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Little Heir of the Damned: Crowns of the Damned, Book One
Lyra has spent her life under the weight of silence and secrecy; told she is ill by her parents and those who tend to her at the glittering seaside Thalor Manor.
It is a home of sea glass and gold, nestled in the sparkling kingdom of Aestus, where sirens sing from the sea and bonfires flicker along the beaches.
She secretly stops the tonics—the medications given to suppress her illness—and the dark nightmares that whisper to her, begging her to come home to a place where hands claw at her from the earth below.
This defiance sparks a chain reaction of events that alter the course of Lyra’s world.
When she attends the Reflection of the Tides festival unmedicated, her power awakens.
The High King of Regnum watches her with silver eyes from the crowd, recognizing at last the woman who has haunted his dreams.
Whispers and dark shadows follow closer now, reaching for her from the darkness.
Devotion cuts like possession, and the crown weighs like a curse.
Little Heir of the Damned is a tale of desecrated power, morally grey love, and the price of survival in a world that never intended to let her live.
M.A. Bullis writes dark romantasy filled with gothic romance and things that go bump in the night.
Her debut novel, Little Heir of the Damned, is the first book in the Crowns of the Damned series.
A lifelong lover of romance and the paranormal, she works as an Emergency Medical Technician in a rural critical-access hospital by night—and spins haunting, fiery stories by day.
It is a home of sea glass and gold, nestled in the sparkling kingdom of Aestus, where sirens sing from the sea and bonfires flicker along the beaches.
She secretly stops the tonics—the medications given to suppress her illness—and the dark nightmares that whisper to her, begging her to come home to a place where hands claw at her from the earth below.
This defiance sparks a chain reaction of events that alter the course of Lyra’s world.
When she attends the Reflection of the Tides festival unmedicated, her power awakens.
The High King of Regnum watches her with silver eyes from the crowd, recognizing at last the woman who has haunted his dreams.
Whispers and dark shadows follow closer now, reaching for her from the darkness.
Devotion cuts like possession, and the crown weighs like a curse.
Little Heir of the Damned is a tale of desecrated power, morally grey love, and the price of survival in a world that never intended to let her live.
M.A. Bullis writes dark romantasy filled with gothic romance and things that go bump in the night.
Her debut novel, Little Heir of the Damned, is the first book in the Crowns of the Damned series.
A lifelong lover of romance and the paranormal, she works as an Emergency Medical Technician in a rural critical-access hospital by night—and spins haunting, fiery stories by day.
484 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 17, 2025
8 people are currently reading
48 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
October 28, 2025
I absolutely devoured this book! I can’t believe it’s the authors debut book?!! I loved the story building and even though it had similar themes to other fantasy books, this book was fun and refreshing.
Honestly if you love fantasy or aren’t super into it I think you should still give it a try.
Honestly if you love fantasy or aren’t super into it I think you should still give it a try.
October 17, 2025
What a journey! Bullis has created a spellbinding world brimming with magic, danger, and sensual intensity. Her writing is lush, romantic, and just the right amount of sinfully steamy. Definitely one to savor after hours—not exactly safe for work reading!
October 17, 2025
Love to see a FMC find herself. MMC is also to die for. Dark and broody always catches my heart. The whole vibe of the book is gloomy dark romance and thats just my type. Perfect for a rainy day read. Cant wait to see what happens next
November 12, 2025
I loved this book from the very start. The authors writing is so beautiful and descriptive and I was immediately pulled into this gothic world. The story is unlike any other romantasy I’ve read. There are dark, unique creatures in this world that gave me goosebumps and characters that I grew to love so much. The MMC has top tier “touch her and die” energy and is absolutely feral for our FMC. I love a “mine” trope and we got one in this book. 👏🏻 I loved seeing Lyra come into herself in this book and I cannot wait to see the power she unleashes in the next book!
January 1, 2026
This authors writing is really unique. She describes things in detail without using a lot of words. The writing in the book is solid and I loved it. The beginning of the book is an incredible set up to the main story. There is slow burn for about 2/3 of the book but the last 1/3 completely makes up for what the characters (and readers) wanted to see happen. This story was amazing and I am excited to see where it goes next. I really liked all the characters. They were well build out and even the new characters that were introduced late in the story made an impact. The world this author build had endless possibilities for stories. This is not a quick read and a story you don’t want to rush through.
October 22, 2025
M.A. Bullis doesn’t write a story — she conjures a curse.
