In “Suck-U-Bus,” the collaborative effort of S.C. Mendes and Nikki Noir, readers are thrust into a gripping narrative that intricately weaves together themes of friendship, ambition, and the supernatural. Set against the backdrop of the music industry, the story unfolds with an intriguing premise: three friends make a pact with a succubus, trading their sexual energy for fame and fortune. However, as the plot develops, the stakes grow far beyond mere success, leading to a thrilling exploration of darker desires and hidden truths. The protagonist, Lisa Hummer, is relatable and grounded, embodying the skepticism many of us would feel in the face of such an outrageous claim. Her disbelief in the succubus mythos becomes a powerful driving force in the narrative, especially after her brother Danny secures a backstage pass to the band Suck-U-Bus. What begins as a seemingly cliched tale of rock and roll excess takes a sharp turn when Lisa encounters a mysterious woman who warns her that Danny has been marked by the succubus for purposes beyond just sexual energy. This chilling revelation sets Lisa on a heart-pounding quest to uncover the truth behind her brother’s sudden disappearance. The authors expertly balance tension and intrigue throughout the story. As Lisa follows the trail of chaos surrounding the band’s performances, the narrative is peppered with suspenseful moments and cleverly placed clues that keep readers guessing. Mendes and Noir’s writing is vivid, immersing us in the chaotic world of the band while simultaneously delving into Lisa’s growing fears and doubts. The authors skillfully blur the lines between reality and the supernatural, leaving readers to ponder whether the succubus is a genuine threat or merely a figment of Lisa's imagination spurred by her anxiety and protective instincts. The character development in “Suck-U-Bus” is commendable, particularly in Lisa’s evolution from a skeptical bystander to an empowered investigator. Her determination to uncover the truth about her brother’s fate showcases her loyalty and bravery, making her a protagonist worth rooting for. The supporting characters, from the enigmatic succubus to Lisa’s friends and family, are well-crafted and add depth to the narrative, providing varying perspectives on the consequences of ambition and desire. One of the most engaging aspects of the novel is its exploration of the darker side of fame. Mendes and Noir delve into the sacrifices artists make to achieve success, raising questions about the morality of such choices. As Lisa navigates the treacherous waters of the music industry and the supernatural elements intertwined within it, readers are left to reflect on what they would be willing to sacrifice for their own dreams. In conclusion, “Suck-U-Bus” is a compelling and entertaining read that deftly combines elements of suspense, fantasy, and psychological exploration. With a gripping plot, rich character development, and thought-provoking themes, Mendes and Noir have crafted a story that lingers in the mind long after the last page is turned. Whether you’re a fan of supernatural thrillers or simply looking for a captivating tale about the complexities of ambition and friendship, “Suck-U-Bus” is a must-read that promises to keep you on the edge of your seat. Don’t miss the chance to unravel the mystery—dare to join Lisa on her harrowing journey and discover the truth behind the succubus for yourself.

All the hype, metal is linked with demons - in this case, yep. A band with a gimmick and a succubus, followers obsessed and some dying, and amid it all one girl searches for her brother who has fallen under the spell. Nothing complex, and kind of superficial - some obvious tropes linked together. But if you want a quick horror read, here you go.

"Suck-U-Bus" by S.C. Mendes & Nikki Noir is a darkly comedic and irreverent exploration of supernatural entities and the absurdities of modern life. Set in a world where mythical creatures like succubi navigate contemporary society, the novel follows protagonist Sylvia, a reluctant succubus who finds herself entangled in bizarre and humorous situations.

Mendes and Noir’s writing is sharp and witty, blending supernatural elements with satirical commentary on societal norms and relationships. Sylvia’s journey from reluctant succubus to navigating her newfound powers and the complexities of human emotions forms the heart of the narrative.

The novel’s strength lies in its quirky characters and inventive premise, offering readers a fresh take on paranormal fiction. From Sylvia’s quirky roommate to her eccentric colleagues in the supernatural world, each character adds layers of humor and unpredictability to the story.

