Sometimes the book I need most is not the one that will challenge me, teach me something profound, or make me reconsider my entire worldview. Sometimes I need a book that will simply let me leave reality at the door for a while.
That was exactly the mood I was in when I picked up The Dark Lord’s Guide to Honeymooning (and Other Acts of Tyranny). Between a house remodel and the general chaos of real life, I wanted something fast-paced, funny, and completely unserious. Preferably with villains, found family, romantic tension, and at least a few assassination attempts.
Tiffany Hunt delivered.
The second book in the Guides to Villainy and Love series brings back Kazimir and Arabella for a honeymoon that is, naturally, less relaxing than one might hope. There are ancient evils, stolen memories, kidnappings, pastry chefs, and the ongoing problem of being catastrophically in love when you’re also trying to conquer a realm.
It’s a lot. It’s over 600 pages. And somehow, it was exactly the escape I needed.
*Spoilers will be hidden and labelled so you can choose to read or skip.
Hype Meter
Get Hyped! In Stores on September 8, 2026!
Cover Crit
The Dark Lord’s Guide to Honeymooning (and Other Acts of Tyranny) bears a very close resemblance to the first book in the Guides to Villainy and Love series, The Dark Lord’s Guide to Dating (and Other War Crimes). These will look great on a shelf together.
Color Story
Magenta anchors the illustration that fades to teal, cobalt, and finally clack. The eye is drawn to the image at the center, then to the bold white text that runs centered from top to bottom.
Typography Notes
Clean, bold sans serif fits neatly inside the self-help genre that this book parodies. Combined with the romantasy illustration, it clearly gives a tongue-in-cheek vibe to the cover art that plays well with the premise.
Genre Signals
The imagery of roses and potions on a dark ground feels utterly generic for the romantasy genre. Signals are strong. What is different here is the tone is kind of obviously sarcastic because it is so on the nose.
Hidden Details
The detail isn’t hidden. The potion is a story element. as are roses.
Mood Check
Dark, but also light-hearted.
Beyond the Dust Jacket
I read The Dark Lord’s Guide to Honeymooning (and Other Acts of Tyranny) as an ARC (advanced reader copy) so the layout and design of the finished ebook are not available to comment on. However, the chapters are titled as with the first book and they add a layer of humor across the reading experience that I find delightful.
Did the design affect whether I bought the book?
No. I. requested this book based on my pleasant experience with the first book in this series.
Story Snapshot
In Short
Kazimir and Arabella embark on a honeymoon where the only thing more dangerous than their enemies are their growing feelings for each other in this deliciously wicked and riotously funny second book in the Guides to Villainy and Love romantasy series.
From the Publisher
Kazimir and Arabella embark on a honeymoon where the only thing more dangerous than their enemies are their growing feelings for each other in this deliciously wicked and riotously funny second book in the Guides to Villainy and Love romantasy series that’s Assistant to the Villain meets Dreadful.
Step Four: Take her on a honeymoon.
Step Five: Learn to co-villain effectively.
Step Six: Try not to get possessed by ancient evil.
Now bound by marriage and the formidable power of the Heirloom, Dark Lord Kazimir Blackrose and his Dark Lady Arabella are the realm’s most feared and chaotic power couple. And after years of scheming, Kazimir is poised to conquer Solandris. But when the Alchemist calls in a debt, Kaz is forced to postpone his reign of terror or face consequences even he can’t escape.
Arabella declares it the perfect opportunity for the honeymoon she was never promised. But their villainous getaway soon devolves into mayhem involving mass kidnappings, uncomfortable truths about Kazimir’s demonic past, and a talented pastry chef with heroic blood who won’t stop baking scones.
As if that weren’t enough, Kazimir’s mind is also filling with whispers not his own, while Arabella secretly tries to recover her stolen memories. But the greatest threat may be those three dangerous little words that could shatter their carefully constructed walls…and unleash an evil that destroys them all.
This sexy and side-splittingly funny fantasy romance is perfect for readers who love: villains who stay deliciously wicked (but are catastrophically in love); a powerful heroine carving out her place in the world; touch them and die; plotting world domination; sizzling spice and wickedly amusing banter; dark humor; found family of villains; and a honeymoon phase with assassination attempts.
Characters I Followed Into Battle
We pick up where we left off with Kazimir and Arabella and their minions (i.e. found family). With the charming addition of a childhood friend of Arabella’s, Lord Sebastian (pacifist and baker).
Writing Style Notes
Hunt ups the plot quotient in this volume. Yes there is still tons of romantacy and humor, but there is also lots of stuff going on. History is revealed and several subplots emerge and intertwine. The story is much more complex.
This wraps up a bit more emotionally than the first book, but there are still many unanswered questions and adversaries to be dealt with, so expect another volume to follow.
Dark Lord’s Guide To Honeymooning (and Other Acts of Tyranny) is fairly long–over 600 pages. With that in mind, there could have probably been some scenes cut, but which ones? Hard to say because I can sense other plotlines brewing beneath the surface. Maybe these scenes will set up a future revelation.
As before, Hunt delivers humor and heart.
Themes Living Rent-Free In My Head
Found family is a huge part of The Dark Lord’s Guide to Honeymooning. We see more appreciation for the side characters and how they all support one another.
Demonstrations of love in patience, forgiveness, and self-sacrifice.
What Landed For Me
What Worked:
- The humor hits, just like the first book.
- Side character and main character development was even better than before.
What Didn’t Fully Click:
- Kinda long to leave this many loose ends.
- Some of the descriptive elements repeat a lot (Griffins explosions, Kazimir’s runes burning…)
Overall:
Another fun romp that had enough emotional resonance to carry the plot.
Intentional Reading Reflection
I’m clearly along for the ride on this Guides to Villainy and Love series. The first was fun enough that I requested the second.
Why did it fit now? Well, because I had some time and ARCs have a deadline…
Honestly though, the Guides to Villainy and Love series is fast-paced and light-hearted. The buoyancy of the work makes it easy to fall into when I’m feeling stressed or have been reading something that required concentration and just need a break. I’m currently in the middle of a house remodel project, and it is stressing me out a bit, so having this escape has been really nice.
Highly recommend for escapist reading with some emotional stakes, but one that doesn’t take itself seriously in the least.
Cover Promise Rating
Did the cover make promises the story actually kept?
Yes, the cover of The Dark Lord’s Guide to Honeymooning (and Other Acts of Tyranny) makes total sense for the book within.
Final Verdict
Read if you like:
- Silly, over-the-top, nearly cartoonish vibes. Seriously unserious.
- Villains vs Heroes where you root for the villain.
- Fast-paced romantasy
Skip if you dislike:
- Adult animation
- Books over 500 pages
- Cliff-hangers
Reading Debris
The story plays out in my head as adult animation. Like if Gru from Despicable Me merged with Archer from Archer. My daughter, while reading The Dark Lord’s Guide to Dating (and Other War Crimes), had a similar impression. She compared Kazimir to Dr. Doofenschmirtz from Phineas & Ferb.
Your Turn
Have you started the Guide to Villainy and Love series? What are your impressions so far?
Buy This Book
May your life be as full as your bookshelf and as long as your TBR list.
Happy Reading!
Biting Retorts Since Like Forever
“Sarcasm & Snark” lined, 120-page, paperback journal.
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