audio-ARC from NetGalley.

This was so cute and fun!

While attempting to throw himself upon the enemy queen's mercy, Arch Duke Felix is mistaken for a dark wizard and hired as a librarian. Maybe the evil Witch Queen Saskia isn't as bloodthirsty and cruel as they say, but how is Felix supposed to tell her he's the Duke she hates so much?

This was super lighthearted. Despite the characters' tragic backstories and overwhelming traumas, they were both just sweet baby angels who loved animals and wanted to protect their people and live peacefully.

The audio experience was great, the characters were lovable, and the ending didn't piss me off.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio for the alc, all opinions are my own!

Saskia is the witch queen, feared by many and thought to just be wicked and terrible. She has stolen the throne from her uncle and brought on a librarian to help her secure her castle and throne.

A cast of magical characters, golden retriever hidden identity libration, and black cat bi queen. This was a really fun listen and the narrator did a great job portraying the story and bringing the characters for life. This is more of a hazy lens romance. Perfect cozy vibes.

Wooing the Witch Queen by Stephanie Burgis is a fun and easy read about a badaass witch and a cinnamon roll archduke who comes to her castle for help.

The narrator did a fantastic job. She is also the same narrator who read #3 and #3.5 in the ACOTAR series, and she did well in those books as well. I was happy to hear her narrate again.

In the beginning I was impressed with the fact that there was an actual plot and politics. Many times I feel like romance novels forget about the plot and it becomes underdeveloped. Sadly as I continued that is exactly what happened. I loved reading about ogres and goblins and crow familiars. I loved the talk about all races being equal. What politics that was there I enjoyed. I love the cinnamon roll MMC and strong independent FMC. However, I wished to have learned more about.... Well everything. There wasn't enough character development, not enough world building, and not enough the plot to really get sucked in.

I still might continue the series cause it was fun. I just wanted more depth. It wasnt bad but not very memorable.

Thank you Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. I look forward to more of your work.

An enchanting cozy fantasy. Easy to follow low stakes storyline, clean romance. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

This audiobook was lots of fun. This book is a cozy romance with a little spice. Really little spice. The archduke runs away from home because he’s been held captive, and things aren’t going well. His uncle has been running his country so he decides to seek the help of the queen in the neighboring kingdom and hopefully maybe take back his rule. However, when he’s mistaken for a dark wizard, he thinks what a better place to hide then with the queen next door. A big Library that needs organizing and a cast of wild characters makes this an enjoyable read. Both good and evil witches, some that sparkle rainbows, and some that are just up to no good. This was thoroughly enjoyable from beginning to end. This audiobook also gives you a preview of the next book that’s out late 2025 early 2026. Yes I do want the next book.

Thank you to Bramble and Macmillan Audio for my ARC copies of Wooing the Witch Queen by Stephanie Burgis which released on 2/18/25!

This was my first novel by Burgis, and I fell in love with her smart, witty dialogue, and cozy found family vibes. This is book 1 of a new Queens of Villainy series, which will connect with readers who enjoy the vibes found in the Assistant to the Villain series, or anyone who has ever truly loved a new fountain pen!

Queen Saskia is known as a wicked sorceress, feared by all, but she'd much rather work on her spellcraft than be bothered by the boring administrative tasks of running a queendom, or organizing her library. When Fabian, a dark mysterious wizard, arrives at her doorstep, Saskia hires him to put together her library while also searching for a unique spell that will assist her in locating her enemy, the Imperial archduke. Fabian is running from his own secrets, including his identity as the archduke Saskia seeks, but the longer he works for Saskia, the more he falls for her, while exploring his own magical identity.

You can expect:
Hidden Identity
Magical familiars (Oskar the crow!)
Hurt/comfort; finding safety in a partner after abuse
Cinnamon Roll MMC/Black Cat FMC
Slowburn romance (all the whimsical gestures.... "You deserve poetry.")
Bisexual representation
Political intrigue and twists

Narrator Amanda Leigh Cobb did a wonderful job capturing the variety of characters, including the troll housekeeper, and bringing Burgis' irreverent writing style to life. From the nuanced poetry of sweet, gentle Felix, to Saskia making a grand entrance wearing a crown of bones, Cobb delivered the ups and down of the action perfectly.

This is my first book by Stephanie Burgis and I was pleasantly surprised. This book sucked me in a lot faster than I expected. But what's not to love about an MMC that is a cinnamon roll librarian?? Saskia, the FMC, is fantastic. I loved everything about her. She the queen and she'll protect her land but that's not her passion in life. She's an academic, just like Felix, and I respect that. Considering this is the first book in a series, the world building is superb. It was already very full and cohesive. I can't wait to read the next books!!

