John Scalzi seems to write two types of books. One is epic war space battles. The other is humorous sci-fi/fantasy. Starter Villain is the humorous type. 

 

Our main character is a bit down on his luck. He lost his job as a journalist. He is divorced. He moved back home to take care of his father, who passed away. All he has left are some half siblings that resent him because he was the “other” family and because he is making it so they can’t sell the house. 

 

But then his uncle dies, a billionaire that stayed away after a fight with his father at his mothers funeral. But the billionaire uncle didn’t make his fortune from parking lots, he was a villain. And our MC just inherited the family business. 

 

Starter Villain is the perfect combination of humor and hard hitting reality to keep you reading. I flew through the book enjoying it all. I especially appreciated the found family aspect. And the ending was perfection. 

 

Starter Villain is a perfect sci-fi read even for those who do not typically read science fiction.