Word has it that James Cameron summed up “Titanic” with, “In the end the boat sinks and everybody dies.” And then he proceeded to make an award-winning movie about it. This book has the same problem and a similar solution.

Because we know from the very start that it has to be a happy ending. We can tell by the tone of the prose and the author’s presentation of the Demon Overlord that he is going to make his retirement succeed. The interesting question is, “How?”

It is a fascinating read, watching the ultimate anti-hero evolve into a real hero, all the while scorning the tender feelings he denies having. Watching an all-powerful being trying to limit himself to anonymity and the restrictions of an average human life, knowing that he will find good reason to use just one little bit of his power, just this once, for a good cause. Then, by the “thin edge of the wedge” theory, we see the whole thing cascade in on him.

This is the mirror image of the Faustian hero’s descent into evil; in this case, he falls into good. And the reason for his fall is because of his one good quality: once he commits to something, he stays committed, Sort of.

Thematically, the book manages to turn the usual Fantasy interpretation of good and evil on its head, requiring a rethink of traditional morals in order to resolve the whole mess.

And then there’s the writing style: casual, offhand, understated, full of asides and clever interpretations. Gently satiric and imaginative, with a surprise around every corner.

The Overlord’s foremost problem is his attitude towards humans who, from his exalted point of view, are completely incomprehensible. And of course, there’s his nemesis, Prometheus the goat, who eats whatever he pleases and magically gets into any place he wishes. And his hell hound/Golden Retriever, Buttercup. And a little girl who, in her naïve way, is far more intelligent than she ought to be.

This is a group of people you’d love to spend a couple of hours with. In fact, when I’d studied the book and made my notes, instead of writing my review I went back to the beginning and read the whole thing through again. And probably enjoyed it even more.

An enthusiastic five stars. Can’t wait for the sequel.

This review was originally published on Reedsy Discovery