Stephanie Burgis is an instant buy for me when I see a new book, so much so that I even joined her Patreon for more!

Wooing the Witch Queen is a story of falling in love, magic, and libraries! Stephanie Burgis takes her time with her stories, which creates an environment (or setting) perfectly suited for cozy fantasy readers.

I recommend Wooing the Witch Queen to anyone who loves a misunderstood witchy woman and a bit of romance.

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to review Wooing the Witch Queen (:

This book was an amazing read after reading so many high-stake books in a row. It was sweet, conforting and a fresh of breath air (: I loved cinnamon-roll Felix and protective Saskia and will be on the look out for book 2 <3

3.5 stars rounded down.
Partially open door spice level.

I think if you enjoy The Spellshop, you'll like this one. I really enjoyed Saskia as a character, but I had a hard time connecting to Felix. He really just didn't have too much of a personality and I needed more from him as a character for the book to work as a whole.

I loved the addition of the crows and the other little side characters that were loyal to Saskia. I also like the setup to have another two books with those following the other two evil queens. I think that's really fun and will be a nice expansion on the world.

I will say the first 40% of the book was a bit dry and hard to get into, but it got so much better as the book went on. If Felix had been a bit more developed with more character, this could have been a 5 star.

4.5 stars
After sorceress Saskia finally wrests control over her kingdom from her evil uncle, she believes that she can relax into the magical experiments she's doing on behalf of her people. However, her minister tells her that she'll need to make speeches and (gulp) go to parties and all sorts of other things in order to convince the world she's not quite as evil and villainous as she's been made out to be. Fortunately, she's assisted in this endeavor by two fellow queens, both as magical and nefarious as Saskia. Saskia has also recently hired a dark magician to organize her library in the hopes of freeing up more of her time. What Saskia doesn't know is the dark magician is actually a runaway archduke, and his discovery may lead the entire continent to war. The author is well-versed in writing combinations of political intrigue, fantasy, romance and humor and it shows. This is a charmer of a romantasy and I'm fully onboard for book two!

This was such a breathe of fresh air! Having a gentle, crow-loving hero really won me over.
I don't read a lot of cozy leaning books, so I wish Queen Saskia was a bit more villainous. I did love how protective she was over her friends, staff, and anyone she perceived to look to her for protection.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an e-arc of Wooing the Witch Queen!

(3.75 stars)
Wooing The Witch Queen was a lovely story with a slow-burn romance, which I believe will delight readers of “cozy fantasy.”

Saskia is a young queen who has a reputation for being really evil. (But she’s really not.) She’s trying to protect her kingdom from the schemes of a neighboring kingdom, supposedly ruled by Archduke Felix, but really ruled by his cruel relative. Saskia took over the kingdom from her own cruel relative, so Saskia and Felix actually have a lot in common but they don’t know it.

Felix manages to escape somehow and finds his way to Saskia’s castle, where he hopes to seek shelter/asylum. But she thinks he’s a dark wizard answering her ad for a librarian to organize the totally unorganized magical library she inherited. Felix says his name is Fabian and wears a mask to conceal his famous face (it seems that wasn’t usual for a dark wizard?).

Saskia is a powerful witch and Felix/Fabian has no wizarding skills, but he works hard to read and categorize her collection of magical tomes and miscellaneous spell papers. Most of the book centers on the growing relationship between these two. It’s sweet to watch them gradually fall for each other - but of course Saskia doesn’t know who Felix/Fabian really is.

This is the first book in a series and it seems that the rest of the books will focus on the other “queens of villainy.” These women provided some comic relief, as did Saskia’s First Minister. There are two major non-human characters who serve Saskia: Morlokk, her majordomo, an ogre, and Mrs. Haglitz, her housekeeper, a troll, both of whom were wonderful characters, as were the castle’s crows, especially Oskar.

Note: There is a bit of steam in the later sections of the book. And there are references to physical punishments inflicted on the two main characters in the past.

I mainly listened to the audiobook version, which was beautifully narrated by Amanda Leigh Cobb. It kept me entertained on a long flight.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to a review copy of this audiobook and to Bramble and NetGalley for the opportunity to read a review copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

I feel hoodwinked! The way the blurb reads it's as if the Archduke knows he's being deceptive and is trying to influence his way into the evil queen's good graces, but rather, he bumbles his way into it and just "doesn't correct her". It's miscommunication at its finest, which I rather loathe, especially if but literally removing his hood it could have all been explained. The interactions between the two were fun, but the whole time it's the waiting for the show to drop, and I HATE third act conflict that solely revolves around unintentional eciet because someone was to chicken shit to just speak up.

Overall, the book was fine, but that's what it was, fine.

Thank you, Tor Publishing, for the review copy.

This was just okay for me. I like my fantasy to be more high stakes and typically avoid cozy fantasy. You will love this if you're a fan of a cozy vibe, slow-burn romance, and a softer golden retriever MMC.

