Michael B. Duff’s novel, Timothy’s Demon, is an enjoyable fusion of paranormal fantasy, Biblical myth, horror, and deviant Internet porn.

Set largely in 2058, self-proclaimed “computer geek” Tim Kovak, who is studying to be a database engineer at Boston University, receives something unexpected on his 25th birthday: A succubus in service to the Demon Prince Baalphezar informs him that not only does he have magic abilities, he comes from a bloodline that has bred some of the most powerful mages to ever live.

The problem, however, is that one of Tim’s ancestors essentially enslaved his heirs to a demon, who has used them for a variety of nefarious—and murderous—purposes. So, with a horned succubus named Lydia accompanying him, Tim must choose to accept the contract and become the demon’s thrall, or find a way to defeat the monster and free himself, and his future children, from hellish servitude.

Duff creates an ensemble cast of well-developed characters, from his superficial ex-girlfriend Judy to his boyhood hero Captain Cobalt. The pornbot Hazel-88, however, steals the show (and will hopefully be more of a presence in future installments). Additionally, the action sequences are impressively choreographed, and readers will find high intensity throughout.

The story has an everything-but-the-kitchen-sink feel. There’s a near-future Earth where magic exists, a murky backstory involving God and Satan abandoning the dimension and leaving humankind to their “seconds,” references to a multitude of mythological places (Asgard, Olympus, etc.), superheroes, interdimensional portals, alternate Earths, etc. Duff has created a sprawling backdrop on which Kovak can experience virtually limitless misadventures. Readers will likely overlook the plethora of elements in this novel, but in future installments, the author must begin putting some of these seemingly disparate puzzle pieces together to keep audiences onboard.

That said, fans of bestselling sagas like Richard Kadrey’s Sandman Slim books will find Timothy’s Demon’s dark humor and irreverent lead character highly entertaining: two (demon clawed) thumbs up.

Also available in hardcover and ebook.