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.

"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.

Queen Saskia is the wicked sorceress everyone fears. After successfully wrestling the throne from her evil uncle, she only wants one thing: to keep her people safe from the empire next door. For that, she needs to spend more time in her laboratory experimenting with her spells. She definitely doesn't have time to bring order to her chaotic library of magic.

When a mysterious dark wizard arrives at her castle, Saskia hires him as her new librarian on the spot. "Fabian" is sweet and a little nerdy, and his requests seem a little strange - what in the name of Divine Elva is a fountain pen? - but he's getting the job done. And if he writes her flirtatious poetry and his innocent touch makes her skin singe, well...

Little does Saskia know that the "wizard" she's falling for is actually an Imperial archduke in disguise, with no magical training whatsoever. On the run, with perilous secrets on his trail and a fast growing yearning for the wicked sorceress, he's in danger from her enemies and her newfound allies, too. When his identity is finally revealed, will their love save or doom each other?"

I adore the worlds that Stephanie Burgis creates, and come on, a sexy librarian love interest? Oh yes. I can't wait to add this to my bookshelf.

I'm going to preface this by saying I hate the vast majority of cozy fantasy and a great deal of the romantasy that's been dominating the market in the last couple of years--not that I don't understand the cultural forces at play in recent genre trends, because of course I do, I just find most of it much too twee and plagued by even worse worldbuilding than a lot of the books churned out to meet the post-GoT demand for high and epic fantasy a few years back--but there are exceptions and Stephanie Burgis is one of them. It helps that she's always written light romantic fantasy and has always had a great voice for it, going all the way back to her Jane Austenesque-with-magic 2010s middle grade/YA roots, but her experience and talent for this type of book pays off here as she shows a deft hand mixing fantasy, romance, and comedy, along with satisfying meta-commentary on various genre tropes. If only all cozy romantasy could be this well-done! But I'll content myself by recommending this one to my fellow haters who wish more of them could be like this, and will eagerly await the next book in this trilogy.

When I requested this one, I expected a fairly straight forward fantasy romance story. If I was lucky, I was hoping the humor would click and this would nail down the “fantasy romcom” vibes that it was giving off. Not only did those things turn out well, but the book actually explored some really interesting ideas regarding gender roles and romance.

As that’s the most interesting commentary I have to offer on this book, let’s jump straight into it. It wasn’t until about a third or maybe even halfway in that I really began to hone in on the approach the author was taking in her depiction of these characters and the roles they played with regards to one another. It was incredibly subtle, but as I read, more and more I became aware of the fact that Saskia, in particular, was being presented through the lens that we are more accustomed to seeing the romantic hero through.

When thinking of Fabian, she (rightly) sees her self as the more powerful of the pair, thus often focusing on the protective feelings she has towards him. And, similar to the romance heroes we all know and love, she would often internally and out loud make threats to any who would attempt to harm him. Even down to smaller concerns with regards to his feelings and the way others treat him, she very much takes on the role of guardian. Further, when thinking of Fabian, while appreciating all aspects of him, she regards his physical form with the same sort of interest and regard that we expect to see from the male POV more often than not. For his part, Fabian plays a much “softer” role, often focused on caregiver roles, like ensuring that Saskia eats when she gets caught up in her magical work.

Interesting, this role reversal carried over into the spicy scenes as well, with Saskia taking on the more more “dominant” (though I’m not sure that’s quite the right word) role. I won’t go into details of how this all presents, but it’s the kind of thing that you’ll definitely notice if you’ve been catching these gender role swaps throughout the book earlier.

This was such an interesting take on a romantic pairing and really made me think about the sort of actions, behaviors, and even thoughts that I typically think of as “male” in romance novels. Nothing Saskia or Fabian say or do has anything to do with their sex, but it’s also clear that, as a reader, I’m used to seeing certain behaviors from only really the men and others from only really the women. Again, the biggest props of all goes to the subtly with which the author explores these themes. It’s entirely possible to read this book as a fun, romantasy romp and thinking nothing of any of these topics because the story is fun and the characters still read as completely natural and fully fleshed out.

As for the rest of the story, the other big pro that stood out was the humor. I really enjoyed the balance of the comedy with the love story and action portions. It was sprinkled into the story at just the right moments, and I feel like the tone of the comedy worked perfectly with the sort of twisted fairytale we were getting.

