Apprentice to the Villain
(Libby/OverDrive eBook, Kindle)

The hijinks and inner battle between good and evil continue in Maehrer's heart-racing sequel to BookTok favorite Assistant to the Villain. With Trystan, the eponymous villain, kidnapped, Evie, his improbably cheery apprentice turned lover, will do anything to get him back, even if the plan she hatches involves her temporarily dying. As her ruse is revealed, however, so are Evie and Trystan's secret identities, putting them in even greater danger from the forces of good, led by the king. With help from surprising new allies, the duo work together to thwart the king and save magic. When Trystan receives a dire warning, however, he realizes that to protect Evie from harm, he has to stop loving her--but fighting his feelings proves harder than he expected, especially as stubborn Evie won't let him go without a fight. The cast is as funny, imperfect, and endearing as ever, and the central romance sings. Fans of the first book will get all that they came for. Agent: Brent Taylor, Triada US Literary. (Aug.)

Maehrer presents a fantasy romance novel about a very bad man and his very good employee. Evie Sage is the resilient and cheerful assistant to Trystan Maverine, an evil overlord known only as The Villain. Despite Trystan's numerous attempts to intimidate and drive her away--including placing a corpse on her desk--Evie's unwavering optimism and competence gradually disrupt his office's grim environment. Trystan is a complex character who grapples with his role as his society's primary antagonist while dealing with various perilous situations and his own deep fear of light and color. Evie's presence brings a spark of light into his world, challenging his perceptions and stirring long-buried emotions. The plot thickens with the introduction of King Benedict, who falsely accuses Trystan of causing a devastating illness in his kingdom, of being responsible for Evie's death, and of keeping a mythical creature called a guvre. This leads to Trystan's capture; later, however, Evie appears at a royal ceremony, revealing that she's very much alive.This reignites Trystan's determination, with the help of allies, to expose King Benedict's true nature. The novel weaves together themes of redemption, loyalty, and the transformative power of love. Throughout, the characters navigate perilous events and heartfelt moments, leading to unexpected alliances. The narrative is marked by fun dialogue ("Nice to see you, too, boss. Might I ask why you just kicked me?") and a good balance of amusement and seriousness. Evie emerges as a well-developed character, particularly after she and her brother, Gideon, discuss their familial history: "Her mother had loved art, had loved portraits and landscapes of people and places that held meaning to her, but her father had put nearly all of them into storage when her mother disappeared. He said he couldn't bear to look at them, but now she wondered if his motives were less romantic and more nefarious." The book's motifs of personal growth, romance, and overcoming adversity will resonate well with both YA and adult readers. An engaging love story about finding strength in vulnerability. Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

The hijinks and inner battle between good and evil continue in Maehrer's heart-racing sequel to BookTok favorite Assistant to the Villain. With Trystan, the eponymous villain, kidnapped, Evie, his improbably cheery apprentice turned lover, will do anything to get him back, even if the plan she hatches involves her temporarily dying. As her ruse is revealed, however, so are Evie and Trystan's secret identities, putting them in even greater danger from the forces of good, led by the king. With help from surprising new allies, the duo work together to thwart the king and save magic. When Trystan receives a dire warning, however, he realizes that to protect Evie from harm, he has to stop loving her—but fighting his feelings proves harder than he expected, especially as stubborn Evie won't let him go without a fight. The cast is as funny, imperfect, and endearing as ever, and the central romance sings. Fans of the first book will get all that they came for. Agent: Brent Taylor, Triada US Literary. (Aug.)