A thoroughly enjoyable read. Great characters, a brilliantly constructed world and the best romantic elements.

I was totally invested in this newly created world and it's characters. A dark witch Queen, a 'dark wizard' librarian fleeing his past and two dynamic allies.

It was sweet to see the connection of the two MCs and how their relationship developed against the back drop of political unrest and danger. And I absolutely adored the two otherworld characters who were not shy to put the newly appointed 'librarian' in his place to protect their queen.

I was totally invested in finding out what happened at the end and loved the way the author wrapped this up while leaving it open for a second book which I super excited for.

This was a well deserved 4.5 star read for me and one I'll definitely need on my bookshelves.

Wooing the Witch Queen is a charming blend of romance, magic, and intrigue and I'm so happy I got to read it in advance of its release. If you’re into witty, romantic fantasy with a dash of suspense, this is definitely one to check out. I’m excited to see where this story goes next!

"Wooing the Witch Queen" is an absolute delight of a cozy romantasy that flips typical genre tropes on their head in the best possible way. Instead of the usual grumpy hero/sunshine heroine dynamic, we get the powerful, feared witch queen Saskia and her adorkable librarian Felix - who happens to be hiding the fact that he's actually a runaway archduke with zero magical ability. The slow-burn romance between them unfolds beautifully against a backdrop of political intrigue, magical libraries, and found family charm.

What really sets this story apart is how it balances its lighter elements with genuine emotional depth. Both leads are wonderfully developed characters dealing with their own traumas and insecurities, and their growing relationship feels earned rather than rushed. While some might find the plot a bit predictable, the stellar character dynamics and witty writing more than make up for it. The supporting cast, particularly Saskia's quirky castle staff, adds wonderful depth to this enchanting world. Perfect for readers who enjoy their romantasy with equal parts heart and humor.

Thank you to NetGalley and Pan Macmillan/Tor Bramble for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The blurb of this book hooked me right away, and the story didn't disappoint neither. I had so much fun reading about strong-willed Queen Saskia and gentle Felix. It's a hilarious combination, full of miscommunications and assumptions that made the story light-hearted, and made me laugh out loud quite a few times. It was nice to see these takes on the main characters, who also had their roles reverse—on many romances, villains are usually males. The author gives a great twist to many stereotypes, and because of this she's able to take on more serious subjects with a lighter tone. I can't wait to see what book 2 will bring us.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for gifting me a free arc in exchange for an honest review! All opinions are my own.

I absolutely loved the cosy descriptions of food, spiced hot chocolates and warm fires in the library!! The atmosphere this book delivers is there right from the start and I really liked these moments!

I overall found this book to be somewhat generic in terms of plot and world. I think the standout feature of it is probably the male love interest, who is gentle and kind - traits that are not often found in male main characters in current romantasy books. It was very refreshing to read about this kind of mmc. Unfortunately, I found that I couldn’t really differentiate between Saskia and Félix’s pov because they sound exactly the same, which is a shame because I liked both of their characters.

My main issue with the book is that it is very predictable and has little to no world building or exploration of the magic system. However, if you are looking for a cosy, light romance set in a witchy library, then this is definitely for you!

Overall - 2.75⭐️ rounded up to 3

This wasn’t what I was expecting, but I loved it!

Witch Queen, Saskia, is more interested in her spells and potions than having to navigate the exhausting politics of ruling her country. Archduke Felix is on the run and in disguise. Can they help each other, or will the secrets ruin any chance they have?

This was an intriguing twist on the usual damsel-on-the-run storyline, and I found myself fully immersed and read it in almost one sitting!

Thank you to Pan Macmillian and Stephanie Burgis for gifting me a proof copy of Wooing The Witch Queen in exchange for a fair and honest review. Reading Wooing the Witch Queen felt like curling up in a cozy blanket, listening to gentle rainfall against the window while drinking your favourite warming cup of tea.

Stephanie Burgis crafts a bewitching tale full of high-stake plot twists in a war where nothing is as it seems, hidden identities, found family, and a slow-burn romance showing the transformative power of love and connection between two hearts. Her writing style is charming, full of coziness, fun, tongue-in-cheek humour, and lots of wicked snappy banter. The worldbuilding is magically vivid, bringing to life the richly detailed kingdoms and vast geographies of the world, as well as the warm, cozy atmosphere for intimate scenes of a gentle romance.

