How To Become The Dark Lord And Die Trying by Django Wexler

 

Davi is tired of her life.  She dies over and over, coming back to live it again.  She has been on the side of the Kingdom but maybe it's time to do something different.  She decides if she can't make it being virtuous, she'll become the opposite.  Why not become the leader of evil, The Dark Lord?

It isn't something that happens overnight.  She would have to be chosen at the Convocation and she isn't sure where that happens or what it takes.  She starts out but there are many instances of dying and starting over.  Eventually, she becomes the leader of a ragtag group that can form the basis of her horde; mostly orcs with some fox-wilders and rock-wilders as well.  

They start off on their journey to the Convocation picking up new horde members along the way.  After running afoul of a kingdom which found them trespassing, Davi and her horde make a hasty escape and climb over the mountains, finally getting to the Conclave.  Davi has three opponents there.  Can she reach her goal?

Django Wexler started his career as a software engineer and that had to help with the intricate plotting and the creation of the magic used.  But what is most noticeable about this book is the sheer fun of it.  Davi is a villain but one with a heart of gold, who insists on finding love along the way.  She is making it up as she goes but has an inborn ability to bond a group and share power that moves the story along.  I can't wait to read the next one in the series and I'm thrilled to have found Wexler as another author whose work I can explore.  This book is recommended for fantasy readers.