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Morfran, Dark Lord Reformed
Abandoning his days of beheading to live out an undercover retirement as a goat farmer, Morfran finds himself accidentally leading a rebellion against the kingdom’s Dark Lord, who, inconveniently, is him.
Morfran the Beheader is done being the Dark Lord™ of the kingdom of Ruthven. He’s tired of managing minions, and his wife, Queen Ravana, has officially exceeded his personal comfort level of evil. Yet when he books it for the hills with the hopes to live out his days disguised as a goat farmer, his aspirations are tragically cut short when Morfran’s former soldiers catch up with plans to behead him.
Morfran’s only chance at safety is to seek refuge within a tiny forest dwelling where no one recognizes him. But he quickly learns the village is the base for a brewing rebellion against his rule. And after he reluctantly saves said village from an attack, he’s voted the one to lead the charge. Against himself.
Morfran helps the rebels while planning to desert them at the soonest moment. But as he fights by their side, he discovers that they’re actually quite pleasant—especially the lovely assassin who has been out for his blood for a decade. Too bad Ravana has sent Morfran’s best men to nip the revolt in the bud, and too bad his unlikely allies would burn him alive if they learned he’s no hero, but actually their Dark Lord™ in disguise. Because even Morfran knows that only a hero would stand up to Ravana and fight for friends, and he’s certainly no hero.
Right?
Morfran the Beheader is done being the Dark Lord™ of the kingdom of Ruthven. He’s tired of managing minions, and his wife, Queen Ravana, has officially exceeded his personal comfort level of evil. Yet when he books it for the hills with the hopes to live out his days disguised as a goat farmer, his aspirations are tragically cut short when Morfran’s former soldiers catch up with plans to behead him.
Morfran’s only chance at safety is to seek refuge within a tiny forest dwelling where no one recognizes him. But he quickly learns the village is the base for a brewing rebellion against his rule. And after he reluctantly saves said village from an attack, he’s voted the one to lead the charge. Against himself.
Morfran helps the rebels while planning to desert them at the soonest moment. But as he fights by their side, he discovers that they’re actually quite pleasant—especially the lovely assassin who has been out for his blood for a decade. Too bad Ravana has sent Morfran’s best men to nip the revolt in the bud, and too bad his unlikely allies would burn him alive if they learned he’s no hero, but actually their Dark Lord™ in disguise. Because even Morfran knows that only a hero would stand up to Ravana and fight for friends, and he’s certainly no hero.
Right?
368 pages, Hardcover
First published September 8, 2026
About the author
S.B. West
2 books51 followersStephanie B. West is a freelance reporter; author of Morfran, Dark Lord Reformed.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 167 reviews
June 25, 2026
Normally I would support any fairytale villain in quitting their evil job and retiring in a cozy place, but Morfran here was really testing my patience. He is widely known as Dark Lord Morfran the Beheader, but now he ran away from his evil wife and starts a new life as Bernard the goat farmer. But before he can embrace this new way of living he gets captured and eventually joins the rebellion against the Dark Lord aka the rebellion against himself. It's a silly story with a humorous tone, but I was immediately not clicking with the vibe here. None of the characters were likable to me, nothing about the world is ever explained and the jokes were repeated endlessly. The female goat is called Benjamin; can you believe it? You surely will after reading about it for the tenth time. The characters fell flat to me, because even when we got into the heavy backstory of someone, it eventually turned into a joke. What do you mean that Morfran became a Dark Lord because his mother was too nice? It's also not a cozy fantasy for me. Maybe it's not actually supposed to be, but it is tagged as one. If Morfran would have just stayed a goat farmer, I could have enjoyed it more, but the whole story is now about actively killing the people that once served him. The double standard of it all was throwing me off so badly. Morfran is describing himself as dark but not evil, and apparently that's a big difference even if he was beheading people left and right in his prime. You know who is actually evil? His wife, Ravana. Who he picked out as a young girl and showed her the way of being a cruel leader. She of course is the unredeemable real villain of the story. I'm actually surprised that this book wasn't written by a man with the slight misogyny of it all. There even is another character whose trait is that he actively hates women. No wonder I didn't like it. Maybe I just don't like anything Dark Lord related. Long Live Evil and How to Become the Dark Lord and Die Trying were so terrible to me that I couldn't even finish these books. On the other hand I really liked Violet Thistlewait is not a Villain Anymore, which also follows a villain retiring. In this case I personally blame Morfran though. I disliked him so much that I just didn't want for him to succeed in anything. What even was his goal here? He joins the rebellion against himself and everyone there hates the Dark Lord, but of course Morfran starts to like these people. He feared the moment his true identity is revealed. I was interested in seeing how this conflict would be resolved, but it just wasn't. It was all good in the end, barely an inconvenience. Some of the scenes were fun to read, like the jam convention, but overall I barely liked anything here. I think I took it all a bit too seriously, though. I'm sure that this book will work perfectly well for other readers if they just don't get off on the wrong foot with it like I did.
Huge thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group / Ace for providing a digital arc in exchange for an honest review.
Huge thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group / Ace for providing a digital arc in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This book was everything i hoped for and more! 🥹😭
First of all, it has one of the cutest covers ever (which is what first caught my eye). But knowing this was about a retired villain accidentally leading a rebellion against himself? I was completely sold.
The funniest thing is that I missed the best detail about the cover and only noticed after I found out who was actually in that tower. So hilarious and clever. (I love you, Rapunzo)
As someone who has been loving campy, silly, and wholesome stories… yeah, I absolutely loved this.
Morfran is just trying his best to live a quiet life as a goat farmer, but of course, no one will let him. Instead, he finds himself being used as a valuable tool in a rebellion he wants no part of. Forced to stick around, he ends up bonding with his “captors” in the most unexpected ways. This leads to the best found family trope, including obviously the three cutest goats.
The main characters are flawed, over 30 (well, I know Morfran is definitely over 30, tho I’m not quite sure about Bronwen!), and so lovable. The story is also fast paced, doesn’t take itself too seriously, and can get absolutely ridiculous. But I loved it anyway. That ending tugged at my heart strings and I may or may not have shed a tear or two.
What an absolute banger. I really hope to see more of Morfran.
─ ✦ ────
✎ᝰ.┊ pre-read: i really hope this is a 5 star read because what do you mean Morfran painted his barn red with the blood of his enemies?! my fav kind of main character, i love him already! 😂
⬫ ⬪ ⬫
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for the arc!
First of all, it has one of the cutest covers ever (which is what first caught my eye). But knowing this was about a retired villain accidentally leading a rebellion against himself? I was completely sold.
The funniest thing is that I missed the best detail about the cover and only noticed after I found out who was actually in that tower. So hilarious and clever. (I love you, Rapunzo)
As someone who has been loving campy, silly, and wholesome stories… yeah, I absolutely loved this.
Morfran is just trying his best to live a quiet life as a goat farmer, but of course, no one will let him. Instead, he finds himself being used as a valuable tool in a rebellion he wants no part of. Forced to stick around, he ends up bonding with his “captors” in the most unexpected ways. This leads to the best found family trope, including obviously the three cutest goats.
The main characters are flawed, over 30 (well, I know Morfran is definitely over 30, tho I’m not quite sure about Bronwen!), and so lovable. The story is also fast paced, doesn’t take itself too seriously, and can get absolutely ridiculous. But I loved it anyway. That ending tugged at my heart strings and I may or may not have shed a tear or two.
What an absolute banger. I really hope to see more of Morfran.
─ ✦ ────
✎ᝰ.┊ pre-read: i really hope this is a 5 star read because what do you mean Morfran painted his barn red with the blood of his enemies?! my fav kind of main character, i love him already! 😂
⬫ ⬪ ⬫
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for the arc!
September 11, 2026
I requested this one after seeing @Isabelle’s glowing review and I’m so excited I got it! Huge thanks to NetGalley & Berkley for a chance to review this arc 🥰
4.25✨
« I was always happy in my garden and flowers. Too many believe that simple means boring. But I never did. »
Such a delight! This story follows Dark Lord Morfran in his path to redemption. He’s caused so much hurt & pain in his kingdom as a ruler, and seeing how he corrupted his ex wife made him realize this wasn’t what he wanted anymore.
