Dreadful
(Libby/OverDrive eBook, Kindle)

Rozakis's amusing debut opens on a bewildered amnesiac waking up "with no eyebrows and no idea how he'd gotten into such a position." Through interactions with his terrified but endearing goblin minions, he pieces together his identity as the Dread Lord Gavarax, a dark wizard who has apparently kidnapped a princess and is entangled in a rather complicated scheme led by the ghastly and unpleasant Lord Zarcornar. Tales of the evil deeds he can't remember committing turn Gavarax's stomach, but he's forced to continue playing the villain while investigating how he's lost his memories. Floundering through his daily routines while trying to reconcile his past and present selves proves challenging--especially with his clever and wary hostage, Princess Eliasha, observing his every move. Adding a surprising dose of heart to her quick-witted tale, Rozakis demonstrates her excellent comedic timing and keen ability to keep readers guessing. This clever, high-energy fantasy is a delight. (May)

DEBUT After a spell gone wrong, the evil wizard Gavrax (he prefers Gav now) wakes up with no memories of who he is or what he's been doing. Gavrax was in the middle of a complicated scheme involving three other wizards, a deadly ritual, and a kidnapped princess. Now Gav will have to do his best to play along, but he's finding he doesn't have the same appetite for evil as his former self—and it turns out he's not the only one who's playing a part. This humorous fantasy plays with stock tropes including evil wizards, captive princesses, and villainous henchmen to upend genre expectations at every turn. Readers will root for Gav as, horrified by his past deeds, he searches for an escape from his sinister lifestyle. Beyond gags about killer moat squid and what makes an appropriately evil outfit, Rozakis delivers commentary on entitlement and asks whether it's ever too late for someone to improve. VERDICT Silly but earnest, this cozy fantasy will appeal to fans of TJ Klune and Travis Baldree.—Erin Niederberger

Rozakis's amusing debut opens on a bewildered amnesiac waking up "with no eyebrows and no idea how he'd gotten into such a position." Through interactions with his terrified but endearing goblin minions, he pieces together his identity as the Dread Lord Gavarax, a dark wizard who has apparently kidnapped a princess and is entangled in a rather complicated scheme led by the ghastly and unpleasant Lord Zarcornar. Tales of the evil deeds he can't remember committing turn Gavarax's stomach, but he's forced to continue playing the villain while investigating how he's lost his memories. Floundering through his daily routines while trying to reconcile his past and present selves proves challenging—especially with his clever and wary hostage, Princess Eliasha, observing his every move. Adding a surprising dose of heart to her quick-witted tale, Rozakis demonstrates her excellent comedic timing and keen ability to keep readers guessing. This clever, high-energy fantasy is a delight. (May)