A review by tillyj92
How to Become the Dark Lord and Die Trying by Django Wexler

adventurous dark funny 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? Yes

4.0

What a hilarious, wacky fantasy book, a mashup of Dungeons & Dragons and video games and causality paradoxes! I had a total blast reading this; from the first few pages I was tickled by the concept and along for the laugh-out-loud ride. 

Davi, a regular human from our regular world, is caught in a seemingly never-ending time loop in a fantasy land, one where she is apparently part of a prophecy to save the Kingdom from a Dark Lord. After hundreds of attempts to fulfil the prophecy, always eventually getting killed and ending up at the beginning all over again, Davi decides to try a new direction and become the Dark Lord herself. We follow her misadventures gathering her horde of minions and forging alliances; she may have the advantage of hundreds of lives in this world, but becoming the Dark Lord is no walk in the park.

I always enjoy when a comedic fantasy novel is self-aware, and the irreverent humour in this one really worked for me, but I think it could be hit or miss for others. I chuckled at all of the cheeky references, and it was fun being in Davi’s weird filthy little head. There were also some surprisingly heartfelt moments alongside all of the dirty jokes and pot twists, and I am eager to read the second book after that cliffhanger!

Thanks to Orbit Books and NetGalley for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!