Enchanting the Fae Queen

Queens of Villainy #2

by Stephanie Burgis

Stephanie Burgis delivers another irreverent, sparkling, and sexy installment in the Queens of Villainy, where a seductive fae queen meets her unexpected match in the enemy empire's valiant general.

Queen Lorelei is a notorious fae seductress, with a trail of broken hearts in her wake. But behind her glamorous lifestyle and sparkling mask lurks a dangerously intelligent woman who’d do anything to keep her people safe, including kidnap the empire’s most famous hero.

The virtuous high general Gerard de Moireul represents all that is moral and true. He has to, after his parents were executed for treason. The last thing he needs is the Queen of Balravia, who showers glitter and rainbow-colored sparkles everywhere she goes without the slightest regard for good taste, decorum, or royal dignity.

They’re opposites in every way, but when they're swept up together in a grand--and deadly--fae tournament, they discover all of each other’s most hidden truths--and how perfectly they might be suited for each other after all.

Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Romantasy, Audiobook, Adult, Fantasy Romance, Magic

304 pages, Paperback

First published January 27, 2026

About the author

I grew up in America, but now I live in Wales with my husband, fellow writer Patrick Samphire, our two sons, and our sweet (and extremely vocal) tabby cat, Pebbles. I write fantasy rom-coms for adults (most recently Claws and Contrivances and Good Neighbors) and fun MG fantasy adventure novels, too (most recently The Raven Crown duology). My next series will be the adult romantasy trilogy The Queens of Villainy, published by Tor Bramble, starting in 2025 with Wooing the Witch Queen.

To get early sneak peeks at new stories and novels, sign up for my newsletter here: stephanieburgis.com/newsletter.

To join my Dragons' Book Club and get early copies of every ebook that I put out myself (so, all of my novellas, short story ebooks, etc!), check out my Patreon page, where I also published a series of fantasy rom-coms (Good Neighbors) across 2020-2021.

I only rate and review the books that I like, which is why all of my ratings are 4 or 5 stars.

Reviews

[Stephanie]

I just turned in my copyedits for this book, so I can officially say that I HAVE, indeed, read this (and I genuinely do love it)! :)

And it's available for preorder now.

***
ETA: e-ARCs are available now! If you're in the UK, request them here.

If you're in North America, you can request them from Netgalley or from Edelweiss.

[Mai ༊*·˚ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ★— High-strung generals and excess-loving queens with intimacy issues learn to open up and love each other here!

I admittedly still have not finished Wooing the Witch Queen, the first book in this series, but since I remembered most of the important details from that book, I had no trouble diving straight into this one!

I’d describe Enchanting the Fae Queen as a mostly lighthearted, easy read built around a dynamic I always love to see: a woman everyone assumes is disdainful or difficult, paired with a stiff, honorable man whose perception of her is slowly and then thoroughly shattered! Their relationship was very much the heart of the story and easily the highlight of the book for me.

Though I do have to say that the book features a trial sequence that didn’t really work for me and honestly just reaffirmed my belief that a lot of fantasy romance authors should consider other plot devices to force proximity and tension. I understood what the trial was meant to do, and I appreciated it in theory, but in execution it felt a bit pasted in rather than naturally integrated into the story.

The romance itself was solid overall, though I did wish the transition into Lorelei and Gerard opening up to each other had been smoother. As it stands, that shift between them felt a little abrupt, even if I enjoyed where they ultimately ended up.

Still, I really did have quite a bit of fun with this book and I will almost always appreciate a heroine who’s more daring and morally grey than her male love interest, which this book definitely delivered on.

🎧 Audiobook Note
🎙️ Narration Style: Solo
The narrator was solid throughout. She immersed me well in the story and made the listening experience feel smooth and easy, which really suited the tone of the book.

__________

Thank you to Tor Books for the ARC and to Macmillan Audio for the ALC.

[Maddie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️

this series is so fun! i liked book 2 just as much as book 1, which i don't see happening too often lately. i appreciate consistency, especially in a series like this.

i love me a book where the MMC is a by the book type and the FMC isn't. i also liked that this book didn't make the by the book type man overly broody etc. it was done quite well.

i do think that the trials element is ever so slightly unnecessary / but overall, this series is still super fun, and i find the side plots to be entertaining in moving the story forward. I'm also really excited for the final book!!

**thank you to Bramble for the ARC copy**

[Intisar Khanani]

Another sparkling entry in the Queens of Villainy series by Stephanie Burgis! The gentle hero and purpose-driven heroine of Wooing the Witch Queen (Book 1) had my heart, so I was quite looking forward to this very different pairing to see what Burgis would do with them.

Our heroine here is the sparkling (like, literally, sparkles falling off of her EVERYWHERE) Fae queen Ailana, who also happens to be hiding a lot behind that sparkly exterior. Our hero is the steady, very undramatic Gerard, who is also packing a world of hurt, which means he knows what he’s seeing when he finally, finally starts looking at Ailana. Admittedly, she’s outrageous through and through, so yes, she kidnaps him and enters them both into a potentially deadly Fae tournament right after the events of Book 1, so things are *very* fraught politically and now they’re stuck in their tournament and the only way out is to rely on each other… I mean, really, perfect romantasy vibes here. XD

As an adult story, there are a good number of explicit scenes, so if you, like me, prefer non-explicit reads, you’ll end up skimming/skipping a bit, but the story is fabulous fun regardless and our main couple is a delight (plus, we get hints of the next book, and cameos from our beloved previous Queen, so what’s not to love?). Recommend!

[BookishKB · Rating 5 out of 5]

👑✨ Bookish Thoughts
I freaking loved our villainous Queen Lorelei. Her sass, her scheming, and her unapologetic confidence had me cackling more than once. She was always up to something, even when she didn’t have a fully flushed out plan 🤣

Gerard was the perfect opposite to her in every way. Moral, very rigid, strict, and absolutely unprepared for Lorelei. Their enemies to lovers arc was a solid 10 out of 10 for me. And Gerard was definitely a fast learner once he stopped fighting it 😏🔥

That said, I wanted to give Lorelei the biggest hug anytime she spoke about her mother. Even though things were resolved by the end, I’m still mad at her mother.

✨ Favorite Quote
“I want to share all of your fun from now on. Feel free to kidnap me as many times as you like.”

💖 What to Expect
• Fae queen
• Human general
• Enemies to lovers
• Political intrigue
• Seduction & scheming
_ _ _

⭐ Final Score: 4.5 stars
🎙️ Narration Style: Solo (Jennifer Jill Araya)
📅 Pub Date: January 27, 2026
Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the advanced listening copy. All thoughts are my own.

[L & J Ross · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars- this was a delightful cozy romantasy that is Book 2 in the Queens of Villainy series. This book forces on Queen Lorelei of Balravia and her nemesis, the virtuous General Gerard de Moireul. While Lorelei abducts him into the fairy realm, they find themselves swept up into a deadly fae tournament, they must work together to survive. Meanwhile back in the realm, the General’s King Otto is plotting the eradication of all fae living in his kingdom.

[A.J. Lancaster · Rating 5 out of 5]

Buttoned-up general meets flirty fae queen, you say? Sign me up!

I enjoyed Wooing the Witch Queen so much that I immediately went and made sad puppy dog eyes in Stephanie’s inbox to pretty please let me read the next one early. These books are so heartwarming and swoony, with a found family you can’t help but root for. I had a thoroughly good time with this delightful romp.

[Tara ✨booksbeersbattlestargalactica✨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another standout installment in the 𝙌𝙪𝙚𝙚𝙣𝙨 𝙤𝙛 𝙑𝙞𝙡𝙡𝙖𝙞𝙣𝙮 world! This time, a glittering fae queen with a scandalous reputation collides with the enemy empire’s most principled general, and the result is equal parts tension and tenderness.

Lorelei’s sparkle and seduction mask a fiercely strategic ruler willing to risk everything for her people, while Gerard’s rigid honor and restraint make him the perfect foil to her chaos. Watching their dynamic unfold (especially once they’re thrust into a deadly fae tournament) was such a pleasure. The banter alone? Immaculate. 🤌🏻💗

I experienced this one on audio and completely devoured it. I was smiling (and occasionally giggling) the entire time, fully swept up in their chemistry. This interconnected series continues to impress me with its wit, heart, and layered heroines and I’m already impatiently waiting to see which villainous queen we follow next!!

4.5⭐️ rounded up

[Selene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh I absolutely loved this! I’ve never considered kidnapping a man to use as a boy toy and then accidently catching feelings but if I do I hope it goes exactly how Gerald and Loreleis escapade goes. They’re so cute and this was thoroughly enjoyable, loved the writing style that made me feel like I was reading a fairly tale and the excellent pacing. Looking forward to book three 😍 thanks to Netgalley, the author and publisher for this arc

[Danielle Pulliam · Rating 4 out of 5]

**𝔄ℜℭ ℜ𝔢𝔳𝔦𝔢𝔴** 𝔈𝔫𝔠𝔥𝔞𝔫𝔱𝔦𝔫𝔤 𝔱𝔥𝔢 𝔉𝔞𝔢 𝔔𝔲𝔢𝔢𝔫 𝔟𝔶 𝔖𝔱𝔢𝔭𝔥𝔞𝔫𝔦𝔢 𝔅𝔲𝔯𝔤𝔦𝔰

Release Date: January 27, 2026

3.75⭐️3🌶

This book was adorable and full of sarcasm and biting remarks. With a slightly villainous FMC and a stoically honorable MMC it was a fun fast read.

Gerard is forced to watch his parents' execution in the Seraphim Empire with his grandmother at his side. The next day, Gerard was sent to a miliary academy where he was meant to spend the remainder of his childhood. Not long after becoming the virtuous high general Gerard de Moireul, he was kidnapped by Queen Lorelei of Balravia, a notorious Fae seductress.

She allies/kidnaps Gerard,  a mortal, so that they can compete together in a set of trials set up by her Fae brother. He slowly starts to realize that Lorelei's vapish and shallow exterior is really a front to protect her from all the viciousness in the Fae court. Together they hope to make their way through the back-stabbing world of the Fae court, and also control the human army to keep them from annihilating the Fae world.

This was a fun fast read, but I found the world-building and the rivalry between the Fae-Fae and Human-Fae hard to follow at times.

Themes/Tropes:
🍁Rom Com in a Romantasy Setting
🍁Kidnapping the Male Love interest
🍁Parody of Typical Romantasy
🍁Much sarcasm
🍁Bouncing blond bimbo front to the public
🍁Stoically honorable and loyal male main character
🍁Type cast

TW:
✨Holding people prisoner
✨Manipulation
✨War violence

Thank you to @netgalley for the ARC copy!

[amarachireads · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series is being slept on if you love cozy romantasy with the black cat golden retriever vibes then you need to read this one. We have the fmc a queen who is also a“villain”. She kidnaps the mmc and is thrust into a deadly tournament with the mmc. As they try to navigate the tournament and come out alive they join reluctant forces. I loved the banter in this one, when an author does enemies to lovers well it should always have good banter lol. There is forced proximity of course and the political intrigue of the book was done well and had stakes. The mmc was swoony but like in the other book I wish we got more of him, I come out of the book still not knowing as much about him. The romance was cute and swoony once they finally decided to go for it. I liked the fmc and how strong she was overall this was a good high stakes but not overwhelming romantasy.

I read the audiobook Alf thanks to Macmillan Audio and I really enjoyed it, I will be reading the rest of the series I’m audiobook. The narrators did a good job bringing the characters to live. Definitely recommend.

[Gretal · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was never going to be my favourite book in this series; aside from the whole blonde4blonde and Gerard of it all, I just find the whole Honourable General sort of archetype incredibly boring. That said, I am SO exciting for Melting the Ice Queen. I think the setup and those two characters will make for a fantastic conclusion to this trilogy.

[Teresa (blewballoon) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series is great so far, I adored the first book, but I wasn't super interested in Lorelei as a character and so I wasn't as excited about this one. I don't recommend reading this book without reading the first, since there's a lot of setup there, but you could probably get away with it since they recap the important bits.

The highlights of the book are the fae magic and the world Lorelei comes from. Glitter and plants everywhere! Magical puzzles! Fairy bargains! Watching Gerard start to unwind amidst the chaos is rewarding. It's also great to see the other "evil" queens, and to have the progression of the overall main plot started in the first book.

The romance relies on the shared history between Lorelei and Gerard, with implied years of cat-and-mousing each other from opposite sides of political/military conflict. I felt like the actual shift of them realizing their "love" feelings was just a little too sudden, which was a shame because I felt the pacing of Gerard's character growth in particular had been done well and it just needed a little more time to naturally fall into place. The spice scenes also felt somewhat... abbreviated? They're very quick, with a fade-to-black in odd places.

Very enjoyable, though didn't quite meet my needs the way the first book did. I'm excited to read the next book, though!

Content Warnings:
Moderate: Confinement, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Alcohol
Minor: Bullying, Child abuse, Death, Death of parent, Abandonment

[Magdalena (magdal21) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was really excited to read another book from the Villainous Queens series because I really liked the first one. And although I don’t think this sequel quite lives up to its predecessor, there were still plenty of things it did really well.

The highlight of this book for me was definitely the relationship between Lorelei and Gerard. There is a clear spark and mutual attraction from the very beginning that you just know is going to turn into something more. Some readers might find it a bit too close to insta-love, but I think it felt well grounded in the characters and worked nicely within the story. Their banter was absolutely fantastic.

That said, I found the plot itself weaker. It mostly centers on a magical tournament that the characters can’t back out of, but many of the challenges didn’t feel particularly exciting. I know these books tend to be fairly low stakes, but I still expected something more – also from the villain, who didn’t feel fully fleshed out. Still, I have to admit that some of the competitions did help to deepen the relationship between the main characters. What bothered me though, particularly in the first part of the book, was the overwhelming amount of description and inner monologue, which often drowned out the dialogue. I think that’s mainly because not all that much actually happens in this story.

Plotwise, I definitely enjoyed the last part of the book the most, as it finally takes place outside the fae realm and brings back the political intrigue. Plus the Villainous Queens. Lorelei and Gerard are political enemies: he’s a general of the empire the Queens of Villainy are fighting against, so I’d been waiting for that dynamic to finally be addressed. I wish this was the main focus of the plot, as I would have liked it more I guess.

All in all, it wasn’t an unpleasant read. If you enjoyed the first installment, it’s definitely worth picking this one up – but mostly for the chemistry and witty exchanges between the main characters.

Thank you NetGalley and Pan Macmillan for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Emily · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was all kind of boring. The two leads already love each other before the story even starts, but it takes them a bit to admit to it. Wish there had been more set up or snippets for the 7 years they supposedly knew each other, but instead we have to take their word for it. Also this whole thing happens in like 3 days which is ridiculous. And the tournament portion was underwhelming. I don't want to write out a list of complaints because it wasn't THAT bad really, it just wasn't good enough for me to not notice that it was a story and things had to happen for story reasons.

[zai]

read the first chapter excerpt that's in book one and i need this NOWWW!!!!

[Cori Samuel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Second in the Cosy Romantasy series, Queens of Talking About Being Villains Without Doing Really Dark Stuff.

I was worried about Lorelei after the first book, because she had the potential to be A LOT -- I'm not a big fan of ditsy, bubbly extroverts who seem to be ignoring the bits of reality they don't like. She does develop beyond this, of course, once you get her POV. And also starting her book with a kidnapping does mean we have to be very clear and careful about all subsequent consent. This was all handled reasonably well, I think, although there's a hefty power imbalance between the two MCs, and I would have liked Lorelei to acknowledge that in some way.

The plot is quite fun -- kidnapping, fae tournament, enemies-to-lovers, slowburn-catches-fire, and of course leaves us in a happy place, while also setting up for Ailana's book. I didn't love it in the same way as Wooing the Witch Queen,but am still looking forward to the next.


This review is based upon a complimentary advance reading copy provided by the publisher.

[Olivia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you Edelweiss for the ARC of this book. It wasn’t anything extraordinary or groundbreaking, but it was a cute read. Very whimsical and light. If you’re looking for a cute, cozy read with romance and fae, this might do the trick. I did enjoy the first book in this series a little more, but this was still an enjoyable read.

[Kevin · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5/5 stars

Enchanting the Fae Queen is the second book in the cozy romantasy series Queens of Villainy. The seductress half-fae queen Lorelei has got a reputation to uphold and her people to protect so she decides to kidnap the Empire’s most famous hero, the decorated High General Gerard de Moireul. She takes him to the fae realm where they will enter a tournament as partners to hopefully bond and become allies. But when the contest is hijacked by Lorelei’s almost step-brother, it becomes deadlier than expected, and they must truly work together to survive and win.

I am sorry to say, but this was bad. While I actually liked the characters, the story just does not work at all and does not even feel like it has a story worth telling. The book is entirely held together by vibes because the plot itself is so thin and formless. The tournament is a nothing-burger with no sense of stakes, absolutely no mechanics explained, and non existent rules. There really is truly no beating the allegations of arbitrariness that I hate so much in fae stories, and this really exemplifies it. I wanted to DNF the book so many times but only stuck it through since it’s a short book and because I did love the first one (more than other readers evidently did).

The one thing I did love was Gerard. I thought he was a great character with his complex background that shaped and defined him. He is stoic, rigid, and honorable, and he does not allow himself to be vulnerable to the point of being entirely chaste. That is of course until Lorelei gets under his skin. The romance is rather quick and I feel like they lacked substantial communication between them to really be declaring their love already. Lorelei cane across a bit immature, but how much that was just a front she puts on is questionable.

Enchanting the Fae Queen was a big let down from the first book, and I am not sure if I will finish the trilogy.

[Teresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley, Macmillan Audio, Bramble, Stephanie Burgis, and Jennifer Jill Araya (audio narrator) for the opportunity to read and listen to the audiobook of Enchanting the Fae Queen in exchange for an honest review.

Enchanting the Fae Queen is the second installment in the Queens of Villainy series, though can be read as a stand-alone (you'll just miss a few cameos from Wooing the Witch Queen).

This book tells the story of Queen Lorelei, a famous fae known for her charm and the many hearts she has broken. At first, she seems shallow and obsessed with glamour, glitter, and parties. But as the story goes on, it is evident that there is much more to her. Lorelei is smart, brave, and deeply loyal to her people, no matter what kind of creature they may be living under her rule. She is willing to risk her reputation—and even kidnap the empire’s greatest hero—to protect her kingdom. That choice sets the story in motion and shows that beneath her sparkling image is a strong and caring ruler.

High General Gerard de Moireul is her complete opposite. He is serious, honorable, and careful, shaped by the pain of losing his parents to a charge of treason. He believes in order and dignity, so Lorelei’s bright, dramatic style drives him crazy at first. When the two are forced to compete in a dangerous fae tournament, their differences create both tension and humor. The tournament adds action and high stakes, but the heart of the story is how they slowly learn to understand each other. Their growing respect and unexpected connection make the romance feel real and satisfying, even if some parts of the plot follow familiar fantasy patterns.

The novel is yet another fun addition to the Queens of Villainy series. It makes for a whimsical read perfect for readers seeking a mild enemies-to-lovers paranormal fae romance with a strategies and intellectual heroine.

[Dom · Rating 4 out of 5]

A medium-stakes & super fun romantasy!!! The enemies to lovers vibe was at an alll time high & I was hereee for it

Gerard (said in a sexy French accent by Jennifer Jill Araya 😮‍💨), a loyal knight to a mortal king, is kidnapped by his enemy of seven years; the Fae Queen of a rebel nation. Thrown together into fae trials, they must work as partners to survive. The Queen, Lorelei, hopes that through these trials she can help Gerard see how corrupt his king actually is. What she doesn’t expect is their attraction to one another to be the key to their triumph 🤭

I adored just vibing with Gerard & Lorelei; the trials were fun, the banter made me giggle, & the romance was so sweet 🥹

Lorelei was giving Glinda in the best possible way … a bubbly, dramatic, giddy, & fashionista Queen who cared deeply about people 😭

💖 Fae Queen x Knight
🧚 Political Turmoil
🗡️ Forced Proximity
📜 Magical Powers
✨ He’s a Virgin
🌸 Mutual Pining

As mentions above Jennifer Jill Araya did an amazingggg French accent for this book & truly made the characters come to life 👏🏻🙂‍↕️

Thank you for Macmillan Audio for my advanced listener copy 🫶🏻

[Shirley Baptiste · Rating 3 out of 5]

this was fun! an easy listen with lovable characters and an intriguing plot. i've found that one of my favorite types of fmc's are the ones who present as silly and air headed, but are actually cunning and usually one step ahead of you. lorelai embodied this caricature well and it was her aura that kept me listening. i did enjoy gerard's character, even though i prefer my mmc's a little more devious, but the whole contrast against lorelai made sense (uptight vs. flirt) lol. at some point i would like to listen to wooing the witch queen to become more acquainted with the queens of villainy, and i may be tempted to read/listen to the third installment of this series. i have my predictions for that book, whenever it may arrive, and i think i may be convinced to partake.

2.75⭐️ rounded up

thank you macmillan audio for the alc in exchange for an honest review.

[Susanna · Rating 3 out of 5]

02/24/26 - Review TBD after I think about it. 🫡

02/28/26

Fun fact, I had to rewrite this entire review because my first review was scathing. In fact I accidentally convinced myself to hate this book which felt so mean. I also decided past me was completely wrong about book one when I went back and reread it. That's when I went actually hold up, past me has impeccable taste, so maybe I am the problem currently, not the book. So I have now finally returned to be more ✨️chill✨️

Nobody has ever claimed I'm chill by the way. Nobody ever will.

My issues with this book boils down to the whiplash between emotional traumatic backstory and interesting politics to satirical tongue in cheek humor and sexual tension. Make up your mind. Do something interesting please. Personally I vote for a nuanced political story with romance as a side ploy. But I am not opposed to a fun romp. This wasn't a fun romp for me. It was the equivalent of a hike on a day pouring rain where you keep hoping the weather will clear.

I found the characters acted in ways counter to their core selves which annoyed me. Lorelai's master plan was so unbelievable stupid.......okay so maybe I actually did really dislike this book. I can feel the righteous fury of ranting coming over me again. Must resist.

Alas such a shame because I waited over six months in eager anticipation for Enchanting the Fae Queen to release. Let's hope the third (finally wlw, all hail our queen Sappho) book redeems this triology. Or conversely, belligerently, let's hope it cements this author and I are not a match made in bookish heavens and will part ways henceforth. Also maybe this book put me in a book slump. Its sins keep multiplying.

[milliereadsalot · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a free eARC in exchange for an honest review!

This series is soooo fun!!

I definitely prefer the first book in the series out of the two released so far, but this second book is still very fun, very silly and full of banter. Fae Queen Lorelei is chaotic and I love her, she makes some very questionable choices but for some reason you just root for her, and think okay queen, you do you. Then you have Gerard, the knight that Lorelei kidnaps, who is serious and virtuous and Lorelei's exact opposite, which just makes their dynamic even better. There's also a fae tournament in here, which I think was kind of where my enjoyment dipped a bit - it just wasn't capturing my interest that much. I can't wait to read the next book in this series though!

[S.B. (Beauty in Ruins) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not quite as cozy or sweet as the first book, especially with Gerard being more annoying than adorable, but I loved Lorelei and what she brought to the dynamic. It's a heavier read than the first, with more of the social/political conflicts that get deep into racism and genocide, but I felt like the first book prepared us for that (and it gives the conflict more weight).

That said, I found the tournament encounters rushed, with many of them summarized and overcome far too quickly, and I would have loved it if the story spent more time developing them.

A solid read that I breezed through quickly, and one that has enough of a tease to leave me excited for the next.

[Jill · Rating 5 out of 5]

everything she writes is a 5 star. to Me.

[Tyffani · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stephanie Burgis writes such fun, strong characters. Do I hate the virgin FMC enamored with the rakish MMC? Yes. Absolutely. Do I love that trope swapped? Also yes. Absolutely.

Queen Lorelai is regularly described as a rake, in her kingdom and beyond. And she revels in the nickname. I think she would sky write it in glitter if she could. She’s an unapologetic queen and we love her for that. Her rakish ways are no match for High General de Moireul though. Enchanting the Fae Queen is a whimsical good time that will have you laughing along while chewing on both Gerard and Lorelai.

Thank you to NetGalley and Tor Books for the ARC of this book!

[Caitlin G · Rating 4 out of 5]

Final rating: 3.5/5 Stars.

For years, the chaotic Queen Lorelei has flirtatiously sparred across ballroom floors with General Gerard de Moireul, the hero leader of a rival kingdom's army. Lorelei believes that underneath the stiff exterior and strict rule-following is a man who wants to do good - he just needs Lorelei to give him a little shove. So when tensions between the two kingdoms reach a breaking point, Lorelei does the only logical thing: she kidnaps Gerard to finally seduce him away from his king. As the two get caught up in a deadly fae tournament, they realize that their opposite personalities make them a perfect match - and only together can they stop Gerard's kingdom from spreading its cruel ways across the continent.

ENCHANTING THE FAE QUEEN is a solid fantasy romance bolstered by the madcap energy of its lead heroine, Queen Lorelei. She's one of my favorite character archetypes: a person of seemingly pure whimsy and chaos who secretly has a crafty plan underneath. Her unpredictability and randomness mask her true actions and goals, outwitting many of her opponents until it's too late. I absolutely loved watching her work and found her a definite highlight of the book.

General Gerard is a great foil, exceedingly polite even while adhering to his unwavering moral code. Due to some past trauma, he believes he cannot put a single toe out of line, lest he bring dishonor on his family name. It takes the whirlwind force of Lorelei to force him to confront that goodness and blindly following the rules don't go hand in hand.

