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Nemesis Mine
Not yet published
Expected 23 Jun 26A not-so-evil villain strikes a deal with a not-quite-perfect hero to fake a feud, boost their reputations . . . and try not to fall in love in the process—in this hilarious, tender, sexy, and outrageously fun romp that blends the humor of Assistant to the Villain with the unforgettable romance of Red, White, & Royal Blue and the cozy fantasy vibes of Legends & Lattes.
Fake nemeses. It’s a dastardly plan that can’t go wrong… until love crashes the act.
Nobody is more surprised than Cyrus to learn that he’s no longer considered the greatest villain in the land of Athaca. Sure, he’s lying about the fact that his magical power is making flowers grow. And maybe lately he’s spent more time embroidering pillowcases than tormenting the locals. But that doesn’t mean he’s ready to be yesterday’s evil news.
Enter the hero Maximillian: the realm’s golden boy, complete with a blinding smile, chiseled abs, and an infuriating habit of spreading hope and joy. (Gross.) If Cyrus wants to be taken seriously, he’ll have to take this guy down.
But Maximillian isn’t quite as perfect as he seems. When he proposes a scheme to fake an epic rivalry and increase their fame, Cyrus can’t resist. Stage the battles, soak up the spotlight, share the spoils—it’s a villainously good marketing plan.
There’s just one hitch. Pretending to hate your nemesis becomes a lot harder when you start falling for them instead.
Nemesis Mine is a wickedly funny, steamy, and big-hearted rom-com set in a cozy fantasy world, featuring:
- An irreverent take on a fantasy kingdom for fans of Shrek and The Princess Bride
- Enemies to reluctant allies to lovers (M/M)
- A twist on fake hating/fake dating
- Black cat/golden retriever energy
- Dagger to the throat moments
- Falling for the villain
- “Touch him and you die”
Fake nemeses. It’s a dastardly plan that can’t go wrong… until love crashes the act.
Nobody is more surprised than Cyrus to learn that he’s no longer considered the greatest villain in the land of Athaca. Sure, he’s lying about the fact that his magical power is making flowers grow. And maybe lately he’s spent more time embroidering pillowcases than tormenting the locals. But that doesn’t mean he’s ready to be yesterday’s evil news.
Enter the hero Maximillian: the realm’s golden boy, complete with a blinding smile, chiseled abs, and an infuriating habit of spreading hope and joy. (Gross.) If Cyrus wants to be taken seriously, he’ll have to take this guy down.
But Maximillian isn’t quite as perfect as he seems. When he proposes a scheme to fake an epic rivalry and increase their fame, Cyrus can’t resist. Stage the battles, soak up the spotlight, share the spoils—it’s a villainously good marketing plan.
There’s just one hitch. Pretending to hate your nemesis becomes a lot harder when you start falling for them instead.
Nemesis Mine is a wickedly funny, steamy, and big-hearted rom-com set in a cozy fantasy world, featuring:
- An irreverent take on a fantasy kingdom for fans of Shrek and The Princess Bride
- Enemies to reluctant allies to lovers (M/M)
- A twist on fake hating/fake dating
- Black cat/golden retriever energy
- Dagger to the throat moments
- Falling for the villain
- “Touch him and you die”
432 pages, Paperback
Expected publication June 9, 2026
About the author
Amy Archer
1 book36 followersAmy Archer is from Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Her debut novel NEMESIS MINE was written to follow up on the teenage realisation that villains really do have more fun, and will be published by Magpie (UK) and HarperVoyager (US) in June 2026.
She is represented by Lucy Irvine.
She is represented by Lucy Irvine.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 168 reviews
November 3, 2025
This is my second ARC via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.
Debut author, Amy Archer, has set herself a rather daunting challenge by writing this story entirely from the villain’s POV.
“Villian” should probably be in quote marks, as the alleged baddie, Cyrus, is just doing his job as a professional wrongdoer. He even has the diploma from the Wrongdoer Academy to prove it. His day job is battling the professional champions who, you guessed it, also have their own academy and governing organization.
It’s a very creative premise to the story, and I like to imagine Archer thinking, “what if I write a gay enemies to lovers trope where the main characters start out as literal I-need-to-kill-you enemies?”
But back to Archer’s challenge, writing her antagonist protagonist likeable enough to get to the romantic slow-burn turnaround with the story’s protagonist protagonist, Maximillian. It was frustrating at the start to only be in Cyrus’s POV, as the author writes him as a ridiculously cliched “villain.” This was intentional, I’m sure, because about the half-way mark of the book when the enemies start to fall for each other, my feelings toward Cyrus completely changed. So, challenge completed, I’d say.
The M/M romance was, quite simply, wonderfully romantic. Swoony in many parts, just the right amount of spice, and blended perfectly into the action and adventure.
Overall, full marks for a fun, well-written debut. Cheers.
Debut author, Amy Archer, has set herself a rather daunting challenge by writing this story entirely from the villain’s POV.
“Villian” should probably be in quote marks, as the alleged baddie, Cyrus, is just doing his job as a professional wrongdoer. He even has the diploma from the Wrongdoer Academy to prove it. His day job is battling the professional champions who, you guessed it, also have their own academy and governing organization.
It’s a very creative premise to the story, and I like to imagine Archer thinking, “what if I write a gay enemies to lovers trope where the main characters start out as literal I-need-to-kill-you enemies?”
But back to Archer’s challenge, writing her antagonist protagonist likeable enough to get to the romantic slow-burn turnaround with the story’s protagonist protagonist, Maximillian. It was frustrating at the start to only be in Cyrus’s POV, as the author writes him as a ridiculously cliched “villain.” This was intentional, I’m sure, because about the half-way mark of the book when the enemies start to fall for each other, my feelings toward Cyrus completely changed. So, challenge completed, I’d say.
The M/M romance was, quite simply, wonderfully romantic. Swoony in many parts, just the right amount of spice, and blended perfectly into the action and adventure.
Overall, full marks for a fun, well-written debut. Cheers.
Currently Reading
May 19, 2026✎ᝰ.┊ pre-read: i’m freaking out a lil bit cause I just got the arc ahhhhhhhh ok i’m locking in now. i hope i love it
⬫ ⬪ ⬫
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc!
⬫ ⬪ ⬫
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc!
Did Not Finish
March 14, 2026Thank you to Harper Voyager and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review
DNF @ 15%
I requested this ARC after it was rumored to be one of my book box picks. I thought the premise sounded fun and different so I was excited when I was approved.
Right from the first chapter I could tell this was going to be an extremely campy book. I don’t do well with camp. I’m never going to be the type of person to enjoy the movie Airplane. I did try to keep going for a few more chapters but the humor just wasn’t landing for me and I clearly am not the target audience. From what I could tell this was not a poorly written book by any stretch and seemed like it could be fun for the right person.
Best wishes to Amy Archer and their future publications!
DNF @ 15%
I requested this ARC after it was rumored to be one of my book box picks. I thought the premise sounded fun and different so I was excited when I was approved.
Right from the first chapter I could tell this was going to be an extremely campy book. I don’t do well with camp. I’m never going to be the type of person to enjoy the movie Airplane. I did try to keep going for a few more chapters but the humor just wasn’t landing for me and I clearly am not the target audience. From what I could tell this was not a poorly written book by any stretch and seemed like it could be fun for the right person.
Best wishes to Amy Archer and their future publications!
remind-me-once-out
March 30, 2026This sounds so fun
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you Harper Collins for providing me with the aARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Villain Cyrus's reputation is no longer what it used to be. In a bid to remind everyone to take heed of him, he decides to challenge heroes. One such hero is Maximilian, but rather than fight to the death, they come to the conclusion that an alliance of sorts might work out better for them.
Two things that stood out to be from the beginning were that this was really well written, even more so considering it's a debut. It was witty and flowed well and at no point felt like it was trying too hard. But humour is also such a subjective thing, by which I mean that it's not going to work for everyone. The first 20% of the book had me thinking this feels like Megamind if the romance had centred around the hero and villain but make the setting Shrek. For some, this might be the perfect set up, others might find it too much. It is definitely very heavy on the humour and during the first chapters I wasn't sure whether or not this book would land right for me despite genuinely appreciating the writing. And Cyrus - he's fun and I love that his back aches, so does mine.
However, once the 20% mark is hit, we get to see a lot more interactions between Cyrus and Maximilian and they managed to pull this book off. I already really liked Cyrus but his dynamics with Maximilian were everything I enjoy in an enemies to lovers set up. While the world building itself was very rooted in humour, I was surprised by how many and well written battles there were. The main characters truly go from trying to cause serious damage through various stages of banter to some form of reluctant trust and understanding. Pacing, banter, battles and growing attraction were all just really well done and I also ended enjoying Maximilian as a character.
The stakes do start to feel higher in the later chapters and while titles used in this world such as wrongdoer and champion might not instil the feeling of this being a particularly deep book, there were some genuine reflections fitting into roles we're expected to play and learning to trust in yourself and others. For some final notes, there wasn't that much of it but I enjoyed the magic system and Cyrus's bad tempered horse.
If this sounds like your kind of humour, absolutely go for it. If, and I have seen a few, you fear this is too far on the humorous side - I'd say give it a chance. If you push through the first chapters until Cyrus and Maximilian properly interact, I think they payoff is well worth it if you enjoy these kinds of romance dynamics.
March 23, 2026
What does it mean to be good and evil?
I think this book did a great job of showing the complexities of people, and that you don't have to fit into just one box to be accepted and loved.
Cyrus is so Ilya Rozanov coded and I was laughing so much throughout this one. It had the perfect level of banter and tension.
⚔️Enemies to Nemesis to Lovers
⚔️Planned chaos
⚔️Queer Romantasy
⚔️Fake Hating
⚔️ Cozy Fantasy
I can't wait to see what Amy Archer does next! Thankyou to the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I think this book did a great job of showing the complexities of people, and that you don't have to fit into just one box to be accepted and loved.
Cyrus is so Ilya Rozanov coded and I was laughing so much throughout this one. It had the perfect level of banter and tension.
⚔️Enemies to Nemesis to Lovers
⚔️Planned chaos
⚔️Queer Romantasy
⚔️Fake Hating
⚔️ Cozy Fantasy
I can't wait to see what Amy Archer does next! Thankyou to the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
November 4, 2025
RATING: 4.25/5 STARS
My cozy fantasy streak continues with NEMESIS MINE! I tore through this book. The blend of humor, action, and romance was exactly what I was looking for. I could not resist reading about a dastardly villain wandering about creating mischief but foiled by his own gentle plant power, love of embroidery crafts, and troublesome crush on the golden hero of the town. How precious is that?!
My cozy fantasy streak continues with NEMESIS MINE! I tore through this book. The blend of humor, action, and romance was exactly what I was looking for. I could not resist reading about a dastardly villain wandering about creating mischief but foiled by his own gentle plant power, love of embroidery crafts, and troublesome crush on the golden hero of the town. How precious is that?!
October 29, 2025
Tropes:
Enemies to Lovers
Black Cat / Golden Retriever
Fake “dating” (but it’s fighting!)
Forbidden relationship
Slow burn
Hidden Magic ✨✨
Vibes:
Cozy cottage-core with a Shrek-like fantasy world and a Megamind-like hero (though he would hate if you called him such ❤️)
Spice:
🌶️🌶️ (explicit open door, only two scenes or so)
————————
Awwww, this was a really sweet queer love story about a villain who isn’t all bad (have you seen his flower magic?! Well you shouldn’t because he’s ferocious!) and a hero who isn’t all the way good (I won’t say more without spoiling a major plot point!). Really great character and location development and description throughout and a well-built out world that felt entirely real. I will say that the world building in the beginning did at times feel like it dragged a bit though it ended up being worth it at the end but yeah, this is a VERY developed world.
The romance between Max and Cyrus was slow building, full of personal angst (because how could a bad guy fall for a good guy?!) but still had lots of darling banter and culminated in a relationship that was really sweet and felt deep. I adored watching Cyrus fight his instincts to emotionally hide/remain “tough” and instead learn to open himself up to Max. But don’t worry, he never loses his snarky personality in the process and continues to shine in all his super “villain” glory!
Altogether a great read that I highly recommend for anyone looking for a cozy rom-com/fantasy read! Thank you so much to Amy Archer, NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for the chance to read the ARC early in exchange for honest review!
Enemies to Lovers
Black Cat / Golden Retriever
Fake “dating” (but it’s fighting!)
Forbidden relationship
Slow burn
Hidden Magic ✨✨
Vibes:
Cozy cottage-core with a Shrek-like fantasy world and a Megamind-like hero (though he would hate if you called him such ❤️)
Spice:
🌶️🌶️ (explicit open door, only two scenes or so)
————————
Awwww, this was a really sweet queer love story about a villain who isn’t all bad (have you seen his flower magic?! Well you shouldn’t because he’s ferocious!) and a hero who isn’t all the way good (I won’t say more without spoiling a major plot point!). Really great character and location development and description throughout and a well-built out world that felt entirely real. I will say that the world building in the beginning did at times feel like it dragged a bit though it ended up being worth it at the end but yeah, this is a VERY developed world.
The romance between Max and Cyrus was slow building, full of personal angst (because how could a bad guy fall for a good guy?!) but still had lots of darling banter and culminated in a relationship that was really sweet and felt deep. I adored watching Cyrus fight his instincts to emotionally hide/remain “tough” and instead learn to open himself up to Max. But don’t worry, he never loses his snarky personality in the process and continues to shine in all his super “villain” glory!
Altogether a great read that I highly recommend for anyone looking for a cozy rom-com/fantasy read! Thank you so much to Amy Archer, NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for the chance to read the ARC early in exchange for honest review!
October 28, 2025
Thank you to Harper Voyager and NetGalley for the arc!
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December 1, 2025
I received an advanced reader copy (ARC) of this book (thank you to the author and publisher). My review reflects my honest impressions and neither the author nor publisher solicited my review. Content and pacing may differ slightly from the final published version.
Nemesis Mine has all the ingredients I usually love with enemies-to-lovers, witty banter, and a whimsical fantasy setting, but somehow it never fully clicked for me. While the premise is adorable and the character work is genuinely delightful, the overall reading experience felt a bit uneven.
When I turned the final page, my first thought was that this would likely be one I forget fairly quickly. Not because it’s bad, in fact far from it, but because nothing ever pushed it beyond “cute enough” for me personally.
The characters are easily the highlight. Their arcs are charming, their chemistry is undeniable, and I loved that their growth stems from compromise, self-awareness, and finding middle ground rather than dramatic moral swings. Their dynamic is fun, snarky, and sometimes surprisingly tender. If someone is seeking an M/M romance with solid character moments and a touch of playful spice (🌶️🌶️), this absolutely scratches that itch.
I also found the world playful and easy to follow. Even when the pacing felt slow, the tone remained light, humorous, and accessible.
The plot has a cute central concept (and I was drawn by the comparison to Assistant to the Villain) but follows a predictable arc. I never really felt eager to pick the story back up, and although the writing is enjoyable in places, it didn’t fully pull me in. There were stretches where it felt tedious despite the overall simplicity. For me, it ended up being more of a “finish so I can move on” read than one I felt invested in.
Nemesis Mine has all the ingredients I usually love with enemies-to-lovers, witty banter, and a whimsical fantasy setting, but somehow it never fully clicked for me. While the premise is adorable and the character work is genuinely delightful, the overall reading experience felt a bit uneven.
When I turned the final page, my first thought was that this would likely be one I forget fairly quickly. Not because it’s bad, in fact far from it, but because nothing ever pushed it beyond “cute enough” for me personally.
The characters are easily the highlight. Their arcs are charming, their chemistry is undeniable, and I loved that their growth stems from compromise, self-awareness, and finding middle ground rather than dramatic moral swings. Their dynamic is fun, snarky, and sometimes surprisingly tender. If someone is seeking an M/M romance with solid character moments and a touch of playful spice (🌶️🌶️), this absolutely scratches that itch.
I also found the world playful and easy to follow. Even when the pacing felt slow, the tone remained light, humorous, and accessible.
The plot has a cute central concept (and I was drawn by the comparison to Assistant to the Villain) but follows a predictable arc. I never really felt eager to pick the story back up, and although the writing is enjoyable in places, it didn’t fully pull me in. There were stretches where it felt tedious despite the overall simplicity. For me, it ended up being more of a “finish so I can move on” read than one I felt invested in.
November 23, 2025
Thank you to Harper Voyager/NetGalley for the ARC!
I was not able to finish this book. To be completely fair, I just don’t think I was a good fit for the tone of the story. I didn’t find Cyrus’ cynicism to be endearing, he came off as annoying. I can see the foreshadowing and am sure that there will be a good character arc, but I can’t find it in me to get past the 30% mark.
I was not able to finish this book. To be completely fair, I just don’t think I was a good fit for the tone of the story. I didn’t find Cyrus’ cynicism to be endearing, he came off as annoying. I can see the foreshadowing and am sure that there will be a good character arc, but I can’t find it in me to get past the 30% mark.
March 22, 2026
[Reseña en Español más abajo]
Thanks NetGalley and Harper Collins UK for the opportunity to read this book.
Being able to read “Nemesis Mine” before its release was amazing because it was one of my most anticipated books in 2026 since I saw it, and the book didn’t disappoint at all. Amy Archer delivered, devoured and left no cramps. No word is missing in the book.
The plot is simple: Cyrus is a bored villain because the monotony in his life and he needs to be feared as an evil man, and Maximillian is an old hero who needs to regain some popularity before someone younger steals all his glory. And what better way to get everything they want than fake to be nemeses?
The truth is this dynamic of faking being enemies and rehearse choreographies make the book funnier because it gaves the story humor to something more deep: who are we when everything around us don’t work as we expect? That was touching my heart trough my reading because at the end of the day we never stop being ourselves, light and shadows and everything else.
Cyrus isn’t the evil villain he pretends to be, he’s even happy in his cottage taking care of his garden. Because that’s his true magic: the nature. Instead, Maximillian got so used to be the golden armor hero who feels lost when someone threatens his spotlight. That’s a theme the author doesn’t give a name to, but you can see it while you read and see the development in the characters. Nemesis Mine had this cozy fantasy thing that makes you think about your live I enjoyed a lot.
There’s not huge fantasy world. It’s kind of a medieval one where there’s this villain-hero dynamic, but the last ones go to elections to be the named city hero and get some recognition and privileges. The heroes are influencers and the villains are the one to be feared, but they still need each other. I loved how some modern things were introduced here like the gossiping or being the face of some brands, even the need to be “more”.
Something I would like to add is the action in the book. No spoilers here but HOLY MOLLY. Amy Archer gave EVERYTHING. Same in the spice scenes. Only two explicit ones but… OH MY GOD. I’M STILL FEELING THE HEAT HERE.
Definitely, Amy Archer has a new reader here. And if no one is reading her is because I died. Just saying.
ESPAÑOL:
Haber podido leer “Nemesis Mine” antes de su salida ha sido increíble porque es una de mis novedades más esperadas del 2026 desde que la vi, y no ha decepcionado. Amy Archer ha devorado y no ha dejado ni las migas. Al libro no le sobra ni una palabra.
El punto de partida es sencillo: Cyrus es un villano que se aburre en su monotonía y necesita ser recordado como ese hombre al que tener miedo, y Maximillian es un héroe ya mayor que necesita recuperar cierta popularidad antes de que una persona más joven se lleve toda la gloria. ¿Qué mejor manera de beneficiarse ambos que fingir ser enemigos mortales? ¿Y si encima tienen batallas en las que cada uno se luzca como el mayor villano y héroe respectivamente?
La verdad es que esta dinámica de fingir ser falsos enemigos y coreografiar batallas hace que el libro sea muy divertido porque dota de humor a algo mucho más profundo: ¿quiénes somos cuando todo lo demás parece que no funciona? Es algo que me ha ido tocando la fibra conforme avanzaba la novela porque, al final del día, no dejamos de ser nosotros mismos, con nuestras fortalezas y nuestras virtudes.
