Starter Villian- Anti Hero in Training
By: John Scalzi
Location: FIC SCA
Genre: SCI FI
computer-savvy cats
This feels very present day!
Warning: supervillain in training. Risk of world domination.
Locus and Hugo Award-winning author John Scalzi brings us Starter Villain, a turbo-charged tale of a family business with a difference. This one comes with a hidden headquarters, minions, talking cats and villainous rivals worthy of James Bond.
Divorced, broke and emotionally dependent on his cat, Charlie hasn’t been loving life. Then he finds out his recently deceased Uncle Jake has left him a top-secret, international supervillain business. And, as if this wasn’t problematic enough, Jake’s vengeful rivals ambush the funeral. Charlie must decide if he should stay stuck in his rut, or step up to take on the business, the enemies, the minions, the hidden volcano lair . . .
Even harder to get used to are the talking, computer-savvy cats – and the fact that they’re management. If Charlie says yes to his inheritance, could this lifeline become a death wish? Or could it finally be his chance to shine?
The alternative cover says it all!
In true Scalzi fashion, it’s also incredibly silly and ultimately a light hearted, fish out of water romp.
The main character is plucked out of their mundane existence and thrust into a world they know nothing about: comical James Bond style villainous organizations, weaponized animal intelligence, laser death rays, evil volcano lairs, etc. Not only does he have to quickly come to terms with this insanity, but he’s suddenly been put in charge of it all. It’s ridiculously good fun.
My favorite aspect of the novel is just how satirically corporate all of this modern day villainy is presented as being. The most evil characters in the book will be recognizable to anyone familiar with the current generation of lame ass billionaires, captains of industry, and crypto bros. If you enjoyed Glass Onion, you’ll be right at home with Scalzi’s take on the brilliant/idiot dynamic present in a lot of these characters.
I’m not sure if I’ve just never noticed before now, or this is something new for Scalzi, but this book is like 90% dialogue. This would really be my only gripe with Starter Villain. There’s a lot of talking, and not very much doing going on. Basically all of the action takes place between the lines. It still works well, and feels very Scalzi, but I would’ve loved some more descriptive, omniscient writing, maybe just in short chapters interspersed here and there.
If Providence was Max Barry writing a John Scalzi sci-fi adventure, Starter Villain is very much John Scalzi’s take on a Max Barry corporate satire a la Jennifer Government or Company. This is something I’m all about. I’ll take more of both please.
Comments
Post a Comment