How to Become the Dark Lord and Die Trying

A hilarious fantasy adventure in which a young woman, who is stuck in a time loop, decides the best way to defend the kingdom from the Dark Lord is to become the Dark Lord herself.



Davi has done this all before. She’s tried to be the hero and take down the all-powerful Dark Lord. A hundred times she’s rallied humanity and made the final charge. But the time loop always gets her in the end. Sometimes she’s killed quickly. Sometimes it takes a while. But she’s been defeated every time.



This time? She’s done being the hero and done being stuck in this endless time loop. If the Dark Lord always wins, then maybe that’s who she needs to be. It’s Davi’s turn to play on the winning side.



‘A darkly comic delight of a novel’ Anthony Ryan



‘Twisty, pacey and full of reverent irreverence for fantasy. I can’t get enough’ Max Gladstone



‘A brash swords-and-satire romp that draws you into its rollicking adventure even as it pokes fun at the whole genre. Gamers in particular will appreciate the irreverent upending of classic roleplaying tropes’ James L. Sutter



Takes the old saying ‘If you can’t beat ’em, join ’em,’ to the next level. A sarcastic, action-packed, intrigue-filled (mis)adventure. One of the funniest books I’ve read in a long time’ Matt Dinniman



‘Lord of the Rings crossed with Groundhog Day, narrated by a gender-flipped Deadpool’ Mike Brooks

Format: Paperback
Pages: 448
Imprint: Orbit UK/Hachette
Publication date: 23/05/2024
Series: Dark Lord Davi