The Tournament of Supervillainy

The Supervillainy Saga, Book 5

By: C.T. Phipps

Narrated by: Jeffrey Kafer

Length: 7 hrs and 20 mins

Publisher's summary

Gary Karkofsky, aka Merciless the supervillain without mercy, is presently the most disliked supervillain in the world. Superheroes don't want to just throw him in jail, they want to deliver an epic beat down for ending their golden age by killing Merciful, the superhero with mercy. His fellow supervillains aren't much better, either jealous of his success or loathing him for all the other baddies he's killed. Also, what's up with his wife, Mandy? She's been acting extra strange since getting her soul back (long story). That's when Gary receives an invitation to the Primal Fighting Tournament - an interdimensional contest involving all the universe's greatest warriors. The prize? A wish with no limitations. Gary can finally get on that world domination thing he's been putting off.

Unfortunately, Gary is competing against good and evil way above his league. Not only Gabrielle Anders, aka Ultragoddess, his former fiancée, but Entropicus, the Space God of Evil. Thankfully, Gary has allies from unexpected sources including Jane Doe, the protagonist of I was a Teenage Weredeer, G from Agent G, and Cassius Mass from Lucifer's Star.

©2018 Charles Phipps (P)2018 David N. Wilson

Good book but not for a general fan

At the beginning of the book the author does give a fair warning about references to his other works. Honestly I had never heard of the series so I’m sure their were many references I missed.

I do love all of his geek and nerd references. However the book is just good. It will not change literacy or even start of a genre. However it is a good read and seemed to pick back up some of the original spark the last one fell well short of.


Overall give the series a try and even if book four made you doubt this this one a try it is a solid read.

Gary is back! Woo-hoo!

I've been eating up this series from the first book, so I jumped at an opportunity to review the audiobook. Here's the disclaimer: I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review. I didn't expect to see a book 5 because I thought book 4 had wrapped up Gary's tales. Nice to see I was wrong.

Here's the deal about this story: Gary and crew (Cindy, Mandy, Diabloman, Gabrielle and others) from the previous books are back. This is almost a reboot of the series, or it's the place where the author finds his mojo again. As fun as superhero/supervillain tales can be, they can be a drain on creativity. So Phipps spins it in a new direction with this salute to Mortal Kombat, Street Fighter, and games of that sort.

We get the same intelligence, irreverence and cleverness that we've known in the previous books of the series, but here it's an everything goes in the multi-verse type thing. Basically, Phipps brings in characters from other book series he's written that are completely unrelated to this story and lets them play here. It works so well that now I want to get my ears on the Agent G and Jane Doe series. (A were-deer. Seriously? Turns out she's cool!)

Jeffrey Kafer's performance was as great as ever. He's a hard-working narrator with lots of titles I've enjoyed. Some of my favorite voices of his are Cindy's and Diabloman's. Even though he's got a vast audiography, he excels with scifi/fantasy titles.

Bottom line: A good story to start fresh with Gary/Merciless, but I do recommend going back to the beginning. The other books are just fun. For those who love their leads witty and snarky and who don't mind their bad guys doing good. This is why Gary is the best anti-villain.

Looking forward to book 6.

Multiple universes merge heroes and villains

C.T. Phipps has taken Merciless (Gary Karkofsky) and dropped him on an Island to fight against superheroes and supervillains from other worlds. Integrating characters from his other books, Jane Doe and Agent G and Cassius Mass, they come together with Merciless to fight in the Primal Fighting Tournament to protect the existence of the multi-universe. Now Gary must determine the reason behind the tournament and what Entropicus, the Space God of Evil, stands to gain. What’s the real reason behind the tournament and what wish should Gary ask for?

I enjoyed the combining of characters from a variety of Phipps books. Phipps masterfully integrated the characters into an interesting and action-packed book. Blending the characters into one story was innovative and exciting. The dialog was well done and realistic.

