# How to Become the Dark Lord and Die Trying

By Django Wexler · Dark Lord Davi, book 1

Profile: https://hahafiction.com/books/how-to-become-the-dark-lord-and-die-trying-cc5d359a/

Davi has tried saving humanity often enough to know how it ends: she dies and starts again. This time, the woman stranded from Earth changes her ambition. If defeating the Dark Lord never works, becoming the next one might.

## What makes it funny?

Davi has a practical view of leadership: a Dark Lord's charisma has a lot to do with how many armed followers turn up. Her asides and footnotes keep questioning the grand explanations fantasy characters give for power.

### The comedy at work

A profane modern narrator has had centuries of repeated lives to lose patience with heroic conventions. Pop-culture references and open skepticism accompany her decision to use the villain's methods.

### Try this if…

This is for a taste in violent fantasy parody, an ethically compromised heroine and a voice that rarely observes decorum. The repeated attempts give Davi plenty of history to complain about.

### Good to know

The book includes graphic torture, suicide and self-harm within its time-loop premise, frank discussion of sexual assault, and frequent profanity.

## What to expect

- Genre: Fantasy
- On the shelf: Portal fantasy
- Kind of humor: Dark comedy · Parody
- The atmosphere: Irreverent
- Format: Novel
- Length: 432 pages
- Audiobook: 14 hr 1 min
- Published: 2024

## More in Dark Lord Davi

- Book 2: Everybody Wants to Rule the World Except Me

## A few distinguishing details

- A repeated failure at heroism prompts a change of sides
- A would-be Dark Lord who remembers her previous lives

## Sources & further reading

- Publisher: [Hachette identifies How to Become the Dark Lord and Die Trying by Django Wexler, trade paperback ISBN 9780316392204 at 432 pages, and lists an audiobook download marked Unabridged (audio ISBN 9781668638057).](https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/django-wexler/how-to-become-the-dark-lord-and-die-trying/9780316392204?lens=orbit)
- Book information: [Apple Books identifies How to Become the Dark Lord and Die Trying by Django Wexler, narrated by Jeanette Illidge, Hachette Audio, runtime 14:01.](https://books.apple.com/us/audiobook/how-to-become-the-dark-lord-and-die-trying/id1705750602)
- Review: [Kirkus review](https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/django-wexler/how-to-become-the-dark-lord-and-die-trying)
- Publisher: [Publisher](https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/django-wexler/how-to-become-the-dark-lord-and-die-trying/9780316392204?lens=orbit)
- Review: [Publishers Weekly review](https://www.publishersweekly.com/9780316392204)
- Publisher: [Publisher series page](https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/series/django-wexler/dark-lord-davi)
- Reading sample: [Publisher opening excerpt](https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/orbit-books/how-to-become-a-dark-lord-and-die-trying-by-django-wexler-exclusive-excerpt)