Starter Villain (book) by John Scalzi
Bibliographic Information
Title: Starter Villain
Author: John Scalzi
Publisher: Tor
Copyright Date: September 19, 2023
ISBN: 9780765389220
Page Count: 272
Genre
Science-Fiction, Fantasy, Mystery/Thriller
Reading Level/Interest Level
Adult FIction with a special interest for young adults
Awards
Plot Summary
Charlie is struggling to make ends meet as a divorced substitute teacher (once journalist), and desperately wants to buy a corner pub that has gone up for sale when his mysterious and estranged uncle dies and leaves him strange instructions and a villainy empire (including a volcano lair & a team of talking dolphins). Charlie soon finds himself at the helm of wealthy villainy corporation along with his pet cats that were actually spies for his uncle. There are many other villains who didn’t like the way his uncle operated, and don’t seem to care for Charlie, either. He tries to learn the ropes of the business and not die in the process.
About the Author
Author Background
John Scalzi is a writer, editor, film critic, columnist, freelance writer, and a novelist. He has written for a television series and a video game, and was an executive producer for Old Man’s War & The Collapsing Empire. He is married with a child and pets. He has won multiple awards including the Hugo, the Locus, the Audie, the Robert A. Heinlein, the Seine and the Kurd Lasswitz (Scalzi, 2023).
Critical Evaluation
This book was an easy and funny story, but definitely outside of my wheelhouse. I didn’t know any of Scalzi’s previous work before I read the book., and it’s possible I picked up the book based on the cover. I appreciated the smart cats who could communicate with humans, but I didn’t understand the villainy tropes. The characters were well developed, and all felt real. I got a little frustrated about three-quarters of the way through because I thought it wasn’t going anywhere, and there wouldn’t be a resolution, but I ended the book feeling satisfied.
Creative Use for a Library Program
Encourage teens to raise money for the local animal shelter, and then host an adoption event in the parking lot.
Speed-Round Talk
Charlie, an everyman who is substitute teaching inherits his estranged uncle’s villainy business when he dies. He soon discovers in the world of villainy most things aren’t what they seem, including cats who can communicate via typing. Will he be able to master the business he knows nothing about and not die in the process?
Potential Challenge Issues and Defense Preparation
There was some violence in the book, as well as plenty of crude language. It won’t be for everyone, but as my own teenage daughter shared, the language isn’t any different than what she hears from the boys during any given day at school.
Reason for Inclusion
I think that teens will enjoy this book. Kirkus Reviews describes it as “fluffier and sillier” than Scalzi’s other work (2023). The amount of dialogue made the book move quickly, and there was plenty of humor. It could be a great read for a reluctant reader.
Bonus Material
My teen enjoyed it (although she wanted to hear more from one of the cats!)
An interview with John Scalzi about Starter Villain:
References
Kirkus Reviews. (June 8, 2023). Fun while it lasts but not one of Scalzi’s stronger books [Review of Starter villain by Scalzi, J.]. Kirkus Reviews. https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/john-scalzi/starter-villain/
Movie Classics. (2015, August 14). Devil in the white city classics GIF [GIF]. Giphy. https://giphy.com/gifs/movie-diary-classics-12xlw7x5xd3wpq
Nashville PBS[@nasvillepbs]. Starter villain - John Scalzi | A word on words | NPT [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZYDbNpnneIo
Scalzi, J. (2023, January 24). A brief biography of John Scalzi. Whatever: Ready or not there comes the drop. Retrieved November 14, 2024, from https://whatever.scalzi.com/about/a-brief-biography-of-john-scalzi/
Scalzi, J. (2023, September 19). Starter villain. Tor.
*Book Cover Image is property of publisher, Tor; taken from Amazon.