Starter Villain by John Scalzi

John Scalzi is back with another light-hearted story in Starter Villain. Charlie Fitzer is your typical down-on-his-luck former business reporter and substitute teacher whose billionaire uncle dies leaving him a supervillain empire. After his uncle's funeral, attended mostly by people trying to make sure he is actually dead, Charlie's house is blown up. Charlie is visited by his uncle's assistant, Mathilda, learns that his cat is genetically modified, can talk and has been spying on him, and is wisked away to his uncle's volcano lair.

This is a lot to take in for a guy who was just trying to scrape together enough money to buy a bar. Danger increases when he is invited to a group of supervillains, the Lombardy Convocation. They want him to join, but they'd be just as happy if he died. 

Scalzi is always entertaining, and Starter Villain is no different. There is a lot of sly humor, social commentary and some actual thought-provoking ideas. Charlie turns out to be cleverer than anticipated and makes some astute observations and deductions along the way. The supporting characters, particularly the animals, are lovingly rendered and very likeable. Scalzi is as good as anyone at developing likeable characters. This helps you connect with them whether they are involved in unusual labor negotiations or trying to escape a building literally coming down around their ears. 

There are a few surprises along the way but this story is more about the journey than the destination. It's fast-paced, funny and has some genuine feeling. The stakes never feel too high and you'll get some good laughs along the way.

I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher.