Villainous - Book One: Denial

Self-Published

Community Rating

Description

*Notice: This is for all new readers and those who have been following me for a while.

As of right now my releases are Wednesday and Friday @ 2 pm EST.

Act 1 and Act 2 are under revisions and mild rewrites based on feedback. These edits will be rolled out in groups in order to maintain story cohesiveness. Thank you. *

Leo died. But his life didn't end there. He was given a second chance at life in another world, a chance to make all of his dreams come true. However, the system that allows him to live his new life like a videogame seems fully intent on making him the evil overlord of his new world. Can Leo resist the darker path fate has planned for him or can he build the life he truly wants? He isn't sure, but with a collection of overpowered abilities and items he sets out on an adventure hellbent on bending destiny to his whims.

Information

Status: Hiatus
Year: 2023
Author: CT Johnson

Royal Road Stats

Rating: 4.4/ 5.0
Followers: 120
Views: 49,406

Reviews

No reviews yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!

Community Reviews(10)

Ding-DongRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
It's crazy good, and I liked how the system is seamlessly integrated into the story. It doesn't feel forced, and the quests and rewards add great depth to the narrative.
Also, while reading the chapters, I noticed how clearly I could picture the scenes as the story progresses.
I just finished chapter 10 and thought of leaving a review.
PDLondraRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
I must say, I’m loving the first book in Villainous: Denial. The author has real promise.
The story is moving at pace. There are handy cliffhangers at the end of chapters that are a must for web serials. I was introduced to LitRPG by Conor Kistick’s Epic and was surprised by how much I enjoyed the genre. Despite that, I haven’t delved into LitRPG. Villainous promises to lead me deeper into it.
The main character, Leo seems quite complex and world-weary, which lends him realism. It is early in his adventure, but I look forward to uncovering his character as the story progresses.
The style of the piece is what I would expect from the genre, with screen messages breaking into the exposition. The author has managed to introduce dialogue into the early chapters with Leo talking to himself, adding another dimension. First-person lends the story a unique angle.
This is a first draft, so there are those small grammatical tweaks that are always required in first drafts. Apart from the occasional typo, some of the sentences need tightening to remove redundancy–none of which could be considered a “show-stopper.”
All-in-all, a great effort, which comes highly recommended by this reader. Bravo.
PelgraineRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
This has been absolute pleasure to read. Though I’m only part-way through the novel at chapter 3 I thought I’d pause to post a review here so I can encourage anyone who, like me, is less familiar with the LitRPG genre (or who might have been a little intimidated by the format) to try out this high-quality example.
Having previously spent most of my time reading general sci-fi and fantasy novels, I hadn't quite understood the appeal of LitRPG as a genre until I'd read Villainous. It’s genuinely brilliant. Reading this reminded me of all of the enjoyment I’d had playing video games like Halo, Destiny and Skyrim in the past, and it has definitely given me a newfound appreciation for the genre.
Villainous is incredibly well-written. The main character’s background and motivations are smoothly intertwined into the story, enabling the reader to stay wholly absorbed as the plot moves along. Better yet, the entire RPG system is beautifully integrated, remaining clear and easily understood (by LitRPG novices like me) while keeping the reader enthralled.
I’m delighted to still have many more chapters ahead to enjoy. Highly recommend.
VictorGrayRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
There are a number of things to like in his openeing chapter. the overview hints at a system trying to turn him into an evil character, which he fights, a premise that I find very interesting. I like the description of the character, who nurtures a feeling of righteous anger and a desire for vengeance, whixch is understandable after long periods of physical abuse and bullying. This creates a nuanced character, who is neither good nor evil, but a real person wrestling with his inner demons and struggling to control them. I feel a sense of optimism that he is able to restart his life.
DragonanzarRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
A gripping read, hitting all of my drama buttons :D So, for those wondering whether this is worth reading, if you enjoy reluctant at first but increasingly on-board with the idea villans, then it most certainly is. I was a little dubious when I started, but by chapter three and the revelation of the character's class, I was hooked!
In short, and without giving any spoilers, the main character always dreamed of being a hero, but it turns out he's more of the villain in this scenario. But if he's going to be a villain, he's going to do it his way.
Story score
This is the kind of story I absolutely love. Fast-paced, not too many info dumps, and fully of yummy battles and crunchy LitRPG goodness. The MC kind of has a pet-class build, in that he can summon and create minions through several different mechanisms, but that isn't all. As you can imagine, he hits well above his weight in fights, though is most certainly not over-powered to begin with. I can see him getting there, though.
Style
Very readable and engaging. There are a couple of awkward spots here or there, but that's just an author honing his skill. These spots didn't inhibit my enjoyment; once the author fixes these in his editing, the story will be even better.
Character
