Customer Reviews

A School for Villains (Dark Lord Academy)

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

A School For Villains is not simply a parody of epic fantasy stories about wizard schools - it's a new take on the trope and an imaginative reversal of genre expectations.

When Danny is sent to a School for Villains and has to leave his father's forge, he's horrified. He doesn't want to be evil, doesn't want to hurt anybody and doesn't like the fact that he has no say in all this. He has no love for evil lords and hates maniacal laughter (I love him for this!) In all, Danny is a normal boy and he will do anything in his hand to escape the School and its mad teachers. I will say no more because there are many twists and surprises in the plot and I can't give them away, but trust me, it is an interesting story.

Danny's character is dynamic and active. He spends a big part of the book looking for ways to escape the school, and these are often hilariously funny and imaginative. However, I must admit I was a little put off by his whiny nature at first. Happily, he comes into his own in later chapters and goes through an interesting transformation.

The characters surrounding him are beautifully crafted, and although they may first appear as stereotypes (done on purpose, obviously, to add to the satirical nature of the book), as the story progresses they become rounded and real. I really enjoyed discovering their other facets.

I admit I laughed out loud at the portrayal of the boy hero coming to challenge Danny and the letters they exchanged, and I loved this author's imagination in crafting the school and all its crazy magic and great characters. Although the book addresses a younger public than I'm used to, I greatly enjoyed reading a School for Villains and look forward to a sequel.

I recommend a School for Villains for all readers who enjoy a funny take on fantasy, such as satires of wizard schools, and especially for teens and young adults.

For Good Book Alert.