Cyrus no es el villano maléfico que él finge ser, es más, es muy feliz en su casa apartada en mitad del bosque cuidando de su jardín. Porque esa es su verdadera magia: la naturaleza. En cambio, Maximillian se ha acostumbrado tanto a ser el héroe de brillante armadura que, cuando se ve eclipsado por la novedad de la juventud no sabe muy bien hacia dónde ir. Y es un tema que, si bien la autora no adentra de lleno o le pone nombre, puedes verlo a través de la evolución de los personajes y de sus interacciones. Nemesis Mine ha tenido ese punto de fantasía cozy que te hace reflexionar sobre la vida en los momentos que menos lo esperas, y eso me ha encantado.
No hay un mundo fantástico increíble ni profundo. Es un mundo estilo medieval, normal, que funciona en la dualidad villano-héroe, salvo que estos últimos son sometidos a unas elecciones en determinadas ciudades y los hace tener privilegios. Los héroes son influencers, y los villanos son eso, villanos que ser temidos y que necesitan de estos primeros para brillar también. Dentro de esto, me ha encantado ver cómo ciertos aspectos modernos han sido adaptados, como el hecho de que los héroes sean la cara de marcas o que necesiten de popularidad para tener “más”.
Algo que me encantaría recalcar ha sido la parte de la acción en la historia. Sin entrar mucho en detalle porque se consideraría spoiler, Amy Archer lo ha dado TODO. Igual que en las escenas subidas de tono, solo son dos pero menudas escenas. MENUDA: ESCENAS.
La verdad es que lo he disfrutado tanto que ahora quiero leer cualquier cosa que escriba Amy. Leería hasta su lista de la compra.
Thanks NetGalley and Harper Collins UK for the opportunity to read this book.
Being able to read “Nemesis Mine” before its release was amazing because it was one of my most anticipated books in 2026 since I saw it, and the book didn’t disappoint at all. Amy Archer delivered, devoured and left no cramps. No word is missing in the book.
The plot is simple: Cyrus is a bored villain because the monotony in his life and he needs to be feared as an evil man, and Maximillian is an old hero who needs to regain some popularity before someone younger steals all his glory. And what better way to get everything they want than fake to be nemeses?
The truth is this dynamic of faking being enemies and rehearse choreographies make the book funnier because it gaves the story humor to something more deep: who are we when everything around us don’t work as we expect? That was touching my heart trough my reading because at the end of the day we never stop being ourselves, light and shadows and everything else.
Cyrus isn’t the evil villain he pretends to be, he’s even happy in his cottage taking care of his garden. Because that’s his true magic: the nature. Instead, Maximillian got so used to be the golden armor hero who feels lost when someone threatens his spotlight. That’s a theme the author doesn’t give a name to, but you can see it while you read and see the development in the characters. Nemesis Mine had this cozy fantasy thing that makes you think about your live I enjoyed a lot.
There’s not huge fantasy world. It’s kind of a medieval one where there’s this villain-hero dynamic, but the last ones go to elections to be the named city hero and get some recognition and privileges. The heroes are influencers and the villains are the one to be feared, but they still need each other. I loved how some modern things were introduced here like the gossiping or being the face of some brands, even the need to be “more”.
Something I would like to add is the action in the book. No spoilers here but HOLY MOLLY. Amy Archer gave EVERYTHING. Same in the spice scenes. Only two explicit ones but… OH MY GOD. I’M STILL FEELING THE HEAT HERE.
Definitely, Amy Archer has a new reader here. And if no one is reading her is because I died. Just saying.
ESPAÑOL:
Haber podido leer “Nemesis Mine” antes de su salida ha sido increíble porque es una de mis novedades más esperadas del 2026 desde que la vi, y no ha decepcionado. Amy Archer ha devorado y no ha dejado ni las migas. Al libro no le sobra ni una palabra.
El punto de partida es sencillo: Cyrus es un villano que se aburre en su monotonía y necesita ser recordado como ese hombre al que tener miedo, y Maximillian es un héroe ya mayor que necesita recuperar cierta popularidad antes de que una persona más joven se lleve toda la gloria. ¿Qué mejor manera de beneficiarse ambos que fingir ser enemigos mortales? ¿Y si encima tienen batallas en las que cada uno se luzca como el mayor villano y héroe respectivamente?
La verdad es que esta dinámica de fingir ser falsos enemigos y coreografiar batallas hace que el libro sea muy divertido porque dota de humor a algo mucho más profundo: ¿quiénes somos cuando todo lo demás parece que no funciona? Es algo que me ha ido tocando la fibra conforme avanzaba la novela porque, al final del día, no dejamos de ser nosotros mismos, con nuestras fortalezas y nuestras virtudes.
Cyrus no es el villano maléfico que él finge ser, es más, es muy feliz en su casa apartada en mitad del bosque cuidando de su jardín. Porque esa es su verdadera magia: la naturaleza. En cambio, Maximillian se ha acostumbrado tanto a ser el héroe de brillante armadura que, cuando se ve eclipsado por la novedad de la juventud no sabe muy bien hacia dónde ir. Y es un tema que, si bien la autora no adentra de lleno o le pone nombre, puedes verlo a través de la evolución de los personajes y de sus interacciones. Nemesis Mine ha tenido ese punto de fantasía cozy que te hace reflexionar sobre la vida en los momentos que menos lo esperas, y eso me ha encantado.
No hay un mundo fantástico increíble ni profundo. Es un mundo estilo medieval, normal, que funciona en la dualidad villano-héroe, salvo que estos últimos son sometidos a unas elecciones en determinadas ciudades y los hace tener privilegios. Los héroes son influencers, y los villanos son eso, villanos que ser temidos y que necesitan de estos primeros para brillar también. Dentro de esto, me ha encantado ver cómo ciertos aspectos modernos han sido adaptados, como el hecho de que los héroes sean la cara de marcas o que necesiten de popularidad para tener “más”.
Algo que me encantaría recalcar ha sido la parte de la acción en la historia. Sin entrar mucho en detalle porque se consideraría spoiler, Amy Archer lo ha dado TODO. Igual que en las escenas subidas de tono, solo son dos pero menudas escenas. MENUDA: ESCENAS.
La verdad es que lo he disfrutado tanto que ahora quiero leer cualquier cosa que escriba Amy. Leería hasta su lista de la compra.
May 11, 2026
My hopes were so high for this one! Cosy fantasy, champion and wrongdoer who are rivals but then have to start working together. It seemed like such a vibe.
And partly it was, but I just couldn´t get into this one. I'm not sure if it was a right book, wrong time situation but it took me ages before I started enjoying it somewhat. Especially for the first half of the book the chapters were just Cyrus blabbing on about how amazing he is at wrongdoing and how Maximillian is just faking how perfect he is. And the chapters were so so long too. It did start picking up after that but still left me baffled with the weird mix of fantasy and modern stuff. These champions have full on sponsor deals??? There are collaborations for shoes and swords (called Swordz4you, really couldn't handle that one). All of it together just didn't work for me sadly.
I do think this book is perfect for the right audience (maybe even me in a different mood). If you love the quirky writing, a plot that you really shouldn't think too much about and two characters who don't know how to shut up, this book might be the one for you!
Thank you Netgalley and Magpie for the arc in exchange for an honest review.
And partly it was, but I just couldn´t get into this one. I'm not sure if it was a right book, wrong time situation but it took me ages before I started enjoying it somewhat. Especially for the first half of the book the chapters were just Cyrus blabbing on about how amazing he is at wrongdoing and how Maximillian is just faking how perfect he is. And the chapters were so so long too. It did start picking up after that but still left me baffled with the weird mix of fantasy and modern stuff. These champions have full on sponsor deals??? There are collaborations for shoes and swords (called Swordz4you, really couldn't handle that one). All of it together just didn't work for me sadly.
I do think this book is perfect for the right audience (maybe even me in a different mood). If you love the quirky writing, a plot that you really shouldn't think too much about and two characters who don't know how to shut up, this book might be the one for you!
Thank you Netgalley and Magpie for the arc in exchange for an honest review.
Want to Read
May 6, 2026This is either going to a very fun read or I will suffer.
November 15, 2025
*****ARC courtesy of @NetGalley*****
Tropes: Enemies to Lovers obviously, M/M Pairing
Spice: 3/5
Oh my word, this book was possibly one of the best that I have read this year and I do not say that lightly. I wish this was already in my bookshelf and that I shove it in my friends' hands right now to begin reading. This is such a wholesome and heartwarming story that also brings in the English charm. If you liked Osric from "The Irresistible Urge to Fall For Your Enemy" then you will love the 'villain' in this story even more. This is a single POV story, told from the villain's perspective.
This book is so much more than the summary lets on. Yes, it is about a wrongdoer and a hero teaming up to bolster their own reputations. And yes, they catch feelings for each other along the way. More than that, it is about being honest with yourself, dealing with the stress that your life choices have thrust upon you, learning how to ask for help, and then opening your heart to someone you least expected. The villain is a softie at heart while the hero has numerous internal frustrations and stressors.
The pacing of this story was spot on. I enjoyed the amount of backstory to our villain and I thoroughly enjoyed the breakdown of the governing body (also known as The Federation). I do not know if the published edition will have a map, but Amy Archer has provided succinct details for where the numerous cities lie. In terms of romantic pacing, the attraction did not feel rushed either. It is not a slow burn but it is not an immediate lusting either. As they came into their agreement, sometimes we would see their staged fights on page and other times we would only read the recap. I appreciated that fact as is allowed the story to continue flowing instead of reading one fight after another.
Side characters did exist and they each had a purpose. I would recommend remembering every named individual you come across because they may come back again. No character was a throw away, unless they were literally being thrown by our villain. The humor read very well on page and it also played like a movie in my mind. Again, the English humor is apparent without being over the top. The level of drama was appropriate, just enough without being over the top. I had to catch myself because I was criticizing a plot point towards the end, thinking she had just recycled the same story line, when instead she threw us a curve ball. I had become so engrossed in the story that I stopped predicting what would come next!
Both characters are identifiable and relatable. They are flawed, they have dreams, and they do not have all of the answers. Their attraction and devotion towards each other is heartwarming. This is somewhat spice light, I believe there are only two chapters that do have sexy bits. Now there is a lot of violence and destruction; remember, this is a story about a villain who is willing to harm anyone that crosses him. This is not over the top violent but I will admit that I was shocked a few times when Amy Archer did not hold back. (Shocked in a good way.)
Please pre-order your copy down or at least mark your calendars for this release date. You will not be disappointed!
Tropes: Enemies to Lovers obviously, M/M Pairing
Spice: 3/5
Oh my word, this book was possibly one of the best that I have read this year and I do not say that lightly. I wish this was already in my bookshelf and that I shove it in my friends' hands right now to begin reading. This is such a wholesome and heartwarming story that also brings in the English charm. If you liked Osric from "The Irresistible Urge to Fall For Your Enemy" then you will love the 'villain' in this story even more. This is a single POV story, told from the villain's perspective.
This book is so much more than the summary lets on. Yes, it is about a wrongdoer and a hero teaming up to bolster their own reputations. And yes, they catch feelings for each other along the way. More than that, it is about being honest with yourself, dealing with the stress that your life choices have thrust upon you, learning how to ask for help, and then opening your heart to someone you least expected. The villain is a softie at heart while the hero has numerous internal frustrations and stressors.
The pacing of this story was spot on. I enjoyed the amount of backstory to our villain and I thoroughly enjoyed the breakdown of the governing body (also known as The Federation). I do not know if the published edition will have a map, but Amy Archer has provided succinct details for where the numerous cities lie. In terms of romantic pacing, the attraction did not feel rushed either. It is not a slow burn but it is not an immediate lusting either. As they came into their agreement, sometimes we would see their staged fights on page and other times we would only read the recap. I appreciated that fact as is allowed the story to continue flowing instead of reading one fight after another.
Side characters did exist and they each had a purpose. I would recommend remembering every named individual you come across because they may come back again. No character was a throw away, unless they were literally being thrown by our villain. The humor read very well on page and it also played like a movie in my mind. Again, the English humor is apparent without being over the top. The level of drama was appropriate, just enough without being over the top. I had to catch myself because I was criticizing a plot point towards the end, thinking she had just recycled the same story line, when instead she threw us a curve ball. I had become so engrossed in the story that I stopped predicting what would come next!
Both characters are identifiable and relatable. They are flawed, they have dreams, and they do not have all of the answers. Their attraction and devotion towards each other is heartwarming. This is somewhat spice light, I believe there are only two chapters that do have sexy bits. Now there is a lot of violence and destruction; remember, this is a story about a villain who is willing to harm anyone that crosses him. This is not over the top violent but I will admit that I was shocked a few times when Amy Archer did not hold back. (Shocked in a good way.)
Please pre-order your copy down or at least mark your calendars for this release date. You will not be disappointed!
November 9, 2025
this was a fun time! it was silly and goofy and heartwarming and i quite enjoyed it. i think the world of champions and wrongdoers in this book is a fun setting for romance, i loved the characters and their silly little quirks and rivalry. the banter in this was quite cute and overall this book was a good time! what a fun debut for this author!
thank you netgalley and harper voyager for the arc!
thank you netgalley and harper voyager for the arc!
April 1, 2026
This book was SO 👏 MUCH 👏 FUN 👏 and completely delivered on the fake rivalry / fake nemesis trope in the best way.
At its core, Nemesis Mine follows a champion and a so-called “wrongdoer” who team up to stage a rivalry—but what starts as performance quickly blurs into something much more real. The premise alone hooked me, but it was the main character, Cyrus, that made this a standout read for me.
