Can’t-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted over at Wishful Endings to spotlight and discuss the books we’re excited about but haven’t yet read. Most of the time they’re books that have yet to be released, but not always. It’s based on the Waiting on Wednesday meme, which was originally hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine. 

This week my Can’t-Wait-For Book is The Most Terrible & Wicked Evil Dark Lord Accidentally Invents the Public Library by Misha Maxwell!

The Most Terrible & Wicked Evil Dark Lord Accidentally Invents the Public Library by Misha Maxwell
Genres: Adult, Fantasy, Cosy Fantasy, Queer Protagonists
Representation: Queer MC
Published on: 2nd March 2027

Vampire Dirculus von Maztif Gren-Hortz is the most diabolic and devious dark mage in all of Calera. Heralded far and wide as The Grand Mage, Lord of Darkness, Harvester of Demonic Arts, Master of the Untoward, and Harbinger of Doom Everlasting—titles accorded only to the most terrible and wicked of evil dark lords—his dastardly deeds attract a hero come to halt his reign of terror. Thus, Dirc finds himself sealed in time and sent forward 300 years into the future, with nothing but the fine coat on his back and his timid-but-loyal henchfae Pender at his side.

Awaking in a print shop, he immediately steals every book he can carry, intending to sell them to fund the rebuilding of his evil empire. But the world has changed a lot in 300 years, and in this bewilderingly modern future, books have become commodities, airships sail the skies, vampires are no longer feared, and his greatest enemies are not legendary heroes, but market permits, zoning ordinances, and the (frankly infuriating) concept of private property.

With nothing to rely on but his villainous wit and Pender’s unfailing loyalty, Dirc seeks to regain his lost glory through a literary crime spree worthy of his lofty titles. Between his many heists and deplorable schemes (utterly vital), the gathering of a found family (purely practical), and his growing feelings for Pender (wait… what?), this most terrible and wicked evil dark lord may yet conquer the city—and all of Calera—in the most unconventional way imaginable.

I love everything about this, from the hilariously long title to Dirc’s new nemeses being market permits and zoning ordinances! YES PLEASE!

You have to admit, it makes perfect sense to steal all the books when he wakes up – I suspect Dirc was in a pre-printing press time before his 300 year skip forward, which would have meant books were INCREDIBLY valuable! But I’m curious about why he KEEPS stealing them – why go on a ‘literary crime spree’ once you know books are common in this new time…?

I’m not sure what Pender’s gender is, but the author’s been very clear that this has a queer romance, and the found family Dirc ends up gathering sounds like it will be full of more queer characters. The biggest draw for me is definitely the accidental creation of a library, though, along with seeing Dirc completely fail (presumably) at being a villain now that no one’s scared of vampires any more.

Bonus: the author’s mentioned in several places that there will be a lot of pissing off of cops. I AM FOR IT.

My only concern is how the villainy gets handled – was Dirc never as evil as he thinks, and all the titles were a joke he didn’t get? Or if he really was villainous, how is that going to mesh with the giggly cosy vibes? After looking up more about it, I’m starting to suspect that he was classed as a Dark Lord because he was anti-establishment in a Medieval-esque setting, or something along those lines – which would be so fun!

The premise is awesome, the little quotes and excerpts all over the author’s insta had me giggling and reading them aloud for my partner, and although the book doesn’t have a Goodreads page at the moment (what), it’s up for preorder via the publisher!

Naturally I already placed my own preorder. Naturally.

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