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The Dark Lord's Guide #1
The Dark Lord's Guide to Hostile Corporate Takeover: The Dark Lord’s Guide Series
From ruling the underworld to battling co-pays and deductibles—evil has met its match.
Dark Lord Morthisal Ebonwrath, Master of the Abyss, is moments away from losing his dark fortress and head to a hero's assault. He uses his last bit of magic to escape death—only to end up trapped in the mundane body of Vince Logan, an ordinary guy from modern-day Seattle. Stripped of his powers, Morthisal wakes up disoriented in a world full of strange contraptions, surrounded by people in white coats who think his cries for dominion over death are just signs of a "mental episode."
With no dark magic, Morthisal must navigate the bewildering modern world of insurance co-pays, office cubicles, and frustratingly useless minions (otherwise known as co-workers). Morthisal also finds himself falling—reluctantly and awkwardly—for Yvette Sterling, a high-powered CEO who scares him for all the wrong reasons. (Mostly because he likes her.). Between run-ins with technology and misunderstandings of modern customs, he realizes that he may be able to access some of his former powers, but at a very painful price.
The greatest cozy-adjacent, reverse-isekai, satirical fantasy, modern-day magic shenaniganesque, gamelit-inspired, fish-out-of-water portal fantasy, with a twist of romance, and boss battles that take place in board rooms, slice of fun book you will ever read!
This is the companion novel to REBORN AS A DARK LORD - this book can be read with no knowledge of the Reborn series.
Dark Lord Morthisal Ebonwrath, Master of the Abyss, is moments away from losing his dark fortress and head to a hero's assault. He uses his last bit of magic to escape death—only to end up trapped in the mundane body of Vince Logan, an ordinary guy from modern-day Seattle. Stripped of his powers, Morthisal wakes up disoriented in a world full of strange contraptions, surrounded by people in white coats who think his cries for dominion over death are just signs of a "mental episode."
With no dark magic, Morthisal must navigate the bewildering modern world of insurance co-pays, office cubicles, and frustratingly useless minions (otherwise known as co-workers). Morthisal also finds himself falling—reluctantly and awkwardly—for Yvette Sterling, a high-powered CEO who scares him for all the wrong reasons. (Mostly because he likes her.). Between run-ins with technology and misunderstandings of modern customs, he realizes that he may be able to access some of his former powers, but at a very painful price.
The greatest cozy-adjacent, reverse-isekai, satirical fantasy, modern-day magic shenaniganesque, gamelit-inspired, fish-out-of-water portal fantasy, with a twist of romance, and boss battles that take place in board rooms, slice of fun book you will ever read!
This is the companion novel to REBORN AS A DARK LORD - this book can be read with no knowledge of the Reborn series.
- GenresFantasy
410 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 17, 2025
62 people are currently reading
44 people want to read
About the author
Timothy W. Long
63 books153 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 - 5 of 5 reviews
November 23, 2025
distinctive title
Sooo. I’ve read the companion novel. So I knew the gist and a couple of the references. Morthisal was great. I squealed that the romance, laughed at the comedy. All in all fun isekai bs. Thoroughly enjoyed.
Sooo. I’ve read the companion novel. So I knew the gist and a couple of the references. Morthisal was great. I squealed that the romance, laughed at the comedy. All in all fun isekai bs. Thoroughly enjoyed.
December 6, 2025
This was a hoot
This is a just go with it book. Totally unique premise, good writing interesting characters and lots of food. Really fun read. Epilogue was fairly good as well. Bring on Hollywood!
This is a just go with it book. Totally unique premise, good writing interesting characters and lots of food. Really fun read. Epilogue was fairly good as well. Bring on Hollywood!
November 30, 2025
Thoroughly enjoyed the ride. A fun, great paced read and cannot wait for the follow up novel to come out in Feb. I
liked the characters and plot development and the good bad guy is a great balance.
liked the characters and plot development and the good bad guy is a great balance.
December 19, 2025
Fun
Such a fun idea, with much opportunity for silliness. I loved Vince getting involved with the indie film, and picking up minions at random.
Such a fun idea, with much opportunity for silliness. I loved Vince getting involved with the indie film, and picking up minions at random.
January 10, 2026
Very funny story that shows a Dark Lord can become quite successful in all of his endeavors (corporate climbing included) on Earth. Also entertaining was his slow but inevitable path to humanity.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews