Scan barcode
toastyghosty13's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Something that slightly bothered me about this book is that a majority of it reads like it is for middle grade/YA. It was giving me flashbacks to reading the Septimus Heap series, except the characters were all in their mid-twenties instead of being 12 and in Assistant to the Villain there are minor mentions of sex (very minor, I almost wonder why it was even included considering how the book is written). I think it would have been better if the author had either leaned into just keeping it middle grade or leaned into making it for an adult audience rather than a strange mix of both.
Despite that dislike, I did find this to be a cute story and I like the main character Evie. She is a klutz and trips on everything, but it is kind of endearing and she doesn't try to change that about her. She still gets things done and it fully shows within the story that she is the central cog in which the Villain's machine functions around. At the base of it, the Villain is just a man that grew up quite lonely and was spited by others around him. I enjoy that Evie becomes that sunlight for him without pinning her to the manic-pixie-dream-girl trope, since he very much thinks he doesn't deserve someone as amazing as her.
There are some mysteries to solve and character backgrounds to unfold, but it isn't super deep. I liked the 2 main characters and want to see more of them. Some of the plot twists were a bit predictable but it was still fun to read and a nice change from what I normally read.
This book ends on a cliffhanger, and the sequel does not come out until later this year. I will definitely be reading the sequel since I am sold on the story.
Moderate: Murder
Minor: Child death, Alcohol, and Sexual assault
colorwriter's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Moderate: Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail, and Murder
Minor: Child death, Alcohol, and Torture
alilbitofeveryth1ng's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Kidnapping, Sexual assault, Torture, Abandonment, Murder, and Child death
zaramartin97's review against another edition
3.75
Moderate: Torture and Murder
Minor: Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, and Child death
chanlo1994's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Violence, Child death, Blood, and Murder
Moderate: Sexual violence
Minor: Sexual harassment
madalynn_owens's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Murder and Violence
Moderate: Sexual harassment, Abandonment, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Death of parent, and Grief
Minor: Child death, Confinement, and Kidnapping
azmadaz's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Moderate: Child death and Sexual assault
trappedinfandomland's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Murder, Blood, and Death
Moderate: Abandonment, Child death, and Sexual assault
book_rat's review
5.0
Moderate: Child death, Chronic illness, and Abandonment
Minor: Violence, Gore, and Fire/Fire injury
This book is free of characters actually wanting to kill themselves but it's not free of 'I'm gonna kms at a minor inconvenience' jokes.brewingespresso's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Moderate: Sexual assault, Injury/Injury detail, Child abuse, Sexual violence, Child death, Chronic illness, Torture, Sexual harassment, Police brutality, Grief, Gaslighting, and Emotional abuse