Booktok Author: Assistant to the Villain Book Review

I fell in love with a villain today.

Well actually, when I read this fantasy book. But still, this villain is amazing. He is super evil in this one. Not an act like evil but isn’t really evil. He is a true evil but a heart of gold that only the love interest can touch in the deep depths of his soul. My heart.

This booktok book took Tiktok by storm when Hannah Nicole Maeher published this book and with good reason too. I never laughed so much when reading a book. Heck, if you are looking to jump into the fantasy genre, this is a great place to start out.

Evie is down on her luck, she just got let go from her current job and hasn’t told her family. Until one day, she comes across a notorious villain and hires her on the spot. A job at Massacre Manor to be the Villain’s personal assistant with good benefits.

“It struck Evie then. How her predicament had escalated unemployed butcher’s daughter to aiding and abetting this king’s greatest enemy in an alarmingly short amount of time.”

Evie quickly acclimated in her position even with dangling severed heads and constant torture victims coming through the villain’s office.

“I’ll remind you that, at your bequest, I haven’t actually killed an intern in several months.”

Evie shook her head hopelessly. “Sir, I hate to belittle your success, but there are people who go their entire lives without killing anyone’ His face remained serious. “How dull.”

Of course, there is office drama. There is an office manager named Becky who wanted Evie’s job but didn’t get it. So there is an office rivalry that plays out between the two employees.

You do see the POV of the Villain from time to time. Learning his background and his nefarious plots against the king’s valiant guards. He was surprised that with all his torture and killing Evie had run the other direction. Almost embracing in fact. In turn, the Villain slowly reveals that he may have feelings for his assistant. Which he finds very gross.

“Disgusting, distracting, and he hated it.”

“That familiar, annoying buoyancy whirled through him, making him feel vile things like joy and the unmistakable need to laugh.”

The Villain does have a name and an evil power that goes along with it. Which I thought was a cool power to have for an evil villain.

“Trystan has a magical power that can sense your physical weaknesses and where the death blow is. Can use his magic to kill”

Some lines of Evie’s POV that I thought were a fun addition to the story as she realizes that she has feelings for her boss. 

“She straddled her boss and then quit her job, all in one day.”

“Problem number one: She was growing emotionally attached to her boss.

Problem number two: Her boss was also the most hated man in the kingdom.

Problem number three: Someone wanted her boss dead-who would severely affect problem number one.”

I thought this story was super creative and different from what I normally pick up. The plot had me guessing quite a bit and didn’t see the end coming. Was certainly left on a cliffhanger that was exhilarating and painful at the same time. I love how this is a fantasy with a relatable office setting with that office romance included. I can’t wait for the second book.