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joris's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
dirthmergl's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
macoles's review
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
cfb49's review
adventurous
dark
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
ajwelch29's review
adventurous
funny
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
booksarebetter's review against another edition
2.0
After thinking about this book for months and seeing YouTubers Daniel Greens video, I realized that I hated reading this book. Now, I will give credit, that cover is outstanding. Easily the best cover for 2023! But the book itself was reading like a child attempting to mimic humor and while I enjoyed the talking cats, the rest of it fell flat, I couldn't stand Charlie, and the villains were actually? Rather pitiful.
I've had this book in mind since I read it a few months ago. It's an interesting premise and I wish I was a Scalzi fan, however, the characters were flat, one dimension boring villains. Even Charlie's uncle just tells him that he wasn't expecting anything of him. And I can see why.
I don't know that I'm going to pick up anything else by Scalzi. I know he's a beloved writer in the sci-fi genre, and I respect that. But this book was annoying, over the top, and absolutely pitifully lame in terms of villainy.
Apologies to the fans.
Rated: 1.5 ⭐ rounded up to two for the cover.
I've had this book in mind since I read it a few months ago. It's an interesting premise and I wish I was a Scalzi fan, however, the characters were flat, one dimension boring villains. Even Charlie's uncle just tells him that he wasn't expecting anything of him. And I can see why.
I don't know that I'm going to pick up anything else by Scalzi. I know he's a beloved writer in the sci-fi genre, and I respect that. But this book was annoying, over the top, and absolutely pitifully lame in terms of villainy.
Apologies to the fans.
Rated: 1.5 ⭐ rounded up to two for the cover.
deedireads's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
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
4.5
All my review live at https://deedireads.com/.
As you would expect of a book with a cat wearing a suit on the cover, and as you would expect from John Scalzi in general, this book was a HELL of a good time. What a quick, fun read!!
Starter Villain is basically Despicable Me for adults. The main character finds out he’s inherited his estranged uncle’s villain business, complete with a spy network of hyperintelligent cats, a volcano lair, and a workforce of foul-mouthed, class-conscious unionized dolphins (they were my favorite). Then he finds out that all the other villains have it in for him, and he has to rely on his uncle’s team to help him outwit them all. WHAT’S NOT TO LIKE?
Truly, I could not have had a better time reading this book. The pacing was great (I read it in a day), the voice was great, the cats were great — just great all around. The perfect lighthearted read to squeeze in between heavier and/or thicker tomes. Highly recommend.
As you would expect of a book with a cat wearing a suit on the cover, and as you would expect from John Scalzi in general, this book was a HELL of a good time. What a quick, fun read!!
Starter Villain is basically Despicable Me for adults. The main character finds out he’s inherited his estranged uncle’s villain business, complete with a spy network of hyperintelligent cats, a volcano lair, and a workforce of foul-mouthed, class-conscious unionized dolphins (they were my favorite). Then he finds out that all the other villains have it in for him, and he has to rely on his uncle’s team to help him outwit them all. WHAT’S NOT TO LIKE?
Truly, I could not have had a better time reading this book. The pacing was great (I read it in a day), the voice was great, the cats were great — just great all around. The perfect lighthearted read to squeeze in between heavier and/or thicker tomes. Highly recommend.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Murder, and Death
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Terminal illness
mizpurplest's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
jadertots1's review
Because I sabotaged myself and accepted the loan from Libby before finishing my last book... I definitely want to try and finish it though! This book is a silly, goofy time and the niche Chicagoland references are on point.