Who Would Like This Book:
If you enjoy fantasy with a hefty side of humor, quirky office dynamics, and a grumpy/sunshine romance, this book might be your next fave. Think 'The Office' meets 'Despicable Me' in a medieval-ish, magical world where the banter sparkles and the side characters bring plenty of heart. It's a light, comedic take on dark tropes, filled with office politics, found family, and a slow-burn romantic tension. Perfect for fans of cozy fantasy, romcoms, and anyone looking for a twisty (and just a bit murdery) adventure that doesn’t take itself too seriously.
Who May Not Like This Book:
Some readers found the plot thin in places, wishing for more meat on the magic system and deeper world-building. The writing can feel choppy or under-edited, and the middle acts lag for those seeking constant excitement. The audiobook narration isn’t universally loved, so if you care a lot about delivery, sticking to the page might be best. Also, if you’re hunting for steamy romance, high stakes, or emotional depth, you might find this more TikTok sketch than novel.
About:
Assistant to the Villain is a fantasy novel that follows Evie Sage, a quirky and witty character who finds herself in a precarious situation after losing her job and crossing paths with the Villain, Trystan. The story unravels as Evie becomes the assistant to the Villain and is thrown into a world of magic, suspense, and action. Through a series of twists and turns, the plot delves into their evolving relationship, the dynamics of the characters around them, and the mysteries that unfold, leading to a cliffhanger ending that leaves readers eager for more. The writing style is described as fluent and engaging, with humorous dialogue and multiple points of view providing insights into the characters' inner thoughts and motivations.
Genres:
Tropes/Plot Devices:
Topics:
Notes:
Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
Content warnings are noted, particularly related to violence and mild body horror, but they are often played for comedic effect rather than serious horror.
Has Romance?
The romance in the book is present with a medium level of development; while it lacks explicit scenes, there is significant tension and character connection.
From The Publisher:
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, 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.
Ratings (216)
Incredible (56) | |
Loved It (91) | |
Liked It (37) | |
It Was OK (16) | |
Did Not Like (12) | |
Hated It (4) |
Reader Stats (465):
Read It (230) | |
Currently Reading (3) | |
Want To Read (176) | |
Did Not Finish (14) | |
Not Interested (42) |
14 comment(s)
I’m a little surprised by so many negative reviews! One reason I’ve see is that a lot of people (myself included) thought at some this would get steamy, or at least make actual progress in terms of romance. And I understand that. I was kinda disappointed myself on that front but in the end I think it might have been good for me to read an almost entirely seamless romance for once haha. I realized I avoid those so to find myself truly enjoying one, well, lesson learned.
Anyways I think the main thing with this book comes down to one thing: the individual sense of humor of the reader. I can totally see how some people would not find this book funny. I went into this without reading reviews and hurriedly skimming the summary on the cover while trying to choose a book in Walmart (their book prices are freaking amazing) and I had a feeling it would be a funny in a satirical….pointing out the obvious? Sort of way. I was extremely unsure about that, as i honestly don’t know that I’ve read another quite like it before. But it only took a few chapters for me to know I was going to enjoy it and I found it truly hilarious. Sure it was silly, over dramatic and so stereotypical about anything to do with villainous characters, fairy tales, etc. but that is entirely the point. And you’ll either find it funny or you won’t. I’m thrilled that I got lucky and enjoyed it all, because I seriously was laughing out loud every couple minutes. It put me in a good, light-hearted mood, and I can’t wait to read the next books in the series. To top it off, I’m over the moon that for once, the anticipation/hope for steaminess isn’t even a main reason for my excitement. I genuinely love reading about these characters and watching them interact with each other! ❤️ And I don’t even have any complaints about the characters. Sages naïveté and the villain’s stubbornness don’t bother me in the slightest, and in other books I absolutely loathe those traits.
5/5 ⭐️ !!
If you want to enjoy this book, do your self a favor and DONT listen to the audiobook.
Adulthood should be illegal. Evie I have never agreed with something more. You were the most relatable person I have come across in fiction this year. Kingsley was adorable. Trystan was yummy. The whole thing was like the best warm coffee in a squishy chair. It did wonders for me. Thank you Hannah Nicole Maehrer.
Book Title: Assistant to the Villain | Author: Hannah Nicole Maehrer | Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Why I picked this book:
I picked up this book because I’m always drawn to stories that focus on the Villain rather than the Hero. Villains are so often more interesting, full of depth, complexity, and relatable flaws, and Assistant to the Villain did not disappoint!
Quick Summary:
This story follows Evie Sage, a young woman from a small town who desperately needs a job to support her sick father and younger sister. After a literal run-in with The Villain himself, he’s unexpectedly charmed by her quirky determination and offers her a position as his assistant. What follows is the absolute best mix of office comedy, ridiculous workplace politics, witty banter, and a sloooow-burn romance that keeps you glued to the page.
What I Loved:
1. The witty office banter had me smiling and giggling from start to finish.
2. The character dynamics, especially the grumpy “I never smile” boss paired with his sunshine assistant, made for hilarious, cheeky, and sometimes swoony scenes.
3. The fantasy worldbuilding added so many fun, whimsical touches: mischievous pixies messing with the copier, a frog friend holding up one-word signs at the perfect time, and even a dragon with a cutesy name. I loved these fun details!
Favorite Moments / Quotes:
“Don’t touch the boss’s hair, Evie!”
“Don’t find torture attractive, Evie!”
“Don’t let the boss quiver your insides, Evie!”
… and many more that had me laughing out loud.
Who I’d Recommend It To:
Anyone looking for a lighthearted fantasy romance with an over-protective, morally grey MMC and a sunny, lovable FMC. If you enjoy witty banter, fun office dynamics, and a slow-burn romance that makes you grin and swoon, this is the book for you.
Final Thoughts:
Yes, it’s tropey—but that’s entirely the point, and it embraces those tropes in the best possible way. I absolutely adored how much this book made me laugh, smile, and root for these characters. Already can’t wait to read the sequel!
Cliffhangers suck
I really enjoyed the story! The writing is a little juvenile, but I think it matches the tone of the book (which I believe isn't supposed to be serious, but rather silly/humorous). However, some passages did confuse me in their wording and I had to read them multiple times. I also didn't really like the (in my opinion) random plot twist and the "meh" villain backstory (honestly it's pathetic compared to what Evie goes though). That being said, I enjoyed the book enough to give it 5 stars, but these two points bring my rating down slightly.
Absolutely could not stand the narration
I would recommend actually reading this book and not listening to it. The narrator's voice made it hard to enjoy the story. It was a great story. I will absolutely be reading it again before the second one comes out next year.
wonderful simply wonderful
This book was such a fun read. The humor is on point and it’s just so sweet to read each characters POV super cozy/feel good read. I’m jumping immediately into book 2
What can you read after
Assistant to the Villain?
When you click the Amazon link and make a purchase, we may receive a small commision, at no cost to you.
