Everybody Wants to Rule the World Except Me

I’ll admit, I went into *Everybody Wants to Rule the World Except Me* expecting another snarky, self-aware fantasy romps—something like *The Locked Tomb* meets *Legion of the Damned*. What I got was sharper, meaner, and funnier than I anticipated. Wexler’s writing has this knack for making Davi simultaneously repulsive and magnetic; she’s a tyrant who *knows* she’s the bad guy, and her attempts to course-correct are as messy as they are compelling. The time-loop structure isn’t just a gimmick—it’s a pressure cooker, forcing Davi to relive her failures while the stakes escalate. By the third reset, I was as frustrated as she was, which is a testament to how well the narrative immerses you. Jeanette Illidge’s performance is *chef’s kiss*—her Davi sounds like a woman who’s seen too much and still hasn’t learned her lesson, with a voice that’s equal parts velvet and gravel. The supporting cast gets distinct treatments too, from smarmy nobles to terrified underlings, though I’ll dock half a point for a few secondary characters blending together in the audio mix during crowded scenes. My bigger critique? The middle act drags slightly as Davi spins her wheels in political intrigue. It’s intentional (the loop *should* feel repetitive), but even at 1.25x speed, I found myself itching for the next twist. That said, the payoff—a climax that’s both brutal and oddly hopeful—makes it worth the slog. If you love antiheroes with razor-edged wit and a body count, this is your jam. Just don’t expect to root for Davi. Root *with* her, maybe. But only reluctantly.