Little Heir of the Damned is an exquisite descent into shadow, a lush, sea-drenched gothic romantasy where bloodlines are tainted, crowns are cruel, and nothing — not even your own reflection — can be trusted.
Lyra is not the heroine you expect — she is broken, hidden, medicated, lied to. What begins as a sickbed fairy tale unfurls into something far more feral. Her “illness” is power. Her silence is survival. And when the veil lifts, the truth is monstrous — and glorious.
This book sinks into you, dragging you down with it. Its pages hum with dread, longing, and dark beauty. The manor by the sea, the rituals in firelight, the whispers of the Damned — Bullis crafts a world that feels both mythic and intimate, like a secret being told only to you.
What I loved
The writing is intoxicating: lyrical but sharp, like velvet hiding a dagger. The romance doesn’t play nice — it’s dangerous, coiled, seductive in its menace. It dares you to trust it, and you do, against your better judgment. Lyra’s journey is not about becoming good. It’s about becoming true. And that transformation is utterly riveting.
The lore is rich and strange in the best way — there are siren-like myths, haunted lineages, and an undercurrent of ancient horror that simmers beneath the page. This isn’t just fantasy — it’s folklore sharpened into a weapon.
Minor imperfections? Maybe.
Sure, a few side characters could be more deeply drawn, and the pacing pauses now and then to breathe a little too long. But honestly? Those moments felt more like atmosphere than flaw. This is a novel that savors its shadows. It wants to linger.
Verdict
This is not a story for the faint of heart — and thank the gods for that. It’s for readers who want romance with teeth, magic with consequences, and a heroine who doesn’t just find her power — she claims it.
I devoured it. I mourned it when it ended. And I already crave the next book like a dark song I can’t stop hearing.
Five stars. A new obsession.
Little Heir of the Damned is an exquisite descent into shadow, a lush, sea-drenched gothic romantasy where bloodlines are tainted, crowns are cruel, and nothing — not even your own reflection — can be trusted.
Lyra is not the heroine you expect — she is broken, hidden, medicated, lied to. What begins as a sickbed fairy tale unfurls into something far more feral. Her “illness” is power. Her silence is survival. And when the veil lifts, the truth is monstrous — and glorious.
This book sinks into you, dragging you down with it. Its pages hum with dread, longing, and dark beauty. The manor by the sea, the rituals in firelight, the whispers of the Damned — Bullis crafts a world that feels both mythic and intimate, like a secret being told only to you.
What I loved
The writing is intoxicating: lyrical but sharp, like velvet hiding a dagger. The romance doesn’t play nice — it’s dangerous, coiled, seductive in its menace. It dares you to trust it, and you do, against your better judgment. Lyra’s journey is not about becoming good. It’s about becoming true. And that transformation is utterly riveting.
The lore is rich and strange in the best way — there are siren-like myths, haunted lineages, and an undercurrent of ancient horror that simmers beneath the page. This isn’t just fantasy — it’s folklore sharpened into a weapon.
Minor imperfections? Maybe.
Sure, a few side characters could be more deeply drawn, and the pacing pauses now and then to breathe a little too long. But honestly? Those moments felt more like atmosphere than flaw. This is a novel that savors its shadows. It wants to linger.
Verdict
This is not a story for the faint of heart — and thank the gods for that. It’s for readers who want romance with teeth, magic with consequences, and a heroine who doesn’t just find her power — she claims it.
I devoured it. I mourned it when it ended. And I already crave the next book like a dark song I can’t stop hearing.
Five stars. A new obsession.
December 7, 2025
The book needs a good edit & could be 100 pages less because of it. There were missed grammatical errors. Instances would also become repetitive/redundant (we got it the first 2 times…there hasn’t been a mating in 200 some years, her leather dress was described and then a page later described almost exactly the same way again, her hair is long and heavy, or the folgor working the boat sold their souls). The author would also get stuck on a word for a chapter and use it over and over in a row: “righteous”, “maddening”, “ancient”, “sacred”, “divine”. The author is trying too hard to have a lyrical type writing style that feels forced.
