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The Shadow Master #5
Villains Return
Following the events of VILLAINS DEFEAT, Jackson Blackwell—the minor god and former Shadow Master—is dead. His empire toppled, his entourage dispersed, and his stain upon the cosmic landscape wiped clean. And that is exactly what Jackson, the newly graduated Titan, wants Eris Pence and the gods of the multiverse to think.
After two years of secret training, Jackson is ready to begin his rampage, his mission of sweet revenge. The only things standing between him and his dark desires are a few pesky personality tests and a Titan named “Frank.”
VILLAINS RETURN is the fifth book in the award-winning Shadow Master series and something of a whirlwind tour of Jackson’s greatest hits. This action-packed dark comedy calls back to several beloved locations, ties up more than a few loose ends, and forces Jackson to see beyond his immediate goals. Growth, it seems, can come at any stage in a person’s life. Even a right prick like Jackson can become a better man—or villain.
After two years of secret training, Jackson is ready to begin his rampage, his mission of sweet revenge. The only things standing between him and his dark desires are a few pesky personality tests and a Titan named “Frank.”
VILLAINS RETURN is the fifth book in the award-winning Shadow Master series and something of a whirlwind tour of Jackson’s greatest hits. This action-packed dark comedy calls back to several beloved locations, ties up more than a few loose ends, and forces Jackson to see beyond his immediate goals. Growth, it seems, can come at any stage in a person’s life. Even a right prick like Jackson can become a better man—or villain.
- GenresFantasyUrban Fantasy
375 pages, Paperback
Published July 21, 2023
1 person is currently reading
12 people want to read
About the author
M.K. Gibson
21 books129 followersHi, I'm Mike Gibson (Gib or Gibby to my friends). I'm a father, husband, writer and a retired US Air Force MSgt with 20 years of service. Back in 1980, when I was 5, I saw the animated version of The Hobbit and was a geek from then on. All I have ever wanted to do was to write and tell stories.
I live with my wife, son, dog and two cat in Mt Airy, Maryland.
I love to read, play video games, exercise, and watch movies. I'm a lover of all things geek and feel that all people have amazing stories if you're willing to listen
I live with my wife, son, dog and two cat in Mt Airy, Maryland.
I love to read, play video games, exercise, and watch movies. I'm a lover of all things geek and feel that all people have amazing stories if you're willing to listen
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
May 20, 2024
Review originally posted at BooksOfMyHeart.net.
I’m always ready to go back into the Shadowmaster world with Jackson Blackwell. He is just such a fun character. He always tells it like it is as he sees it. It’s been two years since the previous book (both in the book world and in real life). I was chomping at the bit to get back to this story. Jackson has been missing from his friends and family for all this time, while he learns his new titan powers. And a lot has changed since he last saw his minions.They are all scattered across several different multiverses.
This book has everything that we have come to expect from Jackson Blackwell. He is still very much a villain with a very snarky side. He also still only sees things from his own perspective, though he does come to see others through this book. I love seeing Jackson become more human, even as he becomes less human. He learns to not take his friends and family for granted. He even teaches his former boss about how vengeance can be very self destructive.
I would not start with this book, if you’ve never tried Shadowmaster. This is a series that is meant to be read from the beginning. I will say this story does pull in a lot from previous books, reminding Jackson where things once were. There is also a large number of pop culture references, a huge amount of humor, and internal monologue.
I’ve always loved how Jackson speaks directly to the listeners. I also love how Gibson changes things up for the audiobooks and adds some stuff specifically for us. I keep saying I’m going to try an ebook, just so I can see the differences, but it has yet to happen. The audiobooks are just too fun.
If you haven’t tried this series, I highly recommend it. It always makes me laugh. And this came at a time when I could use one.
Narration:
Jeffery Kafer always does an amazing job when he narrates a book, but I have to say, I love when he performs the snarky ones best. I think he does such an amazing job bringing Jackson to life. I don’t think I could just read one of these books, I have to listen. And even if I did read, it would be with Kafer’s voice in my head.
There is also a blooper reel at the end of this audiobook. I think all snarky books should include them. I felt it made the jokes even better. I’ve often wondered how narrators would get through some of these scenes without laughing. The answer, several takes.
**I'd like to thank the author for providing me with a copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
I’m always ready to go back into the Shadowmaster world with Jackson Blackwell. He is just such a fun character. He always tells it like it is as he sees it. It’s been two years since the previous book (both in the book world and in real life). I was chomping at the bit to get back to this story. Jackson has been missing from his friends and family for all this time, while he learns his new titan powers. And a lot has changed since he last saw his minions.They are all scattered across several different multiverses.