He just wanted to retire from evil & take care of his goat and jam. Life has other plans for him as he finds himself unwillingly planning his own murder in a rebellion.
Morfran is faced each step of the way with all the evils he’s committed. He’s a very unique character with deep flaws and layers. The fmc was also a breath of fresh air and I really loved how layered the side characters were. The story moved at a good pace and we can really feel the mmc’s turmoil.
It was a really good cozy fantasy and I had a lot of fun with it! It’s unique & fun. If you love unconventional characters, this will definitely be your cup of tea. I’m looking forward to what the author will write next.
4.25✨
« I was always happy in my garden and flowers. Too many believe that simple means boring. But I never did. »
Such a delight! This story follows Dark Lord Morfran in his path to redemption. He’s caused so much hurt & pain in his kingdom as a ruler, and seeing how he corrupted his ex wife made him realize this wasn’t what he wanted anymore.
He just wanted to retire from evil & take care of his goat and jam. Life has other plans for him as he finds himself unwillingly planning his own murder in a rebellion.
Morfran is faced each step of the way with all the evils he’s committed. He’s a very unique character with deep flaws and layers. The fmc was also a breath of fresh air and I really loved how layered the side characters were. The story moved at a good pace and we can really feel the mmc’s turmoil.
It was a really good cozy fantasy and I had a lot of fun with it! It’s unique & fun. If you love unconventional characters, this will definitely be your cup of tea. I’m looking forward to what the author will write next.
September 4, 2026
Morfran, Dark Lord Reformed is an absolutely insane debut! The charm, and emotions, and the tongue-in-cheek humor hooked me immediately and kept me hooked the whole way through.
Morfran is the Dark Lord of Ruthven™ who decided to run away from his evil duties when his ex-wife/queen became a little too sinister even for him. Morfran tries to become a goat herder, but is instead roped into leading the group of rebels who intend to overthrow his own evil reign. Friendship and redemption ensue 💛
When I tell you all that I adored this book, I mean I ADORED it. It truly was the perfect blend of tender, sweet, and hilarious. I was so confused as to how Morfran would be redeemed from being known as “Morfran the Beheader” into someone you could root for, but here I am. It’s all about making amends where we can, and forgiving ourselves for past mistakes. Pretty much my only gripe with this book is that I wanted more of it 😂 Cozy fantasy adventures like this are fast becoming a favorite genre for me. 💛
••••••••••••
When I heard this was another cozy adventure like Bromantasy (which I cannot get over no matter how hard I try 😩🩷) I knew I had to have it! Massive thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for the chance to read this early 🫶🏻
Morfran is the Dark Lord of Ruthven™ who decided to run away from his evil duties when his ex-wife/queen became a little too sinister even for him. Morfran tries to become a goat herder, but is instead roped into leading the group of rebels who intend to overthrow his own evil reign. Friendship and redemption ensue 💛
When I tell you all that I adored this book, I mean I ADORED it. It truly was the perfect blend of tender, sweet, and hilarious. I was so confused as to how Morfran would be redeemed from being known as “Morfran the Beheader” into someone you could root for, but here I am. It’s all about making amends where we can, and forgiving ourselves for past mistakes. Pretty much my only gripe with this book is that I wanted more of it 😂 Cozy fantasy adventures like this are fast becoming a favorite genre for me. 💛
••••••••••••
When I heard this was another cozy adventure like Bromantasy (which I cannot get over no matter how hard I try 😩🩷) I knew I had to have it! Massive thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for the chance to read this early 🫶🏻
September 8, 2026
i'm surprised at how much i enjoyed this book! i've been a bit burnt out on "unserious" plotlines, so i wouldn't have gravitated towards this if ace didn't send me the arc.
this book does have the unserious elements in it, but the plot is GOOD! it's funny without being over the top, and the progression of our main characters ideas and actions is so well paced. there's a romance plotline, but it's relatively minor to the story while still complimenting it well. this was genuinely such a good time, and im really happy that i picked it up :)
**thank you to Ace for the ARC copy**
this book does have the unserious elements in it, but the plot is GOOD! it's funny without being over the top, and the progression of our main characters ideas and actions is so well paced. there's a romance plotline, but it's relatively minor to the story while still complimenting it well. this was genuinely such a good time, and im really happy that i picked it up :)
**thank you to Ace for the ARC copy**
May 18, 2026
Morfran is tired of beheading his subjects—tired enough that he has ended his marriage to the gleefully violent Ravana, fled his castle, and reinvented himself as Bernard, a goat farmer (and of course expert jam-maker). But when his goat farm is burned down by Ravana's soldiers, and he finds himself saving a group of rebels, he is forcefully adopted by said rebels...and they want Bernard to help bring down Morfran. As in, himself. As in, oops.
This is best read with tongue firmly in cheek and a well-developed sense of absurdité. I actually regret reading this almost as soon as I got a copy, because frankly I could use a light and irreverent read now!
"Is that my sword?" Morfran sat up as high as he could, angrily incredulous to the image. His sword had become something of an icon to his legacy as Dark Lord of Ruthven™. Black and wicked-looking, it was forged with sweat, tears, and red food dye #7, and a blood amber topped off its devilish appearance in the pommel. It was so popular kingdom-wide that his men had taken to having their swords styled in a way just like it, and Morfran was quite pleased to know he was a trendsetter among his villainous peers. (loc. 546*)
The whole book goes a bit like this—there's plot, and there's character development, and there's quite a bit of fighting (and of course a romance along the way), but it's cloaked in satire and silliness. High notes include (but are not limited to) Bronwen's curse and Morfran's constant thwarted attempts at escape...not to mention the goats.
I will note that while I loved the book, I didn't love the way Morfran was eventually asked to atone for his actions. It makes some sense in the context of the story, and certainly it's in line with the tone of the book, but it also felt a little easy (not to mention as though it could cause big other problems in the future). The flip side is that his atonement had to be very big gesture (his entire previous identity was wrapped around killing people), and not much else would likely do the job, so that that as you will.
*Quotes are from an ARC and may not be final.
Thanks to the author and publisher for providing a review copy through NetGalley.
This is best read with tongue firmly in cheek and a well-developed sense of absurdité. I actually regret reading this almost as soon as I got a copy, because frankly I could use a light and irreverent read now!
"Is that my sword?" Morfran sat up as high as he could, angrily incredulous to the image. His sword had become something of an icon to his legacy as Dark Lord of Ruthven™. Black and wicked-looking, it was forged with sweat, tears, and red food dye #7, and a blood amber topped off its devilish appearance in the pommel. It was so popular kingdom-wide that his men had taken to having their swords styled in a way just like it, and Morfran was quite pleased to know he was a trendsetter among his villainous peers. (loc. 546*)
The whole book goes a bit like this—there's plot, and there's character development, and there's quite a bit of fighting (and of course a romance along the way), but it's cloaked in satire and silliness. High notes include (but are not limited to) Bronwen's curse and Morfran's constant thwarted attempts at escape...not to mention the goats.
I will note that while I loved the book, I didn't love the way Morfran was eventually asked to atone for his actions. It makes some sense in the context of the story, and certainly it's in line with the tone of the book, but it also felt a little easy (not to mention as though it could cause big other problems in the future). The flip side is that his atonement had to be very big gesture (his entire previous identity was wrapped around killing people), and not much else would likely do the job, so that that as you will.
*Quotes are from an ARC and may not be final.
Thanks to the author and publisher for providing a review copy through NetGalley.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
There is a quote in this book “Morfran really was his own worst enemy” and if this isn’t both literal and metaphorical. No because how exactly does one end up leading a rebellion against himself exactly.
Well you see, Morfran is a retired dark lord who decided to run away from his throne, wife and responsibilities and start a new life with his pet goat, Benjamin, HER two kids, and start his jam making career in hopes of one day attaining the elusive and coveted blue ribbon from the country fair. Great plan except Murphys law is in full effect and if something can go wrong that means it will, so in an unfortunate series of events he ends up forced to join and assist a rebellion against himself. The ones getting him in this predicament? A hexed assassin that bumbles about and absolutely can not even walk a mile without stumbling and her dimwit brother.
So here we are, setting on a ridiculous journey that reads like a parody movie, filled with action and events that are so outrageous you can’t go a single page without laughing or facepalming. Filled with side characters that are so formulaic and expected yet absolutely perfect to the story. There is, ofc, the bumbling assassin and her previously mentioned questionable intelligence brother, their rebellion leading built like a tank father, a buttchin knight that reminds me of Prince Charming, the Shrek version, a club of children, a wise grandfather and least we forget, Rapunzo the gym bro exile.
Massive fairytale vibes except with more bloodshed at times and honestly the most ridiculous and outrageous events, decisions, outcomes, everything. All complemented by a background romantic slow burn that is absolutely endearing.
Honestly this is one of my favorite books I’ve read to date. It’s funny yet emotional at times, it has spectacular if expected character development and the entire thing is just heartwarming. Perfect to read when you just want something to make you happy.
Well you see, Morfran is a retired dark lord who decided to run away from his throne, wife and responsibilities and start a new life with his pet goat, Benjamin, HER two kids, and start his jam making career in hopes of one day attaining the elusive and coveted blue ribbon from the country fair. Great plan except Murphys law is in full effect and if something can go wrong that means it will, so in an unfortunate series of events he ends up forced to join and assist a rebellion against himself. The ones getting him in this predicament? A hexed assassin that bumbles about and absolutely can not even walk a mile without stumbling and her dimwit brother.
So here we are, setting on a ridiculous journey that reads like a parody movie, filled with action and events that are so outrageous you can’t go a single page without laughing or facepalming. Filled with side characters that are so formulaic and expected yet absolutely perfect to the story. There is, ofc, the bumbling assassin and her previously mentioned questionable intelligence brother, their rebellion leading built like a tank father, a buttchin knight that reminds me of Prince Charming, the Shrek version, a club of children, a wise grandfather and least we forget, Rapunzo the gym bro exile.
Massive fairytale vibes except with more bloodshed at times and honestly the most ridiculous and outrageous events, decisions, outcomes, everything. All complemented by a background romantic slow burn that is absolutely endearing.
Honestly this is one of my favorite books I’ve read to date. It’s funny yet emotional at times, it has spectacular if expected character development and the entire thing is just heartwarming. Perfect to read when you just want something to make you happy.
September 29, 2026
“He wasn’t Evil. He was just Dark. Evil rulers kicked puppies. Dark rulers kicked people. Vast difference.”
If you were to combine the tone and extra-ness of The Princess Bride with that of Shrek and add a bit of Horrible Histories to the mix, you’d get this story! 🗡️📖
Thank you so much to Ace Books, Edelweiss, and the author for the free ARC of this book. This is my honest, voluntary review.
If you're having a bad day, try being a dark lord who's realized he's perhaps gone too far in the darkness department and would like to be a goat farmer and an excellent jam maker instead. 😂 Morfran was a hilarious perspective to follow, from his journal entries to the lengths he went to avoid old habits and his own path to redemption (or reform).
For the most part, I found this story amusing and, although too gory to be entirely characterized as cozy fantasy, wholesome. I was surprised by the amount of limbs which went flying at various times, though I suppose it is medievally accurate. There are instances when we encounter several modernisms, which were incredibly funny but they did make me stop and consider the time period and setting of the book. Although, props to Morfran for being a smut reader and potential writer. 😂
The goats were the highlight of the story and I love a good burbling stream cottagecore moment. This isn't a romance story, although there are some romantic moments which I thought were really sweet. Especially, nearing the end of the book. I also enjoyed the de-romanticization of knightly culture and how the author subverted the usual epics' portrayal.
I have to admit, some jokes were not to my taste; perhaps there will be people who find this type of humor more palatable. I found several jokes misogynistic and a lot of female characters reduced to stereotypes. If we're talking about the medieval period and the Arthurian knight legends, then some of these references could be perceived as timely. However, and partly due to the time period inconsistencies, to me they seemed as trying to appear funny to the reader without being criticized almost at all by the narrative itself. A lot of these characters - not just the female ones - felt as if you'd find them in a morality play where you, usually, encounter a lot of stereotypical portrayals of virtues, vices, and so on.
The pacing felt uneven, which became more noticeable in the middle section of the book when it seemed like several scenes were following the same execution pattern. Not my biggest issue with the book, but still something that affected my enjoyment.
Overall, Morfran, Dark Lord Reformed was an entertaining experience. I had some issues with it but this doesn't mean it won't work for someone else. Give it a go if it sounds like something you'd enjoy! 🗡️📖
If you were to combine the tone and extra-ness of The Princess Bride with that of Shrek and add a bit of Horrible Histories to the mix, you’d get this story! 🗡️📖
Thank you so much to Ace Books, Edelweiss, and the author for the free ARC of this book. This is my honest, voluntary review.
If you're having a bad day, try being a dark lord who's realized he's perhaps gone too far in the darkness department and would like to be a goat farmer and an excellent jam maker instead. 😂 Morfran was a hilarious perspective to follow, from his journal entries to the lengths he went to avoid old habits and his own path to redemption (or reform).
For the most part, I found this story amusing and, although too gory to be entirely characterized as cozy fantasy, wholesome. I was surprised by the amount of limbs which went flying at various times, though I suppose it is medievally accurate. There are instances when we encounter several modernisms, which were incredibly funny but they did make me stop and consider the time period and setting of the book. Although, props to Morfran for being a smut reader and potential writer. 😂
The goats were the highlight of the story and I love a good burbling stream cottagecore moment. This isn't a romance story, although there are some romantic moments which I thought were really sweet. Especially, nearing the end of the book. I also enjoyed the de-romanticization of knightly culture and how the author subverted the usual epics' portrayal.
I have to admit, some jokes were not to my taste; perhaps there will be people who find this type of humor more palatable. I found several jokes misogynistic and a lot of female characters reduced to stereotypes. If we're talking about the medieval period and the Arthurian knight legends, then some of these references could be perceived as timely. However, and partly due to the time period inconsistencies, to me they seemed as trying to appear funny to the reader without being criticized almost at all by the narrative itself. A lot of these characters - not just the female ones - felt as if you'd find them in a morality play where you, usually, encounter a lot of stereotypical portrayals of virtues, vices, and so on.
The pacing felt uneven, which became more noticeable in the middle section of the book when it seemed like several scenes were following the same execution pattern. Not my biggest issue with the book, but still something that affected my enjoyment.
Overall, Morfran, Dark Lord Reformed was an entertaining experience. I had some issues with it but this doesn't mean it won't work for someone else. Give it a go if it sounds like something you'd enjoy! 🗡️📖
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Thank you PRH Audio for the free audiobook!
✦ 𝐌𝐲 𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 ✦
This felt like a blend of the sharp, self-aware wit of The Princess Bride or Monty Python and the cozy charm of a low-stakes, slice-of-life. It was both comforting and energetic, weaving pop culture humor with a medieval setting and high stakes adventure.
The cast of characters was an absolute treat. Morfran “The Beheader” is a cynical, fatigued, legendary tyrant attempting to escape the heavy burden of his own reputation. His rag-tag crew kept me charmed, but also acted as the emotional core of the story. I loved the tense and entertaining dynamic between him and Bronwen: an assassin tasked with killing him but unaware of his true identity. Their accidental attraction to each other and witty banter was great, but the heartwarming, platonic, “found family” that formed with the whole gang really stole the show.
Beneath all the laughs, whimsy and goat-hostage situations, I was surprised to find deeply earnest emotional depth. The narrative genuinely grapples with the complexities of redemption, accountability, and the deliberate choice to choose peace and quiet over hustle and ambition.
I highly recommend this read if you’re looking for a laugh-out-loud, adventure packed side quest. This would also be an excellent book to break a reading slump, or to read in between darker fantasy.
