I can’t stop thinking about this book. It lodged itself into my brain and is probably going to live there rent free for a while. It’s a story that takes you in the most unexpected direction and then surprises you with steering away from that path. It’s a tale where the villains are not just the bad guys, they are also heroes and full blooded characters, with backstories and circumstances that shaped them into who they are. Where there are reasons for them to be the way they are. Where they are allowed to take the centre stage and lead the way.
Rae is dying. It’s not that she doesn’t have any more will to fight, she’s simply tired. And of course she doesn’t want to be dead, it would mean her little sister is left alone, without her fiercest protector and that’s not something she can accept easily. So when she gets a chance to become a character in her favourite book series in order to obtain a Bloom of Life and Death and live, she takes it. Obviously she takes it. That means though she gets to be one of the most evil characters in the series, a character who’s supposed to die the day after she arrived. Lovely. But since she’s not a weak damsel in distress, she will do everything she possibly can to save herself. The choices could be difficult, maybe wrong, but they are definitely hers.
I loved the storytelling, the characters, the premise and the writing style. The perspective of a villain is so different, makes the story genuinely unique. It gives a chance for a reader to explore the characters they would otherwise not have paid attention to. The characters that get to show their choices are not just results of their “awful” personalities but rather calculated risks based on their knowledge, experience and abilities. And then the writing itself - absolutely stunning way of thinking, of designing the world and describing it. I’m absolutely in love with this book.
It’s 5/5 easily.

"You don't have to kill if you don't like it" Key promised. "I'll kill them for you."
"Kill who?"
Against her hair, she felt his mouth curve.
"Everyone"

THE SCREAM I SCRUMPT

Okay, so I'll start of with saying - this was one of my most anticipated reads of this year and I'll admit I don't think it went the way I thought it was going to go? But I LOVED it none the less. Perfect perfect vibes

In the book we follow Rae, who has been dealt a hard hand in life, and is dying way too soon in life. However, when a mysterious figure appears to her in hospital offering her a second chance at life by going into the story of her favourite book series she jumps at the chance of this magical bargain.

However, when Rae awakens in this war torn realm, she soon realises she is the villain of the story and how so moves next can change the course of everything.

This booked scratched that little p[ace in my brain that always wishes Alina in shadow and bone went evil and got with the darkling, and honestly if that doesn't sell this I don't know what will.

PROs
Villain POV
Revenge SCHEMING plots
DGAF attitudes
KEY!!!!!!
Found family (?) lmao

CONs
Modern language in fantasy setting (shudders)
the FMC was ridiculous - this can also be a pro
that ONE scene where I was like what is happening here?!?!?

Solid 4.5stars for me

It felt like a very unique place to be in the villain's shoes and I was surprised how much I enjoyed the the villains side of things.

The blurb & cover combination are very good at advertising the sexy villainy pitch of the story. It's perfectly legit to pick this up on this pitch, however I wanted to recap what ELSE is in the book, for those who are similarly frustrated by the blurb economy.

* I have picked this up because I really wanted to know what SRB did with a premise of isekai. She has written some things that I love to bits (ask me how many copies of In Other Lands I have given to friends as a gift), and some things that fell flat to me, but I definitely came into this book with a sense of curiosity and not scepticism.

*I had not realized that it is, in many ways, SRB's cancer book. The author lived through stage four cancer, and the protagonist, Rae, is a late stage cancer patient as well. The book opens in the hospital ward, and it's a pretty grim opening: while it's not unusual for isekai protagonists to transmigrate at the point of death, this hits very different to a generic "chocked on a bun and got yeeted into a medieval fantasy" openers. The references to cancer inform quite a number of Rae's reflections and observations once she transmigrates into the world of Time of Iron, and mainly they relate to her body. They were often quite jarring, but I consciously refrain from passing any opinions on them because I don't want to judge something I don't know and the author would have firsthand experience with. Let's leave it at that.

* you have to roll with the premise that Rae doesn't remember some key developments of the book she transmigrates into, even if Time of Iron is a superfandom in-universe and a big interest for her and her sister. Some of these omissions are believable, some of them could be explained by the changes triggered by events of the book, some of them strain suspension of disbelief. One of them relates to a key plot point, which made me raise eyebrows multiple times through the narration.

* the tone of the narration is very uneven. Opener: cancer ward. First thirty or fifty percent or so: sheer chaos, with Rae essentially LARPing on a sugar high while book characters are very earnestly living their high-drama lives of a dark fantasy with high passions. It's exacerbated by uneven sprinkling of POVs for Time of Iron characters, and introduction of another transmigrator. There is a barrage of rapidly-aging pop culture references in the dialogue. At one point the book becomes a musical. If you love it, you love it. I found the mood whiplash was very discordant, like the book couldn't decide what it wanted me to experience so it carouselled through everything at top speed. As the story progresses the ratio of tongue in cheek razzle dazzle decreases and gives way for pathos more suited to Time of Iron universe levels, but Rae largely continues to operate like it's a dress-up but with waning conviction.

* I was also not sold on the sexy villainy, both as rhetoric and fact. To be more specific: there are a lot of overwrought, florid speeches about acceptance of self and rejection of prescribed roles framed as villainy, often cheeky but sometimes earnest, done with loads of flaire by characters who are not, in fact, particularly villainous. It's a big dress-up party with theatre kids, who are in it for the viper aesthetics and scandalizing the stuffy adults. Or maybe it's several theatre productions with different levels of earnestness, one for transmigrators and generally deranged folks, and the others for the crowd with serious High Fantasy agonies who use villain to mean discontent with their lot in life. The book wanted to show you that moral schmoes are not usually card-carrying villains, but introduced the latter via an Aladdin-style procession with dancing elephants and monkeys.

What worked for me was the B plot with the second transmigrator, and generally the characters surrounding Rae who belong in the world of Time of Iron. As my investment for the characters of Time of Iron world grew as they were allowed to be their own people and exist beyond the confines of in-universe book archetypes, Rae herself was left behind in terms of any emotional attachment. The magic of In Other Lands didn't happen; where Elliot the outsider was endlessly fascinated with the fairy-tale like world around him, Rae trampled through it like paper scenery. I realize it's a part of her arc, but it's not one I warmed up to.

Thank you for Netgalley and the publisher for the early copy of the book.

finished this book and immediately ran to Goodreads because I HAD to see if it was standalone or a series... The Time of Iron #1 instills hope that the story will continue because dear lord I need to know what happens now.
I really had no expectations going into this book, I've never read anything by the other, but being this was their adult debut- felt like a good place to start.
First off I LOVE VILLAINY. Rae just decided to play the antagonist was so fun and starting her secret little club of vipers- positively delicious. It felt a bit much at times when she was continuously saying she was going to be bad (in a way only a person who isn't really going to be evil can).
I took me a second to get into the book, the beginning was a bit confusing- when you are trying to situate yourself in the narrative (Time of Iron was a real series it would be reminiscent of like LOTR or GOT for sure). Which means it was easy to get lost in the details, but once I figured it out, it was game over. I was obsessed- I had to know what happened to Key and Emer and all the other fun side characters.
All in all I was delighted by the concept and the story, the world building was fun and I cannot wait for the next one. Because like- what now???

Rating: 3.5

I was highly interested in the description of the book - an isekai into the villainess' body? Yes please! The cover is also gorgeous, and the title is just spot on. However, I felt a little led astray by the blurb and the actual plot of the story, the main thing being Rae was given a mission in her story life rather than just starting anew.

Speaking of Rae...she's supposed to be the protagonist, and she has a tragic backstory which leads to her mission of playing out the villainess' role to obtain the item which will let her return to her world and body. But, maybe it's because of the copious amount of webtoons and manga I have read previously in this particular genre, Rae falls flat. She talks a lot of smack about being evil and doing bad things, but then is surprised when things don't turn out the way it should. Is it not obvious to her that by changing things (such as a plot line where the villain dies) is changed, things won't turn out like what she knows? Especially when she talks to the Cobra and finds out his version of things. She's also very insistent that everything is just part of a story, but at least she eventually realises that she needs to stop dismissing things because it's not a story for those she begins to care for.

The supporting characters, the Cobra, Key and Marius to name the main few, held the story together for me. The interactions they had with each other and Rae kept the plot and book going. Honestly, the Cobra was a lifeline thrown in - if the early reveal hadn't had happened, I don't believe I could have coped with Rae alone. Weirdly enough, he felt more fleshed out and had a larger character than Rae did. His backstory was as tragic as Rae's, and they could have fought to both be protagonists.

Nevertheless, it was a good venture into a new area of written works. Hopefully there is a sequel which explores the other characters more, especially Emer who got (pretty much) robbed of an interesting career change.

The most fun I've had with a book for a long time. Long Live Evil provides an absolutely jam packed story full of action, intrigue & humour, I devoured the start of this book then had to pace myself as I just didn't want the story to end! Rae is transported to the world of Eyam, her sister's favourite book and a slight issue is that Rae has read the later books but does not have a full grasp on the 1st novel where she finds herself on the night before her execution.

Assembling her crew of villains to achieve her goal of returning home, we meet an absolutely amazing cast of characters. Emer, the soon to be Iron Maid, Key, the unhinged killer & Cobra, the extravagant criminal spymaster. Their motley crew expands across the novel as more and more complications arise as they work to help Rae achieve her goals.

The last quarter of the book was an absolute emotional rollercoaster with so many twists and turns and I loved it all! Thanks so much to Netgalley & the Little Brown Book Group for letting me read this arc. I'll be posting my review on Waterstones/Storygraph/Goodreads on the 25th July & Amazon upon release.

Long Live Evil was a very fun book. Who didn't daydream about living in their favorite book world? I still do.

Rae was an excellent character. She embraced the villainess character, and she enjoyed it. She was a breath of fresh air after the morally good heroines from other books. The first chapter almost made me cry.

I didn't give it a five-star rating because I do not love the writing style. There were too many analogies, and Emer's and Marius' POVs were very long and unnecessary, in my opinion.
The conversations between Marius and the Gooden Cobra were repetitive many times.
I would have preferred a little bit more seriousness from Rae, but after that ending, I think this will change in the next book.
I'm very excited to read the sequel. I think there will be a lot of exciting things in it. Key's character wasn't my favorite at the beginning, but I loved his character development.

As soon as I read the synopsis for this book I knew I'd love it. The premise is exactly my style and the cast of characters had me enraptured fairly early on. SRB has managed to weave a seductive tale about villains and heroes and perception, all whilst managing to make me laugh and fall in love with the chaotic but endearing MCs. The only thing that pulled my rating down from 5 to 4 stars was that I found the early stages of the story a little unclear and difficult to follow, but once it got going I couldn't put it down. VERY excited for book two after that ending!

I saw someone say this is a great book for those who loved Assistant to the Villain and I think that is very much true. I was incredibly intrigued by the beautiful cover for this book, as well as the premise for this book. A girl falls into her favourite book to save her life in the real world by becoming the villain, and hijinks ensue? I am sold.

I have to say, the first 30% of this book is incredibly slow and somewhat meandering. Similarly to how some of the lines in ATTV made me cringe, the same happens here especially early in the book. However, this is a book worth sticking with. When things truly started going I was throughly enthralled. I do have to say, Rae was not as villainous as she sounds from the blurb - it is mainly her breaking social conventions like showing cleavage that is her evilness. The real stars of this novel are the side characters such as the Cobra, Emer, Key and Marius. I really loved how they were fleshed out and developed as Rae realised that these weren't just puppets to the plot she knew and loved but living, breathing people who change as the plot moves forward and they have new experiences. I look forward to their characters being further developed in the next story.

Thank you to NetGalley and Orbit for letting me read this early and enjoy the story

I need to fangirl and scream in someones DMs because that ending left me wide awake at midnight. Like FIRST, PLEASEEEE Sarah can you give us loads more Eric and Marius content in the next book because I was devouring all the crumbs you threw at us in the book 😭❤️ I so 110% ship it. I need them and their banter like air. And then SECOND. Rae and Key 😍 holy shit I’m so obsessed. THE TENSION was just *chefs kiss* How can I wait for so long until the next book I am devastated.

Thank you to the publisher for sending me a wonderful and villainous proof.

I've got mixed feelings about this book. As I picked it up and read through the first half or so, I thought it might go straight to join my favourites. But I am on the fence about it now, so... lemme break it down

Liked:
* The concept. I love portal fantasies / isekai, so this was a great match for me!
* The main character, Rae. She was strong, she was fierce, she was determined to live and to be a force of nature. I couldn't help but root for her from the start
* Rae's sociopathic bodyguard, Key.
* The absurdity of it all (brought back memories of Wonderland, what can I say)
* The ending, which left me looking forward to the sequel

Not my cup of tea:
* The middle was slow, and it deviated from Rae for a bunch of long chapters, to the point where I didn't feel connected to her anymore, and the final scenes didn't have the emotional impact I would have liked.
* Repetition of certain phrases and ideas. I think this book could do with some trimming, and trusting the reader to pick up on themes rather than being so on-the-nose with them

So, should you pick this up? This is what I think, based on the ARC:

You will like this if...
you like a strong FMC and morally grey characters, you are into portal fantasy and isekai, you want to see stereotypes and preconceptions subverted, and you enjoy cheeky / snarky humour

You might want to take a rain check if...
you are not in the mood for narratives with multiple POVs, or for stories with a loose plot that meander quite a bit and can feel at times like "nothing is happening"

An action packed tale with magic and villains; this book will keep you entertained.