What a delightful read! This was an excellent fantasy-romance with loveable characters, a good joy of political intrigue, and a whole lot of cozy relationship building. The writing was great and the worldbuilding was just enough to fill out the story and allow for readers to fill in any blanks they may have. Always appreciate a lighthearted romance with a bisexual lead.

A romantasy, but Stephanie Burgis–style. In other words, make it sweet (no major angst, kind and loving main characters, light on the spice, heavy on the yearning), great secondary characters who'll get their own stories, and mostly external conflict. The de facto librarian MMC was great, as was his raven familiar, but Ailana the eminently practical ice queen was my favorite and I'm looking forward to her (sapphic!) romance in book 3.

Amazon and Barnes & Noble review submitted
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**TL;DR**: The cozy fantasy romance I didn’t know I needed
**Source**: NetGalley and my own purchase. Thanks me! And thank you to the publisher!

**Plot**: Archduke Felix flees an abusive relationship for the Witch Queen’s tower, but he hides his identity and manages to fall in love in the process.
**Characters**: Absolutely delightful, every last one of the. I’d even read about the goblins we saw occasionally. Give me more!
**Setting**: A dark sorceress’s tower - but really a cozy home for her family and friends.
**Romance/Fantasy:** The fantasy is pretty standard as is the romance it’s just written and so fun I ate it up.

Was this the best written and freshest, newest take on a fantasy romance ever? Nope. But was it fun and cozy and made me laugh and kick my feet a little? Yes, yeah, 100%. Archduke Felix runs from his abusive father-in-law to the ‘evil queen’ Saskia’s tower. Once there he hides his identity and takes up a job as a librarian. Unfortunately the two are drawn to each other and feelings happen.

I loved so much of this. It hit that perfect pitch of cozy that I’ve been looking for since Legends and Lattes, but it had a delightful romantic plot in there as well. We even get the introduction of ‘new inventions’ with stationary items (a fountain pen!), like L&L’s coffee and treats. Saskia and Felix were both strong characters, Felix a pure sweetheart and Saskia a strong woman who is trying her best. The side characters were also a delight, along with our primary characters. My goal in life is to be like Mrs. Haglitz - I want to be a gnarled old troll with mushrooms growing on me while I take care of my family. PLEASE. For the length of the novel we get quite a bit of plot as well, setting up a larger world plot very well that will carry on into the next novels.

I cannot wait for the next books in this series, I’m mad I have to wait. I really recommend this for cozy fans, fantasy or romance. Romantasy fans in general will probably also love it as well. This is a big Yes from me, and I will recommend this for a long time.

Many thanks to Bramble and NetGalley for the digital review copy of this one, which is out now!

Wooing the Witch Queen Synopsis

This is the first book in Burgis' new Queens of Villainy series. In it, we meet the Evil Witch Queen Saskia, who has overthrown her Uncle to save her kingdom and just wants to be left in peace to figure out how to keep it protected. Meanwhile, Archduke Felix flees from the kingdom where he's kept prisoner, planning to throw himself on her mercy... only to be mistaken for a formidable dark wizard ready to take on the job of castle librarian. What ensues is a delightful slow burn, grumpy/sunshine romance where she's the prickly one.

Wooing the Witch Queen Review

My friends, I have been trying to enter my Romantasy era for over a year, without much luck. But Wooing the Witch Queen delivered for me.

The worldbuilding here is just enough to let us know how magic and politics work, driving the plot without slowing it down. I enjoyed getting to know the world as much as I liked meeting its characters, which isn't always the case.

Speaking of characters, there are so many wonderful side characters to pull at your heartstrings alongside the two main leads. For once, I didn't mind the alternating POV, as the mistaken identity really shone from having both sides of the situation.

The slow burn romance between Saskia and Felix/Fabian was spot on. I loved the slowly building trust and affection, along with the spicy tension. There was so much understanding and mutual respect before we got to the spicy bits, which is what I like in a romance.

Oh, and the plot had a few surprises. Sometimes, Romantasy sacrifices a strong plot to throw in as much spice as possible. Not here. I actually found myself surprised and delighted by some of what happened here, in the best way. We love when a romance still has plot, especially one that keeps you hooked.

Final Thoughts

This might very well be my first-ever five-star Romantasy read. I've read some decent ones before, but none had me hooked and delighted quite like Wooing the Witch Queen. It's a hard recommend for me, friends.

I’d heard Stephanie Burgis recommended fairly often in fantasy romance, so I was excited for this one, and if I’m honest I feel a bit let down. The tone of this book was weirdly inconsistent, which combined with worldbuilding which is imaginative but doesn’t feel fully fleshed out (or is at least not well explained) and some odd pacing issues in both the plot and the romance led the book overall to feel kind of juvenile and half-baked. When I looked the author up, I saw that her middle grade fiction generally reviews a lot better than her adult fiction, and honestly, that absolutely tracks with the writing displayed in this novel. The impression I got from this book was that of a middle grade author who wants in on the adult romantasy train but doesn’t quite have the chops to pull it off. The book did get much more interesting towards the end, but I’m not sure it was enough to save it, and although I really liked the side characters of Morlokk and Mrs. Haglitz, I wasn’t interested enough in the side characters who are clearly meant to be the MCs in the next book to want to continue on. I might still try some of the author’s other works though, just because the premises are interesting to me, and see if maybe those work out a little better.

Representation: bisexual characters

I thought this was very good and I will have to add this to the shop shelves. Thank you for the chance for us to review.

Felix is the Archduke of Estarion, but in name only. Count von Hertzendorff, an evil, conniving man, took charge and is ruling behind the scenes. Felix knows it’s only a matter of time before the Count arranges a “accident” that results in his death, so runs to a place where he knows the Count can’t touch him: the Mountains of Kitvaria where the infamous Witch Queen Saskia rules.

Felix intends to throw himself on Queen Saskia’s mercy, but when he arrives, he’s mistaken as the dark wizard they’ve hired to catalog the magical library and Felix doesn’t correct them. He figures he’ll bide his time and explain later. However, Felix falls into his job naturally and befriends the castle inhabitants as well as Queen Saskia.

Queen Saskia wrenched the throne away from her wicked uncle and she’s kept her kingdom safe so far, but trouble is brewing. She knows her uncle is again plotting against her. Saskia must find a way to eliminate the threat for good and so she keeps experimenting with spells to fortify her borders and tasks her new dark wizard to search for anything that could help, too.

For being a supposed “wicked” witch queen, Saskia had a big heart and treated all in her kingdom with kindness and love. Her priority was keeping her people safe. I really liked her! Felix quickly became her confidant and supporter, fiercely protective of her, so that when his identity came out it didn’t blow up like you’d think it would. Their attraction grew as they worked together.

I really enjoyed Felix and Saskia's slow-burn romance and rooted for them to prevail against their enemies! I liked the little twist with Felix at the end. I look forward to the next installment which centers on Queen Lorelei.

I LOOOOOOVE the dynamics in this romance. You have a Witch Queen and her gentle librarian. GENTLE LIBRARIAN?!?!? Swooooon. I love watching these two amazing characters come together and fit in all the right places. The journey and growth they both go through. Learning to trust each other and be strong for one another. <3 The slow burn is chef's kiss.

Wooing the Witch Queen is a cosy fantasy romance delight, with found family, multiple queens of villainy and a sweet slow burn romance.

We were delighted to interview Stephanie Burgis for Episode Five, Season Eight of the SFFRomCast, about Wooing the Witch Queen! You can check out our discussion via the SFFRomCast on YouTube, Apple, Spotify and other podcast distributors.

Rating: 5/5
I received the eARC for my honest opinion.

I loved this book so much, it was romantasy, but it was also like a historical with a good mix of fantasy in it as well. I loved that even though you have fantasy book this has more romance in it. This book also has action, drama and a lot of laughter. In this book you will meet Felix who is the Archduke of Estarion but he really isn’t he is just the figure head. He has been abused by his regent and father-in-law. You will meet Saskia who is a fierce, loyal and caring even though she knows that she is powerful, and she knows when to use it. They meet when Felix runs away to her kingdom looking for help but when he gets there, she is too busy in her potion room and mistakes him for the new dark wizard. He has the challenge of helping her get her library organized, and he takes it and learns that he will have to hide his identity.

This was a such a cute romantasy with a little (a very little) of spice. I loved that they were both falling for each other, but it was of course he falls first, and I wouldn’t have wanted it any other way. You will get to watch these two heal each other’s emotional abuse and even some physical. You will see these two learn to grow and understand themselves and want they want in the end. I found Felix to be such a sweetheart even though he has been through hell and back. He soon realizes that his father-in-law has ruined his reputation as the Archduke. He wants to make changes to his life and how his people see him in his area and the other areas as well. He is misunderstood, and I wanted to wrap him up in a cozy warm blanket and hold him for hours. I loved that Saskia is so fierce, and caring even though she has been through the ringer as well. Her parents’ loss was traumatizing to her and how her uncle treated her afterwards. She doesn’t trust right away but if you gain this queen trust you will see how far she will go to protect her friend/family. The side characters were well built, and you can see their stories coming alive in this book and I can’t wait to see what the next book will bring us.

I also received the audio of this book and wow. Amanda Leigh Cobb did a wonderful job bring the characters to life, as well as the book. You can tell that she really cared to bring the readers the best audio.

I want to thank NetGalley and Tor for the opportunity to review this book.

This story was incredibly charming. I loved how our hero was gentle and kind, drawing strength from his queen and future partner. This book was enjoyable and entertaining. The romance was simply enchanting. Wooing the Witch Queen is a kind of romance that skillfully weaves in its fantasy elements while giving us adventure, found family and magic! I'm excited to see more from this author and the series.

Thank you to the publisher for the opportunity to read and review.

I adored this! What a lovely, sweet romance with a tender relationship between traumatized characters finding their own strength. I had such a great time with this one and absolutely can't wait for the next in the series--while Wooing the Witch Queen more or less can stand alone, I am desperately eager for the next queen's story.

Thank you to Bramble for the beautiful arc! Opinions are my own.