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Assistant to the Villain #2
Apprentice to the Villain
NOTICE TO STAFF: There has been a disturbing increase in cheeriness, sprightly behavior, and overall optimism of late. Please resume your former dark, ominous terrors at your earliest convenience. —Mgmt
Evie Sage has never been happier to be the assistant to The Villain. Who would have thought that working for an outrageously handsome (shhh, bad for his brand) evil overlord would be so rewarding? Still, the business of being bad is demanding, the forces of good are annoyingly persistent, and said forbidding boss is somewhat… er, out-of-evil-office.
But Rennedawn is in grave trouble, and all signs—Kingsley’s included—point to catastrophe. Something peculiar is happening with the kingdom’s magic, and it’s made The Villain’s manor vulnerable to their enemies… including their nemesis, the king.
Now it’s time for Evie to face her greatest challenge: protecting The Villain’s lair, all of his nefarious works, and maybe (provided no one finds out) the entire kingdom. No pressure, Evie.
It’s time to step out of her comfort zone and learn new skills. Like treason. Dagger work. Conspiring with the enemy. It’s all so… so… delightfully fun.
But what happens when the assistant to The Villain is ready to become his apprentice?
Evie Sage has never been happier to be the assistant to The Villain. Who would have thought that working for an outrageously handsome (shhh, bad for his brand) evil overlord would be so rewarding? Still, the business of being bad is demanding, the forces of good are annoyingly persistent, and said forbidding boss is somewhat… er, out-of-evil-office.
But Rennedawn is in grave trouble, and all signs—Kingsley’s included—point to catastrophe. Something peculiar is happening with the kingdom’s magic, and it’s made The Villain’s manor vulnerable to their enemies… including their nemesis, the king.
Now it’s time for Evie to face her greatest challenge: protecting The Villain’s lair, all of his nefarious works, and maybe (provided no one finds out) the entire kingdom. No pressure, Evie.
It’s time to step out of her comfort zone and learn new skills. Like treason. Dagger work. Conspiring with the enemy. It’s all so… so… delightfully fun.
But what happens when the assistant to The Villain is ready to become his apprentice?
336 pages, Paperback
First published August 8, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 5,902 reviews
August 29, 2024
4.19!
“The Villain didn’t miss light. He missed color.”
I'm not as critical about this series as im about other books because this is a more comfy, feel good series and I review this solely based on my enjoyment
I had such a fun time reading this book. It's a book that you can read on a bad day and would make you happy or a book that you can read while you're sad and will make you laugh. It has so much angst, tension and swoon-worthy romance. It is worth it and I think this trilogy is shaping up to be one of my comfort reads. While, I did not enjoy it as much as the first one, the middle book syndrome really played a part in this one because the pacing wasn't as fast and the first and not much happened of substance but the way this story is written and presented is so fun to read which made these issues of less significance for me. I loved how it started with all the action and plotting and humor and as we progressed the action minimized a bit and the plotting drifted away as well but the humor remained lol and I was hoping for a big cliffhanger like we got in book 1 but that was missing so my only urge to read the third one is to see Evie and the Villain get together.
The characters were so fun to read. Evie was strong and stood up more, she made decisions and I liked her. We got to see more of her badass side and she was ready to risk everything for that kiss lmaoo, she was great but The Villain stole the show for me he was such a grumpy, broody, jealous, possessive cutie patootie. I loved him so much and I love his relationship with Lyssa. Him taking the things he did with her so seriously lol and I love how Lyssa tried imitate him. I also loved the scene where villain kicked Blade because he got jealous of Blade hugging Evie lol. Becky and Blade deserve their own book because I want more from their side- tbh screw all of them. We need Kingsley's book!!
The romance was the dumbest, cutest, giggles inducing, feet kicking, blush inducing, smirk forming romance that I have ever read!! it was so fun to read them both pine over each other and think about each other and care for each other. uggh I loved it soooooooo much!! I want MOREEE. I am not satisfied but also am??
Overall, this was super fun to read and I cant wait to dive into book 3!!
___
I'm here to collect my cutie patootie villain 🤭
(Why do books not have recaps 😭)
“The Villain didn’t miss light. He missed color.”
I'm not as critical about this series as im about other books because this is a more comfy, feel good series and I review this solely based on my enjoyment
I had such a fun time reading this book. It's a book that you can read on a bad day and would make you happy or a book that you can read while you're sad and will make you laugh. It has so much angst, tension and swoon-worthy romance. It is worth it and I think this trilogy is shaping up to be one of my comfort reads. While, I did not enjoy it as much as the first one, the middle book syndrome really played a part in this one because the pacing wasn't as fast and the first and not much happened of substance but the way this story is written and presented is so fun to read which made these issues of less significance for me. I loved how it started with all the action and plotting and humor and as we progressed the action minimized a bit and the plotting drifted away as well but the humor remained lol and I was hoping for a big cliffhanger like we got in book 1 but that was missing so my only urge to read the third one is to see Evie and the Villain get together.
The characters were so fun to read. Evie was strong and stood up more, she made decisions and I liked her. We got to see more of her badass side and she was ready to risk everything for that kiss lmaoo, she was great but The Villain stole the show for me he was such a grumpy, broody, jealous, possessive cutie patootie. I loved him so much and I love his relationship with Lyssa. Him taking the things he did with her so seriously lol and I love how Lyssa tried imitate him. I also loved the scene where villain kicked Blade because he got jealous of Blade hugging Evie lol. Becky and Blade deserve their own book because I want more from their side- tbh screw all of them. We need Kingsley's book!!
