Received an eArc from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is my third standalone Scalzi and my opinions are about the same for each. The ideas are great, but there is something about the execution that always gets me a little and keeps it from being a favorite book. However it was different with this book. Usually I feel like they don’t land the ending, but with this book, it was the middle that lost me and the ending that brought me back. Expect the usual ridiculousness that is Scalzi and you will have an enjoyable read.

Okay readers, prepare yourself. This is the BEST book I've read this year! I know it's not a cozy mystery and I usually review cozy mysteries, but I make an exception for John Scalzi's novels.

Anyone who knows me knows that I love a good mystery. I also love comic fantasy and science fiction, with Discworld and Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy being among my favourites. A couple of years ago I discovered John Scalzi and he's quickly risen up my list of favourites. Last month I read Scalzi's The Kaiju Preservation Society and absolutely loved it. Well let me tell you Starter Villain is even better. Why? Sentient cats and a$$hole dolphins! That's why!

Charlie's life isn't going too good. His parents are both dead, he is barely surviving as a substitute teacher and he's about to be evicted from his childhood home. When his Uncle passes away, and he's asked to attend his funeral, what could possible go wrong? A lot! Suddenly Charlie is thrust into a world of villains, and not the cute kids movie kind! What follows it the adventure of a lifetime, as Charlie tries to survive a world of villains, and a pod of the sweariest dolphins you will ever meet.

Doesn't this sound awesome? Well guess what? It was. It is an absolute delight a second. It's action packed and shows the best and worst side of being a villain. With many wrong turns, Charlie tries to navigate the villain world and every mis-step is absolutely hilarious!

With an ending you won't see coming, John Scalzi's newest novel simply delights. It will have you rooting for the underdog and hoping Charlie doesn't get thrown into volcanic lava! Whether you are new to comic fantasy or you're a seasoned reader of the genre, you must pick up Starter Villain.

Charlie's life is at a low point - divorced, working as a substitute teacher, living in his Dad's house until his siblings can force a sale, and lacking any friends other than his cat Hera. When he learns that his estranged uncle Jake has died, this means nothing to Charlie until an odd woman arrives to offer him the chance to keep his house if he hosts Jake's funeral. One attempted corpse stabbing and home explosion later, Charlie learns the truth - Jake was a villain in the secret-volcano-lair mold, and Charlie is now his heir, complete with all of the enemies that includes. Of course, it also includes hyper-intelligent cats, remote luxury hotels, and unionizing dolphins, in an adventure that is hilarious and also trenchant. Scalzi's humor flows with anti-capitalist rage, and some scenes begs to be read aloud to everyone nearby in order to share the joy. Important note - when the dolphins show up, put all drinks/ snacks down, because you will laugh so hard you may choke (or, if you're me, spit water all over my ereader at least three times in six pages). The cats are delightful and so perfectly catlike that it's hard not to glace at every passing fuzzball wondering which ones have real estate portfolios they are hiding from their humans.

4.5

I feel like John Scalzi writes only 2 types of sci-fi - the kind that is thought-provoking and intriguing, where you can imagine the science being part of life in the future, and the kind that is completely off the walls, batshit insane. This book is of the latter and I am totally here for it.

This book consists of sentient cats, union demanding dolphins, a volcano lair in the Caribbean, a villainous organization, and a very fast paced story. After taking a bit to get through the first few chapters, I easily flew through the rest of it. There's just so much crazy shit going on that it's very easy and compelling to keep reading to find out what will happen next. The main character, Charlie, in thrown into the world of secret organizations and villains who try to run the world after his uncle dies, and does his best to keep up with it all. It's easy to see how Scalzi took inspiration from our world now, and it's easy to believe that many of the uber-rich could be sitting around doing and talking about these exact things (minus the sentient cats and dolphins). Speaking of the dolphins, their first interaction with Charlie was one of the funniest things I've read in a very long time. There's also a lot of double-crossing, and even if you think you've got it figured out you probably don't. Definitely recommended for anyone who loves Scalzi, humorous sci-fi, and books that'll keep you guessing.