I enjoyed the read, it was fast moving and entertaining.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Following a desperate bargain, Rae is dropped into the world of her favourite novel and must use her wits to survive. The cast are riotously outrageous, and very morally grey. The tropes are constantly played with keeping Rae, and the reader, on their toes, as the characters refuse to stick to their designated storylines. While a tongue in cheek romp through a fantasy kingdom at surface level, Sarah Rees Brennan manages to deftly weave more serious undertones throughout.

4.5⭐️ This was a hilarious, hijink filled romp of a book, that was a self-aware ode to the fantasy genre. If you loved Assistant to the Villain, I think you’ll love this! It’s the perfect read for anyone who loves fantasy, wished they could live in a fantasy world and especially for those people who have fallen for a villain (or two!)

I loved the references in this to pop culture and fantasy books and how we got to see how confusing and crazy it sounds to characters from a fantasy world.
The characters were complex in an easy to read way, and they subverted classic character archetypes such as hero and villain. They were likeable, some of them loveable (*cough* KEY *cough* ) and the book being written from multiple povs added to the empathy you felt for the characters and helped to draw out the mystery and suspense.

There were twists that had me gasping, even when i had worked out what was coming because they were written well.

This was a story within a story within a story that felt cozy despite the horrors and the high stakes. The author does a wonderful acknowledgment at the end of the book citing all the inspirations and other books that have helped to build the fantasy genre. For me, I was reminded of The Book of Lost Things by John Connelly which made me feel nostalgic!

Sadly this was iust not for me. It's very tongue in cheek, the story self-aware and playful. However, to me it just read as contrived and frankly quite cheesy. I was really excited to read this--that cover!-- but alas it didn't work for me.

Ok this book was really weird? and I’m not sure how I feel about it so I’m going to rate 3.5 stars for now but I may change that after I’ve mulled over the story a bit.

There was some elements in this that I really enjoyed and I thought that the author making all the characters morally grey was fantastic.

That being said, the writing style in this is unlike anything I’ve read before and I don’t think I liked it that much.

Also annoyed my how much the author kept going out about the FMCs boobs.. felt a bit male authory to me..

Overall think I may pick up the sequel as I’m intrigued to know what happens next with Rae, Key and the gang.

Evil has won at last!

This not your run of the mill Isekai trope, its so much deeper, moral questioning and heart breaking than I could have ever imagined.

Abandoned by her closest relatives during her treatment for cancer Raes only escape is venturing in the fictional world of her favorite book series with her sister.

One evening while Rae is on the brink of passing over a mysterious stranger offers her the chance to live. All she has to do is enter her favorite fictional world and retrieve a flower the blooms but once a year. Unfortunately Rae wakes up in the body of the villainess the day before her execution! Chaos ensues, minions are created, oaths are taken and family is found. Maybe even a lil love too.

Winging it as a sudden prophet Rae uses her knowledge of the books to save her own skin while inadvertently causing what can only be described as a comedy of errors disguised as the butterfly effect.

While our protagonist navigates this fictional world she embraces the evil and villiany for her character. Believing that those around her are just fictional characters allows Rae to partake in morally questionable activities ( like murder) without a thought or care. Slowly and possibly too late does she come to the realisation that she cares for these people.

Brennan has amazing skill in bringing this fictional world to life, with characters that you will loath with your entire being ( looking at you kingy), others that you will love (Key) and those you will 100% change your mind on ( The Cobra).
Negatively the prolonged description of our protagonists breasts in every chapter did become old. I am unsure if it is meant to be a running gag or a genuine criticism for those who do have large breasts. As the descriptions are always negative and derogatory.

Long Live Evil is peppered with pop culture references, humour and several twists and turns that all manage to hit perfectly. I am desperately in need for the second book and I hope it doesn't break my heart.