✦ 𝗔𝘂𝗱𝗶𝗼 𝗡𝗼𝘁𝗲𝘀 ✦
What a treat this audio was. Fred Berman’s comedic timing was incredible, and I was so impressed by his animated delivery. His natural voice matched the deadpan humor perfectly and I also loved his varied voices for the full cast. Excellent vocal pacing and high quality audio. I recommend reading this in any format, but I particularly enjoyed the audio!
𝙍𝙚𝙖𝙙 𝙞𝙛 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚 𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙚𝙭𝙥𝙡𝙤𝙧𝙚:
Found Family
Self Discovery and Reinvention
Personal Freedom
Secret Identities
Animal Companions
Deconstruction of Fairytale Heroism
Rebellion
Complexities of Redemption
✦ 𝐌𝐲 𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 ✦
This felt like a blend of the sharp, self-aware wit of The Princess Bride or Monty Python and the cozy charm of a low-stakes, slice-of-life. It was both comforting and energetic, weaving pop culture humor with a medieval setting and high stakes adventure.
The cast of characters was an absolute treat. Morfran “The Beheader” is a cynical, fatigued, legendary tyrant attempting to escape the heavy burden of his own reputation. His rag-tag crew kept me charmed, but also acted as the emotional core of the story. I loved the tense and entertaining dynamic between him and Bronwen: an assassin tasked with killing him but unaware of his true identity. Their accidental attraction to each other and witty banter was great, but the heartwarming, platonic, “found family” that formed with the whole gang really stole the show.
Beneath all the laughs, whimsy and goat-hostage situations, I was surprised to find deeply earnest emotional depth. The narrative genuinely grapples with the complexities of redemption, accountability, and the deliberate choice to choose peace and quiet over hustle and ambition.
I highly recommend this read if you’re looking for a laugh-out-loud, adventure packed side quest. This would also be an excellent book to break a reading slump, or to read in between darker fantasy.
✦ 𝗔𝘂𝗱𝗶𝗼 𝗡𝗼𝘁𝗲𝘀 ✦
What a treat this audio was. Fred Berman’s comedic timing was incredible, and I was so impressed by his animated delivery. His natural voice matched the deadpan humor perfectly and I also loved his varied voices for the full cast. Excellent vocal pacing and high quality audio. I recommend reading this in any format, but I particularly enjoyed the audio!
𝙍𝙚𝙖𝙙 𝙞𝙛 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚 𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙚𝙭𝙥𝙡𝙤𝙧𝙚:
Found Family
Self Discovery and Reinvention
Personal Freedom
Secret Identities
Animal Companions
Deconstruction of Fairytale Heroism
Rebellion
Complexities of Redemption
Read
July 6, 2026🐐👑 Morfran, Dark Lord Reformed 👑🐐
📖 Bookish Thoughts
My full review will be shared closer to the publication date.
✨ What to Expect
• Cozy Fantasy
• Reformed Dark Lord
• Secret Identity
• Found Family
• Reluctant Hero
• Assassin Love Interest
_ _ _
📅 Pub Date: September 8, 2026
Thank you to Ace, Berkley Publishing Group, and NetGalley for the advanced copy.
📖 Bookish Thoughts
My full review will be shared closer to the publication date.
✨ What to Expect
• Cozy Fantasy
• Reformed Dark Lord
• Secret Identity
• Found Family
• Reluctant Hero
• Assassin Love Interest
_ _ _
📅 Pub Date: September 8, 2026
Thank you to Ace, Berkley Publishing Group, and NetGalley for the advanced copy.
September 17, 2026
Gently comic fantasy -- the tone is sort of Monty Python Lite -- that, surprisingly, worked better than most of what I've read in the cozy corner of this genre. I still couldn't help but wish it took itself like...10 percent more seriously when it came to the emotions and the character development. But I will always be the person wishing that.
September 23, 2026
This was FUN! Such a silly and funny book, I absolutely enjoyed it.
This is the story of Morfran the Dark Lord and how he found the goodness buried very deep inside of him and became his better self. This reads like a ridiculous Monty Python skit and I was all in!
As the Dark Lord, Morfran had a really bad habit of killing just about anyone who annoyed him. He was not a good man. Deep down, though, there was always potential. He just needed the right catalyst. After marrying and corrupting his wife, Queen Ravana, he realized that she was an even worse piece of evil than he was and that he was tired of all the meaningless death and destruction. So, he bought a pregnant goat and a farm and started making jam while hiding from his ex and his soldiers. Everything just gets sillier and funnier from there.
Morfran is just a grumpy villain turned hero and you root for him all along. His cast of supporting characters fill out his journey to redemption perfectly and had me smiling all the way. There’s also a nice little enemies-to-lovers romance with some real heart for Morfran and a hexed assassin. Of course there is!
Thank you to NetGalley, Berkley Publishing and the author for the opportunity to read this very funny, enjoyable and silly ARC and share my opinions.
This is the story of Morfran the Dark Lord and how he found the goodness buried very deep inside of him and became his better self. This reads like a ridiculous Monty Python skit and I was all in!
As the Dark Lord, Morfran had a really bad habit of killing just about anyone who annoyed him. He was not a good man. Deep down, though, there was always potential. He just needed the right catalyst. After marrying and corrupting his wife, Queen Ravana, he realized that she was an even worse piece of evil than he was and that he was tired of all the meaningless death and destruction. So, he bought a pregnant goat and a farm and started making jam while hiding from his ex and his soldiers. Everything just gets sillier and funnier from there.
Morfran is just a grumpy villain turned hero and you root for him all along. His cast of supporting characters fill out his journey to redemption perfectly and had me smiling all the way. There’s also a nice little enemies-to-lovers romance with some real heart for Morfran and a hexed assassin. Of course there is!
Thank you to NetGalley, Berkley Publishing and the author for the opportunity to read this very funny, enjoyable and silly ARC and share my opinions.
June 22, 2026
3.75 ⭐️ So the Dark Lord of Ruthven™ has had enough of being the evil ruler of the kingdom. Fair. His new plan is to become a goat hearder and make jam as a side hustle. Obviously.
Orrrr maybe instead of living the peaceful life complete with a burbling stream and a red barn (painted with the blood of his enemies) he should lead a rebellion against himself. Yes. Much better plan.
Think The Princess Bride, meets Shrek, meets Assistant to the Villain. Lighthearted, cozy, and great banter between Morfran and, well… himself. That man has a non-stop running commentary in his head and it’s the most relatable thing.
Perfectly tropey is all the best ways- the knight in shining armor (ughhhh), the lost-all-her-marbles evil queen (Morfran’s ex-wife as luck would have it), the gentle giant, goats (!). the unlikely hero and a whole cast of found family.
The setting is medieval-ish, but also sprinkled with modern language and concept. I actually like that in this genre, I feel it adds to the charm and fun of it, but I know this can turn off some readers.
If you’re looking for fantasy that doesn’t take itself too seriously, a lovable cast of characters, and to question what it takes to be redeemed from a life of atrocities, this is it.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC.
Orrrr maybe instead of living the peaceful life complete with a burbling stream and a red barn (painted with the blood of his enemies) he should lead a rebellion against himself. Yes. Much better plan.
Think The Princess Bride, meets Shrek, meets Assistant to the Villain. Lighthearted, cozy, and great banter between Morfran and, well… himself. That man has a non-stop running commentary in his head and it’s the most relatable thing.
Perfectly tropey is all the best ways- the knight in shining armor (ughhhh), the lost-all-her-marbles evil queen (Morfran’s ex-wife as luck would have it), the gentle giant, goats (!). the unlikely hero and a whole cast of found family.
The setting is medieval-ish, but also sprinkled with modern language and concept. I actually like that in this genre, I feel it adds to the charm and fun of it, but I know this can turn off some readers.
If you’re looking for fantasy that doesn’t take itself too seriously, a lovable cast of characters, and to question what it takes to be redeemed from a life of atrocities, this is it.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC.
September 16, 2026
I'd add a sixth star for Grandfather Tortoise if I could.
Thank you to S.B. West and NetGalley for the ARC of this book. All opinions are my own.
