Week 34 Review: Apprentice to the Villain

From Goodreads:

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?

My Review:
Man, this was a fantastic sequel! After the way things ended with the first book, I had to know what was going to happen next! The humor in these books has been fantastic, and just a bit darker, but it started off tongue in cheek, and it continued on! 

Evie has always put on this cheerful mask because she doesn't want to dwell in the bad parts of life. But with the Villain being held captive by the King, she's gone down a darker path, and oh, I'm nervous for her! Given everything that happens in this book, I hope things end up along the lines of the Villain, not a true bad guy!

There was a lot of clever goings on in this book, from Evie's plan to free the Villain, to following along the clues left behind by her mom, including answering a riddle while intoxicated. Plus there was the same amount of humour, though maybe it was a tad darker. It all came together for a really entertaining read! 

While that ending doesn't technically qualify as a cliffhanger, they're not in immediate danger, but their circumstances have taken a turn for the worse. Adding onto that was her brother's realization about the prophecy-that's a game-changer and I need to know what's going to come of it!

This was such a fun read, and I'm so glad that I read it, and I can't wait for book 3! 

Author: Hannah Nicole Maehrer
Series: Assistant to the Villain #2
Read: August 23rd, 2024 
Source: Ebook.bike 
Reason Why: Loved the first book, and it's a Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2024 Book and a WoW Book! 
Publisher: Entangled: Red Tower Books 
Published: August 6th 2024

5/5 Hearts

5/5 Books

5/5 Stars