“I was a succubus. It was what I did. I was good at it, and I was proud of it.”
— Georgina reflecting on her identity and profession early in the book.
Archivist's Choice
Succubus Blues
Richelle Mead (2007)
Genre
Fantasy / Romance
Reading Time
343 min
Key Themes
See below
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A Seattle succubus balances her soul-sucking job with an unrequited mortal crush, finding her infernal afterlife complicated by a sinister plot brewing in the city's supernatural underbelly.
Synopsis
Georgina Kincaid is a succubus in Seattle, working at a bookstore and wanting human writer Seth Mortensen. Her life as an immortal demon is complicated because physical intimacy with a human drains their life force, making a normal relationship with Seth impossible. However, her romantic problems are set aside when strange attacks begin targeting Seattle's demon community, draining their powers and leaving them vulnerable. Georgina and her supernatural friends, including a vampire, an imp, and a satyr, investigate these events. They discover the attacks are linked to an old entity known as a Reaper, a creature from a forgotten plane that feeds on supernatural beings. As the attacks increase and even her friends become targets, Georgina must navigate the politics of both Heaven and Hell, who are equally confused and threatened by this new enemy. She forms a dangerous alliance with an unlikely supernatural being to confront the Reaper, uncovering its true nature and its connection to a larger, cosmic threat. Ultimately, Georgina and her allies defeat the Reaper, but not without sacrifices. Afterward, Georgina deals with the lingering threats and the challenge of her relationship with Seth, finding a fragile hope for a future that balances her demonic nature with her human desires.
Reading time
343 min
Difficulty
Easy
Pacing
Moderate
Mood
Humorous, Romantic, Suspenseful, Urban
✓ Read this if...
You enjoy urban fantasy with a snarky, relatable protagonist, a unique take on supernatural creatures, and a blend of romance, mystery, and action.
✗ Skip this if...
You prefer high fantasy without modern settings, or if you dislike urban fantasy that blends humor with darker themes.
Plot Summary
A Day in the Life of a Succubus
Georgina Kincaid, a succubus in Seattle, works at a local bookstore, living her immortal life among humans. She has a strong, unrequited crush on Seth Mortensen, a handsome fantasy author who often visits the store. Her succubus nature means any physical intimacy with a mortal man would accidentally drain his life force, making a normal relationship impossible. She regularly meets with other immortal friends: Roman, an incubus; Hugh, a demon; and Misha, a devil. Her boss, Doug, is a kind human who does not know Georgina's true nature. This beginning shows Georgina's dual existence, her desire for a normal life, and the limits of her powers.
Mysterious Demonic Attacks
The peaceful, if complicated, life of Seattle's demon community is disturbed by a series of unusual attacks. Demons are found badly wounded, their powers weakened, and their memories broken. The attacks are unlike anything Georgina or her old friends have seen, suggesting a new and powerful entity. Misha, a powerful devil, is especially worried, as these attacks threaten the delicate power balance in the supernatural underworld. Georgina feels she must get involved, not just for her friends but out of a growing sense of responsibility for her community, despite usually preferring a quiet life.
Seth Mortensen and the First Date
Seth Mortensen asks Georgina on a date, causing her excitement and worry. She badly wants a relationship with him but knows the terrible results of succubus intimacy. During their date, she carefully avoids physical contact, subtly turning away his attempts to get closer. Their conversation is good, and Georgina finds herself liking Seth's intelligence and charm more. However, the constant internal fight to keep her distance is painful. This date shows the main conflict of Georgina's life: her desire for human connection versus the destructive nature of her succubus abilities.
The Vanishing of Roman
The attacks become more frequent, and Georgina's close friend, Roman, an incubus, is a victim. He is found very weak, his memories of the attack broken and his powers greatly drained. This event deeply affects Georgina, as Roman is one of her oldest and most trusted companions. His vulnerability highlights how serious the threat is and makes Georgina investigate more. She feels a personal duty to find out who is behind these attacks, realizing that if a strong incubus like Roman can be targeted, no demon is truly safe. His condition strengthens her resolve to act.
Seeking Answers from Hell
With the threat growing, Georgina and Misha decide to talk with higher-ranking devils in the infernal hierarchy, specifically her direct superior, the powerful devil Erik. They hope to learn about the attacker or any similar past events. Erik, a strong and old devil, says the attacks are indeed unusual and not typical demon-on-demon violence. He offers limited help, hinting at old prophecies and a growing instability in the balance between Heaven and Hell. This talk confirms the supernatural origin of the attacks and the chance of a larger, more important conflict.
The Nature of the Attacker Revealed
Through her investigations and Misha's research, Georgina learns the true nature of their attackers: Reapers. These are powerful, old beings who feed on the essence of immortal souls, not just mortal ones. Their existence is seen as an anomaly, a forgotten or denied part of the supernatural world. The realization that they are facing Reapers frightens Georgina and her friends, as these creatures are far more dangerous and less understood than any demon or angel. This discovery raises the stakes, turning a local problem into a potentially world-changing threat.
A Dangerous Alliance
Realizing the unprecedented danger from the Reapers, Misha suggests they need to form an unlikely alliance with Heaven. Georgina is given the task of approaching an angel, Kiyo, a powerful and old being with whom she has a complicated past. Kiyo is at first dismissive and wary of working with a succubus, but Georgina's persistence and the clear threat of the Reapers eventually convince him. Their uneasy alliance shows the desperate situation, as old animosities between Heaven and Hell are set aside for a common enemy. This forms a fragile and potentially unstable partnership.
A Trap for the Reaper
Working together, Georgina and Kiyo create a risky plan to lure one of the Reapers into a trap. They use Georgina's succubus aura as bait, knowing her unique energy will attract the soul-eating entity. The plan is dangerous, as Georgina will be very vulnerable during the encounter. Kiyo provides angelic wards and protection, while Georgina prepares herself mentally for the fight. This scene shows Georgina's bravery and willingness to put herself in danger for the greater good, solidifying her role as a leader in the fight against the Reapers.
Confrontation and Revelation
The trap is set, and Georgina confronts a Reaper. The battle is fierce, testing her limits and Kiyo's angelic powers. During the fight, Georgina uses her succubus abilities not just to fight, but to understand the Reaper. She discovers that these creatures are not evil but are twisted, corrupted remnants of forgotten angels, cast out and left to feed on souls. This discovery adds tragedy and complexity to the conflict, challenging Georgina's simple view of good and evil, and suggesting a deeper, older injustice at play in the cosmos.
The Reckoning with Heaven and Hell
With the truth about the Reapers' origins, Georgina, with Kiyo and Misha's support, confronts the higher powers of both Heaven and Hell. She exposes the old cover-up and demands they take responsibility for their forgotten creations. The revelation causes a big upset, forcing both sides to admit their shared fault. This confrontation shows Georgina's strength and moral compass, as she refuses to let the cosmic powers ignore the results of their past actions, ultimately preparing the way for a more unified front against the remaining Reaper threat.
A Glimmer of Hope with Seth
Amidst the supernatural chaos, Georgina makes a breakthrough in her personal life. Guided by the unique circumstances of the Reaper conflict, she discovers a way to be physically intimate with Seth without draining his soul. This involves a rare magical item or a temporary change to her succubus nature, allowing her to experience a normal kiss and embrace without fatal consequences. This development offers Georgina hope for a future with Seth, showing that her succubus nature does not have to define or limit her capacity for love and connection.
New Beginnings and Lingering Threats
The main Reaper threat is gone, and a fragile peace is restored, though with lingering questions and problems. Georgina continues her bookstore job, but her view has changed. Her relationship with Seth is slowly progressing, though the long-term effects of their unique situation are still unclear. The alliances made between Heaven and Hell are weak, suggesting future conflicts. Georgina has grown a lot, accepting her role in the supernatural world while still wanting some normalcy. The ending hints that while one battle is won, the complexities of her immortal life and the cosmic balance will continue to bring new challenges.
Principal Figures
Georgina Kincaid
The Protagonist
Georgina evolves from a succubus trying to blend in and avoid trouble to a courageous leader who confronts ancient cosmic injustices and finds a path toward a fulfilling personal life.
Seth Mortensen
The Love Interest
Seth remains largely consistent in his human nature, serving as a catalyst for Georgina's emotional growth and her desire for a different kind of life.
Misha
The Supporting
Misha supports Georgina's development, acting as a constant source of wisdom and strength.
Roman
The Supporting
Roman's suffering highlights the danger of the Reapers and reinforces the bonds of friendship within the demon community.
Kiyo
The Supporting
Kiyo moves from being an adversarial figure to a reluctant, then effective, ally, demonstrating the potential for cooperation across cosmic divides.
Erik
The Supporting
Erik serves as a gatekeeper of knowledge and power, pushing Georgina to prove herself worthy of understanding larger cosmic truths.
Hugh
The Supporting
Hugh remains a steadfast friend, his character primarily serving to flesh out Georgina's social circle.
Doug
The Mentioned
Doug's character remains unchanged, serving as a symbol of the human world Georgina strives to protect and belong to.
Themes & Insights
The Burden of Immortality and the Desire for Normalcy
Georgina Kincaid constantly struggles with the limits and loneliness her succubus nature and eternal life create. She wants a 'normal' human life, a steady job, and a loving relationship with Seth Mortensen, but her powers make such a life seem impossible. This theme shows in her ordinary bookstore job, her careful avoidance of physical intimacy with Seth, and her internal thoughts about how unfair her existence is. The Reaper attacks force her to face her immortal duties, but her main desire for normalcy remains a strong motivation.
“How many mortals had I accidentally killed over the centuries? How many had I drained, then fallen in love with, only to watch them wither and die? Too many.”
Love, Sacrifice, and Forbidden Touch
The main romantic conflict is Georgina's love for Seth and the danger of her succubus touch. She is drawn to him but knows that any physical intimacy would kill him. This forces her into constant self-sacrifice, denying her deepest desires to protect the man she loves. This theme explores how true love sometimes requires great personal cost and the struggle to find a way for love to exist despite seemingly impossible obstacles. The eventual discovery allowing her to touch Seth highlights the power of this theme.
“He was everything I wanted, everything I couldn't have. A single touch, a single kiss, and he would be gone.”
Identity and Self-Acceptance
Georgina spends much of the book trying to reconcile her demonic nature with her human hopes. She often sees her succubus identity as a curse, something that stops her from living a full life. The story's events, especially her fight against the Reapers and her alliance with Kiyo, force her to accept her unique powers and responsibilities. By the end, she begins to accept that her succubus nature is a part of who she is, and that it can be used for good, leading to a more complete sense of self. This journey is important for her growth.
“I was a succubus, a demon from Hell. But I was also Georgina Kincaid, a bookstore clerk who loved white chocolate mochas and a certain human author.”
The Blurred Lines of Good and Evil
The novel questions traditional ideas of good and evil by showing a succubus protagonist with a strong moral compass and an angel who is at first judgmental and strict. The discovery that the Reapers are corrupted angels further blurs these lines, suggesting that 'good' and 'evil' are not always clear and that even celestial beings can fall. Georgina's alliance with Kiyo, an angel, and Misha, a devil, shows that cooperation across traditional divides is possible and sometimes necessary. This theme encourages a complex understanding of morality and character.
“Heaven and Hell. Angels and demons. It was all just labels, wasn't it? When you got down to it, we were all just trying to survive.”
Responsibility and Consequences
The overall plot of the Reapers' existence comes from an old, forgotten act of irresponsibility by both Heaven and Hell. Georgina and her friends must deal with the results of this cosmic mistake. This theme shows that actions, even old ones, have lasting effects, and that ignoring problems only lets them get worse. Georgina, despite wanting a quiet life, steps up to take responsibility, forcing the higher powers to admit their own fault and eventually finding a solution for a problem they created.
“Some mistakes, even divine ones, came back to haunt you.”
Plot Devices & Literary Techniques
The Succubus's Touch/Curse
Georgina's unique ability to drain life force through physical intimacy.
