Wooing the Witch Queen is a fun, cosy romantasy and it is the first book of the Queens of Villainy, a series of standalones. If you love your romance books with a dash of fantasy, you will absolutely adore Wooing the Witch Queen. Stephanie Burgis has crafted a unique, rich fantasy world that does not overshadow the beautiful romance.

This first book focuses on Queen Saskia and Felix (aka Fabian), her new librarian, who is keeping his true identity a secret. I absolutely adored their romance and I spent most of the book grinning and swooning.

I cannot wait to see what Stephanie Burgis has in store for us in the next book of the Queens of Villainy series!

Wooing The Witch Queen

Fearing for himself and others, Félix flees his homeland and plans to throw himself on the mercy of Queen Saskia, the wicked witch Queen that is so feared. Only when he gets there, everyone believes him to be a dark wizard wanting to take up the position of castle Librarian. Unable to tell the truth, Felix finds himself with a new job and a new name - ‘Fabian’ the dark wizard.

Saskia is desperately trying to keep hold of throne she managed to wrestle from her wicked uncle, but it’s not easy when there is war on the horizon. She wants to protect her people but after being called a ‘monster’ for so many years - she feels at a loss. Her only comfort is her friend Fabian. Who she absolutely does not have feelings for…

Felix throws himself into his new role, trying to think of ways to help and protect Saskia and his new friends but when he starts to fall for the feared Queen - how can he even begin to tell her truth?

And what will Saskia do when she learns he’s not only lied to her but that he’s from the land of her enemies? Will their love be able to survive? Or will it all come crashing down?

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The first book in the Queens of Villainy series and I am in love with it. Saskia, Felix, Lorelei, Ailana, Mrs Haglitz, Morlokk and of course Oskar the crow - they are all brilliant characters. It’s an enchanting and witty read and I’m so excited to see what happens next.

I’d best describe this book as a slow burn for both myself and the characters. The second half of the book really ramped things up and the action intrigued me. It was well written but I wish I knew a little more about the immediate history of Saskia’s parents and Felix’s story prior to this. A prequel maybe? 👀

Unfortunately, this book didn't work for me. It definitely didn't feel like a first book in a series, there was barely any world building or background information given on anything. Most information seemed brief and felt more like reminders than actually setting up the story properly.

There was too much repetition too - constantly being told about how Saskia is thought of as a tyrant queen, the reasons why people think she's an evil witch, over and over again.

The romance was a big let down too, the attraction shallow, I really didn't understand where the romantic feelings came from and why.

There was some very, very minor longing, then vague smut, the type I dislike - either include spice, or make it closed door, don't give me flowery, weirdly described smut that's over incredibly quickly. This is obviously mostly a case of personal preference, but it truly just didn't fit in this story.

I also noticed a few random perspective changes. The book is written in third POV, but a few first place POV sentences were thrown in, for no reason that I could fathom.

I was also confused about why it was necessary to have a goddess appear in the story, without explanation as to how she fits in the world, which seemed too modern but weirdly also old too. I truly didn't see the point in this.

The only good things I have to say, are about Felix - his powers and kindness, and there were humorous instances, with a few clever, witty moments.

Overall, this was just too bland, and I felt like something was missing the entire time I was reading, not a single aspect was developed enough in any way.

This was lighter in tone than I thought, and definitely more humorous but I enjoyed it immensely. Intriguing world building and interesting back stories for the characters made for an intriguing plot and a sweet but soulful love story. It's a sort of grumpy to sunshine trope with a ferocious (on the outside) queen and a gentle (fountain pen obsessed) librarian and it made a lovely change to have a less than alpha male lead, but one one who was sweet, thoughtful and multi-layered. I loved this cosy romantasy and very much look forward to the next in the series (tempting extract in the back!).

4.5/5⭐

Wooing the Witch Queen is a delightful blend of whimsy and depth, sweeping you away into a world full of yearning, secrets, and enchanting characters. Written in a comforting and easy cadence, it’s the kind of book that wraps around you like a cozy blanket, inviting you to stay until the very last page.

Though the plot itself is fairly simple, this book is rich with moments of unexpected charm and depth. It’s an unconventional, refreshing tale with a diverse cast that turns familiar fantasy tropes on their heads.

The tension between the characters is absolutely delicious, especially that between the fearsome yet lonely queen and her gentle, fountain-pen-obsessed librarian, who slowly befriends her crows and dismantles her emotional barriers. Their slow-burn connection is filled with longing and discovery, and it’s a joy to witness their transformation as the pages go by. But it’s not just the romance that shines in this story. The exploration of other relationships—both supportive and not—is equally compelling. My favourite of these is the chaotic dynamic between the Queens of Villainy.

At its heart, Wooing the Witch Queen is the story of a young woman finding her place in the world and learning to embrace her power and individuality. It is a lovely, heartfelt read that sets the stage perfectly for future books.

Thank you so much to the author and NetGalley for providing me with a digital copy of Wooing the Witch Queen in exchange for my honest review.

Title: Wooing the Witch Queen
Author: Stephanie Burgis
Pages: 304
Rating: 4/5


"In a Gaslamp-lit world where hags and ogres lurk in thick pine forests, three magical queens form an uneasy alliance to protect their lands from invasion…and love turns their world upside down."

This was such an endearing, funny, misunderstood, romantic trope loving book.
Misunderstood villain - check
Hot librarian - check
Miscommunication - check
Adorable familiars - check
Friendships and found families - check

Oh and tragic back stories!!

Well, you get the picture.

The world building was visual but not too wordy. It was a delight to read and a real feel good book. I'm very excited for book two and what will happen next.

It's a feel good romance with some great characters and backstory!!

You'll love this book if you like
- romantasy
- low spice/ fade to black
- hidden magic
- morally grey
- misunderstood villain
- bookish scenes
- miscommunication

A heartwarming, witty, romantic read. I loved this. I was completely enchanted by the story. Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this.

This book was a breath of fresh air. It was sweet and cozy without being too sugary, and still had a fully realized world within it. It was exactly what I needed when I wanted a break from serious, angst filled romantasy. I can’t wait to read the next books in the series!

This book was a lovely cosy, wholesome, and easy read. As my first read from Stephanie Burgis I wasn't assure what to expect but I found that I quite liked her writing style, she made me feel very 'at home' in a sense that I didn't have to exert myself to know what was going on.

The character's were likeable, I didn't quite click with them. Felix is a lovely warm cinnamon roll type MMC, and Saskia is proclaimed to be an 'evil witch queen' but we don't see anything evil - I would have liked to have seen more actions to back this up rather than a couple of scenes where she was pretending to be something she was not.

The plot was predictable, pacing was good, we don't really see a lot of character development and the tropes were well done.

Overall, this story fell a bit flat for me. It was enjoyable yes, but it didn't bring much to the table in terms of feelings, exciting-ness, or the relationship development between Saskia and Felix.

A lot of readers will eat this up, but it wasn't for me.

This was so very unique and so exciting to delve into! Romantic and surprising, full of magic and surprising turns, this was a great story from the first page to the last and I was sad to reach the end

A well written story full of magic, creatures and fantastical storylines but an enjoyable romp that was a good read

I inhaled this cozy romantasy in one go and really loved the two main characters. For a start, who can resist a sweet, poetry-writing MMC who's pretending to be a dark wizard librarian and befriending the FMC's horde of crows? I loved the reversal of the typical FMC/MMC romantasy roles, and loved to see Saskia take control, both as Queen and in her relationship with Felix.

There's a lovely slow burn here, full of yearning. There is a open-door sex scene but it's not explicit. I'd say it focuses more on the emotion between Saskia and Felix.

I can't wait to read the next two books in the Queens of Villainy series. Both Lorelei and Ailana are such different characters to Saskia, so their stories are going to be really unique!

Disclaimer: I received an Advance Reader Copy from NetGalley but this is my voluntary and honest review.

Stephanie Burgis weaves a spellbinding tale filled with charm, heart, and unexpected twists in her latest novel. Centered on a wicked Queen of Villainy and her enigmatic mysterious librarian, this story contains hidden identities, slow-burn romance, and the courage to confront personal ghosts—all while showing the transformative power of love and connection.

One of the most refreshing aspects of this book is how it challenges traditional notions of strength, giving us a role reversal entirely. Saskia is powerful and a queen of a kingdom threatened by her neighbour. She took the responsibility of protecting her people no matter the cost. Burgis balanced gentleness and kindness with power and wickedness, redefining what it means to be a strong and resilient protector.

It’s a delightful mix of romantic fantasy with a world of otherworldly, surprises, and warmth. From crow companions and an endearing troll housekeeper to a found family you’ll wish you could join. There’s no shortage of memorable moments.

This novel is a true gem for fans of romantasy and anyone craving a fun, heartfelt tale and a healthy dose of witchy.

I would like to thank the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to read and honestly review an advanced reader’s copy of this book.

This was delightful, but probably not really for me! While I try to read outside my comfort zone, and I enjoyed the fantasy elements this had, it was just a bit too romance heavy for me!

So if you’re trying to read more fantasy, and you’re a romance lover - this is the perfect choice for you! It was a cosy read, I actually really liked the male main character a lot (which doesn’t happen often in romance books!) He was gentle and kind and kept befriending the crowd; Felix is the highlight of this book.

This book was so much fun, I love witchy books and the initial bit of this that grabbed me was the colours on the cover.
Really enjoyed this one though and the chapter illustration pages were honestly stunning!

Stephanie Burgis’s Wooing the Witch Queen is a charming and magical romance that’s as fun as it is heartwarming. The dynamic between the fierce, no-nonsense MC and her unexpected suitor is full of witty banter, sweet moments, and just the right amount of tension. Burgis creates a vibrant world brimming with enchantment, and the story moves at a brisk pace, keeping you hooked until the very end. While some parts of the plot could have been expanded, the engaging characters and delightful romance make this a thoroughly enjoyable read for fans of magical love stories.

A very cosy fantasy - it’s so refreshing to read a story with a host of strong female characters, and with a sensitive but equal MMC.

The story follows Felix, an archduke on the run, and Saskia, a fierce but self described “wicked” witch queen, who is unaware that the dark wizard she has just hired is actually the man she thinks she has spent years fighting.

The cast of characters are so loveable, especially my favourite little crow Oskar (who doesn’t love an animal sidekick/familiar).

The storyline moved at a good pace and was relatively low stakes/cosy but still held my interest.

I would love to read this book again, and will definitely continue with the series when the next book is released.

A powerful, wicked sorceress? And a "sweet and a little nerdy" librarian love interest? Sign me up! I love powerful women and underdog men, what can I say.

This book delivered on its premise in the area where so many of them just bait & switch the reader. It's a short & sweet, bingeable fantasy romance with "black cat x golden retriever" energy (she's grumpy, he's sunshine).

We know immediately Saskia is not so wicked when the blurb states "she only wants one thing: to keep her people safe from the empire next door". She's a good person with a bad reputation and a dilemma: try to amend it, or harness it for intimidation purposes. She's introverted and has a baggage from the past, therefore suffers no fools. But she's hardworking, caring and very likeable.

Her companions, the ogre Morlokk, the troll Mrs. Haglitz, the goblin Krakk and the crow Oscar create a colourful entourage with often comedic effects.

Felix / Fabian is a political pawn held hostage in his own castle and when he realizes he'd likely be assassinated soon, he runs to the only place his tormentors can't reach - Saskia's magically walled kingdom. Then he gets hired by Saskia by mistake because she jumps to a conclusion (which is lampshaded later as "divine intervention to get them together"). Romance ensues.

It's a fairly slice of life / court intrigue fantasy of manners. I've seen it called cozy, but I'm not sure how cozy it is when both protagonists have tragic backstories and deal with grief and low self-esteem. I've also seen it called "gaslamp" which usually lies adjacent to cozy and Regency / Victorian style fantasy. Balls, ceremonies, social gatherings, gossip and romantic interactions fill the pages.

I enjoyed the romance development especially seeing Saskia take a more active role of a pursuer and initiator while F. was more restrained himself. I rarely see MF romantasy allow the fmc to lead the development of the relationship instead of just agreeing to the mmc's advances. I love to see a sexually confident woman depicted in a MF relationship. There was a lot of consent checking, which is a good thing, and the spice was mild open door.

I also liked how Saskia grew confidence in other aspects of her life thanks to F. and started giving pushback to people who tried to belittle or manipulate her.

What I didn't like was the typical for cozy and romance stories a clear division between "villains" and "good side characters". Villains are always cartoonishly evil and get the punishment they deserve, but the "good side characters" rarely even get a slap on the wrist even if they go way out of line (and most likely will be reused as protagonists in book 2 and 3 of the series...).

Except cultivating a repository of side characters to elevate them to leads of the sequels, I feel it also puts gloves on the hands of the current protagonists - they only retaliate against people who are grotesquely evil, and they forgive easily everyone else. That keeps the protagonists in the "morally white and 200% likeable territory".

I personally felt specific side characters should not have gotten Scott free with all the disrespect they thrown against Saskia and all the slimy gaslighty tactics they used against her. "Oops sorry, my mistake" isn't enough imo.

The writing style was charming and full of situational humour, and I enjoyed following Saskia's character arc to be less of a self-sacrificing workaholic, and F.'s character arc of finding his own worth, power and confidence while remaining extremely respectful, supportive and kind.

Overall the story is short and mostly character-focused, so we don't learn a lot about the magic or the world at large except "these kingdoms exist", but I feel in a standalone fantasy romance worldbuilding is expected to take a back seat.

Recommended for fans of fantasy of manners with romance focus a la Olivia Atwater's Regency Faerie Tales, but with a bit extra spice, and readers of MF romantasy with queer protagonists (Saskia is bisexual, at least 2 side characters are queer too). If you, like me, love stories where fmc is more powerful / take-charge than the mmc and it's never taken away from her, this is a must read.

TW: physical child abuse, death of loved ones (both in backstories, non-graphic)

Thank you Netgalley, Pan Macmillan & Tor Bramble UK for the ARC!

3 stars - Cosy fantasy romance.

Duke Fabian / Felix escapes his bully of a father in law into the neighbouring enemy territory ruled by Witch Queen Saskia. Due to a miscommunication mix up Felix begins to work as Saskia's librarian under the guise of a dark wizard unbeknown to Sakia he is the "enemy" duke herself and the neighbouring two witch queens have been searching for.

I would say this book is more of a cosy romance set within a fantasy setting. I enjoyed how the roles were reversed compared to other books - the damsel was Felix with Saskia coming to his rescue. I also liked the scenes within the library and with the crow that took a liking to Felix.

I was expecting more fantasy from the blurb and I felt the world was underdeveloped as the story concentrated on the romance. If your looking for a easy romance read then this book is for you. Would recommend for those who enjoyed Can't spell treason without tea.