(Totally not an) EVIL OVERLADY

The Calamitous Bob #8

by Álex Gilbert

Viv is Empress! Well, Empress of a couple cities and fortified villages, but Empress nonetheless. What started as a last-ditch effort to resist Prince Lancer’s land grab has turned into a fragile nation. Now, it is her job to protect it by forging alliances, fending off evil gods and perhaps even reclaim lost villages scattered along the deadlands. Thankfully, our dauntless heroine has command over totally not suspicious black steel legions, arcane tanks under the leadership of an owl-creature nicknamed ‘Ser Warcrime’, an entire race of genetically engineered assassins, and a paramour nicknamed ‘the Red Mist’. She is also a black mana witch of immense power. But that doesn’t mean she’s evil! She just looks the part. Honest！

Genres: Fantasy, Magic

537 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 17, 2024

Reviews

[Russell Gray · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was another fun addition to the series. While this was 4-star territory for me, any series that keeps my attention longer than four volumes has separated itself from the pack. At this point, I feel like the series has lost a bit of momentum for me. The main plot points that kept me going in earlier volumes have already been resolved.

This volume was more like a collection of mini-adventures rather than a singular cohesive progression. While these were side stories to an extent, they didn't feel like filler, so I still enjoyed it. I'll admit, my enthusiasm ebbed a bit during the Marruk and Rakan pov chapters. I almost think it's inevitable in a longer series that accumulates a lot of characters for me to not really care much about half of them. They are fine and dandy when sharing the scene with Viv, but they don't quite have the shoulders on them to hold up the story for me on their own.

I expect the next volume to be pretty entertaining as we'll likely see the long-overdue conflict with the Pure League come to a head. I think we'll also get a resolution to Sidjin's plot points. The story seems to be moving in a predictable path, broadly speaking, but the specifics are still fun.

[Topher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Looking at summaries, I think I'm up through 8 - maybe more? But 8 sounds about right for having just finished the nemeti arc.

[Christopher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another really fun entry, although this one felt like three mini-arcs strung together. Viv continues to be a very fun character and I appreciate how straightforward the narrative is about her goals. A lot of these reborn in a new world fantasies try to mesh democratic ideals with magical nobles and it comes off very poorly (with the main character being a hypocrite, because obviously the main character should be supreme ruler unconstrained by the masses /s), but Viv very much acknowledges that her goals are benevolent immortal-monarchy. On a meta-level, a lot of lit-rpgs and fantasy are doing this (I’m thinking Path of Ascension’s current arc conquering Soerilla), which I don’t know if I love that on a societal level, but narratively I enjoy the clean setup and execution.

[ARR62 · Rating 5 out of 5]

So, So Good

What I love about Viv is that she does not disappoint. Ever. There's no way to sum this up and if you haven't been reading from the first book then go back and do so. You'll be glad you did. What I can say is that Viv continues to abide by her promises and vision while continuing on her path. With style, much deliberation, and sarcastic humor. Enjoy!

[Ta · Rating 4 out of 5]

What can I say? It's a Calamitous Bob book, though I'd say it was better than the previous one. Fun, easy read.

Taking away one star, because Gilbert not only can't find himself an editor, he is not even using autocheck. There is absolutely no need to have so many typoes and basic punctuation mistakes (commas don't bite, I promise).

[Aryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this series!

I am about to start the last book of the series that is published and I am so sad!! I have been reading about and experiencing the lives of Viv, Solfis, Sidjin and all the others for the last couple of weeks and I am not ready to leave them!!!

If you haven’t read this series you just have to, it’s a super easy read. Viv has come so far!

[Mark D. Farmer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maintained the high standard

Another excellent addition.
The balance of humour, plot, and characters is perfect for me.
The continuing story of Empress Bob and Princess Arthur.
A cast of well rounded supporting characters.

Harrak eternal.
Indeed

[William Howe · Rating 5 out of 5]

awesome, as always

Not funny-haha, but shining moments of wry humor that make reading this a pleasure. Moments where everything goes right in the worst way possible.

Always an unexpected pleasure. I look forward to being surprised by the next book.

[Tj · Rating 5 out of 5]

Better then Lord of the rings

The world building. The character progression. The wit. The action. There are maybe four typos in the entire series I've found. This is one of the best series since Harry Potter or The hobbit. In-effing-credible.

[Mina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Solfis throwing a hissy was the highlight of this book. All due to Vi, in 8 books he gets this character arc, from patriot war veteran to coming face to face with what he was actually defending, it's the underrated highlight of this series.

Bitch, we missed you!

[Liza · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cannot get enough of The Calamitous Bob Series

Love the action, the magic, the character progression. But most of all I absolutely love the humor. Alex Gilbert knows how to tell his stories that keep me up all night and well into the morning.

[Jack Jurdon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love these books.

Another awesome book, I would totally recommend this series, the entire series is really good. I would like a novella of Arthur and her brother.

[Tony Hisgett · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the previous book, except for the bits involving Gods, unfortunately this one has pages and pages of divine intervention.

[Tony Hinde · Rating 3 out of 5]

Everything is so easy now. The thrill has gone.

[Thorsten · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic addition to the series, loved it start to finish and am eagerly awaiting the next book.

[Michael Sese · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can't wait for the next one, weh!

[Cody Hatch · Rating 5 out of 5]

The series is fantastic. Read it.