The Damned by Harper L Woods

The Damned by Harper L Woods

The Damned is the third book in Harper L Woods' Coven of Bones series, published in October of 2025, with the fourth book scheduled for October of 2026. The series continues by following a new protagonist although we do not leave Willow Madizza behind completely. The Damned deals with bullying, body shaming and fatphobia, death, gore, sexual assault and rape, child abuse, torture, suicidal thoughts, violence, blood, murder, and injury detail. This is a review for The Damned, if you are looking for a summary of the first two books in the Coven of Bones series, check out our series page here.

Margot Erotes has suffered throughout her entire life, but when Willow Madizza came into her life everything changed - mostly for the better. However, after Willow was forced to open the seal of Hell, Margot managed to fall directly into it and into the first of the nine circles of Hell. The archdemon Beelzebub, ensnared by the magic of Margot's song, followed after her and has made it his personal mission to get Margot out of Hell and back to Crystal Hollow as quickly, and as safely, as he can. But first, they will need to make it through all nine circles of Hell, which will require Margot to face parts of her past and parts of herself that she has been unwilling to confront. And maybe leave parts of herself behind completely.

I will say, I did not expect much from this book. I did not dislike the first two books in the Coven of Bones series, although I would not say that I particularly enjoyed them either. This book took a turn for the better. I noticed real growth from the characters, although I have the same gripe with this book as I do with most other recent fantasy books in that the characters are mostly single-minded. I liked the relationship between Margot and Beelzebub more than Willow's relationship in the first two books, and I thought that this book was generally less confusing, easier to follow, and had fewer plot holes than it's predecessors.

I'm giving The Damned by Harper L Woods 3.75 stars out of 5 with a spice rating of 1, rather low considering we made our way through a circle of Hell known as Lust. It is not my favorite book, but it is my favorite of the Coven of Bones series and I'm hopeful that The Divine will be better still.

For more from the author, check out https://www.adelaideforrest.com/#/

Pairs well with a glass of cactus fruit lemonade and knowing which deadly sin is your biggest fault.

Review of The Coven by Harper L Woods - Coven of Bones book 1

Review of The Cursed by Harper L Woods - Coven of Bones book 2