Cyrus (aka Earthshaker) has officially secured a spot as one of my all-time favorite fictional besties. He insists he’s a villain, fully committed to the “wrongdoer” brand, yet he is the softest, most lovable human imaginable. Truly a sweet potato angel boi in baddie cosplay. Almost every scene with him had me cackling, his inner dialogue is *chef’s kiss*
If you love:
• Fake enemies/rivals to lovers
• Golden retriever MMCs pretending to be morally gray
• Banter + chaotic energy
• A romance that’s equal parts funny and heartfelt
…you’ll absolutely want to pick this one up. I will definitely be revisiting this to chuckle along with my new best fren, Cyrus “I’m definitely evil, I swear” Earthshaker.
Highly recommend. Overall, this was a 4.5⭐ read for me. I loved Cyrus so much that our champion, Max, felt a bit flat in comparison at times—but that honestly speaks more to how standout Cyrus is than anything else.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advanced reader’s copy in exchange for my honest review 💌
At its core, Nemesis Mine follows a champion and a so-called “wrongdoer” who team up to stage a rivalry—but what starts as performance quickly blurs into something much more real. The premise alone hooked me, but it was the main character, Cyrus, that made this a standout read for me.
Cyrus (aka Earthshaker) has officially secured a spot as one of my all-time favorite fictional besties. He insists he’s a villain, fully committed to the “wrongdoer” brand, yet he is the softest, most lovable human imaginable. Truly a sweet potato angel boi in baddie cosplay. Almost every scene with him had me cackling, his inner dialogue is *chef’s kiss*
If you love:
• Fake enemies/rivals to lovers
• Golden retriever MMCs pretending to be morally gray
• Banter + chaotic energy
• A romance that’s equal parts funny and heartfelt
…you’ll absolutely want to pick this one up. I will definitely be revisiting this to chuckle along with my new best fren, Cyrus “I’m definitely evil, I swear” Earthshaker.
Highly recommend. Overall, this was a 4.5⭐ read for me. I loved Cyrus so much that our champion, Max, felt a bit flat in comparison at times—but that honestly speaks more to how standout Cyrus is than anything else.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advanced reader’s copy in exchange for my honest review 💌
November 8, 2025
A villain who is a little bit good and a hero who is a little bit bad team up to build their reputations, but fall in love along the way.
Our POV main character, Cyrus, is a wrongdoer more concerned with mischief and mayhem than death and destruction. His once-great and formidable image has slipped and when the book opens he’s a mid-list wrongdoer riding the coattails of his own past. When his territory is threatened by Maximillian, a famous and handsome touring champion, he decides to challenge him — which leads to a secret agreement: they will stage a series of pitched battles throughout the kingdom, bolstering both of their images in the process. But secret meetings and accidental touches lead to each of them falling for their public nemesis, against their better judgments.
Set in a somewhat zany world of wrongdoers and champions, I think I can safely call this book a romp. The world is fun and the main character has a clear voice throughout. The author is playful with the bad guy concept and one of my favorite parts of the book is when Cyrus ruins a well known romance trope for a pair of young lovers.
While it is a fun read, there are some things that fell flat for me. Cyrus having a past embarrassing interaction with Maximillian feels tacked on and the book drags a bit in the first half of act two, before they get together. I also felt like the zany tone didn’t lend itself well to how grounded and serious their relationship was. Because of these things, I liked it but I didn’t love it.
Overall, if you’re looking for a fun fantasy romp, I’d recommend this book. I give it 3.75 stars, rounding up to 4. I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review
Our POV main character, Cyrus, is a wrongdoer more concerned with mischief and mayhem than death and destruction. His once-great and formidable image has slipped and when the book opens he’s a mid-list wrongdoer riding the coattails of his own past. When his territory is threatened by Maximillian, a famous and handsome touring champion, he decides to challenge him — which leads to a secret agreement: they will stage a series of pitched battles throughout the kingdom, bolstering both of their images in the process. But secret meetings and accidental touches lead to each of them falling for their public nemesis, against their better judgments.
Set in a somewhat zany world of wrongdoers and champions, I think I can safely call this book a romp. The world is fun and the main character has a clear voice throughout. The author is playful with the bad guy concept and one of my favorite parts of the book is when Cyrus ruins a well known romance trope for a pair of young lovers.
While it is a fun read, there are some things that fell flat for me. Cyrus having a past embarrassing interaction with Maximillian feels tacked on and the book drags a bit in the first half of act two, before they get together. I also felt like the zany tone didn’t lend itself well to how grounded and serious their relationship was. Because of these things, I liked it but I didn’t love it.
Overall, if you’re looking for a fun fantasy romp, I’d recommend this book. I give it 3.75 stars, rounding up to 4. I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review
April 20, 2026
I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway!
4/5 🌟 This book had a cool plot, definitely slightly different that what you would read in the most romantasy books these days.
I really liked the “hidden” magical talents, also the wrongdoers. I think it brought a fun aspect to this book. But I did find the plot a bit dull around 40% into the book and it took me a while to pick it up and finish the book.
I also found some of the chapters too long, sometimes I wished the chapter would just be finished instead of the strange breaks within the chapter.
Overall, I liked the book.
4/5 🌟 This book had a cool plot, definitely slightly different that what you would read in the most romantasy books these days.
I really liked the “hidden” magical talents, also the wrongdoers. I think it brought a fun aspect to this book. But I did find the plot a bit dull around 40% into the book and it took me a while to pick it up and finish the book.
I also found some of the chapters too long, sometimes I wished the chapter would just be finished instead of the strange breaks within the chapter.
Overall, I liked the book.
November 25, 2025
4.25⭐
MM fantasy and rivals to lovers? yes, please!!! i'm very impressed with this one! especially for a debut🙌🏻 it's more on the slower side but it worked for the story. the world was amazing and the characters even better!!! i'm so obsessed with Max and Cyrus!!! 😩🫶🏻 they were so freaking fun! this one is told from Cyrus' pov and omfg i LOVED being inside his head! he was absolutely hysterical🤣🙌🏻 him and the sprites🥲🤝🏻✨ anyway, i really enjoyed this one and i'm excited to see what this author comes up with next! 🤌🏻
MM fantasy and rivals to lovers? yes, please!!! i'm very impressed with this one! especially for a debut🙌🏻 it's more on the slower side but it worked for the story. the world was amazing and the characters even better!!! i'm so obsessed with Max and Cyrus!!! 😩🫶🏻 they were so freaking fun! this one is told from Cyrus' pov and omfg i LOVED being inside his head! he was absolutely hysterical🤣🙌🏻 him and the sprites🥲🤝🏻✨ anyway, i really enjoyed this one and i'm excited to see what this author comes up with next! 🤌🏻
November 18, 2025
First of all if you like banter and hilarious characters this is the book for you! I was rolling laughing so hard with tears running down my face. I’m in loved with them. The back and forth was hysterical. The plot was so well writing and the world building was next level. I cannot wait to read more from this author!! -Kerin Ray
February 11, 2026
This may have cured my reading slump and simultaneously gave me a reading hangover. The humor of assistant to the villain and shrek (yes, shrek) and the literal nemesis to lovers trope was executed so perfectly, that the few grammatical mistakes (in an unedited arc edition) couldn't bring down the score. I loved reading in the perspective of the "wrongdoer" villain, and watching his affections, his desires, everything about him, grow and shift as he falls for the hero. Please add this to your tbr and buy it promptly when it releases. You are welcome.
