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Reborn as a Dark Lord #1
Reborn as a Dark Lord:
"A hilarious, sauce-stained isekai with the right amount of flavoring."—Matt Dinniman, author of Dungeon Crawler Carl
From scourge of the realm to a beloved tavern owner. This Dark Lord is ready for change.
Vincent Logan's day couldn't get any worse. Fired from his corporate day-job, almost dying of a heart attack, and then suddenly thrust into the body of the recently defeated Dark Lord Morthisal?
Talk about a career change.
Now, trapped in a fantasy world with powers he can barely control and a reputation that precedes him (in all the wrong ways), Vince has to navigate a post-war kingdom that wants nothing more than to see him dead. But he's got other plans.
Armed with nothing but his wits, a few magical artifacts, and an insatiable craving for chicken wings, Vince sets out to open the most unlikely business venture for a former evil overlord.
His mission? To buy a tavern and create the best hot wings the kingdom has ever tasted.
Welcome to this cozy fantasy tale of reinvention, camaraderie, and the universal truth that a good plate of hot food can solve almost anything. It's perfect for fans of Heretical Fishing, Legends & Lattes, and A Wizard's Guide to Defensive Baking!
From scourge of the realm to a beloved tavern owner. This Dark Lord is ready for change.
Vincent Logan's day couldn't get any worse. Fired from his corporate day-job, almost dying of a heart attack, and then suddenly thrust into the body of the recently defeated Dark Lord Morthisal?
Talk about a career change.
Now, trapped in a fantasy world with powers he can barely control and a reputation that precedes him (in all the wrong ways), Vince has to navigate a post-war kingdom that wants nothing more than to see him dead. But he's got other plans.
Armed with nothing but his wits, a few magical artifacts, and an insatiable craving for chicken wings, Vince sets out to open the most unlikely business venture for a former evil overlord.
His mission? To buy a tavern and create the best hot wings the kingdom has ever tasted.
Welcome to this cozy fantasy tale of reinvention, camaraderie, and the universal truth that a good plate of hot food can solve almost anything. It's perfect for fans of Heretical Fishing, Legends & Lattes, and A Wizard's Guide to Defensive Baking!
- GenresFantasyHistoricalMagic
544 pages, Paperback
Published August 19, 2025
348 people are currently reading
141 people want to read
About the author
Timothy W. Long
62 books152 followersWhen not sitting around watching Rick and Morty reruns in a bathrobe, Timothy W. Long writes stuff. He has a predilection for weird literature and sometimes drinks Coke for breakfast. Don't tell his mom.
Tim is the author of over 30 novels in genres ranging from cozy/Isekai, to all manner of post-apocalyptic because no one has managed to take away his word processor.
Tim is an active member of SFWA, HWA, and Thriller Writers. He recently signed a three-book deal with Aethon Books for his Dark Lord Reborn Series.
Tim is the author of over 30 novels in genres ranging from cozy/Isekai, to all manner of post-apocalyptic because no one has managed to take away his word processor.
Tim is an active member of SFWA, HWA, and Thriller Writers. He recently signed a three-book deal with Aethon Books for his Dark Lord Reborn Series.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
September 9, 2025
This does not have strong enough characters to support a slice-of-life. Without that, it is a slog to get through.
August 31, 2025
Solid book. Funny, light, with great characters. Can't wait for the next!
September 5, 2025
To get the nagging question out of the way he doesn't make chicken wings/ hot wings until about 55% through the book. They also really only appear at this point in the book. They show up once or twice after this part but otherwise aren't really there. I just mention this since they are in the title of the book and you expect them.
The characters are basically what you expect. The main character is quirky with creative comebacks and is fast on his feet which makes you question how he was so mediocre on Earth. The female main character is pretty and that is about all we get out of her. The side characters all love the main character unconditionally and that's all they are really there for.
The plot was different from what I am used to in these cozy isekai books. That difference keep me interested throughout. Reading the recipes is fun and the author seems to have looked into how to cook or knows how to. I thought the beginning was well done and was an interesting how he got here intro.
The characters are basically what you expect. The main character is quirky with creative comebacks and is fast on his feet which makes you question how he was so mediocre on Earth. The female main character is pretty and that is about all we get out of her. The side characters all love the main character unconditionally and that's all they are really there for.