Also how can you not love that cover?

4.5 stars

I have only recently discovered John Scalzi (I know I know, where the heck have I been), and I have quickly become a huge fan. This book is exactly what I have come to expect from him. The fun characters, the humor, the suspense, it’s all here. This is ranking among my favorites as of right now. I loved every minute of it.

An entertaining and unusual fish-out-of-water story about a man who inherits his uncle’s evil empire. Fast-paced, amusing, and starring some cats, I enjoyed this.

Starter Villain is a fun read. It taps into a whole host of action/adventure tropes (for example, those we’ve found in the Bond movies), and turns many them on their head. What do you do when you inherit an evil empire, rather than build it yourself? Why do villains become villains? Also, how do they villain? Why do some supervillains have goals and plans that seem, ultimately, to be self-defeating? All of these and more are addressed in Scalzi’s novel, as Charlie blunders his way through his epically changed reality, and also his villain orientation.

The book’s a little off-the-wall, with hints of Douglas Adams-esque invention and tone. It was fun to follow Charlie navigate his newfound influence and power, despite being ideologically opposed to pretty much everything around him. His attempts to reinvent the wheel, to shift the focus of the organization are met with plenty of opposition — some realistic, some violent. The novel includes a fair amount of action, international intrigue, and plenty of on-point commentary on certain sectors of society (tech-bros, for example, and also the super-wealthy elite).

If you’re looking for an amusing diversion in these trouble times, then I think Starter Villain could be exactly what you’re looking for. Recommended.

Also, the cats are great.

John Scalzi is hilarious. If you haven't read him before, I highly recommend Old Man's War--it's funny and fascinating. Scalzi is a science fiction author, and he gets very creative while remaining accessible. This new book, Starter Villain, is about a down-on-his-luck kind of guy who inherits a mysterious bequest when his estranged uncle dies. There are talking cats. There are talking dolphins. There are villains. There's satire of capitalism. There's violence and danger. There's so much humor.

When our hero, Charlie, meets the talking dolphins, he has some great lines about dolphin-human relations:

"I can’t imagine a dolphin actually wants to spend its life being hugged by a parade of drunken podiatrists and preteen girls..."
"Jeanine and I took a sunset cruise (I know) that promised dolphin sightings (I know), but the cruise directors didn’t consult with the dolphins, and none showed up."

This line satirizing corporations summed up the theme of the book best:

“None of this was about you as Charlie Fitzer. It was about you as a potential variable."

Of course when it comes to the bottom line, people are only variables. The book isn't deep or profound; in fact, it's quite silly. But the truths that come through gave me things to think about! I thoroughly enjoyed the novel.

Thank you to the publisher, Tor, for the advance copy of the ebook.

Funny, suspenseful, and full of villainy and cats. What more does a person need in a good book?

Thank you so much to Tor and the author for the opportunity to read this book. All opinions are my own.

As a cat person I absolutely fell in love with this book just by seeing the cover and then the dedication. The story is creative and fast paced.
We start with a millennial named Charlie who is completely down on his luck. He lost his job as a journalist , lost his father , barely makes ends meet , and his half siblings all want to kick him out of the only place he has to sell it. But things can always get worse or more exciting when a mysterious woman appears with a deal. Suddenly Charlie is thrust into his uncle Jake’s world of capitalist villainy , sentient cats, and ….dolphin labor unions?

This book is definitely political satire with a lot of anti capitalist rhetoric but it is well written ,comedic, and entertaining.

If you need a fun uplifting read with cute and smart cats, you won’t want to skip this one !

I really enjoyed this book. I was skeptical going into it because I'm not usually a huge fan of comedy in books but I was pleasantly surprised. The way that John Scalzi is able to create a unique world, exciting plot, and talking animals is impressive and strangely thought-provoking. This felt like junk food for my brain in the best way possible so I highly recommend it.

This book is perfectly titled.
What happens when a relative whose last contact with you when you were 5, names you as his heir when he dies? And he turns out to be a Villian? With an Island? And Intelligent Cats?
Substitute Teacher Charlie starts learning fast. And not all is what it seems. This is a delightful romp with twists and turns.

