Owned

Wicked Heirs #3

by Harlow Duncan

A monster wants her soul. But his sons? They want to be hers.

Avril Velez has survived the cage—first as a prisoner in Withermarsh under the control of a ruthless sorcerer, then as the obsession of his three ruthless sons. Now bound by blood and desire, the brothers would kill their father to keep her. But Avril has begun to change—and the grimoire’s voice is no longer something she fears.

But Lucian can feel a rebellion rising. His purge of the Black Council leaves Messana steeped in blood, and his grip tightens with every betrayal. Trapped inside a manor of secrets, Avril must claim her power or be consumed by it.

Because in the end, she won’t just survive. She’ll own them all.

**Please check the trigger warnings for this book. The Wicked Heirs Series is intended to be read by adults over the age of 18 and contains content that may be triggering for some readers**

450 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 31, 2025

Reviews

[Bent Letters · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 Stars

[Booksbystarlightandshadows · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was probably my favourite of the series overall as I was glad to see Avril taking some agency. I never quite made it to rooting for these characters to get together though; largely because the author made the MMCs such good villains in book one. There is no grovel, and the emphasis on the blood bond just made me wonder how much was real. I never felt that the brothers would truly put Avril first and the third act proved after all they had gone through that there was no real trust. The audacity of them saying they felt betrayed really got to me after how they had treated her too. Valen was probably the closest to having a redemption arc but he was also quick to believe the worst.

I still found Lucian the most compelling character in the book compared to the brothers who kept talking about plans but not really putting much in motion. I almost wanted a redemption arc at one point (until I didn't) as Lucian had me just about believing he had genuine feelings for Avril beyond her power. I wanted to know more about his storyline like the significance of the weird red orb thing, what had really happened between him and the boys' mothers, and more on what happened between him and Dario. I like the ending too as it didn't go the way I expected and has opened the door to big changes in Messana; the world building was engaging and I'd pick up another book in this universe.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

My interpretation of the star system;
3 stars - I enjoyed it; would read the author again
4 stars - I really liked it; I am invested and definitely want more from this author/series
5 stars - I loved it; I engaged with this book completely until I finished it and it is one I will re-read.

[Shu · Rating 4 out of 5]

- I like the storyline but there wasn’t really any build up of emotions from the MMCs to fall in love with the Avril and ending up together at the end after getting rid of their father/husband. It felt like the MMCs had more emotions about their father than their feelings for Avril throughout all three books. In some scenes, the MMCs rather saved themselves from Lucian than they did for Avril when they were supposedly so “protective” of her (in Bastian’s words, “she can handle it” when they obviously saw Lucian scare Avril), Titus mentions he needs to protect himself before Avril, or mentions it is her fault for marrying Lucian when he wouldn’t trust her. No trust between the characters. Avril only got more power towards the end of the book when she killed Lucian so she was still weak throughout the book until then. The three MMC keep mentioning they want to get rid of their father and wanted to make plans but they never really did in the storyline. It was Avril who did at the end even though it wasn’t really “her.” How did Lucian not know all the main characters, were sleeping with each other all the time when it was mentioned multiple times Lucian was so powerful besides the servants knowing too and would tell him. Overall, there is a somewhat good storyline (not action packed) but all the characters need work (too weak of a FMC and all three MMCs were a bit useless when trying to “save” the FMC they were so “in love” with).

[Charlotte Battersby · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the ending to Avril's journey within Withermarsh and the world of Messana. The plot kept me interested towards the climax of the trilogy and the character development was great. Avril really grew into a stronger version of herself, doubting the dark powers within her every step of the way. She kept her humanity and her views from before the slow corruption of the grimoire which I'm glad about. It made her character development that much meaningful over the three books. The ending was satisfying to me and can't wait to see more of the Messana universe!

Valen will always be my favourite of the three brothers because of how caring he was towards Avril, he never wanted to take advantage of her once he began to care for her. Titus and Bastian were well developed characters but they were too corrupted and mean due to Lucian's ways and the dark magic. They were still good characters but I do prefer Valen above both of them with Avril.

Can easily recommend this trilogy now that it's complete! It was an interesting read in how one's life can be manipulated from the very start by outside forces and taking back control of one's life.

