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The Devil's Foundry #1
Be Thou My Good
The first book in a witty and innovative fantasy series in which nemeses—a Supervillainess and a Hero—must team up when stranded in a strange new world.
It’s not easy being the most famous and attractive villain in the United States, but somebody has to do it. And it might as well be Via Rodriguez, aka “Empress.” Via’s used to outsmarting the ever-so-arrogant Heroes that come her way. Her wicked schemes take an unexpected turn, however, after a getaway gone wrong lands both her and her current foe—the annoyingly perky Electra—in the middle of an unknown land that is definitely not Earth.
Silverwall is bizarre, to put it bluntly. Via is suddenly imbued with diabolical magical powers; an annoying menu keeps popping up to tell her about mana and Status Points; and no one has even heard of the Internet. Stripped of her usual gadgets, carefully laid plans, and social cred, Via will have to rely on her wits, charm, and newfound demonic skills to navigate tricky local politics and amass enough allies and minions to survive. But if she ever wants to actually make it back home, she’ll need to cooperate with the last person in the world she’d ever want to team up with: Electra.
Fast-paced and snarky, Be Thou My Good turns some of the most popular tropes from role-playing games and genre novels alike on their heads to present an irresistible new take on the eternal battle between do-gooders and evil geniuses.
It’s not easy being the most famous and attractive villain in the United States, but somebody has to do it. And it might as well be Via Rodriguez, aka “Empress.” Via’s used to outsmarting the ever-so-arrogant Heroes that come her way. Her wicked schemes take an unexpected turn, however, after a getaway gone wrong lands both her and her current foe—the annoyingly perky Electra—in the middle of an unknown land that is definitely not Earth.
Silverwall is bizarre, to put it bluntly. Via is suddenly imbued with diabolical magical powers; an annoying menu keeps popping up to tell her about mana and Status Points; and no one has even heard of the Internet. Stripped of her usual gadgets, carefully laid plans, and social cred, Via will have to rely on her wits, charm, and newfound demonic skills to navigate tricky local politics and amass enough allies and minions to survive. But if she ever wants to actually make it back home, she’ll need to cooperate with the last person in the world she’d ever want to team up with: Electra.
Fast-paced and snarky, Be Thou My Good turns some of the most popular tropes from role-playing games and genre novels alike on their heads to present an irresistible new take on the eternal battle between do-gooders and evil geniuses.
248 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 18, 2022
45 people are currently reading
93 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
October 2, 2023
This book was a bit of a strange mish-mash. It jammed together familiar tropes and stuff from the superhero genre, the LitRPG genre, and isekai anime. The story provided nothing new to anyone familiar with those genres but was fairly successful at using those familiar story beats and tropes to create a fun story that blended good things from all those genres.
The premise was fun. Fun enough that it convinced me to buy this on a whim as soon as I read the blurb! Super-villain Empress and superhero Electra find themselves in a strange new world after the superhero’s attack on Empress’s lair also has consequences on her escape teleportation device! Both are sucked into what is effectively a typical anime LitRPG isekai world. Then to make matters worse both find they have to work together to survive the strange new world and to try to find their way home.
The story and characters were fun enough. Nothing fresh in this one but that did not stop what we got from being pretty enjoyable.
We got a bit of tension as Empress and Electra clashed over their methods but the time both were forced to spend together helped them understand the others POV a bit more. I liked that element of the story.
The rest of the story was fun. Both had to learn some new LitRPG magic as their regular powers were less effective than normal in this new world. The other big help for the story was the fact that most of the opposition the duo came up against were villainous enough in their own right that it was always easy enough to root for Empress in her goals.
If the book had a real flaw it was the fact that the writing was passable but flawed. This story was pretty short but it definitely felt like some parts could have been expanded to deepen both the quality of the character development and the worldbuilding.
Despite the obvious flaws I still found this pretty fun. If the next instalment makes it to audio I’ll buy it for sure.
Rating: 3.5 stars.
Audio Note: Hollie Jackson did an OK job with the audio. She got the tone of the story but I wish her character voices were a little easier to distinguish.
Reread update: Still pretty fun the second time around.
The premise was fun. Fun enough that it convinced me to buy this on a whim as soon as I read the blurb! Super-villain Empress and superhero Electra find themselves in a strange new world after the superhero’s attack on Empress’s lair also has consequences on her escape teleportation device! Both are sucked into what is effectively a typical anime LitRPG isekai world. Then to make matters worse both find they have to work together to survive the strange new world and to try to find their way home.
The story and characters were fun enough. Nothing fresh in this one but that did not stop what we got from being pretty enjoyable.
We got a bit of tension as Empress and Electra clashed over their methods but the time both were forced to spend together helped them understand the others POV a bit more. I liked that element of the story.
The rest of the story was fun. Both had to learn some new LitRPG magic as their regular powers were less effective than normal in this new world. The other big help for the story was the fact that most of the opposition the duo came up against were villainous enough in their own right that it was always easy enough to root for Empress in her goals.
If the book had a real flaw it was the fact that the writing was passable but flawed. This story was pretty short but it definitely felt like some parts could have been expanded to deepen both the quality of the character development and the worldbuilding.
Despite the obvious flaws I still found this pretty fun. If the next instalment makes it to audio I’ll buy it for sure.
Rating: 3.5 stars.
Audio Note: Hollie Jackson did an OK job with the audio. She got the tone of the story but I wish her character voices were a little easier to distinguish.
Reread update: Still pretty fun the second time around.
November 4, 2023
I loved it! Great story and I loved the narration by Hollie Jackson.
April 17, 2022
5 We Are All Of Us, Red In Tooth And Claw Stars
Be Thou My Good is the first book in the Isekai LitRPG series The Devil's Foundry by Joseph Marcia and Argentorum.
This was a particularly delicious read. The only bad remark I have for it, is the lack of a sequel already released. I could use more time spent ferreting through the Empress' narrative.
I supremely enjoyed the ranging influences offered up with this cast of characters. If Rel and Via don't couple up, my ship shall go down in flaming glory, and I shall eat a boot. My hope for them is that they dig into the similarities of their characters and hard lives, coming out the other side stronger for it.
The way the author shaped her class to not be an entirely OP set of abilities, or inherently villainous was appreciated. Along with the development put into sparsing the intricacies of her character, and what may have been misconstrued as flippant otherwise. The backstory still has much to be parsed out. Not only for Via, but the others as well. I think Elenore has some hidden growth left in her, and I wish we knew a little bit more about her besides her goodie-two-shoes/airhead persona presented thus far.
What was up with that Duchess? I was getting major 'tortured for her unique power' vibes...? What calamity could she possibly be holding at bay?
I would definitely read more of this authors work. Especially with the inclination towards 'women are powerful', even if more subtle than overt.
Be Thou My Good is the first book in the Isekai LitRPG series The Devil's Foundry by Joseph Marcia and Argentorum.
This was a particularly delicious read. The only bad remark I have for it, is the lack of a sequel already released. I could use more time spent ferreting through the Empress' narrative.
I supremely enjoyed the ranging influences offered up with this cast of characters. If Rel and Via don't couple up, my ship shall go down in flaming glory, and I shall eat a boot. My hope for them is that they dig into the similarities of their characters and hard lives, coming out the other side stronger for it.
The way the author shaped her class to not be an entirely OP set of abilities, or inherently villainous was appreciated. Along with the development put into sparsing the intricacies of her character, and what may have been misconstrued as flippant otherwise. The backstory still has much to be parsed out. Not only for Via, but the others as well. I think Elenore has some hidden growth left in her, and I wish we knew a little bit more about her besides her goodie-two-shoes/airhead persona presented thus far.
What was up with that Duchess? I was getting major 'tortured for her unique power' vibes...? What calamity could she possibly be holding at bay?
I would definitely read more of this authors work. Especially with the inclination towards 'women are powerful', even if more subtle than overt.
