Davi has done this all before. She’s tried to be the hero and take down the all-powerful Dark Lord. A hundred times she’s rallied humanity and made the final charge. But the time loop always gets her in the end. Sometimes she’s killed quickly. Sometimes it takes a while. But she’s been defeated every time.
This time? She’s done being the hero and done being stuck in this endless time loop. If the Dark Lord always wins, then maybe that’s who she needs to be. It’s Davi’s turn to play on the winning side.
Review
I really did want to enjoy this dark fantasy with the intriguing title- How to become the Dark Lord by Django Wexler but perhaps I am not the target audience for this book. This is the first book in a duology.
I received a copy for a free and unbiased opinion.
The book has an explosive and breathtaking start when Davi decides she has had enough trying to be the saviour and is going to become the Dark Lord instead. I loved the premise, and I was so excited to see how this would pan out. The story wasn’t the one I was expecting from the blurb- a fresh take on the chosen one.
The world building in this book is unusual, Davi seems stuck in a time loop almost like she is stuck in a video game. I would have loved to have read more about this society and the politics etc but it is populated with orcs and fascinating humanoid animal people.
How to become a dark lord has a lot more sex than I was expecting and Davi’s character just didn’t click for me. She starts out being funny with hilarious footnotes but after a while she become a little too hard to like.
The author’s note discusses his inspiration for his book from anime and I suspect fans of this particular subgenre will love this book and the sequel.
Content Warning
Please make sure you read the authors content warning at the start particularly around self-harm and suicide.
Series Book Lover 