Field Guide For The Formerly Villainous - Autumn K. England

Review Quotes:

"Cozy fantasy at its most charming, the pages of Field Guide for the Formerly Villainous are brimming with wit, whimsy, and a whole lot of magic. I want to move to Mossley's Rest as soon as possible." -- Rosiee Thor, author of Dead & Breakfast

Review Quotes:

"A delightful cozy tale of redemption, community, and second chances. No one does queer found family like England, and this book is perfect for anyone who's ever played a certain farm simulation game and wanted to escape to just such a place. I adored it!" -- Jamie Pacton, bestselling author of The Absinthe Underground and Homegrown Magic

Review Quotes:
"England adds emotional depth and a sprinkling of sadness to this...wonderfully cozy fantasy." -- Library Journal, Starred Review

Review Quotes:

"Perfect for Studio Ghibli fans and those who wish farm simulator games came in book form." -- Publishers Weekly

Review Quotes:
"Start with a cup of cozy fantasy, add a sprinkle of found family, and bake in the warm glow of self-forgiveness and acceptance. The end result is a charming story of love, magic, and community as sweet as one of Oaklin's apples and as soft as Ryn's charmed sweet rolls." -- Delilah S. Dawson, New York Times bestselling author

Publisher Marketing:

INSTANT USA TODAY BESTSELLER

**LIMITED EDITION WITH DELUXE DESIGNED EDGES**

STARDEW VALLEY meets STUDIO GHIBLI in a charming cozy fantasy about healing, redemption, and the subtle magic of simple living. Perfect for fans of Can't Spell Treason Without Tea and The Spellshop. Welcome home, weary traveler.

When Oaklin Nettlewood accidentally joined an evil world-ending cult, mind control magic forced them to do unspeakable things. Years later, the realm's heroes have finally saved the day, defeated the villain, and shattered the last remnants of the spell...leaving destruction in their wake. And so, with a spell-damaged memory and whole bushel of trauma, Oaklin escapes to a small farm on the edge of Mossley's Rest and swears an oath: After all the things they were forced to do with their magic, they will never use it again. Ever.

The no-nonsense ghost granny who lives in Oaklin's house has other ideas. As she coaxes Oaklin out of their shell and back into the world, they find companionship (a grumpy horse and a very good dog), friendship (a local bard and magical baker who should just kiss already), and tentative romance (a paladin-librarian who makes Oaklin's heart come alive for the first time in ages.) Magic even seems possible again--though strictly for foraging magical mushrooms and protecting the farm from bugs.

Healing comes in gentle waves, and Oaklin doesn't have to do it alone. So what does it mean when an inquisitor comes to town to hunt former cultists just as Oaklin begins to think that maybe, just maybe, they deserve a happy ending after all?

Review Citations:

• Publishers Weekly 04/20/2026 (EAN 9781464243301, Paperback)
• Library Journal 04/01/2026 pg. 53 (EAN 9781464243301, Paperback) - *Starred Review
• Booklist 05/01/2026 (EAN 9781464243301, Paperback)

Contributor Bio:England, Autumn K

Autumn K. England grew up on the Space Coast of Florida watching shuttle launches from the backyard. These days, they live on a micro-farm in rural Virginia packed with video and board games, plants, D&D books, and their kindergartener's giant personality. They're probably covered in dirt right now.