Great characterisation. Our MC is definitely a tortured hero - it even says it right at the beginning XD. By the point I've read up to, the MC is already showing signs of character progression, his mentality changing and adapting to his new reality. There are also a number of side characters who all have their own background and individual motivations.
Grammar
Generally very good. Again, a couple of things here or there, but the author is reponsive to suggestions so I'm sure they'll be fixed sooner rather than later.
BasiliusRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
Overall, It's an enjoyable Litrpg about a boy who was given a second chance to experience life after he died a complete loser in his first.
Story: The story follows your typical Litrpg structure. The system is interesting and well defined. It has abit of an isometric feel to it, I felt as if I'm resting on a friday night just enjoying some diablo after work.
grammar: The grammar is impressive and the chapters are structured in tidy and easy to read blocks. However, It edges on the side of being too monotone.
Characters: The protagonist is surprisingly accepting of his new situation, there's a missing awe sentiment. The story initially glosses over his past life, but the way it seems to relate afterwards with the way he reacts to certain circumstances adds a depth that the novel needs more of.
Style: It's abit too straightforward in its narrative, holding the reader's hand throughout with few hidden hints to notice. But that makes it an easy read for someone who wants to relax.
Final Verdict: I am glad that Leo's entire existence didn't end with him being a failure in life, looking forward to see what he'll make of this new opportunity to prove himself.
JD GLASSCOCKRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
as a writer of grimdark i am digging the start. A good dark bent anti hero vibe and the self realizations. Take a kid abused, throw him into a litrpg dark world and see how it spins. I dig the premise and can see this rolling out hard to lovers of grimdark. I wish you kick booty success on the series and hope it kills it for you
JD Glasscock
Author of the Series Blood Brothers and The Dream
Jordan Elias R.Royal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
The first thing that grabbed my attention was the synopsis and we could rate synopsis, I’ll definitely give it a five.
The novel follows the MC named Leodon, who dies and find himself forced to begin a second life. He chooses an option and is immediately whisked to a new world.
I like the fact that he’s not going to be anyone’s hero though; instead he’ll be a villain. Villainous MCs have always being a thing for me; they are a break from the normal. This creates more room for introspection and self reflection on the protagonist’s side. I expect a lot of emotional growth/decline in further chapters.
The classes are new and unique which I appreciate and I really like the names you gave them. I think Lit-RPG require a lot of info dumping in beginning chapters because there’s a lot to explain, so I think that one’s great.
The action scene in chapter three is very vividly described and explained. Some people might have a problem with the explanations though, but I think it helps in fleshing out characters and giving them some depth.
The system’s dynamics and world building is great and well planned, giving the story a kind of flow that I enjoy and although, I don’t regularly read Lit-RPG, I really enjoyed reading the chapters and I definitely look forward to reading more of it.
BobCharlieRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
I'm not usually into OP MC stories, of which this is most assuredly that, but the setting and world building caught my eye, and before I knew it, I found myself drawn into the story.
The style is intense and to the point, with a little polish, it will be something to remember. The pacing is great, the action intense, and the dialogue, while a little on the cliche side, is enjoyable.
The story itself is where this one shines. Poor Leo dies, and gets a chance to be the hero this new world needs and deserves!... No? Oh, wait, you're saying he got a corrupted Race, a Class fit for the Dark Lord himself, and a System generated quest for world domination?!? Ok, well, ladies and gentlemen. Guess you might want to lock your doors tonight. There's Evil afoot.
The grammar needs a good once over, there's a few mistakes, and some simple rewording, or clarification needed, but it in no way detracts from the story. (The author is in the middle of adding a fresh layer of paint, so I will adjust my rating accordingly.)
And finally, the character. Leo is adjusting to his dire new life with relative ease, but although he is technically no longer a human, he still has very human emotions. The side characters thus far have been incompetent cultists, and have died for their idiocy.
D.M. Rhodes (Razzmatazz)Royal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
Villainous - Book One: Denial, written by author CT Johnson, is a litRPG fantasy adventure in an epic world starring Leo, a man who is being shoe-horned into a destiny as an overpowered evil-doer by the system, and his best attempts to fight against it while still growing stronger.
The story has a very significant amount of Numbers-go-up, so litRPG fans will of course be delighted. There are so many skills, classes, and attributes that the author even constructed an entire page just to list them all neatly in one place.
The main character Leo is well followable in his pursuit of non-evil power. He’s enjoyable as a character and has an interesting personality. The other characters/entities encountered in the story are also on the ball.
The writing and grammar are both on point. Anything that has been pointed out by the readers has been fixed with grace. The prose flows nicely, and the text itself is fluid, broken up only by the CHONKS that are the skills and abilities. The author does not spare any details, haha.
All in all, if you are interested in a really beefy litRPG, then you should most definitely give this one a fair shot =)