Villains Rule

The Shadow Master, Book 1

By: M. K. Gibson

Narrated by: Jeffrey Kafer

Length: 9 hrs and 50 mins

Publisher's summary

Hi, how are you?

Yes, I am talking to you, the reader of this book's description. It's rude not to answer a person when they ask you a question. Okay, I get it, fourth-wall breaking is overdone. Get over it. This book, Villains Rule, is a fantasy action-comedy which you have to hear. Not because it redefines the genre, far from it. But rather for what it contains. A villain's tale.

How often do you get to listen to a story where the villain is the protagonist? No, not an anti-hero, or a brooding monster, nor a hero thinly disguised as a villain. And not evil. If you want evil, take that nonsense to therapy. No, I mean a villain's villain. The ones who use their power because they can, while morality is only a philosopher's complex.

This is the story of Jackson Blackwell, the Shadow Master and the top villain adviser. Sadly, even the top villain occasionally gets double-crossed. Trapped in one of the fantasy realms, Jackson has to use his skill and wits to exploit the rules, points out the genre flaws, undermine godly authority, and win the day.

Because that is what villains should do, shouldn't they? Listen to this book, have a few laughs, and find out.

©2017 Michael Gibson (P)2017 Michael Gibson

Great listen!

Interesting look into the villain’s side of the story. Great narrator as well, he gave each character a unique voice. I received a free review copy of this audiobook at my request and I have voluntarily left this review.

It's Good to be Bad...

...but useful to be good. Loved this book! If you've enjoyed any other humorous villains or anti-hero books, such as the D-List Supervillain series, you'll laugh your way through this. I'm trying hard to think of flaws, but honestly I had an awesome time listening all the way through. Some twists were excellent, a few were predictable, but they were built to well and based on hints offered throughout the work so they certainly didn't feel cheap. The homages to other popular fantasy series and tropes were like welcome Easter Eggs. I'd highly recommend this for anyone looking some to have a knowing grin and snarky laugh or ten while they listen.

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

Laugh Out Loud Moments

Jackson soon finds himself in a dungeon belonging to one of his clients. The dungeon can’t hold him for long though. Soon he escapes and sets about on a plan to extract his revenge. To do this he needs to align himself with people that he usually doesn’t associate with. Heroes.
In all genres of books, there are cliches. After all, there are only so many ways to say certain things. That’s why when something truly original, it’s immediately hailed as the future of whichever genre. And then immediately copied and eventually another cliche.
Villains Rule by MK Gibson is one of those different kinds of books. Yes, there are cliches and all the things you typically find in every fantasy book.

That being said, that is part of the wonderful, sarcastic humor that runs all throughout Villians Rule. Everything that you come to think of in the fantasy genre is poked fun at. There are lots of pop culture references. And, finally, someone who finally has the nerve to say what I’ve always thought about most fantasy elves. That they are the most arrogant creatures ever.

Villians Rule is one of the funniest books I have listened to in a long time. There are many laugh out moments. That being said, if you don’t like a sarcastic type of humor, this book probably isn’t for you. I think is one of those that you either get or don’t get. There’s not really any middle ground.

The production quality of Villians Rule is excellent. There are no mispronounced words, volume changes, or anything like that. Jefferey Kafer has a great voice for narration. He got the humor spot on and you really get a sense that you listening to a well-educated villain.
Overall, this was a very good book. Lots of laughs, lots of sarcasm. And most of everything you find in a fantasy book. But seeing those things through the eyes of a villain makes Villains Rule different from most fantasy books. If you enjoy a sarcastic type of humor, you’ll enjoy this book and have a really good laugh. I can’t wait to listen to the next book.

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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an interesting tale

an amazing and intriguing tale of the villainous kind. an excellent execution of a villains work in multiple realms. very well written. its full of funny remarks, suspense moments you dont see coming and twist and turns. a guaranteed great read.

the narration of the tale by jeffery kafer is once again done so well you feel like you are living in the story and not just listening to it. he makes your imagination take over and makes the tale become a real movie in your mind.*

Fantastic From Begining to End

Bought this on a lark and liked it so much - bought a hard copy too. The story is new and fresh and performance is very well done. Actually laughed out loud while listening.

It was okay

Mostly enjoyable, but not enough to return for more in the series. It's like listening to a standup comic who swears whenever a laugh is needed.

A Hilarious Take on Villainy

I'm not a big Fantasy fan, but when it comes to the ability to pick on yourself, the genre you're in, and the whole premise of most fantasy stories made this book pretty great in my opinion. In Villains Rule, Gibson was able to write a story that was entertaining and hilarious at the same time. I found myself laughing deep into the night listening to this trying to finish it.

The story itself follows a villain who is out there to help other villains be better villains (I know there are too many uses of the word villain in the last sentence).  Listening to the first chapter or two, I wasn't sure what I was getting myself into, but as I got into the story I totally fell for the pitch that Gibson was throwing. He was a great villain and becomes an... I won't ruin the story.

Honestly, I haven't laughed this hard at a book that wasn't directly billed as a comedy in a long time. Gibson's writing mixed with Kafers absolutely excellent performance made this one of the best books I've read this year.  The story itself was funny, tragic, and interesting from beginning to end. I didn't see a lot of the plot twists coming and it surprised me more than I was expecting.

Overall, Villains Rule is a book I won't likely forget for some time to come. Easily one of the top books I read in 2017 and probably one of the best fantasy books I've ever read since it's not a genre that I love.

Villains Rule has a little something for everyone. Kafer's performance really puts it over the top and makes it even more enjoyable. If you're a fantasy fan I think you'll enjoy the plot but you'll also like the digs at other fantasy stories and plotlines. If you like comedy you'll definitely chuckle and laugh throughout. If you enjoy fiction - this has lots of that too! But, seriously, this book could be enjoyed by anyone who likes a good story.

I was given a free copy of this book -- this has not affected my review in any way.

Wow... Um Okay... Wow

It's definitely a new take on the fantasy realm. I absolutely loved it! I'm warning you though. At least a dozen times I thought I knew what was about to happen. Not because I thought I saw them coming but simply because it's what EVERYONE expects... AND THEN JACK DOES SOMETHING THAT IS EXACTLY OPPOSITE OF THAT. You'll like it just expect the unexpected.
P.S. "Did you bring the knives?"
P.P.S. "Always."

You will buy this book and thank me later.

Do you enjoy a villain? How about the greatest villain of all time? Who also happens to break the fourth wall with sarcastic remarks? How about a good chuckle at the expense of fantasy tropes everywhere? This book is fun and enjoyable, sure you can see any twist coming a mile away. That’s the point. This book had me cracking up to the very end. I look forward to the rest of the books in the series. The narration of the book by Jeffrey Kafer was first rate and really brought the characters to life. I can imagine him recording this and cracking up between takes. Anyways buy this book, you will be happy you did.

Finally, a Good Villain Story

I've been searching for a good villain perspective story for a while and this one really fit the bill. This is a break all the rules, break the fourth wall and salt the earth that once held it type of book. It tells an engaging story, portrays a smart villain caught in a bind of his own making, and presents us with rules of villainy. it does all this while laughing at itself, its genre, the modern world, and even its own readers.

The story would not have been the same without the voice talents of Jeffrey Kafer, who really brought the part of Shadowmaster to life and embodied the rich sarcasm the book lathers on liberally.

This was the book I had been looking for and that I needed to listen to and It came through on all fronts.

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