The plot was different from what I am used to in these cozy isekai books. That difference keep me interested throughout. Reading the recipes is fun and the author seems to have looked into how to cook or knows how to. I thought the beginning was well done and was an interesting how he got here intro.
August 29, 2025
Young adult reading level is being generous. Simple and bland.
It's not much here to care about. Man goes to Fantasyland and basically is impressed because he can cook like a fireman. It's a bland boring meaningless story. It feels more AI with a bunch of pop culture references that are supposed to land as humor because he's talking to people who don't understand... Very original. Just a week attempt at writing. 12-year-old might really like this, the 12-year-old who one day wants to be a chef would really like this. An adult with an average or above IQ or education is going to struggle to care about it.
I will not be reading any further books in this series.
It's not much here to care about. Man goes to Fantasyland and basically is impressed because he can cook like a fireman. It's a bland boring meaningless story. It feels more AI with a bunch of pop culture references that are supposed to land as humor because he's talking to people who don't understand... Very original. Just a week attempt at writing. 12-year-old might really like this, the 12-year-old who one day wants to be a chef would really like this. An adult with an average or above IQ or education is going to struggle to care about it.
I will not be reading any further books in this series.
November 23, 2025
"Reborn as a Dark Lord" is kind of boring.
The protagonist is the typical data-entry schmuck isekai'd to a generic fantasy world with orcs and elves. He's transplanted into the body of the local Dark Lord, who is about to be overthrown by the forces of good and wants to switch bodies out of his predicament. Which leaves Vincent with the face of an evil overlord that everyone wants dead.
Fine premise, but it doesn't go anywhere. Vincent loots a magic gem from the Dark Lord's treasury that conveniently disguises him and gets away. Which begs the question that if Vincent can do that so easily in the Dark Lord's place, why the Dark Lord didn't just do that instead of pulling the cockamamie body-switching plan.
The rest of the book is about Vincent cooking food and eventually running a tavern. There are a lot of detailed scenes in which Vincent cooks. If you don't like to cook, reading about will bore you. If you do like to cook, those scenes will bore you too, because what he cooks is basic stews, hamburgers, and chicken wings. Real beginner stuff. Which everyone around him treats like high cuisine.
There are orcs! Orcs are idiots! Orcs speak broken English! Orcs end every sentence with exclamation point! Vincent manages to talk the orcs into various things, like paying him to cook. Everyone talks about how amazing it is that he makes friends with the orcs, when it's really super easy, barely an inconvenience.
There's a local baron who takes a disliking to Vincent. He's cartoonishly evil and stupid, and for some reason never actually orders his retinue of guards to do anything about Vincent. Well, eventually he does, but that gets halted before it begins by what amounts to a deus ex machina.
While not everything is handed to Vincent on a silver platter, it comes pretty close. Every time the plot throws up an obstacle, he immediately overcomes it without difficulty. For example, when he needs to scrape together money to buy a tavern, people he barely knows offer right away to invest in his venture, and don't seem to care through the rest of the book that their investment isn't making them any money.
I finished it, but I have zero interest in reading further books in the series.
The protagonist is the typical data-entry schmuck isekai'd to a generic fantasy world with orcs and elves. He's transplanted into the body of the local Dark Lord, who is about to be overthrown by the forces of good and wants to switch bodies out of his predicament. Which leaves Vincent with the face of an evil overlord that everyone wants dead.
Fine premise, but it doesn't go anywhere. Vincent loots a magic gem from the Dark Lord's treasury that conveniently disguises him and gets away. Which begs the question that if Vincent can do that so easily in the Dark Lord's place, why the Dark Lord didn't just do that instead of pulling the cockamamie body-switching plan.
The rest of the book is about Vincent cooking food and eventually running a tavern. There are a lot of detailed scenes in which Vincent cooks. If you don't like to cook, reading about will bore you. If you do like to cook, those scenes will bore you too, because what he cooks is basic stews, hamburgers, and chicken wings. Real beginner stuff. Which everyone around him treats like high cuisine.
There are orcs! Orcs are idiots! Orcs speak broken English! Orcs end every sentence with exclamation point! Vincent manages to talk the orcs into various things, like paying him to cook. Everyone talks about how amazing it is that he makes friends with the orcs, when it's really super easy, barely an inconvenience.