The characters feel clunky and I think that an edit would’ve helped this as well. Sometimes I feel like it’s trying too hard. She def struggled to write Lucaris as dominate and morally gray in a sexy and magnetizing way (he’s giving me the ick 85% of the time). The relationship dynamic 40% in is still just “you are mine. Only I can touch you. You’re going to beg for it.” while Lyra is like “nope” all while getting wet. It’s so flat. Also hate that she sets a boundary that she’s not ready and he leaps over it time & again by informing her she wants it. Gets her worked up then gaslights her by being “chivalrous” because he won’t take her while she’s “drunk on touch”. Gag. The next chapter over he tells her he doesn’t need to ask because her body likes it. WTF. Don’t get me started how he upends her life and then just offers her no real support. When Lyra was concerned over news from the healers that was pretty intense, she looks to him for a discussion and comfort. He barely will look at her then says he’s going to fight it then storms off. So she seeks comfort from Finn, one of the few familiarities/support system she has around. Which of course he has a tantrum about. He orders her around then calls her “good girl” when she complies. It’s giving grooming vibes.
I finally had to DNF at 50%. Which I almost never do. This book was becoming a painful read. Which is a bummer because the synopsis has potential.
The characters feel clunky and I think that an edit would’ve helped this as well. Sometimes I feel like it’s trying too hard. She def struggled to write Lucaris as dominate and morally gray in a sexy and magnetizing way (he’s giving me the ick 85% of the time). The relationship dynamic 40% in is still just “you are mine. Only I can touch you. You’re going to beg for it.” while Lyra is like “nope” all while getting wet. It’s so flat. Also hate that she sets a boundary that she’s not ready and he leaps over it time & again by informing her she wants it. Gets her worked up then gaslights her by being “chivalrous” because he won’t take her while she’s “drunk on touch”. Gag. The next chapter over he tells her he doesn’t need to ask because her body likes it. WTF. Don’t get me started how he upends her life and then just offers her no real support. When Lyra was concerned over news from the healers that was pretty intense, she looks to him for a discussion and comfort. He barely will look at her then says he’s going to fight it then storms off. So she seeks comfort from Finn, one of the few familiarities/support system she has around. Which of course he has a tantrum about. He orders her around then calls her “good girl” when she complies. It’s giving grooming vibes.
I finally had to DNF at 50%. Which I almost never do. This book was becoming a painful read. Which is a bummer because the synopsis has potential.
December 9, 2025
Little Heir of the Damned is a dark, lyrical, and hauntingly beautiful read that felt like a twisted fairy tale. M. A. Bullis builds a world that is as enchanting as it is cursed, and the atmosphere drips with tension and danger from start to finish. The writing is poetic, drawing you deep into a story where love and obsession blur in the most chilling ways.
The world-building is fantastic, layered with rich details that make the setting feel alive and immersive. Every corner of this world feels steeped in mystery and darkness, and I couldn’t get enough of it. Lyra, the protagonist, is complex and compelling — a character who has to navigate not only her own fears and desires but also the weight of a cursed destiny. She’s strong, vulnerable, and brave, and I loved watching her grow.
Lucaris, the king, is not your typical BookTok boyfriend. He’s cold, obsessive, and dangerously magnetic. He’s a king who embodies power in a way that’s chilling and intense, and his character is so refreshingly complex. He might not be the “dreamy hero” you expect, but he’s exactly what the story needs. Dark, possessive, and dangerous, he’s the kind of character you love to fear.
This is absolutely a dark romance, and if that’s your thing, you’ll be hooked. It’s not a sweet, fluffy love story — it’s raw, intense, and unapologetically intense. If you’re into stories that explore the edges of obsession and power in relationships, this is a must-read. I’m already eagerly awaiting the next book!
The world-building is fantastic, layered with rich details that make the setting feel alive and immersive. Every corner of this world feels steeped in mystery and darkness, and I couldn’t get enough of it. Lyra, the protagonist, is complex and compelling — a character who has to navigate not only her own fears and desires but also the weight of a cursed destiny. She’s strong, vulnerable, and brave, and I loved watching her grow.
Lucaris, the king, is not your typical BookTok boyfriend. He’s cold, obsessive, and dangerously magnetic. He’s a king who embodies power in a way that’s chilling and intense, and his character is so refreshingly complex. He might not be the “dreamy hero” you expect, but he’s exactly what the story needs. Dark, possessive, and dangerous, he’s the kind of character you love to fear.
This is absolutely a dark romance, and if that’s your thing, you’ll be hooked. It’s not a sweet, fluffy love story — it’s raw, intense, and unapologetically intense. If you’re into stories that explore the edges of obsession and power in relationships, this is a must-read. I’m already eagerly awaiting the next book!
