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  • The Dark Lord's Handbook

  • By: Paul Dale
  • Narrated by: Gildart Jackson
  • Length: 13 hrs and 34 mins
  • 4.4 out of 5 stars (124 ratings)

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The Dark Lord's Handbook

By: Paul Dale
Narrated by: Gildart Jackson
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Summary

To become a Dark Lord is no easy thing. The simple ambition to hold dominion over the world and bend all to your will sounds straightforward, but it's not. There are armies to raise, fortresses to build, heroes to defeat, and battles to be fought. After many spectacular failures, Evil decided to lend more than inspiration to these would-be tyrants. He wrote an easy-to-follow Dark Lord's Handbook. And yet the next Dark Lord that came along screwed up like all the others. It had been hundreds of years, and the Handbook was lost in the annals of time, along with all that was mythic and exciting in the world. Then one day, a randy dragon had a chance encounter. Nine months later a Dark Lord was born. In time, the Handbook found its way to this new contender: Morden.

©2008 Paul Dale (P)2014 Tantor
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What listeners say about The Dark Lord's Handbook

Average customer ratings
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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

The closest book to Sir Terry Pratchett

Lovely book and narration: funny, human and clever. I read a lot of books which a recommended for fans of Sir Terry Pratchett and a lot of them I couldn’t find any similarities. Here I felt that it’s like written by very talented apprentice of the great. Thank you. Can’t wait for the rest of the books to come out as audiobooks.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Hidden gem! Amazing narration!

This is genuinely one of the best audiobooks I've had the pleasure to listen. I enjoyed every single moment.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Exquisite authorship and narrator

Listened to this over a weekend. Was intriguing, memorable and humorous.

I intend to purchase the two sequels in due course. Very worth the purchase.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Everything!

Outstanding in its totality, sentence structure character evolution and general story were second to none a great listen looking forward to the next book

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Brilliant

I loved this! One of favourite audiobooks. Dark, funny and kept me entertained throughout. Highly recommend you give it a go. Although a great narrator, I did put the narrators voice a notch up on the speed button though as I thought it was a bit too slow. Anyway give this audiobook a go, it’s fab.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

A worthy book

It is a well written book, and I was not sure who was the hero until the end. Well done.
There are a few Terry Pratchet references that are fun to look out for.
It is far better than the formulaic books that are so common

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

A Dark Lord Rises!.....cocks it up and tries again

I wasn't sure about this when i started listening but the story and characters really got me in the end. the narration was excellent.

It's a fantasy book from the dark lords point of view , those difficult teenage years, trying to fit in, early success and bending the rest of the school to your will!

Its about being good at being bad, and being bad at being good.

I enjoyed the foul mouthed love interested, the Machiavellian chancellor and the truly thick hero.

For the fist time you will be cheering for the dark side.

Id like to see what comes next for Morden

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Surprisingly good

I tried this book on impulse as i wanted to try something different, i have read fantasy before but not in a long time. This was a great story about a man growing up then finding himself a prospective 'dark lord' with the help of a handbook he tries his hand at rising as a new dark lord leaving his old life behind. the story is written well with an overarching narration from the handbook explaining the usual stereotypes of battles between good and evil whilst explaining why some of these usual steps are important. Its somewhat a slow paced story but it worked well the characters are well formed and entertaining there is plenty of humourous moments to enjoy. If you enjoy fantasy stories with dragons and orcs with a sprinkle of humour this is well worth a listen.
Just note this is book 1 of 3. when I listened via audible plus there was no mention of it being part of a trilogy and at time of writing this review the other 2 book are not available on audible.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

An unexpectedly good read

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

The book grows from the same ground as Terry Pratchett, Tom Holt and Robert Asprin and balances dry humour with a solid story.

What does Gildart Jackson bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

The reading is superlative and complements the text well.

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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Great fun

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I thought this would be a predictable rip off of similar amusing fantasy novels. But it wasn't at all. A delightfully amusing diversion. The story of Morden, who's career choice is being a dark lord. Made me laugh and kept me thoroughly entertained.

What other book might you compare The Dark Lord's Handbook to, and why?

Terry Pratchet....

Have you listened to any of Gildart Jackson’s other performances? How does this one compare?

Yes I have...he does comedic narration very well. Good array of charachters

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Cant say that with out giving the story away

Any additional comments?

Well worth a credit. Good story and good narration and great entertainment value. There is a second book which I hope audible brings out.

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1 person found this helpful