Morfran, Dark Lord Reformed by S. B. West, 368 pages. Ace (Berkley), 2026. $30.
Language: R (42 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: PG13 (alcohol use, partial nudity, kissing, innuendo, and mentions of sex); Violence: R (assault; blood and gore; battle scenes; mentions of torture, cannibalism, and suicide; and murder)
BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL, ADULTS - ADVISABLE
APPEALS TO: SEVERAL
Dark Lord Morfran left his evil ex-wife and is trying to enjoy a life of jam making and goat farming. But his evil ex is hunting Morfran down without telling the kingdom that he left. As he flees his farm, Morfran accidentally finds the rebellion—and they’re forcing Morfran to assist them in beating his former army and taking back the cities he conquered.
The best word to describe this book is ridiculous—mostly in a charming way, though there were a few ongoing jokes that just made me roll my eyes. I enjoyed reading about this villain who is tired of being around evil, taking the first step of his redemption arc by himself, and then is forced to continue what he started with restitution he would not have made without the rest of the characters. While it’s mostly a comedy, the story shows a surprising amount of heart, proving that it’s never too late for kindness and forgiveness to change a life.
Reviewer: Carolina Johnson
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