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Villainy #7
How I Took the King on a Bone-a-Fide Quest of Piracy, Piemu, and Profit: Bone 1
Sentient dragon skull acquired! Do you wish to find rest of body? (yes) (no)
Yes!
No, but why?
We get half of his hoard~
We leave tomorrow.
Tan’s field trips go awry, no one is surprised, only he can find a sentient dragon skull in a church’s basement, Quest time!, Wells gets stuck babysitting, again, Niran’s more excited than anyone else, except maybe the apprentices, gold is a great motivator, all the bone puns
Yes!
No, but why?
We get half of his hoard~
We leave tomorrow.
Tan’s field trips go awry, no one is surprised, only he can find a sentient dragon skull in a church’s basement, Quest time!, Wells gets stuck babysitting, again, Niran’s more excited than anyone else, except maybe the apprentices, gold is a great motivator, all the bone puns
52 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 16, 2024
213 people are currently reading
205 people want to read
About the author
A.J. Sherwood
80 books1,968 followersAJ Sherwood believes in happily ever afters, magic, dragons, good men, and dark chocolate. She often dreams at night of delectable men doing sexy things with each other. In between writing multiple books (often at the same time) she pets her cats, plays with her dogs, and attempts insane things like aerial yoga.
She currently resides in Tennessee with aforementioned cats, dogs, and her editor/best friend/sister/partner in crime.
She currently resides in Tennessee with aforementioned cats, dogs, and her editor/best friend/sister/partner in crime.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 87 reviews
March 4, 2025
Short and fun, but there's not much to say about it, it's just the opening to the quest, so I just expect the next installment to be more interesting. But I love the concept behind the talking bones 🤭🤭🤭
February 19, 2024
February 2024
Kindle edition
KU
I was going to wait. But yeah, I wasn't feeling well, it was short, just like my attention span. I like the apprentices, they seem like trouble causing minions/adopted children. Nah, that makes Tan sound like Gru. It's lighthearted compared to the princess, with things a ok except for the kingdom's money issues. Why Steve? I'm liking the dragon and the mystery quest in progress.
Kindle edition
KU
I was going to wait. But yeah, I wasn't feeling well, it was short, just like my attention span. I like the apprentices, they seem like trouble causing minions/adopted children. Nah, that makes Tan sound like Gru. It's lighthearted compared to the princess, with things a ok except for the kingdom's money issues. Why Steve? I'm liking the dragon and the mystery quest in progress.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 26, 2024
We are back on the good stuff with the villainy stories. We get more of Tan and Devan, more interesting adventures, and now we get added shenanigan makers in the form of Tan's apprentices! I love it
February 26, 2024
So much fun ... looking forward to the next parts
February 16, 2024
These little "mini" adventures just tickle my funny bone!!! If there is anyone out there more adorable than Tan, I don't know who it could be... maybe, Zi Rui? NO, no... Lesia, for sure!!! 💖🥰🤣
Looking forward to seeing how things are going for Steve (I know, who names a dragon, Steve?) and what (mis)-adventures the 3 kids (admit it, Tan can be worse than a child when he gets a dangerous idea in his head!) and the rest of the gang can get into while fulfilling the deal that was made with Steve!!!
Looking forward to seeing how things are going for Steve (I know, who names a dragon, Steve?) and what (mis)-adventures the 3 kids (admit it, Tan can be worse than a child when he gets a dangerous idea in his head!) and the rest of the gang can get into while fulfilling the deal that was made with Steve!!!
August 28, 2025
"I sense fuckery afoot."
Hell yeah, another fun adventure involving Steve - the dragon skull -, mischievous apprentices, "bone daddy" Niran, the absolute menace that is Tan, and his poor hubby Devan.
I'm so down for more Niran content. My favourite necromancer and his crew of skeletons 🦴
Really looking forward to reading the next books of the saga. I don't know if I want them to find the missing dragon bones or if I want to see Niran building a whole dragon skeleton from scratch. Either way, it's going to be a fun ride!
Hell yeah, another fun adventure involving Steve - the dragon skull -, mischievous apprentices, "bone daddy" Niran, the absolute menace that is Tan, and his poor hubby Devan.
