Apprentice to the Villain

★★★½☆ - Almost There

Better then the First

So, I read book one back in August, and while it was okay, it felt like more of a palate cleanser—something light and fun but not overly memorable. That said, I was glad I picked it up. Going into Apprentice to the Villain, I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I ended up liking it a bit better than the first book.

The slow-building tension between Evie and Trystan was a major highlight. Their dynamic felt electric, filled with longing and unspoken feelings that added so much to their interactions. Trystan’s unwavering loyalty and protective nature stood out, and the way Evie matched his intensity made their scenes together both entertaining and emotionally charged.

Evie’s character really came into her own in this installment. Watching her embrace her strengths and step into a more assertive role was satisfying. Her abilities were intriguing, but the story didn’t delve deep enough into their origins or mechanics. It felt like we were supposed to just accept her newfound powers without much explanation, which was disappointing.

Trystan, however, stole the show for me. As the Villain, he’s effortlessly charismatic, commanding attention in every scene he’s in. His complexity as a character made him the most compelling part of the book, and his moments with Evie were easily my favorites.

While the romance was strong, the rest of the story faltered. The pacing became uneven in the latter half, and the fantasy elements felt underdeveloped compared to the first book. For a romantasy, the world-building should have been more robust, but instead, many events felt random and lacked sufficient context. The inclusion of side character perspectives didn’t add much to the story and sometimes detracted from the main plot.

The ending left me feeling unsatisfied, as it didn’t tie up enough threads to leave a lasting impression. While I’m curious about what’s next for Evie and Trystan, I’m also cautious in my expectations. This book had moments of brilliance, but its potential was undermined by inconsistent execution. Here’s hoping the next installment delivers a more cohesive and impactful narrative.