“There was no control where she was concerned, as if my mind and body no longer belonged to me.”

Thank you netgalley and tor for the gifted arc!

⭐️⭐️⭐️.75
✨witches and demons
✨morally grey/possessive mmc
✨dark romance *please check the TWs 🫶*

Idk how this book works so well, but wow does it work 😩 is it the most beautiful piece of work? No. Did it have me in a chokehold? Absolutely ✋ I was so entertained with this book and I will not apologize 🙌 and the plot twist? Give me the next book now plz!

Our fmc, willow, is a 20 year old witch who has spent her life hiding from the covenant. Once her mom dies, the wards protecting her from being found are broken and she is forced to attend hollows grove, a university for witches. She is well trained and takes care of herself! Most of the time I loved her attitude, but sometimes she was a little bit much for me.

Our mmc, gray, is a vessel and headmaster at hollows grove. Gray hates the coven but can’t escape them. Good gosh, this mannnn 😮‍💨 if you like morally grey, possessive men, gray is the one for you 🤭 I really look forward to seeing his development after that plot twist!

Again, the romance is definitely dark so keep that in mind! I really enjoyed the tension and angst 🤭 willow hates this man’s guts but (understandably) can’t deny her attraction to him. All of the rage between them created some wonderfully tense scenes 🤌

I do wish the world building was a little more detailed bc I was confused at certain points. Some scenes also felt a little rushed so I was like wtf if happening rn ☠️

Overall, I’m really surprised how much I enjoyed this! Definitely a great junk food binge read 😌

An AMAZING package. I love a good book about witches, especially one that has to do with a magic school, and this is such a great collector's edition.

I didn't realize this was a dark romance, and just thought it was a fantasy romance. That being said once I read the trigger warnings I knew it wouldn't be for me, and I turned out to be right. It's a little much for my taste.

This reminds me of The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina tv show. A young female witch who has questionable judgment, destined to be “the one” to change the balance of supernatural beings.

I’m not a dark romance reader, and that is probably why I found this difficult to consume. It definitely delivers what the summary promises though. So if you like gothic fantasy romances with a bit of spice, you’ll likely to enjoy The Coven.

I still can’t get past the “throbbing fangs” though. Gave me the ick immediately.

The Coven by Harper L. Woods is a captivating first installment in a thrilling duology. The tension and mystery woven throughout the story are truly addictive, while the rich descriptions and chilling atmosphere immerse readers in a world of magic and intrigue. This book has quickly become a must-read for anyone looking for a bewitching tale. I fell in love with the story and cannot wait to read the next book.

This book was insanely good! I cannot recommend this enough! I loved every minute of it. A total must read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Tor/Bramble for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Pub Date: August 6, 2024

4.25 stars
I would have loved more details and character emotions in this but it was a pretty short book so it did decently given the length. The world was so neat and again, would have loved more details, more side characters. There were definitely a few things that slipped through the cracks but I read the last half of the book in one sitting. The ending and the twists there! Whew, can't wait for the second book!

I need to go pre-order those pretty special editions

This book was so incredibly addictive. I will eat up a witch x demon/vampire book ALWAYS. Harper's writing was amazing and if I wasn’t busy with life shenanigans while reading, this would’ve been binged in one session 100%. My jaw was on the floor the last quarter of the book. I’m jumping straight into the next one. This book is absolutely stunning and perfect for spooky season.

We’ve got:

-TRUE enemies to lovers
-demons/vessels/vampires
-witches/magic
-bloodlust + blood play
-monsters
-drama
-morally grey MMC
-sassy and bold FMC
-a little dark academia vibe
-crazy twists
-angst and the hottest TENSSIONN 😍

The most disappointing aspect to this book is that I have to WAIT FOR BOOK TWO. This romantasy was a completely emotional rollercoaster. I loved the magic system and found myself so intrigued by the gothic atmosphere of this book. It wasn’t a perfect novel, but the characters were everything.

