How to Become the Dark Lord and Die Trying, Review

How to Become the Dark Lord and Die Trying, Dark Lord Davi series book 1, by Django Wexler

This was a fun book. The female protagonist brings plenty of humor and attitude to the story, using wit, sarcasm, and a healthy dose of hormones to add flair. The pop culture references and quick quips give the book a snappy, modern tone that’s easy to enjoy.

“Never fuck anyone you would be upset having to kill, that’s my new motto.”

Without giving anything away, my only complaint lies with a significant plot point introduced early on. The main character, Davi, has a unique ability: every time she dies, she resets to a specific starting point. This mechanic is introduced with energy and creativity, and I was really excited to see how the story would explore it. Unfortunately, after a handful of deaths at the beginning, this element disappears from the plot until the final 30 pages. That was disappointing. The story remained fun, but I had hoped for a deeper dive into how that mechanic could shape the narrative.

“At this particular moment, fuck subtlety. I cast fireball, motherfucker.”

Even so, this book has a strong voice and a unique sense of style. It's self-aware and satirical, poking fun at fantasy tropes without ever becoming cynical. Davi is clever, capable, chaotic, and, don't forget, horny, in the best way, and her journey is one that never stops moving.

“They catch me one more time (sword to the back of the head, instant death, 5/5 stars).”

If you’re in the mood for something fast-paced, smart, and a little bit unhinged, How to Become the Dark Lord and Die Trying is worth the read. It doesn’t take itself too seriously, and that’s part of what makes it work so well.