Grimdark comedy romp for fans of Peter Beagle's "I'm Afraid You've Got Dragons' and "The Princess Bride', movie and book alike!

This was delightful!
I enjoyed how the MC woke up with no memory of who he was only to deduce he was a Dark Wizard called Dread Lord Gavrax. Love the name!
I knew early on that I was going to enjoy this dreadful adventure. The writing is very self-aware and creates the best snarky comments!
We have a Dark Wizard who doesn’t want to be evil, a Princess who is not very polite, a goblin, and a rooster.
This cleverly satires all the overused fantasy troupes and acts as a commentary on expectations and perceptions. Yes, this is a funny romp, but it’s also a reflection of how we must take responsibility for our own image and how we cultivate it.

"If people don't see what they expect to see..."
“They're disappointed, and then they won't take you seriously."

Definitely recommended for fans of T Kingfisher!

Absolutely loved this book, would recommend it to anyone looking for a witty fantasy. The main character is incredibly well crafted and his story is complimented by all of the well thought out side characters. Super enjoyable plot as well. Overall one of my favorite reads of 2024.

I did laugh out loud in parts, but overall Dreadful didn't grab my attention as much as I'd hoped it would. It also felt like it was setting up for further books, with more worldbuilding but that may just be my take on it. Interesting premise and a decent execution. 3.5 stars.

The best opening to a book that i've read in a long time. This book was at times laugh out loud humorous but also tempered with seriousness. When our main male character wakes up in the middle of a mess with no memories of who he is or what occured, it quickly becomes clear that he is in a Dark Wizards castle and is actually the Dark Wizard himself. While trying not to let anyone know that hes lost his memories he discovers that he is in possession of a kidnapped princess. With an case of identity crisis and amidst a larger plot with other Dark Wizards, Gav must decide who he wants to be, the villian of the story or if he wants to do better, be better.

I thought this was very good and I will have to add this to the shop shelves. Thank you for the chance for us to review.

'Dreadful' by Caitlin Rozakis has a fun premise - the villain of the story wakes up in his evil lair, but doesn't know why or how or that he is, in fact, the villain. A very fun cozy romantic fantasy akin to Assistant to the Villain in vibe.

Caitlin Rozakis delivers an enchanting tale in Dreadful, blending gothic horror and dark humor with an unforgettable cast of characters. The protagonist, Wren, is both flawed and fiercely relatable, making her journey through a grim yet whimsical world utterly captivating. The atmospheric prose and clever dialogue kept me hooked, and the balance of eerie and heartwarming moments was beautifully handled.

While the story’s pacing falters slightly in the middle, and a few plot threads could have been more fleshed out, the overall experience is compelling and original. Fans of gothic fantasy with a touch of irreverence will find Dreadful an absolute delight. It’s a story that lingers with you, like the best kind of nightmare.

Highly recommended for those who love books that are equal parts spooky and heartfelt.

I requested it because the concept was very promising. A character wakes up in a lab, with no eyebrows and realises he is the evil wizard - sign me up! But unfortunately the execution was a bit of a letdown.

This was cute! I felt like it needed to be expanded more, I just kept wanting more from the plot and the characters. However it was a very easy and funny and cosy read to curl up with, so I would recommend it!
Thank you for the eARC!

Dreadful" by Caitlin Rozakis is a deliciously dark and self-aware romp through a cursed kingdom. The protagonist, a reluctant necromancer saddled with a truly dreadful reputation, just wants to finish a dangerous ritual without accidentally dooming the world—or himself.

The undead minions? Barely functional and endlessly snarky. The creepy old castle? Falling apart faster than his patience. And the ancient spellbook he’s working from? Absolutely useless half the time. Oh, and let’s not forget the nosy heroes constantly showing up to 'defeat' him, completely misunderstanding the situation.

What makes this book shine is how it balances macabre humor with genuine heart. The protagonist’s struggle to maintain his ominous image while secretly trying to do the right thing leads to one absurd scenario after another. It’s funny, clever, and oddly touching—a perfect read for fans of dark fantasy that doesn’t take itself too seriously.

