Violet Thistlewaite Is Not a Villain Anymore

Violet Thistlewaite, formerly known as the Thornwitch - and right-hand villain of Guy Shadowfade - is starting over as a florist in the small town of Dragon's Rest. She's renting a shopfront and apartment from twins Pru (a bard) and Nathaniel (an alchemist-turned-apothecary) and trying to do what Karina the Tempest gave her the chance to do: be good. Violet knows if anyone finds about about her past as the Thornwitch, they would never accept her. But when alchemist (and former Shadowfade villain) Sedgwick sets up in Dragon's Rest as well, threatening Nathaniel's apothecary business and Violet's true identity, and a blight starts appearing in town, Violet wonders if she should run away from the life she's begun - and begun to love - or show more stay and fight.

A cozy romantasy with a question of redemption at the center.

*Spoiler alert*

I'm curious if there will be a sequel, as now Violet knows that Shadowfade didn't find her abandoned, but rather stole her from her mother, Captain Marigold, who was (and is?) searching for her. I also loved that, except for Nathaniel, no one else in Dragon's Rest was surprised about Violet's past - in fact, many of them were reformed/recovering villains themselves.

See also: The Enchanted Greenhouse by Sarah Beth Durst, The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna

Quotes

Violet would have to live by the lie she'd created for herself for the rest of her life, and not a single slipup would ever be tolerated. No one would accept the Thornwitch into their community; they'd run her right out of town if she told them who she really was. (142)

"What if I make another mistake? ...What if I hurt someone else?"
...
"Perhaps it's not a matter of asking, 'What if I hurt someone?' Perhaps it's about asking, 'What if I could help someone?'" (151)

...I know that logic is seldom welcome at the table of our emotions, particularly when they disagree. (159)

"I'm not saying this isn't a serious problem. It is. But it's not a bad thing to look toward the future even as we're still figuring out the present." (Pru, 213)

Goodness wasn't something you could just be; it was something you did. (322)

"The past is a compass; it's what guides us to the future we want - and away from the one we don't." (340) show less

VIOLET THISTLEWAITE IS NOT A VILLAIN ANYMORE by Emily Krempholtz is a delightful story that is sufficiently bloody to elevate it from a cozy fantasy to just plain fantasy. It matters not, though, because Violet is such a great character, and Nathaniel is even better. This relatively simple story of redemption and second chances is just as charming as any cozy fantasy, however, drawing you in with the first sentence and tickling your heart through the end.

I will confess that, as adorably awkward as Nathaniel is and as bumbling but genuine as Violet is, my heart belongs with Bartleby. I fell for that boodthirsty little plant with his first gentle caress/strangling attempt, and nothing he did changed that. Perhaps because I could so show more easily envision the pothos leaves garnishing scissors or sinuously winding their way around someone's neck. Perhaps I am not-so-secretly as bloodthirsty as Bartleby. Either way, for a side character who doesn't speak a word, his presence looms large, and I love him.

While Violet's story is somewhat simple, the messaging behind it resonates with you. It is not just the idea of a fresh start or redemption. VIOLET THISTLEWAITE IS NOT A VILLAIN ANYMORE is also about the labels of good and evil we are so eager to assign to others. It is so easy to recognize the fact that good and evil are not definitive descriptors when reading something. There is a reason why we love morally gray characters, after all -- because they are the most realistic characters. Still, we are quick to assign those words to someone who commits a crime in our everyday lives, as if everything we instinctively understand about fictional characters no longer applies to the real world.

Violet's struggle to let go of her guilt over her past deeds is the perfect example of why we should never be so quick to call someone a villain or evil. After all, what makes a person evil or good? Who decides that? Similarly, it raises questions about the responsible party for crimes when it comes to children's actions, something we have been wrestling with since the Columbine High School shooting. Ms. Krempholtz uses Violet and Nathanial to illustrate that we all make mistakes and sometimes those mistakes are costly. Because we all make mistakes, because doing so means we are fallible and human, we should wait to pass judgment on someone for those mistakes. After all, we don't know what stressors a person is under, or their upbringing, or other information that would help explain their actions.

What makes VIOLET THISTLEWAITE so impressive is that for such a weighty topic, Ms. Krempholtz uses humor, a touch of sarcasm, and a lot of awkward encounters to make her point. With characters like Bartleby, Peri, Daisy, and even The Other Guy helping both Violet and Nathaniel through their darker moments, it is difficult to find a flaw in the story, other than it is over way too fast. You too will fall in love with the inhabitants of Dragon's Rest, quirks and all, as you root for Violet and Nathaniel to get that happily ever after ending neither thinks they deserve. show less

This is a clever, cozy romantasy in the vein of Spellshop and the like (it even has a sentient plant-- is this a trend?!) but the plot moves faster and the stakes are just a little bit higher. If you've been dreaming that Caitlin Rosakis and Sarah Beth Durst had a book baby (just me?), this is basically it.

It has just enough mild spice to make it land solidly on the romance side of things -- yes, there's a sex scene but the details are not dwelled upon for long. Yet, it still has enough clear-eyed detail that the fantasy elements are fun and feel consistent and lived in, which is nice (I hate it when romantasy neglects its worldbuilding skills). While it's not as rich as Durst's in terms of vividness, it has reliable prose and a couple show more of character twists that genuinely and enjoyably surprise.

Some of the heavy pre-story trauma gets the glossy treatment, which does feel a little bit strange if one stops to think about it too hard, but what you should be thinking about is how adorable everyone is. I really loved all of the characters but Peri and Bartleby, neither of whom speak, shine out as the most joyful quirks in a quirky field. While the therapy-speak is a little overwrought at times, it never ruins the cozy vibe. Just enough stakes to be a compelling read but a solid HEA and plenty of delightful details to soothe the nerves, this is perfect for just about anyone who likes the cover, honestly. show less

Violet (formerly the fearsome and deadly Thornwitch) is just trying to start her life over again as a florist and do good in the world. Her landlord, Nathaniel, is a former alchemist running his parents' apothecary after their untimely deaths. (He is hiding his own past regrets and is, of course, brooding and handsome. He's also a #hotnerd, which is one of my favorite tropes.) They fight their reluctant attraction, which gives an enjoyable amount of push-pull between Nathaniel and Violet. There's also a nice amount of tension as Violet fights against everything she's been taught so she can do good in the world, especially as you watch to see how it will be challenged and how she'll handle that challenge. I did enjoy this romantasy, and show more while the overall tone is serious every now and then there's a kernel of humor that helped to lighten things up. The supporting characters were distinct and well-written, adding a nice amount of depth to the story (Bartleby and Peri were my favorites). My main issue is with the pacing: this story is slower-paced but it's also a bit uneven. It dragged in parts then surged in others and it was hard for me to consistently enjoy the story as it didn't always hold my attention (which is a shame, because there's a lot going on in this story that was interesting). This book is perfect for fans of opposites-attract open-door romance, who like fantasy mixed in with their love story. This is a new-to-me author, there was enough to like in this book that I'd definitely read her again. Publishes November 18, 2025. This review is based on a complimentary eARC of the book, all opinions are my own. show less

Adorable -- I loved the redemption arc, the kindness, the plants, the homicidal Pothos, the alchemy and the reluctant chemistry between the love interests. Mostly, though, I love that they are well written characters, in an interesting community, living complicated lives. There were several things I didn't see coming, and it's just a really nice read.

Advanced Reader's Copy provided by Edelweiss.

Violet Thistlewaite Is Not a Villain Anymore was adorable and interesting from start to finish. I really liked the characters—especially how they weren’t just good or bad, but had depth and growth throughout the story. Violet’s journey from “villain” to something more was fun to follow and had a lot of heart.

The world-building and premise were unique, and even when things got a little quirky, it kept me engaged. It had charm, personality, and a lighthearted tone that made it easy to read. Overall, it was a fun and surprisingly thoughtful story that left me with a smile.

A great book for fans of the big "cozy" fantasy trend. Adorable romantic leads, and honestly quite an interesting surrounding magical world and fun cast of characters. While the romance was very sweet, the tragic backstories of the leads were, I thought, just a bit too terribly traumatic for the light treatment this book gave them.