Book Review: Apprentice to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer

Evie Sage has finally found her calling in life. Working as the assistant to an outrageously handsome evil overlord, she’s never been happier. But the Kingdom of Rennedawn is in grave trouble and with her boss temporarily out-of-office, it’s up to Evie to uphold The Villain’s nefarious work and malevolent undertakings. First she must rescue The Villain from his royal nemesis, then they need to figure out what’s plaguing the kingdom’s magic, because something peculiar is happening and it’s made The Villain’s hidden manor vulnerable to their enemies.

To protect The Villain’s lair and the lives of the people she cares about most, Evie must step out of her comfort zone and into the role of apprentice, learning some new skills along the way: like treason and dagger work. She must also delve into her family’s complicated past, all the while navigating her inescapable feelings for her boss, who’s still woefully unwilling to admit he feels the same. But if anyone can win over The Villain, it’s Evie Sage. And she’s more than up to the challenge.

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.“

With so many dark and trauma-driven fantasy books populating the shelves, it’s always a treat to find a novel that doesn’t make you feel as if you’re wallowing in angst from start to end. Steeped in all the best-loved tropes of the genre, Apprentice to the Villain builds on the same magical formula that made the first book in Hannah Nicole Maehrer’s romantasy trilogy such a break-out success. The pages are filled with fun adventures and swoony will-they-won’t-they scenes and, whilst the characters certainly have their fair share of struggles to contend with, this is a novel that steadfastly believes in goodness prevailing and seeking out the light when the world feels full of shadows.

Maehrer’s fairytale inspired story is rich with inventive imagery and quirky detail, yet what makes this novel truly sparkle is the ensemble cast of characters – from stern HR manager Becky to charming dragon trainer Blade to Evie’s mischievous little sister Lyssa. And let’s not forget Kingsley the frog! These characters feel real and their individual stories as important as the overarching plot. But of course it’s Evie and The Villain who shine the brightest, and who take mutual pining to a whole new level. They’re the epitome of a sunshine x grumpy pairing and Maehrer draws out every single romantic moment between them. It’s torture for them but an utter delight for readers who enjoy a slow burn.

Apprentice to the Villain miraculously avoids the dreaded middle book pitfalls, delivering another dose of entertaining and uplifting fantasy that allows the characters time to breathe and grow – both individually and as a group. It also sets the scene perfectly for round three of enchanting magic, sizzling romance and delectable villainy. With Hannah Nicole Maehrer at the helm, it’s bound to be another winner.