Dreadful by Caitlin Rozakis

Book Description

It’s bad enough waking up in a half-destroyed evil wizard’s workshop with no eyebrows, no memories, and no idea how long you have before the Dread Lord Whomever shows up to murder you horribly and then turn your skull into a goblet or something. It’s a lot worse when you realize that Dread Lord Whomever is… you.

Gav isn’t really sure how he ended up with a castle full of goblins, or why he has a princess locked in a cell. All he can do is play along with his own evil plan in hopes of getting his memories back before he gets himself killed. But as he realizes that nothing is quite what it seems, Gav must face up to all the things the Dread Lord Gavrax has done. And he’ll have to answer the hardest question of all – who does he want to be?

Review

If you’ve been yearning for a comedic high fantasy featuring a dark wizard protagonist, your wait is over. Caitlin Rozakis’s Dreadful is a delightful romp through a world where humor and wit reign supreme. The story follows the misadventures of Gav, who endeavors to navigate a series of bizarre and hilarious predicaments.

Rozakis’s sharp writing style kept me engaged (and giggling) throughout.

I enjoyed the way Dreadful balances humor with meaningful storytelling. Yes, it’s funny, but it’s also a well-written book. Even better, Rozakis has crafted quirky, interesting characters who are themselves twists on long-suffering high fantasy archetypes.

For those of us who love to laugh, Dreadful is a joy to read. I mean, the cover says it all, doesn’t it??

The plot, while light-hearted, also touches on deeper themes of classism and bigotry, providing a satisfying and thought-provoking experience.

But whether you’re in it for the laughs or the story, Dreadful delivers on all fronts. If you’ve already read Dreadful and enjoy fantasy stories with a strong sense of humor, check out my reviews of The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde and I’m Afraid You’ve Got Dragons by Peter S. Beagle​​​​.

For those looking for an entertaining summer read, give Dreadful a try. It’s a narrative that is as funny as it is engaging. I highly recommend it to anyone in need of a laugh and a great story.

Content Warning

Blood, Classism, Confinement, Death, Fire, Gore, Injury, Kidnapping, Torture, Violence

The header photo is a composite image. Base image by Ksenia Yakovleva on Unsplash