I'm so down for more Niran content. My favourite necromancer and his crew of skeletons 🦴
Really looking forward to reading the next books of the saga. I don't know if I want them to find the missing dragon bones or if I want to see Niran building a whole dragon skeleton from scratch. Either way, it's going to be a fun ride!
August 16, 2024
Love it! So happy to be back with Tan, Devan and th gang. Off on a new adventure!!
June 11, 2024
old post reposted
My 2024 Reading Challenge for the month of February will be Beat The Backlog work (digital and print books). I'm going to claim this also includes keeping up with and catching up with my favorite authors most recent releases. ;) Here's A.J. Sherwood's short story "How I Took the King on a Bone-a-Fide Quest of Piracy, Piemu, and Profit" (which is "Bone One" to the second part of her How I Stole the Princess's White Knight and Turned him To Villainy" series (aka the Villainy series)).
["Sentient dragon skull acquired! Do you wish to find rest of body? (yes) (no)
Yes!
No, but why?
We get half of his hoard~
We leave tomorrow."]
And the bonus tags (because they're arguable better than the blurb itself): ["Tan’s field trips go awry, no one is surprised, only he can find a sentient dragon skull in a church’s basement, Quest time!, Wells gets stuck babysitting, again, Niran’s more excited than anyone else, except maybe the apprentices, gold is a great motivator, all the bone puns"]
Again: another bandaid of cracky and fluff and steam and shenanigans for my soul.
Since this "episode" is the first in another set of six, I am going to wait until the final one is out to review the rest (but trust me, I won't be waiting that long to read them, and neither should you).
Here are some of my favorite quotes from this one (in chronological order)...
"When Devan had asked Tan to check out the situation, Tan had enthusiastically agreed. Why? Because anything sealed in the basement of a church was likely evil in nature, and something evil sealed in a dark place was a mystery box of goodies he'd never pass up on." (Tan)
"'You've taken apprentices? Oh, the world is indeed becoming a better place. Study well under him, children. His Highness is the epitome of what a sorcerer should be.' // Why..did that sound like an insult? The priest had bascially insinuated that Tan was a good person. How dare he." (Priest // Tan)
"'Stop. I sense fuckery afoot.'" (Devan).
#howistoletheprincesswhiteknightandturnedhimtovillainy #howistoletheprincesswhiteknightandturnedhimtovillainyseries #miracle #bone #thecompleteworks #thecoronation #howtanrequiredanapprentice #howitookthekingonabonefaidequestofpiracypiemuandprofit #villainy #villainyseries #ajsherwood #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks
My 2024 Reading Challenge for the month of February will be Beat The Backlog work (digital and print books). I'm going to claim this also includes keeping up with and catching up with my favorite authors most recent releases. ;) Here's A.J. Sherwood's short story "How I Took the King on a Bone-a-Fide Quest of Piracy, Piemu, and Profit" (which is "Bone One" to the second part of her How I Stole the Princess's White Knight and Turned him To Villainy" series (aka the Villainy series)).
["Sentient dragon skull acquired! Do you wish to find rest of body? (yes) (no)
Yes!
No, but why?
We get half of his hoard~
We leave tomorrow."]
And the bonus tags (because they're arguable better than the blurb itself): ["Tan’s field trips go awry, no one is surprised, only he can find a sentient dragon skull in a church’s basement, Quest time!, Wells gets stuck babysitting, again, Niran’s more excited than anyone else, except maybe the apprentices, gold is a great motivator, all the bone puns"]
Again: another bandaid of cracky and fluff and steam and shenanigans for my soul.
Since this "episode" is the first in another set of six, I am going to wait until the final one is out to review the rest (but trust me, I won't be waiting that long to read them, and neither should you).
Here are some of my favorite quotes from this one (in chronological order)...
"When Devan had asked Tan to check out the situation, Tan had enthusiastically agreed. Why? Because anything sealed in the basement of a church was likely evil in nature, and something evil sealed in a dark place was a mystery box of goodies he'd never pass up on." (Tan)
"'You've taken apprentices? Oh, the world is indeed becoming a better place. Study well under him, children. His Highness is the epitome of what a sorcerer should be.' // Why..did that sound like an insult? The priest had bascially insinuated that Tan was a good person. How dare he." (Priest // Tan)
"'Stop. I sense fuckery afoot.'" (Devan).
#howistoletheprincesswhiteknightandturnedhimtovillainy #howistoletheprincesswhiteknightandturnedhimtovillainyseries #miracle #bone #thecompleteworks #thecoronation #howtanrequiredanapprentice #howitookthekingonabonefaidequestofpiracypiemuandprofit #villainy #villainyseries #ajsherwood #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks
March 12, 2024
An Excellent Start to a New Adventure.
If I was smart I would have held off reading this to all six episodes were completed and read them all at once. Obviously I’m not smart. It was like when you were a kid and in the corner store looking at all the lollies. Your pocket money was there burning a hole in your pocket and the devil on your shoulder was saying they would taste sooo good. The Angel on the other one was of course telling to save it up for something better.
Strange I could resist lollies but not books. I listened to the devil. Now I desperately need more and it won’t stop until the last episode is released. I so sympathise with all the vampires in blood lust. I know how you feel. Am I sorry I read it? Hell no! It was sooo good but I want more. I need more.
My recommendation- Read it. Just do the smart thing save your nerves and patience and do so after all six episodes have been released. AJ is just as likely to ramp things up just before the last one and you’ll go completely crazy waiting for everything to be resolved. That’s what she did last time after all. I wanted to strangle her. Of course then I never would have known what happened, not to mention it’s hard to strangle someone in the US when you’re in Australia.
To think I still fell into the trap again and couldn’t wait. I’m completely enslaved by your writing AJ Sherwood. I have no self control.
Everyone else - you have been warned. I’m going to read Bone 2 now at least I made it that far.
If I was smart I would have held off reading this to all six episodes were completed and read them all at once. Obviously I’m not smart. It was like when you were a kid and in the corner store looking at all the lollies. Your pocket money was there burning a hole in your pocket and the devil on your shoulder was saying they would taste sooo good. The Angel on the other one was of course telling to save it up for something better.
Strange I could resist lollies but not books. I listened to the devil. Now I desperately need more and it won’t stop until the last episode is released. I so sympathise with all the vampires in blood lust. I know how you feel. Am I sorry I read it? Hell no! It was sooo good but I want more. I need more.
My recommendation- Read it. Just do the smart thing save your nerves and patience and do so after all six episodes have been released. AJ is just as likely to ramp things up just before the last one and you’ll go completely crazy waiting for everything to be resolved. That’s what she did last time after all. I wanted to strangle her. Of course then I never would have known what happened, not to mention it’s hard to strangle someone in the US when you’re in Australia.
To think I still fell into the trap again and couldn’t wait. I’m completely enslaved by your writing AJ Sherwood. I have no self control.
Everyone else - you have been warned. I’m going to read Bone 2 now at least I made it that far.
February 18, 2024
love this, another fabulous tale of magic, humor, and great characters
Rating: 5🌈
In 52 pages, Sherwood fantastically opens up an entire new world of magical creatures, humorously giving us a newly enlarged found family of sorcerers, a talking dragon skull who has a name that has me giggling, and begins a mysterious adventure that will take 7 chapters to complete.
To my delight, there’s two very young apprentices that have been added to Tan and Devan’s odd little family. Zi Rui, who got his own story, and the very sassy little girl who matches her own way into the mix and our hearts, Lesia.
The dynamics and dialogue is funny, heartwarming no matter how alarming Tan might find that, and makes this story fly by all too quickly.
Especially since Sherwood delivers a sentient dragon skull and a gleeful Niran who ,along with his skelebabies , is willingly heading with them into the northern lands for magical adventures!
I can’t wait for the next episode to come out!
It’s highly anticipated and another great recommendation!
Love these covers.
💥How I Stole the Princess's White Knight and Turned him to Villainy-6 books
💥How Tan Acquired an Apprentice
💥How I Took the King on a Bone-a-Fide Quest of Piracy, Piemu, and Profit
Bone #1
Rating: 5🌈
In 52 pages, Sherwood fantastically opens up an entire new world of magical creatures, humorously giving us a newly enlarged found family of sorcerers, a talking dragon skull who has a name that has me giggling, and begins a mysterious adventure that will take 7 chapters to complete.
To my delight, there’s two very young apprentices that have been added to Tan and Devan’s odd little family. Zi Rui, who got his own story, and the very sassy little girl who matches her own way into the mix and our hearts, Lesia.
The dynamics and dialogue is funny, heartwarming no matter how alarming Tan might find that, and makes this story fly by all too quickly.
Especially since Sherwood delivers a sentient dragon skull and a gleeful Niran who ,along with his skelebabies , is willingly heading with them into the northern lands for magical adventures!
I can’t wait for the next episode to come out!
It’s highly anticipated and another great recommendation!
Love these covers.
💥How I Stole the Princess's White Knight and Turned him to Villainy-6 books
💥How Tan Acquired an Apprentice
💥How I Took the King on a Bone-a-Fide Quest of Piracy, Piemu, and Profit
Bone #1
March 9, 2024
Ya gotta boop the snoot.
Bone #1 is the first part of the sequel shorts to Sherwood's hilarious Villainy series from 2023. Things pick up about a year later, Devan is settling into his role as King and running the kingdom, while Tan appears to have picked up two apprentices- Zi Rui and Lesia. Tan is summoned to investigate an apparently haunted church, which turns out to be the enchanted skull of a long-dead dragon. Steve the Dragon offers half of his vault of gold to be reunited with his bones and resurrected (cue Niran, Tan's necromancer brother). The kingdom is nearly broke and they decide they wanna quest to fix this.
Very short and amusing, hopefully Bone is just as entertaining as the Villainy stories.
Bone #1 is the first part of the sequel shorts to Sherwood's hilarious Villainy series from 2023. Things pick up about a year later, Devan is settling into his role as King and running the kingdom, while Tan appears to have picked up two apprentices- Zi Rui and Lesia. Tan is summoned to investigate an apparently haunted church, which turns out to be the enchanted skull of a long-dead dragon. Steve the Dragon offers half of his vault of gold to be reunited with his bones and resurrected (cue Niran, Tan's necromancer brother). The kingdom is nearly broke and they decide they wanna quest to fix this.
Very short and amusing, hopefully Bone is just as entertaining as the Villainy stories.
March 4, 2024
I loved the first 6 parts of this series and I loved this 7th installment, *BUT*... God, I totally remember why waiting for the next serialized piece of the story makes me goddamn mental.
I'll for sure continue reading this, but it's gonna be a huge exercise in patience for me. 😆
4 stars.
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February 24, 2024
A need for gold
Life marches on for Tan and Devan, with apprentices to raise and a kingdom to run. But not everything was magically solved by getting rid of Serenity and the kingdom has no money, which is making recovery slow. When Tan gets sent to investigate noises and finds a dragon skull that promises riches it looks like it's time for a quest! This part was truly the setup, with some amusing talking bones and very spunky apprentices, and it appears that the quest will continue on in the next installment. So far a good return to this world.
Life marches on for Tan and Devan, with apprentices to raise and a kingdom to run. But not everything was magically solved by getting rid of Serenity and the kingdom has no money, which is making recovery slow. When Tan gets sent to investigate noises and finds a dragon skull that promises riches it looks like it's time for a quest! This part was truly the setup, with some amusing talking bones and very spunky apprentices, and it appears that the quest will continue on in the next installment. So far a good return to this world.
February 17, 2024
If you hate cliffhangers, wait!
This story will be told in 6 parts. Once all 6 are published, it will be compiled into one book. If that bothers you, wait for the book.
If, on the other hand, you can't wait a single extra second to read the next AJ Sherwood ridiculousness, devour this like the verbal kettle corn popcorn it is. (No salty language, just a crazy adventure with powerful sorcerers incapable of following directions.)
This story will be told in 6 parts. Once all 6 are published, it will be compiled into one book. If that bothers you, wait for the book.
If, on the other hand, you can't wait a single extra second to read the next AJ Sherwood ridiculousness, devour this like the verbal kettle corn popcorn it is. (No salty language, just a crazy adventure with powerful sorcerers incapable of following directions.)
February 18, 2024
Cute sequel series
I had seen these on Ream and read the free chapters available. I'm happy they're here on KU to read now. All the zany Tan, stoic Devan, plus 2 new additions of apprentices (the book is out there but oddly not in this series by number) that are both cute and terrifying- just like their sorcerer master Tan. Oh, and since there's dragon bones involved Niran is in on it all.
I had seen these on Ream and read the free chapters available. I'm happy they're here on KU to read now. All the zany Tan, stoic Devan, plus 2 new additions of apprentices (the book is out there but oddly not in this series by number) that are both cute and terrifying- just like their sorcerer master Tan. Oh, and since there's dragon bones involved Niran is in on it all.
February 21, 2024
I sense fuckery afoot !
Welcome back to the crazy land with Tan and kitties, lots of Devon sighing because let’s be honest he’s married to Tan. Bone daddy is coming on a fun quest so this should get interesting fast. I still can’t believe that Tan is in charge of keeping kids (aka apprentices) alive. Hopefully they survive. However they sound a lot like Tan…. So maybe we should hope the world survives the mayhem.
Welcome back to the crazy land with Tan and kitties, lots of Devon sighing because let’s be honest he’s married to Tan. Bone daddy is coming on a fun quest so this should get interesting fast. I still can’t believe that Tan is in charge of keeping kids (aka apprentices) alive. Hopefully they survive. However they sound a lot like Tan…. So maybe we should hope the world survives the mayhem.
February 21, 2024
Some assembly required
As the start to a new adventure for Tan and Devan, this short contains the same offbeat humor and ridiculous situations as the original. It’s impossible to be in a bad mood after reading this, unless it involves the wait for the next installment. Between Tan, Niran, the apprentices, Steve, and the likely barbarian bonking, this will be one heck of a journey.
As the start to a new adventure for Tan and Devan, this short contains the same offbeat humor and ridiculous situations as the original. It’s impossible to be in a bad mood after reading this, unless it involves the wait for the next installment. Between Tan, Niran, the apprentices, Steve, and the likely barbarian bonking, this will be one heck of a journey.
March 2, 2024
Tan's memoir would be called: It Seemed Like A Good Idea at the Time.
This was mostly a set-up book for the coming adventures, but we do meet Bone 1 as promised! I was glad after It wouldn't be an adventure without them all <3 Including those suspicious sounds coming from the saddlebags....
I look forward to the coming installments!
April 21, 2024
Hooray for more Tan and Devan! I absolutely adored the first set of adventures between these two and I'm sure I'll love these new ones just as much! Tan is so cute and crazy and Devan tries to get him under control, but then just goes along with it because man, isn't that the easier route?? Just let Tan have his fun!
This was a lovely setup for the adventures ahead and I am definitely continuing on!
This was a lovely setup for the adventures ahead and I am definitely continuing on!
February 16, 2024
“Who in their ever-loving mind names a dragon Steve?”
Yay! We get to return to Goodwine and more adventures with Devan and Tan! This was a very short (40 minutes) beginning for their latest adventure into Barbarian lands with a dragon skull named Steve. I can’t wait for the next installment in this ridiculous adventure.
Yay! We get to return to Goodwine and more adventures with Devan and Tan! This was a very short (40 minutes) beginning for their latest adventure into Barbarian lands with a dragon skull named Steve. I can’t wait for the next installment in this ridiculous adventure.
February 16, 2024
Off on another adventure!
I adore Tan and Devan! Tan is such a darling mischief maker and Devan has the patience of ten saints. Now we also have Wells, of course, and Zi Rui and Leisa the apprentices, not to mention a dragon skull named Steve. What could possibly go wrong? This promises t9 be so much fun. I can’t wait!
I adore Tan and Devan! Tan is such a darling mischief maker and Devan has the patience of ten saints. Now we also have Wells, of course, and Zi Rui and Leisa the apprentices, not to mention a dragon skull named Steve. What could possibly go wrong? This promises t9 be so much fun. I can’t wait!
February 17, 2024
Tan Is Back!
Hooray!! Words fail to convey my utter joy. Not only is Tan back but he's leading his sexy husband into danger. Of course. The title is a total pun and a hilarious one at that. If you've not read Books 1-6, do so immediately. C'mon and join in the fun that is Tan. (As always I complain at the lack of more pages and at having to wait for the next installment).
Hooray!! Words fail to convey my utter joy. Not only is Tan back but he's leading his sexy husband into danger. Of course. The title is a total pun and a hilarious one at that. If you've not read Books 1-6, do so immediately. C'mon and join in the fun that is Tan. (As always I complain at the lack of more pages and at having to wait for the next installment).
February 18, 2024
We're back with Tan and his latest adventure is trying to find the body of a dragon as Tan found the head.
To make it even better the head talks and is called Steve.
I think this is going to be a great little adventure. Despite Devan banning the apprentices, you know they have stowed away.
Can't wait for more.
To make it even better the head talks and is called Steve.
I think this is going to be a great little adventure. Despite Devan banning the apprentices, you know they have stowed away.
Can't wait for more.
February 18, 2024
I have missed Tan and Devan and this whole world! And now there are apprentices! And Wells and Niran! And a sentient dragon skull named Steve! I loved this so much! I want the next piece of the serial to be out so I can read it already! I am so excited to read the story this short set us up for! There are going to be so many shenanigans and I am here for it!
February 18, 2024
More Tan
I have spent the last 6 months with every virus, bug, ick, going around. This weekend I am hovering at around 102.... Something or other. Then I saw Tan was back. This was just what I needed to brighten up my week. There has never been a character quite like him and I am always happy to go on travels with him.
I have spent the last 6 months with every virus, bug, ick, going around. This weekend I am hovering at around 102.... Something or other. Then I saw Tan was back. This was just what I needed to brighten up my week. There has never been a character quite like him and I am always happy to go on travels with him.
February 19, 2024
How I ….Book 7
Wa-hay Tan and Devan, Wells, Niran are back with a Dragon’s skull and a new quest squeee!
When asked to investigate unusual noises coming from the basement in a church in Islesea Tan and his new apprentices discover a dragon’s skull, Steve the Nocturnal offers half his hoard in return for aid in finding the rest of his bones. Cue quest.
Wa-hay Tan and Devan, Wells, Niran are back with a Dragon’s skull and a new quest squeee!
When asked to investigate unusual noises coming from the basement in a church in Islesea Tan and his new apprentices discover a dragon’s skull, Steve the Nocturnal offers half his hoard in return for aid in finding the rest of his bones. Cue quest.
February 20, 2024
I will always be here for more Tan. This one starts out on such a strong note: Wells babysitting, the discovery of a talking dino skull, a quest through the Barbarian lands, and lots of fun with apprentices. I don't know where the author comes up with these things (a boop-the-nose translation spell? Steve?) but I am so here for it!!
February 24, 2024
This is another arc to the overall Villainy series. The serial is just as funny and ridiculous as the first story. Tan and Devan have another adventure and Tan's apprentices just add to the overall enjoyment. Not to mention a dragon skull named Steve. What more can you want from a set of serial stories? I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 30, 2024
Liked the book but did not love it. I think the introduction of the second apprentice caught me off guard in a negative way because, at least with the first one, I had some good story behind him. It's still an ok read, but I liked the first part of the series best. Onto my next adventure, Happy Readings!!!!
September 15, 2024
Fantastic Start to a new adventure!
The addition of apprentices has not made our mage family any more stable or predictable. It's wonderful to have Devon and Tan adventuring again and to know anything can happen, including a dragon with a weirdly mundane name. Love it, on to the next bone!
The addition of apprentices has not made our mage family any more stable or predictable. It's wonderful to have Devon and Tan adventuring again and to know anything can happen, including a dragon with a weirdly mundane name. Love it, on to the next bone!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 87 reviews