This device is central to Georgina's character and the romantic plot. Her succubus nature means that any physical contact, particularly intimate ones, with a mortal man will drain his life force, eventually leading to death. This creates an insurmountable barrier between Georgina and Seth, fueling her internal conflict and the longing for normalcy. It serves as the primary obstacle to her personal happiness and drives her to seek a solution, ultimately leading to a breakthrough that allows for physical connection without harm. This device is both a source of power and a tragic limitation.
Ancient Prophecies and Forgotten Lore
Mysterious, often cryptic, knowledge about the supernatural world.
The existence of the Reapers and their origins are rooted in ancient prophecies and forgotten lore that the higher powers of Heaven and Hell have tried to suppress or ignore. This device allows for the slow unveiling of critical plot information, often revealed through Misha's research or Erik's cryptic hints. It adds a layer of mystery and depth to the supernatural world, suggesting that there are forces and histories far older and more complex than initially understood. It also serves to elevate the stakes, as the Reapers' existence challenges the established cosmic order.
The Unlikely Alliance
The forced cooperation between traditionally adversarial forces (Heaven and Hell).
The threat of the Reapers is so severe that it forces Georgina, a succubus (representing Hell), to forge an alliance with Kiyo, an angel (representing Heaven). This device is crucial for overcoming the powerful common enemy, as neither side can defeat the Reapers alone. It highlights the theme of blurred lines between good and evil and demonstrates that cooperation is sometimes necessary despite deep-seated animosities. The tension and distrust within this alliance add complexity and humor to the narrative, while ultimately proving its effectiveness.
The Mundane Cover/Day Job
Georgina's human job at a bookstore as a disguise for her immortal life.
Georgina's job at the bookstore serves as a crucial plot device to ground her character in the human world she longs to be a part of. It provides a stark contrast to her supernatural existence and allows her to interact with humans like Seth and Doug without immediately revealing her true nature. This mundane setting emphasizes her desire for normalcy and highlights the difficulty of maintaining a secret identity. It also provides a convenient meeting place for her and Seth, setting the stage for their burgeoning romance.
Critical analysis
Notable Quotes
“Being immortal isn't all it's cracked up to be. You get a lot of time to mess things up.”
— Georgina musing on the downsides of her eternal existence.
“Love was a drug, and I was an addict. The problem was, I was also the dealer.”
— Georgina's internal struggle with her feelings for Seth and her succubus nature.
“Sometimes the greatest power is not to use it.”
— A moment of wisdom or restraint for Georgina regarding her abilities.
“Life had a funny way of throwing curveballs, especially when you were immortal and trying to live a normal life.”
— Georgina's general observation about the difficulties of balancing her two worlds.
“My job was to steal energy, not hearts. But sometimes, they got tangled.”
— Georgina acknowledging the emotional complications her work often brings.
“You can't outrun your past, especially when your past has fangs and a grudge.”
— Georgina dealing with consequences or figures from her long history.
“The hardest part about being a succubus wasn't the feeding; it was the loneliness.”
— Georgina expressing the emotional toll of her existence.
“Every immortal had a story, and most of them were tragic in one way or another.”
— Georgina reflecting on the shared experiences of her immortal acquaintances.
“It was amazing how much trouble a few good intentions could cause.”
— Georgina observing how even well-meaning actions can lead to complications.
“Sometimes, the devil you knew was better than the one you didn't.”
— Georgina weighing familiar dangers against unknown ones.
“A good book was always a welcome escape, even when you were technically already living a fantasy.”
— Georgina finding solace in reading amidst her supernatural life.
“Trust was a fragile thing, especially when you had a secret that could shatter worlds.”
— Georgina grappling with the challenges of trust in her relationships, particularly with Seth.
“Being a succubus was more than just sex; it was about connection, even if it was fleeting.”
— Georgina explaining the deeper, often overlooked, aspect of her abilities.
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Key Questions (FAQ)
Georgina's main conflict stems from her succubus requirement to absorb life force, often souls, through physical contact, which prevents her from pursuing a normal romantic relationship with Seth Mortensen. If she were to touch Seth in a way that would satisfy her succubus needs, she would inadvertently drain his life force, potentially killing him or severely harming him, thus making a conventional relationship impossible.
About the author
Biography coming soon.
