and unexpected turns though a bit all over the place at times , to the point where you have trouble knowing who is saying what, or who is doing something or how they got there un the first place. The death of his father is absolutely BS inserted there just for a bit of drama, and his mother just stood there doing nothing, where in the next chapters she takes down armies all by herself. Cheap tricks like that are extremely annoying but luckily the story is good enough to compensate.
A bit chaotic but good. Plenty of page turning action and unexpected turns though a bit all over the place at times , to the point where you have trouble knowing who is saying what, or who is doing something or how they got there un the first place. The death of his father is absolutely BS inserted there just for a bit of drama, and his mother just stood there doing nothing, where in the next chapters she takes down armies all by herself. Cheap tricks like that are extremely annoying but luckily the story is good enough to compensate.
October 1, 2020
Swing Shift has become another favorite series of mine
I’m loving how characters from his other series are showing up in this book, though I have to admit, I had to go back and refresh my memory on a few of the characters, due to how many other authors books I’ve been reading between each, Swing Shift release, and some of the characters were from series I had read long ago. I don’t want to give any spoilers, but I am hoping that we don’t lose our favorite characters as these books progress, though I get how a struggle is not a struggle if there is no real danger.
I’m loving how characters from his other series are showing up in this book, though I have to admit, I had to go back and refresh my memory on a few of the characters, due to how many other authors books I’ve been reading between each, Swing Shift release, and some of the characters were from series I had read long ago. I don’t want to give any spoilers, but I am hoping that we don’t lose our favorite characters as these books progress, though I get how a struggle is not a struggle if there is no real danger.
October 15, 2020
World's collide
Arand has several excellent series, all in the same multiverse. If you like his writing; you will definitely want to read this book. If you aren't familiar with his other series; read them first. It appears that he is winding this phase up. Characters from several storylines interact, it gets confusing. Those who don't remember the other storylines may get lost. But, as always, a good story, well written and entertaining. My one question, Did I miss Al. Don't remember him showing up yet.
Arand has several excellent series, all in the same multiverse. If you like his writing; you will definitely want to read this book. If you aren't familiar with his other series; read them first. It appears that he is winding this phase up. Characters from several storylines interact, it gets confusing. Those who don't remember the other storylines may get lost. But, as always, a good story, well written and entertaining. My one question, Did I miss Al. Don't remember him showing up yet.
December 8, 2020
Gus is bad@$$
I'm hoping that I get to see more of Gus and his gals. Had some crossover action with other series characters(cool). I almost need a guide trying to remember who that was until it clicks. Can't wait for big bad showdown these and other series have been building to. I hate to say that I want closure because I do but each trilogy is f'n great. I'm torn. Anyway.... you will dig this book if you like the previous 2 swing shift books. After reading this, I can see Gus as he was in the dessert. Full Boogieman Gus rules.
I'm hoping that I get to see more of Gus and his gals. Had some crossover action with other series characters(cool). I almost need a guide trying to remember who that was until it clicks. Can't wait for big bad showdown these and other series have been building to. I hate to say that I want closure because I do but each trilogy is f'n great. I'm torn. Anyway.... you will dig this book if you like the previous 2 swing shift books. After reading this, I can see Gus as he was in the dessert. Full Boogieman Gus rules.
December 10, 2021
I had this book for a while and put it off because I really dislike the crazy contractor among other things.
I guess it's time to finish this trilogy.
This was better somewhat because there was less of the contractor throughout the book.
Sadly the pet names is still as annoying as ever.
How the book started, I thought it would have ended with that big event. Guess that would have left the book on a cliffhanger.
I guess this means Super Sales on Super Heroes Season Two will be a thing very soon.
3/5 Stars
I guess it's time to finish this trilogy.
This was better somewhat because there was less of the contractor throughout the book.
Sadly the pet names is still as annoying as ever.
How the book started, I thought it would have ended with that big event. Guess that would have left the book on a cliffhanger.
I guess this means Super Sales on Super Heroes Season Two will be a thing very soon.
3/5 Stars
December 20, 2021
[Magic] [Bogey Man] [Monster] [Murder] [Mystery] [Other worlds] [Haram] [Adult] [Monster girls] [Monster Boys]
Their team hired to find an angel to bring back the most powerful man to fight against the evil
They went looking for the angel and found he died a long time ago and evil is prevailing the tipping the side to evil and the world is no longer balance.
