Book Review: Starter Villain

Charlie Fitzer is a down-on-his-luck teacher with a mounting pile of problems when he unexpectedly inherits his estranged uncle’s business empire. The catch? His uncle was a supervillain. Suddenly thrust into a world of criminal syndicates and secret lairs, Charlie has to figure out not just how to survive, but whether he wants anything to do with this at all!

Starter Villain is pacy and entertaining, and it sure packs a lot into its modest page count. For a reasonably short book there’s a lot in here. The mechanics of how villain enterprises actually function, the flow of money, the politics of organised crime, are all really well thought through. It makes it grounded, and dare I say plausible, even as it becomes more outlandish.

And outlandish it certainly is! Negotiations with dolphin labour unions, confrontations with crime lords… a network of sentient cats operating as spies! This is excellent satire that’s well tied to real stakes. It works precisely because the world feels both ridiculous and believable at the same time.

The characters are distinct and credible, and Charlie himself is an engaging protagonist. He’s ordinary enough to be relatable and resourceful enough to be worth following. And the plot has enough twists to keep you on your toes without ever feeling contrived.

Part of what I loved about Starter Villain is that it’s a complete, standalone novel. There’s no loose threads or unresolved arcs. In this way, it’s very satisfying. Compelling plot and excellent satire, all packed into one easily digestible novel! What’s not to love?