Oooh, I really loved this book!

Archduke Felix Augustus Von Estarion is in trouble. A widower at twenty-three, he knows that his in-laws would like nothing more than to get rid of him, and his pesky claim to power. Fearing for his life, he flees to the border, to seek refuge and plea for sanctuary from the ‘wicked witch queen’ who rules there. When he arrives, they immediately peg him for another curious dark wizard, shrouded in his dark travelling cloak as he is, and don’t give him a chance to admit to who he is - while making it very clear how much disdain they hold for the Archduke over the border. So, with a new masquerade mask firmly in place, he sets to work organising the long dishevelled library, befriends the crows who live in the castle, and tries not to let his gaze linger for too long on the beautiful, powerful, Queen, who would probably smite him on the spot if she knew who he really was….

I was immediately drawn into this world. You know those books that you crack open and instantly sink into? That’s not always so easy with a fantasy book, where new worlds, titles ,and intriguing new magic systems are thrown at you a mile a minute - yet it all flowed so smoothly. Delightful.

The cast of characters is wonderful - both Felix and Saskia, the Witch Queen, were fleshed out so well - their tragic histories, their caring natures, and their budding infatuation and romance with each other. This extends to the rest of the characters - from the goblins, and trolls, who live and work in the castle, to Saskias fellow evil queens, who were all joys to read whenever they appeared on the page.

Despite the high levels of political chess moves, and the heartbreaking pasts of the main characters, this book is incredibly cosy. Mostly set in a castle high up in the mountains, with a library in disarray, and crows who actually make for adorable familiars (Oskar, I would die for you, truly), it was a joy to curl up with and get lost in. These characters have my heart, and I’m very much looking forward to the next instalment in the series.

Thank you to the publishers, and Netgalley, for the copy to review!

This is a hard book to review in some ways as it was total fluff and every slight conflict that arose was solved and dealt with so quickly there wasn't really anything to say about it. Both Saskia (the Witch Queen) and Felix (the one wooing her) have uncles who are evil b*****ds for want of a better term - her uncle murdered her parents to claim their throne and his uncle tortured him and took away all agency and control he should have had over his own life. But it's OK because they fell in love even though it was repeatedly mentioned throughout the book how Felix the Archduke was a wrong un (he wasn't) and the queen was evil (er no). I didn't feel particularly interested in any of the characters or what happened next to them (except for Oskar he was by far my favourite and he couldn't talk)

Unfortunately I could not get into this book and had to stop reading at 27%. It was too slow paced and I didn’t have any interest in the characters.

3.5 stars!

Wooing the Witch Queen is a charming, whimsical fantasy romance filled with magic, political intrigue, and a delightful slow-burn romance. Stephanie Burgis delivers a fairy tale-esque story with strong character dynamics, witty banter, and just enough tension to keep things engaging. While it doesn’t entirely break new ground, it’s an enjoyable and cozy read, perfect for fans of lighthearted romantasy.

The romance is sweet and well-paced, leaning more into warmth and emotional connection rather than high-stakes angst. However, while I enjoyed their dynamic, I sometimes wished for deeper emotional tension or more complex character development. The world-building, while intriguing, also felt a little surface-level at times—I wanted to dive deeper into the magic system and the politics of the realm.

The pacing is mostly steady, though certain sections feel a bit rushed, particularly toward the climax. I would have loved a little more time for the story to breathe, especially when it came to resolving key conflicts.

Overall, Wooing the Witch Queen is a fun, feel-good romantasy with engaging characters and a fairy tale atmosphere. While it doesn’t quite reach the depth or complexity of some similar books, it’s a thoroughly enjoyable escape. If you love witty banter, magical intrigue, and royal courtship with a strong-willed heroine, this is definitely worth a read!

“A great and entertaining read”
Funny and charming, I couldn’t put this one down! Filled with snark, magic, humour, adorable ravens, friendship, romance, peril and heart. A great read all round, and I’m looking forward to more!

A wonderful and whimsical story. The characters were great, and the plotline enjoyable. I can't wait for the next!

Thank you to the author, publisher and netgalley for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

4.5 stars
Content warning: mentioning of historical physical and emotional abuse, manipulation, grief from losing loved ones, betrayals
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for a digital copy to review. All thoughts are my own.

Wooing the Witch Queen is the perfect level of cosy fantasy. It's not too low in stakes that nothing is happening, yet it's filled with softer moments, and a wholesome cast supporting the two main characters in Saskia's castle. I loved the pacing of this story, utilising brewing tensions in and out of Saskia's court as enough intrigue to keep things moving. Yet, it has a good focus on building both Saskia and Felix as individuals. By the end, you can see the company of one another as well as their personal growth has been worth journeying through. Both are prepared to stand their ground for their people, for their love, and most importantly, for themselves. After taking more passive roles in their individual kingdoms, it's nice to see them slip into their positions of power when it feels right for them to finally fight and accept who they truly are. The obstacles from their oppressive adversaries and establishing their power are satisfactorily wrapped up with room for the world to grow as this series continues.

But where this story shines is in the building of romantic discovery and self-acceptance. I loved the use of the slow burn tactic to build a genuine connection between the pair, and that Saskia feels emboldened to lead her way through the relationship. Whilst some of Felix's submissive behaviour has been quite literally beaten into him, I really appreciated how his softer ways complimented Saskia, and his confidence grew within their set roles well. The romance culminates well and left me smiling fondly. I liked that Saskia embraces her "monstrous" ways and that Felix supports her being herself, much as she's enamoured by his softer details and clever wit and poetry. The balance is delicate at times, but beautifully written, and full of delightful banter. Stephanie Burgis is a master of creating something interesting and fun out of smaller and somewhat mundane situations, and I loved how this skill came into play in building the foundation of this wickedly enjoyable Queens of Villainy series.

I am proud to announce that I have a new type: Felix ✨

Wooing the Witch Queen was an absolute delight! It’s a lovely, wholesome, and cozy read—one of the best slow-burn romances I’ve come across recently—all packed into just under 300 pages. While I found the names and titles a bit confusing at first, once I got the hang of things, I was completely hooked and couldn’t put it down.

The chemistry between Saskia and Felix was utterly addictive. I adored Felix’s gentleness and Saskia’s strength—how they balanced each other so perfectly and how their swoon-worthy romance unfolded so naturally. I was genuinely sad when the book ended because I needed more of them (and honestly, we need more gentle heroes in romantasy books!). This was easily one of my favorite reads of the year.

“Wooing the Witch Queen” is a witty romantasy by Stephanie Burgis.

Rating: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Plot: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Characters: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Suspense: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Ending: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️


What you’ll find in this book:
⭐️ Witty romantasy
⭐️ Next level chemistry
⭐️ Playful and flirtatious
⭐️ Charming intrigue
⭐️ Magical intrigue

My Review:

Wooing the Witch Queen is a delightful and witty romantasy that effortlessly blends humor, magic, and sizzling chemistry. The first book in the Queens of Villainy trilogy, it introduces Queen Saskia, a powerful sorceress with a wicked reputation, who is determined to protect her people at all costs. When a mysterious, charming (and slightly nerdy) librarian named Fabian enters her life, sparks fly — and not just from the magic!
I absolutely loved this book, giving it a solid four stars. The chemistry between Saskia and Fabian is next level. Their interactions are playful, flirtatious, and full of tension, making their developing relationship incredibly entertaining. Saskia is a fierce, no-nonsense queen, while Fabian, who hides a much bigger secret than Saskia realizes, is sweetly awkward and endearing. The push and pull between them creates a dynamic that is both humorous and deeply engaging.
Burgis’s writing is sharp and full of wit, with just the right balance of lighthearted moments and tense intrigue. The premise of a wicked queen falling for a disguised archduke is fresh and captivating, and the plot, while full of twists, never loses its sense of fun. The magical elements are well-developed, and the interactions between characters feel authentic and rich in emotional depth.
Wooing the Witch Queen is a wonderfully intriguing and funny start to a promising series. The chemistry between the main characters, coupled with a fast-paced and magical plot, makes it a highly enjoyable read. If you’re a fan of witty romance with a touch of fantasy, this book is definitely for you!

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.

3.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Wooing The Witch is the first book in the Queens of Villainy Trilogy, which follows Felix, the Archduke of the Kingdom of Estarion who seeks sanctuary in a neighbouring kingdom where he meets Queen Saskia, the wicked Scorceress. He hides his identity and portrays himself as a dark wizard to assist the Queen in her library.

A fun, cute witchy romantasy which was quite charming in places, however for me lacked a little world building.

However, I enjoyed the characters and their relationships, especially their light-hearted wit throughout. I really loved Oskar the Crow who was a delight.

It will be interesting to see how the stories and characters develop in the coming books.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read this ARC.

LOVED THIS.
when you’re want to ignore your hot new wizard librarian but he keeps befriending all of the crows and obsessing over fountain pens

"Wooing the Witch Queen" by Stephanie Burgis is a charming fantasy romance featuring Queen Saskia, a powerful sorceress, and Felix, an archduke hiding as a dark wizard. Their slow-burn romance unfolds amidst witty banter, political intrigue, and magical adventures. With engaging characters and cozy fantasy vibes, it's a delightful read for fans of lighthearted fantasy romances.

4.5 stars - Calling all cosy fantasy fans - are you ready for a new obsession? We have a misunderstood witch queen who is fiercely loyal and protective, and secretly a softie despite the monstrous reputation she had. Then we have an Archduke in disguise and on the run who’s a gentle and romantic soul with an equally bad reputation and a passion for his new library (and the queen who owns it!).

Queen Saskia and Archduke Felix/Fabian brought so much warmth to the story as their tentative feelings blossomed alongside a sweet friendship. Fabian finds a home in this castle filled with curious ravens and a dazzling queen, drawn into the found family made up of trolls, goblins and orcs. He’s completely in awe of the powerful witch and her determined and protective soul, which is a dynamic I absolutely love to see. Saskia needs to be appreciated for her own brand of chaos without the attempts to mold her into someone she’s not. Fabian delivers!

This is such a warm and inviting story, with three wild witch queens and charming outcasts bringing a little extra to the story. Mix that with the magic, villainous enemies, light politics and a delightful bit of romance and you’ve got the best kind of book. I can’t wait to see what story Stephanie Burgis brings us next!

This book was a prime example of how much a cover can make a difference to me. At first I saw the US cover, which unfortunately didn't convince me at all and because of which I decided against the book. However, when I saw the UK cover, my opinion suddenly changed and I decided to give it a chance.
And gosh, am I glad I did.
Anyone who loved ‘Sorcery and Small Magics’ will probably also enjoy ‘Wooing the Witch Queen’. For me, it was the first time I've enjoyed both characters and their relationship so much since then. Genre-wise, the two books confuse me though, as ‘Sorcery and Small Magics’ is rated as cozy fantasy, but ‘Wooing the Witch Queen’ is not. In my eyes, both felt very similarly cozy; if anything, the Witch Queen had even more feel-good potential. Not least because of the cute foundfamily you'll meet here.
The main characters of Wooing the Witch Queen were top notch.
Firstly, we have the bisexual Saskia, for whom sexuality wasn't just written as a label. We learn a lot about her first and so far only relationship, which was with a woman. Their current relationship as ex-lovers feels authentic and I bought every second of it. I wish I'd had such great representation when I was younger.
Another nice way to deal with past relationships was Felix's way of thinking about his late wife. His description of exactly how he felt and still feels today about the arranged marriage also feels genuine and relatable. It is the perfect description of his whole tender nature and it is perfect just the way it is. We don't need the hundredth Shadowdaddy who either wants to save the world or reduce it to rubble.
As I would love to see more volumes with this pair, I'm almost a little disappointed that the two follow-up volumes will probably deal with the other two ‘queens of villainy’. At the same time, I'm also looking forward to them, as they are also interesting and promising characters.
So well, I'm excited for everything Stephanie Burgis will gift us.

SPOILER
In my opinion, it was unnecessary to give Felix magic as well. Apart from the fact that I would have liked to have a couple consisting of a magician and a non-magician again, it would have been a twist to have only the woman be magically gifted. It would also have been somehow cooler if Felix had met his non-magical abuser as an equal and THEREFORE stronger. Especially since he didn't really need his magic to stand up to him.

A thoroughly enjoyable read. Great characters, a brilliantly constructed world and the best romantic elements.

I was totally invested in this newly created world and it's characters. A dark witch Queen, a 'dark wizard' librarian fleeing his past and two dynamic allies.

It was sweet to see the connection of the two MCs and how their relationship developed against the back drop of political unrest and danger. And I absolutely adored the two otherworld characters who were not shy to put the newly appointed 'librarian' in his place to protect their queen.

I was totally invested in finding out what happened at the end and loved the way the author wrapped this up while leaving it open for a second book which I super excited for.

This was a well deserved 4.5 star read for me and one I'll definitely need on my bookshelves.

Wooing the Witch Queen is a charming blend of romance, magic, and intrigue and I'm so happy I got to read it in advance of its release. If you’re into witty, romantic fantasy with a dash of suspense, this is definitely one to check out. I’m excited to see where this story goes next!

"Wooing the Witch Queen" is an absolute delight of a cozy romantasy that flips typical genre tropes on their head in the best possible way. Instead of the usual grumpy hero/sunshine heroine dynamic, we get the powerful, feared witch queen Saskia and her adorkable librarian Felix - who happens to be hiding the fact that he's actually a runaway archduke with zero magical ability. The slow-burn romance between them unfolds beautifully against a backdrop of political intrigue, magical libraries, and found family charm.

What really sets this story apart is how it balances its lighter elements with genuine emotional depth. Both leads are wonderfully developed characters dealing with their own traumas and insecurities, and their growing relationship feels earned rather than rushed. While some might find the plot a bit predictable, the stellar character dynamics and witty writing more than make up for it. The supporting cast, particularly Saskia's quirky castle staff, adds wonderful depth to this enchanting world. Perfect for readers who enjoy their romantasy with equal parts heart and humor.

Thank you to NetGalley and Pan Macmillan/Tor Bramble for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The blurb of this book hooked me right away, and the story didn't disappoint neither. I had so much fun reading about strong-willed Queen Saskia and gentle Felix. It's a hilarious combination, full of miscommunications and assumptions that made the story light-hearted, and made me laugh out loud quite a few times. It was nice to see these takes on the main characters, who also had their roles reverse—on many romances, villains are usually males. The author gives a great twist to many stereotypes, and because of this she's able to take on more serious subjects with a lighter tone. I can't wait to see what book 2 will bring us.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for gifting me a free arc in exchange for an honest review! All opinions are my own.

I absolutely loved the cosy descriptions of food, spiced hot chocolates and warm fires in the library!! The atmosphere this book delivers is there right from the start and I really liked these moments!

I overall found this book to be somewhat generic in terms of plot and world. I think the standout feature of it is probably the male love interest, who is gentle and kind - traits that are not often found in male main characters in current romantasy books. It was very refreshing to read about this kind of mmc. Unfortunately, I found that I couldn’t really differentiate between Saskia and Félix’s pov because they sound exactly the same, which is a shame because I liked both of their characters.

My main issue with the book is that it is very predictable and has little to no world building or exploration of the magic system. However, if you are looking for a cosy, light romance set in a witchy library, then this is definitely for you!

Overall - 2.75⭐️ rounded up to 3