"Suck-U-Bus" balances its humor with moments of introspection and genuine emotion, exploring themes of identity, acceptance, and the search for belonging. As Sylvia navigates her dual existence—juggling her day job at a quirky bookstore and her nighttime escapades as a succubus—she discovers surprising truths about herself and her place in the world.

Overall, "Suck-U-Bus" is a playful and entertaining read that blends supernatural fantasy with biting humor and insightful commentary. Mendes and Noir’s collaborative storytelling creates a unique and memorable reading experience that will appeal to fans of both urban fantasy and dark comedy.

The description of this book had me intrigued… however it fell short.
The characters were ok. Some parts of the book held my interest, but they were short and under developed. Other parts dragged on unnecessarily.

I devoured this book in one sitting. Heavy metal women, tons of sex, and sleep paralysis, what a trifecta! This was such a rad story, Mendes and Noir always deliver a good time! A background story of siblings bonding (after a family loss) over a wild all-women metal band known for their bus of sexual fantasies? Yes! Thats right! A Bizzaro ride with all the great elements of Extreme Horror!

An occult thriller dipped in metal lore that had me rocking along until it got a little expositionay and rushed at the end.
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è una lettura perfetta per chi ama l'horror, il macabro e la musica metal (soprattutto per i vari riferimenti a band e brani). Da quest'ultimo punto di vista non essendo un'esperta non ho potuto apprezzare appieno le reference, ma per il resto tanta roba!

The Hex Girls from Scooby Doo meets Jennifer's Body, Suck-U-Bus is the perfect novel for former emo kids that love vampire-like creatures.

Thank you to NetGalley and Blood Bound Books for the advanced copy of this title.

Where to begin? It’s not like I didn’t read the synopsis, so I knew what was coming. When stories are in the genre of horror, you expect a certain amount of graphic content and gratuitous sex. But this was over the top. It’s probably on the same level as a book I read a few years ago called “The Body Will Follow” (also from NetGalley).

With that said, be warned because this story may have some trigger warnings for people who are sensitive to sexual scenes and situations, demons, and death in sexual situations. Personally, I think there is an unnecessary amount of sexual content, and just because I’m grown doesn’t mean I always want to see it in print. However, if you strip away some of this, you have a great story about two siblings (Lisa and Danny) who bonded over metal music after the death of their parents. Through abusive relationships and other struggles, they became quite the duo.

MY THOUGHTS: I thought this would be a title I couldn’t finish at the 30% mark, but I kept going even though I disliked a few scenes in the story. Plain and simple …this could be great if the author could allude to the sex and not describe it in detail because the book turns into something else.

This also takes me back to a SyFy series called “Lost Girl.” Same premise minus the metal. The main character (the Succubus) feeds on people’s (men and women) sexual energy to survive and become strong. That story was digestible because you knew what was happening, and due to the killing being graphic enough, you don’t need everything else. So I’m giving this title 3.25⭐⭐⭐.

MORE GREAT QUOTES FROM THIS TITLE

**"My dad used to say once is an accident. Twice is a coincidence. Three times is war."**
**"There’s nothing more sinister than your own mind."**
**"We have the power to choose which thoughts we entertain."**
**“Lisa had expected more of a mythology professor or a psychologist on the phenomena of demons. Not a punk rock Gandalf.” **

I will share this review on Amazon (posting in 24 hrs), Good Reads (posted), and a future podcast on Wyetha's ARC Reviews.

It wasn’t bad but I quickly lost interest, which is strange for something that’s less that 200 pages. The premise was intriguing, I just didn’t care enough about the people to enjoy it. The ending was wild though

I absolutely loved this story. I really hope they write a second book for this. I physically could not put this book down and finished it in one sitting, which I don't do very often.

The book was a fun and easy read that kept me hooked all the way through. There were a few timeline issues that created some plot holes, but the story had enough cool twists to keep things interesting. It moved at a fast pace, making it hard to put down. The ending was really open-ended, which makes me curious about what might happen next. If there's a sequel, I'd be excited to see how they continue the story and tie up some of the loose ends.