ALC 🎧 Book Review 🤍

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
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This was such an entertaining story!! I loved our MCs, but even the side characters were full of personality. A very cozy fantasy w/ just the right amount of tension. The world building was semi minimal- I did like the plot? But it wasn’t like, out of this world lol. It was def a fun 🎧 through though & I’m excited to see how to next book develops. I love that we’re moving onto a different character- Esp since the three Queens of Villainy were so fun together.

I love these characters and their found family so much. Bisexual queen and her dark wizard librarian is an absolute must for a cozy fantasy! I highly recommend if you just need a cozy fantasy in your life.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced listener copy of this book. I did happen to listen to this book while still in a reading slump so again I don’t think my rating fully shows how much I actually enjoyed it. It also doesn’t help that I do not expect the story to be so cozy and so I think that kind of threw me off too even though I love cozy fantasy. in the story, we basically have hidden identity on accident. We have Felix, who is fleeing his abusive family, and then comes into the witch queen‘s castle and accidentally gets mistaken as a black wizard. He decides to go with this and to see what happens. We also get to meet our witch queen and find out that she really just wants to be able to work on spells and not be bothered by all the politics that she has to take care of. I will say this is very much a slow burn and I think it was like 70% until we got something. This book also with spiciness is not that high. We get told a lot of things but we don’t see a lot of things. Like most romance series you definitely know who the next couple is going to be and I’m assuming this is going to be a trilogy where we focus on the three witch queens.
Reviews will be posted on Goodreads, Storygraph and TikTok.

Wooing the Witch Queen is a unique blend of magic, romance, and just the right sprinkle of chaos. The story’s got that cutesy charm with playful banter and heartwarming moments that’ll make you grin like an idiot. It wraps you in a cozy world full of enchanting vibes and quirky characters, perfect for curling up with on a lazy day. Honestly, it’s just plain fun—the kind of read that doesn’t take itself too seriously but still keeps you hooked. If you’re into magical mischief and sweet slow-burn romance, this one’s got your name written all over it.

Wooing the Witch Queen was a satisfying quick read that I really enjoyed. Burgis writes loveable characters who grow and shine throughout the story, she weaves a world that is vibrant and diverse. I can’t wait to see what she writes next.

A delight! This was such a fun listen and has me chomping at the bit for the next installment. This is fairly low stakes fantasy, leaning into cozy. It features some great tropes - found family, "who did this to you" (with a role-reversal!), villain gets the girl (0r in this case guy), and more. The MMC is an adorable cinnamon roll who is pretty much head over heels for our scary witch queen. There is an intriguing plot that looks like it will carry through the trilogy which looks like it will feature our two other scary queens! I am highly anticipating the next book in this delightful new series.
P.S. audiobook featured great narration by Amanda Leigh Cobb, though I would love to see a dual narration for the next books.

I enjoyed this clever story that moved at a great pace. Women embracing their power and fearful reputations so they can protect each other was a nice change. I also appreciate that our hero settles into his new role as a librarian and sets about learning from what he organizes. Cozy elements combine with medium-stakes fantasy. And all around good time. 3.5 stars rounded up

I have to admit this is my first book by Stephanie Burgis. I had never heard of her previously but was excited by the premise of “Wooing the Witch Queen”. My excitement was heightened when OwlCrate announced this would be the adult book subscription pick. I was lucky enough to listen to an arc of it’s audiobook format. After finishing the audiobook I can’t wait to pick up a physical copy.

“Wooing the Witch Queen” is a heartwarming cosy Romantasy which radiates with magic and charm. Plus it’s full of some of my favorite tropes, “Who did this to you?!?”, found family, and enchanting animal familiars.

We have our MMC Felix, who is the Archduke of Estarion. Felix is currently fleeing his country after being tortured for years with the hopes of claiming asylum within our MFC Queen Saskia country. Saskia is known around the continent as the evil witch queen. Even knowing the stories, Felix feels that he has no other choice but to flee. When Felix enters the castle Saskia mistakes him for a dark wizard who has come to bring order to her magical library. Out of fear he takes on the fake identity and resides within the castle. However, The longer Felix resides within the castle the more he realises Saskia is not what the world has painted her to be.

I have to say I throughly enjoyed this book. I think my only complaint at least in its audiobook format is that it’s not duel narrated. I think if “Wooing the Witch Queen” had been duel narrated the story would have been even better. Even with that said I still enjoyed the narration by Amanda Leigh Cobb. She did a fantastic job playing every character. She brought character and enthusiasm to every character.