The romance was the dumbest, cutest, giggles inducing, feet kicking, blush inducing, smirk forming romance that I have ever read!! it was so fun to read them both pine over each other and think about each other and care for each other. uggh I loved it soooooooo much!! I want MOREEE. I am not satisfied but also am??
Overall, this was super fun to read and I cant wait to dive into book 3!!
___
I'm here to collect my cutie patootie villain 🤭
(Why do books not have recaps 😭)
September 4, 2024
I laughed, I cried, and I wanted to smack both Evie and Trystan over the heads and shout, "Get on with it!".
Such a frustratingly wonderful slow-burn of a romance!
Such a frustratingly wonderful slow-burn of a romance!
August 29, 2024
I had a lot of fun with this book but it wasn't as good as book one.
I absolutely LOVED the slow burn, angsty romance between Evie and Trystan. The chemistry between the two is just magical. The fact that they're both protective, possessive and so into each other just makes me smile. I was giggling, blushing and kicking my feet. They need to happen already 😩😩
Evie is becoming so confident and badass. I like how she's taking charge of things. Her powers were really interesting to me but the way it was executed was just mediocre. Where did those powers come from? What happened there? It needed plentiful explanation done in the right way. We're expected to just understand it.
I love Trystan. He is the best part about these books. His whole persona of the Villain is so sexy. I always enjoy his scenes and whenever he is with Evie, makes it even better. I love how he's into her, how villainous he can get for her. I absolutely adore his pov. Always. More. Trystan. 🥵
The execution of the book is chaotic and it sort of drags in the second half. The fantasy elements were really weak in this book compared to book one. If you're going to be building a romantasy, there needs to be some level of fantasy foundation and this book did nothing of that sort. Things just happen, explanations are weak and questionable. I simply did not understand unfortunately. I also did not care for the side characters pov that much...
I found the ending to be on the weaker side as well. I am definitely curious where it all leads to in the next book but at the same time am not holding my breath for it. This book had a lot of potential but a lot of what happened did not make any sense. Hopefully the next book will be better.
~•~•~
Here for the villain cause he is my hero... Too cheesy? 👀
I absolutely LOVED the slow burn, angsty romance between Evie and Trystan. The chemistry between the two is just magical. The fact that they're both protective, possessive and so into each other just makes me smile. I was giggling, blushing and kicking my feet. They need to happen already 😩😩
Evie is becoming so confident and badass. I like how she's taking charge of things. Her powers were really interesting to me but the way it was executed was just mediocre. Where did those powers come from? What happened there? It needed plentiful explanation done in the right way. We're expected to just understand it.
I love Trystan. He is the best part about these books. His whole persona of the Villain is so sexy. I always enjoy his scenes and whenever he is with Evie, makes it even better. I love how he's into her, how villainous he can get for her. I absolutely adore his pov. Always. More. Trystan. 🥵
The execution of the book is chaotic and it sort of drags in the second half. The fantasy elements were really weak in this book compared to book one. If you're going to be building a romantasy, there needs to be some level of fantasy foundation and this book did nothing of that sort. Things just happen, explanations are weak and questionable. I simply did not understand unfortunately. I also did not care for the side characters pov that much...
I found the ending to be on the weaker side as well. I am definitely curious where it all leads to in the next book but at the same time am not holding my breath for it. This book had a lot of potential but a lot of what happened did not make any sense. Hopefully the next book will be better.
~•~•~
Here for the villain cause he is my hero... Too cheesy? 👀
August 31, 2024
i am WEAK for Trystan 😭❤️🔥
August 31, 2024
How am I gonna wait a year for the final book😭😭
September 7, 2024
➳ 4.5 ⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚
╰┈➤ ”the villain didn’t miss light. he missed color.”
<— that quote alone was enough to make me give this five stars 😭 i’m a sucker for a well timed callback (*cough* kaz brekker ‘that’s the laugh’ *cough*)
but anyways!! i loved this. i still think the first one was my favorite but this was such a fun time and i read this so fast and now i have to wait another year for the third book 🫠 it’s fine I’m fine I’ll be fine. maybe since hannah and i are totally friendswe don’t know each other she’ll let me read an advanced copy? hannah if you’re reading this: i’ll let you out of my basement if you do!! still don’t know each other
but i digress 🤭 evie and trystan were adorable as always and they had me giggling and kicking my feet through this whole book. the miscommunication trope runs strong in this but it’s in such a fun way that it’s not even annoying in the context of the story. the villain dying to keep his composure at everything evie does never gets old 🤭 he’s so bbg and i love him so much. fictional 👏 husband 👏 material 👏
and blade and becky!! i didn’t expect to love them that much but becky reminds me a lot of myself and i want me a blade yk? 🥹 also kingsley being the mvp as always 🐸 your crown isn’t the only thing making you a king, sir 👑
like i know i said this last time but this series is just so fun like it’s so unserious and ridiculous and rom-com core and it makes me feel like i’m 13 again and obsessing over my latest crush (cause believe me therewas is a lot).
