Assistant to the Villain

Who is the true villain of Assistant to the Villain, and why? What specific actions does this character take that makes them villainous? If you chose a character other than Trystan, why is this person more villainous than the Villain? Support your answer with evidence from the text.

Examine the novel’s various portrayals of Trystan and the king to explore how Maehrer critiques the widespread phenomenon of manipulative propaganda.

How does the workplace of Trystan’s manor both reflect and ridicule the common conventions of modern-day office settings and politics? Support your answer with evidence from the text.

How does Maehrer develop a more sympathetic view of Trystan to counter the ugliness of his public persona? Analyze at least three situations in which he acts counter to everyone’s expectations.

Trystan’s magic allows him to find weaknesses in anyone he deems an opponent. How does this power fit into his role as the Villain and mirror the stereotypes of villainous characters? Compare Trystan to at least two other prominent villains from literature, film, or television to support your analysis.

In Chapter 54, Evie claims that everyone is a monster in the end. How might the supporting characters of Assistant to the Villain qualify as monsters? Support your answer with evidence from the text.

Choose at least three characters and examine how The Damaging Power of Expectations influences their choices and reshapes their identities.

Analyze the various ways in which the author employs magical objects (such as daggers and ink) to represent the deeper effects of trauma or lack of trust.