This Book Was A Blast!

Jackson Blackwell is the god of his own little pocket dimension, an unapologetic villain who could never be confused with an anti-hero. He’s made a fortune advising the villains in nearby fantasy dimensions on how to be truly evil. After a betrayal, Jackson is stranded in a fantasy world with little of his own magic left. He uses his wits and every bit of his fantasy know-how to compel a group of ‘unlikely’ heroes to help him.

This book was so much fun! It was a blast, an irreverent tale that exploited every fantasy trope and gloried in it. There were a lot of references to other fantasy series that warmed my nerdy little heart. It poked fun at fantasy stereotypes and no author was sacred, so if you’re thin-skinned, beware. One particular jab at a complicated metal-eating magic system had me sitting up and saying "HEY!". It was full of witty humor, satire, pop culture references, sexual innuendos, and bad language, and I loved every second of it.

The author was a genius, taking a villain with absolutely no redeeming qualities and making me cheer for him. Jackson’s fourth wall breaking inner rants, whether about horses, mushrooms on pizza, or the oxford comma, were hilarious and never got old. And reading a traditional hero’s journey from the cynical eyes of the villain was a riot. It’s hard to pick a favorite moment, but I especially loved when Jackson was in the bar looking for allies, destroying hero cliches left and right.

The narration was outstanding, Jeffrey Kafer’s performance is why I listen to audiobooks. His comedic timing was flawless, and his voice had a mix of cynicism and dry wit that was so perfect for Jackson. His accents for the speaking voices for each character were spot on. I requested a copy of the audiobook, and I’m voluntarily leaving a review. This book is going to be a frequent reread, and I can’t wait for a sequel!