This book is exactly as described, and also incredibly funny. I interrupted my husband more than once to read him snippets because they were so good! It would be hard not to fall in love with a character who will resist ridiculous amounts of torture only to cave when his pet goat is threatened.
For anyone who is getting tired of the overwhelming darkness of dark fantasy, this is the book for you. As Morfran himself points out, he's a Dark Lord but that doesn't mean he has to be evil. He apparently also doesn't need to engage in graphic sex so this is not a spicy read. Everything about the story, including bloody battles, is charming. I enjoyed it so much that I paid for a copy of it to share with friends as soon as it was released.
Thank you to S.B. West and NetGalley for the ARC of this book. All opinions are my own.
This book is exactly as described, and also incredibly funny. I interrupted my husband more than once to read him snippets because they were so good! It would be hard not to fall in love with a character who will resist ridiculous amounts of torture only to cave when his pet goat is threatened.
For anyone who is getting tired of the overwhelming darkness of dark fantasy, this is the book for you. As Morfran himself points out, he's a Dark Lord but that doesn't mean he has to be evil. He apparently also doesn't need to engage in graphic sex so this is not a spicy read. Everything about the story, including bloody battles, is charming. I enjoyed it so much that I paid for a copy of it to share with friends as soon as it was released.
August 3, 2026
What a delightful story! This is a first fantasy, full of charm and humor. It was a wonderful palette cleanser after some previously heavy reads.
Morfran is tired of being the Dark Lord and decides to run away. His queen and army have become evil, and he wants it all to end. So he runs away and set himself up in a cottage with a goat, and her two babies. He prefers jam-making. Life is good for the former Dark Lord. When soldiers come to get him, he runs away and winds up joining the rebellion that exists to him.
The story is completely ridiculous on purpose. There are moments with modern references and I think it’s deliberate even though it does pull you out of the story a little bit. It’s almost like the author is saying yes this is crazy. Isn’t it funny?
Woven into this silly story are some very sweet moments and a little bit of romance. It was wonderful.
The Author’s Note says that this book came through Berkley‘s open submission process. Is it possible that this was passed up multiple times by others? What else is out there that we’re not getting because someone is saying no to fun stories like this?
Morfran is tired of being the Dark Lord and decides to run away. His queen and army have become evil, and he wants it all to end. So he runs away and set himself up in a cottage with a goat, and her two babies. He prefers jam-making. Life is good for the former Dark Lord. When soldiers come to get him, he runs away and winds up joining the rebellion that exists to him.
The story is completely ridiculous on purpose. There are moments with modern references and I think it’s deliberate even though it does pull you out of the story a little bit. It’s almost like the author is saying yes this is crazy. Isn’t it funny?
Woven into this silly story are some very sweet moments and a little bit of romance. It was wonderful.
The Author’s Note says that this book came through Berkley‘s open submission process. Is it possible that this was passed up multiple times by others? What else is out there that we’re not getting because someone is saying no to fun stories like this?
September 8, 2026
This book was so adorable, charming, and fun! I absolutely loved Morfran/Bernard and all the side characters. The humor was so dry and perfect that I actually cackled at parts. Totally loveable characters and even the violence was fun. The very slow-burn romantic subplot had me cheering. This is not a sub-genre that I read often, but I'm so glad it was offered to me and that I took a chance on it.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for my complimentary ARC. All opinions are my own.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for my complimentary ARC. All opinions are my own.
May 21, 2026
A funny, cozy mix of Assistant to the Villain and Shrek that will have you smiling the whole way through!
Morfran is tired of being a dark lord. He’s left his evil doing behind and is enjoying a quiet life with his goats. But the queen will not let him go so easily. Chased by her men, Morfran ends up in a small village putting together a resistance focused on combating the evil he’s put into place. With the threat of being exposed, Morfran must join forces with the rebels to help take himself down.
This was such an unexpectedly funny and delightful read! Morfran is absolutely hilarious! He’s so put out by everything that happens but you can tell he secretly enjoys it too. I loved his character growth since the story doesn’t shy away from him confronting all of the bad that he’s done.
The side characters really help to round out this story. They remind me of different fairy tale characters with a funny spin, hence the Shrek comparison. There’s a small romantic subplot that’s very sweet. I’m still wanting to know what his scent was!
I highly recommend this for anyone looking for a lighthearted fantasy that will have you laughing out loud. Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for the advanced copy.
Morfran is tired of being a dark lord. He’s left his evil doing behind and is enjoying a quiet life with his goats. But the queen will not let him go so easily. Chased by her men, Morfran ends up in a small village putting together a resistance focused on combating the evil he’s put into place. With the threat of being exposed, Morfran must join forces with the rebels to help take himself down.
This was such an unexpectedly funny and delightful read! Morfran is absolutely hilarious! He’s so put out by everything that happens but you can tell he secretly enjoys it too. I loved his character growth since the story doesn’t shy away from him confronting all of the bad that he’s done.
The side characters really help to round out this story. They remind me of different fairy tale characters with a funny spin, hence the Shrek comparison. There’s a small romantic subplot that’s very sweet. I’m still wanting to know what his scent was!
I highly recommend this for anyone looking for a lighthearted fantasy that will have you laughing out loud. Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for the advanced copy.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Morfran, Dark Lord Reformed is a cozy fantasy that just may convince you that a dark lord who captured towns and beheaded hundreds of innocent people might deserve a happy ending.
Morfran is the titular hero? anti-hero? who just wants to retire in the countryside and make jam with his goat. Alas, his evil ex-wife wants him back, and then he’s captured by rebels who don’t know who he is. Those pesky rebels force him to… help them defeat the dark lord, which happens to be him.
Expect whimsy and silly humor. Fantasy readers will find references that may amuse them. It is a sweet and simple story, even though the protagonist does have quite the bloody resume. As he grows as a person, and more of his backstory is revealed, Morfran becomes more likable.
For those looking for romantasy, this is more of a fantasy book, with romance a very small subplot. And no, the romance isn’t between Morfran and his ex; it’s with a leader of the rebellion, and boy, are the odds stacked against them.
As cozy tales are wont to do, the middle can drag a bit, but the last 10% has the climax, conflict, and juicy aftermath you’ll have been waiting for. The book does seem to be a standalone, with everything wrapped neatly in a bow by the end, but I was hoping for just the slightest more closure (what did Morfran smell like to Bronwen?)
*I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Morfran is the titular hero? anti-hero? who just wants to retire in the countryside and make jam with his goat. Alas, his evil ex-wife wants him back, and then he’s captured by rebels who don’t know who he is. Those pesky rebels force him to… help them defeat the dark lord, which happens to be him.
Expect whimsy and silly humor. Fantasy readers will find references that may amuse them. It is a sweet and simple story, even though the protagonist does have quite the bloody resume. As he grows as a person, and more of his backstory is revealed, Morfran becomes more likable.
For those looking for romantasy, this is more of a fantasy book, with romance a very small subplot. And no, the romance isn’t between Morfran and his ex; it’s with a leader of the rebellion, and boy, are the odds stacked against them.
As cozy tales are wont to do, the middle can drag a bit, but the last 10% has the climax, conflict, and juicy aftermath you’ll have been waiting for. The book does seem to be a standalone, with everything wrapped neatly in a bow by the end, but I was hoping for just the slightest more closure (what did Morfran smell like to Bronwen?)
*I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
October 2, 2026
This was SO much fun. It feels like Shrek meets The Emperor’s New Groove meets The Princess Bride. It’s kind of a humorous take on the classic hero’s journey, except our protagonist is a reformed villain turned antihero turned reluctant hero. It’s genuienly funny, wonderfully absurd, and surprisingly gruesome at times, which made the whole thing even more entertaining. I also loved the Phantom Tollbooth-esque naming of the towns, characters, and places. There’s so much cleverness tucked into the world, and I was completely immersed in it. I genuinely didn’t want to leave.