For me, the cast of remarkable characters, well-crafted characters, poignant backstories, and heart-warming character arcs make Wooing the Witch Queen such an incredible book to read. I fell deeply in love with all of them, especially Felix. I need more Felix-styled MMC in my fantasy – don't get me wrong, I love a morally grey bad boy as much any book girlie, but I need more of this type of healthy book boyfriend, unafraid to gently loving, emotionally intelligent, vulnerable and sensitive without needing to be a jerk or defectively gruff, despite the traumas they have endured in their life.

The reversed grumpy x sunshine dynamic works beautifully with Felix's gorgeously gentle, patient, and thoughtful cinnamon-roll nature and Saskia's fierce, bloodthirsty protectiveness and grumpy queen persona, who petrifies the patriarchy but makes her beloved by her people. It's so easy to fall in love with their sweet dynamic. Felix and Saskia balance each other in their relationship. I loved the delightful slow-burn romance full of tender moments, sweet shyness, and the ease they find in each company in just being in the moment.

A spellbinding romantasy with a plot full of magic, hidden identities, found family, and political scheming in the grapple for the power of a throne. Everything about this book oozes one thing – a cozy charm that will warm you from the heart to the top of your head and down to the tips of your curling toes. If you love witchy-vibed romantasy with a sweet enemies-to-lovers romance and cozy charm, Wooing the Witch Queen is a perfect read for your TBR!

4.5 of 5 stars
https://lynns-books.com/2025/02/20/review-wooing-the-witch-queen-queens-of-villainy-no-1-by-stephanie-burgis/
My Five Word TL:DR Review: Cosy Romantasy with Villainous Queens

What more could you possibly ask for?

I confess that cosy fantasy is a real hit for me at the moment and picking up a book by Burgis is the equivalent of a cup of tea and a big hug, her books are like snuggly comfort blankets and her writing goes from strength to strength. I had a deliciously good time with Wooing the Witch Queen.

So, this book has a dollop of romance but it’s not so gloopy that it takes over the plot. There’s an interesting world, some nasty characters trying to take over, politics, endearing critters and a lovely supporting cast. Are you not intrigued?

Saskia is the infamous titular Witch Queen. Called a monster by the uncle she finally managed to get rid of, and generally reviled beyond her own realm, she is a powerful sorceress and has cast a protective spell over the land to protect her people from being overthrown by the (evil) Archduke of Estarion. Meanwhile, she’s been on the search for a dark wizard to organise her chaotic library so when a young man appears at the castle, quite naturally, Saskia and her staff jump to the conclusion he’s here for the coveted role. Little do they know that the actual Archduke (who is little more than a figurehead who is being used and abused) has made good his escape and has turned up at her castle seeking sanctuary. Of course, he’s only too happy to have this little misunderstanding play out and takes to his new duties with gusto.

What I loved about this.

I really enjoyed the writing, it’s outrageously easy to sink into and who wouldn’t be won over by that? The characters are flawed but likable. The world has been well thought out but the details are not overbearing. We learn of the histories of both our central characters through gentle reflection rather than overbearing info dumps. The atmosphere is wonderfully cosy and being primarily set in a castle there’s a mediaeval feel that is softened considerably by the fact that most of the scenes take part in the library. I love a good library setting. Oh, and crows. And trolls, and underground tunnels.

Saskia is a great character. She is fiercely protective of those she loves and works hard to keep her lands safe. At the same time the role of Queen sits uneasily on her shoulders. She doesn’t want to schmoose and has no interest in politics and putting on a face. She’s happier in her laboratory working on concoctions – or spending time in her library, particularly since she employed a rather easy on the eye librarian. Fabian, the new librarian (aka Archduke Felix Augustus) is keeping lots of secrets, not least of which is his attraction to Saskia. Of course, if she discovers that he is really her arch enemy (even though he isn’t) he will be in grave danger – and yet he wants to come clean. He’s a gentle nerd – and who doesn’t love a gentle nerd?

