Review of The Damned (Coven of Bones, #3) by Harper L. Woods
As a lover of dark fantasy and intricate worlds, I was yearning to dive into Harper L. Woods’ latest installment in the Coven of Bones series, The Damned. After being thoroughly captivated by the first two books, I was buzzing with anticipation to see how Woods would continue her complex weave of witches and demons. Unfortunately, my excitement didn’t quite translate into the same level of satisfaction I had hoped for, leading to a rather disappointing journey.
In The Damned, we’re reintroduced to Margot, a Red witch entangled with Beelzebub, Lucifer’s right-hand demon. One would expect this premise to be brimming with tension and intrigue; however, what unfolded felt strangely lackluster. The atmospheric world-building, which was a highlight of the previous entries, seemed to diminish significantly. Instead of a rich tapestry of lore, I found the narrative felt more like a regurgitation of familiar tropes, lacking the originality and depth that characterized earlier books.
The character development was particularly disheartening. Beelzebub, meant to embody the epitome of a powerful demon, came across as underwhelming. Woods attempted to paint him as brooding and enigmatic, but I found myself wondering where the aura of a formidable force had gone. His characterization unfortunately felt more like “older guy who’s seen it all” rather than the commanding presence one would expect from Satan’s right-hand man. The chemistry between him and Margot was muddled by half-hearted inner monologues that left much to be desired.
Moreover, the writing itself was a sore spot. The clunky sentence structures and awkward dialogue made it challenging to immerse myself in the narrative. I often found myself rereading sentences due to misplaced modifiers and convoluted phrasing. For a book steeped in lore and magic, this was disappointing, as it disrupted the pace and flow of the story.
While I appreciated the complexities surrounding Margot’s journey with trauma, particularly as it relates to her magical abilities, the treatment of the topic felt rushed. The siren-esque magic of the Red witches, fraught with contradictions, could have been an amazing exploration of Margot’s character, but I felt let down by its execution. An introspective angle would have enhanced the depth of her struggles, linking her past trauma with her burgeoning powers.
Despite my grievances, there were moments that shone through. The intrigue of traversing nine realms of hell provided fleeting glimpses of excitement, even if some passages felt neglected or rushed. These moments kept me invested, especially with the cliffhanger that left me clamoring for more.
Overall, The Damned felt more like a filler installment rather than a genuine continuation of the series’ epic narrative, and it’s hard to shake this disappointment. While I won’t dissuade die-hard fans of occult romantasy from picking it up, I would caution readers to manage their expectations. This book might suit those who enjoy light, fast-paced adventures through hell without the weight of deeper thematic explorations.
In reflecting on this reading experience, I find myself hoping the upcoming installments return to the captivating depth found in the earlier books. Fans of Woods may still find threads of intrigue here, yet I can’t help but think that The Damned might just be a detour along a much more promising path ahead.
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