Paul Dale

Final part of a trilogy I've loved every word of!

The Dark Lord's Handbook: Empire

Amazon.com link

My review -

Dark Lord Morden Deathwing has finally conquered the whole world. He’s supreme ruler. All he has to do is stay there. That’s always been the hard bit. He loses a couple of his right-hand men to death but he won’t let them go easily. His charming, sweary late wife Griselda won’t keep quiet either. The elves and the Fae, armed with a dragonslayer who’s only ten years old and keeps needing a wee, intend to finish the interminable war between good and evil. Ah, if only it were that simple.

This is the final book in the Dark Lord trilogy and you really need to have read the other two. I’ve followed this series from the first and love the gentle pokes at the genre, the genuine homages, the brilliant flashes of dark humour. I love it all. It’s a world I have happily immersed myself in. If you’re looking for a nod in the direction of Tolkien, Pratchett and more, yet with its own story and concepts, this trilogy will get under your skin, as it has mine. I’ve looked forward to this final book for a long time and it was well worth the wait. Fabulous.

Paul Dale

The second in this humorous 'Handbook' and a must if you enjoyed the first.

The Dark Lord's Handbook: Conquest

Amazon.com The Dark Lord's Handbook: Conquest

My review - 

Morden, who has learnt all his Dark Lording from a book legible only to him, is now intent upon Issuing Forth from his dread stronghold to conquer his enemies. There are heroes intent upon stopping him and they have recruited some ancient beings to help. Griselda, his foul-mouthed Dark Queen, leaves and opposes him. However, a new flight of dark dragons arises to assist him. There's a furious battle at the end and things throughout didn't always turn out as I expected.

I loved Book One of this series and the same wry humour pervades this second book. For a ruthless, self-serving villain, Lord Morden Deathwing has an endearing side and I find myself torn between wanting the 'goodies' to win - including a rich and self-indulgent Chancellor and cheering for an undead dragonlich. Such is the persuasive power of Paul Dale's writing. Very enjoyable.

Paul Dale

Paul's book takes the fantasy genre and rather turns it on its head. 

The Dark Lord's Handbook

Amazon.com  The Dark Lord's Handbook

My review -

A Dark Lord is Rising. He is opposed by a Hero. There are a couple of dragons who spend much of their time in human guise. There are orcs, downtrodden and despised. There are political machinations and skulduggery galore. Pretty standard fantasy stuff eh? Not likely! Paul Dale has produced a fantasy adventure with an inept Dark Lord still learning the business from his mysterious handbook. The Hero is a shouty bumpkin with a serious sword and no common sense. The fantasy hero story is turned on its head and you are really rooting for the Dark Lord in this clever, funny, witty tale.

Paul Dale writes ripping yarns adventure with a tongue in cheek humour that I found enchanting. His characters are wonderful. The `love interest' for both the Dark Lord and the Hero is a stubborn, bad-tempered foul-mouthed piece called Griselda - I love her! Any lover of the fantasy genre is going to find this a hard book to put down. It's a jolly good read!