Swing Shift: Book 3

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!

If you're at all familiar with the author's works, you're probably aware that multiple series are interconnected, and the multiple story-lines in the over-arching universe are converging rapidly now. In earlier books and series, cameos were subtle, nice Easter eggs to watch out for. In this book the entire Easter basket is dumped on the floor.Don't worry, the story still stands alone, as do all of the author's trilogies. If you've never read any of the other series, you can jump right into this (starting with Swing Shift 1) and be just fine. But if you HAVE read the other series, the cameos become obvious, major players both good and evil from other series become obvious. Really good stuff.In this book we see or get mention of: Seville, Steve, Felix, Vince, Runner, Lilly, Kit, Andrea, Miles, the Judge, Retribution, Skipper, and many more. We're *almost* at the "Gang's all here" moment... and then I expect that we're going to see major Zeus butt-kicking. Can't wait.But back to this particular book: we learn more about Gus's abilities, and limits. His family dynamics are being sorted out. Gus has some gains, and some tragic losses, neither of which I'm going to spoil here. Gus and his team go after the Council, only to find out they're playing more than one side, and that Boogiemen aren't quite as rare as he'd thought.Minor spoiler, because it's such a fun part of the book: Gus meets his first Imp. Except that she isn't just an Imp after all, which is a surprise to everyone... including the Imp. The author wraps a book's worth of humor into this new character, and I very much want to share some of it... but that would be spoiling. I will say that I'm really glad for the humor, because it helps offset some of the tragedy we also get in this book. Thankfully, Sam (yeah, that Sam, from the other series) helps take the edge off quite a bit. Again, treading close to spoilers there, so I'll just say ... Read the book! It's a great installment to the series.I'm sad that this is the end of this trilogy, since Gus and his team are interesting characters, and I don't feel like we've had NEARLY enough time with them. But I expect to see them all back when we finally hit the end-game of this phase of the Runner-verse, and books bringing our favorite MC's (and their cohorts) together. Hopefully that's coming next year. <fingers crossed>

I quite enjoyed this series. This book was a decent end cap to that. However, this author has a bad tendency to get distracted and impatient with "the big picture." He rushes events. Forcing contrived plot points and character choices that don't quite fit with what we've been given; or just don't make a good story.!!~~Spoiler Alert~~!! The death of H could have made sense but less effort was put forth to try to save her than should have been given. There also could have been more effort given to help us understand how he/she COULDN'T fit. This was obvious and stated third party interference. It also didn't make sense that he/she found them there and then. It would have been nice if the emotions were better filled out on that one too. The death of V, unfortunately, made the most sense. Though it did feel like they were killed cuz the author liked the dramatics of it. The death of W also felt contrived. J should have gone all out at the first sign. Why not? She should have ample time. V took out "two squads," so why not?Conclusion:I like this author and think there's really something to the writing but things are getting worse. As the universe expands, more and more of the writing feels overyly contrived and deliberate. Somewhat culminating in "Heroes for Sale" for me. That one also lacked the emotional connections; crowded out by all the author "wanted to get done."I also think bringing "gods" into a mortals fight is awkward and/or difficult to do. I'm ussually left disappointed with the results.

I've read all the books for this multiverse, this is probably the best trilogy. There is no time wasted in sex scenes, like in almost every other of his trilogies. There is no sugary and corny and lenghty talks. There's a very good fantasy and sci-fi novel, with an interesting protagonist, there's the usual harem but it's very enjoyable because it's based on the relationships and the people, not on useless sex scenes or endless sweet talking. Together with Inc-Suc and the Superheroes trilogy, this one is definitely recommended. The rest of the books are also very good, but with the aforementioned problems.

Another great read in a series that is part of the veil verse. This book III is where it connects and continues. We are getting close to all the different series to come together. Can't wait either.

Continues to be a great read with characters you get really attached to (Chloe in my case). This volume really opens up the 'multiple realities' motif that runs through this and the other series in the same 'universe'.Good plot development and plenty of cameo appearances by special guests. The bit with Steve was really poignant to say the least. The slight issue was that with so many characters popping up (and in and out) remembering where they all came from can be a pain. A page at the end just listing them would be really nice for forgetful old farts like me.Roll on volume 4 ! There has to be a fourth as the story is building to one hell of a climax

Just like the previous books a great read. Lots of fighting. Now I have to wait again, to find out what Gus does next.

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.