Book Review: The Cursed by Harper L. Woods

Book Summary – Spoiler free

The Cursed is the second installment in Harper L. Woods’ Coven of Bones duology. This sequel continues the tale of Willow Madizza, a witch entangled in a web of betrayal, forbidden magic, and a dangerously magnetic bond with the enigmatic Gray Thorne. Set against the backdrop of Hollow’s Grove University, the narrative delves deeper into themes of power, destiny, and redemption.

Set in the ever-ominous Hollow’s Grove University (imagine if your college was built on cursed ley lines and unholy blood pacts), this book plunges even deeper into witch politics, ancient power struggles, and morally gray everything.

The story picks up right where The Coven left off—Willow is reeling, the Covenant is in shambles, and she’s magically, soul-bonded to Gray Thorne, who just so happens to be, well… the literal devil. No biggie.

Analysis and Opinion

Alright, let’s talk about The Cursed, book two of the Coven of Bones duology. If you thought The Coven was a wild ride, buckle the hell up (pun intended), because this sequel takes all your cozy little dark academia vibes and hurls them into the Inferno—complete with witchy angst, daddy issues, and, yes, Lucifer himself.

Reading The Cursed felt like dancing on the edge of a dagger—exhilarating but also really freaking uncomfortable. There are moments where you’re genuinely disturbed, but you can’t stop turning pages. The trauma, the manipulation, the madness—it’s a heavy emotional weight to carry, even in fiction.

This book dives headfirst into themes like loss of autonomy, destiny vs. choice, generational trauma, and the terrifying possibility that you can love someone who is wholly, terrifyingly not good. I had to sit with myself after some chapters like, “Do I need holy water? Therapy? Both?” There’s something deeply messed up about rooting for literal evil—but Harper makes it work, and that’s what’s terrifyingly brilliant.

One of the most gut-wrenching aspects of this book is Willow’s ongoing mental tug-of-war with Gray. She fell in love with a brooding, dangerous vampire, and then—plot twist—he’s actually Lucifer. As in, the Lucifer.

There are multiple moments where Willow calls him “Lucifer” and you can feel the emotional shrapnel that follows. Gray shuts it down. Hard. He hates being called that by her because it reminds him he’s not just her bonded partner—he’s the ancient embodiment of damnation itself.

Willow, on the other hand, can’t just shut off that reality. And that conflict—that name—becomes symbolic of everything she’s trying to suppress. It’s not just semantics. It’s the brutal reminder that she’s in love with someone who has caused suffering, but also is somehow the embodiment of life.

So yeah. Inner turmoil? Turned up to eleven.

There’s something deeply unsettling and very human about Willow’s struggle to accept Gray. He’s not misunderstood or misjudged—he’s bad. Like, cosmically bad. And yet she still feels that pull, that connection.

Reading this felt like being complicit in something dark, like, “Am I… rooting for the devil right now?” It messed with my moral compass in a way that I both hated and deeply appreciated. Because isn’t that the whole point of dark romance? To make you feel something twisted and real?

😤 Let’s Talk About Iban—AKA: Sir Red Flag

Okay. Deep breath. Let’s unpack this betrayal nonsense because what even was that?

Iban’s arc in The Cursed was honestly ridiculous. Like, comically delusional. The man had betrayed Willow multiple times, and yet she still gave him just enough trust to twist the knife again. I mean… how many betrayals is too many? ONE. The answer is ONE.

By the end, I was kind of rooting for his death—which, yes, sounds dark, but also look at the material. He consistently acted like Willow owed him something just because he thought he loved her. That level of entitlement is gross. Full stop.

And the thing is—she knew! She suspected in the first book that he’d made a deal on her behalf without her consent. That’s not love. That’s obsession wrapped in manipulation and a shiny ex-boyfriend facade.

Honestly, all of this could’ve been avoided if someone had handed Willow a laminated list of personal boundaries and a therapist. Iban needed to be kicked to the curb ages ago. Not coddled. Not pitied. The “friendship” would have ended way sooner that’s for sure.

Theme of Friendship

One thing I really loved was how accepting, trusting, and wildly supportive Willow’s friends were. Like, they were out here facing blood oaths, demonic secrets, and literal hellspawn—and still said, “Yeah, girl, we got you.” No questions asked (well, okay, a few questions, but respectfully).

You know its okay not to be okay. You don’t always have to be strong for us.

Harper L. Woods

They didn’t judge her for falling for someone who is, let’s be real, the actual devil. They didn’t abandon her when things got weird. They didn’t try to save her from herself—they stood beside her, even when they didn’t fully understand what she was going through. That kind of loyalty? Pure gold.

It made the story feel grounded in something real—because yes, the romance is spicy and chaotic and soul-bondy, but the friendships? They’re the heartbeat. The tether to humanity. Honestly, without Margot and the rest of the crew, Willow probably would’ve let herself drown in Gray’s darkness.

And can we talk about how they let her be angry, grieving, messy? They held space for her without trying to fix her. That’s the kind of support everyone deserves.

What I Loved:

• Gray Thorne’s duality: The switch-flipping between seductive vampire boyfriend and the Prince of Hell was so good I audibly gasped multiple times.
• Willow’s emotional arc: Girlie was out here trying to reconcile love, trust, betrayal, and cosmic-level power shifts—all before finals week.
• That atmospheric tension: The prose made everything feel like a fever dream. Sexy? Yes. Deeply unsettling? Also yes.

What I Didn’t Love:

• Pacing: Some chapters dragged more than a cursed soul through brimstone.
• Too much steam, not enough scream: I craved more time spent on the actual magical systems and lore. Give me more creepy rituals and less hallway smolder (but also, keep the hallway smolder).

I know it sounds goofy, but real talk: I would’ve absolutely loved a deeper dive into the world itself or, honestly, just more history about Gray/Lucifer. We got enough to be intrigued, but not enough to understand him. I think I could’ve empathized more if I’d seen beyond the broody protector side of him—if we got flashbacks or legends or even just Gray being more open about who he was before Willow.

Because as it stands, he feels like a love interest designed to orbit around Willow (which is hot, don’t get me wrong), but also… he’s Lucifer. Literal myth-making material. Give me more darkness! Give me more guilt! Give me centuries of emotional wreckage!

That said, I adored how empowering his relationship with Willow was. He never tried to control her—never tried to take her power. He let her fight her own battles unless stepping in was absolutely necessary. There’s something so refreshing about a powerful male lead who doesn’t feel threatened by a strong female character. He backed her, he believed in her, and he didn’t coddle her. Chef’s kiss.

Saying Goodbye to This Chapter, But Wait there’s more

I am in shambles now that Willow and Gray’s story is done. No more pained glances under cursed moons. No more unhinged declarations of love between soul-bound enemies. No more toeing the line between salvation and total damnation. Just a void where chaos once lived.

BUT! We are getting Margot and Beelzebub’s story next and I am foaming at the mouth with excitement. Margot is sharp-tongued and unbothered. Beelzebub? Pure chaotic menace. I already know it’s going to be a mess in the best possible way.

Sidenote: I just need to shout out the absolute artistry that is the cover of The Cursed. It’s not just pretty—it’s purposeful. I’m a sucker for book covers that actually mean something, and this one? Superb!

The intricate maze in the background? That’s not just spooky aesthetic fluff—that’s the mark Willow gave to Gray. HER mark. It’s symbolic, it’s powerful, and it’s subtly telling you everything about their twisted, soul-bound relationship before you even crack open the first page. That kind of visual storytelling? I eat it up.

I love when a cover makes you stop after reading and go, “Ohhhhhh, that’s what that meant.” It adds this extra layer of satisfaction, like the story was visually speaking to you the whole time. 10/10 cover design. Frame it. Tattoo it. Summon demons with it. I don’t care—I’m obsessed.

Final Thoughts

The Cursed is the emotional equivalent of slow-dancing with a demon in a burning cathedral. It’s gut-wrenching, spicy, poetic, and borderline unhinged—in the best way. If you’ve ever wanted to explore what it means to love someone who might not deserve it, welcome to your new obsession. In other words i would totally recommend this book.

This one is definitely 18+. It’s spicy (we’re talking full-blown fire and brimstone), deals with themes of possession, manipulation, trauma, betrayal, and well… soul-bonded sex with Lucifer. Not YA-friendly. At all.

If You Liked This, You’ll Probably Love:

• King of Battle and Blood by Scarlett St. Clair – another vampire + powerful woman duo with high heat and ancient history vibes.
• The Serpent and the Wings of Night by Carissa Broadbent – competition, bloodshed, enemies-to-lovers, and a brooding vampire king energy that scratches the same itch.
• The Plated Prisoner series by Raven Kennedy – for morally gray men, intense power dynamics, and main characters who get stronger (and angrier) with each book.
• Dark Harmony by Laura Thalassa – if you liked the dark/ethereal tone and want more end-of-the-world romance vibes.