Starter Villain

John Scalzi

★★★★☆

A fun, fast read, parodying the James Bond Villain archetype. The main character is dropped into the deep end of supervillain society, complete with double-crosses, triple-crosses, assassination attempts, blackmail, framing…and of course the secret volcanic lair, superlasers, talking dolphins (who are really unpleasant and cranky) and a management layer of typing spy cats (who are much less so, depending on how well you feed and pet them).

Everyone knows he’s way out of his depth and wants to take advantage of him. But he knows it too – and between a background in business journalism and a willingness to listen to people with expertise (always considering that they have an agenda that might not be his own), he’s able to manage better than anyone expects.

Of course, the skills that get you to the top of the backstabbing, chaotic world of villainy…aren’t necessarily the best for financial stability. Or stability of any kind.