Without doubt, Burgis has created two other equally fascinating characters here in the form of Saskia’s allies. Two other queens, Lorelei and Ailana, (the three have formed an alliance and are known as the Queens of Villainy – a title they are happy to nurture as it bestows upon them a rather fearsome reputation). I loved these two – their roles here are kept to a minimum as we focus mainly on Saskia/Felix but I believe that the next two books will focus on each of them in turn – which I’m really happy about.

Overall, if you’re enjoying your cosy romantasy at the moment then you should definitely pick this up. There’s a slow build romance, tension, magic, politics, trolls, fae and a library. Go, treat yourself.

I received a copy through Netgalley, courtesy of the author, for which my thanks. The above is my own opinion.

Wooing the Witch Queen is a marshmallow book – sweet, fluffy, more-ish and comforting, but with little substance. It was a lovely quick read for a cold and foggy day. I will probably buy the next in the series but I doubt that I will keep them or reread them. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with sweets in moderation! Why isn’t there a fluffy fantasy genre? I think we need one.

My one quibble? What is it with the concept that the hero/heroine cannot possibly be recognised because they are wearing a mask or a disguise? This is not a possible thing, especially for weeks on end.

I wasn’t expecting such a cosy fantasy, and this was pleasantly surprising. There isn’t as much jeopardy and political intrigue as you might think from reading the blurb, and I was glad of that.

The main characters are very likeable, with Saskia in particular an interesting, strong and intelligent love interest with a painful history. The world building is perfect - just the right side of giving us enough detail, without too much of an info-dump. Plenty of information is implied to create an ancient empire with warring factions.

Don’t read this expecting a dramatic and tense storyline. This is medium-stakes with a slooow burn romance (my favourite kind).

First of all, thank you so much PanMacmillan, Tor Bramble and Netgalley for the e-arc in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

This was cosy romantic fantasy perfection! I absolutely loved this sweet and magical read, it was the ideal mix of tension, fun and comfort in a whimsical setting, with very little spice (1-1.5).

The plot was medium stakes and very easy to fall into, and I really enjoyed being in a medieval, castle setting. It reminded me a little of beauty and the beast (in the best way!) and gave me that added touch of nostalgia that made me enjoy the reading experience even more.

Both Saskia and Felix were adorable, their slow burn yearning and quiet development of feelings towards each other felt so natural. I loved how they found so many things to love about one another, without wanting to change them or be a different person, with Saskia's previous relationship, this was something she'd experienced. You really are rooting for them throughout the book, and the small third-act conflict didn't feel too stressful, it was very well done!

The side characters were also a welcome addition, and I was so happy when little Oskar the crow became Felix's familiar, it was sooo cute! Overall, the found family was done fantastically and I loved seeing snippets of daily life in the castle.

I loved the style the book was written and I'd love to read more of Stephanie's work, as it didn't take itself too seriously and made for a really funny internal monologue with each character! I also can't wait to read the rest of the series, and pick up with what I imagine will be Queen Lorelei's story.

If you're looking for a sweet cinnamon roll MMC who is obsessed with his love, and a powerful yet gentle FMC who learns to love her strength, alongside some hilarious side characters and a gorgeous setting; then this is perfect for you!

I always love Stephanie Burgis’s fantasy worlds that she creates. They always seem to be cozy in some way with enough stakes but not the heavy complexity you get with high fantasy. You definitely have to be in the mood for this type of story but if it works for you the you’ll love it.

I didn’t know going in that there would be a hidden identity element to the story. I never fully enough that plot trope as I always feel like it’s just avoiding getting to the interesting part with the identity out in the open, that’s when things are interesting, and if not handled well it can really feel like a weight hanging over the reader until the secret is out. I didn’t mind it so much in this story as Burgis handled it well as a plot point and it did make sense why the hidden identity. But I still wish the secret could have been out sooner as I would have found that more interesting, especially as the tension it creates is run through quite quickly.

Overall I really enjoyed the two lead characters created in this story and how their relationship unfolded. The secondary characters were very well fleshed out too and you can see where the story has space to continue whilst mostly wrapping up the leads stories. I’m unsure if I will continue the series but I do love the authors previous work so I very well might.

