Apprentice to the Villain (Assistant and the Villain, 2)

I absolutely loved it!! So many funny parts. I laughed so hard at one part that my husband just looked at me and I kept laughing. Just think Lyssa and flying. So many twists in this one that I feel like I just got off a roller coaster ride. The Villain is definitely going to have his hands full in the next book. There are a couple of people that I hope get their karma (like major karma) in the next book. I've already titled it in my head as 'The Apprentice becomes the Villain'! I'm totally in love with Kingsley and his always right on signs! I love Evie even more after this. I found myself cheering for her and giving her a 'you go girl'!! I really enjoy this book! I'm just hoping we don't have to wait another year for the next one, but if that happens then I'll just keep re-reading the two I have. The next one is going to be epic!!

If you liked Book 1, you would NOT be disappointed with Book 2! It’s just as good as Book 1, witty banter, great characters and a good plot line. I would describe this again as “fantasy lite” similar to writing style of Bride by Ali Hazelwood. I love the character development of this book, but NOTE - this is a cliffhanger (even moreso than Book 1 IMO). I feel like there is no resolution at the end of the book, so if you were expecting less of a cliffhanger than book 1, you won’t get it here!

Also, once again, there is zero spice in this book. Hannah Nicole - we are PATIENTLY waiting for the two main characters to get together (in all the ways).

Important: this is not a standalone.

So outside of the lack of resolution and the lack of spice/romance (however it does contain so many inner romantic thoughts from the characters) there is nothing I would change. I am addicted to this series and absolutely recommend!

Apprentice to the Villain is a delightful and witty twist on the classic fantasy trope, where the assistant to a notoriously handsome (but hush-hush about it) villain must step up to save the day—or rather, the villain’s day. Evie Sage’s journey from assistant to apprentice is filled with sharp humor, unexpected alliances, and a slow-burning romance that left me sizzling!!!!

This story is the perfect sequel, as it captivated me from start to finish. I found myself reeling with so many emotions! I was angry, annoyed, smiling, laughing, giggling like a schoolgirl, frenzied with a bit of passion, and just filled with joy. Trystan and Evie's relationship sparks, and so many times, I found myself yelling at one of them to just admit their feelings for one another!

I also loved the inclusion of the secondary characters. Becky and Blade make the perfect pair, and Gideon is a wonderful addition to the bunch. And, of course, Kingsley! He is the most handsome toad in the land! I am patiently waiting for book 3!!

After reading book 1, Assistant to the Villain, I had high hopes, and Apprentice to the Villain exceeded everything I could have possibly thought! This was a laugh-out-loud, heartwarming book. I can truly say that this world and its characters are one of my favorites! Hannah has an incredible writing style that feels real and grounded, making all of her characters relatable. One thing I really love about this book and it’s predecessor is the romcom style. It’s so hard to find a fantasy that is well written and has incredible humor, but that is exactly what these accomplish! From Evie’s teasing remarks, Lyssa’s matchmaking skills, Kingsley’s disobedience, and the Villain’s exasperation over the drastic turn his life has taken, Apprentice to the Villain will take you on a journey with unexpected twists, heartwarming moments, heart-stopping moments, and edge-of-your seat revelations that will keep you hooked for the entire book!

Tropes: Grumpy/sunshine Touch-her-and-die Found family Romcom fantasy And so many more you’ll just have to read it 😉

This is one of those books that you simply cannot put down until you finish it. Forget about sleep, eating, work, your family, etc. You will be sucked into this until it's over, and then you'll be left with the worst kind of book hangover....but in the best way, of course.

This series has been such a refreshing change in how original the storyline is. You can't readily guess everything that's going to happen and all the characters are so loveable and relatable. The banter is witty and sweet without being kitschy.

I did have a little trouble remembering some of the details and went back to the first book to refresh my memory, but I'd rather do that than have an entire recap written within the book itself. There were nice little reminders too, that didn't take away from moving the storyline ahead.

I love this new series so much and can't wait for the next book!

I laughed. I kicked my feet. I screamed at the villain for being a complete idiot. So you know the book has to be good. This book was such a fantastic mix of goofy banter, loveable characters and romantic tension that I wish it could have gone on forever. If I loved the first book I loved loved this book. It was refreshing and fun and exactly the fun bit of joy I needed. I will ALWAYS recommend these books. I know it's one of those series either you love or you hate but man, I love these books so much. And I'm sorry but Evie with her dagger antics gives me Kratos axe vibes and I'm SO here for it!

TW: mentions of attempted m*rder, bl**d, injuries

I love Evie and watching her come into her own this book was awesome. Not that last book she wasn’t but her owning her life and destiny and what she wants was lovely. I also loved all the little moments of girls being a girls girl in this one. It was so nice to not read another book where the female characters are always jealous and hating on each other. The Villain in this one was being dumb as boys can be and needs to get his head out of his butt and quickly. I liked the new characters in this one that we actually get to hear from and I cannot wait for the next piece of the story and I keep waiting for the magical library to come in because that skit is so funny and I hope it does show up eventually.

Tropes: touch her and d!e, touch him and d!e, fate, true loves kiss, good/evil, the villain should get the girl, bada$$ FMC, pining MMC, grumpy/sunshine, SLOW burn, everyone can see it

Spice: 0 Steam: 🔥 Sweetness: 💗💗💗💗 Silly men: 💩

I loved the first book in this series so much, I couldn’t wait for this one. And now I’m dying for the next!

Evie is one of my favorites: quirky, loyal, sweet, determined, and sometimes a bit evil. Trystan is a great foil for her and I love the chemistry and longing that they both have for the other.

More twists and turns, high stakes, and a few mysteries.

Great read!

Let me first start off by saying that I LOVED the first book. I thought it was so clever and witty. In contrast, this was a bit of a letdown. It was still an entertaining read, don't get me wrong! It just felt a bit haphazard.

Pros

• The author is really good at including witty banter between the characters. It definitely made me laugh a few times with their back-and-forth comments.

Cons

• The writing felt a bit underdeveloped. Things just seemed to happen to characters in a very Deus ex machina way. Evie got stabbed in the previous book and then all of a sudden, the knife became a magical protector that could fly through the air for her. Trystan's magic sometimes works and sometimes doesn't, but only when it's convenient to the plot. People kidnapped Evie and Trystan, and they almost drowned, but then immediately the kidnappers decided to let them go once they escaped. Like....then why even do it???? It almost felt like the writer was trying to figure out the story along the way instead of having a predetermined ending that made sense.
• The writing also felt a bit immature. I would say this is a perfect book for young teens if it didn't have so many f-bombs in it.
• The Villan basically turned into a sappy puddle of goo every time the FMC looked at him. I get it. He's in love. But if I have to hear that "she will be the death of me" because she's looking at him or teasing him or touching him, I'm gonna scream.
• I hate the trope where characters don't communicate. They both have feelings for each other but don't communicate them because of dramatic pause personal reasonssss.
• The younger sister needed to chill. She was being a little troublemaker and everyone's like "oh my gosh you are so cute and sweet and we aren't gonna discipline you." Ground her or something, for Pete's sake!!
• Everyone is crushing on someone else. That's fine. Include other love interests and what not, but LITERALLY everyone is like, "Oh, they are hot, but I'm not gonna do anything about my feelings. I'm just being ridiculous."

That's all. Thank you for listening to my rant. Again, these are all personal preferences that are super nitpicky, but overall, it was a fun, quick read.