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Rate: 4/5

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Medium: Audiobook

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Overview (No Spoilers): 

When my friend Marty recommended this book to me, I couldn’t help but laugh and be equally intrigued and amused by this unique title. How to Become a Dark Lord and Die Trying is equal parts snark, humor, and high stakes as Davi looped in a seemingly endless fantasy version of Groundhog Day. Having grown up in modern society, Davi unexpectedly wakes up in a medieval world full of magic that includes an impending horde of evil warriors led by a Dark Lord. The twist comes that whenever Davi dies, usually horribly at the hands of this looming army,  she wakes up in the exact same spot as the first time, doomed to keep replaying the same roles over and over again. After 1,000 of these ‘do-overs’ Darby is understandably bitter and jaded, ready for a change. Time to change sides and see what this horde business is all about. 

Seriously, so much fun. Likely due to the countless violent induced regenerations Davi’s character teeters on unhinged and rather callous. She frequently makes off handed modern references that confuses anyone around her. For the reader, these references are typically nostalgia-inducing such that I found them comparable, though less over-the-top, than Ready Player One.

Interestingly too, the story began when Davi decided to switch teams, so we do not have any of the shock from her initial awakening in this strange new world or the drawn out buildup from her seemingly countless attempts to have the ‘good guys’ prevail. Instead, we jump right into her quest to become the Dark Lord and all the chaos that ensued. 

The nature of the Groundhog Day upon death added significant suspense and gravity to whatever dangerous task Davi would find herself mired in, especially as the length of times between resets grew. By the end, knowing Davi would have to start completely over if she died made the dread palpable. 

Despite the danger, Davi was often distracted by her frequently horny predisposition. How often Davi would find herself in some form of sexual distraction, especially with so much on the line, grew tiresome. Though to be fair, despite all the lives Davi has lived, it feels like she’s never grew beyond her teens. 

Overall, How to Become a Dark Lord and Die Trying was a highly amusing read full of sass and an entertaining twist to the conventional heroine arc. I seriously can’t wait for the conclusion of this duology out today. 

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Additional Insight (Spoilers Abound): 

• Is this a video game simulation? How does Davi reset? 

• Who was the voice she heard? 

• What happened that she didn’t have to start back over from the beginning?

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