My only other small complaint was the pacing. I did find the beginning slightly slow. But that only lasted the first 7 chapters. After that it was smooth sailing and I was hooked.

Now for the things I loved. Immediately my brain goes to our characters. Specifically Felix & Saskia. Felix is seriously one of the best golden retriever book boyfriends I’ve read in a while. And Saskia is such a fiery pistol underneath her grumpy exterior. I absolutely adored them both. Watching these two fall in love and share vulnerability with one another was so satisfying. They both felt like genuine couple. I loved watching them help each other become more confident people and the way they protected one another.

Continuing on with characters. We can’t forget one of my new favorite found families. Starting with Oskar the crow. I can’t believe I fell so hard for a bird. But here we are. I seriously loved that little crow so much and the book had me constantly wishing I had a Oskar of my own. Then we have Mrs Haglitz, the troll housekeeper. Mrs Haglitz reminds me of Mrs. Potts from “Beauty and the Beast”. You can easily see that she cares for everyone within the castle. And you can feel the motherly bond she had for Saskia. Also have to throw in a quick mention for Lorelei & Ailana. Even though Lorelei got on my nerves sometimes. You can tell they care for Saskia and are truly the best loyal friends anyone could ask for.

Overall, I highly recommend “Wooing of the Witch Queen”. And I can’t wait to read the sequel for Lorelei’s story! Big thank you to NetGalley & Macmillan Audio for providing me an arc copy!

Oh my this was wonderful! We love a bi morally grey queen and a cinnamon roll masked librarian! The MMC gives off major Dorian from TOG vibes! The narrator did a phenomenal job on this one! This was such a cute fun adventure and I’d love to see more in this universe!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ – Wicked Sorceress Falls for a Cinnamon Roll in Disguise!

Ohhh this was deliciously fun! Imagine a gaslamp fantasy world where wicked sorceresses rule, ogres lurk in dark forests, and magic crackles in the air like static before a storm. Now throw in a cinnamon roll of a fake wizard—who is actually an imperial archduke in disguise—and you’ve got a recipe for pure chaos (and some serious swooning).

Queen Saskia is the powerful, no-nonsense sorceress everyone fears, but she’s got bigger problems than public perception—like the looming imperial threat next door and the absolute disaster that is her magical library. Enter Fabian, a mysterious wizard with excellent organizational skills and a penchant for writing poetry that just so happens to make Saskia’s cold heart stutter. She hires him on the spot. The only problem? He is not a wizard. Not even a little bit. Not even at all.

Cue the slow-burn tension, sizzling chemistry, and absolutely hilarious moments where Fabian tries so hard to keep up the act (while also falling hopelessly for Saskia). And let’s not forget the uneasy alliance of three magical queens, the looming war, and the fact that secrets never stay secret forever.

Why not 5 stars? The middle dragged a teensy bit, and I wanted just a bit more time with our power couple post-reveal. But honestly? This book had me grinning, swooning, and gasping in equal measure. If you love wickedly powerful women, secretly-soft-for-her love interests, and a touch of political intrigue, this one’s for you!

Queen Saskia has managed to take back her rightful throne, but her work has only just begun. She hires a dark wizard to manage her library, but Fabian isn't who he appears to be. Fabian is actually Felix and Felix is actually a duke on the run and in disguise. Can navigate her new role without losing her heart?

Read if you like:
-Magic
-Secret Identities
-Found Family
-Cozy Fantasy

I really enjoyed Wooing the Witch Queen. It was fun, fresh, and layered with enough intrigue to keep me glued to my ear buds. I can't wait for more in the Queens of Villainy series.

A great cozy read with interesting world building and an interesting dynamic between the love interests. I love stories where the woman is in power, and having a badass witch queen as the protagonist was a fun addition to this story. I enjoyed the narrator's voice and pacing, and I thought they did a good job telling the story in a way that worked well and was easy to follow along. I also enjoyed the side characters and world building within this story.

2.5 out of 5 stars

Thank you to MacMillan Audio #macaudio2025 and NetGalley for a copy of this ALC.

I really wanted to like this. I think the premise seemed so fun! Then I realized that certain fantasies aren't for me. I think the funny, low stakes, witty fantasies aren't my thing, I think that people that like low stakes, lighthearted and funny and fantasies that immerse you in the fantasy world immediately would love this book. I just realized this book was not for me. I did like the fact that some of the usual tropes you see were flipped over on their head.

I do think that the narrator did a great job and created really fun vibes for the story.

Closed Door Modifications: Chapter 24