A School for Villains (Dark Lord Academy) [Kindle Edition]

Ardyth DeBruyn (Author), Leo DeBruyn (Illustrator)

Book Description

Thirteen-year-old Danny is astounded when his father decides to send him to Dark Lord Academy to learn to be a villain. Pa claims it will make him stand out and fulfill his own lost childhood dreams. Being evil doesn’t appeal to Danny, but he’s always been a good and obedient son, so he goes.

Dark Lord Academy’s not just unappealing, it’s downright terrible. His advisor dyes Danny’s blond hair black and changes his name to the unpronounceable Zxygrth. He can’t get the hang of maniacal laughter, his second-in-command servant is a puke-colored monkey, and the cafeteria lady enjoys serving stewed cockroaches or fried bat wings. A run in with a hero results in hate mail and he gets caught up in a rivalry with the school bully. The only way for Danny to stay alive is to find his inner villain.

Product Details

• File Size: 1155 KB
• Print Length: 276 pages
• Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B0061I23PU
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• X-Ray: Not Enabled
• Lending: Enabled
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #424,997 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great fun! December 23, 2011

By Kendra

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

What a fun read! I so enjoyed the humor and characters, once I delved into the main story I found that I couldn't put it down. It was one of those books where I actually loved all of the characters (even the nasty ones). It was hilarious and often thought-provoking to watch Danny's struggles with the concepts of good and evil. What DOES make one evil? Or good, for that matter? And why ARE all dark elves white guys with black hair? A satisfying ending with loads of fun along the way, I honestly hope there will be more adventures with Danny and his comrades in the future.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Read December 24, 2011

By General Balthazar

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

I just bought this for my kindle and enjoyed it. Its a great take on genre reversal and touches on the good vs. evil debate. I say touches because I really hope we get to explore more of it if the author decides to continue the series.

The story slows down a bit in the middle and I didn't get a good sense of passage of time while reading through the book, but enjoyed it overall nonetheless.

Would recommend this to any one who enjoys children's fiction and looking for something original.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars An Anti-Hogwarts to Enjoy November 5, 2011

By Marva Dasef

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

It's been awhile since I read this book on Critique Circle (a mutual aid society for authors), so I've got another copy (thanks, Ardyth!) and enjoyed it all over again. But I'd be a poor friend if I didn't buy a copy too, so I did just so I could claim firsties.

This is a wonderful book and I'd put it in the must-read category if you're a fan of YA fantasy with lots and lots of humor.

Oh, yeah. I never give out five stars unless I really believe it. It might have something to do with how well I know Ardyth through the critique site, but I'm a total fan of this book regardless.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Terrific read! May 3, 2012

By beckygardens TOP 50 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

Grab this book. The story of Danny, who is forced to go to Villain school, despite his feelings that he should be a hero, is terrific. The characters are engrossing, the story equal parts funny, charming, but still intense.

A school for Villains explores the difference between good and evil, friendship, self acceptance, all wrapped up in a wonderfully told tale. It's been awhile since I have read a book this interesting and enjoyable, with well developed characters, not just the main character but all the characters, great surroundings, imaginative settings and plot twists.

I hope there are several sequels, I will be buying them as soon as they are written. I can't wait to find out what happens to Danny and his friends next. Read this book if you like any sort of fantasy, you will not be disappointed.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars A Clever, Satisfying Tale April 18, 2012

By CArol Ervin

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

Readers of all ages will enjoy this lively spoof and its cast of delightful creatures. The author kept me guessing how Danny was going to get out of his predicaments, whether he'd give in to the urge to be a villain or find himself the secret hero in the academy. The story offers a valuable theme without being moralistic. Teachers and parents may decide this is one to read to their younger students.

5.0 out of 5 stars wow I read this one I one day what a book June 8, 2013

By Goof80

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

This was a great book to rival harry potter if you ask me the characters were fun and the story line wouldn't let me put it down. I love the the fact that this was from the villain side of the story and was able to be not so good all the time without going too dark

Great read can't wait for the next one

4.0 out of 5 stars good and evil, we're a bit of both April 23, 2013

By mountain gal

Format:Paperback

I found it interesting when the "good" kids did bad things and "enjoyed" it. Made you think about who was really the villain or the hero. Applauded for being devious,even our hero got confused about who he was. When he was just trying to "get back" at someone his actions were perceived as villainous.. Oops, could that be evil? read and find out. Laughed out loud several times. looking forward to the next one in the series.

4.0 out of 5 stars great! August 5, 2012

By girlscoutmama

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

Excellent book! I really enjoy books of this caliber! This is the type of book I would like my pre-teen child (when she is one!) read. This story really makes the reader think about the definition of good and evil isn't as clear cut as we would like for it to be at times.

More About the Author

Ardyth DeBruyn is a native Oregonian with a restless nature and a degree in Anthropology. After hiking over 1500 miles across Europe and living on the Mexican border for a year, she settled back in the Pacific Northwest (for now) to write fantasy stories. She has decided she can type herself into adventures faster than walk. She has fiction published in a number of webzines and two novel, "Chosen Sister" and "A School for Villains." Her third, "A Recipe for Disaster" is forthcoming in Winter of 2012.