I didn’t used to do themes for these posts, but I guess I do now? I had one specific match-up in mind for a villain, and I thought it’d be fun to make it a whole post. Also, these are such great songs, and I never get a chance to use them. So villains it is!

Unfortunately I only have two things here, even though I usually have three. I’ll be honest, I forgot I needed a blog post, so it’s late, and I just couldn’t think of a third quickly. Still, two books and two songs is better than none! Maybe I’ll do another, there are a lot of great villain songs.

(Also, I haven’t watched these videos, just included them so you all can hear the songs.)

Book: The Spear Cuts Through Water by Simon Jimenez
Song: “Look What You Made Me Do” by Taylor Swift

Why It’s Perfect:

The villains were my favorite thing in this book, which is so rare for me. Not sure that’s ever happened before at all, actually. But they were so fascinating. And awful. And one of them definitely was the type to say, “Look what you made me do,” as he razed a town with his magic abilities. He would act so calm and reasonable and ask nicely first, except, you know, he was actually terrible.

Review // Goodreads // Amazon

Book: Capt. Hook – The Adventures of a Notorious Youth by J. V. Hart
Song: “Bad Guy” by Billie Eilish

Why It’s Perfect:

I’ve read a lot of Captain Hook retellings and prequels, and this one, in my opinion, captured his character the best. To quote my review, “He was intense, calculating, cunning, and willing to do what it took to get what he wanted, but also charming, polite, and weirdly likeable.” And, “I especially loved it when James would calmly say the absolute most terrifying, sinister things to them with a smile, in situations when they thought they had the upper hand.” The song sounds like it’s more about a relationship, but I feel like it’s got the right, “Oh you think you are the one in control of this situation? Lol” vibes.

Review // Goodreads // Amazon

Bonus: Baldur’s Gate 3 OST

I would recommend not listening to this if you haven’t heard it yet but plan on playing the game. It’s fun to hear it the first time in-game. I also put it in a spoiler tag in case anyone doesn’t want to know who one of the potential bosses is. But you do you, just giving a warning for anyone who wants it.

Thought I’d include this to make up for a lack of third book and song. I’ve been playing a lot of Baldur’s Gate 3 lately, and this song is such a banger. I feel like the whole fandom both loves and hates this character. It’s a complicated relationship.

More Book & Song Match-Up Posts:

Bookish Musings: 3 Book & Song Match-Ups
Bookish Musings: 3 Book & Song Match-Ups (2)
Bookish Musings: 3 Book & Song Match-Ups (3)
Bookish Musings: 3 Book & Song Match-Ups (4) – The Simon Snow + FUN. Edition
Bookish Musings: 3 Book & Song Match-Ups (5)
Bookish Musings: 3 Book & Song Match-Ups (6) – In Which I Gush about The Darkness Outside Us
Bookish Musings: 3 Book & Song Match-Ups (7) – The Villain Edition