I received an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

I was really looking forward to this book. I read some other books by this author and they were all lovely, lighthearted, romantic and a lot of fun. I placed my pre-order as soon as I could and then I noticed that the book was also available through Netgalley. Of course I had to request my copy right away and I was really happy that Tor Bramble granted me a digital review copy. Since the book is officially released this week, I dove in last week.

Once more I enjoyed this book from start to finish. The author is really great at balancing all the different ingredients of the story. The political situation is quite complicated, it's clear there's a lot going on on this continent, there's a lot of history and yet the book never feels heavy. What we need to know to understand these characters is explained and everything else is implied or simply left out. Therefore we can focus on the more important ingredient of the story.

The romance! And the romance is lovely. That's firstly because it's quite easy to fall in love with both main characters in this story. Although Claudia is quite strong and intelligent, she does have weaknesses and is far from perfect. It's therefore easy to identify with her and to root for her. Felix might be one of the most wonderful characters I've ever encountered in books. He's thoughtful, kind, smart and he has a big heart.

I also loved the ending of the story. It's quite satisfying, while the door is also open for more stories in this world. The epilogue of the story already promises a very fun next installment, with a different queen as the main character. I'm already looking forward to getting to know these characters better. What I've seen from them in this story made me really curious and I'm sure their story is gonna be just as much fun as this one was!

As a cozy fantasy, this could've been great, but because there was the promise of romance, I had that expectation and the romance was not well-executed imo. They barely ever interacted, and when they did, we didn't actually get to see it. There was a 4-week time jump when the author was like 'yup we hung out a lot over those 4 weeks' but we didn't actually see that?? So then it felt quite insta-lovey but even then, the romance wasn't really there. The world-building was interesting, but I just feel like this wasn't what I was expecting and I was honestly quite bored :(

I loved some of the humour and the found family though!

This book has become my ultimate comfort read, and this is no exaggeration. There is something of a nostalgic old fashioned regency romance in every love story Stephanie Burgis writes, and that's an undeniable strength: because she has a knack for furnishing this recognizable vibe with modern sensibilities, but not in a way that fall apart at the smallest probing. Win win from both worlds, if you win. I had a great, relaxing time with Saskia and Felix, enjoying the interactions they have, the gentleness and kindness that underlies their core - I cannot wait for more, and I predict many rereads. For my comfort and pleasure:)

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Stars | 🌶 0.5 Spice

At first, I thought Wooing the Witch Queen was a fantasy novel. Magical kingdoms, political intrigue, a powerful witch queen—everything pointed to a grand adventure. But as the story unfolded, I quickly realized this was, in fact, a romance wrapped in fantasy elements. And honestly? I wasn’t mad about it.
This book is lighthearted, witty, and utterly charming. Saskia, the so-called evil Witch Queen, is only seen that way because of her scheming uncle’s political maneuvering. Felix, the power-hungry Archduke, is actually nothing of the sort—just a man being used as a puppet by those around him. Through a series of misunderstandings, Felix finds himself in Saskia’s service as her new dark wizard, despite having no magic whatsoever. She doesn’t know his true identity, and yet, their connection is immediate, filled with undeniable chemistry, and just the right amount of tension.
The dual POV structure makes the entire story even more entertaining, letting us see both Saskia’s sharp intelligence and Felix’s awkward, cinnamon-roll-soft heart. Saskia reads as STEM-coded and near-divergent-coded, a heroine who is unapologetically brilliant and determined. Felix is the ultimate soft boy, written by a woman in the best possible way—but when the moment calls for it, he absolutely steps up to defend himself and the woman he’s falling for. Their romance is wholesome, heartfelt, and just so easy to root for.
With its sharp humor, addictive storytelling, and just a touch of political intrigue, this book felt like a cup of hot cocoa on a sunny winter day—warm, comforting, and exactly what I needed. I loved every second of it, and that final glimpse into the next book? I’m definitely continuing this series.