like the whole ‘evie losing a journal where she has drawings of her and the villain kissing and then he finds it and gets mad because who is she drawing herself making out with?’ you know what i mean? it’s just so cheesy, disney channel show core and i love it!! it’s just so adorable and wholesome and this book made me so giddy fr 🤭 like if you’re looking for a complex world and a serious plot this isn’t for you but if you want this hilarious, silly, fun time than please read this 🎀🫶
also lyssa was one of my favorite characters!! everyone being so sweet to her and loving her immediately was so cute and she is such a fun character. also the tea party—😭
ok let’s just make a list of adorable, screaming crying throwing up, laugh out loud moments because i have to many
• the villain having a tea party with lyssa and taking it deathly serious
• the reveal at the end with the whole antidote thing (iykyk, i can’t say more bc spoilers)
• the villain kicking blade because he hugged evie (jealous king 🙇♀️)
• the ‘it’s so beautiful’ ‘yes it is’ but he’s looking at her trope ahhhh
• all of chapter 46
• lyssa baking and everyone saying it’s the best treats they’ve ever tasted
• the tornado night light 😩
• becky’s hot brothers who are all trained in combat (ok hawthornes 💅)
• the constant bashing of the interns lolol
• and last but certainly not least, kingsely wearing a dress
also i enjoyed, like the first one, how this had no spice!! the romance (or what there was of it 😭 admit your feelings outright guys cmon) was still super strong with it still being clean and i hope she keeps it like that for the final book
the plot was super fun and there was more of the magic system and the world in this one. some parts still confuse me but hey i was just along for the ride 🩰
ok hannah, you know the drill from last time, you have to leave now for just one second. ok, my only two complaints with this are that 1) sometimes everything felt a little too dramatic and like the emotions the characters were feeling only existed for that particular scene to work well yk? and 2) there was some cussing and innuendos that this book would have been fine without!
but there were such minor things and anyways, i just had such an amazing time with this book and i am so proud of hannah and i hope this book does so well. so you should all read it. for me. please?
i can’t recommend this series enough and i can’t wait for book 3 and i am going to be sitting here waiting until next year for it to come out until then 🤭💋
₊˚ ✧ ‿︵‿୨୧‿︵‿ ✧ ₊˚
➳ pre review ⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚
we have a title and a cover!! i’m so excited for this book (and for the tv series like whattttt) i love this series sm 🤭 august cannot get here fast enough 😌🎀
₊˚ ✧ ‿︵‿୨୧‿︵‿ ✧ ₊˚
➳ update 8•6•24 ⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚
release day lets goooo!!!! this book cannot get to my house fast enough
୧ ‧₊˚ 🍓 ⋅ ☆
╰┈➤ ”the villain didn’t miss light. he missed color.”
<— that quote alone was enough to make me give this five stars 😭 i’m a sucker for a well timed callback (*cough* kaz brekker ‘that’s the laugh’ *cough*)
but anyways!! i loved this. i still think the first one was my favorite but this was such a fun time and i read this so fast and now i have to wait another year for the third book 🫠 it’s fine I’m fine I’ll be fine. maybe since hannah and i are totally friends
but i digress 🤭 evie and trystan were adorable as always and they had me giggling and kicking my feet through this whole book. the miscommunication trope runs strong in this but it’s in such a fun way that it’s not even annoying in the context of the story. the villain dying to keep his composure at everything evie does never gets old 🤭 he’s so bbg and i love him so much. fictional 👏 husband 👏 material 👏
and blade and becky!! i didn’t expect to love them that much but becky reminds me a lot of myself and i want me a blade yk? 🥹 also kingsley being the mvp as always 🐸 your crown isn’t the only thing making you a king, sir 👑
like i know i said this last time but this series is just so fun like it’s so unserious and ridiculous and rom-com core and it makes me feel like i’m 13 again and obsessing over my latest crush (cause believe me there
like the whole ‘evie losing a journal where she has drawings of her and the villain kissing and then he finds it and gets mad because who is she drawing herself making out with?’ you know what i mean? it’s just so cheesy, disney channel show core and i love it!! it’s just so adorable and wholesome and this book made me so giddy fr 🤭 like if you’re looking for a complex world and a serious plot this isn’t for you but if you want this hilarious, silly, fun time than please read this 🎀🫶
also lyssa was one of my favorite characters!! everyone being so sweet to her and loving her immediately was so cute and she is such a fun character. also the tea party—😭
ok let’s just make a list of adorable, screaming crying throwing up, laugh out loud moments because i have to many
• the villain having a tea party with lyssa and taking it deathly serious
• the reveal at the end with the whole antidote thing (iykyk, i can’t say more bc spoilers)
• the villain kicking blade because he hugged evie (jealous king 🙇♀️)
• the ‘it’s so beautiful’ ‘yes it is’ but he’s looking at her trope ahhhh
• all of chapter 46
• lyssa baking and everyone saying it’s the best treats they’ve ever tasted
• the tornado night light 😩
• becky’s hot brothers who are all trained in combat (ok hawthornes 💅)
• the constant bashing of the interns lolol
• and last but certainly not least, kingsely wearing a dress
also i enjoyed, like the first one, how this had no spice!! the romance (or what there was of it 😭 admit your feelings outright guys cmon) was still super strong with it still being clean and i hope she keeps it like that for the final book
the plot was super fun and there was more of the magic system and the world in this one. some parts still confuse me but hey i was just along for the ride 🩰
ok hannah, you know the drill from last time, you have to leave now for just one second. ok, my only two complaints with this are that 1) sometimes everything felt a little too dramatic and like the emotions the characters were feeling only existed for that particular scene to work well yk? and 2) there was some cussing and innuendos that this book would have been fine without!
but there were such minor things and anyways, i just had such an amazing time with this book and i am so proud of hannah and i hope this book does so well. so you should all read it. for me. please?
