Apprentice to the Villain: Assistant to the Villain, Book 2

Name: Apprentice to the Villain: Assistant to the Villain, Book 2
Rating: 4.5 (22300 reviews)
Author: Hannah Nicole Maehrer

by Hannah Nicole Maehrer

4.5

About this book

Evie Sage has traded her mundane life for the chaotic, darkly enchanting world of Rennedawn’s most feared overlord. As the dedicated assistant to The Villain, she has discovered that professional villainy is far more rewarding—and romantic—than she ever dared imagine. However, the business of being bad is interrupted when a mysterious magical decay leaves the manor’s formidable defenses vulnerable, forcing a reluctant alliance with the very forces of "good" they once sought to destroy.

With her brooding, dangerously handsome boss preoccupied by external threats, the burden of protecting his nefarious legacy falls squarely on Evie. To survive, she must abandon her administrative comfort zone and embrace the darker arts: treason, dagger work, and high-stakes political maneuvering. As she navigates the thin line between assistant and apprentice, Evie finds herself entangled in a web of shifting loyalties and escalating tension.

The chemistry between the sunshine-filled assistant and her dark, enigmatic employer crackles under the pressure of impending catastrophe. In a kingdom where the lines between hero and villain are blurring, Evie must decide if she is truly ready to step into the shadows and rewrite the rules of power alongside the man she serves.

Available Formats

Audiobook: $0.00

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What readers are saying

Tammy Moldovan

Love this series

"This second book in the series was just as great as the first. The humor. The snark. The emotions. The intrigue. So so good. It kept me completely enthralled from the first word until the last with three dimensional characters, a captivating storyline, layered world building, palpable tension, unexpected twists, laughs, and understated romance. I fell head first into the story and was equally desperate to read it all at once and also to savor it and make it last. The book started just where the last book left us. Trystan, the Villain, has been captured by King Benedict and Evie’s father is evil. Now it’s currently up to Evie. So just rescue the Villain, save Rennedawn, fix the magic, and try to keep her heart in check. Easy peasy. I am loving the push-pull of the dynamics between Evie and Trystan. It’s delicious perfection and causes me to low key yell at them to just admit their feelings already while rolling my eyes of course. The author once again does a fantastic job of portraying the grayness of the Villain and his employees who are neither all good nor all bad. They are three dimensional beings - real, relatable people who have scars and flaws, but are really just trying to do their best as messy beings. The story includes all the goodness that you’d expect from this genre - fighting, dangerous situations, paranormal creatures, evil entities, henchmen, loyal friends and family, tragic back stories, mystical coincidences, snark, mystery, secrets, betrayal, revelations, plot twists, and laughs. I am looking forward to the next book in the series. ["

September 30, 2025 Verified Purchase

RiReviews

Hold on tight... the plot thickens

"This book is a delightful twist on the classic trope of heroes and villains, offering readers an engaging blend of humor, romance, and fantasy. The story weaves a captivating tale that pulls you into a world where the lines between good and evil are blurred, and the relationships between characters are as intricate as the plots they weave. Wright does a masterful job of developing the FMC character, giving her depth and relatability, and showing us just how clever she is!! Be prepared for a lot of "oh shxt" moments you might have missed, but Miss Evie did not. I really enjoyed how the book delved into deeper themes of redemption and the potential for change. Is the villain bad or good? Surprisingly, LOVED this book. I was on the fence on reading it since the first one was meh (except the last 20% of book 1), but this book had a LOT to unravel. The plot thickens.... can't wait for book 3!!! Also, audio was chef's kiss!!! A++ to the narrator! ["

January 10, 2025 Verified Purchase

shannon

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ — This book was everything I hoped for and more!

"Apprentice to the Villain was an absolute joy to read—funny, romantic, and filled with the kind of clever banter and swoony tension that made me fall in love with Assistant to the Villain in the first place. Evie and the Villain have such fantastic chemistry, and the way their relationship evolves in this sequel had me grinning, swooning, and occasionally yelling at the page. The stakes are higher in this one, and we get deeper into the world, the magic, and the danger—which only made me love it more. I laughed out loud more than once, but there were also moments that hit surprisingly hard emotionally. It’s a perfect mix of humor, heart, and high fantasy drama. This series is officially a favorite, and I cannot wait to see what happens next. If you love morally gray villains, chaotic heroines, and romantic tension with just the right amount of snark, this book is for you. #ApprenticeToTheVillain #HannahNicoleMaehrer #AssistantToTheVillain #Romantasy #FantasyRomance #BookReview #VillainLoveStory #ReadersOfInstagram #BookTokRecs #Bookstagram #SlowBurnRomance #FantasyWithHumor #EnemiesToLovers #FoundFamilyVibes #MorallyGrayMen ["

July 28, 2025 Verified Purchase

Haney Hayes

Witty, Warm, and Full of Enchanting Villainy

"Apprentice to the Villain is a delightful follow-up to Assistant to the Villain, blending humor, heart, and fantasy adventure in the best ways. This sequel keeps all the charm and cleverness of the first book while raising the stakes with a deeper, more emotional story. What Makes It Shine: Engaging plot with whimsy: This book expands the world, weaving in magical prophecies, dangerous threats, and the challenge of saving the kingdom—all while keeping the witty, quirky tone that made the first story so fun. Vibrant characters: Evie’s optimism and courage balance beautifully against the Villain’s brooding, layered personality. The side characters—from quirky allies to comedic troublemakers—add richness and levity. Romantic tension: The slow-burn chemistry between Evie and the Villain is magnetic. The banter, stolen moments, and longing make their relationship feel both heartfelt and exciting. Sequel strength: Unlike many middle books, this one avoids “filler syndrome.” There’s steady character growth, forward momentum, and new stakes that keep the story moving. Things to Note: Repetitive pacing in spots: Some situations—like captures or setbacks—play out a little too often, slowing things slightly. Romantic yearning overload: The pining is delicious, but some readers may find themselves wishing for more payoff sooner. Final Thoughts: Apprentice to the Villain earns five stars for being witty, whimsical, and emotionally satisfying. It combines comedy, magic, and romance into a story that’s both cozy and compelling. Fans of slow-burn tension, quirky casts, and heartfelt fantasy will be completely enchanted. ["

August 19, 2025 Verified Purchase