Assistant to the Villain

The relationship dynamics between the characters are a dominant factor of Assistant to the Villain. Whether romantic, friendship, or familial, the characters repeatedly show that being honest and trustworthy leads to stronger bonds than being dishonest and unfaithful. Through Evie’s relationships with Trystan, her officemates, and her father, the novel demonstrates that trust is the foundation upon which healthy relationships are built.

In accordance with the idea that trust transcends actions, Evie finds herself drawn to Trystan despite his horrendous reputation. Although he does terrible things to his enemies, he treats his employees with respect, thereby earning their trust. While this does not excuse his other behaviors, it shows that he is not completely evil and that he assesses a person before deciding to work against them. His initial assessment of Evie convinces him to confide in and rely upon her, which in turn leads to the two characters to form a deeper relationship built upon mutual trust. Even when Trystan believes that Blade’s employment letter belongs to Evie, Evie never fears that Trystan will turn on her. Instead, his lack of trust hurts her, prompting both of them to reevaluate their relationship and come to an understanding about what they are willing to share.