Assistant to the Villain Books in Order: The Complete Series Guide (2026)

Hannah Nicole Maehrer’s Assistant and the Villain series began as a viral TikTok serial before becoming a bestselling book franchise — a cozy fantasy romantic comedy built on an irresistible premise: what if the villain’s competent, cheerful assistant fell for her terrifying boss? The result is one of the most charming corners of contemporary romantasy, and this guide lays out the reading order and what to expect.

The short version: start with Assistant to the Villain and read the series in publication order.

The Assistant and the Villain Series at a Glance

Best starting point: Assistant to the Villain — the first book of the series and the only place to start.

Start Here: Assistant to the Villain

Assistant to the Villain introduces Evie Sage, who — desperate for work to support her family — takes a job as the assistant to the most feared man in the kingdom: the Villain himself. What follows is a workplace comedy with a body count, as Evie proves alarmingly good at her job (filing, scheduling, the occasional cover-up) while a slow-burn attraction builds between her and her dangerous, brooding boss. A traitor in the Villain’s organization gives the first book its central mystery, and Maehrer’s voice — funny, warm, and self-aware — sets the tone for the whole series.

It’s cozy fantasy at its most appealing: whimsical world-building, a found-family workplace, and an enemies-adjacent romance that’s more swoony than scary. The book ends in a way that pulls readers straight into the sequel.

Continue the Series

#2 — Apprentice to the Villain (2024)

Apprentice to the Villain picks up directly from the first book, raising the stakes for Evie and the Villain both personally and professionally. The romance deepens, the threats facing the organization grow, and Maehrer expands the world and the supporting cast while keeping the comedy and warmth that defined the debut. It’s an essential continuation for anyone who loved the first book.

#3 — Accomplice to the Villain (2025)

Accomplice to the Villain carries the story forward, developing the central relationship and the larger conflict the series has been building. The dangers escalate and the emotional stakes rise as Evie’s role in the Villain’s world becomes more entangled and more central.

#4 — Adversary to the Villain (August 4, 2026)

Adversary to the Villain is the forthcoming fourth book — and, per the publisher, the finale of the series — bringing Evie and the Villain’s story to its conclusion. The official synopsis sets up the title’s twist: the position of “adversary to the villain” has been filled, though Evie doesn’t recall applying, as a dangerous prophecy threatens the magic of Rennedawn and keeps pointing in her direction. It builds on everything the earlier books establish, so it’s strictly one for readers who’ve followed the series. It releases August 4, 2026, and is available to preorder now.

How to Read the Assistant to the Villain Series

This is a clean, linear reading order with no overlapping timelines: Assistant to the Villain, Apprentice to the Villain, Accomplice to the Villain, and then the forthcoming finale Adversary to the Villain (August 2026). The series is one continuous story following Evie Sage, with each book building directly on the last, so reading in publication order preserves the character development, the slow-burn romance, and the unfolding mysteries exactly as intended. Start with the first book and read forward — and if you’re caught up through Accomplice, you’re ready for the finale the moment it lands.

Why Assistant to the Villain Resonates

The series’ charm comes from inverting a familiar setup: instead of a chosen-one heroine fighting a dark lord, we get the dark lord’s extremely capable employee, navigating office politics that happen to involve magic and murder. Maehrer plays the workplace-romcom comedy against the fantasy danger to delightful effect, and the cozy, lower-heat tone makes it an approachable gateway for readers who want romantasy’s slow-burn and world-building without the grimmer edges of the genre. It’s the kind of series readers tend to inhale in a weekend and immediately recommend to friends.

What Sets the Series Apart

Plenty of fantasy romance plays with morally gray love interests, but few do it with the lightness and wit of Assistant and the Villain. By telling the story from the villain’s employee rather than a heroic adversary, Maehrer gets to mine the comedy of ordinary problems — payroll, scheduling, an overzealous coworker — colliding with magical villainy, while letting the romance build through proximity and banter rather than high tragedy. The result is a series that feels genuinely fresh in a crowded genre, and it explains why it leapt from a TikTok serial to bestseller lists so quickly.

The cozy tone is the secret to its broad appeal. There’s real tension and danger in the plots, but the books stay warm and funny throughout, making them comfort reads as much as romance. For readers who find darker romantasy emotionally heavy, the series offers all the slow-burn satisfaction with a much gentler landing — the kind of book you finish with a smile rather than an emotional hangover.

If You Love Assistant to the Villain, Read These Next

For more whimsical, romance-forward fantasy, try Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross, which pairs a swoony slow-burn with atmospheric world-building. If you want to step toward something with a bit more bite while keeping the banter, The Cruel Prince by Holly Black delivers court intrigue and an enemies-to-lovers arc. And for the romantasy juggernaut that anchors the genre, Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros is the natural next step up in stakes and heat.

More Romantasy Reading Guides

• Books Like Fourth Wing: 11 Romantasy Reads for Dragon-Rider Fans
• Rebecca Ross Books in Order: Divine Rivals and Beyond

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