Beneath all the humor, though, there’s so much heart. I loved watching Morfran reluctantly become part of this little found family while slowly coming to terms with the things he’s done. I loved the exploration of whether someone can truly change. Morfran has done terrible things, and the story doesn’t simply erase that because he decides he wants to be different. It wrestles with what redemption and forgiveness actually look like when you can’t undo the harm you’ve caused, and whether learning to forgive yourself can be part of becoming someone better
Beneath all the humor, though, there’s so much heart. I loved watching Morfran reluctantly become part of this little found family while slowly coming to terms with the things he’s done. I loved the exploration of whether someone can truly change. Morfran has done terrible things, and the story doesn’t simply erase that because he decides he wants to be different. It wrestles with what redemption and forgiveness actually look like when you can’t undo the harm you’ve caused, and whether learning to forgive yourself can be part of becoming someone better
September 9, 2026
(3.75/5 stars)
Morfran, Dark Lord Reformed is a fun and campy fantasy adventure debut from S.B. West.
The narrator was really fun to listen to! [I listened to the audiobook with my Spotify Premium monthly hours while reading along on my Kindle with my eARC.] I had to look him up because I recognized his voice from the Alan Wake video game franchise.
I initially picked it up because it was compared to The Princess Bride and I can see that. Other comps I'd suggest: the tv show Galavant, the musical Into the Woods, and the movie Monty Python and the Holy Grail. I'd suggest leaning into the humor--it's quite tongue-in-cheek--so try not to take it too seriously.
At the beginning of the book, I was a little nervous because I wasn't sure if and how Morfran could be redeemed. But he does a lot of work throughout the book; there's even a chapter named "Some Deep Introspection About Being Evil."
I've seen it listed as "cozy fantasy, but it didn't feel that way to me. The plot--while pretty well paced for a debut author--had too much action for me to consider it cozy. I still had a fun time reading it as an adventure fantasy with a sprinkling of romance
Also, I just have to mention this cover is FANTASTIC. There are so many details!
Tropes: secret identity, found family, reluctant hero, enemies to friends to lovers
CW: torture (discussed, not shown on-page), animal death (horses, during a big battle scene)
I received a complimentary review copy from Ace Books. All opinions contained herein are my own.
If you want to see more from me, check out my blog, Bookstagram, TheStoryGraph, or Bluesky.
Morfran, Dark Lord Reformed is a fun and campy fantasy adventure debut from S.B. West.
The narrator was really fun to listen to! [I listened to the audiobook with my Spotify Premium monthly hours while reading along on my Kindle with my eARC.] I had to look him up because I recognized his voice from the Alan Wake video game franchise.
I initially picked it up because it was compared to The Princess Bride and I can see that. Other comps I'd suggest: the tv show Galavant, the musical Into the Woods, and the movie Monty Python and the Holy Grail. I'd suggest leaning into the humor--it's quite tongue-in-cheek--so try not to take it too seriously.
At the beginning of the book, I was a little nervous because I wasn't sure if and how Morfran could be redeemed. But he does a lot of work throughout the book; there's even a chapter named "Some Deep Introspection About Being Evil."
I've seen it listed as "cozy fantasy, but it didn't feel that way to me. The plot--while pretty well paced for a debut author--had too much action for me to consider it cozy. I still had a fun time reading it as an adventure fantasy with a sprinkling of romance
Also, I just have to mention this cover is FANTASTIC. There are so many details!
Tropes: secret identity, found family, reluctant hero, enemies to friends to lovers
CW: torture (discussed, not shown on-page), animal death (horses, during a big battle scene)
I received a complimentary review copy from Ace Books. All opinions contained herein are my own.
If you want to see more from me, check out my blog, Bookstagram, TheStoryGraph, or Bluesky.
August 7, 2026
I’m so conflicted on how to review this because while I did really like it, I also would just constantly put it down in the middle of a sentence. I usually finish a book in a day or two, yet this took 6 and that’s only because I pushed myself to read the last 2/3 all today because I had only gotten thru 1/3 in the last 5 days. Which is just odd for a book that I genuinely can say I liked.
I read a physical copy of this book (thank you to the publisher & goodreads for the giveaway copy!) but I think this would be a really good audiobook. The humour was my favourite part of it, and I can just see that coming across so well on audio. So I would be interested in doing a reread in that format in the future.
I loved the goats. I loved the friendships. The little bit of romance was cute. But it really was the writing style and the humour that was top tier to me and made me glad I read this. I’m definitely intrigued to keep an eye out for more books that this author writes.
I read a physical copy of this book (thank you to the publisher & goodreads for the giveaway copy!) but I think this would be a really good audiobook. The humour was my favourite part of it, and I can just see that coming across so well on audio. So I would be interested in doing a reread in that format in the future.
I loved the goats. I loved the friendships. The little bit of romance was cute. But it really was the writing style and the humour that was top tier to me and made me glad I read this. I’m definitely intrigued to keep an eye out for more books that this author writes.
September 10, 2026
I’m gonna be completely honest and say that I didn’t think I would enjoy this book just based on the general vibe/genre, but I took a chance just in case and I’m so glad that I did!
It took me no time at all to fall in love with Morfran, a dark lord who feels bad about his past and wants to keep to himself as a quiet goat farmer. But then he ends up trapped with a group of rebels whose main goal is to kill…well, him (good thing they don’t recognize him 😬).
The story is sweet and funny all at the same time. Not only was I rooting for Morfran, but I couldn’t wait for him and Bronwen to fall in love. I also couldn’t wait for the demise of his ex-wife/evil queen, Ravana.
It was definitely not the type of book that I usually read, but I had so much fun reading it. If you like humorous light fantasy with a touch of romance, I recommend you give this one a try.
My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you to Berkley Publishing for my gifted copy!
It took me no time at all to fall in love with Morfran, a dark lord who feels bad about his past and wants to keep to himself as a quiet goat farmer. But then he ends up trapped with a group of rebels whose main goal is to kill…well, him (good thing they don’t recognize him 😬).
The story is sweet and funny all at the same time. Not only was I rooting for Morfran, but I couldn’t wait for him and Bronwen to fall in love. I also couldn’t wait for the demise of his ex-wife/evil queen, Ravana.
It was definitely not the type of book that I usually read, but I had so much fun reading it. If you like humorous light fantasy with a touch of romance, I recommend you give this one a try.
My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you to Berkley Publishing for my gifted copy!
September 26, 2026
This is such a witty and fun fantasy. I absolutely adored the snarling inner monologue of Morfran, and his witty cutting dialogue with absolutely everyone he perceives as underlings beneath his perfection. Beni has my heart. Morfran's view of Beni and how Morfran thinks of her as speaking to him to be good is just delicious. I kept reading funny passages from this book aloud to my spouse who finally said, "Ok, stop, I'm going to read this one myself!"
Thank-you, Berkley Publishing Group and S.B. West, for this complimentary copy. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
Thank-you, Berkley Publishing Group and S.B. West, for this complimentary copy. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
September 17, 2026
This was a fun read. I really enjoyed being in Morfran's head and seeing how he got himself out of trouble. Plus his deep love of Benjamin (his goat) and her kids. I would happily read another if this became a series, although it is summed up nicely.
September 3, 2026
I had so much fun reading this book! It’s just funny and punny and self-referential. And filled with heart and joy. Thanks to Ace/Berkley for the arc.
September 11, 2026
Darkly cute? Such a thing does exist!
Morfran had a lot to answer for and I believe he did an admirable job if so reluctantly.
Morfran had a lot to answer for and I believe he did an admirable job if so reluctantly.
October 10, 2026
I had a hell of a lot of fun and loved every single moment! 😂♥️♥️
Want to Read
April 24, 2026A retired and reformed Dark Lord involuntarily leading a rebellion against his own regime—and his very-much-unretired and very-much-unreformed Evil Queen wife—while everyone else thinks he’s just a goat farmer.
This synopsis has definite Assistant to the Villain quirky vibes.
This synopsis has definite Assistant to the Villain quirky vibes.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
What happens when the Dark Lord decides he'd rather grow fruit trees and make jam?
✶ PRE-READING ✶
The premise of Morfran, Dark Lord Reformed immediately caught my attention. A Dark Lord who gets tired of being evil, runs away to become a goat farmer, and then accidentally ends up leading a rebellion against himself? That's a fantastic idea, and I was very curious to see whether the story could actually make it work.
