The Damned

Not all monsters hide in the dark, some make you want to follow them there.
Dark, romantic, and addictive! Grab yours and get into your cozy reading spot and prepare to be DAMNED.
The Damned is an audiobook that completely immerses you into its dark world and refuses to let go. As the third book in the Coven of Bones series, it raises the stakes with a story that's equally seductive and haunting. If you love romantasy that’s full of dark, sinful romance that mixes in desire and danger, you’re in for a treat with this one.
Margot's journey through the Nine Circles of Hell is intensely raw and emotionally charged throughout. Margot’s relationship with Beelzebub is pure fire, captivating with the dangerous and forbidden that’s also show more tender and impossible to look away from.
The audiobook narration is phenomenal and deserves its own spotlight. Aiden Snow and Kingsley Rose absolutely bring both characters to life with voices that perfectly match each personality. Aiden's deep, hypnotic voice gives Beelzebub the perfect tortured edge and intensity that’s needed, while Kingsley captures Margot's fragility, vulnerability, and strength in a way that feels remarkably authentic. The chemistry between both narrators in the dialogue creates a palpable tension that just leaps from the speakers and fully draws you in.
If you’re looking for a story that has lush and seductive world building combined with passion, desire, danger, and redemption intertwined throughout, this one is a must! You will be hooked until the very end, even if that means staying up until 3 a.m. show less

In The Damned, the third book in the Coven of Bones series, a young witch finds herself in a verboten entanglement with Beelzebub, the Lord of Gluttony, who risked himself to save her life. Bound by the magical effects of her song, he becomes devoted to her—yet she despises taking anyone’s free will, she must keep her distance to release him from her spell. Her touch is intoxicating and lustful, and will only make the connection last longer. Despite this complication, she must rely on him as her only ally in navigating the treacherous Nine Circles of Hell to return to Crystal Hollow. Together, they face significant sacrifices and test the boundaries of their unusual connection.

Strengths: From the gripping plot to the authentic show more voice, this story captivates throughout. The chemistry between all characters feels natural, while the story remains easy to follow. A strong sense of place anchors the fantastical, imaginative setting in hell. The expected yet unexpected twist ending culminates in a cliffhanger that leaves you eagerly anticipating the next book.

Weakness: While the chemistry between characters feels natural, the connection growth between Margot and Beelzebub was not as strong as it was between Willow and Gray. They have a gentler growth, which is lovely, and on point for Margot, but I wanted to feel her side of the growth, believe her a little more. I can see the next book being that!

Verdict
Love this universe! Love these characters and can’t wait for the next book after that ending! Make sure to read your trigger warnings! (9/10)

Thank you, Harper L. Woods, Bramble, & NetGalley. I received an advance review copy for free and am leaving this review voluntarily. All thoughts and opinions are my own. show less

This was an emotional, darkly beautiful conclusion to the series. I was completely pulled into Margot and Beelzebub’s journey through the Nine Circles of Hell, equal parts haunting and heartfelt. The worldbuilding was stunning, and every challenge felt symbolic of Margot’s fight to heal and forgive herself. I loved how Beelzebub’s patience and quiet strength balanced Margot’s vulnerability; their slow-burn romance was intense, tender, and deeply earned. Woods writes trauma and redemption with raw honesty, making Margot’s growth feel powerful and real. The ending absolutely wrecked me; it was cruel, brilliant, and left me desperate for more. This is dark fantasy romance at its finest: emotional, immersive, and unforgettable.

THE DAMNED by Harper L. Woods is the third book in her Coven of Bones series. Unlike the first two books, this story follows Margot and Beelzebub on their journey through Hell as they attempt to return to the land of the living. While I appreciate the chance to learn about other characters in the series, I'm not certain if THE DAMNED lives up to the excitement and passion of Lucifer's and Willow's relationship.

For one, Margot and Beelzebub lack the passion, anger, and strong will of their respective leaders. If Willow and Lucifer are a tempest, Margot and Beel are a gentle soaking shower. For all Beel's anger at the witches in the first two books, he is nothing but a neutered animal now. While he does exhibit his anger and strength in show more a few scenes, he spends most of the book watching over and directing Margot's journey and recovery. Plus, while he tells half of THE DAMNED, we learn almost nothing about him or his past, whereas we know practically everything about Margot and her past. It's an odd dichotomy if only because you would think that someone who is eternal and has existed for centuries would have more secrets to spill.

I appreciate his patience with Margot as he recognizes that there are some things she needs to discover for herself. At the same time, it does feel as if Beel is her knight in shining armor waiting to rescue her. While I would normally swoon at such behavior, it does feel a little like Ms. Woods is telling us that Margot needs a man/love interest to fix her, as if all her self-discoveries made during the journey are not Margot's successes but a product of Beel's constant monitoring and guidance. I don't believe Ms. Woods truly believes this, but this is how I interpret Beel's actions and emotional investment.

At the same time, I also feel that Margot is a bit too quick to heal from her trauma. We spend almost every Margot section with her ruminating on her past, her damage, her unworthiness, and her fears. She can't stand to be in a room with anyone else behind closed doors. She does not tolerate being touched, no matter how innocent, and her idea of personal space is essentially an entire room. Her biggest fear is having to enter into an intimate situation with anyone. Yet, by the end, she faces her biggest demon in a psychic battle and wins. And before that, she falls into Beel's arms for some rather rough sex for someone who panicked at the thought the day before. Apparently, Hell is better than therapy for trauma recovery!

I did enjoy how Ms. Woods chose to recap the first two books without resorting to lengthy exposition. It took me a chapter or two to understand what she was doing. Once I did, however, I really enjoyed the chance to see certain key scenes from different viewpoints.

I also feel THE DAMNED has a lot of unexplored potential in the form of the different circles of Hell. We spend such a short amount of time in each circle that we never get to appreciate what eternity looks like while there. Ms. Woods shows us a few of the punishments, but all is superficial, gleaned through brief observation or by Beel as a way of explanation/warning. Even worse, the visits to the various circles grow briefer as the journey progresses, so much so that we see almost nothing of the last few circles and learn even less. As I said, so much unexplored potential.

I liked THE DAMNED enough to know that I will continue with the series as Ms. Woods publishes them. I found some oddities in Margot's and Beelzebub's narration and portrayal, something not improved by the fact that they are Willow's and Lucifer's emotional opposites. I also lament the lack of time spent in each of the circles. But that ending, and the fact that I am a sucker for a muscled man with tattoos, are enough to overcome some of the rougher, more questionable parts of the story, making THE DAMNED a book I enjoyed more than I probably should have. show less

This installment of the Coven of Bones series was a thoroughly enjoyable read. I loved the adventure through the nine circles of hell and the things they had to do to get through each circle.

I don't know if there are more books planned for this series, but I will read them if they are written and released.

Willow Madizza Hecate Morningstar and Lucifer the Morningstar AKA Alaric Grayson "Gray" Thorne

Review:
I was not ready for this to end! But it is such a beautiful story of adventure, magic, love, and deities! A delightful warmth in my heart every time I look at this series on my shelf - I can not recommend this series strongly enough!

Quotes:
“It would take time for my songbird to realize that she was not sensitive like glass, only a moment from cracking. She was sensitive like a bomb, ready to explode with power at any given moment.”