Getting one of his wife and father killed but ends up saving his best friend but badly injured in the way and doesn't want to be the part of the angel vs demons war. for now.
Their team hired to find an angel to bring back the most powerful man to fight against the evil
They went looking for the angel and found he died a long time ago and evil is prevailing the tipping the side to evil and the world is no longer balance.
Getting one of his wife and father killed but ends up saving his best friend but badly injured in the way and doesn't want to be the part of the angel vs demons war. for now.
August 11, 2023
The law of diminishing returns strikes again. The first book was good but the series has quickly turned from paranormal police investigating crimes to interdimensional warfare. The whiplash is quite painful. The human wife was fridged, ('cos humans are boring I guess), very little time is spent with the other existing wives and a new love interest introduced who is basically a Mary Sue, (and a succubus, 'cos we always have to have a succubus in these series don't we?). Finally there are multiple iterations of 'Gus uses his stealth powers to infiltrate another enemy base' which is just getting boring now. Time for me to give this one up.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 7, 2020
Hmmm
This is my favorite series from William D. Arand.
From book one I adored this story, please go read that if you have, its amazing, also get the audio for it after a read it again with the fantastic tone it sets. This book here, jus like all the other books, this one here didn't disappoint, though one thing seemed forced.
Can't wait to see the cover of and second epilogue in the omnibus.
This is my favorite series from William D. Arand.
From book one I adored this story, please go read that if you have, its amazing, also get the audio for it after a read it again with the fantastic tone it sets. This book here, jus like all the other books, this one here didn't disappoint, though one thing seemed forced.
Can't wait to see the cover of and second epilogue in the omnibus.
September 7, 2020
Satisfying if not bittersweet
Its hard not to love everything that Mr. Arand writes. Here I am forsaking sleep despite having work in a few hours just to finish his latest work and just being unable to put it down. There's a lot of crossover here, even more than previous works so its heavily recommended you read his previous works but I think it still holds up as a stand alone ending to a very enjoyable trilogy. Keep up the great work as always!
Its hard not to love everything that Mr. Arand writes. Here I am forsaking sleep despite having work in a few hours just to finish his latest work and just being unable to put it down. There's a lot of crossover here, even more than previous works so its heavily recommended you read his previous works but I think it still holds up as a stand alone ending to a very enjoyable trilogy. Keep up the great work as always!
September 9, 2020
Another Wonderful Tale!!
This was the third book of a series and I look forward to reading more!! His characters grow, and I cried when, well, let's say he believes in Russian story devices.
I laughed, growled in anger and cried at different points. Yes, it's THAT well written. I am a Texan and we don't tend to be that expressive reading. This author does suck you into his world. I have Free Kindle, but I BOUGHT this series. That should tell you how much I enjoyed this.
This was the third book of a series and I look forward to reading more!! His characters grow, and I cried when, well, let's say he believes in Russian story devices.
I laughed, growled in anger and cried at different points. Yes, it's THAT well written. I am a Texan and we don't tend to be that expressive reading. This author does suck you into his world. I have Free Kindle, but I BOUGHT this series. That should tell you how much I enjoyed this.
September 10, 2020
Not just a harem novel
Mr. Arand continues to develop this world and increases it’s depth naturally. New expansions to the Supernatural community are dropped in organically and at the appropriate times. I’m really enjoying the storyline, and excited for the next installment. One criticism - release the written and the audio same day. I know it means we wait a little longer as a result, but the narrator is a huge part of the book. This series is well worth your time.
Mr. Arand continues to develop this world and increases it’s depth naturally. New expansions to the Supernatural community are dropped in organically and at the appropriate times. I’m really enjoying the storyline, and excited for the next installment. One criticism - release the written and the audio same day. I know it means we wait a little longer as a result, but the narrator is a huge part of the book. This series is well worth your time.
September 10, 2020
Very good story, definitely recommend
Getting this if you've been reading the series. Great character development and plot. Good combat scenes and plenty of humor.
My only criticissms are that the scene and conversation changes could be a bit abrupt, leaving me to stop amd see if i skipped a page or something. I think that happened like 3 times. Otherwise a very good book amd well written story.
Getting this if you've been reading the series. Great character development and plot. Good combat scenes and plenty of humor.
My only criticissms are that the scene and conversation changes could be a bit abrupt, leaving me to stop amd see if i skipped a page or something. I think that happened like 3 times. Otherwise a very good book amd well written story.
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