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Evil UnLtd #1
Evil Unltd Vol 1: The Root of All Evil
The Farce Of The Dark Side. Villains are the new Heroes in this Epic Sci Fi Adventure. This is the tale of Evil on a mission of indefinite duration, to seek out new evil schemes and boldly go to depths and extremes where no super-villain has gone before. Sinister supreme genius and super-villain, Dexter Snide, has floated Evil on the stock market and has gathered together a band of fellow villains, whose key challenge now is to ensure that Evil shows a consistent profit. But Evil has its (some would say unfair) share of Heroes in all sorts of nauseating shapes and sizes, up to and including muscle-headed action man, Rolph Stengun; and, because Evil is a highly competitive field, rivals, such as the mysterious figure who has his Visigoyle minions shadowing their every move. What begins as a heist to steal the greatest prize in the galaxy, draws Evil UnLtd into a devious plot to crash their enterprise before it's reached a fraction of its warped potential.
382 pages, Paperback
First published November 5, 2010
1 person is currently reading
13 people want to read
About the author
Simon A. Forward
35 books28 followersSimon A. Forward is an author and dramatist most famous for his work on a variety of Doctor Who spin-offs. He currently lives and works in Penzance with his wife as a full-time writer.
Forward specialises in sci-fi novels such as Doctor Who. His most recent work is Evil Unlimited for the Kindle. Simon's first published work was the short story One Bad Apple in BBC Books' Doctor Who anthology More Short Trips (BBC Books, 1999). Following this, Simon had a proposal for a Past Doctor Adventure accepted, and the subsequent novel, Drift, was published by BBC Books in 2002.
Having a successful novel behind him, Simon contacted Gary Russell about the possibility of writing for Big Finish's range of audio adventures. The enquiry resulted in him writing the audio play The Sandman (Big Finish, 2002). Simon went on from this to write several short stories for the Big Finish Short Trips volumes, as well two subsequent audio adventures.
Forward also wrote the novella Shell Shock (Telos Publishing Ltd., 2003). This was part of their range of Doctor Who novellas and is now out of print. In the same year, Simon also had another Doctor Who novel published by BBC Books, the Eighth Doctor Adventure Emotional Chemistry (BBC Books, 2003).
2009 saw two novelisations of the BBC television series Merlin, followed by a third in 2010.
2010 also saw the independent publication of an original SF Comedy, Evil UnLtd, in ebook form.
Forward specialises in sci-fi novels such as Doctor Who. His most recent work is Evil Unlimited for the Kindle. Simon's first published work was the short story One Bad Apple in BBC Books' Doctor Who anthology More Short Trips (BBC Books, 1999). Following this, Simon had a proposal for a Past Doctor Adventure accepted, and the subsequent novel, Drift, was published by BBC Books in 2002.
Having a successful novel behind him, Simon contacted Gary Russell about the possibility of writing for Big Finish's range of audio adventures. The enquiry resulted in him writing the audio play The Sandman (Big Finish, 2002). Simon went on from this to write several short stories for the Big Finish Short Trips volumes, as well two subsequent audio adventures.
Forward also wrote the novella Shell Shock (Telos Publishing Ltd., 2003). This was part of their range of Doctor Who novellas and is now out of print. In the same year, Simon also had another Doctor Who novel published by BBC Books, the Eighth Doctor Adventure Emotional Chemistry (BBC Books, 2003).
2009 saw two novelisations of the BBC television series Merlin, followed by a third in 2010.
2010 also saw the independent publication of an original SF Comedy, Evil UnLtd, in ebook form.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
July 15, 2018
Oh, this is just marvellous. Simply marvellous. It’s dark, nasty, cruel humour at its very best. It’s Adams, Pratchett, Robert Rankin; dialled up to x. This is laugh-out-loud funny, and darker than a vampire’s asshole. Buy it.
March 12, 2012
Evil at it's best....
Dexter Snide, Evil Entrepreneur, brings a whole new meaning to the terms “genius” and “villain” in Simon Forward’s laugh-out-loud sci-fi farce, EVIL UNLTD: Vol 1: The Root of All Evil.