[Shelby Woodruff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Out of the three books (I'm HOPING there is a fourth!!!!) This one is my favorite in the series. Please read the triggers!!!! **IF YOU HAVEN'T READ THE FIRST TWO THIS COULD CONTAIN A SPOILER!!!****

Avril is starting to understand her power more, and is starting to put the pieces together as to why and how Lucian got ahold of her. Titus, Valen, and Bastian still completely morally grey and their "she is ours" vibes had me swooning the whole time and I couldn't get enough of them. The book opens up immediately to all four of them in a SPICY scene! I wasn't expecting it but hey? Didn't hate it!! Lucian is now ready to take Avril as his bride, but her and the guys are planning Lucian's final demise.

I thought this book was so good! When I saw this series come back, I was really excited to get back into the world. Avril's character arc in this part of her story came to an end, but I really don't think it's done yet. Harlow's writing with all three books keeps getting better and better with details and very mature with her writing style.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Morally_Gray_Nola · Rating 5 out of 5]

n this third, and final, installment of the ‘Wicked Heirs’ series, we step directly into a deliciously dirty scene between Avril, Titus, Bastian, and Valen—so hot it’ll melt your kindle! There’s lots of drama, kills, spice, and surprises. The boys finally get serious about redeeming themselves! Great book.

*** Recommended ***

MMC:
* Titus
* Bastian
* Valen
FMC:
* Avril
HEA/Cliffhanger:
* HEA
Series:
* Book 3 of Wicked Heirs
Epilogue:
* N/A
Genre & Tropes:
* Dark Paranormal Romance
* Morally Dark Gray MMCs
* Forbidden Romance
* Reverse Harem
* MFM+M
* Step-Brother MMCs
Triggers:
* 18+
* Sex
* Bondage
* Breath Play
* Kidnapping
* Immuring
* Magical Sex
* Death
* Murder
Burn Speed:
* Fast - supersonic
Spice Level:
* 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have been following Harlow along for the ride since the first book! This is book 3 in the Wicked Heirs series and I still can't bring myself to like any of the MMC's.

Avril at the end of book two made the blood pack with the guys so I thought their relationship would be better but they were still terrible. Avril grew in power throughout this book and the ending really surprised me. It did not actually feel like a ending.

I would recommend this series. It is the first series I have read that I have been kind of meh about most of the characters so that has been weird for me. The spicy scenes were great though!!!

Thank you Booksprout and Harlow for allowing me to go along for a ride with you.

[Michelle Peralta · Rating 4 out of 5]

A dark, spicy finale with a heroine who finally steps into her power.

This was my favorite of the Wicked Heirs trilogy—Avril’s growth was satisfying, and the ending genuinely surprised me. While I never fully bought into the romance (the MMCs were too well-written as villains in book one), I appreciated Valen's softer side. Lucian remained the most compelling character, and I wish we got more of his backstory.

The worldbuilding in Messana was rich, and I’m excited to see where it goes next. Despite being lukewarm on most of the characters, I’d still recommend this trilogy for the plot, spice, and Avril’s arc.

[SBee Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

★”If we hoped to stand against our father, Avril would need to be stronger.”★

🫶🏼 Please mind your triggers before diving in 🫶🏼💝

“She would have to give more of herself to the grimoire.” Avril’s stepfather has dark plans to use her to seize more power and control over the council and all of Messena. Her three stepbrothers, however, are a daily threat to her well-being with their cruel intentions to keep her as an outsider. But once the grimoire chooses her, there is only one way things can play out, right into their father’s hands. Engaging dark fantasy from a new-to-me author!

[Erin Puritz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall I enjoyed this series but I felt like Avril took a step back in character development in this book compared to book 2. The series was fine but I found myself skimming the book just to know how it ended.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Doris Scales · Rating 5 out of 5]

I quite enjoyed reading this book. It’s very engaging at least it was for me. It just sort of drew me in and didn’t let me go. I can’t wait to read more. I’m absolutely love the characters and the theme of this book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kelly Gregory · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great ending! I loved the character development, especially the guys. There was plenty of action, drama, chemistry and some superb steam!!!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Tracy H · Rating 4 out of 5]

Owned: A Dark Paranormal Why Choose Gothic Romance
Book 3 of Wicked Heirs
Harlow Duncan

This story held my attention from the beginning. The characters and world building are wonderful.