I have to admit this is my first book by Stephanie Burgis. I had never heard of her previously but was excited by the premise of “Wooing the Witch Queen”. My excitement was heightened when OwlCrate announced this would be the adult book subscription pick. I was lucky enough to listen to an arc of it’s audiobook format. After finishing the audiobook I can’t wait to pick up a physical copy.

“Wooing the Witch Queen” is a heartwarming cosy Romantasy which radiates with magic and charm. Plus it’s full of some of my favorite tropes, “Who did this to you?!?”, found family, and enchanting animal familiars.

We have our MMC Felix, who is the Archduke of Estarion. Felix is currently fleeing his country after being tortured for years with the hopes of claiming asylum within our MFC Queen Saskia country. Saskia is known around the continent as the evil witch queen. Even knowing the stories, Felix feels that he has no other choice but to flee. When Felix enters the castle Saskia mistakes him for a dark wizard who has come to bring order to her magical library. Out of fear he takes on the fake identity and resides within the castle. However, The longer Felix resides within the castle the more he realises Saskia is not what the world has painted her to be.

I have to say I throughly enjoyed this book. I think my only complaint at least in its audiobook format is that it’s not duel narrated. I think if “Wooing the Witch Queen” had been duel narrated the story would have been even better. Even with that said I still enjoyed the narration by Amanda Leigh Cobb. She did a fantastic job playing every character. She brought character and enthusiasm to every character.

My only other small complaint was the pacing. I did find the beginning slightly slow. But that only lasted the first 7 chapters. After that it was smooth sailing and I was hooked.

Now for the things I loved. Immediately my brain goes to our characters. Specifically Felix & Saskia. Felix is seriously one of the best golden retriever book boyfriends I’ve read in a while. And Saskia is such a fiery pistol underneath her grumpy exterior. I absolutely adored them both. Watching these two fall in love and share vulnerability with one another was so satisfying. They both felt like genuine couple. I loved watching them help each other become more confident people and the way they protected one another.

Continuing on with characters. We can’t forget one of my new favorite found families. Starting with Oskar the crow. I can’t believe I fell so hard for a bird. But here we are. I seriously loved that little crow so much and the book had me constantly wishing I had a Oskar of my own. Then we have Mrs Haglitz, the troll housekeeper. Mrs Haglitz reminds me of Mrs. Potts from “Beauty and the Beast”. You can easily see that she cares for everyone within the castle. And you can feel the motherly bond she had for Saskia. Also have to throw in a quick mention for Lorelei & Ailana. Even though Lorelei got on my nerves sometimes. You can tell they care for Saskia and are truly the best loyal friends anyone could ask for.

Overall, I highly recommend “Wooing of the Witch Queen”. And I can’t wait to read the sequel for Lorelei’s story! Big thank you to NetGalley & Macmillan Audio for providing me an arc copy!

Oh my this was wonderful! We love a bi morally grey queen and a cinnamon roll masked librarian! The MMC gives off major Dorian from TOG vibes! The narrator did a phenomenal job on this one! This was such a cute fun adventure and I’d love to see more in this universe!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ – Wicked Sorceress Falls for a Cinnamon Roll in Disguise!

Ohhh this was deliciously fun! Imagine a gaslamp fantasy world where wicked sorceresses rule, ogres lurk in dark forests, and magic crackles in the air like static before a storm. Now throw in a cinnamon roll of a fake wizard—who is actually an imperial archduke in disguise—and you’ve got a recipe for pure chaos (and some serious swooning).

Queen Saskia is the powerful, no-nonsense sorceress everyone fears, but she’s got bigger problems than public perception—like the looming imperial threat next door and the absolute disaster that is her magical library. Enter Fabian, a mysterious wizard with excellent organizational skills and a penchant for writing poetry that just so happens to make Saskia’s cold heart stutter. She hires him on the spot. The only problem? He is not a wizard. Not even a little bit. Not even at all.

Cue the slow-burn tension, sizzling chemistry, and absolutely hilarious moments where Fabian tries so hard to keep up the act (while also falling hopelessly for Saskia). And let’s not forget the uneasy alliance of three magical queens, the looming war, and the fact that secrets never stay secret forever.

Why not 5 stars? The middle dragged a teensy bit, and I wanted just a bit more time with our power couple post-reveal. But honestly? This book had me grinning, swooning, and gasping in equal measure. If you love wickedly powerful women, secretly-soft-for-her love interests, and a touch of political intrigue, this one’s for you!

Queen Saskia has managed to take back her rightful throne, but her work has only just begun. She hires a dark wizard to manage her library, but Fabian isn't who he appears to be. Fabian is actually Felix and Felix is actually a duke on the run and in disguise. Can navigate her new role without losing her heart?

Read if you like:
-Magic
-Secret Identities
-Found Family
-Cozy Fantasy

I really enjoyed Wooing the Witch Queen. It was fun, fresh, and layered with enough intrigue to keep me glued to my ear buds. I can't wait for more in the Queens of Villainy series.

A great cozy read with interesting world building and an interesting dynamic between the love interests. I love stories where the woman is in power, and having a badass witch queen as the protagonist was a fun addition to this story. I enjoyed the narrator's voice and pacing, and I thought they did a good job telling the story in a way that worked well and was easy to follow along. I also enjoyed the side characters and world building within this story.

2.5 out of 5 stars

Thank you to MacMillan Audio #macaudio2025 and NetGalley for a copy of this ALC.

I really wanted to like this. I think the premise seemed so fun! Then I realized that certain fantasies aren't for me. I think the funny, low stakes, witty fantasies aren't my thing, I think that people that like low stakes, lighthearted and funny and fantasies that immerse you in the fantasy world immediately would love this book. I just realized this book was not for me. I did like the fact that some of the usual tropes you see were flipped over on their head.

I do think that the narrator did a great job and created really fun vibes for the story.

Closed Door Modifications: Chapter 24

Overall this was a cute book, with an interesting premise, a fun romance, but an ultimately weak plot. I thought the actual writing was good, but the book just wasn’t long enough to dive into the political maneuvering, or the romance either. But I enjoyed the story all the same and I will definitely be reading the next book!

🌈Queer rep: Bi female main character, previous FF relationship in the past

This was a cute, quick read that gave reverse "Apprentice to the Villain" vibes. This book could honestly have a sequel that stays with this pair instead of moving on to the next queen and I would probably enjoy it more than whatever plot we will be getting from the fae queen. I want to know how Saskia and Felix unite the kingdoms. I want more hot librarian/wizard/actually a monarch story. I want more crow banter!

The narrator does an excellent job with this audiobook, I have absolutely no criticism of her work here! It was perfect and really keeps the reader engaged. The story, however, was too cozy for me. There seems to be a lot of cozy reads or novels lately where the story BEFORE the start of the book seems to be much more exciting and interesting than the actual story line given. It is simple and nice, but overall I was not a fan and wanted to learn more of the past and not their future. As cozy reads go, it was very low stakes and little to no action at all. In fact, I have a hard time remembering at the end what happened overall besides the plot of the characters getting to know each other and political talk. It might be time for me to retire cozy reading for a little while, but I truly appreciate the ALC to be able to review!

In this easily consumable fantasy tale of mistaken identity, filled with questions about who you can trust, Felix, Archduke of Estarion, seeks sanctuary at the castle of Queen Saskia, only to be mistaken for the dark wizard she seeks to organize her library.

There’s an alliance between the three villain queens, secrets, and some traitors infiltrating the castle.

Saskia is a strong female lead; Felix is a cinnamon roll; and I enjoyed the build of their slow burn romance.

Amanda Leigh Cobb’s narration kept me engaged in the story, but a male narrator for Felix’s POV would have enhanced the storytelling for me.

I received an advance copy of the audiobook from Macmillan Audio. All review opinions are my own.

I received this as an ARC from NetGalley for a fair and honest review. This book was a delight. I loved the gender swapped tropes that occurred throughout the book. Felix was such an adorable sad man and Saskia was so fierce and knew exactly what she wanted. I thought their relationship balanced out their personalities so beautifully. Just everything about this book was adorable. I will definitely be continuing this series in the future.

4.5⭐️

The coziest fantasy about a trio of magical “evil” queens with a dash of romance and the most delightful side characters.

I had a blast reading this and if you’re looking for a bingeable cozy fantasy with misunderstood characters and love an unlikable FMC (x3!), Wooing the Witch Queen needs to be on your TBR. I really loved how the story focused on Saskia and the queens of villainy and how yet again, some stupid male because he didn’t get his way and doesn’t like that a woman is has power and wants to protect her people (the nerve to want equality), he labels her as “wicked” and “evil” and launches a plan to unseat her from the throne. Give it up, my dude! Saskia is a badass and I adored her character’s journey.

Felix was a precious, bookish, gentle cinnamon roll and I wanted to burn down the world to keep him safe. I loved the banter between him and Saskia and appreciated that the romance was a slower burn so the two could develop trust and some delightful tension.

I would say this is an excellent book to pick up if you’re wanting to dip your toes into fantasy but don’t want a tome with intense world building. This fantastical world was dazzling and intriguing and the historical and political elements were easily accessible and not overly complicated.

I really enjoyed the audiobook narration, but I do wish there had been a second narrator for Felix. The preview for book two was fantastic and I cannot wait to read it.

Wooing the Witch Queen is the cozy cup of tea I didn’t know I needed this winter to get me through. Though it kinda sounds like an old school bodice-ripper, not a romantasy, it has all the charm you loved from classic fairy tales, just with a kick ass heroine 💅🏼.


We follow Felix, the Archduke of Estarion who is fleeing an assassination attempt, and arrives at the castle doors of a neighboring kingdom. Unfortunately, it’s late, he’s exhausted and Queen Saskia mistakes him for her new dark wizard. I mean, one night in a bed can’t hurt right?! One thing leads to the next and soon Felix is fully implanted in his new role, hiding his true identity.
And he isn’t the only one who hides behind mistaken identity. Queen Saskia, known as the evil Witch Queen is really a kind, caring woman with a tragic past. Over the course of the story, the two build a really sweet relationship. The romance is slow and thoughtful, dialogue based and clean.


This book was absolutely charming, and I ate it up! It’s relatively low stakes, with mostly just intrigue and some mystery, so you as the reader can really enjoy the ambiance of the magic in the castle walls and the library as Felix catalogs books. There are absolutely fantastic side characters as well, including the two other “evil” queens that will make up the series. I can’t wait to read the them as well! 3.75 ⭐️


*Audiobook Note- minor mispronunciations but overall won’t change your understanding or experience.

Thank you NetGalley & Macmillan Audio for this arc.

That awkward moment when the terrifying Witch Queen mistakes your utter confusion for proof you are her new dark wizard librarian...

When Arch Duke Felix goes on the run from his powerful uncle's plot to kill him, he intends to beg the neighboring evil queen for sanctuary. The next thing he knows, he's landed a job as her dark wizard librarian. But before he can come clean, he overhears her plotting with the other queens of villainy to find and capture...well, (unbeknownst to her) him.

Whoops.

This gave me such Once Upon a Time (TV show) vibes. Sure, Saskia isn't actually an evil queen, but she is powerful and she's not above a little theatrics to keep her misunderstood non-human subjects safe. As for Felix...look, full disclosure, my first crush was Dr. Daniel Jackson from SG1. I love me a slightly shy and awkward academic who nerds out about filing systems, okay?

This was on the more cozy side of romantasy as the stakes did feel lower but the slow burn romance and tension between them was great. Personally, I could have done without the one open door scene (it felt a like it was included so it could be marketed as having "spice") but overall I enjoyed the listen. The narrator also did a fantastic job.

Tropes:
Hidden identity
Mistaken identity
Enemies to lovers? (I mean, she doesn't know he's secretly her enemy, so...)
Forced proximity
Beta Hero
She's his boss
Who hurt you?

Thank you Netgalley and Macmillan audio for an ARC of this book.

Queen Saskia is the wicked queen who has earned her reputation. Although she dethroned her uncle, all Saskia wants is to continue working in her lab on her spells. One day, busy in her lab, a mysterious dark wizard calls to fill a vacancy in her library. The two immediately feel (and quickly ignore) a pull towards the other. One has secrets, the other can’t afford to show weakness. When secrets are exposed, can they work together or will it be too much to overcome?
This was absolutely adorable and has everything one could want in an adult fantasy; found family, hidden identities, cinnamon roll MMC, and the most adorable familiars (read: sassy crows). I loved Saskia’s ride-or-die queen friend group and the little twist towards the end!
I cannot wait for the next installment of the Queens of Villainy!

Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the ALC!

Thank you to NetGalley, Macmillan Audio, Bramble, Tor Bramble, Stephanie Burgis, and Amanda Leigh Cobb (audio narrator) for the opportunity to read and listen to the audiobook of Wooing the Witch Queen in exchange for an honest review.

Okay, let's start with...the cover! Gorgeous depictions of the main characters, including (apologies if I spell his name wrong, as I listened to the audiobook) Oscar the Crow (or is he a raven? meh, details...)! I always wanted a crow and he just makes me want one more. Crows are great judges of characters! Look at his inquisitive gaze as he observes his mistress and the "librarian."

Ahem. Anyway, this is a great fantasy novel with an interesting set-up with the various queendoms, hence the first book in the Queens of Villainy Series. While the story arc is wholesome and complete, we are introduced to some characters who might just make an appearance as their own leads in future books!

Okay so the story...After taking the throne from her nasty uncle, Queen Saskia, viewed as a wicked sorceress, only wants to provide for her people. She truly cares, despite what others may think, but a wicked front may be what keeps her and her people safe.

Enter Saskia's new librarian, the nerdy, quirky, but also handsome Fabian (Felix). He is certainly a flirt and the flirtations take him farther with Saskia than he ever could have imagined. Hopefully the wicked witch won't curse the man when she finds out he's the runaway archduke... 😬(not a spoiler, it's on the back-of-book blurb!).

I love the dynamic between Saskia and Fabian (and Oscar, of course). There are certainly plenty of secrets to go around, but are feelings stronger than magical roots? Hmm... I have only previously read some of Burgis' middle grade novels, and it is certainly a delight to have read something else from this author for someone more my...age and with my...romantic reads needs from a fantasy novel. Low spice, but a perfect fantasy for romantasy readers who seek some deceptive twists and turns in a world that has potential for more stories to come. You will definitely get those heart-pounding moments you seek!

This was a very cute cozy romantic fantasy, with the sweetest cinnamon roll of a MMC.

I’ll be honest, it took me some time to really settle into this one. I’m not sure I’m really *made* for “cozy” fantasy; I think I just crave a little more danger and higher stakes in the stories I read…

But even though it didn’t grab me right away, I still ended up really enjoying it, and would definitely be interested in continuing on with this series, especially after the sneak peak of which “evil” queen we would be following next…

Audiobook notes: Amanda Leigh Cobb has a great cozy fantasy voice, and I thought she did a great job with this one. This book is written in Dual POV, but I didn’t mind having one narrator for it all, as it was very easy to tell which POV we were in at any given moment.

Thank you to @macmillan.audio for providing me a copy of this audiobook. All opinions are my own.

What this book is giving:
✅ Cozy Romantic Fantasy
✅ Dual POV
✅ “Wicked” Witch Queen
✅ Hidden Identity
✅ Library
✅ In Hiding
✅ Cinnamon Roll MMC

Rating:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / 5
🌶️½ / 5

Thank you, Netgalley, for the chance to listen to this book in exchange for an honest review. I really enjoyed Wooing the Witch Queen! The story was charming, fast-paced, and full of delightful magical elements. I loved the crows in particular and how they added humor and heart to the story. Stephanie Burgis has a wonderful way of crafting whimsical and engaging fantasy.

That said, the tone and style read a little more YA than I typically prefer. While I enjoyed the romance and worldbuilding, I found myself wishing for a bit more depth in certain areas. Still, if you’re looking for a light, fun fantasy romance with plenty of magic (and fantastic crows!), this is definitely worth picking up.

Really really fun. Surprisingly fun. It was a little slow to start, and didn’t get going until about 20% in. That’s about 60 pages (I listened to the audio book) so that isn’t too terrible.

I really loved Felix/Fabian’s golden retriever energy. That’s not what I typically read, so it was really fun to hear about.

It’s not too high stakes. There’s a little bit of turmoil, but it subverts a lot of the typical miscommunication. I really appreciated that. It’s definitely a cozy romance heavy romantasy.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for this Audio ARC. All opinions are my own

4.25
This book was absolutely delightful! I loved both Saskia and Felix and how they came together. A very black cat/golden retriever pairing.

Queen Saskia reminded me of Princess Bubblegum with a side of Marceline from Adventure Time. And I say that as the highest complement. The other Queens of Villainy were a ton of fun and I look forward to reading their stories in the next two books. The epilogue set up book two perfectly.

I also enjoyed the world building and secondary characters. I loved how Burgis described the trolls and goblins. Oscar the Crow might be the MVP, though.

The audiobook narrator was okay for the most part, but had a truly wild pronunciation of the word majordomo. Which was unfortunate since a major secondary character is referred to by that title many times throughout the book. How did the producer not correct her?

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the ARC audiobook of this title in exchange for my honest review.