There's a local baron who takes a disliking to Vincent. He's cartoonishly evil and stupid, and for some reason never actually orders his retinue of guards to do anything about Vincent. Well, eventually he does, but that gets halted before it begins by what amounts to a deus ex machina.
While not everything is handed to Vincent on a silver platter, it comes pretty close. Every time the plot throws up an obstacle, he immediately overcomes it without difficulty. For example, when he needs to scrape together money to buy a tavern, people he barely knows offer right away to invest in his venture, and don't seem to care through the rest of the book that their investment isn't making them any money.
I finished it, but I have zero interest in reading further books in the series.
October 20, 2025
Make the most of a bad unforeseen situation. Stuck in a fantasy world? Open up a tavern that serves hot wings…
Reborn as a Dark Lord: (The Tavernkeeper's Guide to Rejecting Evil, Befriending Orcs, & Cooking Exceptional Hot Wings) by TIMOTHY W. LONG is a cozy fantasy about business…and trying to figure out how the word works when you’ve been body swapped with the world’s former big bad…
Vincent was a mild mannered office worker when he felt like he was gonna die and woke up in the body of an evil sorcerer (all being it without the knowledge of how to use those magical powers)…
While managing to go undiscovered and taking on a different name and look…he decides to figure out a plan…
He can’t fight worth shit and he doesn’t know anything about the world…but he can cook…and he can talk…and both of those may just keep him alive and allow him to thrive…
I really enjoyed the business aspects as the lead makes friends, builds connections, starts work on the tavern, and sees what kind of food might be marketable…
Of course there are those seeking evidence of the surviving dark lord, and there are business rivals, and opening a tavern is super expensive…and the dark lord has former (DEAD) friends haunting him…
But hopefully he can figure it out and make it to his grand opening…
Highly recommend…
Reborn as a Dark Lord: (The Tavernkeeper's Guide to Rejecting Evil, Befriending Orcs, & Cooking Exceptional Hot Wings) by TIMOTHY W. LONG is a cozy fantasy about business…and trying to figure out how the word works when you’ve been body swapped with the world’s former big bad…
Vincent was a mild mannered office worker when he felt like he was gonna die and woke up in the body of an evil sorcerer (all being it without the knowledge of how to use those magical powers)…
While managing to go undiscovered and taking on a different name and look…he decides to figure out a plan…
He can’t fight worth shit and he doesn’t know anything about the world…but he can cook…and he can talk…and both of those may just keep him alive and allow him to thrive…
I really enjoyed the business aspects as the lead makes friends, builds connections, starts work on the tavern, and sees what kind of food might be marketable…
Of course there are those seeking evidence of the surviving dark lord, and there are business rivals, and opening a tavern is super expensive…and the dark lord has former (DEAD) friends haunting him…
But hopefully he can figure it out and make it to his grand opening…
Highly recommend…
November 18, 2025
I've read quite a few Timothy W. Long books and to me they've all be five stars so I have high expectations and this book did not disappoint. This simply is one of the best curl up on the couch with a cat and cup of tea feel good books I have on my shelves. A average dude gets fired from a dead end job (been there) falls over dying and gets zapped into a Dark Lords body in a fantasy land. He has an orc army at his command and potentially legions of dead, but he'd rather cook hot wings. There are descriptions of cooking and I'll admit to putting the book down because I HAD to make stew. If there's one thing I can suggest to readers, bring snacks.
September 4, 2025
Good Read
I really enjoyed this book and how it started out. I really enjoyed how he started out cooking for the orcs and making money. It was something that I had never really read before, and it was refreshing. The only part that I didn't care for was the relationship with Seraphina; not every story needs a relationship in it. For me, their relationship was more of a distraction than something I was rooting for and wanting to see. I just skimmed through those parts and kept reading. But other than that, I truly loved the plot and the town of characters.
I really enjoyed this book and how it started out. I really enjoyed how he started out cooking for the orcs and making money. It was something that I had never really read before, and it was refreshing. The only part that I didn't care for was the relationship with Seraphina; not every story needs a relationship in it. For me, their relationship was more of a distraction than something I was rooting for and wanting to see. I just skimmed through those parts and kept reading. But other than that, I truly loved the plot and the town of characters.
November 15, 2025
DNF at 80%. If this book was a hamburger, this is a Wallmart frozen patty. Made by a first timer. It has all the ingredients for the actual thing, but its so bland and plain that its like you are just getting the capri version of the meal. Or in this case, of the book.
