WOOING THE WITCH QUEEN by Stephanie Burgis (BUDDY READ REVIEW)
Nils and Beth kick off their new year of buddy reads with the start of an exciting new trilogy from Stephanie Burgis, WOOING THE WITCH QUEEN…
Warning: We do try and keep our reviews spoiler-free, but we do discuss some plot elements.
Wooing the Witch Queen by Stephanie Burgis is the start of a delightful, funny and seductive romantasy trilogy, set in a gaslamp-lit world where hags and ogres lurk in thick pine forests and genteel court intrigues can turn deadly . . .
Queen Saskia is the wicked sorceress everyone fears. After successfully wrestling the throne from her evil uncle, she only wants one thing: to keep her people safe from the empire next door. For that, she needs to spend more time in her laboratory experimenting with her spells. She definitely doesn’t have time to bring order to her chaotic library of magic.
When a mysterious dark wizard arrives at her castle, Saskia hires him as her new librarian on the spot. ‘Fabian’ is sweet and a little nerdy, and his requests seem a little strange – what in the name of Divine Elva is a fountain pen? – but he’s getting the job done. And if he writes her flirtatious poetry and his innocent touch makes her skin singe, well . . .
Little does Saskia know that the ‘wizard’ she’s falling for is actually an Imperial archduke in disguise, with no magical training whatsoever. On the run, he’s in danger from Saskia’s enemies and her new-found allies, too. So when Saskia finally discovers the truth, will their love save them – or be their doom?
Wooing the Witch Queen is due for publication 20th February 2025. You can pre-order your copy HERE
First things first: Wooing the Witch Queen has been marketed as ‘the start of a delightful, funny and seductive romantasy trilogy’…neither of you are usually drawn to romantasy! Explain yourselves.
Beth: I’ve read plenty of fantasies that have a big romance plot but weren’t called ‘romantasy’ (The City of Brass, Daughter of the Moon Goddess, Starling House, A Marvellous Light, For the Wolf…) I’m certainly not adverse to romance in my fantasy! I just happened not to have read any of the big hitters in this new genre label I guess? But what drew me to this was, first and foremost, it’s Stephanie Burgis. I loved Snowspelled and have been meaning to return to this author and just haven’t got round to that (despite being quoted as ‘a fresh new voice’, Stephanie has loads of indie titles you can explore!). Also, it’s a librarian and a witch queen; it sounds like such a great mix of magic and cosy!
Nils: Ok, ok, romantasy isn’t a sub-genre I’m usually drawn to (at all) but like you Beth, I don’t mind having romance in fantasy either. I have adored books by India Holton, Sangu Mandanna and Megan Bannen which I guess technically come under the romantasy category but I personally would define more as cosy, fun and heartfelt fantasy with a Rom-Com style romance rather than the brooding, dark or angsty kind which a lot of the more popular romantasy titles seem to entail. I felt Wooing the Witch Queen would be more along the fun lines and although unlike Beth I haven’t read any other works by Stephanie Burgis, knowing how lovely she is, I really wanted to support her release. I’m so glad I did because I love magical libraries, non-human characters, witches and wizards and this ticked all those boxes.
Beth: I’ve been trying to work out why I’m not drawn to romantasy when I actually like romance and I think you’ve hit the nail on the head there Nils; it’s the brooding and the angst, the do or die drama that puts me off!
First Impressions – did it meet your expectations?
Beth: first impression – I was very impressed by how succinctly Burgis appraises us of Felix’s situation. We learn about his life, his treatment at the hands of his regent, the cruelties inflicted on him as a puppet head of state, without being bombarded by emotion. Instead, Felix’s entire demeanor is endearing whilst inviting sympathy
Nils: From the very first chapter I knew that I was going to enjoy this book immensely. The tone immediately made me smile and the premise of this Archduke who knows that his father-in-law, the Count, is trying to kill him and refuses to let that happen just completely grabbed me. Within just a few sentences I felt attached to Felix and really wanted him to escape.
Beth: It’s quite a sad start to a book, and yet I felt immediately at ease and like you Nils, I knew I was going to enjoy this one straight away!
Meeting Saskia for the first time, there are hints that her upbringing had similarities to Felix’s. Now, she finds herself with a reputation to uphold – of being a witch queen – whilst all she actually wants to do is experiment with her magic. She reminds me a great deal of the protagonist from Dreadful. I’m loving the whole cosy-evil vibes!
Nils: I really need to read Dreadful! That’s so true though Beth, it is a sad start with both of our main protagonists having a backstory of cruelty at the hands of those who were meant to care for them and now both having a reputation that doesn’t quite reflect either of them. Yet at no point does the story feel heavy or dark. In fact throughout it always remains hopeful and uplifting, doesn’t it?
Beth: It does, it’s because Burgis doesn’t linger over the emotions the characters are feeling with regards to that past. They refer to them occasionally, but they’ve come through the other side at the point we enter their stories and are focusing on the next step of their lives!
What did you make of Felix and Saskia’s first encounter?
Beth: I think it really set the tone of what’s to come! It was like a comedy of errors; Felix’s arrival being mistaken for the expected arrival of a Dark Wizard, Saskia not really wanting to be there and so not really interpreting Felix’s responses correctly… I have the sense that miscommunication might be an ongoing theme with hilarious consequences. How about you Nils?
Nils: Comedy of errors is the perfect way to describe it, Beth. I just love the way Saskia barrelled on with her questions even when Felix wasn’t really answering them because she was so eager to get back to her witchcraft experiments. The way Felix was just so lost for words made me love his character even more, I mean he’s just adorable and oh so bewildered. I usually don’t like miscommunication between characters, it can become rather annoying when two characters don’t just say what they mean but I felt that it was going to be such a fun point in this novel.
Beth: Yeah it can be a very annoying contrivance, but in this instance there was a genuine cause behind it, so the miscommunication felt natural. Felix tries to explain himself, but gets cut off constantly, so you can hardly blame him for then going along with it all in the interest of survival!
What did you think of Kadaric Castle and the non-human staff who run it?
Beth: For some reason the castle itself didn’t leave a strong impression, rather there’s like pockets of it in my mind? Most notably, of course, the library. So I kept thinking of the castle as this small cosy place… until something happened and our frame expanded and I was reminded we were actually in a big castle!
Nils: On Felix’s first arrival to Castle Kadaric the way is lit by skulls which first gives the impression of a daunting, gothic fortress with monstrous creatures inside. Of course that’s not the case at all and inside is a place of warmth, whimsy and like Beth mentions, cosiness.
Beth: The skulls! Saskia had to be kind of reminded about them, like “You recall you’re a witch queen? Shall we turn the skulls on?” Such a funny moment.
Nils: It really was a funny scene! The Library is definitely the most memorable part of the castle as it’s the most time our two main characters spend in. The Library starts out as a sanctuary for our masked Felix to hide away in, it’s where he can most put his education and knowledge to use and in bringing order to Saskia’s books he finds a sense of purpose. Yet when Saskia begins to spend time with him there too, a closeness begins to form.
Beth: You are so right Nils, it’s an important place for him because he’s never had a sense of purpose before, he’s never had any autonomy until now.
I loved, but found it very sad, that Saskia’s staff were entirely non human; for all she was praised as a champion of supporting non human folk, I think it also had a lot to do with Saskia simply not trusting to be around humans after everything her uncle put her through.
Nils: That’s an excellent point Beth. Saskia wasn’t very trusting of humans at all which speaks volumes for how her trauma still impacted her.
Beth: I think my favourite characters were her crows? I loved that Saskia had a flock of crows that looked after her and were important to her, and one of the first things that happens is the youngest crow latches onto Felix. I think that was such a sweet story element, and was such a clever way of opening the trust between these characters. What did you think of Oskar Nils?
Nils: Oskar was adorable! Always protecting and guiding Felix around the Castle and showing Saskia how gentle her librarian was. I also quite liked Mrs Haglitz, the troll housekeeper, who was so affronted by Felix’s absence from meals and the comfort of his bed when he wouldn’t leave the Library!! She wouldn’t let either Saskia nor Felix miss meals and would personally bring their meals, and Saskia’s beloved troll coffee, to them. She loved everyone in the castle dearly and just wanted to take care of them, subverting how a reader would normally perceive a troll to be like!
And the Queens of Villainy? Did you immediately trust Queen Lorelei and Queen Ailana?
Beth: Weirdly, I did! I appreciated that Saskia was not the only Queen who was being judged and villainised for being a woman in a position of power. It’s that whole notion of a strong and intelligent woman – oh she must be dangerous and monstrous and we can’t trust her; and we have three women here who have fallen victim to this narrative in different ways. You’ve got Lorelei who is too free with her heart so is an evil fae temptress who you can’t take seriously, and you have Ailana who is the complete opposite, so of course is this frigid Queen of ice and frost.
Nils: Yes, great point Beth! All three women are persecuted for their power and intelligence which seems to threaten the patriarchal system that the Empire is too used to.
I have to admit, I didn’t trust Lorelei entirely when we first met her, nor did I like her flirtatious nature. I did see her as a little cliche lustful Queen but as further events unfolded, Burgis truly showed us how much more there is to Lorelei.
Beth: For shame Nils, you fell for the patriarchy’s lies!
Nils: I shall hang my head in shame! But I soon saw that Lorelei is a woman who is perceptive and has schemes and plans up her sleeve, who uses her flirtatious reputation to fool others, who sometimes acts rashly but with good intentions for those she loves, and these were all traits I grew to admire in her. As for our Queen of Ice, well Ailana is the complete opposite in that she’s not quite an ice maiden but she is reserved, she sees a situation from all angles and so she makes a great friend/ally to have in a crisis. That’s a key point here, though Saskia may not see it until later on but these three women are united in friendship.
Beth: Although they were clearly interested in the library and the spells there, it felt like professional curiosity more than rivalry. I think it could have been so easy for Burgis to have turned these women against each other, so it was refreshing to see them not only creating an alliance, but insisting Saskia be active in it. When she doesn’t turn up to the meeting, they come to her, and it reminded me so much of my friendship group of mums I made when my children were in nursery. Ten years later, and we’re still looking out for each other. It was lovely to see that strong female friendship bond represented.
