Reviews with content warning for Rape - Assistant to the Villain

I am speechless and trying to understand why I liked this book so much. It’s not the most brilliant thing I’ve ever read, yet it has something that completely mesmerised me. And for the life of me, I never saw that coming (that plot twist at the end), I’m usually really good at figuring where the plot is going but I kid you not, I was dumbfounded by the last couple chapters. This book is so silly and it feels like a YA (even though it’s not, given all characters are in their 20s), but I’m not going to pretend to be pretentious and say it was rubbish when I genuinely enjoyed it. Evie is such an interesting character, I’m so happy to see a character that’s so true to themselves and even though there’s some character development going on, her true essence remains at the end (just more villain-y, which I LOVED). Picking up the second book RIGHT NOW!!

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coldheartedbirch's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional funny mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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floralmay's review against another edition

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adventurous dark funny lighthearted mysterious sad fast-paced

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

4.75

"Assistant to the Villain" by Hannah Nicole Maehrer is an absolute gem in the realm of romantic comedies, and it had me laughing like no other book ever has. My faith in the Red Tower book series has once again proven well-founded with this pre-order. While I initially knew nothing about the TikToker or what some have affectionately dubbed the 'sunshine assistant meets grumpy boss' trope, it has swiftly become one of my top five favorites.

When the book was handed to me at my favorite local bookstore, I couldn't help but wonder if I should have captured the moment on film. It felt like a monumental occasion, with its red sprayed edges reminiscent of a Halloween face paint palette - a promise of wickedness, but in an ironically adorable way.

Upon cracking open the book, I was greeted by the villain's map and his ingenious idea for mermaid sushi. As a devoted sushi enthusiast, I couldn't help but ponder whether it would qualify as cannibalism, only to realize that the villain would probably endorse such a notion. The book kicks off with the classic opening, "Once upon a time," a cliché that undeniably suits the overall atmosphere, akin to the iconic beginning of Shrek.

Throughout the story, I experienced moments of uncontrollable glee at the sheer adorableness of the villain, juxtaposed with bouts of secondhand embarrassment. It's a remarkably light-hearted read.

Now, let's discuss the spice—or perhaps the lack thereof. It's essential to emphasize that not every book requires a spicy element. If you're seeking an author's hasty inclusion of another trite and uninspired bedroom scene instead of a focus on character development and plot, then this book may not be your cup of tea. Instead, consider downloading another "romance" novel from Kindle Unlimited.

Moving on to the world-building aspect, it's fair to say that it left something to be desired. I found it challenging to envision the manor, ultimately constructing a generic mental image. The magic system, regrettably, lacks a detailed explanation, and the dragon ends up resembling the one from Shrek. Consequently, I wouldn't classify it as "high fantasy"; it's firmly ensconced in the realm of cozy fantasy.

I believe that if Hannah had aimed for a light, cozy romantic comedy, she hit the bullseye but didn't drive the nail all the way in. For instance, when the characters find themselves trapped in the office due to a storm, there is potential for more substantial development or intriguing events, though not necessarily of a spicy nature.

In summary, I genuinely enjoyed this book. It had me bursting into laughter and occasionally seeking solace from the characters' moments of embarrassment. Sometimes, all you need is a fun, whimsical, and romantic read, and that's precisely what "Assistant to the Villain" delivers.

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snakebyte180's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

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shanayapandey's review against another edition

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3.0

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questionable_reader's review against another edition

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lighthearted slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

1.25

It's simple read, melodramatic, plays on troops not in a good way. Writing feels unfinished in a way.

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simmonsj's review against another edition

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adventurous funny lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

A middle-of-the-road fantasy romance with a fun twist - the side of the Villain. Evie Sage needs a job to support her sister and I'll father. Serendipity lands her a job as The Villian's assistant, hired to help manage his nefarious plots to damage the King.

It was fun to see how the author made gore, torture, and murder light hearted, but that's really how it read. I actually liked those parts, that this is just the daily life of a Villain and it's all a little hum drum. I liked Evie Sage, she doubts and debases herself at times but does grow through the novel and has moments of fun feminist bad@$$ery. She stands up to people just fine and can disarm through her supposed innocence. She's also learning that she really doesn't mind the torture and villainy like she knows she's supposed to.

The plot is fine, it leans more towards romantasy than anything else. The romance is very, very slow burn but kind of cute. Many of the thoughts of the two characters got repetitive though. The backend plot is finding a traitor - without the relationship/romance/Evie growth pieces, this plot would have been drawn out way too much and been disappointing. The ending was good as far as learning the identity of the traitor, which was a surprise for me, but it also leaves several unanswered questions, wide open for the sequel coming in August.

The writing lets the book down some. I lost track of how many heads "whipped back" and how our Villain had muscular thighs, a strong chest, and eyes to fall into. We get it, he's lovely, move on. The last quarter of the book picked up speed and had less repetitions.

Overall it was a fun little foray into the world of Villainy and a little romance. Nothing too striking but an easy read and a little getaway book. While one should note there is torture, gore, and murder in this book (and talk of it. A lot), it is treated rather lightheartedly. Oddly, it reminds me of something Mel Brooks would write a movie of - quirky murder in a fantasy village and with a love story tied in.

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