A Journey Through Shadows: My Thoughts on The Damned (Coven of Bones #3)
Ah, where do I even begin? Harper L. Woods’s The Damned caught my attention as I eagerly awaited the next installment of the Coven of Bones series. After devouring the first two books, which beautifully interwove witches, demons, and intricate connections, I approached this latest release with excitement. However, what I found left me feeling more frustrated than enchanted.
In this third book, we follow Margot, a Red witch with a past steeped in trauma, as she navigates her attraction to Beelzebub, the under-explored demon prince who serves as both protector and romantic interest. The themes of healing, especially in the face of Margaret’s history with sexual assault, are commendable and, at times, resonate deeply. Woods showcases a nuanced approach to trauma, portraying Margot’s conflicting emotions with care. Yet, there’s an undeniable sense of disappointment in how the story unfolds around them.
Let’s dive into the writing style, which felt rather uneven. The prose, while occasionally poetic, often struggled with sentence structure that left me rereading passages to figure out the intended meaning. The obsession with cramming multiple ideas into one sentence was distracting, creating a pace that felt clunky and drawn out. For a series known for its complex lore and characters, this felt like a step backward.
What should have been a gripping journey through hell often turned into a tedious recap of events from book two. Dedicating a significant portion of this book to reiterating the past detracted from the fresh elements that could have invigorated the plot. I couldn’t help but feel that the development of Margot and Beelzebub’s relationship lacked depth. Their “insta-love” moments felt too rushed, taking away any sense of genuine connection that I had hoped for.
One standout aspect was the siren-esque magic of the Red witches, which brought an intriguing complexity to Margot’s character. However, the lack of clarity surrounding how this magic works made it challenging for me to fully engage with the world Woods built—a missed opportunity to deepen the narrative.
While I could sense the potential for something grand, the execution often felt like a mere shadows of what could have been. The cliffhanger is tantalizing, ensuring that I’ll be turning the page on the next installment, but I can’t ignore the sense of this book feeling like filler in the series.
For fans of the previous installments who may appreciate the darker, romantic ties, The Damned still holds some value, especially if you enjoy a storyline exploring trauma and recovery. It may not be the home run I hoped for, but it’s a pathway—a pathway I’ll follow to see where Woods takes this haunting tale next.
Ultimately, the experience left me reflecting on the notion that stories often ebb and flow, and while this one didn’t quite strike the chord I was hoping for, I remain curious about what lies ahead in the Coven of Bones saga. So, fellow readers—have your expectations ready and your hearts open, for the journey may still surprise you.
[ad_2]
Discover more about The Damned (Coven of Bones, #3) on GoodReads >>