< Review publication date 23rd July @ezzyhelluolibrorum >

*thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*

Brilliant!! this was absolutely magnificent! I devoured this! this book was one of my most anticipated reads this year and Sarah Rees Brennan delivered! I couldn't put this one. The start hit a bit close to home but it made this read even better and being able to connect and relate to characters.The writing and the witty humour were top tier. I couldn't recommend this book enough. Can't wait to get my special edition of this book it will be stunning!so stoked! 10/10!

— 4 stars
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

“Which came first, being treated as unworthy or being unworthy? In the end, it didn't matter. If others believed she was evil, or beautiful, or guilty, they made that true.”

📖 | 432 pages
👤 | author Sarah Rees Brennan
🏢 | publisher Orbit Books, UK
📅 | release date 30 July 2024

What you can expect:
— Adult Fantasy
— First Instalment In A Trilogy
— Third-Person POV
— Multiple POVs
— Villain's Perspective
— Real World X Meets Fantasy
— Scheming, Villainy and Betrayal
— Found Family-ish
— Prophecies & 'Chosen One'

Long Live Evil is the first instalment in the Time of Iron trilogy by author Sarah Rees Brennan. When her whole life collapsed, Rae still had books. Dying, she seizes a second chance at living: a magical bargain that lets her enter the world of her favourite fantasy series. She wakes in a castle on the edge of a hellish chasm, in a kingdom on the brink of war. Home to dangerous monsters, scheming courtiers and her favourite fictional character: the Once and Forever Emperor. He's impossibly alluring, as only fiction can be. And in this fantasy world, she discovers she's not the heroine, but the villainess in the Emperor's tale. So be it. The wicked are better dressed, with better one-liners, even if they're doomed to bad ends. She assembles the wildly disparate villains of the story under her evil leadership, plotting to change their fate. But as the body count rises and the Emperor's fury increases, it seems Rae and her allies may not survive to see the final page.

I went into Long Live Evil wildly excited over the initial premise and whilst ultimately left satisfied in the end, I will admit to struggling at the beginning. I was immediately drawn into Rae's character and her struggles with her rapidly fading mortality. After spending several years fighting against the horrible disease that is cancer, we are introduced to Rae's internal monologue and despair as she has lost all hope. Her anger and resentment are warranted and understandable, and I immediately felt for Rae and her struggles. When Rae finds herself thrust into the world of her favourite Fantasy series, this is when I begin to struggle. The way the storyline was introduced was admittedly a bit overwhelming and felt like an overall information dump on this new world and its inhabitants. Several characters are introduced as Rae once again finds herself acting quickly to avoid her death, and it just made the experience confusing and a struggle to push through. However the general idea of the story convinced me to push through, and thankfully I did as I found myself setting into the story with a positive outcome. The pacing was a bit up and down to my liking as Rae and her newfound band of misfits worked together on their schemes and villainy, however the ending left me gasping and looking forward to what comes next in this unique tale.

The winning aspect to Long Live Evil was definitely the immensely fun and chaotic cast of characters. The Cobra was without a doubt my favourite character to follow, whether that be within his own point-of-view or through the eyes of another. His fun and witty attitude added a lot of humour to this otherwise high-stakes tale, and his commitment to the story was hilarious. His dedication to their villainous cause and immediate companionship with Rae solidified himself as a favourite of mine, as I expect him to become an all-over fan favourite. Rae was an interesting main character as we follow her on a journey as 'story master' as she tries to reset the story to it's original state, and ultimately makes many mistakes along the way as plans are thwarted and deceit can only get you so far. I enjoyed the way she played into the character she was forced into in this new world, especially knowing what life had been like for Rae in the 'real world.' I was often frustrated by Rae's insistence that it was all just a story and nothing was to be taken seriously, however, I ultimately couldn't hold it against her as Rae was behaving as any normal human being would in her position. I found myself consistently second-guessing all over her newfound relationships as I questioned who was a true friend, and who was a hidden foe, and that ending left me truly shocked.

Key was another favourite character of mine. Who doesn't love a sociopathic guard teamed with the bodyguard trope? Can it be argued that Key is morally grey, or just downright bad? I can't seem to make my mind up considering how much I loved his character and page-presence. I'm glad we got some of Key's backstory as this helped me connect with him better, and after the ending of the book I'm very excited to see what comes next.

That final 15-20% had me in shock and unable to put the book down. What do you mean Long Live Evil ends there? That's just plain cruel... and yes I'll be picking up book two as soon as it's released. Well played Sarah Rees Brennan, you've gotten me hooked.

Thank you to Orbit UK for the ARC in exchange for an honest review prior to release.