Apprentice to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer Summary

Apprentice to the Villain is the second book in Hannah Nicole Maehrer's fantasy romance series following Evie, the sunshine assistant to a morally gray villain named Trystan. The story continues their slow-burn romance amid escalating threats, magical intrigue, and workplace chaos at the villain's lair. Filled with humor, dragons, found family dynamics, and action-packed plot twists, this romantasy blends office comedy with fantasy adventure as Evie navigates her feelings while uncovering dangerous secrets.

Hannah Nicole Maehrer, known as @hannahnicolemae on TikTok, is a fantasy romance author and BookToker who specializes in villain-centric stories. She grew up in Eastern Pennsylvania and graduated with a bachelor's degree in psychology from Pennsylvania State University. Maehrer developed the viral "Assistant to the Villain" TikTok series that became a published book series, transforming her childhood dreams of storytelling into a successful writing career focused on quirky fantasy romance narratives.

Apprentice to the Villain appeals to readers who enjoy romantasy with humor, slow-burn romance, and morally gray characters. Fans of villain protagonists, found family tropes, and fantasy office dynamics will appreciate this book. It's ideal for those who loved the first book in the series and want more Evie and Trystan content. Readers seeking lighthearted, fun escapism with dragons, magic, and workplace banter should add this to their reading list, though patience with miscommunication tropes is helpful.

Apprentice to the Villain offers an entertaining reading experience for fans of the first book, though reviews are mixed compared to Assistant to the Villain. Readers praise the humor, found family elements, dragons, and character chemistry, rating it around 4-4.5 stars. However, some criticize the pacing, multiple POVs, predictable plot twists, and frustrating miscommunication between characters. If you enjoyed the first book's quirky humor and can handle slow-burn romance with interrupted moments, it's worth reading while awaiting book three.

Evie and Trystan's relationship in Apprentice to the Villain continues as an excruciatingly slow-burn romance filled with interrupted intimate moments and denied feelings. Despite obvious mutual attraction, both characters refuse to acknowledge their emotions, creating frustration for readers. Trystan adopts a "I'm bad for her" mentality that leads to miscommunication and distancing. Their chemistry remains strong, but the romance progresses slower than expected, with many readers hoping for resolution in the third book releasing in August.

Common criticisms include pacing issues, with the plot feeling scattered and less structured than the first book. Many readers found the multiple POV additions unnecessary and preferred focusing on Evie and Trystan. The miscommunication trope and constantly interrupted intimate moments frustrated readers who found it redundant rather than clever. Predictable plot twists, randomly appearing characters, and too many reveals happening simultaneously made the story harder to follow compared to Assistant to the Villain's episodic, easier structure.

Most readers consider Assistant to the Villain superior to its sequel. The first book featured an episodic structure with clearer focus on Evie and Trystan's developing relationship, while Apprentice to the Villain introduces multiple POVs and more complex plotting that some found messy. Book one received consistent 5-star ratings, whereas book two averages 3.75-4.5 stars. However, Apprentice increases action, introduces dragons and expanded world-building, and deepens the found family dynamics, making it enjoyable despite structural differences.

Dragons feature prominently in Apprentice to the Villain and are highlighted by readers as a favorite element. They add magical depth and excitement to the story beyond what appeared in the first book. The dragons contribute to the action-packed sequences and expanded fantasy world-building. Multiple reviewers specifically mentioned loving the dragon content, suggesting they play significant roles in plot development and add another layer of adventure to Evie's journey with the villain and their crew.

The found family at the villain's lair becomes increasingly central in Apprentice to the Villain, with the crew banding together against bigger threats. Side characters develop budding relationships and deeper connections, creating heartwarming moments beyond the main romance. While some readers found certain character perspectives unnecessary, many appreciated how the team's bonds strengthened throughout the story. The workplace camaraderie, loyalty, and collective problem-solving showcase chosen family themes that add emotional depth to the humorous fantasy setting.

The third and final book in Hannah Nicole Maehrer's Assistant to the Villain series, titled Accomplice to the Villain, is scheduled for release in August 2026. Many readers expressed frustration about waiting a full year after Apprentice to the Villain's 2024 publication. The anticipation is high given the unresolved romantic tension between Evie and Trystan, ongoing plot threads, and cliffhanger elements that left readers eager for conclusion and hoping for satisfying resolution to the slow-burn romance.

Apprentice to the Villain blends romance and fantasy—hence romantasy—through its combination of magical world-building with central romantic plotlines. The story features fantasy elements like dragons, magical creatures, villain politics, and supernatural threats while maintaining focus on Evie and Trystan's developing relationship. The genre mashup appeals to readers seeking both adventure and emotional connection, though the romance progresses slowly. The workplace comedy aspect adds unique flavor, creating a romantasy that prioritizes humor and character dynamics over traditional epic fantasy stakes.

Apprentice to the Villain features quirky, lighthearted humor often compared to office comedy meets fantasy adventure. Hannah Nicole Maehrer's comedic style emphasizes character banter, absurd workplace situations in a villain's lair, and self-aware fantasy tropes. The humor balances action and romance, creating fun, silly moments that readers describe as addictive. Maehrer's background creating viral TikTok content influences the accessible, modern comedic tone. While some find predictability issues, most readers agree the humor remains the series' strongest asset, making even frustrating plot points entertaining.