Alas I couldn't finish this one, it wasn't for me. I honestly requested this book for the title alone and then the description was super promising. I love dark academia, anything to do with witches, and happy to throw some vampires in the mix. What I did read gave me Underworld vibes, which are very appreciated, but I didn't connect with any of the main characters and I didn't care to see what happened next. I will recommend this to friend who I think will like it, the book didn't put me off or anything like that, it just wasn't for me. With so many books out there, why continue with something that isn't personally working when there is so much more to read? Thanks for the opportunity and I know this will make someone's spooky season sensational.

I had no idea where this book was taking me, but it was every bit a wild, confusing, at times horny, but fun ride. Willow was born and bred to steal back the bones of her ancestor so that her father, a descendent of the Hecate bloodline, could have his sister back. He physically trained her just as her mother, from another bloodline, trained her to use her power. But as her mother's death unveiled her powers to those at the prestigious Hollow's Grove University, she finds herself carrying out her destiny for her father and family's bloodline. But her plan does not go to plan when feelings get in the way.

I thought this was a slightly intense, but also super fun, romantasy novel. It has a slight YA feel to the writing, but I enjoyed going along for the ride with Willow, and learning as we both went through this experience together. Even the dual perspective with Grey gave very little away as to what was happening and what would come at the end. The author did a good job of keeping the reader just slightly out of the loop to keep us guessing, knowing something else was happening, but not quite figuring it out. There are a lot of questions I have about the novel, but perhaps they'll be answered in the second book.

Thank you to Netgalley, Tor Publishing, and Harper L. Woods for the chance to review this advanced reader copy.

Unfortunately The Coven by Harper L. Woods fell flat for me. I really wanted to like it as it has all the things I was looking for but I found it just "meh". The story felt disjointed and like the author just smashed a bunch of tropes into it and called it good. I get it, tropes are tropes for a reason and they persist because they are tested and true but I just wish she didn't use every one she could think of.

It was very hard for me to read at points. The romance was disappointing. It was strictly built on tension and that's about it. There was no depth to their relationship but really, how can a centuries old headmaster and a 16 year old relate? Also, barf.

The only reason why its getting a two is because it redeemed itself a little near the end. If I didn't have to review it, I would have dnf'd it. I will not be continuing with the series.

So, I’ll be honest, I was a bit nervous going into this one, because based on the description alone I was getting strong “Gothikana” vibes. And we all remember how I felt about that… That said, there was a reason I picked that book up in the first place, and it’s the same one that drew my interest in this book: dark academia! I’m also always down for gothic vibes and romance. Though, I’m always a bit concerned when we venture too far into the realm of “student/teacher” type love stories. But let’s see how this one did!

Well, I did struggle a bit with this one, but it was definitely not the complete dumpster fire that was “Gothikana,” so at least we’re moving in the right direction! For one thing, this one was simply better written. The prose flows fairly well and, for the most part, the dialogue feels natural. And since we’re starting with writing, I’ll say that the spicy scenes were on the better side as well. This, of course, is very subjective, but I often find myself cringing during many authors’ approach to intimate scenes, but these seemed to be on the better side, avoiding many of the pitfalls I personally struggle with.

I also enjoyed the start of the book and meeting the main character, Willow. Her magical abilities were interesting and her backstory for why she was coming in to the school late felt like it was leading to a good arc. Unfortunately, I can’t say the same for the male main character, Gray. Not only does the book lean hard into “insta-love” between these two, but Gray is a fairly unlikable character all around. Now, to be fair, the author did provide a note in the beginning of the book about this character’s villainous tendencies, so I can’t say that I wasn’t warned. At the same time, he’s truly unlikable! There’s a fine line between writing a love interest who falls on the darker side of things, and then writing one who is just a manipulative jerk and a walking red flag. Gray is definitely the latter. So much so that I felt even more attached to Willow purely on a maternal level in that I kept wanting to dive into the book and be like “Girl, no!”

