Work, work, work. A day in the life of a mad scientist’s assistant is never done. Just one day, Igor would love to take a holiday on a beach somewhere. But his master’s work is never done, and he is completely dedicated to the Great Work. Such is the situation we find Igor dealing with in The Henchperson’s Guide to Unionizing by Marshall J. Moore.

Igor and the Doctor find themselves on the run again after another angry mob, armed with pitchforks, drives them out of yet another town. The Doctor takes them to Ravenwald Manor, home to one of his ancestors. But shortly after arriving, they find they are not the only ones wanting to set up shop there, as they cross paths with a vampire and his bride, Cornelia, as well as a witch and her familiar, Grimalkin.

Igor finds a way for them all to keep the peace, but something more sinister is happening in the witch’s lair that will affect not just their shaky truce, but the whole existence of the world as they know it. Can Igor, Cornelia, and Grimalkin stop their masters and restore balance before a horribly powerful creature is brought into their world?

This book was an entertaining read from beginning to end. Told from Igor’s viewpoint, we get to see what is really happening behind the Doctor’s mad experiments and the drudgery brought upon Igor in order to keep him happy. Add in the tortured relationship between the Count and his bride, as well as the tenuous deal between the witch and her familiar, and you have a story that is as humorous as it is endearing.

The Henchperson’s Guide to Unionizing is a fun and quirky take on the classic mad scientist and monster story, with plenty of humor, unlikely friendships, and just enough mayhem to keep things interesting. If you’re looking for a lighthearted fantasy with a unique cast of characters and a generous dose of dark humor, this is definitely a book worth picking up.

Many thanks to the author, Marshall J. Moore, the publisher, Ballantine Books, and NetGalley for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.