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  • Villains Rule

  • The Shadow Master, Book 1
  • By: M. K. Gibson
  • Narrated by: Jeffrey Kafer
  • Length: 9 hrs and 50 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (211 ratings)
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Villains Rule cover art

Villains Rule

By: M. K. Gibson
Narrated by: Jeffrey Kafer
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Summary

Hi, how are you?

Yes, I am talking to you, the reader of this book's description. It's rude not to answer a person when they ask you a question. Okay, I get it, fourth-wall breaking is overdone. Get over it. This book, Villains Rule, is a fantasy action-comedy which you have to hear. Not because it redefines the genre, far from it. But rather for what it contains. A villain's tale.

How often do you get to listen to a story where the villain is the protagonist? No, not an anti-hero, or a brooding monster, nor a hero thinly disguised as a villain. And not evil. If you want evil, take that nonsense to therapy. No, I mean a villain's villain. The ones who use their power because they can, while morality is only a philosopher's complex.

This is the story of Jackson Blackwell, the Shadow Master and the top villain adviser. Sadly, even the top villain occasionally gets double-crossed. Trapped in one of the fantasy realms, Jackson has to use his skill and wits to exploit the rules, points out the genre flaws, undermine godly authority, and win the day.

Because that is what villains should do, shouldn't they? Listen to this book, have a few laughs, and find out.

©2017 Michael Gibson (P)2017 Michael Gibson

What listeners say about Villains Rule

Average customer ratings
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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

When is a god not a god, When he is a villain.

Did not expect what I got totally brilliant this book just blew me away the story has twists and turns at every page. the narrator puts so much life into the characters that brings the book to a higher level that it already is. I really hope there is a follow up.

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5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Don't let the cover fool you

One of the better superhero/villain books I have listen too. Very original story with a great narrator and I can't wait for book 2.

The cover doesn't do this great book justice

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

Gave up fairly early.

I only made it a few hours in. The main character was just boring, reminded me of my great uncle when he's had too much to drink and thinks he's a genius who knows better than everyone else how to fix the world. I couldn't listen to another 7 hours of that.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

to many references to other books

the concert is good, the main character is 1 dimensional, I found the references to other books really annoying,

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

What a find

If you like Drew Hayes, Rich Gualteri or Jim Butcher you’ll love this

Can’t wait to listen to the next one

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

The OMG of VILLAINS: no need to pray – just pay!

Villains Rule is the tale of a villain, who revels in villainy… the villainy of taxation, with illusory representation; the villainy of lies, rhetoric, propaganda and public opinion manipulation; the villainy of overthrowing open oppression and replacing it with voluntary enslavement; the villainy of the greatest evil ever conceived… politics.

Julian “Jackson” Blackwell, is the “Shadow Master”, the fantasy world’s first and only consulting crisis manager, spin doctor, fixer and political adviser... and business is good… no, I mean villainous.

Follow him and like him, at your own peril… and yet, you will… he’s just that good… no, I mean villainous.

If you are a fan of any of the following audio books, then you will enjoy Villains Rule:

The D-List Supervillain series by Jim Bernheimer

The Supervillainy Saga by C. T. Phipps

Starship Grifters series by Robert Kroese

Conversely, if you enjoy Villains Rule, then you will love the aforementioned series. Good listening.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Listener received this title free

Hilarious.

An extremely funny book with a fantastic story, a lot of twists, wonderful characters, hilarious situations, and an entertaining adventure. I loved the chapter headings.
Jeffrey Kafer’s narration is top-notch.

A review copy of this book was sent to me by FreeAudiobookCodes. All of the above opinions are my own.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars
Listener received this title free

Amazing.

The penmanship of the author M. K. Gibson in truly unmatched.
What a great fantasy / comedy.
You can’t put it down and you can’t stop laughing.

Jeffrey Kafer is probably one of the best narrator ever.

My recommendations !


Oded Ostfeld.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
Listener received this title free

The Shadow Master knows best

Jackson Blackwell is the Shadow Master, he lives by his rules and offers advice to the villains of the multi dimensions. After being betrayed, he finds himself looking for revenge and needing the help of heroes. Interesting story, told from Jackson's point of view, as he uses people and the environment to get what he wants.

Well narrated by Jeffrey Kafer, he brings the story to life.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

A great romp

Very easy to listen to, endlessly entertaining and often funny.
the worst I could say about it is that there are occasionally arbitrary or tenuous jumps, but for me it was a forgivable compromise to provide such an engaging and listenable tale.

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