3.5 ⭐️’s. This is cozy fantasy all the way! Strong empowering FMC and a sweet nerdy cinnamon roll MMC. The writing style is sharp and witty, the story itself moves pretty quickly (short book 300ish pages), and the banter with the characters is really funny and sweet. I found the MMC so endearing and the FMC was so no-nonsense I loved her. If you love cozy fantasy this book is for you. Thank you to NetGalley for my eARC.

Wooing the Witch Queen

What a FUN adventure! I absolutely adored this light-hearted fantasy romance. The whimsical and low level of seriousness reminded me of Assistant to the Villian.

Felix is on the run from his controlling father in law who seeks to have him killed and take his seat of power. He escapes to the witch queen's castle to beg for her support. Unfortunately, Queen Saskia mistakes him for an evil wizard who answered her call to help assassinate him. Felix accepts the position as evil wizard here to organize her chaotic library despite not being a wizard or a librarian. The ensuing adventures find Saskia and Felix unable to deny their chemistry and feelings as they try to navigate the politics of the emperor trying to seize lands and Saskia's uncle trying to dethrone her as an unstable wicked witch queen.

The audio was absolutely CHARMING! The narrator was fabulous and I adored all the characters. Highly recommend a listen!

Check this one out if you're looking for:
Unserious, charming romantasy
Vibes like Assistant to the Villian
An alliance of Queens of Villiany
Fun, whimsical fantasy adventures

Thank you to Macmillian Audio and Bramble for the ARC/ALC. My opinions are my own. Wooing the Witch Queen is on shelves February 18, 2025!

I loved this book. It has a grumpy witch queen who just wants to be left alone to do her magic experiments. It has a sweet poet, who is actually an escaped Archduke masquerading as a dark wizard/librarian. There are crow friends, wicked queen friends, and not human people friends. This layer cake of a book has kindness in every slice. Just because someone is a wicked queen with a bone crown and flaming skulls lighting the path to her castle doesn’t mean she isn’t also bisexual disaster marshmallow who is extremely protective of her friends, her staff, and the people of her kingdom.

Felix, the young Archduke of Estarion has decided that he doesn’t want to be murdered, and the only person he knows stronger than his chief minister is the Witch of the East, Queen Saskia. Saskia has recently deposed her uncle, who murdered her parents and took the Kitvarian throne for himself. Felix flees to Saskia’s castle where he intends to throw himself on her mercy, but instead is mistaken for a dark wizard named Fabian, and hired to organize the Queen’s library. The only thing Felix was allowed to do under the First Minister (also his regent while he was a child and his father in law while his much loved wife was alive) was study poetry. His knowledge of poetry is useful several times during the book. (Get that Liberal Arts degree!) While Saskia is working to keep her kingdom safe, she folds “Fabian” into her family. He is adopted by one of the members of her crow flock and accepted by her inner circle.

The world Saskia and Felix live in is not a kind one. Saskia has been demonized for her magic, non humans are persecuted, Felix was beaten and kept isolated while cruelties were carried out in his name. But Saskia’s castle, with its terrifying ornaments, is a place of kindness and caretaking. I had to stop reading a few times, overwhelmed by my wish for a softer, gentler world. I loved it. I loved the ending and I can’t wait to pick up the next wicked queen’s story.

I received this as an advance reader copy from Tor Publishing/Bramble and NetGalley. My opinions are my own, freely and honestly given.

firstly, thank you to the publisher for an arc and an alc!

this was a fun and quick, low stakes cozy romantasy, emphasis moreso on the fantasy and political intrigue rather than the romance, which i’m not mad about! i mean, who doesn't love a dark librarian as the love interest (;
i always find that i enjoy when a romantasy is more fantasy than smut, and this was rather tame.

the narrator did a fantastic job!

i’m excited for the next book in this cozy romantasy series!

You won’t be able to put down this cozy Romantasy! Gosh the perfect blend of slowburn and found family!

Tons of fun and highly bingeable. My goodness, how I love fantasy standalones! (And technically, this is even better—the first in a series of interconnected standalones.)

