Villains — we love to hate them! In literature, they often steal the spotlight, forcing us to question our sense of right and wrong.
This month Naperville Public Library’s highlighting the Amazing Book Challenge theme “Villain as the Main Character.” From antiheroes seeking redemption to masterminds wreaking havoc, these stories invite you to explore the darker corners of the human experience. Chill like a villain with this list of tales where the line between hero and villain is blurred.
For a full list of recommendations and to see the rest of this year’s themes visit www.naperville-lib.org/ABC.
“Starter Villain” by John Scalzi
Charlie’s life is going nowhere fast. Then his long-lost uncle Jake dies and leaves his supervillain business (complete with island volcano lair) to Charlie. But stepping into this role isn’t all fun and games — Jake’s enemies are after him. Now, Charlie must continue his uncle’s fight against a league of supervillains. But with unionized dolphins, hyperintelligent talking spy cats and a terrifying henchperson at his side, going bad is starting to look pretty good.
“The Jasmine Throne” by Tasha Suri
Imprisoned by her dictator brother, Malini lives in isolation in the decaying Hirana temple, once home to powerful magical waters. Priya, a maidservant, secretly journeys to Malini’s chambers each night, content to remain anonymous while hiding her own dangerous secret. When Malini discovers Priya’s true identity, their fates intertwine. One seeks revenge against her brother; the other seeks her family. Together, they will reshape the empire’s destiny.
“Assistant to the Villain” by Hannah Nichol Maehrer
With ailing family to support, Evie Sage needs a job. So when Rennedawn’s most infamous villain offers her one, she says yes. While she’s getting used to severed heads suspended from the ceiling, Evie finds herself developing a crush on her terrifying, temperamental and undeniably hot boss. But something rotten is growing in the kingdom and someone wants to take the villain out. Now it’s up to Evie to figure out who is sabotaging his work … and ensure he makes them pay.
“You” by Caroline Kepnes
When a beautiful, aspiring writer named Beck strides into the East Village bookstore where Joe Goldberg works, he does what anyone would do: he Googles the name on her credit card. As Joe invisibly and obsessively takes control of Beck’s life, he orchestrates a series of events to ensure Beck finds herself in his waiting arms. Moving from stalker to boyfriend, Joe transforms himself into Beck’s perfect man, all while quietly removing the obstacles that stand in their way — even if it means murder.
“My Sister, the Serial Killer” by Oyinkan Braithwaite
When Korede’s dinner is interrupted by a distress call from her sister Ayoola, she knows the drill: bleach, rubber gloves, nerves of steel. This is the third boyfriend Ayoola has “disposed of” in self-defense, and Korede is left to clean up. Though she should go to the police, her loyalty to family comes first — until Ayoola starts dating the doctor Korede loves. Now, saving one means risking the other.
“How to Kill Your Family” by Bella Mackie
When Grace Bernard discovers her absentee millionaire father has rejected her dying mother’s pleas for help, she vows revenge and sets about to kill every member of his family. Readers have a front row seat as Grace picks off the family one by one — and the result is as gruesome as it is entertaining in this wickedly dark romp about class, family, love… and murder.
“Heartless” by Marissa Meyer
Catherine may be one of the most desired girls in Wonderland, and a favorite of the unmarried King of Hearts, but her interests lie elsewhere. A talented baker, all she wants is to open a shop with her best friend. Then Cath meets Jest, the handsome and mysterious court joker. For the first time, she feels the pull of true attraction. At the risk of offending the king and infuriating her parents, she and Jest enter into an intense, secret courtship. Cath is determined to define her own destiny and fall in love on her terms. But in a land thriving with magic, madness and monsters, fate has other plans.
“The Girls I’ve Been” by Tess Sharpe
As the daughter of a con artist who targets criminal men, Nora grew up as her mother’s protégé. But when mom fell for the mark instead of conning him, Nora pulled the ultimate con: escape. For five years she’s been playing at normal. But Nora needs to dust off the skills she ditched because she has a problem: she’s been taken hostage by two bank robbers. The bank robbers may be trouble, but Nora’s something else entirely…
Ashlee Conour is the marketing specialist at Naperville Public Library.