With a new spin on the “value” of evil, super-villain extraordinaire, Dexter Snide, has crafted the perfect plan to take over the universe and make millions by cashing in on Evil itself! With the assistance of his hand picked crew of truly wicked side-kicks, Dexter sets his plan in motion. But even for the craftiest of super-villains with the most fool-proof of plans, success does not always come easy. The minds and muscle (oh yes, and robot and monstrous hatchling) behind Evil Unltd must face the forces of good… and lesser evil… that threaten to stand in the way of the ultimate prize. Beefcake (and essentially indestructible) action hero Rolph Stengun plagues Dexter and his crew from start to finish as they progress through Dexter’s master plan. One disaster after another, it seems that Dexter’s evil plot may not come to full fruition - but let that be a lesson to puny minds everywhere… there is no thwarting an evil genius like Dexter Snide, who rolls with the punches (literally at times) and stops at nothing to bring Evil Unltd to each and every home in the Universe!
Author, Simon Forward, has a remarkable way with words, putting threads of descriptors together that spin a silky web of impeccable detail that will both amaze and stimulate the imagination.
Excerpt from the book: Ferret stared with wider eyes than any fuller-lash mascara could have afforded him. The undeniably imposing bulk of the Hatchling was framed by the circular maw of the beast thundering towards them. That gaping crater-like mouth was rimmed with contra-rotating arrays of scythe-like teeth. It was a giant, dentally-empowered steel worm.
It’s not only the brilliant use of description that keep the reader’s attention. Forward has a well-developed sense of humor and does not shy away from keeping the tone of the book light-hearted to down right hysterical, even during the most absurd encounters. Clever word-play and the occasional well-placed pun will leave your cheeks sore from smiling. It truly is the charm of the entire Evil Unltd concept.
The only “complaint” I have about this book (and it’s a mild one at that) is that there are a handful of instances where a scene seems to drag on with a little too much (seemingly unnecessary) detail or character thoughts, but these passages are few and far between. Forward quickly regains the pace of the book with the next sweep of action and those temporary lags are soon forgotten.
That being said, I highly recommend this carefully-crafted, clever and imaginative saga to anyone who loves a good laugh and especially to those who have an appreciation of sci-fi/action/comedy genius.
Well played, Simon Forward. Well played.
*Fair warning to readers, this is an adult book and there is some mild use of language and a few sexual allusions, but hardly anything that would shock or offend in this day and age of “adult content” standards.
Dexter Snide, Evil Entrepreneur, brings a whole new meaning to the terms “genius” and “villain” in Simon Forward’s laugh-out-loud sci-fi farce, EVIL UNLTD: Vol 1: The Root of All Evil.
With a new spin on the “value” of evil, super-villain extraordinaire, Dexter Snide, has crafted the perfect plan to take over the universe and make millions by cashing in on Evil itself! With the assistance of his hand picked crew of truly wicked side-kicks, Dexter sets his plan in motion. But even for the craftiest of super-villains with the most fool-proof of plans, success does not always come easy. The minds and muscle (oh yes, and robot and monstrous hatchling) behind Evil Unltd must face the forces of good… and lesser evil… that threaten to stand in the way of the ultimate prize. Beefcake (and essentially indestructible) action hero Rolph Stengun plagues Dexter and his crew from start to finish as they progress through Dexter’s master plan. One disaster after another, it seems that Dexter’s evil plot may not come to full fruition - but let that be a lesson to puny minds everywhere… there is no thwarting an evil genius like Dexter Snide, who rolls with the punches (literally at times) and stops at nothing to bring Evil Unltd to each and every home in the Universe!
Author, Simon Forward, has a remarkable way with words, putting threads of descriptors together that spin a silky web of impeccable detail that will both amaze and stimulate the imagination.
Excerpt from the book: Ferret stared with wider eyes than any fuller-lash mascara could have afforded him. The undeniably imposing bulk of the Hatchling was framed by the circular maw of the beast thundering towards them. That gaping crater-like mouth was rimmed with contra-rotating arrays of scythe-like teeth. It was a giant, dentally-empowered steel worm.
It’s not only the brilliant use of description that keep the reader’s attention. Forward has a well-developed sense of humor and does not shy away from keeping the tone of the book light-hearted to down right hysterical, even during the most absurd encounters. Clever word-play and the occasional well-placed pun will leave your cheeks sore from smiling. It truly is the charm of the entire Evil Unltd concept.
The only “complaint” I have about this book (and it’s a mild one at that) is that there are a handful of instances where a scene seems to drag on with a little too much (seemingly unnecessary) detail or character thoughts, but these passages are few and far between. Forward quickly regains the pace of the book with the next sweep of action and those temporary lags are soon forgotten.
That being said, I highly recommend this carefully-crafted, clever and imaginative saga to anyone who loves a good laugh and especially to those who have an appreciation of sci-fi/action/comedy genius.
