Summary
Assistant to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer blends fantasy and romance with elements of comedy. The novel follows Evie Sage, who unexpectedly becomes the assistant to a feared villain in all of Rennedawn. In her job, Evie navigates chaotic mischief and sinister activities along with handling mundane office tasks. Oh, and there’s the matter of her enigmatic boss, Trystan Maverine, and another mystery. Published in 2023, Assistant to the Villain quickly won fans for its dialogue-rich storytelling, deft blend of humorous and dark elements, and delightful twist on the "Grumpy x Sunshine" romantic trope.
Plot
Assistant to the Villain follows Evangelina "Evie" Sage as she gets drawn into the quirky and dangerous world of Trystan Maverine, aka The Villain, the most feared figure in Rennedawn. After a failed job search, Evie encounters Trystan in a forest. Impressed by her wit, Trystan offers her a job at his Massacre Manor. Despite her apprehension, Evie takes the position to support her family. Her lively nature creates an interesting dynamic with Trystan. She joins a staff filled with gossip, unique colleagues, and unexpected friendships, particularly with Blade, a dragon trainer, and Tati, a healer.
Months later, Evie and Trystan find a spy within the manor leaking information to King Benedict, Trystan's enemy. Together, they try to uncover the mole, strengthening their professional relationship. They face family conflicts and challenges from law enforcers, especially the Valiant Guardsmen. The situation intensifies when Evie finds evidence against Blade, leading to uncertainty about his loyalty. She faces a moral dilemma and resigns after a confrontation with Trystan. Her departure disrupts operations, prompting Trystan to realize her importance and work to get her back.
After returning to the office, Evie continues investigating and discovers a plot by her former employer, a blacksmith who had previously harmed her. During a crucial event organized by Trystan's father, Evie bravely fights deadly creatures known as guvres, preserving Trystan's anonymity when his father is mistakenly captured as the villain.
Further revelations lead to identifying Evie's estranged father as the true traitor, who took advantage of their family relationship to deceive. This sets the stage for a showdown where Evie confronts personal vendettas, signaling her growth. The story ends on a cliffhanger, with Evie vowing to free the imprisoned Trystan, deepening her commitment to him and her evolving courage.
Characters
Evie Sage: The protagonist, Evie maintains optimism while working for the infamous Villain. Her determination to support her family leads her to embrace the macabre environment of Massacre Manor.
The Villain (Trystan): Trystan, aka The Villain, is feared for his ruthlessness but reveals a gentler side through interactions with Evie. He balances the roles of antagonist and protector in his character development.
Becky: Also called Rebecka, Becky is a key figure in the villain's operations, managing the office with strict discipline. Her approach often conflicts with Evie's more relaxed style, creating workplace tension.
Tatianna (Tati): Tatianna, a healer and one of Evie's closest allies, adds color to the dark setting with her presence. She assists Evie in understanding the complexities of the villainous environment.
Blade: Blade, the dragon trainer, is known for his quirky nature and history of falsifying qualifications. His storyline explores themes of redemption and second chances.
Kingsley the Frog: Kingsley, a humorous and communicative frog, provides critical guidance to Evie with his amusing warning signs as she adapts to the unusual workplace.
Backstory
Assistant to the Villain began as a series of TikTok skits combining humor with fairy-tale fantasy elements. Hannah Nicole Maehrer created the concept of an assistant to a morally complex villain in a medieval fantasy setting. Presented in short videos mixing traditional fantasy and romance tropes with quirky office humor, these skits attracted an avid audience. Over 200 themed posts built a community that anticipated the transition of the TikTok bits into a romantasy novel. As a result, Assistant to the Villain became an instant bestseller.
Moral complexity and personal tensions in the novel
Assistant to the Villain examines the coexistence of good and evil within individuals through the interactions between Evie and The Villain. Evie's compassionate nature contrasts with her employer's perceived wickedness, creating tension and humor. Evie responds nonchalantly to her workplace's grim environment, quipping about her boss, “You just can't kill people and be pretty. It’s confusing.”
Maehrer's writing features sharp dialogue and playful exchanges. The narrative shifts between lighthearted episodes and introspective moments exploring Evie's personal struggles. World-building integrates smoothly into the interactions, crafting a setting that feels both authentic and fantastical.
The novel progresses at a lively pace, with each chapter presenting unforeseen twists and comedic scenes. The humor, alongside darker elements, adds charm and lightness, balancing the story’s focus on villainy.
Quick facts
Assistant to the Villain originated from Hannah Nicole Maehrer's viral TikTok series celebrating villains.
The novel debuted at #2 on The New York Times bestseller list for fiction in 2023.
Character dynamics, particularly the “Grumpy x Sunshine” romantic trope, significantly enhance the story.
Assistant to the Villain combines elements from Once Upon a Time and The Office, blending fairy-tale fantasy with workplace humor.
The story explores an unexpected, slow-burn romance between protagonist Evie Sage and her morally questionable boss, Trystan Maverine, aka The Villain.
Assistant to the Villain interweaves humor with intrigue and dark elements, set in a quirky fantasy office environment.
A talking frog named Kingsley adds comedic relief and communicates with signs.
The audiobook, narrated by Em Eldridge, is praised for its engaging character portrayals.
Legendary Television acquired the screen rights to the novel in 2023.
Ending with a cliffhanger, Assistant to the Villain was followed by a sequel, Apprentice to the Villain, in 2024. A third installment, Accomplice to the Villain, is slated for release in August 2025.
Assistant to the Villain was a finalist in the 2023 Goodreads Choice Awards 2023 in the Romantasy category.
Translation rights have been sold in more than a dozen territories.
TV adaptation
Legendary Television acquired the rights to adapt Assistant to the Villain into a limited series. Author Hannah Nicole Maehrer will serve as an executive producer with Liz Pelletier and Sharon Hall. As of June 2025, the series is in development.
About the author
Hannah Nicole Maehrer is a bestselling author in the fantasy-romance genre and a popular BookToker with a propensity for villains. She enjoys questioning fairy-tale norms and pushing moral boundaries in her works through using humor and creating complex relationships. Her debut novel Assistant to the Villain (2023) became a New York Times bestseller and inspired two sequels, Apprentice to the Villain (2024) and Accomplice to the Villain (2025).