Okay! This was such a fun book! I was first sold on it from the cover. I mean, who doesn't want to know more background on a cat dressed up in a suit?? Come to find out, cats really do have a say in the big world we live in, of course, unbeknownst to us! And the title?? Starter Villain, there are clearly things one can learn in "starting" things up in life, should one need!

This was a mash-up of fantasy (cat in suits), scy-fi, mystery and comedy and I was all in. We meet talking dolphins that have quite the "mouth" on them! Money galore, that one can never really spend, and the upper class, high finance men that basically rule the world. Then we have your basic substitute, male teacher that gets thrown into this world he knows nothing about. I was so humored.

Do yourself a favor and read this for pure enjoyment!

Thank you to NetGalley and Tor Books for the advance e-book.

John Scalzi to me is a breath of fresh air. After reading The Kaiju Preservation Society I was excited to see a new title coming out from him - and this premise stole my heart!

His writing is fluid and hits on the right side of sarcastic and casual. I love how wide his audience can be with his writing as well.

Really fun title!

John Scalzi's irreverent writing continues to bring pure joy! I absolutely gobbled up Starter Villain, and loved the fantastical yet mundane elements. Talking dolphins? amazing. Talking dolphins who are unionizing? SIGN ME UP. The introduction of cats as spies was pure genius, and I loved the relationship between Charlie, Hera, and Persephone. I am promoting this book like a fiend, and I hope John Scalzi continues to write more.

This is probably my favorite Scalzi book I've read so far! I'll absolutely be recommending this to patrons who enjoy his other books. It was fun and silly without being juvenile. Escapism at its best.

Embracing the Unforeseen: My Encounter with "Starter Villains" by John Scalzi

As I cracked open "Starter Villains" by John Scalzi, I had no inkling of the wild adventure that awaited me. This book turned out to be a delightful amalgamation of wit and curiosity, pulling me into a world where the ordinary meets the extraordinary in unexpected ways.

The heart of the story beats with Charlie, a character whose life takes an unexpected turn after his estranged uncle's passing. Divorce and mundane expectations of inheritance pale in comparison to the reality Charlie finds himself in. His uncle wasn't just a relative; he was part of a covert villain network. Charlie is suddenly thrown into a web of intrigue and legacy that challenges his notions of family and identity.

Scalzi's narrative artistry shines as he masterfully navigates the tightrope between humor and depth. Amid Charlie's transition from a regular guy to an heir of villainous enterprises, a sentient typing cat steals the spotlight with its whimsical presence, leaving me both amused and contemplative.

The plot dances along with unpredictable twists and turns, never giving me a moment to grow bored. Scalzi's well-paced storytelling keeps me invested in Charlie's journey of self-discovery and unexpected alliances. Beneath the entertaining surface lies a tapestry of themes – from family dynamics to the far-reaching consequences of decisions – making the story feel richer and more resonant.

"Starter Villains" unveils Scalzi's knack for crafting relatable characters and weaving them into extraordinary tales. Whether you're a fan of speculative fiction or simply seeking a captivating read, this book offers a fresh perspective on inheritance, identity, and embracing life's unforeseen avenues.

First, thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I want to start by saying I've read a few Scalzi books in the past, all of which I scored 4 stars - Old Man's War, Redshirts, and The Kaiju Preservation Society - but by no means all of them. However, some of my comments here are going to be in relation to those other books for comparison.

This was a fun, quick read, similar to the Kaiju Preservation Society. It starts out very similarly to KPS, with a man strapped for cash faced with an out-of-the-blue option to get him back on his feet, which is the intentionally absurd setup of inheriting his uncle's "villain" business. Basically, either you find that premise funny and interesting enough to pick up the book or you don't. If that setup already sounds too ridiculous for you, it only gets crazier from there, so try a more serious Scalzi book instead!

