Tuesday Reviews: The Damned by Harper L. Woods

Trapped.

He fell through the gate to Hell to save my life.

Beelzebub, the Lord of Gluttony, is no longer his own. He’s been mine ever since he caught me singing to myself, falling prey to the magic of my song. If I can keep my distance, we can both move on.

But now, he is caught under my spell, which makes him forbidden to touch. And yet, he is the only one I can trust to get me back to Crystal Hollow.

We’ll have to make it through the Nine Circles of Hell first.

No matter what we lose along the way.

The Damned is a dark, emotional, and beautifully written continuation of Harper L. Woods’s world of witches, demons, and forbidden love. This story follows Margot, the red witch, and Beelzebub, the archdemon, as they travel through the nine circles of hell after the events of The Cursed. Their journey is full of danger, introspection, and slow-burn tension that builds with every chapter.

Harper’s worldbuilding is vivid and cinematic. Each circle of hell feels distinct and immersive, full of haunting details and emotional weight. Margot’s growth throughout the story is one of its strongest points. She begins as a woman burdened by trauma and guilt but slowly learns to reclaim her power and voice. Beelzebub is equally compelling—a mix of arrogance, loyalty, and surprising gentleness. His patience and quiet devotion to Margot make him one of Harper’s most endearing characters yet.

The romance is slow and steady, built on trust and mutual healing rather than instant passion. There are moments where the pacing drags, and a few scenes could have used more emotional depth, but overall, the connection between Margot and Beelzebub feels genuine and well earned. The themes of trauma, redemption, and self-acceptance are handled thoughtfully and with care.

The Damned balances its darker moments with beauty and hope, showing that even in the depths of hell, love and light can survive. It ends on a massive cliffhanger that will leave readers eager for the next installment.

A must-read for fans of dark romantasy, lush worldbuilding, and enemies-to-lovers stories filled with emotional intensity and heart.