Thankfully, S. B. West doesn't waste any time getting started. We meet Morfran while he's already on the run from the soldiers sent to capture him, so there's no lengthy set-up before the story gets moving. From there, the book has plenty of twists to keep things interesting.
✶ POST-READING ✶
As I thought... this is a wonderfully clever spin on the Dark Lord trope. The basic premise is funny enough on its own, but the story goes further than simply putting an evil overlord into an amusing situation. Morfran has genuinely decided that he doesn't want that life anymore, and watching him navigate the consequences of that decision is where the story really becomes interesting.
The dialogue occasionally has a Pratchett-esque quality to it, with some lovely little comic moments and absurdity woven through the fantasy. It's not Pratchett - nothing is Pratchett, GNU - but it does have some of that same affection for playing with fantasy conventions.
It surprised me by... how much I came to believe in Morfran's reformation. I expected his reasons for protecting the people around him to be somewhat self-serving: perhaps he wanted to protect his goats because they're his goats, or he simply didn't want anyone interfering with his new life.
Instead, he genuinely seems to care about the animals depending on him. He's devastated at the thought of leaving his cottage, not because he's abandoning his grand Dark Lord headquarters, but because he'd started planting fruit trees so he could make his own jam.
And somehow, that tells us an enormous amount about him.
Morfran's old life was about power and conquest. His new life is about growing things, caring for animals and making jam. He doesn't just want to stop being a Dark Lord; he has started becoming someone who wants to cultivate rather than control. That's a surprisingly lovely piece of character development hiding underneath all the jokes.
There are some clever twists as the story progresses, and I particularly appreciated that although this is billed as the beginning of a series, it doesn't end on a giant cliffhanger. The main story gets a satisfying resolution while leaving the door open for more adventures.
And I hope there are more adventures. I'd happily spend more time with Morfran, particularly now that we've seen the man underneath the Dark Lord.
✦ RECOMMENDATIONS ✦
Book Recommendation: Wyrd Sisters by Terry Pratchett. If you enjoy fantasy that takes familiar tropes, turns them sideways and finds the comedy in the unexpected corners, this has a similar spirit.
TV or Movie Recommendation: Galavant. It's full of fantasy conventions, ridiculous situations and characters who turn out to be rather more complicated than their roles initially suggest.
✧ VIBE CHECK ✧
A colour palette: moss green, warm brown and blackberry purple.
A soundtrack: jaunty folk music with the occasional dramatic orchestral flourish.
A season: early autumn, when the harvest is coming in and you're already thinking about what to preserve for winter.
A mood: mischievous, warm-hearted and unexpectedly wholesome.
A scent: woodsmoke, damp earth and fruit simmering into jam.
★ TAROT CARD PULLED ★
The Hermit. Morfran has spent years surrounded by power, soldiers and the expectations of being a Dark Lord, and his first real act of rebellion is to walk away from all of it. He retreats to a quiet life where he can discover who he is when nobody expects him to be the villain.
The irony, of course, is that he doesn't get to stay there. But his time in that little cottage matters because it shows that his reformation isn't just about escaping punishment. Morfran has begun to discover that he actually prefers a life built around caring for things - goats, fruit trees, friendships - to one built around controlling them.
The Hermit asks what remains when we step away from the identity everyone else has given us. For Morfran, the answer turns out to be rather more heroic than he expects.
✦ THE TRUE QUESTION ✦
Can someone who has done terrible things genuinely become a good person?
Morfran, Dark Lord Reformed doesn't let the answer be as simple as “yes, because he says he's changed.” Morfran's past still exists, and the people he once ruled have every reason to distrust him. But neither does the story suggest that a person is permanently defined by the worst things they've done.
Morfran's redemption is shown through the choices he makes when he has nothing to gain from making them. He doesn't set out to become a hero. He simply keeps finding himself in situations where someone needs help - and increasingly, he's becoming the sort of person who helps.
Perhaps that's what makes his accidental heroism so convincing: he isn't trying to prove that he's good. He's just slowly becoming good.
Final Thoughts
Morfran, Dark Lord Reformed publishes on the 8th of September. I received a free copy and am giving an honest review.
✶ PRE-READING ✶
The premise of Morfran, Dark Lord Reformed immediately caught my attention. A Dark Lord who gets tired of being evil, runs away to become a goat farmer, and then accidentally ends up leading a rebellion against himself? That's a fantastic idea, and I was very curious to see whether the story could actually make it work.
Thankfully, S. B. West doesn't waste any time getting started. We meet Morfran while he's already on the run from the soldiers sent to capture him, so there's no lengthy set-up before the story gets moving. From there, the book has plenty of twists to keep things interesting.
✶ POST-READING ✶
As I thought... this is a wonderfully clever spin on the Dark Lord trope. The basic premise is funny enough on its own, but the story goes further than simply putting an evil overlord into an amusing situation. Morfran has genuinely decided that he doesn't want that life anymore, and watching him navigate the consequences of that decision is where the story really becomes interesting.
The dialogue occasionally has a Pratchett-esque quality to it, with some lovely little comic moments and absurdity woven through the fantasy. It's not Pratchett - nothing is Pratchett, GNU - but it does have some of that same affection for playing with fantasy conventions.
It surprised me by... how much I came to believe in Morfran's reformation. I expected his reasons for protecting the people around him to be somewhat self-serving: perhaps he wanted to protect his goats because they're his goats, or he simply didn't want anyone interfering with his new life.
Instead, he genuinely seems to care about the animals depending on him. He's devastated at the thought of leaving his cottage, not because he's abandoning his grand Dark Lord headquarters, but because he'd started planting fruit trees so he could make his own jam.
And somehow, that tells us an enormous amount about him.
Morfran's old life was about power and conquest. His new life is about growing things, caring for animals and making jam. He doesn't just want to stop being a Dark Lord; he has started becoming someone who wants to cultivate rather than control. That's a surprisingly lovely piece of character development hiding underneath all the jokes.
There are some clever twists as the story progresses, and I particularly appreciated that although this is billed as the beginning of a series, it doesn't end on a giant cliffhanger. The main story gets a satisfying resolution while leaving the door open for more adventures.
And I hope there are more adventures. I'd happily spend more time with Morfran, particularly now that we've seen the man underneath the Dark Lord.
✦ RECOMMENDATIONS ✦
Book Recommendation: Wyrd Sisters by Terry Pratchett. If you enjoy fantasy that takes familiar tropes, turns them sideways and finds the comedy in the unexpected corners, this has a similar spirit.
TV or Movie Recommendation: Galavant. It's full of fantasy conventions, ridiculous situations and characters who turn out to be rather more complicated than their roles initially suggest.
✧ VIBE CHECK ✧
A colour palette: moss green, warm brown and blackberry purple.
A soundtrack: jaunty folk music with the occasional dramatic orchestral flourish.
A season: early autumn, when the harvest is coming in and you're already thinking about what to preserve for winter.
A mood: mischievous, warm-hearted and unexpectedly wholesome.
A scent: woodsmoke, damp earth and fruit simmering into jam.
★ TAROT CARD PULLED ★
The Hermit. Morfran has spent years surrounded by power, soldiers and the expectations of being a Dark Lord, and his first real act of rebellion is to walk away from all of it. He retreats to a quiet life where he can discover who he is when nobody expects him to be the villain.
The irony, of course, is that he doesn't get to stay there. But his time in that little cottage matters because it shows that his reformation isn't just about escaping punishment. Morfran has begun to discover that he actually prefers a life built around caring for things - goats, fruit trees, friendships - to one built around controlling them.
The Hermit asks what remains when we step away from the identity everyone else has given us. For Morfran, the answer turns out to be rather more heroic than he expects.
✦ THE TRUE QUESTION ✦
Can someone who has done terrible things genuinely become a good person?
Morfran, Dark Lord Reformed doesn't let the answer be as simple as “yes, because he says he's changed.” Morfran's past still exists, and the people he once ruled have every reason to distrust him. But neither does the story suggest that a person is permanently defined by the worst things they've done.
