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    I recently read “Starter Villan” by John Scalzi, it’s about a man who inherits his uncles “evil” empire. I was hoping to find more books written from the “bad guys” point of view. I tried the Dexter books but they got too dark for me.

    by Expert_Variation5960

    9 Comments

    1. BoringTrouble11 on

      V.E. Schwab, Villains series. Marissa Meyer’s Heartless. I haven’t read it but in my TBR is Grendel by John Gardner.

      Not sure if I’d define as a villain but Circe by Madeline Miller.

    2. Soon I Will Be Invincible by Austin Grossman is written from a super-villain’s perspective.

    3. John Sandford writes his books about 80% from the detectives point of view and the rest from the villains. I’ve always enjoyed that about his books, I like seeing them both on the path to eventual discovery of each other. His Virgil Flowers books are my favorites because I live in rural Minnesota and his small town settings are so deliciously accurate.

    4. The Parker books written by Richard Stark, a pen name of Donald Westlake. The main character is a criminal.

    5. Hench by Natalie Zina Walschots

      The main character starts out as a henchperson for hire. The story and writing are both great.

    6. Yellowpommelo on

      Perfume by Patrick Suskind comes to mind.

      A lot of existential novels fit the bill for flawed/villainous people holding the PoV while their authors make philosophical points.

      Crime and Punishment by Dostoyevsky
      Notes from the Underground by Dostoyevsky
      The Stranger by Camus

      If you’re wanting a lighter tone, less psychological you could go with Circe by Madeleine Miller. If you want a complete rewrite, Wicked’s novel version might be a timely visit before the movie comes out.

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