I don’t even know where to begin to describe how bleeping fantastic The Villains Series is; I’m still trying to shove my brain back in my head after finishing the last installment Chaos Agent. To say Winter has outdone herself would be a gross understatement. She knocked it so far out of the park, it went home for a snack and strolled back before anyone could even figure out what direction it went!

When I sat down to write my review for The Fixer, book one of this series, I thought that it was one of the best books Winter has written, and that’s saying something because she’s amassed a long list of awards for her work. Chaos Agent, however, is a unique book. In this final book of the series, she not only ties up the loose ends efficiently and effectively, she does it with supreme skill and genius. It’s easy to see the beauty in this novel; it’s definitely award worthy.

Most sapphic fiction tends to be formulaic; writers have a tried and true approach to building the story and arriving at a HEA. Winter likes to toy with the formula though. She likes to play with archetypes, and it makes the storytelling very exciting; it’s riveting. But in Chaos Agent, it’s beyond exciting. She plays with archetypes in ways writers seldom do. She turns Michelle Hastings, her protagonist, inside out, stretching her shades of good and evil. I was often left wondering, “How is she going to write her way out of this one?” She does though, and Michelle’s character development expands the storytelling in ways that are jaw dropping. She is definitely one character readers will not soon forget.

When readers first meet Michelle in The Fixer, she is an ice queen like no other. She is ruthless, cruel and cold. In the beginning, readers can’t fathom finding any sympathy for her. Yet, by the end of Chaos Agent, readers will throw down and fight for her willingly. Why? Because Winter takes readers on an incredible character arc ride. She breaks Michelle down until she is almost unrecognizable. Yet, she is still very much worth knowing. Eden, her one time nemesis, even thinks she’s worth loving. Eden’s mother sums it up best when she tells Michelle, “Eden has a beautiful heart. And you, Michelle, ache to have one too.” In that ache, readers find compassion for her. They also find an ice queen that isn’t as icy as they had once believed.

As much as I love Michelle and the way she’s developed on the page, I find Eden equally as compelling. She’s a captivating and charming character; her goodness is hard to resist. However, she’s a bit too trusting and naive for her own good. Perhaps that’s why readers like her. She does have some “mommy issues” though, and the way Winter addresses them near the end is masterful. She scripts a big moment between the two that not only resolves their family’s tensions but pushes their character. It’s just one scene, but the story is made a bit softer for it.

As much as I enjoyed the character work in this book, I came to appreciate Winter’s use of literary devices even more. The way she deftly and craftily integrates secondary characters, dialogue foreshadowing and irony into this story and series is quite remarkable. Seemingly without knowing it, readers are pulled farther into the story, making them connect to the characters and storytelling on a deeper level. Be warned: Book hangover is a thing and this one will cause it.

As I mentioned earlier, the use of secondary characters is stellar. Safta, Ottilie (Tilly), Phelim, Aggie, River, and Eden’s dad Peter—though only secondary—are all important to the story. Each are interesting and unique in their own way, serving the story well. Most of all, their presence enhances the storytelling. They aren’t shoehorned in. Readers develop a fondness for them, but Winter never allows these characters to overtake the stage. Ultimately, it’s a testament to Winter’s talent as a writer and a storyteller.

Final I remarks…

The Villains Series got my attention in ways that few books do. Chaos Agent is a fantastic closer for the series and gives readers something they may not expect but certainly will appreciate. I’d encourage everyone to read it!

Strengths…

Well-written
Well-plotted
Great characters
Fantastic storytelling
Engrossing storyline
Must read

Exceptional! I can’t recall the last time I stayed up to finish a book! Well written and developed plot between Michelle and Eden. Book one (The Fixer) sets the tone with background information regarding the characters and firm. Book two (Chaos Agent) immerses Eden in Michelle’s world as an employee. Highly recommend if you like the enemies to lovers/opposites attract romance.

I received an ARC from NetGalley and Ylva Publishing in exchange for an honest review.

Fantastic!!! I haven’t been so entertained about a good vs. evil storyline since the first time I saw Wicked on Broadway. And unlike Elphaba, Michelle Hastings really runs an evil corporation. This is the second book in the duology and picks up right after the The Fixer. Hastings gives Eden Lawless a trial job at the Fixer corporation not wanting their interactions to end. Eden is a delightful character. She is optimism and goodness personified. I love her coffee club and pandaization of the office by way of plants.

I don’t want to give spoilers but Eden and Hastings go from friendship to enemies and back again. There is humor and warmth and some twists I didn’t see coming. Hastings needs to spend time coming to terms with her past actions and Eden is ready support her. Eden has issues too trying to live up to the perfect expectations of her mother River. It takes a while but I love the moment when there is finally time to cuddle.

The secondary characters get moments to shine. Conversations with grandma Hannah, protection from Phelim, a new mate for Kevin, support from Angie and surprises from Ottilie. All of them are important to the story. And I am invested in each of them. This book ties in with another series by Winter. If you’ve read those you get the added bonus of the appearance of two previous main characters.

As I said in my review of The Fixer these are the first books I’ve read by the author and I am blown away with delight. Winter takes a risk in this enemies to lovers romance with an unusual redemption arc for Hastings. And somehow it all works and becomes a traditional f/f romance. It takes a little too long for Hastings to decide she is worthy of love but that is a minor issue. I’m already putting these books on my read again pile because I’m sure I missed subtle things in my haste to ingest the story.

Thank you to NetGalley and Ylva Publishing for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.