Starter Villain
Ratings359
Average rating4.1
DNF @ 50%
Very quirky, hitchhikers guide-esque book about a guy taking over his uncle's company and trying to become a super villain. Not really vibing with it, too quirky for me.
I enjoy the blend of sci-fi, humor and warmth found in a John Scalzi novel. While not necessarily laugh out loud funny, it does a nice job of turning the "supervillain" genre on it's head. There's some great one liners and how cats fit into the story universe is pretty cool. There's enough plot and twists to move the story along brisky. Plus, the resolution is solid and - warm. Not an earth shaking tale nor a story which will linger with you, yet it
This was a fun one. If you're a fan of Scalzi's style you'll probably like it.
It is, simultaneously, entirely predictable and entirely unpredictable. Definitely a "mystery box" storytelling approach. Normally I would be more critical of that, but I was told going into it to just sit back and enjoy it, and so I did.
And you should too. This book won't change your world, but it'll make you smile, and sometimes that's exactly the right book.
I read nearly all of it with my cat sitting on my lap, which was doubly pleasant, and I highly recommend doing if you can.
Imagine being bequeathed your uncle's supervillain empire—sounds cool, right? Prepare for undersea lairs, an army of minions, and a globe-trotting game of ‘who-wants-you-gone.' But the real twist? The top brass are tech-savvy cats that hold board meetings. Yup, you read that right!
Starter Villain? Hands down, the most delightful misadventure I've delved into this year. From sentient feline bosses to dolphins with agendas, and that quintessential villainous volcano lair, it's a rollicking romp that had me side-eyeing my own cat, wondering about her double life. Bursting with humor and lightheartedness, it's a one-sit, chuckle-a-minute, sci-fi frolic. Dive in and thank me later!
Scalzi is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors. loved this book. fast paced, great characters, loved the cats.oved the ending.
definitely recommend
While the synopsis of this book makes it sound like it's action-packed, a large part of the novel is pretty mundane as our main character Charlie learns about his uncle's supervillain business. Despite this, Scalzi manages to find humor and entertainment in something that sounds very dull.
There is action at some point and it's worth getting through the beginning. Even better, the ending is surprisingly heartwarming for being about a guy inheriting a supervillain business.
Along the way, there are some small chuckles to be had and writing that is very easy to read.
Great book to pass the time and would recommend!
Because of the content and themes is may not be suitable for the younger end of the young adult readers. There is murder, mayhem, alluded sexual acts and over the top humour. Oh there are cats also. Quick, fun read, though there is comments about the treatment and abuse of women and the consumer society. Oh yes greed.
Nice, quite a quick read. Also surprisingly funny occasionally. :) To my surprise I enjoyed the animal encounters, and rather liked the cats.
“Starter Villain” never takes itself too seriously, resulting in a delightful, breezy, and clever narrative.
Deuxième livre de Scalzi que je lis (Après KPS) et j'adore toujours autant (<3 sur les dauphins !). Ça se lit vite, ça se lit bien et j'ai pris un grand plaisir à suivre la nouvelle vie un peu mouvementée de Charlie qui doit apprendre à vivre dans un univers très différent de son quotidien.
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Second book by Scalzi that I read (after KPS) and I still love it as much (<3 on the dolphins!). It's a quick read, it's a good read and I really enjoyed following Charlie's new, slightly eventful life as he has to learn to live in a world very different from his everyday life.
This book has a pretty fun, easy to follow plot. Not my favorite thing ever but it kept me fairly engaged during a long drive. I am absolutely not sold on Wil Wheaton as a narrator though. Some horrendous accent work and barely distinguishable voices made this fairly tough to understand at times. Will definitely be staying away from anything further that he narrates.
“[b:Starter Villain 61885029 Starter Villain John Scalzi https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1683564155l/61885029.SY75.jpg 97563902]” by [a:John Scalzi 4763 John Scalzi https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1724435824p2/4763.jpg] is a light, fast-paced read filled with Scalzi's characteristic wit and humour. I approached the book expecting an entertaining romp, but unfortunately, while it had moments of genuine charm, it often felt too shallow and predictable to leave a lasting impact. It's a story that adheres closely to a wish-fulfilment fantasy setup — a relatively ordinary protagonist finds himself embroiled in a world of supervillains, talking cats, and evil corporations. However, the execution falls a bit flat.Scalzi's success with the Old Man's War series and Redshirts lies in his ability to blend humour with substance, and in comparison, Starter Villain seems to lack the depth and complexity of his earlier works. The novel is full of zany situations, but it all feels rather surface-level, with little emotional heft or character development. Even with its quick pacing, the stakes never felt particularly high, and I found myself detached from the outcome.That said, Scalzi's humour shines through, and there are definitely laugh-out-loud moments. A particularly amusing element is the talking cats, who inject a level of absurdity that I imagine would appeal to fans of Scalzi's quirkier side. Moreover, the dialogue crackles with the same snappy back-and-forth that readers have come to expect from the author.Ultimately, Starter Villain is one of those books that's easy to pick up and put down. It's fun in the moment, but for readers who crave something with more complexity or deeper world-building, it might not be the offering that best represents Scalzi's talents.Three out of five stars.Blog Facebook Twitter Mastodon Instagram Pinterest Medium Matrix TumblrCeterum censeo Putin esse delendam
This was such a funny laugh out loud read. I enjoyed this book so much. I read lots of sci-fi and fantasy books that are more serious reads, and this was just light hearted and entertaining. I could definitely see this on film someday. I’d recommend this twice if I could.
Well this ended up being another read it one night book. After kaiju I was worried that my preferred style or his writing style had changed enough to not have that level of interest anymore, but just like get fuzzy, old man's war, agent to the stars, I just didn't stop reading.. then it was 3am and over.
It's a return to his very rapid back and forth dialog and snarky characters and I'm all here for it.
I think personally would have preferred a different ending, but enjoyed it none the less.
I initially read an eARC of this, and loved it! I love the audiobook read by Wil Wheaton even more!
TL;DR: Starter Villain is classic John Scalzi, an enjoyable, light-hearted romp filled with humor, quirky characters, and engaging storytelling. It’s a feel-good read that’s perfect for when you need just that "right" something.
Food Rating: If Starter Villain were a food, it would be a warm, freshly baked chocolate chip cookie with a cold glass of milk. Sweet, comforting, and exactly what you need to make the day.
Starter Villain delivered everything I have come to love about Scalzi's work: sharp wit, absurd yet clever premises, and a brisk pace that keeps the story moving. We follow an everyman protagonist who unexpectedly inherits a shadowy villainous empire, complete with cat operatives and eccentric henchpeople (dont get me started on the dolphins). Scalzi’s trademark humor shines as the protagonist navigates both the hilarious and the dangerous aspects of his new role.
The plot doesn’t aim to reinvent the wheel, but that’s part of its charm. It’s a self-aware story that embraces its over-the-top premise with gusto, delivering laugh-out-loud moments and genuine heart. Scalzi’s writing is crisp and accessible, making this an easy, breezy read that doesn’t skimp on fun.
The characters, from the protagonist to the supporting cast of quirky allies and foes, are delightful, and genuinely add to the story’s charm. The cats alone are worth the price of admission and Im not a cat person. While the narrative wraps up neatly, the world Scalzi has built feels ripe for expansion, and I'm hoping for a follow-up.
If you’re a fan of humorous, feel-good sci-fi or just need a palate cleanser between heavier reads, Starter Villain is an excellent choice. It’s a book that leaves you smiling and craving more of Scalzi’s uniquely entertaining style.
A super solid book that I had a great time with and found humorous, a bit clever and easy to read. It's also pretty short for a novel. Saying that I don't personally think it is award worthy, but I couldn't find any flaws with it.