Morfran's redemption is shown through the choices he makes when he has nothing to gain from making them. He doesn't set out to become a hero. He simply keeps finding himself in situations where someone needs help - and increasingly, he's becoming the sort of person who helps.
Perhaps that's what makes his accidental heroism so convincing: he isn't trying to prove that he's good. He's just slowly becoming good.
Final Thoughts
Morfran, Dark Lord Reformed publishes on the 8th of September. I received a free copy and am giving an honest review.
September 14, 2026
Morfran, Dark Lord Reformed by S. B. West, is billed as Sci Fi & Fantasy. Add silly, humorous and romantic to that list, and you begin to come close what this book actually is like. First off, I loved the cover depicting Morfran, his 3 goats, Bronwen, and Rapunzo. It really captures the feel of the story. When I began reading, I thought this story would be ridiculous, but I kept on. By the time I reached the end, I was drying copious amounts of tears from my face, then grinning. This book was heartfelt, bloody, romantic...and fun. What a combo, eh?
Abandoning his days of beheading to live out an undercover retirement as a goat farmer, Morfran finds himself accidentally leading a rebellion against the kingdom’s Dark Lord, who, inconveniently, is him. Morfran the Beheader is done being the Dark Lord™ of the kingdom of Ruthven. He’s tired of managing minions, and his wife, Queen Ravana, has officially exceeded his personal comfort level of evil. Yet when he books it for the hills with the hopes to live out his days disguised as a goat farmer, his aspirations are tragically cut short when Morfran’s former soldiers catch up with plans to behead him. Morfran’s only chance at safety is to seek refuge within a tiny forest dwelling where no one recognizes him. But he quickly learns the village is the base for a brewing rebellion against his rule. And after he reluctantly saves said village from an attack, he’s voted the one to lead the charge. Against himself. Morfran helps the rebels while planning to desert them at the soonest moment. But as he fights by their side, he discovers that they’re actually quite pleasant—especially the lovely assassin who has been out for his blood for a decade. Too bad Ravana has sent Morfran’s best men to nip the revolt in the bud, and too bad his unlikely allies would burn him alive if they learned he’s no hero, but actually their Dark Lord™ in disguise. Because even Morfran knows that only a hero would stand up to Ravana and fight for friends, and he’s certainly no hero. Right?
When I read the blurb for the book, it sounded amusing, and I like something different once in a while, so I requested it. At first the humor made me roll my eyes, but as time went on it was rather enchanting! Seriously, a Dark Lord accidentally leading a rebellion against...himself? Yes, Morfran was a Dark Lord, but not an Evil Lord. He was known as Morfran the Beheader, yes, but they deserved it, and he did it quickly. But his wife, Queen Ravana? Now SHE was evil. So Morfran decides to leave his kingdom and become "Bernard" the goat farmer to get away from it all. He has a good start with his beloved female goat Benjamin (maybe he should have checked the gender before naming Beni), who has just given birth to two kids, Baby Goat 1 and Baby Goat 2. (Thankfully a child later renamed them Minny and Jay.) He's got a nice estate and has plans to make his delicious jams into a business and win blue ribbons. But then he is discovered and makes his escape. He seeks refuge in a small village in the forest, but is captured, and this village is forming a rebellion against Morfran. Now they don't know this man is actually Morfran, and he ends up leading the charge against himself. Seriously, just go with it and have fun! The supporting characters are just as likable as our Dark Lord/Hero. Brim is the leader of the Elmswood Rebellion, and he is supported by his daughter Bronwen (a formerly famed assassin who was hexed and now cannot kill her targets) and son Hugh (who is as dumb as a rock). There are the three children who make up the Fleet Foot Club, and all are adorable. Wait until you meet Rapunzo. (Does the name sound familiar, maybe like...Rapunzel? Just picture she as a he, with a 70 foot beard, who lives in a tower with his stuffed animals that he uses as weapons.) Grandfather Tortoise is a healer (and perhaps something more?). We are introduced to Morfran's friend Reginald, leader of assassins for hire, who goes by the moniker "Face-Feaster". Then there's a Knight in Shining Armor with his handsome "butt chin" who drives Morfran totally crazy. Let's not leave out Morfran's ex-wife Queen Ravana, who makes the former Dark Lord look gentle in comparison. Most of the book was hysterical, but there was a section that just had me in tears! I fell totally in love with Morfran, and I predict you will, as well. I was sad to say goodbye!
I received an ARC of this book courtesy of the publisher and NetGalley. I received no compensation for my review, and all thoughts and opinions expressed are entirely my own.
Abandoning his days of beheading to live out an undercover retirement as a goat farmer, Morfran finds himself accidentally leading a rebellion against the kingdom’s Dark Lord, who, inconveniently, is him. Morfran the Beheader is done being the Dark Lord™ of the kingdom of Ruthven. He’s tired of managing minions, and his wife, Queen Ravana, has officially exceeded his personal comfort level of evil. Yet when he books it for the hills with the hopes to live out his days disguised as a goat farmer, his aspirations are tragically cut short when Morfran’s former soldiers catch up with plans to behead him. Morfran’s only chance at safety is to seek refuge within a tiny forest dwelling where no one recognizes him. But he quickly learns the village is the base for a brewing rebellion against his rule. And after he reluctantly saves said village from an attack, he’s voted the one to lead the charge. Against himself. Morfran helps the rebels while planning to desert them at the soonest moment. But as he fights by their side, he discovers that they’re actually quite pleasant—especially the lovely assassin who has been out for his blood for a decade. Too bad Ravana has sent Morfran’s best men to nip the revolt in the bud, and too bad his unlikely allies would burn him alive if they learned he’s no hero, but actually their Dark Lord™ in disguise. Because even Morfran knows that only a hero would stand up to Ravana and fight for friends, and he’s certainly no hero. Right?
When I read the blurb for the book, it sounded amusing, and I like something different once in a while, so I requested it. At first the humor made me roll my eyes, but as time went on it was rather enchanting! Seriously, a Dark Lord accidentally leading a rebellion against...himself? Yes, Morfran was a Dark Lord, but not an Evil Lord. He was known as Morfran the Beheader, yes, but they deserved it, and he did it quickly. But his wife, Queen Ravana? Now SHE was evil. So Morfran decides to leave his kingdom and become "Bernard" the goat farmer to get away from it all. He has a good start with his beloved female goat Benjamin (maybe he should have checked the gender before naming Beni), who has just given birth to two kids, Baby Goat 1 and Baby Goat 2. (Thankfully a child later renamed them Minny and Jay.) He's got a nice estate and has plans to make his delicious jams into a business and win blue ribbons. But then he is discovered and makes his escape. He seeks refuge in a small village in the forest, but is captured, and this village is forming a rebellion against Morfran. Now they don't know this man is actually Morfran, and he ends up leading the charge against himself. Seriously, just go with it and have fun! The supporting characters are just as likable as our Dark Lord/Hero. Brim is the leader of the Elmswood Rebellion, and he is supported by his daughter Bronwen (a formerly famed assassin who was hexed and now cannot kill her targets) and son Hugh (who is as dumb as a rock). There are the three children who make up the Fleet Foot Club, and all are adorable. Wait until you meet Rapunzo. (Does the name sound familiar, maybe like...Rapunzel? Just picture she as a he, with a 70 foot beard, who lives in a tower with his stuffed animals that he uses as weapons.) Grandfather Tortoise is a healer (and perhaps something more?). We are introduced to Morfran's friend Reginald, leader of assassins for hire, who goes by the moniker "Face-Feaster". Then there's a Knight in Shining Armor with his handsome "butt chin" who drives Morfran totally crazy. Let's not leave out Morfran's ex-wife Queen Ravana, who makes the former Dark Lord look gentle in comparison. Most of the book was hysterical, but there was a section that just had me in tears! I fell totally in love with Morfran, and I predict you will, as well. I was sad to say goodbye!
I received an ARC of this book courtesy of the publisher and NetGalley. I received no compensation for my review, and all thoughts and opinions expressed are entirely my own.
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