Assistant to the Villain is another book that took a backseat on my TBR for far too long. It got pushed back again and again on my reading list in favor of upcoming releases. Clearing my November schedule of deadlines gave me the time to finally get to it. I’m very glad that I did. I knew I was going to enjoy this one a lot, and it has proven me right. In fact, I’ve already got the sequel sitting on my shelf waiting for me.

Summary:

Evie needs a new job. Her relationship with her last employer soured quickly, and she needs a new source of income fast. The bills need to get paid. Luckily, she bumps into a man on the run who could use her help. After escorting him back to his home base (or fortress as the case may be), he offers her a job as his assistant. Evie is desperate enough to accept even after he reveals that he’s the monster known locally as “The Villain.”

My Thoughts:

The main reason I picked this one up was its advertised dark humor. It delivered beautifully. I loved the snark and the incredible banter packed onto every page. The lead characters were so much fun to watch as they navigated the twists and turns of the unfolding mystery. Their unceasing accidental hijinks kept me laughing all the way through, as did one of the animal companions in particular. His name is Kingsley because he’s a frog who wears a crown. He can only communicate by holding up single-word signs he has written. The whole novel has a beautifully tongue-in-cheek tone.

However, that doesn’t keep the narrative from having depth. Between all their slapstick moments, the characters have genuine and believable trauma in their backstories. These wounds receive the weight and respect they are due, serving to round out characters more fully rather than bringing down the tone. Not only does it serve to strengthen the characters and their motives, but the treatment is also validating.

I really enjoyed this one a lot. I’m excited for the rest of the series, too. I’ve already picked up the second book and I’m hoping I’ll be able to get to it a lot faster than I did the first. The third book came out a few months back, and the fourth is now in production. After this first installment, I’m eager for all of it!

Content Warnings: Blood, Gore, SA, Chronic/Terminal Illness, Parent Loss, Bombing, Graphic Depictions of Violence and Injury, Depictions of Medical Procedures, Torture, Abandonment, Child Death, Animal Cruelty, Alcohol, Kidnapping, Fire & Burn Injuries, Confinement

After I Finished Assistant to the Villain

Assistant to the Villain was my final book for November. After that, it was time to dive back into my pending ARCs. For the first time ever, I got to re-read a book before its publication. I’ve previously read several ARCs for the author and really enjoy her work. So, when she was looking for beta readers for a new standalone, I eagerly signed up. Now that its release date is pending, I got to read the ARC as well. It was really cool to see the beta feedback incorporated into the final draft. The resulting novel is incredible and I can’t wait for more people to get to read it!

My next review will be for A Fortnight to Forever by Alycia E. Anderson.