Assistant to the Villain

What happens when a cheerful, slightly chaotic young woman becomes the personal assistant to a feared Villain? Apparently, a lot of paperwork, questionable workplace practices and an unexpectedly entertaining romance. I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect from Assistant to the Villain, but I ended up enjoying it immensely. The premise is delightfully unusual: instead of following the traditional hero on a quest to defeat evil, we get to see what happens behind the scenes of a villainous operation. What I loved most was Hannah Nicole Maehrer’s writing style. It’s witty, playful and genuinely funny. I laughed out loud several times, and the humour feels like an essential part of the storytelling rather than something added between the more serious scenes. Evie is particularly enjoyable as a protagonist. Her cheerful personality and straightforward nature often make others underestimate her, mistaking kindness for naivety. Yet she’s observant, resourceful and far stronger than people initially give her credit for. I especially appreciated that she doesn’t need to become cold or cynical to prove her worth. Despite its lighthearted tone, the story doesn’t completely avoid darker elements. There are references to violence and some rather unpleasant villainous activities, although much of the brutality happens away from the reader’s immediate view. This creates an interesting balance between the whimsical atmosphere and the morally questionable world the characters inhabit. The plot also has enough mystery, action and rising tension to keep the story moving towards a satisfying climax. If I had one small reservation, it’s that not every revelation felt entirely original. But the characters, humour and overall execution more than made up for it. 5/5 stars. Charming, funny and wonderfully entertaining. A fantasy romance that doesn’t take itself too seriously while still giving its characters genuine emotional depth. I couldn’t wait to continue the series.

I loved every single second of Assistant to the Villain! While it admittedly took me a little bit of time to fully get into the story and find my footing in the world at the very beginning, once it clicked, I was completely hooked.The absolute highlight of this book is the dynamic between Evie and the Villain. Evie Sage is just a pure bunch of sunshine—she is incredibly endearing, optimistic, and impossible not to root for. Watching her terrifying, grumpy boss completely fold and yearn for her was pure perfection. The dual point-of-view chapters give us a front-row seat to his inner monologue, and his desperate, sweet pining for his assistant is everything. If you know, you know, but that specific scene where the Villain genuinely thought he was dreaming was so beautifully written and high-key heartbreakingly sweet. I literally SCREAMED. The side characters and workplace dynamics also make the story shine. And the plot! The petty, highly amusing rivalry between Becky and Evie kept me laughing out loud, tho I thought sometimes that Becky was romantically interested in the villain (she is not), and Blade is just an absolute sweetie who deserves the world. If you love the grumpy-meets-sunshine trope, hilarious workplace comedy wrapped in magic, and a slow burn that delivers massive payoff, you need to read this book immediately. It is witty, cozy, and a total joy. I cannot wait to dive into the next installment

This book is just perfection! The main character, Evie, is a brave, clumsy and loveable character who just gets under the villains skin and not in the way that he is used to with his enemies. He offers Evie a job that she can not refuse. Who else is going to earn her family's living? Even though the villain tries so hard for Evie to quit, she just won't let herself be defeated and she treats his mean comments with humor. You soon realize that the villain wants to get rid of Evie because of a far deeper and more dangerous feeling than hate... Not only does her life change because of her new boss but because of the secrets that cursed her family...

Märchen mit Twist, Emanzipation und Feminismus, dazu bisschen very slow burn Romance und richtig glaubwürdige Charaktere! Ich war ab Seite eins gefangen und bin auch nach dem Ende des zweiten Teils (Apprentice) noch mit dem Kopf bei Evie. Freue mich auf den dritten Band!

Ein schönes Buch mit einer tollen Geschichte. Die Protagonistin spricht mir aus den gedanken. Es hat auch sehr viele weitere tolle Charaktere mit denen man befreundet sein will, so einige plot twists und macht einfach spaß zu lesen. Eine langsam heranwachsende romanze ist auch dabei.