Although the characters themselves are enjoyable, I thought the romance itself was simply serviceable. I find it's hard to pull an audience into a romance where the characters have already been building romantic tension before the story begins. I like watching the build-up of a relationship, but here they're already halfway in love when we meet them - they just don't realize it yet. It made the story a pleasant escape, but not a romance that swept me away.

So far the QUEENS OF VILLAINY romance stories have been a delight: powerful women refusing to be "put in their place" and finding men who whole-heartedly support them on that journey. I'm definitely looking forward to the upcoming third and final installment - a sapphic story no less!

I was given a free ARC by the publisher in exchange for my fair and honest review.

[Chloe · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one fell a bit flat for me, especially compared to the first book, which I really enjoyed. I found the story pretty boring overall, and the main characters went from “enemies” to declaring “I love you” in about ten pages; there just wasn’t any real buildup to their relationship. That said, the next book promises some things I’m excited about, so I’ll still be continuing the series.

[Julia Sarene · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enchanting the Fae Queen by Stephanie Burgis

This was another fast and fun read for me, and overall I really enjoyed returning to this world and this series. It did not hit me in quite the same way as Wooing the Witch Queen, but that is much more about my personal taste than about any drop in quality.

The biggest difference for me was the romance focus. I already know I am not the target audience for strong enemies to lovers stories, and this one leans more into that than book one. A lot of the history between the characters happened before the book starts, so for me it sometimes felt closer to instant attraction than slow build. I know many romance readers will absolutely love this dynamic, it just is not my personal favourite.

Another thing that made this feel a little less engaging for me was the smaller cast. I really missed the staff and the wider found family feeling from book one. Here, the focus is almost exclusively on the couple, and since that is not usually my main draw, I felt a bit less pulled into the story overall.
A big part of the story takes place during a Fae tournament where pairs have to solve riddles, face magical trials, and sometimes simply survive what is thrown at them. That is really the heart of the book and makes up most of the plot. The challenges were creative, fast paced, and genuinely entertaining. I especially liked that wit, kindness, and clever thinking often worked better than brute force or the intended solution. That kept the story feeling playful and smart, even when the stakes were high.

The external conflicts are split between two worlds. The human king remains a constant threat in the human realm, especially with his army and expansion plans. At the same time, the danger inside the Fae realm comes from the Fae who has been placed in charge of running the tournament by the Fae Queen. He is not just a political opponent but a personal enemy of Queen Lorelei due to their shared past, which adds an extra edge to everything happening during the trials. There is also an ongoing tension because every moment High General Gerard de Moireul spends at the tournament is time he is not in the human world, where he is one of the very few people who has ever truly stood up to the king and still has responsibilities toward the army.

Queen Lorelei was really interesting to read. She presents herself as slightly chaotic and scandalous, like she does not take anything seriously, but that turns out to be very deliberate. It is a weapon, and also a shield. Underneath that is someone deeply caring, extremely powerful, and very instinct driven, very much the type to react first and figure out the plan afterwards. I really enjoyed watching that contrast unfold.

Gerard de Moireul is also very clearly written to be physically impressive, which is usually not something I personally connect to as a selling point. What I did genuinely like is who he is as a person. He is deeply honour bound, keeps his word no matter the cost, and is someone who will step in to protect others without hesitation. His biggest flaw is how rigid he is with himself and how little leeway he allows himself emotionally, which is not surprising once you learn about his past. He does his calisthenics in the mornings, and the fact that Queen Lorelei very much enjoys watching adds a bit of fun character flavour without making it feel like that is all he is.

There is also a clear thematic thread about extremist purity ideology and exclusion. The villain king’s obsession with purity and control feels very intentional as a fantasy reflection of rising hate in the real world. What I appreciated is that it never felt preachy. It stays grounded in the fantasy setting while still making its point, and seeing people stand together and protect each other felt genuinely comforting.

One thing that really did not work for me was the ending. Listening to the audiobook, I genuinely thought I had hit the forward button by mistake when it suddenly ended. In the moment it felt very abrupt and left me wanting either more resolution or at least a small warning that I was about to run out of pages. After sitting with it, I can see how it functions as an ending, but it was definitely jarring at first.

Fun, fast, and full of bold Fae energy, even if it leans into romance tropes that are not my personal favourites. If you love romantasy and enemies to lovers, you will likely get even more out of this than I did. Still a comforting, entertaining, glittering Fae world I was happy to visit.