Villains Rule

The Shadow Master, Book 1

By: M. K. Gibson

Narrated by: Jeffrey Kafer

Length: 9 hrs and 50 mins

Publisher's summary

Hi, how are you?

Yes, I am talking to you, the reader of this book's description. It's rude not to answer a person when they ask you a question. Okay, I get it, fourth-wall breaking is overdone. Get over it. This book, Villains Rule, is a fantasy action-comedy which you have to hear. Not because it redefines the genre, far from it. But rather for what it contains. A villain's tale.

How often do you get to listen to a story where the villain is the protagonist? No, not an anti-hero, or a brooding monster, nor a hero thinly disguised as a villain. And not evil. If you want evil, take that nonsense to therapy. No, I mean a villain's villain. The ones who use their power because they can, while morality is only a philosopher's complex.

This is the story of Jackson Blackwell, the Shadow Master and the top villain adviser. Sadly, even the top villain occasionally gets double-crossed. Trapped in one of the fantasy realms, Jackson has to use his skill and wits to exploit the rules, points out the genre flaws, undermine godly authority, and win the day.

Because that is what villains should do, shouldn't they? Listen to this book, have a few laughs, and find out.

©2017 Michael Gibson (P)2017 Michael Gibson

Ignore the cover art.

This is the best book I've listened to this year. The characters are consistent and act according to what should motivated them, the story is enjoyable and humorous, and the narration is excellent.

Oh my so much fun!!

Would you listen to Villains Rule again? Why?

Absolutely. I know I missed some of the references and one lines that go to other fantasy stories I know. I also had fun with the story and Jackson.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I felt I could believe Jackson's thinking and I really liked him. I want to watch movies with Jackson. He would be a hoot at pointing out the flaws in plans, hero and villain. I laughed at the obvious observations pointed out by Jackson in this book. So good and so true! Jackson's written in a way that I liked him even though he wasn't the clean cut good guy. I even felt the fluctuation of praise and irritation of Randy with Jackson - all thanks to Jeffrey's vocal talents and M.K.'s writing.

What does Jeffrey Kafer bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Jeffrey performs with heart, stepping in to the characters minds which breathes life to them. When stories are performed with the emotion the characters are feeling, and the narrator feels as to be having fun, the book is brought to a new level of awesome. Jeffrey accomplished that in this work. Jeffrey speaks with different infliction and personality for each character, which makes it easy to know who's who along with keeping my attention.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

At my first big surprise in events, I wanted to give M.K. Gibson a big high five. He told me what not to do. He drew me into doing just that. And I was surprised when he used that. AWESOME JOB!! M.K.wrote it so well, I was drawn into the web.

Any additional comments?

*I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

At the end of the first prologue, I had to smile. Really. This was something I always thought about, how easy it would be to take down a hero when he's having his "moment". I got a feel of a twist of Grayskull (You know what Grayskull is, from He-Man.) here with other elements mixed in. I like what I get, and it's only a prologue!

Oh my the references of all the great science fiction and fantasy tales!! Really! Even in the titles we get great one lines that we know reference so many. lol. I love listening and pointing out references and what I get the feel of. I'm sure others would pick up on others I've missed. This is the kind of story I would love to listen to with someone who I could talk to on the potential influences. You know, listen at the same time and go geek on what we pick up on! lol.

Okay. The story. I enjoyed how the rules of heroes and villains are viewed and understood in the world. And they still stand and function. M.K. has created a story with a villain that sees those rules and uses then in a way to do what all villains want. And he's talented at his work. M.K. tells us these rules and we see the predicament that Jackson ends up in, and has to find his own way back to his place in the world. M.K. writes a well crafted story of fun while still in the guidelines and takes a villain in the outs and brings him back. Totally awesome work.

This book is a modern setting with Jackson but it's also in a fantasy world, or worlds as he goes along, because of the different realms of villains. It's so easy to understand and enjoy. I loved the play on different fantasy themes as it made me smile.

As Jackson goes through the fantasy world he's in, working to get to the ruling villain, he points out the fantasy tropes present. And he hits on them all! Totally awesome and fun summary of characters in fantasy tropes. And I can say I read about that. It was great as it was fun in how it's portrayed. M.K. has taken fantasy, brought what we know to our attention, then twists it to his world and makes it fun.

Enjoyable story to listen to. It kept me entertained.

Unique story with perfect narration!

I really enjoyed this audible book. The story was fantastic, and the narrator did one of the best jobs I've ever heard with the voice narration. Beginning book two now!

this book is pretty good.

you have to get past the first few chapters of this book before it gets interesting. once you do, you will not be disappointing. the main character to start is a little much but, as he interacts with others and becomes a little bit more human it is easier to like him and his some what heartless plans. the story is fun in that it makes fun of story plots in general but embrace them at the same time. I highly encourage finishing the book, it is worth it.

loved it!

entertaining, great narrator all around great book!

will definitely be looking for more by this author!

Villains are cool

Loved the book, loved the characters. Absolutely funny with a great twist. The narrator was perfect.

Amazing! A must read!

This book is amazing. It's laugh out loud, very unpredictable, and once you start you won't be able to put it down. It has everything; the cliques of good vs bad, a love side story, gods, Demi gods... but just when you think you have it figured out, the book twists in the most amusing way.

The narration was great as well - the different voices for each character, the different inflections - were spot on.

I would suggest this book at anyone. You will love it!

This book was given to me for free at my request and I provided this voluntary review.

Sides Hurting from Laughing

If you could sum up Villains Rule in three words, what would they be?

Couldn't Stop Listening

What about Jeffrey Kafer’s performance did you like?

Mr. Kafer's narration was absolutely perfect. His tone and ability to deliver these lines with the "matter of fact" precision.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

VERY MUCH SO

Any additional comments?

I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator, or publisher.

Why do I find I can relate?

Made me laugh out loud a couple of times. Great story and the narration matches perfectly. Looking forward to a sequel!

so funny!

This was not what I was expecting based on the cover. This was well-written and hilarious. I laughed out loud several times. The narration was perfect for this story. I really enjoyed this one and can't wait to check out more in this series!

*This book was given to me for free at my request and I provided this voluntary review.*