You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Scan barcode
pvp_niki's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and Classism
Moderate: Gun violence, Sexism, Violence, and Death of parent
Minor: Cancer, Suicide, and Terminal illness
smitchy's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
So this was entertaining but I am glad it was a borrow from the Library, not a buy.
When Charlie, ex-journalist and currently underpaid substitute teacher, gets told his wealthy uncle has passed away he is surprised that he is even being notified. He hasn't seen his uncle since he was 5-years old, when Charlie's mum died and his father and uncle had a 'falling out'. Attending the funeral as a representative of the family, Charlie is shocked that every "mourner" attending is just making sure his uncle is actually dead and are equipped to ensure he stays that way, just in case.
It turns out Charlie's uncle wasn't just a parking-garage tycoon after all. He was, in the words of his very efficient assistant a "Villain". Just like in a Bond film, complete with cat to stroke while attempting to take over the world.
The idea is fun, the plot is convoluted in mostly good ways, but ultimately I don't feel this is a memorable story. It's one I feel could have had more potential, more Oomph. In many ways Charlie is the least interesting character we meet. As a drop-in he is the perfect vehicle to introduce us to this high-tech, cat-managed world but literally everyone seems more nuanced and fascinating. I would love a story from the perspective of Til, or any of the cats for that matter!
If you want the campness of early Bond movies (happily without the sexism / racism that they are rife with) and all the ridiculousness that those villains come with this is the book for you. As it is, I am glad I read it, but I will probably have forgotten it in 6 months.
When Charlie, ex-journalist and currently underpaid substitute teacher, gets told his wealthy uncle has passed away he is surprised that he is even being notified. He hasn't seen his uncle since he was 5-years old, when Charlie's mum died and his father and uncle had a 'falling out'. Attending the funeral as a representative of the family, Charlie is shocked that every "mourner" attending is just making sure his uncle is actually dead and are equipped to ensure he stays that way, just in case.
It turns out Charlie's uncle wasn't just a parking-garage tycoon after all. He was, in the words of his very efficient assistant a "Villain". Just like in a Bond film, complete with cat to stroke while attempting to take over the world.
The idea is fun, the plot is convoluted in mostly good ways, but ultimately I don't feel this is a memorable story. It's one I feel could have had more potential, more Oomph. In many ways Charlie is the least interesting character we meet. As a drop-in he is the perfect vehicle to introduce us to this high-tech, cat-managed world but literally everyone seems more nuanced and fascinating. I would love a story from the perspective of Til, or any of the cats for that matter!
If you want the campness of early Bond movies (happily without the sexism / racism that they are rife with) and all the ridiculousness that those villains come with this is the book for you. As it is, I am glad I read it, but I will probably have forgotten it in 6 months.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder
jenn_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
This was delightful!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gun violence and Murder
Minor: Death of parent
Arsonhawksquill's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Violence, Death of parent, and Murder
briophyta's review against another edition
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Charlie is excruciatingly obnoxious, so much so that I almost returned the book to the library within the first few chapters. None of the people in this are really likeable or interesting, except all the talking critters 😍 who are way smarter, more interesting, entertaining, class conscious than any of the humans. Those were the parts I did enjoy. It was very satisfying when the dolphins were hurling insults at Charlie and telling him to shut the fuck up, because that was also what I was doing the whole book. My eyes hurt from rolling so much. Normally Scalzi manages to pull off the sarcastic humor, but this one was a miss s and overall just not as pleasant or rewarding as what I expect from Scalzi. I know he was in COVID brain fog while writing this though, so it's understandable that this feels more disjointed than normal. There were parts of this and a few cha acters I loved, but mostly it was just fine.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Cursing, Death, Slavery, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Suicide and Terminal illness
Minor: Animal cruelty, Cancer, Car accident, War, and Pandemic/Epidemic
purplepenning's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, and Murder
Moderate: Violence, Death of parent, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Cancer and Terminal illness
whirl's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Murder
abookwormspov's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Very ridiculous and extremely endearing!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Violence, and Murder
hwesta's review
3.5
Light and silly but overall didn't grab me. Definitely some stuff to catch on the second read if I wanted, now that I know the bug reveals
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Murder
Moderate: Death of parent
instalovewithbooks's review against another edition
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
5.0
I started Starter Villian because of my book club, and I'm so glad I did. This book wasn't on my radar AT ALL. I didn't even know who John Scalzi was. 😂
Honestlyyyy this book was freaking amazing. Super interesting, wholesome, cosy in a way, and I loved the characters, the storyline, and the ending especially. Wanted to cry a lil.
Overall, a great book. I can't wait to talk about it with my book club.
Also, I want a vase that says "suck it motherfucker" please.
Honestlyyyy this book was freaking amazing. Super interesting, wholesome, cosy in a way, and I loved the characters, the storyline, and the ending especially. Wanted to cry a lil.
Overall, a great book. I can't wait to talk about it with my book club.
Also, I want a vase that says "suck it motherfucker" please.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence and Murder
Minor: Death of parent