*Thank you to NetGalley, Blood Bound Books and S.C. Mendes & Nikki Noir for providing the opportunity to read this book in exchange for a review, but all thoughts are my own*

I think this book was wonderful! It was brilliantly written, it has everything that a fan of Shaun of the Dead or Army of Darkness would love!

As soon as I read the mention of GWAR on the first page, I knew this was my kind of book!

This is an easy, short read that will appeal to fans of metal and horror movies. The two siblings are easy to invest in. I related to Lisa's struggles with sleep paralysis. Those scenes were some of the scariest in the book.

I should mention that the book goes into darker territory than I initially expected. Trigger warnings for sexual assault. I probably should have known that was coming with the book being about a succubus. The victims are supernaturally seduced so this is not violent but it is not consensual. Think of it like vampire movies where the victims are under the vampire's thrall.

I really enjoyed this book and will be checking out more from S. C. Mendes and Nikki Noir. I would love a prequel all about the Mothers! I'll be checking out their other book, Petite Mort soon!

DNF @ 25%

I cannot get into this book for two main reasons. Firstly, the writing style feel very train-of-thought. Things just happen, and the main character is thinking about whatever. I'm aware that this is a terrible explanation, but the writing just doesn't sit right. Secondly, what's going on with the MC? She is way too obsessed with the idea of her brother losing his virginity, and way too obsessed with her own "celibacy". Like what even girl. Stop.

I actually loved this book, it gave Sex, Drugs, DEMONS, and Rock-N-Roll..
Loved the dark and dangerous feels of it.

4.5 Stars, would recommend for a fun ride ;)

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC.

Wow wow! This book was so much fun. Suck-U-Bus follows a brother and sister who are drawn into the myth of a metal band with a pact to feed a sex demon. This book draws on themes of satanic panic, possession, and generally being metal as hell. It has the feel of a more modern B-movie and doesn’t take itself too seriously.

4.5 stars.

The concept was amazing and I adored the first half of the book, but it didn't go at all in the direction that I expected. I thought there would be a connection between the succubus and Lisa's narcissistic ex, but the ending just felt so anti-climatic? I thought it would explore the themes of manipulation in a relationship, obsession, and grief in a deeper way. Disappointing.

I managed to get 41% in before DNFing... Not a horror. I'm not sure that I would class this as a New Adult either... The "horrific" things that happen are added more out of shock value, they add little to the plot. There's a heavy emphasis on s*x, which I absolutely knew was coming, what I didn't realize was the heavy "spiritual" references... I knew that it was going to be occult, demonic, possibly references to witchcraft or satanism.
What I didn't expect was the "virgins are the most pure/powerful and they lose their power after s*x."
Anything "s*xual" mentioned up to 41% had a vaguely shocked and debauchery undertone.
Also, why is the main character suggesting that every metalhead who wears "corpse paint" is dangerous/in a cult?
Up to this point a woman has died in a s*xual situation, and it was literally forgotten about 3 pages later. And the MC has witnessed a baby be born and then sacrificed... Neither seem important to the story... Neither built tension or suspense.

“I told you, besides listening to Dio, I’m not very magical.”

Making me nostalgic for my teenage metal scene self? Check. Mentioning Peter Steele’s Playgirl shoot? Check. Hot succubus that I imagined as Dead from Mayhem? Check. I mean… what more could you actually ask for?
This was just so self aware, funny, gory, and FUN. I loved it.
We follow Lisa and her brother, Danny. They are both metal heads, but Danny has found himself obsessed with a band called Suck-U-Bus. Legends surround this all female band, but the main one is that if you’re invited onto the tour bus after a show, you will be initiated with horny demon sex. But, that can’t be true… right? Demons don’t exist, but artists creating a crazy story to entice new fans do.
After one of the concerts, Danny is invited onto the tour bus. From there, Lisa has to decide if her brother’s strange behavior is just from getting laid, or getting laid by a literal demon.
A wild ride full of humor, terror, magick, and band references. Just read it. I PROMISE you won’t find yourself digging up old band posters and cds from your garage when you’re done…. PROMISE!!!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher who provided me with an ebook copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All of these thoughts and opinions are my own.