I enjoyed this; it was funny and very much over-the-top absurd world-building. I laughed in parts and at no point was I tempted to stop reading. That being said, I didn't enjoy this as much as the other Scalzi books I've read. For one, I had recently read KPS, and this started with a really similar premise so it felt a bit repetitive at the very beginning for me. There was a little too much time spent on explaining how everything could work in the "real world" and with characters revealing plots within plots. Even though the story was clearly meant to be over the top, some of it got a little too ridiculous, even for me (and I can typically take lots of ridiculousness - I liked Redshirts and Kaiju Preservation Society a lot.) I don't want to spoil anything for anyone, so I can't give specifics here. I still liked it and would recommend it, but if you've never read Scalzi before, I'd suggest starting with something else first to make sure you like his style.

In Starter Villain, John Scalzi has created a hilarious villain send up, gathering inspiration from Bond villains and spy movies but rewriting the definition of what it means to be a villain. From the very start, this novel is tongue in cheek as we meet our main protagonist Charlie who unwittingly inherits the business of being a villain from his uncle, along with sentient cats, a volcano lair and dolphins on strike. He also has a ton of enemies who want his uncle’s money and power. Part of the reason I loved this book was the comedic elements stitched throughout this book.  Scalzi has a wry tongue in cheek approach that made me chuckle right to the end.

One of the other reasons this novel is so good is the main character Charlie. Charlie is out of his depth and he expresses it. The writing doesn’t pretend that he suddenly gets good at running things. He has a lot of help and he leans on that help. While Charlie is intelligent, there is far more going on than just Charlie running things. The secondary characters like Matilda Morrison and Hera as well as Charlie’s enemies make for distinctive interesting characters that keep the story intriguing and suspenseful. Matilda in particular is witty and fun to read. 

If you love spy novels, unlikely villains, comedy, and sentient cats, I totally recommend this book. It is just fun with a fantastic unexpected ending that keeps the tone light, giving readers a hilarious villain send up that will keep you in stitches.

I am a huge fan of John Scalzi’s books so I always go into them expecting to enjoy myself. Starter Villain was no exception and it did not disappoint!

Our main character, Charlie, is recently divorced, broke, and looking for a loan to buy the local pub. When his estranged uncle dies and leaves him the family supervillain business, complete with volcano lair, Charlie is dragged into the supervillain war that had been started by his uncle and he’s not sure he’s up to the task.

Like some of Scalzi’s other standalone novels, like Agent to the Stars and Android’s Dream, this is a deliciously silly, fun read. His characters are likeable, his dialogue is witty, and while all the tropes of the supervillain genre are there the plot is unpredictable. My only complaint is it felt a bit short - I would have liked more story on the island before things wrapped up - but it was highly entertaining and came to a satisfying conclusion. If you love Scalzi, you’ll love Starter Villain.

Thanks to Tor for letting me read the ARC on NetGalley.

As a cat person I couldn't help but be roped in by the concept of sentient cats, and was not disappointed. Our protagonist, Charlie, is essentially a down on his luck average guy struggling to get by until his estranged uncle dies, leaving him to take over his "business,'" which turns out to be a super villain empire. Even in the areas where Charlie bumbles through the uncanny twists and turns around the politics of villainy, sentient spy cats, and dolphins in the middle of a labor dispute, it's clear that he is more than capable of holding his own in a way that makes his character endearing. In the midst of the absurdist humor, it stands out that the "villains" of this story are generationally wealthy capitalists grasping at straws to maintain power. Even Charlie's uncle, likely the richest of them all, doesn't necessarily have trillions of dollars in liquid cash because of logistical weirdness and politics with the governments who pay for his services, which draws attention to the ways capitalism is fueled by the socially constructed belief in the value of money which becomes more convoluted in the digital space.
Starter Villain was such a fun light read and captures the readers interest throughout both with humor and plot twists, because nothing is necessarily what it seems.

Starter Villain is a short book with a ton of fun packed into it. There are thugs, genetically engineered animals that negotiate for contract amendments, clever banter, as well as a plot that is one hell of a ride. It's a book you'll want to read in one sitting, and while I write this review, I already want to crack it open a second time. Highly recommended to all readers alike.

Full review to come.