Title: The Coven
Author: Harper L. Woods
Publication: March 12, 2023
Publisher: Independently Published
Genre: Fantasy
Pages: 302
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SYNOPSIS: (From Goodreads)
Raised to be my father’s weapon against the Coven that took away his sister and his birthright, I would do anything to protect my younger brother from suffering the same fate. My duty forces me to the secret town of Crystal Hollow and the prestigious Hollow’s Grove University—where the best and brightest of my kind learn to practice their magic free from human judgment.
There are no whispered words here. No condemnation for the blood that flows through my veins. The only animosity I face comes from the beautiful and infuriating Headmaster, Alaric Grayson Thorne, a man who despises me just as much as I loathe him and everything he stands for.
But that doesn’t mean secrets don’t threaten to tear the school in two. No one talks about the bloody massacre that forced it to close decades prior, only the opportunity it can afford to those fortunate enough to attend.
Because for the first time in fifty years, the Coven will open its wards to the Thirteen: thirteen promising students destined to change the world.
If the ghosts of Hollow’s Groves’ victims don’t kill them first…
REVIEW:
**A copy of this book was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.**
There are trigger warnings, so please look those over before you read this book. And with that said, my review isn’t based on any of them.
I have seen The Coven recommended many times so I was excited to give it a try. There is spice and it is written decently. I also thought that the characters started off strongly at the start. There was so much potential for the two leads, especially the female main character but I don’t feel that it carried through until the end. Somewhere in the middle I got lost because I was a little bored.
This book just wasn’t meant for me. I kept waiting to be hooked, to feel emotionally connected to the story and/or the characters but it fell flat. Willow, the female main, was all over the place. Her convictions felt strong at first and then she went for Gray, the male main, so easily. Also, the synopsis lists this as a gothic, paranormal romance. I expected something much darker, especially with all the triggers that were listed. In my opinion, this isn’t that dark or gothic.
I’m giving The Coven two stars because I lost interest and found it hard to follow the plot.
I will never tell anyone not to read a book, so if this book sounds like something you’d like to read, please give it a go!
