
Rating: 4.75⭐️
This is a great take on the “villain/big baddie turns hero” trope that is becoming more popular in fantasy and paranormal fiction.
Foster is another new discovery and I really enjoyed the storyline, especially the smartly crafted dialogue and well rounded characters that slowly became important to the “retired” demon overlord in his new role and reader.
It’s a believable redemption arc, and from the final battle between Devine Hero and Demon Overlord to his journey to the small village of
The Demon Overlord impetuously kept a bit of Wilhem’ when he took over his body so Galornus decides that best plan for retirement is journeying to the tiny mountain village where Wilhelm wanted to spend his life, being a farmer surrounded by his animals and raising crops. Not that the Demon Lord knows what any of this means.
The story that follows is witty, honest, oddly warmhearted, and believable in its own way. As Galornus learns about the humans around him, he learns to value and care about them and slowly becomes a real heart of the community. Each one of these villagers becomes, not just a neighbor but maybe more. Like family.
Plus there’s hilarious demonic goats and a wonderful demon dog. And children and pickles.
This is one book that continues to surprise and delight you as the story progresses. What a great find!
Highly recommended!
A Gentle Apocalypse (3 book series)
Demon Overlord’s Retirement Plan #1
Love, Politics, and Other Acts of War #2
Band of Others #3 – April 14, 2026
Buy link
Book 1 of 3: A Gentle Apocalypse
Blurb
When destroying the world and killing the hero grows boring, what’s a Demon Overlord to do but quit while he’s ahead?
Galornus Prime was the Scourge of Nations, Ender of Hope, and Master of the Cardinal Sins. After achieving all that, what else was left?
His retirement plan was perfect: Get a goat, farm quietly, and don’t accidentally conquer anything. Evil never sleeps… but it does plant turnips.
When corrupt officials and greedy merchants threaten his infuriatingly loveable neighbors, Galornus faces his greatest challenge yet: saving his village without revealing he’s the very monster parents invoke to make children eat their vegetables.
Demon Overlord’s Retirement Plan is a cozy fantasy with teeth, where the hardest battle isn’t defeating heroes—it’s staying retired and learning how to live after 444 lifetimes of villainy.
Begin the conquest of ordinary life today.
Third Hand Press
Publication date
October 2, 2025
Edition
1st
Language
English
Print length
223 pages
Book 1 of 3








