REVIEW: ASSISTANT TO THE VILLAIN #1 BY HANNAH NICOLE MAEHRER

MY RATING:

Synopsis:

Goodreads Choice Award

Nominee for Readers’ Favorite Romantasy (2023)

Once Upon a Time meets The Office in Hannah Maehrer’s laugh-out-loud viral TikTok series turned novel, about the sunshine assistant to an Evil Villain…and their unexpected romance.

ASSISTANT WANTED: Notorious, high-ranking villain seeks loyal, levelheaded assistant for unspecified office duties, supporting staff for random mayhem and terror, and other Dark Things In General. Discretion a must. Excellent benefits.

With ailing family to support, Evie Sage’s employment status isn’t just important, it’s vital. So when a mishap with Rennedawn’s most infamous Villain results in a job offer―naturally, she says yes. No job is perfect, of course, but even less so when you develop a teeny crush on your terrifying, temperamental, and undeniably hot boss. Don’t find evil so attractive, Evie.

But just when she’s getting used to severed heads suspended from the ceiling and the odd squish of an errant eyeball beneath her heel, Evie suspects this dungeon has a huge rat…and not just the literal kind. Because something rotten is growing in the kingdom of Rennedawn, and someone wants to take the Villain―and his entire nefarious empire―out.

Now Evie must not only resist drooling over her boss but also figure out exactly who is sabotaging his work…and ensure he makes them pay.

After all, a good job is hard to find.

Pages: 425
Genre: Fantasy, Romantasy
Publication date: August 29, 2023 by Entangled Publishing: Red Tower Books
Format: Paperback, Kindle, Hardcover, Audiobook
Source: Owned

PURCHASE LINKS:
AMAZON
BARNES & NOBLE
KOBO

REVIEW:

Well, well, this one blew me away! In all the good ways possible.

I am still recovering from everything that went down in this book, and trust me, IT IS A LOT! Why have I not read this one earlier? Where have I been under a rock or something?? Honestly, it feels like I have missed out, but so glad I read it. Thank you booktube for that!

This story was something else entirely. The writing, the characters, the plot, everything was great, and I can’t wait to start the other books.

Here, the author takes a very interesting approach to morally grey-ish characters, and she does make you question your own morals. What I really loved is how this is quite the dark read. There is a lot of depth and layers to the plot, as well as the characters. You really need to follow the story, or you might miss something important that will help you connect the dots later on.

The villain definitely is someone you just end up loving. I could not help but notice that he was someone who just needed love and a hug right away.

Evie, surprisingly, was not annoying!

She was funny, quirky, sometimes oblivious, but good-hearted and loyal to a fault, but I will give her that: who wouldn’t be in her place?!

There is so much in this story, everything that I liked was present: magic, complex relationships, politics, some romance brewing in as well, betrayal, newfound family, you name it is there! Which also leads me to remind you to check the trigger warnings just in case, before you dive into it. There is nothing too shocking or explicit (except a few gory scenes), but still, it was alright for me, but this might not be the same for you.

I am so hyped for the next book, especially how this one ended. I just fell in love with Evie, and can’t wait to find out what she does next. There is a feeling that something shocking (in a good way) will happen to her, and I really hope I am right on this one because I can totally see it happening. If you have read the book, you probably can guess what I am implying here _{^{(it is related to the magic)}}.
As for the mystery part, I really was suspecting the two people that they both were suspecting as well, and it surprised me that I was on the right track. I wanted to punch that one character in the face for everything that they’ve done. It made me so angry I can’t even. Totally did not see everything that unfolded coming with them.

Overall, 4.5 stars read for me, the only thing that I did not like is the cover. I don’t know, it’s an eyesore for me.

Lin's Perspective