This book has everything that we have come to expect from Jackson Blackwell. He is still very much a villain with a very snarky side. He also still only sees things from his own perspective, though he does come to see others through this book. I love seeing Jackson become more human, even as he becomes less human. He learns to not take his friends and family for granted. He even teaches his former boss about how vengeance can be very self destructive.
I would not start with this book, if you’ve never tried Shadowmaster. This is a series that is meant to be read from the beginning. I will say this story does pull in a lot from previous books, reminding Jackson where things once were. There is also a large number of pop culture references, a huge amount of humor, and internal monologue.
I’ve always loved how Jackson speaks directly to the listeners. I also love how Gibson changes things up for the audiobooks and adds some stuff specifically for us. I keep saying I’m going to try an ebook, just so I can see the differences, but it has yet to happen. The audiobooks are just too fun.
If you haven’t tried this series, I highly recommend it. It always makes me laugh. And this came at a time when I could use one.
Narration:
Jeffery Kafer always does an amazing job when he narrates a book, but I have to say, I love when he performs the snarky ones best. I think he does such an amazing job bringing Jackson to life. I don’t think I could just read one of these books, I have to listen. And even if I did read, it would be with Kafer’s voice in my head.
There is also a blooper reel at the end of this audiobook. I think all snarky books should include them. I felt it made the jokes even better. I’ve often wondered how narrators would get through some of these scenes without laughing. The answer, several takes.
**I'd like to thank the author for providing me with a copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
July 26, 2023
Jackson growing? A deepening in his understanding of himself? Surely I just read those last 350pages wrong. Yet it had me hooked from one page to the next. So many call-backs to previous books. So much fun and old school chaos also a great view of some of the more taken genres that have been coming back. It was amazing seeing the changes that have been wrought throughout all the books but the last 2 years, he has been "dead". Bring on book 6!
September 16, 2024
This is MK Gibson's best work to date. The story is compelling all the way through. His character development through the whole series so far has been amazing. I cannot wait for the next book in the series.
January 14, 2025
The Shadow Master series is such a breath of fresh air for readers, at least that’s how I felt while reading the whole thing. I highly recommend the series to anyone looking for a good laugh and fun story telling. Much like the Technomancer series it is such a great ride. Cant wait for Villains Academy!
July 28, 2023
VILLAINS RETURN by MK Gibson is the fifth book of the Shadow Master series and yet another example of why this is probably the author's best work. As much as I love the TECHNOMANCER books, there's just something deeply refreshing about Jackson Blackwell's running commentary on how every indie Gamelit cover has a hot girl or guy with sword. Also, that he wishes he'd gotten into harem LitRPG because he'd be making serious bank otherwise.
Surprisingly, my favorite part of this novel is the constant historical lessons that Jackson pauses to impart on people, including the basis for the Count of Monte Cristo and my favorite female Russian tank driver. There's a lot to like in this book as it also returns us to the first book's setting.
The big theme of this book is, ugh, personal growth and whether it's possible for a self-styled misanthropic sociopath like Jackson to do so. His friends have all felt like they were abandoned for two years while he's been studying his Titan powers. Some of them have changed in dramatic ways while others remain stuck in pointless feuds as well as vendettas. I could have done with some new villains but really enjoyed the way that Jackson chose to deal with everyone instead of just going all KILL BILL.
Overall, if you enjoyed the previous installments of the series then you will almost certainly love this one.
Surprisingly, my favorite part of this novel is the constant historical lessons that Jackson pauses to impart on people, including the basis for the Count of Monte Cristo and my favorite female Russian tank driver. There's a lot to like in this book as it also returns us to the first book's setting.
The big theme of this book is, ugh, personal growth and whether it's possible for a self-styled misanthropic sociopath like Jackson to do so. His friends have all felt like they were abandoned for two years while he's been studying his Titan powers. Some of them have changed in dramatic ways while others remain stuck in pointless feuds as well as vendettas. I could have done with some new villains but really enjoyed the way that Jackson chose to deal with everyone instead of just going all KILL BILL.
Overall, if you enjoyed the previous installments of the series then you will almost certainly love this one.
December 6, 2023
It was a harder read with the “Woe Unto Me” tone. Witty still but more of a slog. But that last act was what made up for it all.
July 21, 2025
Jackson Blackwell returns and after escaping death he is now a TIT (Titan in Training) and plotting his revenge. An entertaining story as always, with Jackson on top form.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews