I loved this book! Saskia and Felix are brilliant characters, very easy to love with amazing chemistry. The world building is great and I can't wait to see how this progresses. Three wicked witches to rule the world! What is not to love.

Thank you to NetGalley, Pan Macmillan and author Stephanie Burgis for this eARC

I Loved This!

Wooing the Witch was an absolute delight to read.
This to me is peak romantasy. The plot was well though out and well executed but where this book shines is it’s characters.
Saskia is strong-willed and protective of her people while trying to live up to everyones expectations of her as Queen.
And the we have Felix. Felix, who has my whole heart! He is so strong without realising it yet so, so gentle and geeks out over fountain pens and he just deserves the world.
I loved how their romance developed - it felt very real and organic. I also loved our side characters, especially Lorelai!
Just overall a great book, one of my favourite reads this year!

Thank you so much PanMacmillan, Tor Bramble and Netgalley for the arc of Wooing the Witch Queen (Queens of Villainy) by Stephanie Burgis in exchange for my honest and unbiased review. As you’ve probably guessed I’ve got a total soft spot for romantasy, and right now when my life is chaotically busy, caring for my recuperating husband, singlehandedly managing life, work, home & daughter, I am definitely in need of some light reading escape…in those few moments I grab before I fall asleep on whatever book I’m reading.

Wooing the Witch Queen reverses the grumpy/sunshine trope completely, swapping the grumpy hero for a totally soft, gentle, cinnamon role of a hero and a defensive, driven, caffeine fuelled, grumpy heroine, who terrifies absolutely everyone.

‘Queen of Villainy’ Saskia is a wicked sorceress, feared by all after she successfully ousted her evil uncle from the throne, driven by her objective to save her people from the neighbouring empire, she spends day and night experimenting with her spells to defend her country. Felix/Fabian is an Imperial Archduke with no magic, and desperate to escape his realm. He travels to Saskia’s kingdom in the hope that she will take him hostage but, finds himself employed as a magical sorcerer to organise the chaos of Saskia’s library, free to explore his love of poetry, stationery and books.

Thus begins the most delightful slow-burn romance between Saskia and Felix/Fabian, emerging from a search for the strange contraption called a fountain pen, to the comfortable silence of reading together, and sharing notes on book cataloguing and more. Felix/Fabian gradually lowers Saskia’s walls of defence through gentle consideration, thoughtfulness, care and simple acts of service, not overwhelming wooing and romance.
In parallel to the development of their relationship, Saskia is continuing to defend her country, definitely not sleep, and live up to the traditional expectations of a queen, including the terrible and awful demands to socialise and meet societal expectations! Particularly those of her demanding First Minister. Saskia is partially meeting those, finding allies with her neighbouring Queens of Villainy, who are also doing their damnedest to defend their realms from the empire…even if their idea of doing so involves regular catch ups over tea, a healthy dose of magic, sarcasm and most definitely inappropriate behaviour!

The dynamic of three strong women defending their realms in a very male dominated society of rule is particularly prevalent right now, and I absolutely adored the mutual support and guidance they provide to each other, even if at times that did exacerbate Saskia’s definitely need for caffeine, which could almost be considered her downfall!

Burgiss definitely delivers a cosy romantasy, that has a solid plot that provides a chance for the main and sub-characters to shine. Trust me, you will absolutely fall in love with a couple of the smaller members of Saskia’s cast, and there’s no question that her house staff are just amazing! This gentle romance doesn’t load all the spice but, it flows in a wonderful way that is so easy to read and fall in love with. The only downside for me is that I know how long I’m going to have to wait now for book 2, and that promises to be an absolute doozy!
4.5 stars!

I was pleasantly surprised how much I liked this book. It has a lot of things that I like in a story: strong characters, friendship and alliances. It is a character driven story, with dual point of view, which starts with a misunderstanding between the main characters. I wasn't sure how it would be resolved at the end. Everything was clarified with good communication without drawing it out through the chapters.
The interactions between Saskia and Felix are really fun to read. The only aspect that I wish there was more of is the interaction with the inhabitants of the castle.
Nevertheless, I can definitely recommend Wooing the Witch Queen to anyone who likes a good love story with magic and secrets.
You get a glimpse at the end what the second book might be about, so I'm looking forward to the sequel.

Thanks to Stephanie Burgis and NetGalley for the ARC.

“His life might not be at risk from Kitvari’s Witch Queen at this moment, but his heart was in grave danger of being lost to her forever.”

If you’re looking for a cozy romantasy with a witchy vibe, a touch of spice, and an enchanting world, Wooing the Witch Queen is a perfect pick. The world-building is beautifully done, the characters are well-crafted, and their personal growth adds depth to the story. While the plot isn’t overly complex, its simplicity makes it an easy and delightful read.

One of the standout aspects of this book is the male perspective as the primary point of view. Although the story alternates between the two protagonists, Fabian’s journey feels refreshingly unique. He’s a reluctant hero—running from his responsibilities and searching for himself—who finds refuge with the formidable Witch Queen.

The romance plays subtly in the background, weaving elements of hidden identities and an enemies-to-lovers dynamic. But what truly sets this book apart is its heroine. Queen Saskia is a strong, independent character—decisively not a damsel in distress. Her counterpart, Fabian, is a charmingly nerdy and endearing dark wizard still discovering his strength. Their dynamic is heartwarming, balancing her fierceness with his sweet and unassuming nature.

Some of my favorite quotes from the book:
- • “I protect what is mine, always.”
• “I’ve watched his gaze follow her and seen the depth of that yearning, the way his body leans towards her like his personal sun…”

Wooing the Witch Queen is a spellbinding mix of lighthearted romance and magical charm, perfect for readers who love a strong heroine and a sweet, unexpected hero.
Many thanks to NetGalley for the chance to read this ARC!

Wooing The Witch Queen by Stephanie Burgis was a delightful read! It is a very lighthearted romantasy that doesn't take itself too seriously.

I liked both Saskia and Felix as main characters, and I loved their interactions. Felix had such a kind and calm personality, and I totally understand why Saskia fell for him. Another great aspect of the book was the found family, with Morlokk and Mrs. Haglitz being great side characters.

Overall, I really enjoyed reading this book, and I can't wait for the next book in the series! The next book will be about a different couple, and I'm very curious to see how their story plays out.

I definitely recommend Wooing The Witch Queen for everyone who is looking for a lighthearted romantasy!

*Thanks to NetGalley and Tor Bramble for an eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Feared evil queen Queen Saskia has two problems. First, her new grasp on the throne is tenuous, with shaky alliances and a gathering enemy force at her border. All she wants is to find a magical solution in her lab, not throw parties for the elite who stood by as she suffered under her uncle's control. Second, she's hired a mysterious dark wizard, Fabian, as her new librarian, and she's falling for him. She doesn't even know that he's the 'enemy' Imperial archduke in disguise. Their growing romance unfolds against a backdrop of political intrigue, magical experiments, and genuine personal growth.

What I Loved:
Powerful female heroine and strong, gentle male hero
Great world-building featuring traditionally 'evil' creatures/species such as crows (my fav!), trolls, and magical politics
Found family vibes
Genuine character development
The perfect balance of cosy and spicy romance

What I didn't Love:
Nothing! This book is a perfect cosy fantasy, thank god it's the start of a series.

Common Tropes:
Hidden/Mistaken Identity
Royalty in disguise
Found family

This book is perfect for readers who enjoy fantasy romance with strong character development, unconventional gender dynamics, and the perfect blend of political intrigue and tender moments - with a little spice.

Thank you to Tor Bramble and NetGalley for providing a copy for me to review, all opinions are my own.

A strong female main character with unimaginable dark power and a golden retriever, poetry writing librarian who is unequivocally in love with her? Sold.

Saskia is an insanely powerful witch queen whose land is in peril and Felix is an Archduke on the run from his evil regent who is using his name to commit heinous acts. Felix is unknowingly brought into a web of lies when he is mistaken for the dark wizard who is sent to help Saskia in her library, but the sanctuary soon becomes so much more for Felix.

This book was a delight from the beginning, with rich world building, intriguing characters and magic system and steamy scenes that build naturally. I loved Saskia immediately (strong FMC are my weakness) and her back story was well developed. Similarly, Felix with his soft hearted nature had me in love from the start - I need a cute librarian in my life too.

I adore how this book is quite clearly the start of a series of books set in this immersive world and I cannot wait for book 2 in Fall 2025.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC!

I rated this book 5 stars because I loved the experience of reading this book! So well written and the characters are immaculate. The story is so good!

A captivating read from start to finish, full of action, adventure, mystery and romance. I enjoyed every second of this!!

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.

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!

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 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

Wooing the Witch Queen by Stephanie Burgis is the first in a trilogy of romantic fantasies, and I have to say it has one of the most satisfying endings I have read in quite some time.
Set in a world filled with magical creatures the book tells the story of Queen Saskia, the fearsome wicked queen who wrested the throne from the uncle who branded her a monster. Her reputation is hiding the truth, she is a woman who cares deeply for her kingdom and is very protective of those she loves. In her determination to protect her queendom from the ruthless Arch Duke Felix whose territories border her own she decides to hire a dark wizard to hep by bringing some order to the chaos that is her magical library. Little does she realise that Fabian, her new employee is in fact the Duke in disguise, completely without magical powers but desperate to escape the clutches of the abusive uncle who has been ruling in his name for years. Given that this is a romantasy I'm pretty sure you can guess what happens next.
I absolutely loved this book, it just made me smile so much while reading. It is full of heart and charm and happily ever afters, and I think the world could do with more of that right now.
The characters are just wonderful, I loved that the so called norms were subverted so that we have a sweet cinnamon roll male character who falls for a grumpy, clever and strong Queen, and I think the development of their relationship over the course of the book was just perfection - seeing Saskia slowly let down the walls she built up to protect herself and trust despite her misgivings was beautiful, as was seeing Felix find his strength and have the courage to face those who kept him down for so long. It was also great to see a book where the female main character was willing to pursue the man and take agency in the relationship, and I know that was driven in part by the secret that Felix was keeping which held him back, but it still felt very true to Saskia's nature that she would go after what she wanted.
The secondary characters do so much to bring the rich world that Burgis has created to life, from Morlokk, Saskia's major domo who happens to be an ogre, to kindly Mrs Haglitz, the troll house keeper, who sees much more than many would give her credit for. With its own deities and complex political alliances this feels like a fully fleshed out world of the author's imagination and I look forward to seeing more as further books in the series are released.
I have seen this book described as cosy, and while that is true to some degree, it never feels cloying or overly sweet, it is just that perfect slice of joy in book form.
I read an ARC courtesy of NetGalley and the publishers, all opinions are my own.

A fabulous tale where an Archduke, Felix, meets the witch queen Saskia, and finds that she is not the monster she is reputed to be. He comes to offer his self as a hostage and is mistaken for a dark wizard. He is hired as a member of staff. His growing attraction to the witch queen and her interest in him are documented very well. This author is brilliant at telling a good story and making the characters real. I loved the book and would recommend it highly.

I really enjoyed reading about Saskia, the evil witch Queen, and Fabian/Felix a secret royal refugee (Archduke of Estarion), whom Saskia employees to help her organise her magical library as she thinks he is a dark wizard now that she has less time for research since taking back the throne to her kingdom from her evil uncle. I loved the slow burn between the two and that Fabian can really see Saskia for who she is and not who she is pretending to be. I thought it was a really cosy romantasy, and I actually liked in some parts the slight predictability of the plot as I was cheering when things went the right way and it was nice to have a MMC who was confident enough within himself and his title to not be intimidated by the MFC strength and status, and could both see each others vulnerabilities and helped raise each other up rather than tear each other down. Really enjoyable, cosy read and I can't wait to read more.

*thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

*Wooing the Witch Queen" is an absolute delight—fun, charming, and thoroughly entertaining from start to finish! Stephanie Burgis masterfully weaves a story filled with wit, romance, and magic, making it impossible to put down. Felix is such a lovable, well-written character, and his journey from a reluctant librarian to a man determined to win the Witch Queen’s heart is both heartwarming and hilarious. Saskia, on the other hand, is a force of nature—powerful, intelligent, and refreshingly uninterested in playing by the rules. Their banter sparkles, their chemistry is electric, and their dynamic is just so much fun to watch unfold.

What I loved most was how effortlessly Burgis balanced humor with heartfelt moments. The magical setting is richly imagined, but it’s the characters who truly steal the show. The slow-burn romance had me grinning, and the twists kept me hooked. If you’re looking for a story that feels like a warm hug wrapped in adventure and mischief, this book is it. Highly recommend!

4.5/5 stars

Wooing the Witch Queen is the first book in the cozy romantasy series Queens of Villainy. Felix the Archduke of Estarion has been usurped by his father-in-law and flees to the only place that can oppose him—the castle belonging to the neighboring evil witch Queen Saskia. When Saskia mistakes him as the dark wizard she was expecting to be her new librarian, Felix assumes his identity and finds a home in this supposedly evil castle. Both find each other intriguing and unlike who they expected. Attraction turns to flirtation and more, but can it survive when the truth comes out?

This was such a charming and cute read that is delightfully cozy and lighthearted. I went in expecting a romantic comedy in a fantasy setting, and it gave me exactly what I wanted out of it. Outside of the initial miscommunication (that was necessary for the set-up but unsubtly unbelievable), I would not change anything else about this book.

I loved that this was told in dual POVs (always a plus in any romance). I absolutely adored Felix who is too innocent and cinnamon roll soft for his own good. I was just charmed instantly with his love of books, kindness, and vulnerability. I liked that Saskia was not really evil, but just claims the label for her own ends. Their romance was flirty and teased slowly before it dipped into some spice. I particularly enjoyed all the pining and the wooing. And I just love a found family, and the castle itself made for the perfect setting for one with heartily quirky supporting characters.

Wooing the Witch Queen is a romantasy that revels in its romcom-ness with cozy charm.

*Thank you to Pan Macmillan for the eARC via Netgalley

This book was an amazing surprise. I don’t think I expected to enjoy it as much as I did, and I definitely did. World building and the characters were good, but I really love the humor. I was quickly drawn in to the story and I never got bored. I enjoyed the will they, won’t they aspects of the main romance. They were very cute together, and complimented each other very well. I also love Felix so much and I would love to get my own Oscar. Saskia was a great MFC. It was fun watching her grow more confident in herself and her decisions will still remaining to true to who she was. . I’m very excited to see what the series goes. So if you’re looking for a cozy romantic, witchy read look no further. I will definitely be recommending this book to everyone.

4.5 ⭐️

I want to thank NetGalley and Pan Macmillan for the ARC

Wooing the Witch Queen is my first Stephanie Burgis novel but you can bet now that it won’t be my last. I absolutely ADORED this novel. The writing style fit the humour and the context of the story, it was so elegantly plotted and the character arcs were PERFECTION. I really loved the journey the characters went on and the message and emotion of the story.
Wooing the Witch Queen follows a perceived villainous queen and her newly hired librarian. Our queen, Saskia, is currently looking for the threatening archduke. What she doesn’t know is that Fabian, the gentle man she’s hired to sort out her long-neglected library, is actually that very Archduke Felix Estarion she hunts.
I love how Stephanie has turned things on their heads, how our expectations and perceptions of people are brought into question here. Our villainess Saskia is not simply a monstrous witch queen and the archduke Felix Estarion she hunts who threatens her lands is actually simply a figurehead for his in-laws to control (this is revealed in chapter 1!)
There were so many scenes in this novel that I absolutely loved. This includes the way Saskia and Felix flirt, get closer and the tension within those scenes. I won’t say anymore because I think they need to be experienced. But the romance had a really excellent arc and the tension and delight in each scene was perfection.
Having finished this book (and having eagerly read the excerpt from the standalone sequel), I am now READY to dig into Stephanie Burgis’s previously published books. I can’t wait to devour all her books!