The plot was also all over the place. Things were happening, sure, but at times it felt almost random. Plot points would be introduced, dropped, re-visited and discarded at any given moment. It was incredibly difficult to know what exactly I was meant to be focusing in on at any moment, and this erratic approach to plotting left the pacing very off. I found myself becoming more bored than I should have been, given the amount of action that was taking place. But if all of the plot pieces are as disconnected as these, it’s almost the same as having no plot in the first place.

Overall, this was just an ok read. I’ll probably check out the second one, just because I’m trying to give more authors/series a second chance, but I do have concerns, based on this book. There is potential here, but the balance between the “romance” (insta-love) and the actual plot of the story felt off. I’d say readers who enjoy very villainous, dark romantic leads are the most likely to enjoy this one. But if you’re at all wary on that front, probably best to pass this one up.

Rating 7: There was potential in the main character and some of the fantasy elements, but I hated the male main character way too much to bump this one further up.

(Link will go live on The Library Ladies on August 16)

HIS BOOK WAS WILD. One of my favorites books of the year so far! I AM SHOOK

5 STARS
2.5/5 Spice

This spicy dark paranormal adult romantasy has a bit of something for everyone! Witches and demons, a dark academia school setting, INCREDIBLY UNEXPECTED PLOT TWISTS, fantastic worldbuilding, dual POV, SPICE, an incredibly feisty, badass FMC and a morally grey (and somewhat villainous) MMC.

SUMMARY
Willow is a witch whose entire life was pre-determined by her family. Descending from a powerful line of witches, she has been trained by her father to essentially fulfill a destiny, without really knowing the reason why. After the death of her mother and spending her whole life in hiding from her coven, Willow is captured and forced to return to them and attend school at Hollow Grove's University. Her captor is Alaric Grayson Thorne - the handsome yet aggravating Headmaster at Hollow's Grove. Will willow fulfill her destiny? What dark secrets are hidden behind the walls of the University? And most importantly, will Willow be hot for teacher?

TROPES
- Forbidden romance
- Touch her and Die
- Who did this to you
- Mortal Enemies to lovers
- Hot 4 Teacher
- Forced proximity
- Hidden identity/Chosen one
- Age Gap

THOUGHTS
I haven't been this engrossed in a spicy romantasy book since reading Zodiac Academy/Ruthless Boys. I COULD NOT PUT THIS DOWN. It was giving me Chilling Adventures of Sabrina Vibes x Zodiac Academy x Kingdom of the Wicked.

The worldbuilding was fantastic, from the gothic/dark academia vibes of the University to the magical creatures that enchant the woods nearby, Harper really creates a fully realized world. The characters are all interesting, and I can't wait to see them play a bigger part in the next book (Iban! Ash!).

Now THE GOOD STUFF - the romance was PERFECT enemies to lovers. Growing up with a mutual hatred between Witches and Vessels, Willow and Grey's transition was perfectly done. Their witty banter and out-right disdain for one another created the most delicious tension, and who doesn't love an age-gap romance with a hot teacher? He is an enormous red flag, yet here we all are just eating it up. Love me a DEATH DADDY

The ending of this book was insane, I did not see it coming. A series of unexpected plot twists. I am still in complete and utter shock - I NEED BOOK TWO NOW HARPER!!!!!

Thank you Harper, Netgalley and Tor for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own.

I didn’t know what to expect when reading this book, wasn’t sure if it would be like twilight or like AHS.

I struggled really hard getting into it. I’d start it, then put it down, read a few other books then come back to it again. I had a hard time finding where the storyline was going to go. I didn’t love the main characters and honestly couldn’t find a thing I truly enjoyed. Overall it’s a good book for small smut with a vampire/ witch storyline but not my cup of tea. I know people that would love this but it wasn’t on top of my list! Beyond grateful for NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review this ARC!

I didn't find this one particularly compelling. The premise was so similar to a lot of other romantasy books and the genre is so crowded that things tend to blend together and this one fell victim to that, I believe. The magic system was interesting, and there will certainly be an eager audience (especially how pretty the book looks), but it wasn't quite enough to keep me hooked.

This book is essentially a witches vs. vampires story. I really enjoyed the character Willow, she was a strong, likeable, independent woman- however I don't enjoy when characters are written as "sassy" or "have an attitude", it counteracts the idea of her being independent and strong-willed.

I am looking forward to seeing how the story goes. Reading it as a supernatural/fantasy genre, this book is above average then your typical romantasy. I didn't find myself yawning.

The pacing towards the end did feel rushed, but I enjoyed the plot twist drop!

All in all, very good. :)

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC!

The idea of this book sounded amazing and I really wanted to love it, it just fell a little flat for me. Especially when it’s tagged as a romance, but there wasn’t any actual romance.

Unfortunately *The Coven* by Harper L. Woods is one of those books whose synopsis is much stronger and more interesting than the book itself. If you’re eyeing *The Coven* because of the promise of a secret town with a prestigious, magical university or for the implication of a fleshed out world that is full of judgement and condemnation for the magic that exists on its fringes, turn away now, there is nothing for you here: the school simply exists to serve as the backdrop for most of the main conflict and the few students “attending” this school only exist to be used as cannon fodder (which is honestly fine because these characters are paper-thin cutouts that exist only to serve the two main characters, all hastily introduced and just as quickly forgotten). A more accurate blurb might be: *The Coven* follows Willow Madizza, a young yet powerful witch, on a journey to fulfill her life’s purpose and reclaim the source of magical power that once belonged to her family.

One of the few positive things I can say about *The Coven* is that the magic system is pretty neat. In this world, there exists eight main branches of magic (most of which we don’t get to see in action but, hey, we’re told they’re there -_-), with a handful of family bloodlines housed in each. The Madizza line is one of the two remaining earth magic families which means Willow is able to wield the earth and plant life around her in her in an earthbending meets Poison Ivy kind of way. I loved it!

Unfortunately that’s where my praise for this book ends.
- I love a book with multiple points of view.. but it’s so much less enjoyable when **none** of the POV characters are likeable.
- This book is tagged as a romance but there is nothing romantic in the slightest in this book. The insta-lust was insta-repulsive and as most other reviews suggest, be sure to read the lengthy list of trigger warnings at the start of the book.
- How the characters behave and some of the coven’s ritualistic traditions were completely nonsensical: The centuries-old “headmaster” pursuing a 19-20 year old student is generally repulsive but past that, it’s completely unbelievable—why is this ancient being behaving like an angsty teenager? Not to mention that the coven’s main ritual is spicy just for the sake of being spicy—AT A SCHOOL—leaving me annoyed and grossed out more than anything.
- Surely *The Coven* started out as fan fiction.. because almost everything it attempts to do has been done before (and done better) by the works that obviously inspired it.

At two points, 20% and 64% of the way through to be specific, I was absolutely ready to set this book down and never come back, and to be honest I’m not entirely sure why I stuck with it until the end. *To simply be able to check off some readathon challenges it satisfied? Because I felt beholden to those that sent me an e-ARC for the upcoming physical special edition release? Or maybe there was a part of me that was morbidly curious about how this book ended?* Eh, it was probably a mix of all of the above. So after giving this my all-time lowest star rating, I’d say I wouldn’t recommend *The Coven* to anyone, but if I *had* to choose I’d say this might be a good fit if:
1. your motto is that pretty fore-edges trump all, OR
2. earthbending is your favorite bending art, AND
3. you don’t really care about romance or character depth you just want more spice in your life.

*Thank you to Bramble and NetGalley for providing me an e-ARC of this book.*

This is the second book by Harper L. Wood. If I'm being honest, I was scared to read it because I didn't enjoy the other series that much. I'm so glad I gave this series a chance before letting my thoughts on the last series sway my opinion.

I really loved Willow; she was a strong, fiery, and independent woman. I'm sort of over these types of characters being written as sassy just to get that point across. I think Willow would have been stronger without it so much of the time.

Grey is 100% a villain, and I love that because he isn't just playing at it. He would burn the world down for what he wants. I don't know why the visual of a man destroying something and fixing his cufflinks like nothing is so appealing to me, but I'll have to deal with that. 😅😅


I received this as an ARC from Netgalley