Evil Thing-Villains, Book 7

Cruella de Vil has been my long-standing favorite villain from the Disney world. Yes, her actual motives and desires to make a fur coat out of puppies is unforgivably abhorrent, but her character design, flair, smooth animation by animator Marc Davis, and unparalleled voice by Betty Lou Gerson just make her too cool.I have been buying most of Serena Valentino's novels in her Disney Villains series, and for the most part, my complaint has always been the same: I don't really care much for her original characters of the Odd Sisters, for even though they manipulate important events in the stories, they always really slowed things down for me. I want to read about the star villain and get a stronger feel for their thought and feelings, and really get down to what makes them tick. Note that I never bought the Ursula book "Poor Unfortunate Souls" (due to the reviews that Ursula was hardly featured) or the one titled "The Odd Sisters" (because why would I want to know more about the characters that I felt dragged things down?).Enter: "Evil Thing." I have to admit that even if the novel were a letdown, I would still have bought the book for the art on the slip cover and the actual cover. As with the other villain-featured books, the slipcover has a portrait of the villain and the actual cover has an alternate version of said villain. Those never disappoint. In terms of the content, I was very pleased that it serves as a standalone novel that has zero appearances by the Odd Sisters and their lot. Unlike the more fairy tale type villains, Cruella is from a story set in the more mundane "real" world England: a world without magic or witches or meddling fairies. The premise is that our author (Serena Valentino) has visited with a defeated Cruella after the events of the 101 Dalmatians to get her story back from childhood and continuing on to her present predicament. I liked this approach very much, as it kept Cruella as the focus, but also allows us to get into the dizzying and conflicted thoughts in her head. We see her childhood upbringing with two very different parents. We see her experience a tragic loss. We see her struggles with obtaining love and approval. We see the rise and fall of her friendship with Anita. We even see Cruella find love! But then of course comes the fall, and everything collapses into the scheming, obsessed villain that many love to hate.The story had a nice flow to it, which was great. I did not have to get taken out of the story by any interruptions of the Odd Sisters popping in as active characters. ***WARNING: PLOT SPOILERS MAY FOLLOW*** There were a few things, however, which left me a bit puzzled, including what was Perdita's actual age by the time of the main events of 101 Dalmatians; why was Cruella asked to sign a prenuptial agreement when she was coming into her marriage with her own vast inheritance (and why was she not included in her husband's will despite that); why is it never fully addressed that Roger and Anita essentially stole the 84 puppies that Cruella had legally procured; and why was she named Cruella in the first place? I also agree with some other reviews that have mentioned that the Cruella that we see through most of the book does not transform into the well-known villain from the 1961 animated film very smoothly.Overall, I really enjoyed reading this novel. If Ms. Valentino continues with this new approach, I may enjoy her future books as well.

This books was underwhelming, disappointing and a chore to read through. The author tried doing something different and failed. Where are the odd sisters? Why was Cruella so fixated and in love with Anita to the point that there was lesbian undertones? Why are we in book 7 and still talking about morning rooms, drawing rooms, black hair, red lipstick, cakes, tea, dresses, courting and the newest addition to the list, Jelly, when Cruella’s story is meant to be told in a modern setting?Evil Thing feels like the author was suffering from severe writer’s block and just word vomited a Victorian era story to make a deadline. The same words, descriptions and storylines are recycled from the author’s previous works.Normally, the author does a great job of having the reader sympathize with the Disney Villain, but Cruella was down right annoying, naive and stupid. Her ultimate motive to make the Dalmatian fur coat is underwhelming.This book is the weakest in the series.Think of it as the season 8 of Game of Thrones.

This book was very different from the rest if Serena Valentino's, and I wish that it had some connection to the other books besides Cruella reading about Princess Tulip as a child. I was really happy that Serena made Cruella's story have something to do with her falling in love. This book was a fun read, and I think that it was written with good creativity.

I could not put this down ! I never can with these villain books. So I am not. A huge fan of cruella. Glenn close was my cruella but this changed the game totally !! Omg it was so heatbreaking and minblwoing. The ending was wow !! Can’t wait for the next one ;)

I’ve always loved the animated movie 101 Dalmatians. One of my favorites. I really loved this book and it is completely dedicated to Cruella. This book is written in first person- and this is Cruella telling her side of the story. While I was reading the novel- I felt heart ache for Cruella- her mother was absolutely terrible. I enjoyed reading about her past and I have an understanding of why she went insane and wanted to kill the puppies. (Not that I condone killing of puppies!!). But maybe the earrings she had were cursed? Who truly knows.. you will have to read to find out.. :)

Cruella De Vil has always been one of the more colorful of the Disney villains. I’ve always seen her as heartless, but entertaining. That view has changed since reading Evil Thing.Evil Thing is written in first person, which I love. Serena Valentino gives Cruella the opportunity to tell her side of the story. She tells quite the story.Cruella begins her story in “Hell Hall.” That’s where she lives. There’s a reason for the name, but I will let her tell you that. She quickly jumps back to her childhood so the reader can better understand “what makes me tick,” as Cruella puts it.After reading Evil Thing, I do have a better understanding of Cruella De Vil. The book gives the reader the sense of actually sitting at a table with a cup of tea listening to Cruella tell the story of her life – the good, the bad, and the ugly.To me, Evil Thing is more sad than evil. So many times I wished I could reach out and hug Cruella. There were times in her story when she was so misguided and seemed so lost. One thing is for sure, love means different things to different people. Once you read her story, you will understand love as defined by Cruella, and you will understand why the Dalmatians are so important.I don’t think this is the end of Cruella’s story. Hopefully, Serena Valentina will get another opportunity to sit with Lady De Vil and let us know what happened after their first conversation.

These books by far have been my upmost favorite in my adult life. For starters I am a HUGE Disney fan and reading these tales about the villains we love to hate brings so much joy. Thank you to this wonderful author amazing work

Pre ordered this back in February. Received on Saturday and have finished the book already, I absolutely love this series of books. This one you could read even if not familiar with any others within the collection. I find they are great as my younger niece loves them as much as me (she is 12) and friends in their 30s enjoy them also, they truly can be enjoyed by a broad age range. I eagerly await the next story within the collection even if it will be at least 1year+

I have loved these book ever since I first picked up fairest of them all, they are always a really interesting take on the much beloved villians, my only disappointed in this one way there wasn't much of a link with the others other than princess tulip, but non the less it was a really good story and for any book lover or Disney lover. Will be awaiting the next one to see if my own theory for a link in correct or not 😉.

Mit dem Buch Cruella – Evil Thing erweitert die Autorin Serena Valentino ihr literarisches Reportoire: Durch die Ich-Erzählperspektive schlüpft der Leser unvermeidlich in die Rolle von Cruella De Vil, wird mit ihrer Gefühlswelt konfrontiert und entwickelt so eine gewisse Art von Sympathie, sogar Verständnis für ihr Handeln und ihre Entscheidungen.Zu Beginn der Handlung erfährt man, wo und wie Cruella aufgewachsen ist. Viele Leser, die den Hauptfilm „101 Dalmatiner“ gelesen haben, werden wissen, dass Cruella der aristokratischen Gesellschaft entstammt. Auf die Beziehung zu Cruellas Eltern wird hier genauestens eingegangen, da diese ihr Schicksal und Leben wie ein roter Faden durchziehen und auch bestimmen. Man könnte es so ausdrücken, dass der Vater von Cruella die Rolle des guten Engels einnimmt, der ihr die richtigen Entscheidungen im Leben aufzeigt (durch ihn lernt sie z. B. Anita ihre langjährige Schulfreundin kennen), während Cruellas Mutter die Rolle des Teufels ausfüllt (der ihr die materiellen und oberflächlichen Dinge ans Herz legt und die Beziehung zu Anita kritisiert).Jede Begegnung und Beziehung Cruellas hat ihren Sinn und Zweck, sodass sich die Erzählung wie ein Puzzle zusammenfügt. Auch das Verhältnis zur Nanny und zu Perdita wird gegen Ende der Handlung aufgelöst. Der Leser wird auf jede Menge „Aha“ und „Oho“ Momenten stoßen.Zusammenfassend kann ich sagen, dass das Buch auch der erste Band ist, den man unabhängig von Serena Valentinos anderen Bändern lesen kann. Trotz Sympathie und Mitleid für Cruella, muss ich feststellen, dass viele Entscheidungen und letztlich das Schicksal Cruellas selbst gewählt sind. Es standen für Cruella mehrere Optionen bereit, sie hätte einen anderen Lebensweg einschlagen können.Ich kann das Buch jedem Villains-Fan wärmstens empfehlen, der sich mit Cruellas Lebensgeschichte befassen möchte und vergebe 5 Sterne.

Llegó en tiempo récord, más rápido de lo previsto y en excelentes condiciones.Me conmovió bastante la historia de Cruella, aunque no me gusta esta villana, fue importante más que nada para mí leerla por la continuidad de la saga. Al final no me gustó el rumbo que tomó el personaje y sus desiciones, pero todo fue por despecho y rencor.Me encantó que fuera Cruella misma la que narra la historia así que eso le da excelentes puntos al libro.Me encanta Serena y siempre ansío su siguiente historia, me considero fan y seguidor desde sus primeros dos libros de esta saga de Villanos.

OK, I admit I'm a bit biased to give my opinion due to two reasons.One: I'm a fan of Serena Valentino's Villains series.Two:Cruella has always been my favorite Disney villain, I've cosplayed her and all.Still, whenever I finish reading a book I like, I feel it is my duty to write a good review to the author to encourage more people to give that story a try. As with all previous volumes, Serena was able to tell the character's story since childhood and presents her dreams, her fears, her frustrations to the readers. You will find out how she met Anita, how she became obsessed with fu, how she became frustrated at love and much more. Serena is a mastery storyteller who weaves her stories very skillfully and connects her stories in ways that sometimes is imperceptible to us, readers. I saw some people complaining that Evil Thing, which is the 7th book in the series, is a standalone and not connected to the previous ones. But the author stated that if they are patient enough to wait until book 9 (yes, there are two more on the way!) they will see how books seven 7-9 are connected. I trust Serena and I know she weaves all threads on a tapestry very well and can't wait to read the others!