Demise by Katelyn Taylor Review

Rating: 5 Stars

On Kindle Unlimited: Yes 

Publication Date: January 13, 2025

HEA: Yes

Version: E-book - Advanced Reader Copy (ARC)

Maleficis esse mori. Death to witches.

This is the third and final book in the Gallows Hill series, and I am almost speechless how much this book and series as a whole hit my expectations. To say I’m sad I won’t be able to continue to live in this world with Skyla and her men is an understatement! 

This book picks up right where Descent ended, and I swear it is a rollercoaster ride from the very first page. Skyla has been stalked for some time now, and if you’re like me, you were sitting on pins and needles to find out who the stalker finally was. To say I was shocked is an understatement, and be prepared because that is not the only time you will be caught off guard. There are plot twists everywhere and your emotions will be tested. The Brethren was built on decades of secrets and lies and no one truly makes it out unscathed. 

This book truly tests each character. Dealing with the Brethren is their biggest challenge as it controls so much of their lives, but the actions the men must do to prove themselves is their ultimate test. My heart was constantly hurting for someone. If it wasn’t one of them needing to basically hurt Skyla to ultimately protect her, it was the men being tested in the most vulgar ways in turn breaking parts of their soul. Katelyn really wanted to put these men through the wringer, but I can’t lie, I was here for it! I mean come on, we all love a man with a tattered soul who would give their life for us. Swooons

We also see a larger focus on the Salem Witch Trials and how the history ties in with the Brethren. From the beginning, we only get to see the Brethren’s side which was always questionable at best. There is a lot of suspicion and lies that surround the secret society, so it wasn’t hard to believe that the beliefs they held may have been flawed. I will say the biggest secret they were keeping had me literally floored! I had quite a few ideas of what was going to happen, but I was not expecting that. Then after that, it was plot twist after plot twist, and Katelyn was trying to hurt my damn heart.

Okay, let’s talk about my favorite aspect of the book… the spice. I’m going to be honest with you, I’m not even sure I can talk about it without blushing like a virgin on her wedding night. The amount of spice that is in this book is insane. Insanely delicious that is. If you had an idea or scene that you wanted to happen between this beautiful harem, it most definitely does. Honestly, even the scenes you couldn’t think of - Katelyn has you covered because they also happen!

Excuse my crass, but I was a literal ocean during these scenes. Just happily trying to figure out how I can possibly make fictional characters come to life because good gracious holy damn, everything was SO FREAKING HOT!! 

The group scenes… the GROUP SCENES!! Let’s just say that cabin scene almost took me out. Like I was genuinely going to need mouth to mouth to be resuscitated! Okay, who am I kidding - every scene was hot! Especially, when Vincent was involved. 

This book was a perfect conclusion to a series filled with characters you couldn’t help but fall in love with. The character development is exceptional and I loved getting to see everyone’s true character come to light. This book breaks most of these men and despite the devastating things they had to face, they come out the other side better men. Devoted men. They would quite literally off anyone and everyone for her - innocent or not.

The same could easily be said for Skyla. In the first and second book, Skyla is a bit more timid and easily persuaded and although she allows the men to still sway some of her decisions, my girl was putting her foot down!! We love a strong FMC who knows what she wants and is willing to go behind her men’s back to get it. She followed her gut and it was the best decision she ever made. 

If you had any doubts about diving into this series or finishing the series if you’ve already read the first two books, please immediately dive in! This is a dark romance and there is triggering content, so please always protect your mental health and look up trigger/content warnings if needed.

If you don’t have any triggers, then I suggest going into this series blind. You won’t regret it and you’ll definitely have a lot of fun! 

Tropes: 

• Why Choose

• Dark Academia

• Secret Society 

• Arranged Marriage 

• Salem Witch Trials 

• Bi-Awakening