Both main characters felt fully realized and compelling. The dual POV added depth to the mistaken/hidden-identity trope, making the story even more immersive. Felix brought a quiet gentleness that balanced the narrative beautifully—he was the perfect lens through which to discover this world. Saskia, on the other hand, was fiercely intelligent, protective, and kind. Together—especially in that final reveal, when they discover they rule neighboring states and can unite in a powerful alliance—they become the ultimate power couple. The story is also packed with a fantastic supporting cast at Saskia’s castle, including some overbearing goblins and a delightfully mischievous crow familiar.

What I loved most about this book is how it challenges conventional ideas of strength. Is true power found in cold, unyielding dominance? Or in resilience, kindness, and the courage to stand up for what’s right? It also raises sharp questions about the labels society imposes—who decides who is a “wicked witch” or a “queen of villainy”? Saskia never earned those titles, yet they were forced upon her.

In the end, this book is as thoughtful as it is entertaining. With its engaging characters, smart themes, and a romance worth rooting for, it’s a must-read for fantasy lovers—especially those who adore a standalone with serious romantic substance.

Black cat queen meets golden retriever archduke…sign me up. I really really liked this one, it was a cozy romantasy read. The witch queen is a misunderstood queen but is actually the morally grey character in this story. I like how she is hardworking, prefers to be in her lab than do politics and balls. Her background story is quite interesting too, she favors all magical creatures in a world where the enemy empire does not tolerate them. She is daring and smart, definitely a great character.

Then we have the archduke, who has suffered his whole life by those closest to him. He seeks refuge from the witch queen but she mistakes him for a sorcerer…which is a good thing because the witch queen hates the archduke. The character development of Felix was grand, we see him battered at the start but at the end he is a completely different person and all thanks to the witch queen at his side. Their love story is cute and overcomes so many obstacles, they’re opposites that compliment each other. I like how this book series is going, I’m definitely going to recommend to people by saying ‘read for the romance, stay for the big plot’ now I will wait for book 2!

A runaway duke seeks shelter in the house of a wicked sorceress under the guise of being her new library... but he's finding that the only spell she's doing is enchanting him because he can't help falling in love with her... but if his real identity gets out will she still love the person who is said to be the one warring with her own kingdom? Felix is the Imperial Archduke... or rather he's simply the figure head and has been held prisoner by his uncle who has been abusing him both physically and verbally for years. Felix yearns for escape, especially since his wife had died and he can see no other reason to stay and with an uncle who plans to kill him... he decides to run away to the one person his uncle would never suspect him of asking help from, one of the Queens of Villaney, the wicked Sorceress Queen Saskia. Queen Saskia is known for her wickedness, her crows and bats, and her crown of bones. Saskia in truth is only keeping up a facade, she actually is only focused on keeping her people safe from her uncle who murdered her parents, and working on her spells and work. Saskia doesn't care for much but just working and making sure her loved ones are safe, but she's constantly getting dark wizards showing up at her door demanding to challenge her and a scheming uncle hellbent on assassinating her. When Felix shows up in disguise at her door she assumes he is just another dark wizard looking to challenge her but when he says he isn't but is asking shelter, he doesn't even get the chance to explain exactly who he is before Saskia appoints him as her new librarian and tasks him with organizing her library. Felix just goes with it and says his name is "Fabien" and begins his new life with Saskia, and he begins to realize just what her true self is and begins falling for her... too bad he knows the moment she finds out who he is she'd probably try and get rid of him. The more time they spend together the closer they become... but the guiltier Felix begins to feel about hiding the truth. Can Saskia still love him when she finds out who he is and can they both stop their families from trying to kill them and start a war? This was such an enchanting and sweet cozy romance. Felix and Saskia were an adorable couple and I loved the buildup of their relationship. I adore a "vicious gf x soft bf" vibe and they were so perfect. This is the first book in a series and I am so excited to read the next book. All the characters were so much fun to get to know and I adored the romance so much. Stephanie writes so well and this was just such a cute read. I would absolutely recommend this for anyone looking for a cozy fantasy romance!!

Release Date: February 18, 2025

Publication/Blog: Ash and Books (ash-and-books.tumblr.com)

*Thanks Netgalley and Tor Publishing Group | Bramble for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

3.5 stars rounded up!