Well played, Simon Forward. Well played.
*Fair warning to readers, this is an adult book and there is some mild use of language and a few sexual allusions, but hardly anything that would shock or offend in this day and age of “adult content” standards.
October 19, 2010
It would be poor form for me to say what I think of this book since I wrote it, but other people tell me it's great:
Harper Collins:
"Evil UnLtd is well-written, sharp, witty, and absolutely succeeds in transporting the reader to a curious and lush unknown world. The book avoids much of the self-importance that ruins a lot of science-fiction, and I found your ‘Dr. Evil’ antagonist Dexter Snide and his bumbling antics to be refreshingly comic.
The plot is strong and coupled with your very accessible and extremely clean prose the reader is quickly pulled along by your story."
Rebecca Bilek-Chee, Ed Victor Ltd:
"A number of my colleagues have read your material, and we all agree this is a strong piece"
CJ McKee, Authonomist:
"How fun and well written! I could see this as a continuing series very easily. Your writing is quick-witted, descriptive and visual. I can see the characters and hear the inflections."
Richard P-S, Authonomist:
"We need a successor to the late Douglas Adams and the, alas, fading Terry Pratchett. This looks like it could be a good bet, after the 2 chapters I've read."
Gillian, Authonomist:
"It's clear to see why this is at the top of the charts - it feels original with fresh ideas. Even though I'm not a sci-fi reader (heck, I've never even watched the whole of Star Wars!) I'd definitely buy this if I saw it in a bookshop."
and many many more, as they say on those compilation CD ads.
Harper Collins:
"Evil UnLtd is well-written, sharp, witty, and absolutely succeeds in transporting the reader to a curious and lush unknown world. The book avoids much of the self-importance that ruins a lot of science-fiction, and I found your ‘Dr. Evil’ antagonist Dexter Snide and his bumbling antics to be refreshingly comic.
The plot is strong and coupled with your very accessible and extremely clean prose the reader is quickly pulled along by your story."
Rebecca Bilek-Chee, Ed Victor Ltd:
"A number of my colleagues have read your material, and we all agree this is a strong piece"
CJ McKee, Authonomist:
"How fun and well written! I could see this as a continuing series very easily. Your writing is quick-witted, descriptive and visual. I can see the characters and hear the inflections."
Richard P-S, Authonomist:
"We need a successor to the late Douglas Adams and the, alas, fading Terry Pratchett. This looks like it could be a good bet, after the 2 chapters I've read."
Gillian, Authonomist:
"It's clear to see why this is at the top of the charts - it feels original with fresh ideas. Even though I'm not a sci-fi reader (heck, I've never even watched the whole of Star Wars!) I'd definitely buy this if I saw it in a bookshop."
and many many more, as they say on those compilation CD ads.
August 3, 2016
This is a book about a team of super villains - what more could you ask for you? No longer are we stuck following the exploits of a boring do-gooder, but here we get to live out the life of an evil genius and his cohorts as they attempt to do all the usual things that super villains are wont to do.
It's a comedy, as you might expect. And darn good it is too, with a great cast of characters, each well defined and each adding to the humour. It's a fun read and there are some genuine laugh out loud moments. I was particularly charmed by Mr. Knucks (well, his arms anyway) and somehow found myself emphasising with the vanity excess of Mr. Ferret, so I'll list those two as my favourite baddies - but there are plenty more to choose from. And the "hero" Stengun, the stereotypical action figure, is well worth a mention too - perfect casting! All in all a great parody of the superhero genre, with a heavy sci-fi slant.
The novel is well written and the author clearly has a gift with words although his occasionally verbosity can slow the pace down somewhat - but sometimes the writing and word play are so delightful that it is worth the wait. Definitely worth a read and at a decent price too.
It's a comedy, as you might expect. And darn good it is too, with a great cast of characters, each well defined and each adding to the humour. It's a fun read and there are some genuine laugh out loud moments. I was particularly charmed by Mr. Knucks (well, his arms anyway) and somehow found myself emphasising with the vanity excess of Mr. Ferret, so I'll list those two as my favourite baddies - but there are plenty more to choose from. And the "hero" Stengun, the stereotypical action figure, is well worth a mention too - perfect casting! All in all a great parody of the superhero genre, with a heavy sci-fi slant.
The novel is well written and the author clearly has a gift with words although his occasionally verbosity can slow the pace down somewhat - but sometimes the writing and word play are so delightful that it is worth the wait. Definitely worth a read and at a decent price too.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews