Villians Rule: The Shadow Master, Book 1 is in my top ten favorite audiobooks I have heard this year. M.K. Gibson has crafted one of the best characters I have come across in a long time. The book is a fantasy, action, comedy. Jackson Blackwell The Shadow Master is a Villians Villian. who uses his power because he can and is the top villain advisor across all the realm. Except for this time he is double-crossed and stuck in a fantasy realm.
This book rocks. It has all the hero/villain tropes and cliches throughout the story. Jackson does 4th wall breaking monologues that had me laughing out loud. The author provides subtle nods to other books and even TV programs. My favorite was his off-hand comment of getting a 1911 45. colt from a Yellow-Eyed Demon that it had taken from a pair of monster hunting brothers That the demon was having problems with. So it came to the Shadow Master for help.I heard that small reference to the TV show Supernatural and snorted Coffee out my nose. Pro-Tip Coffee out the nose will help clear the sinuses but it does hurt. I simply loved this audiobook and highly recommend it.
Jeffery Kafer provided the narration on this audiobook. Once again he provided a superb job. I am most familiar with his work from another series but within less than a minute for me, he was Jackson Blackwell the Shadow Master. He brings a special something to anything he narrates. Each character has a special and unique voice and it is a joy to hear.
This review copy audiobook was provided by the author/narrator/publisher free of charge via Audiobook Boom for an unbiased review.