Jeffrey Kafer’s performance is magnificent! As a narrator, he moves the story along with his voice and enthusiasm. His cadence is perfect and he brings the book to life. Love to hear him perform, he has skills that draw the listener in and keeps them engaged in the story.

There were no issues with the audio quality or production of the book. It was well done, no issues at all.

Audiobook was provided for review by the author/narrator/publisher.
Please find this complete review and many others at my review blog.
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What a ride! Thoroughly enjoyed this crossover event.

Phipps is that rare storyteller who can juggle multiple series with independent themes and characters. He produces engaging, entertaining plots and arcs within each individual book and throughout each series.
With “Tournaments”, he has brought some favorite characters from around the CT Phipps multiverse together for an epic battle. The lines between hero and villain are blurred, new alliances are formed, and there are moments of loss and sorrow amongst the victories and sarcastic quips. This was an excellent addition to my library. I look forward to hi future projects.
Specific to the audiobook: Excellent performance by Jeffrey Kafer, bringing to life the huge cast of characters!

4 out of 5 stars

The reason I gave this book 4 stars instead of 5 is that I have not listened to the previous 4 books. I will go back on and listen to the previous 4 books and maybe change my rating to a 5 later on. I really liked the villains in the story, especially Merciless. He's an A#1 smartass that knows how to push other peoples buttons.

"I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review."

A story of constant change!

Stated laughing from the introduction to end of story. UAnnunciations were clear and professional.
Has a surprisingly funny/ good ending

I truly love this series!

Seriously, its like I'm reading dessert lol. Sarcasm, wit, bad puns, these stories have it all!!

another great story!

well developed characters that while the author shamelessly "borrows" from other works and micks multiple generes openly, manages to still be unique and thrilling.

can't wait for many more in the series to come!

Awesome

loved it an Awesome addition to the series looking forward for the next one .

hurray!

thought this series had ended. I'm glad it wasn't. Love the 80's pop cultural references, and yes the song is now stuck in my head. loved, laughed, and can't wait for the next one.

Great crossover story

Wow wow wow wow wow

Snark and plot twists and turns.

Thoroughly enjoyed this story.

Just when you think it is all over

Oh wow! Just when you think the series might be coming to an end the author throws a twist at you and leaves you on a cliff hanger, I think this is just to see if you are still awake, as if anybody wouldn't be have listening this this book. I loved it and am off to start the next book. The reason I loved it is because of the characters and with this book you get plenty of those, including characters from the authors other series. I have listened to one but not the other but that doesn't matter with the enjoyment of this book, unless it makes you want to see what the other series are like (arh a dastardly plan there worthy of Merciless). There is plenty of action, film references (not being a geek I didn't always get them) and wit that keeps you listening until the end and I hope there is still a lot books for Merciless and the gang, if any one is left.
Gary Aka Merciless is asked by death to be her champion in a Primal fighting tournament. The prize is the ultimate wish. The down side is, it is to the death and with the tournament master making up the rules to suit himself, Gary will have to go up against gods , super hero's and super villains stronger than himself. He also faces the prospect that he isn't a very good super villain, will he survive long enough to become a super hero? He has saved the world a number of times now it's time to save the megaverse.
I author is excellent, he captures the wit of this series perfectly and makes you forget that just one person is reading it.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

“FIGHT!”

Brilliant! Mr Phipps manages to write some of the best and funniest books I’ve come across. Filed to the brim with his trademark snark, wit and sarcasm and overflowing with magic and action. I love how his characters are so self-aware and have no misgivings about their flawed logic! Everything about these books make me smile!
Jeffrey is the perfect narrator to pair with Charles and pulls of the characters brilliantly. He perfectly captures the attitudes and personalities of the characters and has the perfect flow and pacing for all the Scenarios Charles throws at him!
Literally anything by the Phipps-Kafer Partnership Incorporated TM Company is worth handing over all your money. Go buy it now!
This is my honest opinion on a free review copy.

supervillainy is ok

another great story from a great author. however I do hate cliffhangers but this is ok. I look forward to what happens next.