Thank you to NetGalley and Pan Macmillan for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Cozy fantasy isn't usually my thing but what a sweet story this was! I just loved every single bit of this. I'd say this is a bit of a black cat/golden retriever sort of situation and it worked so well. I loved the slow burn because there might have been insta attraction but it took time for Saskia and Felix to actually do anything about it. All in all, I really think this was the perfect cozy romance with maybe medium level stakes and lots of cozy vibes.

R E V I E W

Wooing the Witch Queen by Stephanie Burgis

☆☆☆.5

Advanced Reader Copy graciously provided by Pan Macmillan | Tor Bramble via Netgalley

Wooing the Witch Queen is a cosy, low-stakes fantasy read, reminiscent of Hannah Nicole Maehrer's Assistant to the Villain series or Elise Kova's Married to Magic stand alones.

When Imperial Archduke Felix of Estarion finally manages to flee his own territory after years of mistreatment at the hands of his father-in-law and former regent, he knows there is only one place he can go. The new Witch Queen of Kitvaria has made it clear since taking her throne that she will not be trifled with and with a terrible magical barrier established and keeping all her enemies at bay, Felix recognises the neighbouring kingdom of Kitvaria for what it is; his only chance.

Unashamedly prepared to beg for sanctuary, a fortunate case of mistaken identity lands Felix a job within the reputedly wicked Witch Queen's castle as her new librarian. Tasked with ordering and arranging magical tomes on witchcraft and wizardry, a task which shouldn't be difficult for the 'dark wizard' he is presumed to be, Felix finds unexpected comfort and joy in his new life amidst the formidable Witch Queen and the quirky cast of creatures she surrounds herself with. That is, until his Archduky rises up to face the Witch Queen despite his absence, threatening all Felix has come to hold dear, including his new secret identity.

I enjoyed this charming gas-light fantasy and the softly worded romance woven throughout. Even from the beginning, I felt secure in the knowledge that our two protagonists, who had been through so much respectively, would get their happy ending. I did find the events of the final few chapters a little anticlimactic and the constant referral to Saskia as the 'wicked' Witch Queen to be misleading since she never really embraced her role as a villain, which I found to be a shame. It felt like I was constantly waiting for something dramatic to occur, whether it be after Felix was 'kidnapped' or when they confronted his former regent. With Felix playing the softly spoken, soft-hearted librarian, I felt a little wickedness on Saskia's part would have gone a long way and added more excitement to the narrative.

A cute, cosy little romantasy for fans of assistant to the villain.

Felix is running away from being a puppet in his own court, seeking sanctuary with the fearsome wicked witch Queen Saskia, except down to a misunderstanding he’s now hiding out in enemy camp as a librarian. Life in the wicked witch’s castle isn’t what Felix expected, he feels more at home than in his own dukedom. And as he gets to know Saskia, well she may not be so wicked after all.

This was a really warm story, Saskia and Felix are wicked (get it?) protagonists, and the magical romance is everything you want it to be. I really love the power dynamics, it’s a real gender role reversal, Felix is very much the duke in distress to Saskia’s prince(ss) charming.

Like most fantasy, it’s a fable of tolerance and kindness and love. It’s funny, fast paced and easy escapism. If you’re looking for a booker prize winner, look elsewhere, but if you’re looking for fun then have at it.


Thank you #panmacmillan and #netgalley for my #arc

Wooing the Witch Queen is a cozy fantasy romance with a sharp, no-nonsense queen and a so called dark wizard who’s actually just a soft, nerdy archduke in disguise. Saskia has spent years crafting her fearsome reputation to protect her people, while Felix is just trying to escape his past and maybe, accidentally, fall for a queen along the way.

This book is all about found family, slow-burn romance, and mistaken identity, with a side of magical politics and some great banter. The dynamic between Saskia and Felix is chef’s kiss grumpy/sunshine but flipped, with her being the intimidating one and him being the gentle, bookish disaster. There’s also an amazing cast of side characters (a TROLL housekeeper, I repeat, a TROLL. and a very opinionated crow lmao) that make the world feel so alive.

The stakes are there, but the overall vibe is warm and comforting, making it a perfect pick if you love golden retriever love interests, prickly heroines, and a fantasy world with a touch of humor.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an E-Arc in exchange for an honest review!