Bad Citizen

by Ron Lebow

300 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication September 29, 2026

About the author

Ron Lebow is the author of Bad Citizen, his debut novel. He has a second novel for release in the works. He lives in Manhattan with a lovely wife he adores and is lucky to have three amazing children who are nothing like one another, which keeps things interesting. His home is covered in fur from a massive Golden Mountain Dog who was not originally intended to be a guard dog, and a rather large cat his wife cannot stand. A lawyer by day, he enjoys alone time when he can get it. Hence, his books.

Reviews

[My_Books_In_Nooks]

ARC Review ‘Bad Citizen’

This book was interesting.
It has dark humor, gritty scenes, and sometimes smh scenes that were absurd/funny.
It starts really fun with Josiah who is from another realm and wants to rule thinking he will succeed on Earth. But things on Earth are different than where he comes from, which results in dark, violent episodes, but with that touch of humor that just makes you chuckle.

The various POV of the characters intertwined are short, and I actually liked that it hopped from person to person, making the story whole, but also giving some weird Twilight Zone vibes. At first I had to think what was happening during the comment sections, but as soon as I got into it, it was really funny!

There were sentences that start or end with ‘this person said’ , which actually was annoying at times. Especially when we know who was talking to who at that moment. But that is a personal thing.

This book might not be for everybody, but for those who like to read something different, this is really a nice book.
4/5⭐️

[Jensen McCorkel]

Rating 3.5

A darkly funny, action-packed mashup of mafia drama and fantasy that kept me turning pages, even when I had no idea where it was heading next.

Readers are dropped into a chaotic version of New York where organized crime, feuding families, and supernatural magic collide in wildly unpredictable ways. On paper, the combination sounds like it shouldn't work, yet somehow it does. The story fully embraces its over-the-top premise while still delivering real suspense, memorable personalities, and plenty of explosive action.

The standout for me was the cast. None of the central characters could be called traditional heroes, but they're fascinating in all their flawed, reckless, and self-destructive glory. The pacing rarely lets up, with shifting alliances, new schemes, and bursts of violence keeping the story in constant motion. Lebow also injects enough humor to offset the darker moments, preventing the novel from becoming oppressively grim. That said, the comedy has a very specific style that won't appeal to every reader. The tone often swings between brutal and absurd, so it helps to embrace the unpredictability.

My biggest issue was that the story occasionally tries to juggle a little too much. There are a lot of factions, intersecting plotlines, and morally questionable characters to keep track of, so a few sections felt crowded. Some of the supporting characters deserved a bit more development, and all the chaos sometimes came at the expense of the emotional stakes.

Even so, readers who enjoy unconventional genre mashups and don't mind a little narrative mayhem will likely have a great time. Those hoping for deeper character arcs or a tighter, more focused story may find themselves wanting more. Despite its flaws, I was never bored. The novel's originality kept me invested even when the execution didn't fully come together. Lebow clearly aimed high, and while not every ambitious idea lands, I appreciated the willingness to take creative risks instead of relying on familiar genre formulas.

Overall, Bad Citizen isn't afraid to take big creative swings rather than rely on familiar genre conventions. Not every idea comes together perfectly, but its originality and relentless energy make it easy to overlook many of the rough edges. It's an entertaining, unpredictable ride that fans of unconventional fantasy and crime fiction are likely to enjoy.

[Orna Drawas]

There is no lack of drama in this crazy, often funny, and fast-moving story. Ron Lebow immediately introduces the reader to Josiah, a figure from another realm, dressed in a white suite and a disturbing mix of calm confidence and deadly intent. His observations about earthly people had me laughing out loud. But his hunger for power and dominance is real and often vicious. He gets what he wants and makes it look easy.

The mafia connection drives the story forward as the book delivers some unexpected twists and turns. But even in the darker, more violent moments, the humor lands perfectly and gives the story a comedic perspective.

I couldn’t wait to see how it would end and it definitely delivered. Read this entertaining book. It will be time well spent.

[Elmore Leonard]

One of the most fun and original books I've read in a while. Bad Citizen blends fantasy, science fiction, mafia crime, dark comedy and action into a story that constantly surprised me. The characters are compelling, the pacing is fast, and every chapter left me wanting to read more.

I loved how effortlessly it balances intense action, humor, and more philosophical themes without ever losing momentum. Set against a gritty New York City backdrop, the three main characters each bring something unique to the story. It's fresh, unpredictable, and impossible to fit into a single genre.

Bad Citizen is absolutely worth picking up!

[Jeremy D]

Bad Citizen is an original mashup of sci-fi, fantasy, and mob drama. Like mixing “The Departed” with “Stranger in a Strange Land.” The action scenes are gripping and often brutally gory but the comical banter had me grinning throughout.

Each chapter was from one character’s perspective - some very short and some longer - keeping me engaged and feeling connected to each characters perspective.

By the final third, I was completely enthralled with the universe Lebow created… and the ending stuck the landing. Funny, violent, and unexpectedly moving — highly recommend.

[Misty L]

For lovers of science-fiction this has it all! Mobsters fight against a supreme being from another dimension who wants world domination, set across New York. Or was it all a video game? The story is graphic and not for the faint of heart. I never knew where the plot was going and the author pulled all the characters together in the end. There is an unexpected love story, a hero story, and a war all tied together with dark humor and vivid details. I wonder if the door is left open for a sequel?

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Allison Huisingh]

My review of the ARC read I received:

First and foremost, I think this would’ve benefitted from a time stamp before each chapter. I had a hard time keeping up with the timeline of things. This is my only reason for the star off. As for the rest of it, I was surprised by how entertaining it was! I’m not usually one for mafia drama or sci-fi fantasy but this was written well! I love the dark humor, gruesome kills, and the different characters’ POVs. Well done and entertaining!

[Gisela Marengo]

This book was given to me as an ARC via BookSirens and Author here is my voluntarily review.
3.50⭐️ I honestly didn’t know what I was getting myself into with this one, but I ended up having a really good time with it. It was weird, clever, chaotic, and had me thinking what is even happening?! 😂 in the best possible way. I loved the futuristic setting and the humor throughout. It was fast-paced, entertaining, and definitely kept me curious about what was coming next. I really enjoyed it.

[Jim Bruno]

Bad Citizen sounds like an absolute wild ride. A powerful outsider, a mafia family, revenge, supernatural chaos, and dark humor, this is exactly the kind of genre-bending story that grabs your attention.

The characters already feel intriguing, especially Josiah, Lucius, and Antonia, and I’m genuinely curious to see how their loyalties collide.

This is definitely one to watch. I’m rooting for Bad Citizen to find the readers who will love it as much as its premise deserves.

[Vickie]

This was such and original story that I couldn't put it down.. We have Josiah portaling in to NYC to fight the Mafia. Fantasy and Mafia combined in one book with a cast that you can't help but love.. This is a quirky book that makes you love it as you go.. I really hope we get a second book.

[Jonathan Diemunsch]

This was a solid novel, it kept you guessing the whole time. It does a lot of head-hopping, which I don't personally like, but if you are ok with a lot of POV you'll enjoy this novel.