In a gaslamp-lit world where hags and ogres lurk in thick pine forests, three magical queens form an uneasy alliance to protect their lands from invasion, and love turns their world upside down.
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 the “wizard” she’s falling for is actually an Imperial archduke in disguise, with no magical training whatsoever. On the run, with perilous secrets on his trail and a fast growing yearning for the wicked sorceress, he’s in danger from her enemies and her newfound allies, too. When his identity is finally revealed, will their love save or doom each other?
Wooing the Witch Queen by Stephanie Burgis is not only a very entertaining cosy-dark fantasy, it also blends romance with a gentle, well-timed sense of humour.
What I adored most were the bonds and loyalties that grew between all kinds of races and people. The evil queen and her staff are found family at its finest, and I loved spending time with them. Whether in the magical library or bustling around the kitchen, it was a joy to watch friendships form and deepen in such natural, heartfelt ways. These softer, domestic moments shine even more because they exist alongside darker elements that give the story real weight.
While I am not usually a romance reader, I do enjoy the occasional cute or fun romance as long as it does not take itself too seriously. This book absolutely hit the nail on the head with its humour and banter. I honestly think I would have enjoyed it just as much if the central relationship had stayed a strong friendship, but the romance never made me roll my eyes or cringe. It felt light, respectful, and perfectly in tune with the rest of the story.
“Over the years, he had seen more than one public demonstration of strength performed by Gilded Wizards in the Serafin Empire’s service, but even when three or four of those highly trained wizards worked together, not one of their demonstrations neared this level of power. Yet the notorious Witch Queen of Kitvaria had famously created this on her own.”
It is also one of the coolest things that has ever happened to me as a reader. Some moments genuinely amazed me because the author named a kingdom after me, Kitvaria. Seeing my name woven so naturally into the worldbuilding felt surreal and deeply special, especially when it was tied to such powerful and memorable scenes.
“The only magic ever allowed in any of the twelve archduchies that made up the Serafin Empire was carefully leashed Gilded Wizardry, kept safe for the nonmagical citizens through rigorous, lifelong Imperial training and strictly enforced regulations. Before he had crossed into Kitvaria, Felix had never seen a nonhuman creature in his life. Until today, he could not have imagined the sight before him.”
On top of all that, the book features strong coffee and a Christmas-like holiday. At that point, I was completely sold. This story truly feels like it was written just for me, from its themes to its atmosphere.
Wooing the Witch Queen is immersive, playful, and warm, but it is not toothless. Its cosy atmosphere is balanced by darker moments, making the comfort feel earned rather than easy. If you enjoy found family, quirky magic, and a touch of romance wrapped in cosy-dark fantasy that is willing to show its shadows, this book is a delight.