January 8, 2026
This read was a journey! Sweet, slow, and completely immersive. The world-building and character development unfold gradually, allowing the story to truly flourish as you sink deeper into it.
This isn’t a fast-paced read, and that’s part of its charm. It’s like a fine wine: it needs time to breathe before you slowly savor every page. The characters themselves are dark and mysterious. Lucaris is the ever-brooding MMC, while Lyra’s journey as the FMC is one of self-discovery that doesn’t fully bloom until closer to the end, making her growth especially rewarding.
The world is filled with dark creatures and is far from ordinary. It’s haunting, seductive, and unsettling in the best way. There are definite trigger warnings to be mindful of, and while some moments felt a bit repetitive, it didn’t take away from how much I loved this story.
This was an excellent read, and I’m very much looking forward to reading more in this world.
This isn’t a fast-paced read, and that’s part of its charm. It’s like a fine wine: it needs time to breathe before you slowly savor every page. The characters themselves are dark and mysterious. Lucaris is the ever-brooding MMC, while Lyra’s journey as the FMC is one of self-discovery that doesn’t fully bloom until closer to the end, making her growth especially rewarding.
The world is filled with dark creatures and is far from ordinary. It’s haunting, seductive, and unsettling in the best way. There are definite trigger warnings to be mindful of, and while some moments felt a bit repetitive, it didn’t take away from how much I loved this story.
This was an excellent read, and I’m very much looking forward to reading more in this world.
December 9, 2025
Little Heir of the Damned surprised me in the best way. After working through a long streak of the same big BookTok titles, this felt like slipping into something haunting and beautifully strange. The writing has a lyrical quality that reads like a poem and the dark romance is woven into every shadowed corner. The spice is intentional and atmospheric rather than loud which fits the gothic tone perfectly.
The whole book feels like a rainy day pressed between pages. Stormy skies, candlelight, velvet tension and a soft chill that makes you reach for a blanket. It is the kind of winter read that pairs perfectly with a mug of spiked hot chocolate.
I love dark romance and this one hits all the notes I crave without losing its emotional core. The worldbuilding is rich and eerie and the characters pull you in with quiet intensity.
I will absolutely be waiting for book two.
The whole book feels like a rainy day pressed between pages. Stormy skies, candlelight, velvet tension and a soft chill that makes you reach for a blanket. It is the kind of winter read that pairs perfectly with a mug of spiked hot chocolate.
I love dark romance and this one hits all the notes I crave without losing its emotional core. The worldbuilding is rich and eerie and the characters pull you in with quiet intensity.
I will absolutely be waiting for book two.
October 27, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Little Heir of the Damned by
Wow! ... Hauntingly beautiful! 🖤🖤🖤
.... 'mine'.
I devoured this book, soaked in the darkness. This book was dripping with tension and suspense and was beautifully executed.
The storyline was original and I loved the gothic atmosphere which had me on the edge of my seat at times. The tension between Lyra and Lucaris was delicious with the right amount of spice. I seriously need the next book, like, now!
One for the TBR... don't miss this one! Out now!
Little Heir of the Damned by
Wow! ... Hauntingly beautiful! 🖤🖤🖤
.... 'mine'.
I devoured this book, soaked in the darkness. This book was dripping with tension and suspense and was beautifully executed.
The storyline was original and I loved the gothic atmosphere which had me on the edge of my seat at times. The tension between Lyra and Lucaris was delicious with the right amount of spice. I seriously need the next book, like, now!
One for the TBR... don't miss this one! Out now!
October 13, 2025
I was excited to be selected as an ARC for this one. I'm not usually good at putting things into words, but this book completely hooked me. The mix of spice, plot, and horror was incredible. Every scene pulled me in deeper. The world felt dark and rich, the tension was sharp in all the best ways. And the romance was absolutely to die for. The MMC owns every page he's on, intense, dangerous, and impossible to forget.
November 4, 2025
I finished Little Heir of the Damned in less than 24hrs because I simply could not stop reading. From the first page, it pulls you into a world that’s dark, seductive, and utterly immersive. The gothic atmosphere is incredible, the romance is intense, and the horror elements gave me actual chills. Lyra and Lucaris had me hooked the entire time. If you love dark romantasy with haunting stakes and powerful emotions, this book is for you.
January 13, 2026
So much potential I just found it so boring. Nothing happened until the last 10% of the book.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews