The Dark Lord Clementine by Sarah Jean Horwitz (review)

Twelve-year-old Clementine Morcerous is the daughter of Dark Lord Elithor Morcerous, who maintains his title by fulfilling his Dastardly Deeds quota (at least once every month he must "terrorize lesser beings" with something evil like a plague, a stampede, or "magically enhanced weather phenomena"). The Dark Lord Elithor is cursed by the Whittling Witch, who literally whittles pieces of him away, leaving Clementine in charge of much of the household affairs as its maintenance magic deteriorates. With her father distant and ill, Clementine is allowed for the first time in her life to forge friendships, and she connects with a huntress, a talking boy-turned-black-sheep, and a boy who strives to be a knight; though Clementine still wants to break the curse to save her father, she begins to question the values with which she grew up. Horwitz's novel is chock-full of the cheerfully macabre, including a chicken that is also the family grimoire (referred to as the "Gricken"), long and silly chapter titles ("Why All Hair Ribbons Should Just Be Black and No One Should Talk to Anyone Else, Ever"), and amusing world-building tidbits about magic (signs of witchcraft include "hyphenated names, controlling wild animals with one's will, and the ability to fold fitted sheets"). This quirky novel stands out from the crowd in its hilarity and its compelling premise; give it to readers who like villains who aren't, really.