I legit just jumped several chapters because I wanted to see the business building part, and it dissapointed. There was no sense of wonder, no sense of achievement, and dear god, the romance was so piss poor it was embarrasing. Even the food gasm was subdued in the extreme.
I regret givint it a chance.
I legit just jumped several chapters because I wanted to see the business building part, and it dissapointed. There was no sense of wonder, no sense of achievement, and dear god, the romance was so piss poor it was embarrasing. Even the food gasm was subdued in the extreme.
I regret givint it a chance.
December 23, 2025
okay
A dark lord body swaps with a guy from our world. The guy runs away and hides out in a little village. He works to open a tavern. He runs afoul of the local lord who tries to drive him out. His dark lord powers let him bridge the gap between old rivals and get humans goblins and orcs to work together. He uses modern mob mentality strong arm tactics to force the local lord to accept the different races. Plus the king shows up just in time to ensure the lord behaves. King befriends the dark lord.
Definitely a cozy slice of life. Great narrator. Please enjoy
A dark lord body swaps with a guy from our world. The guy runs away and hides out in a little village. He works to open a tavern. He runs afoul of the local lord who tries to drive him out. His dark lord powers let him bridge the gap between old rivals and get humans goblins and orcs to work together. He uses modern mob mentality strong arm tactics to force the local lord to accept the different races. Plus the king shows up just in time to ensure the lord behaves. King befriends the dark lord.
Definitely a cozy slice of life. Great narrator. Please enjoy
December 1, 2025
refreshing in a we can all get along way
I really enjoyed Reborn as a Dark Lord. It’s a surprisingly cute story that leans more into the quiet, everyday side of fantasy than constant epic battles. The mundanity is actually what makes it interesting, small choices, routine moments, and low-stakes scenes end up feeling cozy and engaging instead of boring. If you like fantasy that’s more slice-of-life than grimdark, this is a fun, gentle read.
I really enjoyed Reborn as a Dark Lord. It’s a surprisingly cute story that leans more into the quiet, everyday side of fantasy than constant epic battles. The mundanity is actually what makes it interesting, small choices, routine moments, and low-stakes scenes end up feeling cozy and engaging instead of boring. If you like fantasy that’s more slice-of-life than grimdark, this is a fun, gentle read.
August 22, 2025
This is for those people who do not want high adventure or uncomfortable quests which can change the world. This book is about second chances and changing the world, one bowl of stew at a time. I highly recommend this fun light-hearted read to fans of Rowland's "Cursed Cocktails" because I really want to see what Vince and Rhoren can come up with if they ever collaborated.
August 27, 2025
Very enjoyable!
Talk about making lemonade out of lemons! Soul swapping with a Dark Lord Vince is in another world in the Dark Lords castle as the good guys are closing in. How he gets out of that mess and assimilated to this new world makes an excellent story. There is enough action adventure and a slow burn romance. I'm looking forward to reading the next book!
Talk about making lemonade out of lemons! Soul swapping with a Dark Lord Vince is in another world in the Dark Lords castle as the good guys are closing in. How he gets out of that mess and assimilated to this new world makes an excellent story. There is enough action adventure and a slow burn romance. I'm looking forward to reading the next book!
October 8, 2025
A Fun Slice of Life Adventure!
Sometimes slice of life books can be good in concept, but a bit dull in execution. That is not the case with this book!
This is a fun and entertaining read with a good balance between life, challenges, and potential threats.
I am looking forward to the next book.
Sometimes slice of life books can be good in concept, but a bit dull in execution. That is not the case with this book!
This is a fun and entertaining read with a good balance between life, challenges, and potential threats.
I am looking forward to the next book.
October 25, 2025
Hiding in plain sight
He got fired and ripped from his world at the same time and now he is stuck in the body of public enemy number one. I love how he was able to hide his face with his real face and all he wanted to do is help by cooking. I loved his new friends, but only one knew who he really is. This book has action and comedy, and prefect blend.
He got fired and ripped from his world at the same time and now he is stuck in the body of public enemy number one. I love how he was able to hide his face with his real face and all he wanted to do is help by cooking. I loved his new friends, but only one knew who he really is. This book has action and comedy, and prefect blend.
November 23, 2025
This was a great comfort read! I really loved all the details of Varix cooking and how he figured out how to make "Earth" food with his limited resources. I will continue the series soon.