Nils: Ah that’s so lovely Beth! I was so glad there was no rivalry between the Queens too and that they were united in supporting each other all the way.
So let’s talk about the key theme here; the romance! Did you feel it was done well? Was it believable? What did you think?
Beth: I thought the romance was very well done indeed, but then I wouldn’t have expected less of Burgis. Given the title of the book, I think it’s fair to say they wooed each other. Felix’s unconscious wooing (so his respect for Saskia’s staff/family, his care of her library and particularly her mother’s writing, the fact her crows trust him) is what I think wins Saskia, but his actual attempts at wooing were so thoughtfully sweet, and were just the final confirmation Saskia needed. There was a tentativeness to their relationship which made them so delectable to read. These are two people who have been hurt and betrayed, so to see them finding the little ways to gain each other’s trust was as equally satisfying as anything else that may or may not come later.
I know insta-love is a pet peeve of yours Nils, were you relieved it was absent here?
Nils: I bloody well was!! I don’t mind insta-attraction but insta-love is something I don’t like to see as I prefer seeing a relationship slowly and organically blossom, which Burgis does so well here. As you said Beth, Felix and Saskia woo each other starting with a growing trust and developing with meaningful gestures to each other. For example the poems that Felix leaves for Saskia to find, Saskia allowing Felix to see her mother’s book and finally the gifts they give each other at the troll festival. It really was so satisfying to see the genuine romance between them, the way they helped each other become more confident people and the way they protected one another.
Beth: I was relieved that Burgis managed to avoid various cliches we kept hypothesising!
Nils: Yes!! We kept predicting how the story would go, the conflict that was surely to come and so it was pleasantly surprising to be proved wrong!
I even was pleased to see Saskia’s ex lover, Mirjana, her First Minister, was not the jealous conniving woman we first thought, was she Beth?
Beth: I had so many theories about Mirjana! Obviously, I don’t want to give too much away or run the risk of spoilers, but she’s a character who surprised me. I felt she was a good reminder of Saskia’s more practical role, she was a bridge between the two worlds Saskia was trying to bring together.
Were there any other strong themes?
Beth: I’ve already mentioned the female friendship theme, I think the other major ones were found family, and narratives of the winners/who are the real monsters? And both are kind of tied together quite closely. We have Saskia, whose uncle murders her parents to steal her throne, and creates this narrative of having to protect the throne and country from Saskia’s magic powers. She escapes and is raised by ogres and trolls, people who are vilified, again, because they are magical creatures. I really wasn’t expecting this depth of commentary so it was a very pleasant surprise to have this extra meat on the bones of this story! I would say the simplification of human men equals bad was something of a shame, but it was a very minor aspect in the grand scheme of the themes of the book.
Nils: I do agree with you Beth, it did appear that every male character (except Felix) were the villains and I would have preferred some nuance here, a few more male characters who weren’t inherently evil.
Beth: Or women who were.
Nils: That too! Yet it didn’t distract from my overall enjoyment of the book because there was plenty more to it.
Found family is one of my favourite tropes/themes and seeing two characters without a family gain a non-human, magical one was very heart-warming. I feel this ties into the theme of belonging which is another important aspect throughout. I feel that Burgis reflects on the message that no matter how different you are you can always find a place to belong, that there are always people who will love you, and that’s exactly what happens with Saskia, Felix and the non-human outcasts.
Beth: Oh very well put Nils!
Did you have any favourite quotes? [Beth and Nils read advanced copies and quotes are subject to change]
Beth: I really love this quote 🥺
“Felix had never felt so unanchored, adrift from all he’d ever known.
But every shockingly cold, fresh breath he drew tasted enticingly like freedom.”
Nils: One of my favourite scenes in the book was that of the Winter’s Turning festival and I loved the theatre of Saskia’s grand entrance into the ball.
“Every candle in those chandeliers lit with a triumphant blaze, flooding the gathered crowd with light as the Witch Queen of Kitvaria stalked into the ballroom that now unmistakably belonged to her. Grinning fiercely behind his mask, Felix started forward to pay tribute to his queen.”
What were your overall thoughts?
Nils: Wooing the Witch Queen by Stephanie Burgis is a heart-warmingly fun cosy fantasy which radiates with whimsy and charm. It was the kind of read that kept me smiling and had the kind of romance that was incredibly endearing. I had such a great time reading this book and look forward to the next.
Beth: I can’t wait for the next! The teasers from what Burgis has been posting online and from the epilogue of the book… I’m very much looking forward to the direction we seem to be going in!
As for my overall thoughts, this was a sweet and charming love story of two seemingly too different people. There’s plenty of comedy in their romance, with Shakespearian hidden identities and miscommunications, that made it such a joy to read. Burgis woos her readers with this story of trust and belonging that sparkles with magic and passion.
Wooing the Witch Queen is due for publication 20th February 2025. You can pre-order your copy HERE
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