Science fiction · Fantasy · Adventure
Starter Villain
Charlie is a divorced substitute teacher with money problems who inherits his uncle's business, which turns out to be a supervillain operation. His staff includes talking cats and other surprising colleagues.
Facts last checked 2026-10-16
- First published
- 2023
- Pace
- Fast
- Length
- Short
- Pages
- 262
- Format
- Standalone
Read this if you want a quick, silly, sharp comedy with talking animals and wry jabs at billionaires.
Skip this if you want serious science fiction or deep characterisation, since it is a light, playful romp.
The feel
Content warnings
Also reported by Hardcover readers:
Quick answers about Starter Villain
- What is Starter Villain about?
- Charlie is a divorced substitute teacher with money problems who inherits his uncle's business, which turns out to be a supervillain operation. His staff includes talking cats and other surprising colleagues.
- Who should read Starter Villain?
- Read it if you want a quick, silly, sharp comedy with talking animals and wry jabs at billionaires. Skip it if you want serious science fiction or deep characterisation, since it is a light, playful romp.
- How long and how fast is Starter Villain?
- It is a fast-paced, short read of about 262 pages, first published in 2023.
- Does Starter Villain have content warnings?
- Content we flag: Violence.
- Can I borrow Starter Villain for free?
- Often, yes. Check Libby (OverDrive) to see whether your library lends Starter Villain; the borrow button above searches it for you.
- What should I read after Starter Villain?
- Readers who liked it often move on to The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, Good Omens, Dungeon Crawler Carl.
Your shelf
Saved in this browser only. Open my shelf
Where to get it
| Store | Price | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Borrow free | ||
| Libby / OverDrive | Free with a library card | Borrow free with Libby from Libby / OverDrive |
| Print, new | ||
| Amazon | Check price | Buy new from Amazon |
| Ebook | ||
| Kobo | Check price | Buy ebook from Kobo |
| Google Play Books | Check price | Buy ebook from Google Play Books |
| Audiobook | ||
| Audible | Check price | Buy audiobook from Audible |
Prices appear here as retailer feeds are connected. Where none is shown, check the store. Links open the store in a new tab.
Some store links, including Kobo, are affiliate links: we may earn a commission if you buy, at no extra cost to you. Library links are never affiliate links. How this works
Share this pick
Because you might love it
If you loved Starter Villain
-
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy The model for comic science fiction in which absurd ideas are played completely straight.
-
Good Omens A very British comic fantasy with the same love of mischief and an unlikely partnership.
-
Dungeon Crawler Carl
A longer, more violent comedy with a snarky talking cat and a very strange premise.
Science fiction
