Publication: 7th August 2025 – Penguin Books UK
REWARD OFFERED: Apprentice to The Villain wanted for treason (light), magical property damage (alleged), and one incident involving a weaponized scone (accurate). Frequently seen with a grumpy frog (crowned, judgmental). Answers to “Evie” or “Stop that.”
Evie Sage didn’t mean to become the right-hand woman to the kingdom’s most terrifying villain. One minute, she was applying for an entry-level position that promised “light paperwork and occasional beheadings,” and the next, she was knee-deep in magical mayhem, murder plots, and an entirely inappropriate crush on her brooding, sharp-jawed, walking disaster of a boss.
Now, with a magical prophecy unraveling, assassins showing up in the break room, and a suspicious amount of frogs wearing crowns, Evie has to figure out how to survive her job without setting the kingdom on fire?or her dignity, which is hanging by a very sarcastic thread.
Being evil-adjacent was never part of the five-year plan. But then again…neither was falling for The Villain.
I am so happy that Accomplice to the Villain isn’t the last book of this fantastic series because I can’t get enough of the characters, their stories, and the author’s brilliant and witty writing. I get completely immersed in their chaotic, never boring lives: it’s not only the two protagonists, Evie Sage (also known as the Accomplice) and Trystan Maverine (also known as the Villain), but also Kingsley, Blade, Becky, Lyssa, Clare, and Tatianna.
As it is revealed from the title, Evie has now been promoted to the role of Accomplice. She and Trystan persist in their slow-burn romance for the amusement and frustration of those around them. At the center of the story, there are also the ongoing war with the king, a curse to break, a magical creature to rescue, traitors to unmask, and loyalties to test, while siblings, parents, and friends keep interfering in their lives.
This series is such a fun read. It’s not a typical fantasy. There is lots of humour and ridiculous situations. The manor of the Villain is adorned with the heads of his enemies, there is a frog who communicates through strategically placed signs, and a dragon called Fluffy. There is a lot of banter and chemistry between all the characters, who are engaging and likable. Evie is a badass, confident, and strong woman who’s come on her own, especially more in this last book, and I love how she always stands up for herself and those she loves. Trystan is grumpy and mysterious, but also sweet and protective.
Accomplice to the Villain is hilarious, original, and fascinating and, after the few surprises at the end, I can’t believe I have to wait yet another year for more.
A huge thank you to Penguin Books and NetGalley for providing me with a proof of this fantastic novel.
Hannah Nicole Maehrer, or as TikTok Knows her, @hannahnicolemae. is a fantasy romance author and BookToker with a propensity for villains. When she’s not creating bookish comedy skits about Villains and Assistants, she’s writing to Taylor Swift songs. Her biggest passions in life include romance, magic, laughter, and finding ways to include them all in everything she creates. Most days you can find her with her head in the clouds and a pen in her hand.
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