Unfortunately this was a dnf for me. I didn't really get into the writing style and had to abandon after a couple of chapters

*Fiasco* by Constance Fay is an engaging and dramatic exploration of personal turmoil and the consequences of poor decisions. The story centers around characters whose lives spiral out of control, each facing the fallout of their actions. Fay's writing is sharp and raw, capturing the emotional depth and complexity of her characters. The plot unfolds with unexpected twists and turns, keeping readers hooked as they witness the characters' unraveling. Themes of redemption, failure, and self-realization are thoughtfully explored. *Fiasco* is a compelling read for those who enjoy character-driven stories that delve into human flaws and the messy realities of life.

This book was so charming and funny. It was gentle and sweet and rollicking good time. It’s a romp. I say that really specifically because if “romp” or “charming“ doesn’t work for you, you won’t like this. You know how I say that I really struggle with some romance because of the banter? Well, in this book, the banter is everything. I absolutely loved it. It made me giggle time and time again. Also, as with every good novel of cozy fantasy, this book is not just about a wizard and his wizard ways. It’s not about the dark castle or the princess or the spells or the monsters or the goblins.

This book is, at its core, about who we are and who we want to be and how sometimes those two things aren’t the same thing. And sometimes we have to gather up all of our courage and our humility and make a new start to go in a different direction. And also, this story is a story about friendship and a really nice friendship between a dark wizard and a friend and a princess. And it’s not romantic and it’s not sexual it’s just about being friends who understand each other and forgive each other for The parts of themselves that aren’t perfect or wonderful or even likable. It was pretty perfect.

This story follows Gav in third person as he wakes up in his evil wizard workshop with no eyebrows or memories of his previous evil deeds. He has a kidnapped princess and a castle full of goblin servants as well as a magical mirror for communication. Gav is just winging it until he figures out what’s going on.

I found this one a little slow to start, but once Gav has his feet under him and starts bumbling along to finding answers, I thought it was creative, highly entertaining and just plain fun. The goblin servants became endearing, the local village folk were at times fearful and industrious, especially the mayor and the princess even had a dual persona that I really enjoyed.

Between a more than creative chef, a hero turned into a rooster and a bag of wriggling squids, it often devolved into chaos that I found hysterical while all building to a strong climax. Gav ultimately had to examine his life choices even though he wasn’t sure what they were and make decisions on who he wanted to be moving forward. Was he really evil? Did he even want to know?

Recommended for its humor and chaos when you need a bit of levity. I’m looking forward to this author’s next book!

Thank you to Netgalley and Titan Books for a copy provided for an honest review.

Dreadful was an absolute wild ride. I loved that Gav had absolutely no memory and was completely clueless. He is 100% hilarious. I do wish we would have gotten a little bit more of his backstory.

I also really enjoyed the goblins. There characters were all so eclectic. The garlic festival!!!!

Definitely comes with a great moral lesson, but was also funny and heartwarming.

I was very intrigued by the premise of this novel. A villain with amnesia? Yes please. While the book was a cute story, it fell flat. was hoping for something a bit more adventurous. It was a great cozy story though. I think I just wasn't in the mood for a cozy story and that's not the author's fault. It was witty, cute, and minimal romance. I did like the overall message.

A new to me author gives us a story full of action, adventure and mystery with diverse characters aplenty to support the captivating storyline. A really enjoyable read!

Dreadful is a title I've started handing to friends when they are in a book slump. It has intriguing enough characters and a fast paced plot to keep things interesting. It has a lovely amount of snark and levity to balance out any dark or gruesome bits. Overall an excellent read, and one I'll continue to recommend!

Sadly, I found this... dreadful. (Sorry, I had to take that layup.)
I just couldn`t connect with the characters or the humor. I just didn´t find it funny.
It was too over the top and the plot just wasn´t anything to write home about.
I was really hoping to love this based on the cover and the synopsis. Sadly, it just didn´t work for me.