Long Live Evil

By: Sarah Rees Brennan

Narrated by: Moira Quirk

This epic fantasy adventure from Sarah Rees Brennan puts the reader in the villain's shoes—expect a rogue's gallery of villains including an axe wielding maid, a shining knight with dark moods, a homicidal bodyguard, and a playboy spymaster with a golden heart and a filthy reputation.

"Funny, audacious, and supremely satisfying, Long Live Evil is the chosen one we've been waiting for." —Leigh Bardugo, New York Times bestselling author of Ninth House

"Brilliant." —Holly Black, New York Times bestselling author of The Book of Night

This is a tale for everyone who's ever fallen for the villain …

When her whole life collapsed, Rae still had books. Dying, she seizes a second chance at living: a magical bargain that lets her enter the world of her favorite fantasy series.

She wakes in a castle on the edge of a hellish chasm, in a kingdom on the brink of war. Home to dangerous monsters, scheming courtiers and her favourite fictional character: the Once and Forever Emperor. He’s impossibly alluring, as only fiction can be. And in this fantasy world, she discovers she's not the heroine, but the villainess in the Emperor's tale.

So be it. The wicked are better dressed, with better one-liners, even if they're doomed to bad ends. She assembles the wildly disparate villains of the story under her evil leadership, plotting to change their fate. But as the body count rises and the Emperor's fury increases, it seems Rae and her allies may not survive to see the final page.

★ "Absolutely wonderful.” ―Kirkus (Starred)

★ "Brennan's adult fantasy debut is two great stories in one: the romantasy in the background and Rae’s adventure in the foreground." ―Booklist (Starred)

ONE OF THE NEW YORK TIMES "BEST SCIENCE FICTION AND FANTASY OF 2024" AND "BEST ROMANCE NOVELS OF 2024"

Critic reviews

"Funny, audacious, and supremely satisfying, Long Live Evil is the chosen one we've been waiting for. It succeeds as both a brilliant meditation on the pleasures and perils of fiction, and a sweeping, romantic adventure in its own right. Get ready to laugh out loud, cry in public, and cheer on the villains as Brennan smashes through tropes with witty, wild glee in this delicious, subversive treat of a book."—Leigh Bardugo, New York Times bestselling author of Ninth House

"Brennan’s brilliant Long Live Evil harnesses clever banter, delightful turns of phrase, and epic backdrops in the service of exploring the nature of stories and the freedom that comes with embracing being named a villain—and maybe actually becoming one. Most of all, it introduces us to Rae, who uses her quick-thinking, loyalty, and ferocity to sidestep (and do the occasional musical number around) doom."—Holly Black, New York Times bestselling author of Book of Night

"Utterly brilliant. I can’t stop thinking about Long Live Evil, which has rocketed to the top of my list of all time favorite fantasy novels. Pick this up immediately, Brennan will take everything you think you know about fantasy and turn it on its head."—C. S. Pacat, New York Times bestselling author of Dark Rise

"Absolutely hilarious, a wild joyride through subverted narrative tropes that's surprisingly poignant but also made me laugh until people looked at me on the train."—Everina Maxwell, author of Winter's Orbit

"Laugh out loud, heartfelt and seering in the same breath. Simultaneously a send-up and a tribute to the tropes, fandom and power of fantasy, Long Live Evil is a romp that leaves you asking: are we all the villains in someone else's narrative?"—Eliza Chan, author of Fathomfolk

"The compulsion Sarah Rees Brennan casts over her readers is unholy. Not only could I not put Long Live Evil down, I barely remembered to blink. It was so immersive that when I finished I put my face in my pillow and screamed in actual devastation at being kicked out of the story. Utterly magical. Sarah Rees Brennan is a genius of emotional control. No other author can make me cry by page two, be laughing out loud three pages later, and then rip my heart out with a smile."
—Shelley Parker-Chan, author of She Who Became the Sun

"Long Live Evil is a glorious, swoon-worthy villain romance. What a delicious read."—Tasha Suri, author of The Jasmine Throne

"Layers laugh-out-loud comedy and swoony romance over an emotional core of powerful anger and loss. I loved it." —Emily Tesh, author of Silver in the Wood

"Sarah Rees Brennan’s charms are unmatched. Her books makes you feel as if you’re in on the joke and always invited on the most fantastic and romantic adventure."—Rainbow Rowell, author of Fangirl

The humor and twists

Amazing performance! This book is full of adventures and twists. Also super funny! You will not regret entering the Time of Iron world. It is quite a ride.

Beautiful original story

It’s a fantastic, fulfilling story. The plot twist is surprisingly bittersweet! I loved every twist and turn that had me ugly crying.

Across worlds

I love seeing modern times mixed in this fantasy story. It created many moments of laughter and made the characters more endearing. There better be a part two.

Wildly entertaining - funny, epic, and poignant

Adored the entire book. Brilliant and entertaining narration throughout - would love to listen to more performances from this reader. Nuanced characters, clever dialogue, wonderfully original storytelling from the writer. I’m completely charmed and breathless with anticipation for the next book!

So not what I was expecting!

Brilliant! So many different lessons to think about. Original story idea! Can’t want for more!