i can’t recommend this series enough and i can’t wait for book 3 and i am going to be sitting here waiting until next year for it to come out until then 🤭💋
₊˚ ✧ ‿︵‿୨୧‿︵‿ ✧ ₊˚
➳ pre review ⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚
we have a title and a cover!! i’m so excited for this book (and for the tv series like whattttt) i love this series sm 🤭 august cannot get here fast enough 😌🎀
₊˚ ✧ ‿︵‿୨୧‿︵‿ ✧ ₊˚
➳ update 8•6•24 ⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚
release day lets goooo!!!! this book cannot get to my house fast enough
୧ ‧₊˚ 🍓 ⋅ ☆
Want to read
August 8, 2024HAPPY VILLAIN DAY TO THOSE WHO CELEBRATE IT
August 8, 2024
I was super excited for this book, and loved the first in the series. However, I am left with a feeling of disappointment at the conclusion. The first book felt like a compilation of episodic stories about two people falling in love. I know that may not be everybody’s cup of tea but I ate that shit up. This sequel felt like a mess. The story jumped back and forth and introduced new characters that didn’t really affect the plot that much? The relationship between Evie and Trystan was completely sabotaged by the author’s misplaced sense of tension. There are only so many times an intimate moment can be interrupted before I lose my mind. It’s not clever writing, just redundant. The introduction of new point of views was also a questionable decision, and I found myself speeding through those sections to get back to Evie or the Villain. I think the author lost her grasp on this story and allowed for too many ideas to break free at once. I will read the final book but I am severely disappointed with this sequel.
August 14, 2024
love love love!!! everything about this is just so good 🤌🏻🐸👑🪧
August 25, 2024
What is the definition of a cozy mystery? because I don't usually like them but reading this gave me a cozy mystery vibe and I did like it (my sister said I'm way off so I need your knowledge).
This picked up without a major time jump after the 1st, we have out main characters in different places and they are trying to find their way back to each other in a way. This is fully YA on the romance front, with no funny business (I WISH WE GOT SOME).
It was a bit slower and we got more characters involved than the 1st, we even had some not main character's POV chapters this time around. Had some really cute and funny moments in it. Not a 5-star because of the pacing and the way the 'we will ignore this ever happened' was dragged out a little too much for my taste.
Want the 3rd, had a good time, give me a little less slow burn PLEASE.
-----------------------------
💘 Buddy Read With Bestie Bella 💘
This picked up without a major time jump after the 1st, we have out main characters in different places and they are trying to find their way back to each other in a way. This is fully YA on the romance front, with no funny business (I WISH WE GOT SOME).
It was a bit slower and we got more characters involved than the 1st, we even had some not main character's POV chapters this time around. Had some really cute and funny moments in it. Not a 5-star because of the pacing and the way the 'we will ignore this ever happened' was dragged out a little too much for my taste.
Want the 3rd, had a good time, give me a little less slow burn PLEASE.
-----------------------------
💘 Buddy Read With Bestie Bella 💘
September 18, 2024
If you liked 'Assistant to the Villain', RUN to pick this book up.
I keep telling myself not to give this 5 stars because it's a silly, goofy, fun time. But...it's a silly, goofy, fun time. How am I supposed to look a Gift-Horse in the mouth?
If you liked 'Assistant to the Villain', you will adore the sequel. It takes every trope and elevates it with better writing and more feelings.
This book came to me at the precise moment I needed it. And I will always be grateful to it for that.
p.s. the TORNADO NIGHT LIGHT ??!!?!?!?!?!????!!?!?!?
I keep telling myself not to give this 5 stars because it's a silly, goofy, fun time. But...it's a silly, goofy, fun time. How am I supposed to look a Gift-Horse in the mouth?
If you liked 'Assistant to the Villain', you will adore the sequel. It takes every trope and elevates it with better writing and more feelings.
This book came to me at the precise moment I needed it. And I will always be grateful to it for that.
p.s. the TORNADO NIGHT LIGHT ??!!?!?!?!?!????!!?!?!?
August 8, 2024
How am I supposed to wait until Sept. 2024 for book two to be released?! 😭 Book 1 was everything I didn't know that I needed, and that ending had me gasping 😱 I'm holding my breath for more spice between The Villain and Evie 🫶🏻
September 18, 2024
✩ 2 stars ✩
What to Expect:
➼ Morally Gray Characters
➼ Villain gets the Girl
➼ Opposites Attract
➼ Grumpy x Sunshine
➼ Slow Burn
➼ Workplace Romance
➼ Animal Side Kick
➼ Dragons
➼ Magic
➼ Multi POV
Wow… what a mess this was. I wanted to love this, but it was just so poorly executed. I’ll admit that my confusion started because I had forgotten the ending of book one. Book two starts out with an unnecessary prologue that takes place in the past (confusing) and then jumps straight into where book one left off without any recap or context given. I eventually caught up enough to vaguely remember what was going on and then that issue was resolved (too quickly) and they were off and onto the next thing.
The chapters were extremely short and most of them felt like they had deleted scenes. I think the main thread of the story was that they were looking for her mom or clues about what had happened to her?? And there was a prophecy that factored into the cliffhanger ending… I think it was all meant to be connected, but the author didn’t do a great job of explaining how it all fit together. They essentially did a bunch of side quest without the author very clearly telling the reader that that’s what they were doing and then suddenly there would be a dragon or someone would have a new power or we’d be hearing from a random side character and I was left scratching my head trying to figure out how we got there.
This book also relied heavily on the angst and tension between the two MC’s. Typically I’d be eating that up, but in this case it started to feel really repetitive. I felt like the author was just trying to stretch out the tension between them to make it to the third book. When it comes to slow burn, there is such a thing as too slow. 🤷🏼♀️
I feel like the author had so many ideas she was trying to get out and onto the page that she kind of lost the thread of the story. I wish her editor had encouraged her to beef up the world building and the explanations for the quests and the magic they wielded a little more. The author deprived us of the romance and then kind of tanked the execution of the fantasy elements. I almost gave this 3 stars, but I just can’t justify it. I really wish I had loved this more! I hope you’re able to find more enjoyment in it than I did!
P.S. …apparently all it takes to make someone a villain is to call them one repeatedly. Very little villainous activity detected.
✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼
Pre-read: Ready for this “villain” to unmask his ooey gooey center!
I need all the murdery bits to be explained so I can fully endorse this romance. 🤣
What to Expect:
➼ Morally Gray Characters
➼ Villain gets the Girl
➼ Opposites Attract
➼ Grumpy x Sunshine
➼ Slow Burn
➼ Workplace Romance
➼ Animal Side Kick
➼ Dragons
➼ Magic
➼ Multi POV
Wow… what a mess this was. I wanted to love this, but it was just so poorly executed. I’ll admit that my confusion started because I had forgotten the ending of book one. Book two starts out with an unnecessary prologue that takes place in the past (confusing) and then jumps straight into where book one left off without any recap or context given. I eventually caught up enough to vaguely remember what was going on and then that issue was resolved (too quickly) and they were off and onto the next thing.
The chapters were extremely short and most of them felt like they had deleted scenes. I think the main thread of the story was that they were looking for her mom or clues about what had happened to her?? And there was a prophecy that factored into the cliffhanger ending… I think it was all meant to be connected, but the author didn’t do a great job of explaining how it all fit together. They essentially did a bunch of side quest without the author very clearly telling the reader that that’s what they were doing and then suddenly there would be a dragon or someone would have a new power or we’d be hearing from a random side character and I was left scratching my head trying to figure out how we got there.
This book also relied heavily on the angst and tension between the two MC’s. Typically I’d be eating that up, but in this case it started to feel really repetitive. I felt like the author was just trying to stretch out the tension between them to make it to the third book. When it comes to slow burn, there is such a thing as too slow. 🤷🏼♀️
I feel like the author had so many ideas she was trying to get out and onto the page that she kind of lost the thread of the story. I wish her editor had encouraged her to beef up the world building and the explanations for the quests and the magic they wielded a little more. The author deprived us of the romance and then kind of tanked the execution of the fantasy elements. I almost gave this 3 stars, but I just can’t justify it. I really wish I had loved this more! I hope you’re able to find more enjoyment in it than I did!
P.S. …apparently all it takes to make someone a villain is to call them one repeatedly. Very little villainous activity detected.
✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼
Pre-read: Ready for this “villain” to unmask his ooey gooey center!
I need all the murdery bits to be explained so I can fully endorse this romance. 🤣
September 8, 2024
3 stars ⭐
❝She was afraid, but she knew now: fear usually meant you were standing on the edge of something new, something self-altering, something potentially good. Fear was not something she would shy away from ever again❞
i. general thoughts 🌴
Unfortunately, this book fell short of the expectations and felt less impressive than the first. The book's tempo was a letdown, but the overall plot still piques my curiosity enough for me to read the next book. A lot of nothing happens in the middle of what was an action-packed, well-paced beginning.
I'll admit that I found some parts were difficult to read since I thought they lacked sufficient depth. It was unclear who was where and what everyone was doing, just like in the first combat
ii. 🎀 evie & the villain ⚔️
There are moments when the dynamic between Evie and The Villain is equally irritating. If done well, miscommunication and the unrequited love cliché might be amusing, but this instance falls flat in that regard.
oh, please, put us out of our pain…
➳It began as a communication issue, with both parties believing it was one-sided adoration.
➳Then it became about Trystan thinking he was horrible for Evie.
➳Then fate revealed to Trystan that they would be each other's undoing...
Come on. Please select a cause and stick to it.
iii. quotes 🗂️
❝He would follow her off a cliff without question. And Evie knew she was in love with him. Right then, right there❞
❝She breathed, “It’s so beautiful.” Her boss had been silent beside her, but now he replied hoarsely, still gripping her hand, “Yes, it is.” And when she turned, he was looking at her❞
❝It had occurred to her many times over that “impossible” was merely a word people used to describe limitations they wished for you to adhere to, so you wouldn’t upset the balance❞
❝Sometimes family isn't a thing we are born into but a choice we make. Sometimes" -Evie smiled-"the people who love you most in your life are the ones who choose you.❞
Overall rating
⤷ 3★
❝She was afraid, but she knew now: fear usually meant you were standing on the edge of something new, something self-altering, something potentially good. Fear was not something she would shy away from ever again❞
i. general thoughts 🌴
Unfortunately, this book fell short of the expectations and felt less impressive than the first. The book's tempo was a letdown, but the overall plot still piques my curiosity enough for me to read the next book. A lot of nothing happens in the middle of what was an action-packed, well-paced beginning.
I'll admit that I found some parts were difficult to read since I thought they lacked sufficient depth. It was unclear who was where and what everyone was doing, just like in the first combat
ii. 🎀 evie & the villain ⚔️
There are moments when the dynamic between Evie and The Villain is equally irritating. If done well, miscommunication and the unrequited love cliché might be amusing, but this instance falls flat in that regard.
oh, please, put us out of our pain…
➳It began as a communication issue, with both parties believing it was one-sided adoration.
➳Then it became about Trystan thinking he was horrible for Evie.
➳Then fate revealed to Trystan that they would be each other's undoing...
Come on. Please select a cause and stick to it.
iii. quotes 🗂️
❝He would follow her off a cliff without question. And Evie knew she was in love with him. Right then, right there❞
❝She breathed, “It’s so beautiful.” Her boss had been silent beside her, but now he replied hoarsely, still gripping her hand, “Yes, it is.” And when she turned, he was looking at her❞
❝It had occurred to her many times over that “impossible” was merely a word people used to describe limitations they wished for you to adhere to, so you wouldn’t upset the balance❞
❝Sometimes family isn't a thing we are born into but a choice we make. Sometimes" -Evie smiled-"the people who love you most in your life are the ones who choose you.❞
Overall rating
⤷ 3★
September 6, 2024
3.25 stars🐸
Ok but i feel lowkey bad for giving this book like 3 stars cause I did enjoy it but i think it had middle book syndrome, so there wasn't much happening and it sort of dragged along...
what i did enjoy was the development between the villain and Evie
i am obsessed and having his POV js made it better
also the slow burn was so ahhh i was screaming at them to kiss half the time
clare and tati were soo cute with thier second chance romance but it was a little hard to tell wat was going on with them without thier pods
Blade and becky didnt have much development but I still love them(though we got more of becky's backround in this one)
╰┈➤ ❝ Evie❞
She is so relatable and I like her development throughout this book shes definitely got more of a bold, confident edge to her now but still carries her fun personality.Excited to see what goes on regarding her after that ending
*Kinda Spoiler*
Now I have to talk about becky's family aside from her brothers🤭 I found her mother a interesting(annoying) character i get she might be desprate for the cure but like wth??
╰┈➤ ❝ Gideon❞
hmm idk how to feel about him he seems charming and stuff but his appearance was a bit spontaneous and he def has a crush on keely
Pre-read
"For all of you, this is what I think it would be like to be the morally gray fantasy villain's apprentice"
AHHHHH I GOT IT I GOT IT!!!🥳🎉
I AM SOO EXCITED FOR THIS🤩
(I though I was gonna get it in a month or two)
Ok but i feel lowkey bad for giving this book like 3 stars cause I did enjoy it but i think it had middle book syndrome, so there wasn't much happening and it sort of dragged along...
what i did enjoy was the development between the villain and Evie
i am obsessed and having his POV js made it better
also the slow burn was so ahhh i was screaming at them to kiss half the time
clare and tati were soo cute with thier second chance romance but it was a little hard to tell wat was going on with them without thier pods
Blade and becky didnt have much development but I still love them(though we got more of becky's backround in this one)
╰┈➤ ❝ Evie❞
She is so relatable and I like her development throughout this book shes definitely got more of a bold, confident edge to her now but still carries her fun personality.Excited to see what goes on regarding her after that ending
*Kinda Spoiler*
Now I have to talk about becky's family aside from her brothers🤭 I found her mother a interesting(annoying) character i get she might be desprate for the cure but like wth??
╰┈➤ ❝ Gideon❞
hmm idk how to feel about him he seems charming and stuff but his appearance was a bit spontaneous and he def has a crush on keely
Pre-read
"For all of you, this is what I think it would be like to be the morally gray fantasy villain's apprentice"
AHHHHH I GOT IT I GOT IT!!!🥳🎉
I AM SOO EXCITED FOR THIS🤩
(I though I was gonna get it in a month or two)
September 26, 2024
Kingsley is everything. Loved this book so much. Review to come.
The exhilaration I feel in getting this book on the day of publishing when I pre-ordered this is phenomenal. UGH DIVING IN ASAP 🐸👑
The exhilaration I feel in getting this book on the day of publishing when I pre-ordered this is phenomenal. UGH DIVING IN ASAP 🐸👑
September 1, 2024
chicas no puede ser la autora realmente dijo "vamos a volver a los valores tradicionales de slow burn que duran tres libros"
September 10, 2024
Clearly, I am in the minority here. I'm truly happy for everyone that really liked it, and I wish I was one of those people. Disappointed is an understatement because I genuinely enjoyed the first book and was excited for this one. I gave the first one 4 ⭐ for its lighthearted fantasy elements. It was amusing and charming. It wasn't a literary masterpiece by any means, but it was a cute fun time. This was not those things for me.
This book seemed to suffer from an identity crisis. There were so many plot points that were never fully developed. The magic elements just exist, but they are never truly explained. The chapters were each like 4 pages long, and something new happened in each chapter and half the time we never came back to why it happened or got any reason. This was a classic example of telling not showing. It was a lot of rando events that were often not cohesive and, ultimately, I didn't care about any of them. There is a "twist" I guess which I saw coming a mile away. And the constant repeating of inner dialogue over and over of Evie and Trystan, ugh. I think 50 pages could have been shaved off without all that filler.
I love this cover, so much. Right now, that's my favorite thing about it. I don't know if I can make myself continue with the series or not.
This book seemed to suffer from an identity crisis. There were so many plot points that were never fully developed. The magic elements just exist, but they are never truly explained. The chapters were each like 4 pages long, and something new happened in each chapter and half the time we never came back to why it happened or got any reason. This was a classic example of telling not showing. It was a lot of rando events that were often not cohesive and, ultimately, I didn't care about any of them. There is a "twist" I guess which I saw coming a mile away. And the constant repeating of inner dialogue over and over of Evie and Trystan, ugh. I think 50 pages could have been shaved off without all that filler.
I love this cover, so much. Right now, that's my favorite thing about it. I don't know if I can make myself continue with the series or not.
August 8, 2024
although this started off a bit slow, i wasn’t bored for even a second! i was worried this would suffer from second book syndrome like many other trilogies, but this far exceeded my expectations. i think i actually liked it even more than book 1
the plot in this one was amazing. i wasn’t sure where this could possibly go from the first book, but it really pulled out all the stops. the last 30-40% really blew me away. i never knew what was going to happen next, and maybe i’m just really not good at picking up hints, but i never saw most of the plot twists coming. the quests were so fun and really kept the story moving
the romance: chefs kiss. is the slow burn a little infuriating? perhaps, but i’m a sucker for it every time. evie and trystan have my whole heart and i’m rooting for them so hard. and the side characters romance is just as good too. the found family in this is probably one of my new favorites. all of the characters interactions with each other tugged on my heart strings. i was a little skeptical at first, but i enjoyed the addition of new povs.
this series is definitely a favorite of mine now, and im dying to have book 3 in my grubby little hands immediately
the plot in this one was amazing. i wasn’t sure where this could possibly go from the first book, but it really pulled out all the stops. the last 30-40% really blew me away. i never knew what was going to happen next, and maybe i’m just really not good at picking up hints, but i never saw most of the plot twists coming. the quests were so fun and really kept the story moving
the romance: chefs kiss. is the slow burn a little infuriating? perhaps, but i’m a sucker for it every time. evie and trystan have my whole heart and i’m rooting for them so hard. and the side characters romance is just as good too. the found family in this is probably one of my new favorites. all of the characters interactions with each other tugged on my heart strings. i was a little skeptical at first, but i enjoyed the addition of new povs.
this series is definitely a favorite of mine now, and im dying to have book 3 in my grubby little hands immediately
Want to read
April 30, 2024THAT COVERRRRR <3
a unicorn??? rapunzel's braid??? PURPLE EDGES????
HEY
THE NERVE OF THIS TO BE A SERIES
I WANT TO RIOT
a unicorn??? rapunzel's braid??? PURPLE EDGES????
HEY
THE NERVE OF THIS TO BE A SERIES
I WANT TO RIOT
October 4, 2023
The audacity... I hate finding a book before the series is finished. 😭 I don't know how to function when I love the stories so much... I am so beyond anxiously waiting. Also Kingsley right? 🥰🥹
September 25, 2024
╰┈➤ 3.25
this was honestly one of my most anticipated reads of 2024 and i was so disappointed by it. i considered book one a 6 star when i first read it but this was nothing like it.
i was originally thinking of giving this a 2.75 but when i really thought about it, the book was more good than it was bad. the main reason for me not enjoying it as much was the “miscommunication” (?) … okay it wasn’t really miscommunication
also, just wanted to quickly mention that i think the plot is a little all over the place. it was so easy for me to follow during the first book. binged it so fast. but this really got me using my brain to process what’s going on.
this was honestly one of my most anticipated reads of 2024 and i was so disappointed by it. i considered book one a 6 star when i first read it but this was nothing like it.
i was originally thinking of giving this a 2.75 but when i really thought about it, the book was more good than it was bad. the main reason for me not enjoying it as much was the “miscommunication” (?) … okay it wasn’t really miscommunication
also, just wanted to quickly mention that i think the plot is a little all over the place. it was so easy for me to follow during the first book. binged it so fast. but this really got me using my brain to process what’s going on.
Currently reading
August 24, 2024
💘Buddy Read With Bestie Noi💘
August 29, 2024
everything about this story was as adorable as it was genius. There’s just something so magical about Hannah’s storytelling abilities. The characters are alive and teeming with personality; the world is LIVED IN. It existed before I picked up the books and it will long after I put them down.
The way Hannah marries cutesy, tongue in cheek and downright laugh out loud moments to tender, pulse quickening, therapeutic and REAL moments is all star.
This was so well thought out, so well constructed and heart racing to say the least! One moment I was cheesing like the Cheshire Cat and the VERY next I was palming my forehead and panting “oh no, oh no, oh no.”
I will also say that Becky was an absolute masterpiece in this book and I love how she became such a larger part to the story.
Trystan is SO DOWN BAD but he was so hot and so protective and so… so…. (Big pink feathery hat had me on my knees) dreamy.
I know what I’m wishing on a star tonight.
And it’s for book 3 to be in my hands as soon as possible!
The way Hannah marries cutesy, tongue in cheek and downright laugh out loud moments to tender, pulse quickening, therapeutic and REAL moments is all star.
This was so well thought out, so well constructed and heart racing to say the least! One moment I was cheesing like the Cheshire Cat and the VERY next I was palming my forehead and panting “oh no, oh no, oh no.”
I will also say that Becky was an absolute masterpiece in this book and I love how she became such a larger part to the story.
Trystan is SO DOWN BAD but he was so hot and so protective and so… so…. (Big pink feathery hat had me on my knees) dreamy.
I know what I’m wishing on a star tonight.
And it’s for book 3 to be in my hands as soon as possible!
Currently reading
September 13, 2023How am I supposed to wait an entire year? 😩😭
September 17, 2024
Io fino al 2025: 🧍🏻♀️
August 1, 2024
This book felt like a parody of the first one. The things I loved in the previous book, such as the grumpy & sunshine trope, or Evie's strong will, or plot twists in an intrigued storyline, have all become overdone. The villain is pinning so hard that it is pathetic and strongly in the level of miscommunication. The main character is now pedantic and very two-dimensional, always on the brinck of death but always avoiding. The plot twist stopped being fun after the 50th page.