November 21, 2025
Special thanks to Harper Voyager and NetGalley for the ARC!
Vilain and hero, queer/gay romantasy.
I really liked this book; it has banter, romance, humor, and characters with a lot of personality. It is without a doubt one of my favorite cozy fantasy novels.
The blossoming of the relationship between the two, the conversations, and the subtle changes in Cyrus's world—it was an immensely enjoyable read. Cy and Max kept me so entertained that I finished the whole book in one day.
One drawback is that the plot is fairly predictable; I could guess what would happen about 30% of the way through the e-book.
Also, I would have liked to read more about Cyrus' relationship with magic. In a second book, maybe? I feel like the story of these characters is not yet finished.
Overall, it's a mostly light and fun read.
Vilain and hero, queer/gay romantasy.
I really liked this book; it has banter, romance, humor, and characters with a lot of personality. It is without a doubt one of my favorite cozy fantasy novels.
The blossoming of the relationship between the two, the conversations, and the subtle changes in Cyrus's world—it was an immensely enjoyable read. Cy and Max kept me so entertained that I finished the whole book in one day.
One drawback is that the plot is fairly predictable; I could guess what would happen about 30% of the way through the e-book.
Also, I would have liked to read more about Cyrus' relationship with magic. In a second book, maybe? I feel like the story of these characters is not yet finished.
Overall, it's a mostly light and fun read.
November 25, 2025
Beyond thrilled that I've been able to read an ARC of this debut 🙏
This book was right up my street - I adore enemies to lovers and fake dating tropes, so it was a treat to experience both in Nemesis Mine.
Amy's writing is so so fun, and I'm looking forward to devouring more from her in the years to come!
This book was right up my street - I adore enemies to lovers and fake dating tropes, so it was a treat to experience both in Nemesis Mine.
Amy's writing is so so fun, and I'm looking forward to devouring more from her in the years to come!
Want to Read
March 22, 2026This sounds like a Deadpool x Wolverine fanfic I read after the movie came out two years ago (how has it been two years?!), and I am SO on board. Gimme gimme gimme.
May 14, 2026
3.5 ⭐️
Very cute and silly and fun
Very cute and silly and fun
November 7, 2025
Nemesis Mine charmed me. It is a delightfully witty, fun, engaging read with heart and genuine characters. I loved that while no one while no one in the story is perfect, no one is truly evil either. The author’s sense of humor roped me in from the very first sentence. I loved the witty banter between the main character and his love interest. The system of magic is both unique and easy to understand. I liked the lessons that the book gently imparts, such as being true to yourself is a sign of strength, even if you're afraid that you're too soft. The author did an excellent job of creating romantic attention in a believable way. I also think the personality of Maximilian’s assistant provides a helpful foil to contrast Cyrus’ gruff yet loyal personality. I greatly enjoyed watching the characters develop. It takes bravery to be vulnerable, and Amy Archer shows you can still have a wickedly good time doing so.
November 23, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley for providing this ARC :)
I loved this! I loved the writing style so much, for some reason it gave me Dr. Seuss grinch vibes? This is such a fun quick summer-y read, I would highly recommend picking this up when it comes out! I will also be looking out for anything else Amy Archer writes!
I loved this! I loved the writing style so much, for some reason it gave me Dr. Seuss grinch vibes? This is such a fun quick summer-y read, I would highly recommend picking this up when it comes out! I will also be looking out for anything else Amy Archer writes!
January 4, 2026
ARC Review: Nemesis Mine by Amy Archer 4.5 ⭐️ | 2 🌶️
Thank you to HarperCollins and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this hilarious novel! What follows are my honest thoughts and opinions on this piece.
Cyrus, a not-so-evil villain, is losing his edge and is desperate to revamp his reputation as a "wrongdoer" within his elected city. Maximilian, a champion and nemesis of Cyrus, is up for reelection, and he too needs a reputation revamp. Max approaches Cyrus with a deal: a fake feud to fix their respective standings. What they didn’t factor in was falling in love with one another along the way.
Within the first few lines of the novel, I was already laughing out loud. Cyrus is such a funny character; despite wanting to be seen as a villain, he is very much not "evil." I got a good chuckle out of his thoughts on the villagers in his town and how he liked to sprinkle some "evil" into their midst.
I thought it was a great twist for the novel to be written entirely from the point of view of the "wrongdoer." Moreover, I really enjoyed how the author added a twist to what society constitutes as evil versus good. This world is made up of Citizens, Wrongdoers, and Champions (a.k.a. heroes). It made the dynamic between Cyrus and Maximilian even more complex, adding hurdles to their budding relationship.
The world-building is simple, and you’ll understand the societal impacts right away. The plot is also straightforward; you’ll quickly realize the entire point of the story is the romance between our protagonists. Is the story predictable? Yes. But did I have the best time reading their banter and interactions? Heck yes.
My favorite parts of the story were when our characters were together. I found the pacing a bit slow, and in my humble opinion, this would’ve made for an even stronger novella. I could’ve done without some of the descriptor scenes and the alone time we spent with Cyrus, even though it was nice to get to know his character that way.
I wish we would’ve gotten a POV from Maximilian, but I completely understand the choice to keep it single-perspective. I think it made for a more intimate storytelling experience.
Now onto my favorite part—the romance! I absolutely loved how precious Cyrus and Maximilian are together. It was such a delicious slow-burn, and Cyrus‘s denial of his innate attraction to Max was hilarious. We get some spicy scenes, but their emotional intimacy was truly delectable. Read this solely for their banter and their emotional connection because this is romance writing at its best.
The ending, I’ll admit, was a bit predictable but satisfying. There were many points where I wished we could skip ahead to when our two main characters were together; however, the climax at the end captured my attention. I couldn’t have put my Kindle down if you paid me!
Overall, I really loved this. It left me feeling light, fluffy, and obsessed with their love story (Cyrus would be gagging if he heard me say that).
Should this spill into your TBR?
Yes! If you are a fan of enemies-to-reluctant-allies-to-lovers and witty banter, this is for you. Oh, and did I forget to mention that this gives off Ella Enchanted meets The Princess Bride vibes? Let’s even add a dash of Shrek.
I think I’ve convinced you now...
Release Date: June 23, 2026 — make sure to pre-order now! I know I’ll be picking up a physical copy of this gem.
Thank you to HarperCollins and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this hilarious novel! What follows are my honest thoughts and opinions on this piece.
Cyrus, a not-so-evil villain, is losing his edge and is desperate to revamp his reputation as a "wrongdoer" within his elected city. Maximilian, a champion and nemesis of Cyrus, is up for reelection, and he too needs a reputation revamp. Max approaches Cyrus with a deal: a fake feud to fix their respective standings. What they didn’t factor in was falling in love with one another along the way.
Within the first few lines of the novel, I was already laughing out loud. Cyrus is such a funny character; despite wanting to be seen as a villain, he is very much not "evil." I got a good chuckle out of his thoughts on the villagers in his town and how he liked to sprinkle some "evil" into their midst.
I thought it was a great twist for the novel to be written entirely from the point of view of the "wrongdoer." Moreover, I really enjoyed how the author added a twist to what society constitutes as evil versus good. This world is made up of Citizens, Wrongdoers, and Champions (a.k.a. heroes). It made the dynamic between Cyrus and Maximilian even more complex, adding hurdles to their budding relationship.
The world-building is simple, and you’ll understand the societal impacts right away. The plot is also straightforward; you’ll quickly realize the entire point of the story is the romance between our protagonists. Is the story predictable? Yes. But did I have the best time reading their banter and interactions? Heck yes.
My favorite parts of the story were when our characters were together. I found the pacing a bit slow, and in my humble opinion, this would’ve made for an even stronger novella. I could’ve done without some of the descriptor scenes and the alone time we spent with Cyrus, even though it was nice to get to know his character that way.
I wish we would’ve gotten a POV from Maximilian, but I completely understand the choice to keep it single-perspective. I think it made for a more intimate storytelling experience.
Now onto my favorite part—the romance! I absolutely loved how precious Cyrus and Maximilian are together. It was such a delicious slow-burn, and Cyrus‘s denial of his innate attraction to Max was hilarious. We get some spicy scenes, but their emotional intimacy was truly delectable. Read this solely for their banter and their emotional connection because this is romance writing at its best.
The ending, I’ll admit, was a bit predictable but satisfying. There were many points where I wished we could skip ahead to when our two main characters were together; however, the climax at the end captured my attention. I couldn’t have put my Kindle down if you paid me!
Overall, I really loved this. It left me feeling light, fluffy, and obsessed with their love story (Cyrus would be gagging if he heard me say that).
Should this spill into your TBR?
Yes! If you are a fan of enemies-to-reluctant-allies-to-lovers and witty banter, this is for you. Oh, and did I forget to mention that this gives off Ella Enchanted meets The Princess Bride vibes? Let’s even add a dash of Shrek.
I think I’ve convinced you now...
Release Date: June 23, 2026 — make sure to pre-order now! I know I’ll be picking up a physical copy of this gem.
January 2, 2026
A fun, campy, star-crossed lovers story set in a fantasy world of heroes and villains.
When an unlikely alliance between a champion and a wrongdoer forms, it creates ripples throughout the island of Athaca. Fans of Good Omens would enjoy the mischievousness of Cyrus’s wrongdoing and the occasional rule-bending of Maximillian, all in service of a last-ditch effort for relevance.
Archer builds up the world of Champions and the motives which bring Maximillian to Cyrus’s door. Prospective champions rise up through the hero academies, participate in public appearances, complete heroic feats and, if they’ve built enough of a reputation, win formal democratic elections to become Champions. The demands are rigid and unforgiving, but rewarded with fame and fortune.
For wrongdoers, much less attention is paid to their structure and motives. There is a wrongdoer guild, which appears to be largely symbolic, and while there is no governing wrong-doing body we meet, there are strict cultural norms about the correct way to be a wrongdoer. No wrongdoers appear to have grand ambitions, and most appear content with squeezing tributes out of small, struggling towns.
The interactions between Cyrus and Maximillian were enjoyable to read. Both men were fundamentally human, with a mix of both good and bad in them. And both seemed to struggle against narrow-minded systems insistent that there was only one way to be a hero or a villain.
However, when it came to Cyrus, I found his character to be inconsistent. Throughout most of the book, he is a harmless prankster, his wrongdoing designed to be a nuisance but not lethal. However, in between harmless pranks, he does some seriously messed up stuff, including arson, home invasion and physical torture. This makes it difficult to root for him, as his worst actions often come with no motive.
I quite enjoyed the ending of the story — to keep it vague, given the situation Cyrus and Maximillian had gotten themselves into, it seemed like a realistic conclusion.
3.5 — enjoyable read, good plot pacing, fun character interactions. I wish the world of wrongdoers was given some of the attention that the champions got, and the power dynamic between the wrongdoers guild and champion academy received more exploration.
Advanced reader copy provided by NetGalley
When an unlikely alliance between a champion and a wrongdoer forms, it creates ripples throughout the island of Athaca. Fans of Good Omens would enjoy the mischievousness of Cyrus’s wrongdoing and the occasional rule-bending of Maximillian, all in service of a last-ditch effort for relevance.
Archer builds up the world of Champions and the motives which bring Maximillian to Cyrus’s door. Prospective champions rise up through the hero academies, participate in public appearances, complete heroic feats and, if they’ve built enough of a reputation, win formal democratic elections to become Champions. The demands are rigid and unforgiving, but rewarded with fame and fortune.
For wrongdoers, much less attention is paid to their structure and motives. There is a wrongdoer guild, which appears to be largely symbolic, and while there is no governing wrong-doing body we meet, there are strict cultural norms about the correct way to be a wrongdoer. No wrongdoers appear to have grand ambitions, and most appear content with squeezing tributes out of small, struggling towns.
The interactions between Cyrus and Maximillian were enjoyable to read. Both men were fundamentally human, with a mix of both good and bad in them. And both seemed to struggle against narrow-minded systems insistent that there was only one way to be a hero or a villain.
However, when it came to Cyrus, I found his character to be inconsistent. Throughout most of the book, he is a harmless prankster, his wrongdoing designed to be a nuisance but not lethal. However, in between harmless pranks, he does some seriously messed up stuff, including arson, home invasion and physical torture. This makes it difficult to root for him, as his worst actions often come with no motive.
I quite enjoyed the ending of the story — to keep it vague, given the situation Cyrus and Maximillian had gotten themselves into, it seemed like a realistic conclusion.
3.5 — enjoyable read, good plot pacing, fun character interactions. I wish the world of wrongdoers was given some of the attention that the champions got, and the power dynamic between the wrongdoers guild and champion academy received more exploration.
Advanced reader copy provided by NetGalley
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