October 19, 2023
Be Thou My Good: A Witty and Innovative LitRPG Fantasy Adventure
Be Thou My Good by Joseph Marcia is a witty and innovative LitRPG fantasy adventure. The story follows the protagonist, Via, a supervillainess who is transported to a strange new world. In order to survive, Via must team up with her nemesis, Electra, a superhero.
Marcia's writing is engaging and humorous, and he does a great job of developing his characters. Via is a likable and relatable protagonist, and her relationship with Electra is well-developed.
The plot of the novel is well-paced and full of exciting twists and turns. Marcia does a great job of incorporating LitRPG elements into the story without making it feel too overwhelming for newcomers to the genre.
One of the things that makes Be Thou My Good so unique is its premise. The idea of a supervillainess and a superhero being forced to team up is a fresh and original one. Marcia does a great job of exploring the dynamic between Via and Electra, and he shows how they are able to overcome their differences in order to achieve their common goal.
Another thing that sets the novel apart from other LitRPG novels is its focus on character development. Via and Electra are both complex and well-developed characters, and their relationship is one of the highlights of the novel.
However, the novel is not without its flaws. One minor issue is that the pacing can be slow at times, especially in the early chapters. Additionally, the novel's ending is somewhat abrupt, and it leaves some unanswered questions.
January 23, 2023
This was just pure fun. If you're not too snobby to read light novels, give this one a try. It blends together a light novel Isekai (google it) adventure with superheroes and a very special super villain. It somehow worked and I look forward to the sequel. The only downside to this one is that I still don't get the title. I thought it might make sense after reading, but no. :D
For some reason the audiobook doesn't seem to be listed on goodreads, but it was a joy. Hollie Jackson did an excellent job with the narration and made my 2 hour commute pass in a flash.
For some reason the audiobook doesn't seem to be listed on goodreads, but it was a joy. Hollie Jackson did an excellent job with the narration and made my 2 hour commute pass in a flash.
July 23, 2024
I grew to like the empress more and more as the story went on and I liked how even Electra started to get more depth too though this could have been expanded a bit more. The system being ones only source of info on how stats worked was fun to see too. Very curious to see where things go from this point on. Haha I got maybe 75% of the humor there was definitely times I didn’t understand though I have no experience with Anime only with LitRPG stories and DND, so this maybe what I was missing.
Overall, really loved the banter and to see the world through a morally gray characters eyes.
Overall, really loved the banter and to see the world through a morally gray characters eyes.
October 12, 2023
As LITrpg goes this one is fun. Yes, the familiar tropes are here and there. But let we forget both principal characters are former enemies. One a Super Heroine and the other a Super Villain. Now that they have crossed dimensions, galaxy or something else, not defined completely. They must embark in a way to return or start a new life. The thing is "Via" is very likable for a villain. We follow her growth and truth be told she is a lot different then I expected. I can't wait to read the rest.
June 22, 2025
Very boring book. It even plays out the MMO tropes of a tutorial zone where you hunt wolves and do a fetch quest for parrot feathers. The main character, a supervillain, is supposed to be snarky but is just unlikeable, the sidekick, a superhero, is supposed to be goofy but is just dumb. There is FAR too much backstory and explanation of how the MC is really a supervillain while she feed the hungry, helps orphans etc.
March 23, 2022
self-aware
This book knows the tropes, acknowledges the tropes, and puts them to work.
Excellent prose, clean - if suggestive - dialogue, and an MC who is playing her part with relish.
This is going on my list. My ‘auto-buy’ list.
This book knows the tropes, acknowledges the tropes, and puts them to work.
Excellent prose, clean - if suggestive - dialogue, and an MC who is playing her part with relish.
This is going on my list. My ‘auto-buy’ list.
April 15, 2022
Awesome
This is not only well written, it is incredibly funny as well. A superhero and supervillain working together after being tossed into another world with no way to get back. Can’t wait to find out what they manage to get themselves into next.
