Accomplice to the Villain

Step into the delightfully chaotic world of Evie Sage, the sunshine-yet-sarcastic assistant who accidentally became the right-hand woman to the kingdom’s most feared villain. What started as a mundane job hunt promising “light paperwork and occasional beheadings” has spiraled into magical office mayhem, complete with crown-wearing frogs, weaponized pastries, and a brooding boss whose sharp jawline is only matched by his even sharper wit. This third installment cranks up the whimsy and tension as Evie navigates prophecy-induced chaos, assassins in the break room, and the ever-present risk of setting the kingdom ablaze—all while trying to salvage her dignity (which hangs by a very frayed, sarcastic thread).

The magic here feels refreshingly human, blending fairy-tale tropes with the relatable grind of corporate absurdity. You’ll find yourself laughing at the Villain’s grumpy memos, cheering for Evie’s relentless optimism, and utterly charmed by the talking frog who judges everyone’s life choices from his tiny throne. Hannah Nicole Maehrer masterfully balances laugh-out-loud moments—like magical mishaps involving scones and staplers—with genuine emotional stakes, making the world feel both fantastical and oddly familiar, like your weirdest office job dipped in fairy dust.

What truly sets this series apart is its heartwarming exploration of found family and quiet courage. Evie isn’t a chosen one; she’s just a regular person making do with extraordinary circumstances, using humor and kindness as her superpowers. Her dynamic with the Villain crackles with slow-burn tension that’s equal parts frustrating and swoon-worthy, proving that the most compelling romances often bloom in the unlikeliest places—even between an assistant and the guy literally trying to conquer the realm.

The writing is crisp, witty, and effortlessly inclusive, with dialogue so sharp it could cut through red tape (or perhaps a dragon’s hide). Maehrer’s background in viral BookTok storytelling shines through in every page-turning chapter, delivering perfectly timed banter and comedic set pieces that feel like The Office crossed with Shrek. You’ll root for these characters not because they’re flawless heroes, but because they’re beautifully, hilariously human—even the frog.

This book is pure comfort food for fantasy lovers: cozy enough to curl up with on a rainy day, yet packed with enough magical intrigue and emotional depth to leave you thinking long after the last page. It’s a testament to the joy of finding your people in unexpected places, the courage to be kind in a chaotic world, and the undeniable truth that no villain is truly evil when they share your coffee order.