I had a fun time with this and will absolutely be reading the next book in the series since I’m curious where the story will go/can’t wait to see what shenanigans the Fae queen gets into, but this book was a bit hard to follow with all the characters. I wanted more world building/depth of setting, and a bit more backstory for the found family and even the main characters. But, like I said, this was fun! I liked the romance a lot and there’s a twist towards the end I never saw coming! I really enjoyed the found family and hope we see more of that in the next book.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC!

Wooing the Witch Queen is a fun cozy romantic fantasy perfect for fans of Assistant to the Villain.

Queen Saskia is the wicked sorceress trying to run an evil kingdom. Felix is an Archduke trying to leave an even more evil kingdom in disguise. What could possibly happen besides a magical twisted love story?

Thank you to Tor Publishing Group, Bramble and NetGalley for an advanced electronic copy in exchange for an honest review. Wooing the Witch Queen comes out on February 18th.

Wooing the Witch Queen is my first Burgis novel. I didn’t know what to expect, and I had fun with it! This book would be great for romantasy readers who like romance more than fantasy.

There is not a lot of world-building in this one book. I didn’t expect it since it’s more of a romance. Although there are a lot of different magical creatures and elements, I could have used a little more information. Regardless, it didn’t hinder my experience too much! As I said before, it was about the romance and not the fantasy world. The fact that most of this happens in a library is pretty awesome! I enjoyed how the romance was sweet and slow. They didn’t rush into anything and took time to get to know each other. All to say that it’s not an insta-love situation.

I noticed that this was a series, and we met the women that I think will be the future leads. I’m not sure how I feel about it because some of them didn’t leave the best impression in this book!! On the other hand, there are several supporting characters that I liked! The creatures were also a great addition to the book!

I flew through this book! The author did a great job keeping the pace constant without making me feel rushed. Of course, there are many things that were predictable, but it didn’t bug me too much. It seems there is a lot of that with romances these days.

Overall, I enjoyed my time with these characters. I thought it was the perfect palate cleanser between heavier reads. I can’t wait to see what happens in the next book!

Thank you, Bramble, Tor, and Netgalley, for providing an e-arc! All thoughts and opinions are my own!

Love can be a witch and I, for one, am here for it.

This book is the perfect mix of romantic tension, magical hijinks, and charmingly devious characters. Our Witch Queen heroine is every bit as powerful, stubborn, and irresistible as you’d hope, while the love interest? Oh, he’s a disaster in the best way possible. If you love court intrigue, spellbinding romance, and a touch of playful banter, this book will have you swooning.

✔ Enemies-to-lovers with actual witchy stakes
✔ A swoon-worthy slow burn (that still delivers on the sizzle)
✔ Library, potions, and a little mischief—because what’s a witchy romance without them?

Final verdict: If you’re a fan of cozy-yet-spicy fantasy romance (think T. Kingfisher meets Olivia Atwater), Wooing the Witch Queen is 100% worth your time.

Wooing the Witch Queen is a fun and cozy fantasy romance.

Felix is the widowed Archduke of Estarion, who fled his vicious and controlling uncle. Seeking an ally against his uncle, he travels to the Witch Queen of Kitvaria. But a misunderstanding between Felix and Queen Saskia leads to misadventures, including hidden identities, found family, and romance.

This was such an enjoyable read. The writing was amusing and easy to fall into. The world building was perfect for the book - broad enough to enough to lead to cuter books in the series, but not overly elaborate or dense. The book had lots of cozy fantasy vibes, but we also explore some darker subjects as well such as violence and trauma from past abuses. There’s also a bit of swapping the traditional, gender roles we tend to see in romantic fantasy. Queen Saskia is deeply protective of Felix, and Felix is the one who is in a vulnerable position. The found family element is also really great in this book. I’m definitely looking forward to seeing more in this series.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Tor Bramble for this enjoyable book! All opinions are my own.

Wooing the Witch Queen is the first novel in the “Queens of Villainy” series. Thanks to Netgalley for an opportunity to listen to the audiobook narrated by Amanda Leigh Cobb. It’s a fun Fantasy about an Archduke, disguised as a Dark Wizard Librarian, who falls head over heels for the Witch Queen. Quick read and sure to please readers of Romance/Fantasy.

Here is a copy of my Goodreads review 🙂


This was utterly ravishing.

Firstly, my thanks to the publisher for allowing me early access to the arc and a bonus thank you to Libro for the delicious audiobook. Wooing the Witch Queen wasn’t on my radar until Owlcrate selected it as a monthly pick and I’m so glad they did. This is exactly what I want from my book boxes! Something not on my radar but absolutely perfect.

This is a delightful cozy fantasy romance with very little spice (1.5/5). The mutual pining/he falls first was exactly what I needed to perk myself up during this less than fun winter.

Saskia is fierce, loyal, loving, and still traumatized by the loss of her parents while trying to run a kingdom with her rather grating ex-girlfriend.

And Felix? Oh my that man has been through the ringer! He’s faced a lot of physical and emotional abuse from someone who should have loved him, while also dealing with the loss of his wife and best friend.

It’s heartbreaking how much these two have lost and gone through and yet they keep coming together. The supporting cast is absolutely fantastic, if a little bonkers (yes, I am looking at you Lorelei).

If you’re looking for something similar to Assistant to the Villain or You Can’t Spell Treason Without Tea then this is perfect for you.

Queen Saskia is a wicked sorceress rumored to be an absolute monster. However it seems that was just a vicious rumor spread by her murderous uncle. Now that she has removed him from what was her parents throne she has been successful ruling with a household staff that has become her found family. While in search for a dark wizard to man her library she employed Fabian a wizard who might have more power than he thinks and who might be the answer to the spell of finding she has been searching for. To locate the imperial archduke who is approaching her borders and set to take over her land.

A very solid and enjoyable read! I really loved all of the characters and the general cozy feel of the book. I love anything involving a castle library and this delivered! The ravens were a nice touch as well. It was a mix of witchy dark and cozy happiness that worked well for my tastes. I will say that the ending all tied up a little too well…it made it feel more simplistic of a story when it had potential to go deeper.

4.75

Saskia, an evil witch queen, hires a shy, cinnamon roll librarian who is secretly a dark wizard. As their relationship develops, secrets and tensions rise, all while a cozy, low-stakes plot unfolds.


Tropes to expect:

Bi4bi

Cinnamon roll

Companion / familiar crow

Female friendship

Evil witch queen

Found family

Secret identity

Touch him and die


I loved how the romance between Saskia and her librarian built up slowly, with lots of sweet tension. The found family element was one of my favorite parts, especially the way Saskias staff truly cared for her. The story wasnt heavy on high drama, but it was the perfect mix of magic, mystery, and heart. The ending left me eager for the next book, and I'm definitely looking forward to it!

I thought this was such a fun romantasy to read! It was filled with witty banter, forbidden love and magic! This was a strong start for a series, and I can’t wait to read the next book!

Thank you Net Galley

"𝒾𝒻 𝑜𝓃𝓁𝓎 𝒮𝒶𝓈𝓀𝒾𝒶 𝒸𝑜𝓊𝓁𝒹 𝓉𝓊𝓇𝓃 𝑒𝓋𝑒𝓇𝓎 𝒾𝓇𝓇𝒾𝓉𝒶𝓉𝒾𝑜𝓃 𝒾𝓃𝓉𝑜 𝒶 𝓂𝑜𝓊𝓈𝑒, 𝓁𝒾𝒻𝑒 𝓌𝑜𝓊𝓁𝒹 𝒷𝑒 𝓈𝑜 𝓂𝓊𝒸𝒽 𝑒𝒶𝓈𝒾𝑒𝓇"

The above is exactly how I felt anytime anyone would interrupt me as I was reading this because it was such a cute and wholesome fantasy read. I enjoyed the much-needed escape from the world, and I devoured this in basically one sitting.
The characters are lovable and the development we see along the way was relatable and inspiring. There were so many powerful messages throughout such as inclusion of all, being yourself, and the power of women. The staff in the castle, the mysteries of the library, and the crows really made this such a fun and heartwarming read where many lessons could be applied to how we live today.

𝒷𝓊𝓉 𝓁𝑒𝓉𝓈, 𝒸𝓊𝓉 𝓉𝑜 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝒷𝑜𝓃𝑒, 𝓈𝒽𝒶𝓁𝓁 𝓌𝑒? I am very excited to see where the rest of this series goes because I am hooked.