Some of the larger plot points were perhaps a bit predictable and derivative, but as the story doesn’t set out to be an overly complex fantasy world, I was happy with what we got. I was also interested in the two other “evil” queens we met. There were moments in this book where I found both to read a bit like caricatures (easy enough to happen with side characters who get very little ultimate page time), but there were also hints to more complexity to be found there once we get to their individual stories. We even get a mini look at what’s to come in the next book at the very end of this one, and I’m definitely looking forward to checking that one out!

Overall, if you’re looking for a fun romantasy read that hits your “Wicked”-deprived heart, this is definitely one to check out!

Rating 8: If you’re having withdrawals from “Wicked,” have I got the book for you! Swoon-worthy and laugh-out-loud funny, this book is a perfect fit for romantasy readers looking for a great twisted fairytale!

Link will go live on Feb. 19 on The Library Ladies.

As always, thanks to Bramble for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC!
This was a fantastic cozy romantasy with a sprinkle of political intrigue! The troll housekeeper was my absolute favorite character, very much like Mrs. Potts from Beauty and the Beast. If you want to step into a fantasy world but don't want to start with an action packed story with confusing terms and tongue twisting names, this is the perfect stepping stone into this genre. You get wicked witches, trolls, crows, magic and a happily ever after!

Felix is a sweet boy that must be protected at all cost (and Saskia is more than willing to do so). Get yourself a kind librarian guy to put your life back together ♡

Release Date: Feb. 18 2025
Rating: 4/5 ⭐️
Spice: minimal :(

This is delightfully lighthearted and in the same vein as Assistant to the Villain. Villain that is actually a good person and severely over-protective of their friends/family? Check. "Good guy" empire/kindgom that is actually perhaps super evil? Check. Loveable side characters that I couldn't get enough of? Check check check.

There wasn't anything super shocking in this story, but I don't think it needed a wild reveal to be a good time. Both Felix and Saskia get to have a safe space to be themselves with teasing, interrupted kisses, and maybe a little bit of poison.

The familial vibes at Kadaric Castle are very highly rated for me. I love a good side character that takes everything as an insult and is ready to throw hands over it. Oh you don't want to stop working to eat? WHY? You think our food isn't good enough for you??

I am hoping for more unhinged Lorlei in the sequel with the golden boy of the empire. (And maybe more spice, but that's just me).

Thanks to NetGalley & Bramble / Tor Publishing for providing an eARC of Wooing the Witch Queen!

Thank you Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for the e-copy in exchange for an honest review. I will preface this by saying that I wasn't expecting cute and cozy and was thinking it was more of a romantasy with spicy. There is a little open door simply described scene but not much besides that. I think If I had expected the cozy and wasn't expecting more, I might have liked it better.

This is a cute cozy little romance, Witch Queen just wants to work, Librarian wants to fix the library, they fall in love, secrets here and there. Super cute, medieval fantasy vibes. Was it my favorite no. Was it worth a read yes. Especially if you like cute/cozy. I love the LGBTQIA+ Representation in this! Another reviewer put it quite aptly: "This is very much golden retriever boyfriend and prickly bi-girlfriend energy." - Beautifully Bookish Bethany and it was a nice read. If you are in the mood for that type of read this is for you!

4 stars

An extremely cute romantasy about two people recovering from abusive caretakers, both of whom are widely misunderstood by a misled world, who come together in highly humorous circumstances.

The very beginning felt a little clunky, as Stephanie Burgis attempted to both introduce us to the fantasy world she has created and establish her characters as fully-fleshed misfits within it. My first introduction to our ‘witch queen’ Saskia did not impress me, as she seemed flighty and inept, but over the course of the book I grew to really like her; I just wish the first chapter from her PoV had been given a little more time in editing so I could have understood her better. Felix, the novel’s hero, is a polite, bookish feminist and I absolutely adore him. He is the embodiment of “stand by your woman” and makes a wonderful male lead.

Special mention must go to the side characters, magical non-humans who are discriminated against in this world yet to whom Saskia has granted equal citizenship status in her queendom. Her nonhuman castle staff are fantastic and I loved having them onscreen.