My only negative was that some parts were a little awkward/tacky with his relationship with Seraphina. I could've done without certain details.
Otherwise, super cute read overall!
My only negative was that some parts were a little awkward/tacky with his relationship with Seraphina. I could've done without certain details.
Otherwise, super cute read overall!
August 26, 2025
Novel premise with a lot of potential. The idea of getting isekai’d into a dark lord’s body is new to me. But the originality doesn’t stop there… he is also a chef! That angle was also new to me and led to a unique and interesting story.
September 16, 2025
Not good at all
The mc was transferred into a bad guy's body and that's it, instead of taking off on his own he hung around an army's to cook. Even if this is a slice of life that was just stupid!! Now he is going to cook wow what a story!!
The mc was transferred into a bad guy's body and that's it, instead of taking off on his own he hung around an army's to cook. Even if this is a slice of life that was just stupid!! Now he is going to cook wow what a story!!
September 22, 2025
A great read.
I really enjoyed reading this book. It was fun and engaging. The story and characters were incredibly interesting and entertaining. I'm looking forward to seeing what happens next. This book is definitely worth checking out.
I really enjoyed reading this book. It was fun and engaging. The story and characters were incredibly interesting and entertaining. I'm looking forward to seeing what happens next. This book is definitely worth checking out.
October 9, 2025
Alot of fun to read
Protagonist was unexpected, not overpowered and skilled in magic. A regular guy with regular skills and maybe a bit higher on charisma. Loved the story and the recipes in the book. Highly recommended story, can't wait to see what happens next....
Protagonist was unexpected, not overpowered and skilled in magic. A regular guy with regular skills and maybe a bit higher on charisma. Loved the story and the recipes in the book. Highly recommended story, can't wait to see what happens next....
November 4, 2025
Good Read, great recipes!
Fun read with a good list of recipes that sounds very tasty. The story is fun and low key, a comfort read. The editing is decent, as well. Will look forward to more in this series.
Fun read with a good list of recipes that sounds very tasty. The story is fun and low key, a comfort read. The editing is decent, as well. Will look forward to more in this series.
August 22, 2025
Loved it
I enjoyed every minute of this book it really is a gem and I cant wait for the next one to come out!
I enjoyed every minute of this book it really is a gem and I cant wait for the next one to come out!
September 16, 2025
Good read
Good story, good characters. Just the type of story I was looking for, some action but more of a slice of life with a side of action and intrigue.
Good story, good characters. Just the type of story I was looking for, some action but more of a slice of life with a side of action and intrigue.
September 26, 2025
Great start
The story has true uniqueness I can't wait for the second one. It keeps you wanting to read and not put it down
The story has true uniqueness I can't wait for the second one. It keeps you wanting to read and not put it down
October 7, 2025
I quite liked it
What an interesting read. A main character who is more interested in living their life than being a warrior or mage. Great recipes too!
What an interesting read. A main character who is more interested in living their life than being a warrior or mage. Great recipes too!
October 8, 2025
Twisty isekai
Yes, a wonderful story. a great twist to the MC and supporting characters, a feel-good isekai story that kept you wanting more
Yes, a wonderful story. a great twist to the MC and supporting characters, a feel-good isekai story that kept you wanting more
October 16, 2025
A Cozy Non-Mystery?
Cute and cozy and full of recipes! Everything a cozy mystery should be, but with the mystery replaced by a fantasy/isekai story. So different tropes, but just as charming.
Cute and cozy and full of recipes! Everything a cozy mystery should be, but with the mystery replaced by a fantasy/isekai story. So different tropes, but just as charming.
October 31, 2025
Great story
Enjoyed the story and the characters.
Also enjoyed the recipe at the end.
Looking forward to the next one, thanks.
Enjoyed the story and the characters.
Also enjoyed the recipe at the end.
Looking forward to the next one, thanks.
November 2, 2025
Good
Story good, recipes phenomenal. Stories like these make me hungry but also satisfied because of the cozy comedic storytelling. Loved it.
Story good, recipes phenomenal. Stories like these make me hungry but also satisfied because of the cozy comedic storytelling. Loved it.
November 16, 2025
This is one of those cozy books you can get behind and enjoy the non-sense of fantasy and modern Earth world mix. It's an easy 5 out of 5 for me.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews