I actually came across this book when checking on a book sale. I saw the tagline–I’m all for a villain era–and decided to make it a book option for my next book club.

Everyone was ready for another fantasy and we had high hopes for this one. And, even though it received mixed reviews in my book club, I fell in love. Here’s why.

What you need to know.

Plot & Premise

When a young cancer patient tries to escape death by transporting to her favorite fantasy book, she learns how complicated it is to not only be a villain, but also a book character who is just as real as you and me—in their world. Rounding up her entourage of morally grey characters, she makes many assumptions that leaves her in great peril when the real “hero” comes to light.

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My thoughts on the story.

Objectively…

To begin with, the premise is very fascinating to play with—“Would you survive your favorite fantasy book?” I feel like this is so original (in Western storytelling) and has so much room for fun with tropes, which is exactly what we get in this story. Naturally, that leads to some humorous and astute observations about how books are written, and our limitations as people. Along with that, the plot didn’t seem as predictable because as a trope arose that would indicate a particular direction, the villainess would divert to another direction to save her plan to survive the story that was fated to follow another plotline.

Another element twisted is the blurred line of the character roles. As this is a kind of frame story, all the main characters from the “original” plot are secondary characters to this version of the story. So, in this tale, we find that many side characters have their own “main character” energy when they would typically be undeveloped to leave room for the main character to take center stage. But here, we get to see from the “lesser” characters’ eyes as they perceive and survive a story where the main characters may not be the heroes we usually credit them to be. This really pushes us to dig into the idea of anti-heroes and morally grey characters–what are they and are they really the antagonists and villains we think them to be?

Overall, the story takes notice of little details we take for granted and blows them up to be analyzed for what they are: purposeful elements emphasized or ignored by the author to create a particular effect. And, as a reader noticing them, they can be nuggets that help us to interpret the story more richly.

Considering all this, I would still say this book rates at about four stars.

There are many characters with multiple titles each, which makes the story quite confusing to follow most of the time, until you get to know the characters and the symbolism behind each title. And, that is hard to do because we are bombarded with the characters all at once since we are dropped in the middle of the story without the full background knowledge of the frame book.

Personally…

I absolutely loved this book! As I listened to it, I adored how things progressed and subverted my expectations. I was able to pick up on some hints, since she was satirizing particular elements in fiction literature, but because I was focused there, I would miss others. So, despite my elements at trying to pick up the foreshadowing, I still missed it. AKA, it was a challenge–though, it wasn’t a hard read at all.

There’s humor, yearning, introspection, classic fantasy, and “main character” energy bursting from everything. Each character is viscerally real for you, with no one really falling by the wayside as a “side character” with only shallow details. They all have a backstory and role that you learn, and that makes invest in each of the characters slightly differently, and routing for them in ways the “original author didn’t intend” when considering it’s a frame story.

And, of course, even though there basically isn’t really any romance in the story, there is a kind of subtle romantic yearning that’s developing. But, the FMC is so busy, we never really get to see it grow. Which is a little disappointing, but at the same time, it’s still clear enough that you fall in love with Key and Rae being together and your imagination is fed just enough to go wild needing more. Not to mention, there is romance and yearning developing between other couples, as well. For me, this kept me engaged because I wanted more, but wasn’t so deprived of hints that I got frustrated. Not necessarily a slow burn, per se, but definitely something more budding.

This actually ended up being a 4 star read for me and my book of the year (2025).

Not even going to lie, mostly because I feel in love with Key and the Cobra. They are such fun characters, and bring a different perspective to male diversity without stealing what makes them desirable. Funnily enough, Key actually beat Xaden out as my book boyfriend! Just trust me on this one, he’s fantastic!

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Is this book for me?

I recommend this book if you like:

• Subtle humor
• Trope subversion and genre awareness
• Daring, and over-the-top characterization
• Frame stories
• Antiheroes and villains origin stories

If you’re interested in buying a copy, you can order a new one and support my small bookshop (Fulfillity Books & More) by purchasing it here.

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So, what about tropes make you love a fantasy most? What do you seek in a book boyfriend?

Let us know in the comments below.

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