This is not only well written, it is incredibly funny as well. A superhero and supervillain working together after being tossed into another world with no way to get back. Can’t wait to find out what they manage to get themselves into next.
September 22, 2022
Very entertaining if you like villains
I really enjoyed the story and want more of it. Hopefully it won't be too long in coming. Would also enjoy a prequel as I like super hero fiction. A few more words for the review.
I really enjoyed the story and want more of it. Hopefully it won't be too long in coming. Would also enjoy a prequel as I like super hero fiction. A few more words for the review.
September 28, 2023
Absolutely FANTASTIC. Villain and Hero forced to work together in a strange place. Good writing. Funny. (Okay, "nerd funny" but if you don't at least appreciate superhero stories, you wouldn't be picking this up in the first place.)
January 5, 2024
DNF the main characters attitude that they just don’t care was pretty annoying, but I also didn’t like the changing perspective to the good guy. In the end, I didn’t feel like I had a good enough explanation of the system or enough interest in what the main character was trying to do.
August 5, 2025
Overall, enjoyed the story. It was a fun read with interesting characters. However, the story didn’t address or resolve the incestuous pdf incident with one of the main characters and her sister. The father should have been killed and the child saved.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 4, 2022
Just perfect
In a word, Brilliant! It took two camped cliches, and into something better. It even put in nice yuri subtext. High praise.
In a word, Brilliant! It took two camped cliches, and into something better. It even put in nice yuri subtext. High praise.
May 5, 2022
Clever and fun! I can't wait to read the rest of this series.
May 10, 2022
Nice relaxing
December 4, 2023
Good read
I enjoyed reading this book and I recommend this book to anyone who wants to read a lighthearted romp on another world with magic.
I enjoyed reading this book and I recommend this book to anyone who wants to read a lighthearted romp on another world with magic.
July 1, 2024
3.5 stars, I did really enjoy it and it was entertaining!
It’s just more about banter between characters with only some small action scenes. And I wish there was more world building
It’s just more about banter between characters with only some small action scenes. And I wish there was more world building
July 14, 2024
Not enough happened to get me hooked - I'll read the sequels though.
August 12, 2024
I liked the concept of this a lot better than the execution, which given this was a webnovel and presumably written quickly/without a ton of editing, is fair enough. Via is a little too perfect (often at Electra's expense), and the snark could get way over-the-top. Also I don't think the skills/stat menus added a ton, but it's a convention of the genre.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 9, 2025
Audible edition review
This was a nice story. The characters were appropriately sympathetic and the plot moves along at a decent pace. There wasn't much in the way of nail biting intensity because the main character seems to always have everything in hand.
The setting wasn't given much expansion and really only explodes one town/city. The plot wasn't too elaborate and did the job well. The characters were a bit flat but good enough.
The narrator really felt like a bad fit to me though. You've got a main character spewing meme humour and "your mom" jokes lamenting the loss of the internet given the voice of a cultured, sophisticated woman who should be running an art gallery or a women's institute in a wealthy suburb. It just felt jarring and wrong and I could never quite get over that. Are the main characters in their 40s or teens? Hard to tell.
While I liked this I don't think I'll bother with the sequel.
This was a nice story. The characters were appropriately sympathetic and the plot moves along at a decent pace. There wasn't much in the way of nail biting intensity because the main character seems to always have everything in hand.
The setting wasn't given much expansion and really only explodes one town/city. The plot wasn't too elaborate and did the job well. The characters were a bit flat but good enough.
The narrator really felt like a bad fit to me though. You've got a main character spewing meme humour and "your mom" jokes lamenting the loss of the internet given the voice of a cultured, sophisticated woman who should be running an art gallery or a women's institute in a wealthy suburb. It just felt jarring and wrong and I could never quite get over that. Are the main characters in their 40s or teens? Hard to tell.
While I liked this I don't think I'll bother with the sequel.
September 7, 2024
A unique and entertaining isekai, with a nuanced protagonist and an interesting supporting cast, that avoids some of the common isekai cliches.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews