First of all, thank you so much PanMacmillan, Tor Bramble and Netgalley for the e-arc in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

This was cosy romantic fantasy perfection! I absolutely loved this sweet and magical read, it was the ideal mix of tension, fun and comfort in a whimsical setting, with very little spice (1-1.5).

The plot was medium stakes and very easy to fall into, and I really enjoyed being in a medieval, castle setting. It reminded me a little of beauty and the beast (in the best way!) and gave me that added touch of nostalgia that made me enjoy the reading experience even more.

Both Saskia and Felix were adorable, their slow burn yearning and quiet development of feelings towards each other felt so natural. I loved how they found so many things to love about one another, without wanting to change them or be a different person, with Saskia's previous relationship, this was something she'd experienced. You really are rooting for them throughout the book, and the small third-act conflict didn't feel too stressful, it was very well done!

The side characters were also a welcome addition, and I was so happy when little Oskar the crow became Felix's familiar, it was sooo cute! Overall, the found family was done fantastically and I loved seeing snippets of daily life in the castle.

I loved the style the book was written and I'd love to read more of Stephanie's work, as it didn't take itself too seriously and made for a really funny internal monologue with each character! I also can't wait to read the rest of the series, and pick up with what I imagine will be Queen Lorelei's story.

If you're looking for a sweet cinnamon roll MMC who is obsessed with his love, and a powerful yet gentle FMC who learns to love her strength, alongside some hilarious side characters and a gorgeous setting; then this is perfect for you!

I always love Stephanie Burgis’s fantasy worlds that she creates. They always seem to be cozy in some way with enough stakes but not the heavy complexity you get with high fantasy. You definitely have to be in the mood for this type of story but if it works for you the you’ll love it.

I didn’t know going in that there would be a hidden identity element to the story. I never fully enough that plot trope as I always feel like it’s just avoiding getting to the interesting part with the identity out in the open, that’s when things are interesting, and if not handled well it can really feel like a weight hanging over the reader until the secret is out. I didn’t mind it so much in this story as Burgis handled it well as a plot point and it did make sense why the hidden identity. But I still wish the secret could have been out sooner as I would have found that more interesting, especially as the tension it creates is run through quite quickly.

Overall I really enjoyed the two lead characters created in this story and how their relationship unfolded. The secondary characters were very well fleshed out too and you can see where the story has space to continue whilst mostly wrapping up the leads stories. I’m unsure if I will continue the series but I do love the authors previous work so I very well might.

I received an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

I was really looking forward to this book. I read some other books by this author and they were all lovely, lighthearted, romantic and a lot of fun. I placed my pre-order as soon as I could and then I noticed that the book was also available through Netgalley. Of course I had to request my copy right away and I was really happy that Tor Bramble granted me a digital review copy. Since the book is officially released this week, I dove in last week.

Once more I enjoyed this book from start to finish. The author is really great at balancing all the different ingredients of the story. The political situation is quite complicated, it's clear there's a lot going on on this continent, there's a lot of history and yet the book never feels heavy. What we need to know to understand these characters is explained and everything else is implied or simply left out. Therefore we can focus on the more important ingredient of the story.

The romance! And the romance is lovely. That's firstly because it's quite easy to fall in love with both main characters in this story. Although Claudia is quite strong and intelligent, she does have weaknesses and is far from perfect. It's therefore easy to identify with her and to root for her. Felix might be one of the most wonderful characters I've ever encountered in books. He's thoughtful, kind, smart and he has a big heart.

I also loved the ending of the story. It's quite satisfying, while the door is also open for more stories in this world. The epilogue of the story already promises a very fun next installment, with a different queen as the main character. I'm already looking forward to getting to know these characters better. What I've seen from them in this story made me really curious and I'm sure their story is gonna be just as much fun as this one was!

As a cozy fantasy, this could've been great, but because there was the promise of romance, I had that expectation and the romance was not well-executed imo. They barely ever interacted, and when they did, we didn't actually get to see it. There was a 4-week time jump when the author was like 'yup we hung out a lot over those 4 weeks' but we didn't actually see that?? So then it felt quite insta-lovey but even then, the romance wasn't really there. The world-building was interesting, but I just feel like this wasn't what I was expecting and I was honestly quite bored :(

I loved some of the humour and the found family though!

This book has become my ultimate comfort read, and this is no exaggeration. There is something of a nostalgic old fashioned regency romance in every love story Stephanie Burgis writes, and that's an undeniable strength: because she has a knack for furnishing this recognizable vibe with modern sensibilities, but not in a way that fall apart at the smallest probing. Win win from both worlds, if you win. I had a great, relaxing time with Saskia and Felix, enjoying the interactions they have, the gentleness and kindness that underlies their core - I cannot wait for more, and I predict many rereads. For my comfort and pleasure:)

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Stars | 🌶 0.5 Spice

At first, I thought Wooing the Witch Queen was a fantasy novel. Magical kingdoms, political intrigue, a powerful witch queen—everything pointed to a grand adventure. But as the story unfolded, I quickly realized this was, in fact, a romance wrapped in fantasy elements. And honestly? I wasn’t mad about it.
This book is lighthearted, witty, and utterly charming. Saskia, the so-called evil Witch Queen, is only seen that way because of her scheming uncle’s political maneuvering. Felix, the power-hungry Archduke, is actually nothing of the sort—just a man being used as a puppet by those around him. Through a series of misunderstandings, Felix finds himself in Saskia’s service as her new dark wizard, despite having no magic whatsoever. She doesn’t know his true identity, and yet, their connection is immediate, filled with undeniable chemistry, and just the right amount of tension.
The dual POV structure makes the entire story even more entertaining, letting us see both Saskia’s sharp intelligence and Felix’s awkward, cinnamon-roll-soft heart. Saskia reads as STEM-coded and near-divergent-coded, a heroine who is unapologetically brilliant and determined. Felix is the ultimate soft boy, written by a woman in the best possible way—but when the moment calls for it, he absolutely steps up to defend himself and the woman he’s falling for. Their romance is wholesome, heartfelt, and just so easy to root for.
With its sharp humor, addictive storytelling, and just a touch of political intrigue, this book felt like a cup of hot cocoa on a sunny winter day—warm, comforting, and exactly what I needed. I loved every second of it, and that final glimpse into the next book? I’m definitely continuing this series.

Thank you to NetGalley and Pan Macmillan for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Cozy fantasy isn't usually my thing but what a sweet story this was! I just loved every single bit of this. I'd say this is a bit of a black cat/golden retriever sort of situation and it worked so well. I loved the slow burn because there might have been insta attraction but it took time for Saskia and Felix to actually do anything about it. All in all, I really think this was the perfect cozy romance with maybe medium level stakes and lots of cozy vibes.

R E V I E W

Wooing the Witch Queen by Stephanie Burgis

☆☆☆.5

Advanced Reader Copy graciously provided by Pan Macmillan | Tor Bramble via Netgalley

Wooing the Witch Queen is a cosy, low-stakes fantasy read, reminiscent of Hannah Nicole Maehrer's Assistant to the Villain series or Elise Kova's Married to Magic stand alones.

When Imperial Archduke Felix of Estarion finally manages to flee his own territory after years of mistreatment at the hands of his father-in-law and former regent, he knows there is only one place he can go. The new Witch Queen of Kitvaria has made it clear since taking her throne that she will not be trifled with and with a terrible magical barrier established and keeping all her enemies at bay, Felix recognises the neighbouring kingdom of Kitvaria for what it is; his only chance.

Unashamedly prepared to beg for sanctuary, a fortunate case of mistaken identity lands Felix a job within the reputedly wicked Witch Queen's castle as her new librarian. Tasked with ordering and arranging magical tomes on witchcraft and wizardry, a task which shouldn't be difficult for the 'dark wizard' he is presumed to be, Felix finds unexpected comfort and joy in his new life amidst the formidable Witch Queen and the quirky cast of creatures she surrounds herself with. That is, until his Archduky rises up to face the Witch Queen despite his absence, threatening all Felix has come to hold dear, including his new secret identity.

I enjoyed this charming gas-light fantasy and the softly worded romance woven throughout. Even from the beginning, I felt secure in the knowledge that our two protagonists, who had been through so much respectively, would get their happy ending. I did find the events of the final few chapters a little anticlimactic and the constant referral to Saskia as the 'wicked' Witch Queen to be misleading since she never really embraced her role as a villain, which I found to be a shame. It felt like I was constantly waiting for something dramatic to occur, whether it be after Felix was 'kidnapped' or when they confronted his former regent. With Felix playing the softly spoken, soft-hearted librarian, I felt a little wickedness on Saskia's part would have gone a long way and added more excitement to the narrative.

A cute, cosy little romantasy for fans of assistant to the villain.

Felix is running away from being a puppet in his own court, seeking sanctuary with the fearsome wicked witch Queen Saskia, except down to a misunderstanding he’s now hiding out in enemy camp as a librarian. Life in the wicked witch’s castle isn’t what Felix expected, he feels more at home than in his own dukedom. And as he gets to know Saskia, well she may not be so wicked after all.

This was a really warm story, Saskia and Felix are wicked (get it?) protagonists, and the magical romance is everything you want it to be. I really love the power dynamics, it’s a real gender role reversal, Felix is very much the duke in distress to Saskia’s prince(ss) charming.

Like most fantasy, it’s a fable of tolerance and kindness and love. It’s funny, fast paced and easy escapism. If you’re looking for a booker prize winner, look elsewhere, but if you’re looking for fun then have at it.


Thank you #panmacmillan and #netgalley for my #arc

Wooing the Witch Queen is a cozy fantasy romance with a sharp, no-nonsense queen and a so called dark wizard who’s actually just a soft, nerdy archduke in disguise. Saskia has spent years crafting her fearsome reputation to protect her people, while Felix is just trying to escape his past and maybe, accidentally, fall for a queen along the way.

This book is all about found family, slow-burn romance, and mistaken identity, with a side of magical politics and some great banter. The dynamic between Saskia and Felix is chef’s kiss grumpy/sunshine but flipped, with her being the intimidating one and him being the gentle, bookish disaster. There’s also an amazing cast of side characters (a TROLL housekeeper, I repeat, a TROLL. and a very opinionated crow lmao) that make the world feel so alive.

The stakes are there, but the overall vibe is warm and comforting, making it a perfect pick if you love golden retriever love interests, prickly heroines, and a fantasy world with a touch of humor.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an E-Arc in exchange for an honest review!

Wooing the Witch Queen is my first Stephanie Burgis novel but you can bet now that it won’t be my last. I absolutely ADORED this novel. The writing style fit the humour and the context of the story, it was so elegantly plotted and the character arcs were PERFECTION. I really loved the journey the characters went on and the message and emotion of the story.
Wooing the Witch Queen follows a perceived villainous queen and her newly hired librarian. Our queen, Saskia, is currently looking for the threatening archduke. What she doesn’t know is that Fabian, the gentle man she’s hired to sort out her long-neglected library, is actually that very Archduke Felix Estarion she hunts.
I love how Stephanie has turned things on their heads, how our expectations and perceptions of people are brought into question here. Our villainess Saskia is not simply a monstrous witch queen and the archduke Felix Estarion she hunts who threatens her lands is actually simply a figurehead for his in-laws to control (this is revealed in chapter 1!)
There were so many scenes in this novel that I absolutely loved. This includes the way Saskia and Felix flirt, get closer and the tension within those scenes. I won’t say anymore because I think they need to be experienced. But the romance had a really excellent arc and the tension and delight in each scene was perfection.
Having finished this book (and having eagerly read the excerpt from the standalone sequel), I am now READY to dig into Stephanie Burgis’s previously published books. I can’t wait to devour all her books!

4.5/5 stars

Wooing the Witch Queen is the first book in the cozy romantasy series Queens of Villainy. Felix the Archduke of Estarion has been usurped by his father-in-law and flees to the only place that can oppose him—the castle belonging to the neighboring evil witch Queen Saskia. When Saskia mistakes him as the dark wizard she was expecting to be her new librarian, Felix assumes his identity and finds a home in this supposedly evil castle. Both find each other intriguing and unlike who they expected. Attraction turns to flirtation and more, but can it survive when the truth comes out?

This was such a charming and cute read that is delightfully cozy and lighthearted. I went in expecting a romantic comedy in a fantasy setting, and it gave me exactly what I wanted out of it. Outside of the initial miscommunication (that was necessary for the set-up but unsubtly unbelievable), I would not change anything else about this book.

I loved that this was told in dual POVs (always a plus in any romance). I absolutely adored Felix who is too innocent and cinnamon roll soft for his own good. I was just charmed instantly with his love of books, kindness, and vulnerability. I liked that Saskia was not really evil, but just claims the label for her own ends. Their romance was flirty and teased slowly before it dipped into some spice. I particularly enjoyed all the pining and the wooing. And I just love a found family, and the castle itself made for the perfect setting for one with heartily quirky supporting characters.

Wooing the Witch Queen is a romantasy that revels in its romcom-ness with cozy charm.

*Thank you to Pan Macmillan for the eARC via Netgalley

*thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

*Wooing the Witch Queen" is an absolute delight—fun, charming, and thoroughly entertaining from start to finish! Stephanie Burgis masterfully weaves a story filled with wit, romance, and magic, making it impossible to put down. Felix is such a lovable, well-written character, and his journey from a reluctant librarian to a man determined to win the Witch Queen’s heart is both heartwarming and hilarious. Saskia, on the other hand, is a force of nature—powerful, intelligent, and refreshingly uninterested in playing by the rules. Their banter sparkles, their chemistry is electric, and their dynamic is just so much fun to watch unfold.

What I loved most was how effortlessly Burgis balanced humor with heartfelt moments. The magical setting is richly imagined, but it’s the characters who truly steal the show. The slow-burn romance had me grinning, and the twists kept me hooked. If you’re looking for a story that feels like a warm hug wrapped in adventure and mischief, this book is it. Highly recommend!

This book was an amazing surprise. I don’t think I expected to enjoy it as much as I did, and I definitely did. World building and the characters were good, but I really love the humor. I was quickly drawn in to the story and I never got bored. I enjoyed the will they, won’t they aspects of the main romance. They were very cute together, and complimented each other very well. I also love Felix so much and I would love to get my own Oscar. Saskia was a great MFC. It was fun watching her grow more confident in herself and her decisions will still remaining to true to who she was. . I’m very excited to see what the series goes. So if you’re looking for a cozy romantic, witchy read look no further. I will definitely be recommending this book to everyone.

4.5 ⭐️

I want to thank NetGalley and Pan Macmillan for the ARC

Wooing the Witch Queen is a cosy romantasy featuring an evil witch queen and her gentle librarian. I enjoyed the fact that the ML was the gentler character in this book because it added an interesting spin to well loved tropes.

There were some great elements here. The world-building was intriguing, and I liked the blend of cultures present within the world. I also liked the addition of occasional modern items and the explanations for their existence. My favourite aspect was the found family. I wanted to go to live in the castle with the characters!

I had a couple of general issues with the story. Our FL is described as being evil but doesn't really show it at any point. It meant that the character development felt a little lacking because the start point wasn't that bad anyway. Also, the stakes felt a little low, and I felt that the conclusion was slightly rushed. However, this didn't take away from the overall charm of this cute and cosy story.

This was a really cosy fantasy read that made my heart feel full and was so comforting to lose myself into.

If you’re looking for a book that has a magical world, enchanting characters, cosy settings and a slow burn romance full of intrigue and tension, this is a book for you!

I wasn’t sure what to expect going into this but it pleasantly surprised me. I’m not usually a cosy fantasy reader but this was a break from the heavier fantasy reads and provided some lighthearted and swoony fun!

Thank you so much to Pan Macmillan for sending me an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Being honest, I wasn't sure about this one because of the title - and then the cover artwork in some other print versions of this book made it seem as if it was going to be a real romantasy, which isn't really me. I'm glad I persevered with it though and it was an easy and quick to read story. Whilst a little predictable in places, I liked the lead characters - three feisty witches - and enjoyed their character development over the course of the plot. The Archduke adds a good counterpoint to them. This is the first in a series (Queens of Villainy) and I liked how the ending of this one neatly sets up the next book.

Three and a half
This was a fun and ever so slightly light hearted read for me. I enjoyed the whole scenario with a fearsome queen and an archduke who finds himself to be far braver than he thought. Felix hopes that Saskia will shelter him but she mistakes him for someone who can help sort out her library and as he overhears the queens plotting to kill the archduke obviously he doesn't correct the misunderstanding . Yet the quiet librarian enchants the fierce queen and as their relationship develops how can he convince her that he is not the evil dictator she believes ?
We meet two other queens who are both getting their own books and they do appear to be quite bonkers well certainly one most definitely does ! I very much enjoyed the whole setting of this and could imagine a world similar to Chitty Chitty Bang Bang but happily no child catcher although there is undoubtedly something similar here. The supporting characters added greatly to the story and we even get a meddling God which was a fun idea. I'm just not a reader who enjoys the more cinnamon roll type of hero but will state that Felix does grow in strength as a character which I liked. If you enjoy cosy romance with a little magic then this book will certainly be entertaining.
This voluntary take is of a copy I requested and my thoughts and comments are honest and I believe fair

A spur of the moment escape quickly turns into a case of mistaken identity, redemption, and needing to protect a newfound family...

Wooing the Witch Queen is an odd (but engaging) read as it is both very grim but also humorous. The MC essentially tricks the 'evil' queen into thinking he's someone else and then slowly wins her over. He's not doing it maliciously, and he often shows he feels guilty about it, but he never clears it up until things have gone way too far. It made me a bit uncomfortable to be honest. However, the tone clearly is set up to make this an amusing chance of fate. We're meant to be in on the joke every time she goes off about her enemy, but I was cringing as he basically catfishes her.

That aside, the story is entertaining and I liked the big reveal at the end - wasn't fully suspecting the twist and it played out well. It also made me want to learn more about the magic system in general as this book didn't have much detail regarding how it works, but hints at some dark secrets surrounding who is allowed to harness this power.

I wish we had more interactions between the MC and the other creatures as this was by far one of the sweeter parts of the story. It's about misunderstandings and acceptance, friendship and trust. I felt like this needed to be focused on more (like the kitchen scene) as it seemed rushed to show how the MC's kingdom is wrong about monsters.

Overall a problematic romance with some cozier elements.

This was a really fun read! Saskia and Felix were great MCs and the worldbuilding in this novel was excellent. The steamier scenes were woven so well into the naturally progressing romance that they didn't feel 'plugged in', which is something I really appreciate in a romantasy!

Thanks so much to both Netgalley and the publisher for the arc!