A review by bribreez
Apprentice to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer

adventurous emotional funny hopeful lighthearted mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

4.75⭐️
*Check TW⚠️

WE’RE BACK WITH ONE OF MY FAVE GRUMPY/SUNSHINE CHARACTERS! Ever since I read, “Assistant to the Villain”, I have not stopped thinking about Evie and Trystan! The fantasy world in this book is lighthearted, humorous, and has lovable characters as well as some adventure, and danger. Evie Sage, the ever so dedicated assistant to the villain was back with her sunshine attitude and surprisingly even doing some evil things in the name of her boss! Trystan, the villain was still determined to take down the king, but his feelings towards Evie were growing increasingly more towards the opposite of what was considered…”office appropriate”. With even more adventures, dangers, Kingsley and his one liner signs, Evie and Trystan were determined more than ever to take control over the obstacle set in front them.

I fell in love with the first book with the way Evie was and how Trystan was such a grumpy Villian, but deep down inside he was kind of a softie for Evie. Much like the previous books, any moment between Evie and Trystan was one that I cherished! I loved seeing their dynamic grow, and still retain that playfulness that Evie had with Trystan, but also Trystan protecting and doing the kindest things for her. Also, despite Trystan trying to maintain distance from Evie and allowing her past his defenses, Trystan STILL WANTED Evie for himself, and he would get jealous anytime a man so much as looked or flirted with her hahaha. Trystan may have been the villain that most of the kingdom feared, but to Evie he was more than the villain, he was the man she was falling in love with! Compared to the first book, this sequel gave a little bit more in terms of the romance, and (sigh) I really loved that. 

Part of me wishes that this story was actually told from Evie and Trystan’s perspective instead of told in third person, but regardless this time around we got other characters in the storyline too. With Evie and Trystan busying trying enact the Rennedawn story prophecy, Evie found herself meeting an unexpected character who was someone she knew very well from her past. Without revealing too much, I will say that the new character who was introduced wasn’t someone I expected to see in the story especially given certain details mentioned in the past. Aside from the new character, I liked seeing a bit of what the other characters were up to since it gave a little more insight to the other characters relationships, and more importantly the other things occurring alongside the main storyline.

Evie and Trystan’s dynamic as boss/ assistant had always been great, but when it came to their romantic feelings for each other, it was a SLOW BURN ROMANCE that has been building since the first book! I had a feeling things were going to change between Evie and Trystan in terms of them either expressing their feelings for each other, and their first kiss happening. After a good amount of chapters, and me constantly being TEASED of some tension filled moments between Evie and Trystan, later on THEY FINALLY SHARED THEIR FIRST KISS! YESSSS! The lead up to the kiss was a big deal for me because, not only did Trystan basically lose control lol, but it was a vulnerable moment in which Trystan revealed how he felt about Evie. (Sigh) I was swooning and simultaneously screaming for joy at the way the kiss happened! Just goes to show that Hannah did a good job of creating such an incredible moment between Evie and Trystan, and this is just a kiss scene! My two favorites FINALLY HAD THEIR MOMENT! 

Once again, I had so much fun reading Evie and Trystan’s story! With different perspectives from other characters, I got to see a bit more from what else was going on aside from the main storyline, but also added key details as well. The things that were revealed were fascinating and unexpected that really played into the whole fantasy fairytale vibe of the book. Evie grew more as a character, and dare I say, she was fully embracing her dark side as now not an assistant, but as an apprentice to the villain. Trystan was still his grumpy, stoic self, but his actions spoke louder in how much he cared about Evie and I’m pretty sure he was wholeheartedly in LOVE WITH HER! The way Trystan was once again super protective over Evie, and did specific things to help her, illustrated the depth of his feelings which made me swoon. The romance was a bit more compared to the first book, and honestly I was anticipating seeing more of Trystan and Evie’s romance happening that made me squeal for JOY! There was a little bit of everything in this book from humor, romance, found family, fairytale vibes, magic, prophecies, plot twists, and drama. Needless to say, Hannah Nicole Maehrer has brought more adventure in Evie and Trystan’s story, and with the way this book ended, I have a feeling Evie and Trystan are going to be in for more surprises and shocks that are going to change the course of their plans, and I will be happily watching it all unfold when the next book releases.