August 16, 2024
Apprentice to the villain ~ four stars
buddy read with hailey🪄💜
”Sometimes family isn’t a thing we are born into but a choice we make. Sometimes”—Evie smiled—“the people who love you most in your life are the ones who choose you.”
I won’t lie, this book is good!! As good as the first? No, I found it slower that squat several times. Although there is still good plot twist😍 also I’m I the only one that questions the title? It’s not up until the last 100-150 ish pages that she is considered the apprentice and even then it’s just talked about a (few) more things as it’s a fancy title. There is no apprenticeship as one would call it unless you want to agree that one part (it’s spoiler if I say what) is apprenticeship but technically it’s not. I honestly feel like the author needed another title and came up with it after she wrote it. So she went and added a bit of it to the end and never thought twice about it:( did this bug (whoever as read it) you guys as much as me??
”Nice to see you, too, boss. Might I ask why you just kicked me?” He continued to stare, expressionless. “My foot slipped.”
Tropes + what to expect 🐸
—>slow burn
—>grumpy x sunshine
—>workplace romance
—>hates everyone expect her
—> he/she will kill for each other
—>magic (like Kingsley🐸)
—>dual pov
-short chapters
—>side character romance
—>fantasy x mystery x romance
”I think I am very sad. But I won’t be forever.”
Evie & the Villain are back! Evie is still loving her job working for the evil overlord, I mean, villain. Rennedawn is in serious trouble though. Everything is point to a big mess! It’s time for Evie to protect her boss, her co-workers and oh, just the whole kingdom🫡 Doe this task Evil Will have to pick up a few more skills like using dragger. Can Evie and the Villain save Rennedawn from its ruins??
”She loved his smile and his rare laughter. She loved that in one moment he could be fiercely protective and in the next he could be soft and unsure.”
buddy read with hailey🪄💜
”Sometimes family isn’t a thing we are born into but a choice we make. Sometimes”—Evie smiled—“the people who love you most in your life are the ones who choose you.”
I won’t lie, this book is good!! As good as the first? No, I found it slower that squat several times. Although there is still good plot twist😍 also I’m I the only one that questions the title? It’s not up until the last 100-150 ish pages that she is considered the apprentice and even then it’s just talked about a (few) more things as it’s a fancy title. There is no apprenticeship as one would call it unless you want to agree that one part (it’s spoiler if I say what) is apprenticeship but technically it’s not. I honestly feel like the author needed another title and came up with it after she wrote it. So she went and added a bit of it to the end and never thought twice about it:( did this bug (whoever as read it) you guys as much as me??
”Nice to see you, too, boss. Might I ask why you just kicked me?” He continued to stare, expressionless. “My foot slipped.”
Tropes + what to expect 🐸
—>slow burn
—>grumpy x sunshine
—>workplace romance
—>hates everyone expect her
—> he/she will kill for each other
—>magic (like Kingsley🐸)
—>dual pov
-short chapters
—>side character romance
—>fantasy x mystery x romance
”I think I am very sad. But I won’t be forever.”
Evie & the Villain are back! Evie is still loving her job working for the evil overlord, I mean, villain. Rennedawn is in serious trouble though. Everything is point to a big mess! It’s time for Evie to protect her boss, her co-workers and oh, just the whole kingdom🫡 Doe this task Evil Will have to pick up a few more skills like using dragger. Can Evie and the Villain save Rennedawn from its ruins??
”She loved his smile and his rare laughter. She loved that in one moment he could be fiercely protective and in the next he could be soft and unsure.”
August 31, 2024
4.5
“You just can't kill people and be pretty. It's confusing.”
Oh I am here for all of this. And I know this is book #2 and book #3 will be epic so we can't move the plot TOO far along but god I loved hearing from some other folks too. Obviously the Villian and Evie Safe are why I'm reading but let's also talk about the friendship budding between Evie and Rebecka. And maybe another love story between Rebekah and Blade? Claire and Tatianna? I am here for ALL the side characters but especially Fluffy.
If you read the first you need to know how Evie goes from being an Assistant to an Apprentice and DEAR LORD THAT ENDING.
“You just can't kill people and be pretty. It's confusing.”
Oh I am here for all of this. And I know this is book #2 and book #3 will be epic so we can't move the plot TOO far along but god I loved hearing from some other folks too. Obviously the Villian and Evie Safe are why I'm reading but let's also talk about the friendship budding between Evie and Rebecka. And maybe another love story between Rebekah and Blade? Claire and Tatianna? I am here for ALL the side characters but especially Fluffy.
If you read the first you need to know how Evie goes from being an Assistant to an Apprentice and DEAR LORD THAT ENDING.
August 9, 2024
I definitely liked this one more than the first book, Evie irritated me a lot less and the other characters won me over more in this one too (tbh I almost didn't know who was who in book 1 bc they all seemed like the same person). I liked how the plot developed but for me the highlight of the entire book was the development of Becky's character, maybe it's bc I wasn't expecting anything like that but I was surprised by how much I started to like her. The romance is still too bland for me, it's not that I don't like them but if you asked me something like "name 30 book couples" they’d never cross my mind, I *completely* forget about them as soon as I finish these books.
This was a fun read and saved me from a huge book slump so it really deserved the 4 stars.
This was a fun read and saved me from a huge book slump so it really deserved the 4 stars.
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