Only Villains Do That: An Isekai Adventure

Only Villains Do That, Book 1

By: D. D. Webb

Narrated by: Todd Haberkorn

From the author of the Gods Are Bastards series comes a new isekai adventure, in which a man is granted sinister powers he doesn't even want.

On a typical day, on an average train platform, two warring sister goddesses found their avatars. One avatar, the young Yoshi, was swept away to the world of Ephemera to be a great hero of honor, courage, and light. The other, the not-so-young Seiji, was swept away to become a dark lord out to kill or conquer all in his path.

But Seiji is in absolutely no mood for that nonsense. It's bad enough that on Earth he was a closed-off, misanthropic grouch with zero patience for other people. Now he's supposed to muster enough of a give-a-damn to lead vile hordes, crush Yoshi, and take all of Ephemera as his own? No thanks. Unfortunately, he doesn't have a choice.

Seiji's patron goddess wants results, and if he doesn't deliver, she's going to take a serious interest in discovering his pain, suffering, and overall misery threshold. But just because he doesn't care about people, doesn't mean he doesn't care whether they suffer by his own hand. After all, just because you're the embodiment of ultimate evil doesn't mean you have to be a jerk about it.

The first volume of the hit fantasy adventure series—with more than five million views on Royal Road—now available on Kindle, Kindle Unlimited, and Audible!

©2024 D. D. Webb (P)2024 Podium Audio

much better than I thought it would be

First the bad

a tendency towards repetitiveness and kinda cringy at times. a little preachy too at times with his rants about society.

now the good

surprising excellent world building that didn't feel bogged down. Interesting and developed side characters.

lastly

narrator did a descent job, a little too much emotion at times and a few parts where he lost track of the accents he was trying to do but overall good.

A Pleasant Surprise

Between the narrator whose voice was perfect for these characters, the wonderfully detailed world-building, and the satisfying story that stays true to the plot premise while also giving the sense of steady (but not break-neck) progression, I have nothing to complain about whatsoever.

I had concerns because I read reviews mentioning the MC getting preachy about society and what it, but the Dark Lord is expected to monologue, and I honestly thought it was all acceptably on-brand and justified.

10/10, would listen again. Already purchased books 2 & 3.

Another world story without stats

A great story I didn't even know I needed. The lack of stats or harems really go a long way in making this great

chapter 34

Chapter 34 is what brought me from amused and interested to fully invested in this story and book. The while story is about a performer doing his best, I don't think it would have landed as well without the narrator.

dark fantasy treasure

This book is Hilarous and fun. I try to listen to anything that is acted by Todd because he is a one man show. Tge second half is deliciously dark!

Fantastic Isekai adventure!

I really LOVED this book. A smart & (reluctant) villain, or a hero in disguise. Voice acting was great too. A huge “thank you” to author for not including “harem” garbage in his book. I highly recommend. I can’t really give a more detailed review without spoilers. Already pre-ordered Book 2!

Rooting for the bad guy

I have read many a stories where they try so incredibly hard to get you to root forvthe bad guy....a fail. This story does not. You start the book thinking the main character is an a$$h0le but quickly realize he is saying so many of the things we wish we could. Not because we are evil but because "GOOD" is used to cove up or hide evil acts by those in control. The Dark Lord forced into a life he doesn't want decides he is going to change what is wrong and lift people up and out of the slums they are in ...and if in the process he concers the world.... oh well then it happens

funny

one if the funniest stories I've listened to in a while. it certainly amused me and my friends

There be no White Knights here

A book with a more practical and bloodthirsty kinda of MC than your typical super self righteous MC. It was pretty amusing as well. Narrator did a great job

Fun

There were only hints of it and some minor outbursts but I fear that the authors politics are going to spill into the story. Which is always cringe as hell when an author can't help but do that garbage. Here's hoping I'm wrong, I doubt it though. I have a feeling we are going to get cringe dark lord authors self insert politics once Mc starts running things. Authors like this can rarely contain themselves or maybe it's a complete lack of self awareness that stops such people from being unable to write a character they disagree with as anything than a strawman villain.

As for this book, it was pretty good. Hopefully it stays that way and it keeps being a morally Grey fun series nstead of a platform for venting political butthurt like I fear.