While this is much more romance-heavy than fantasy plot heavy, I do look forward to returning to this world for the promised future books featuring fae and ice queens, which I will 100% be reading. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys cozy romantasy, pure whimsy, and powerful women.

This was one of my most anticipated reads of the year and it definitely delivered!! I am a sucker for stories with a strong female lead and the author outdid herself with our main character. She is a person who stands her ground and is smart when it comes to getting what she wants. Also, the romantic tension between the two characters was beautifully written! I love a wonderful fantasy world with a dash of romance and this book pulled through on all those fronts. If you are a romantasy lover, then this is a book to really keep an eye out for.

Wooing the Witch Queen was an absolute delight to read. It’s a gaslamp fantasy that may now be one of my new favorite things. I really enjoyed the humorous and cozy undertones to this story as well as the black cat/golden retriever energy between the FMC and MMC. Speaking of the MMC, Felix is easy to adore with his fountain pen obsession and gentle nature. I also enjoyed how layered the FMC was with being the ‘evil sorceress’ on the surface until you get to know her more. I also felt the romance was believable and developed organically between the two. Found family is one of my favorite tropes, and it was used so well in this book. I also felt it was fairly faced paced making it easy to stay focused and enjoy the plot. The audiobook narration was incredible. Amanda Leigh Cobb excelled in this role and brought all the vibes and energy needed to make this an hit to listen to. I had no issues paying attention and loved every minute of the audio. I can’t wait to see where the series goes next.

This is a delightful gas lamp romantasy! The writing is fantastic (reminded me of Spellshop) with dry humor, crow companions, and a library full of magic. Saskia is a “wicked queen” looking for a dark wizard to sort out her library. Felix is looking for sanctuary and is unexpectedly mistaken for a dark wizard. Hilarity ensues.

This book is very character driven so if you’re looking for more than a basic plot, this might not be for you. There are a few good twists, but the focus is mostly the characters and romance. It was cute and cozy. The writing style is more… adult? Hard to read? I’m not sure what word I’m searching for to describe it. It’s not “easy” writing, more classical with longer sentences. I’m not saying it’s bad (because it’s not- that I swallowed this book is two days should be proof); however, this style will certainly not be for everyone.

The blurbs and cover are a tiny bit misleading, especially the part about the magical library. The library is full of magical books. There are no flying or sentient objects. I was disappointed to find that magical library simply meant a library full of books on magic.

Thank you Bramble/TOR for the gifted arc!!

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley and am voluntarily posting a review. All opinions are my own.
I’ve read Stephanie Burgis in the past, and while that book didn’t wow me, I remained open to trying again. And I ended up really enjoying Wooing the Witch Queen, especially as it has a lot of elements I personally really enjoy.
The setting is a tad vague, and hard to place, but I think that also works in its favor, especially with some of the quirkier elements. It’s somewhat tied to a similar pseudo-medieval type world that is common for Western fantasy, but Burgis also infuses her own spin on it. I particularly liked the way she included things like fountain-pens.
The two leads absolutely shine here. Saskia is so fun, and delivered the rakish wicked queen vibes. While her fearsome reputation is exaggerated to an extent by propaganda (feeling somewhat reminiscent of Wicked), she embraces this reputation, only exposing her truly good heart to those close to her. Felix/Fabian is a charming cinnamon roll, whose sweetness is the perfect complement for Saskia’s more prickly, fiery nature. I loved the dynamic between them, with their initial attraction building slowly through trust and really bringing out the best in each other.
With the romance being a slow-ish (medium?) burn, that did impact the pacing a tad. And this also at times fell into the pitfalls of the cozy fantasy of feeling a little too low-stakes. However, between the charm of the central couple and the promise of the supporting characters, the other Queens of Villainy, I had a lot of fun.
This is a charming read, and I’d recommend it to readers who enjoy cozy fantasy romance with prickly FMCs and sweet MMCs.

This book took forever to start getting good. There were a lot of gaps in the worldbuilding, which would have been fine if the romance were enough to keep me invested, since this is, after all, romance. But there was practically no romance until 40% of the way into the book. After that, it had a compelling plot and love story. But it took almost half the book to get there.

WOOING THE WITCH QUEEN was a cute and cozy fantasy romance that was a light read and one that held my attention. I think it’s perfect for those that love character growth, less spice driven romance, powerful female queens, and a cinnamon roll MMC.

I honestly thought this book’s strength was the cozy aspect of the narrative itself intermixed with the character development it had. Both were done well and were the focus of the book. The character’s and their changes came from learning to be themselves and accept themselves for who they are. It was incredibly wholesome and believable and a highlight of the novel.

The only thing I wish it had more of was the romance aspect. While I loved the character development, the romance felt a little rushed and the two characters just seemed to fall in love without really showing me as a reader. If this aspect of the book was more fleshed out, I would’ve loved it even more. This aspect might not be for everyone, but I just felt that, as an important part of the story, the romance needed more time within the book.

Overall, I liked the book. The world was interesting, the character development was well done, and the whole vibe was perfect for those that love a more cozy fantasy novel. I think if these things appeal to you, you’ll like this book!

Thank you to Tor Books and NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

Thank you NetGalley and Bramble for the eARC! Saskia is known as the wicked sorceress queen. She is feared and known to do whatever it takes to win and protect her people. Though she would prefer to spend her time holed up in her laboratory, the demands of her duties keeps her busy, and she most certainly does not have time for her library of magic. When masked dark wizard "Fabian" arrives at the castle, Saskia hires him on the spot and sets him to the task of bringing order to the library. Unbeknownst to Saskia, the wizard she just hired is really Felix, an Imperial archduke, and enemy to her people. But Felix has been misused and treated as a pawn in a political scheme and has fled to Saskia's kingdom for peace and sanctuary. As he works at setting the library to rights, Felix can't help but find himself drawn to Saskia, and Saskia feels the same, but can the two find a way to be together when the truth stands in there way?

An adorable cozy romance between a queen and a librarian. I feel like this was written for me? Fabian is so cute and dedicated. I love how invested he is in both the library and Saskia. I love how he was obsessed with her and so respectful. The way Fabian handled everything that happened made me so squishy. Saskia was really going through it. I appreciate that both main characters had their own growth and journey. Saskia being the more assertive partner was lots of fun. I'm definitely going to be reading the next one and I just know it's going to be hilarious.
A delightful, cozy romantasy!

Warring nations, political intrigue and meddling deities. This novel has all the hallmarks of an epic fantasy condensed (in a not entirely successful manner) into a traditional romance length novel. I *was* however, pleasantly surprised by how well these staples of the genre contributed to a narrative in a much more intimate setting.

"Wooing the Witch Queen" is, overall, *cosy* fantasy. The premise could best be described as idiot-introverts-in-love, which, let's face it, is adorable.

Sequestered in her lonely, eerie castle Saskia, wicked Witch Queen of Kitvaria has a reputation to maintain. It's tricky keeping up the evil chicanery of her facade however, when she'd much rather be left alone to her magical experiments.

Enter the sweetly humble yet magnetic and courtly stranger who arrives at her castle, seemingly in answer to this universes equivalent to a want-ad. Like any self respecting woman with shit to do, Saskia hires him on the spot to take care of her library.

BUT he's hiding a dark secret! Will they overcome their respective childhood traumas/identity issues/introverted faffings-about enough to make their romance work?

Overall, this was *fun* read. It's a sweet little fantasy that is perfect for fans of "Assistant to Villain". It doesn’t take itself too seriously, and the stakes are just high enough to keep you invested without succumbing to melodrama.

I will say that it is a little slow through the middle, I would've liked a more natural and decisive progression of the plot, however, having said that, "Wooing the Witch Queen" is still a great choice for an afternoon snuggled into a chair and daydreaming of your own library (and a crow buddy to bring you buttons).

Thanks to Tor/Bramble, Netgalley and the Author for the opportunity to read this arc.

this book was interesting. good plot and the characters were cute. the ending was really good. I would recommended this book for sure.

Wooing the Witch Queen is another delightful installment in the cozy fantasy genre. The tone is perfectly irreverent and the characters are a lot of fun. All the hallmark elements of cozy fantasy are present here with found family, books and libraries, and relatively low stakes. Reading this book was like drinking a spiked cup of hot chocolate and I can’t wait to see the rest of the series.