Book Review: Apprentice to the Villain (Assistant to the Villain, #2)
I’ll admit it: when I first picked up Apprentice to the Villain by Hannah Smith, I was drawn in by the whimsical title and the tantalizing promise of a villainous romance. After devouring the first book, I couldn’t wait to see what new mischief awaited Evie and Trystan in this hilarious sequel. Diving into this story felt like slipping into a cozy pair of well-worn slippers—familiar yet fresh, and oh-so-comforting.
From the very first pages, I adored how the charm of the first installment carried through while effortlessly introducing more delightful chaos. Evie and Trystan are the heart and soul of this series, and their playful banter had me giggling as they navigated the trials of miscommunication and undeniable chemistry. That quote, “the villain didn’t miss light. he missed color,” struck me deeply. It’s such a beautiful callback to the emotional undercurrents of the narrative, and honestly, it felt like something Kaz Brekker would say. I mean, swoon alert! 😭
Evie’s journal mishap had me rolling with laughter—her doodles of her and Trystan sharing sweet moments had that perfect “Disney Channel” vibe I crave in a rom-com. The absurdity makes it a fun read, and I found myself rooting for them to just admit their feelings already! Plus, Trystan’s jealous antics whenever someone else got too close to Evie made my heart flutter—he is truly fictional husband material.
The supporting cast, especially Becky and Blade—totally unexpected favorites of mine—brought depth and added layers of humor. Becky reminded me so much of myself, and come on, who wouldn’t want a brooding Blade by their side? Kingsley, the ever-dramatic “MVP,” perfectly embodied the spirit of a true king, especially in that moment when he decided a dress was essential to his royal demeanor. This book is overflowing with laugh-out-loud moments that had me cackling, and I couldn’t help but note many to share later!
While I genuinely enjoyed the ride, the book wasn’t without its minor hiccups. Some scenes felt a bit overly dramatic, and a couple of the cuss words and innuendos felt out of place. But honestly, these were easily overshadowed by the sheer joy of the story. The pacing was brisk, keeping me on my toes from start to finish, and the heightened focus on the magical elements of this world added to the allure.
For those seeking a serious plot or a complex world, you might want to look elsewhere; however, if you’re in the mood for pure, unadulterated fun that reminds you of being a giddy teenager with your first crush, then look no further.
In sum, Apprentice to the Villain is a joyous romp that will leave you eagerly anticipating the next installment. It captures that essence of youthful, innocent romance while sprinkling in just enough chaos to keep things delightful. If you’re searching for a book that will leave you grinning and reminiscing about your best middle school crushes, grab this one—trust me, you’ll be glad you did! Now, if only I could convince Hannah to send me an advanced copy of the third book… After all, we’re totally friends! (Okay, maybe not yet, but a girl can dream!) 💋
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