Harley Merlin and the Challenge of Chaos

Harley Merlin #8

by Bella Forrest

If what is hidden is found, the mighty shall fall...

Time is running out. For the final ritual, Katherine will sacrifice twelve magicals with rare abilities.

Harley has already lost so much, and she can’t bear to sacrifice anything more. She will protect her friends at all costs—even if that means flying solo against the greatest evil the world has ever known.

With her parents’ Grimoire, Harley finally has a weapon capable of overpowering Katherine. If only she could figure out how to reveal the hidden pages within, to perform the spell Chaos itself has written. And the spell may reveal more than she’s bargained for…

All Katherine wants is to be Queen of Everything—is that so much to ask? Her little niece has been a real thorn in her side, but that’s all about to change. Pity she can’t kill Harley just yet, since the girl is still useful. There’s also the matter of that too-handsome Necromancer, Davin Doncaster. From personal experience, Katherine knows one should never trust a pretty face.

Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult, Magic, Audiobook, Paranormal, Fiction, Urban Fantasy

408 pages, Paperback

First published May 13, 2019

About the author

UPDATE MARCH 11, 2024:

BELLA IS BACK!

*** New, updated online store at https://BellaForrest.com

*** New books coming soon

*** Possible Film/TV series coming soon

*** Stay up to date by joining our e-mail list at https://BellaForrest.com/join

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Bella Forrest is a lover of fantasy, romance, action, and mystery infused stories with twists you don’t see coming. She has sold over fifteen million books since her first novel was published in 2012.

Check out her website for a full list of her books: https://BellaForrest.com

Official Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/BellaForrest...

Here's a list of some of Bella's books:

DARKLIGHT

Darklight (Book 1)
Darkthirst (Book 2)
Darkworld (Book 3)
Darkblood (Book 4)
Darktide (Book 5)
Darkbirth (Book 6)
Darkfall (Book 7)
Darkwilds (Book 8)
Darkhunt (Book 9)

A LOVE THAT ENDURES (Trilogy)
A Love that Endures 1
A Love that Endures 2
A Love that Endures 3

HARLEY MERLIN AND THE SECRET COVEN

Harley Merlin and the Secret Coven (Book 1)
Harley Merlin and the Mystery Twins (Book 2)
Harley Merlin and the Stolen Magicals (Book 3)
Harley Merlin and the First Ritual (Book 4)
Harley Merlin and the Broken Spell (Book 5)
Harley Merlin and the Cult of Eris (Book 6)
Harley Merlin and the Detector Fix (Book 7)
Harley Merlin and the Challenge of Chaos (Book 8)
Harley Merlin and the Mortal Pact (Book 9)
Finch Merlin and the Fount of Youth (Book 10)
Finch Merlin and the Lost Map (Book 11)
Finch Merlin and the Djinn's Curse (Book 12)
Finch Merlin and the Locked Gateway (Book 13)
Finch Merlin and the Forgotten Kingdom (Book 14)
Finch Merlin and the Everlasting Vow (Book 15)
Finch Merlin and the Blood Tie (Book 16)
Finch Merlin and the Legend of the Luminary
Persie Merlin and Leviathan's Gift (Book 18)
Persie Merlin and the Door to Nowhere (Book 19)
Persie Merlin and the Witch Hunters (Book 20)
Persie Merlin and the Dying Song (Book 21)

THE CHILD THIEF

The Child Thief (Book 1)
Deep Shadows (Book 2)
Thin Lines (Book 3)
Little Lies (Book 4)
Ghost Towns (Book 5)
Zero Hour (Book 6)

HOTBLOODS

Hotbloods (Book 1)
Hotbloods (Book 2): Coldbloods
Hotbloods (Book 3): Renegades
Hotbloods (Book 4): Venturers
Hotbloods (Book 5): Traitors
Hotbloods (Book 6): Allies
Hotbloods (Book 7): Invaders
Hotbloods (Book 8): Stargazers

THE GENDER GAME

The Gender Game (Book 1)
The Gender Secret (Book 2)
The Gender Lie (Book 3)
The Gender War (Book 4)
The Gender Fall (Book 5)
The Gender Plan (Book 6)
The Gender End (Book 7)

THE GIRL WHO DARED TO THINK

The Girl Who Dared to Think (Book 1)
The Girl Who Dared to Stand (Book 2)
The Girl Who Dared to Descend (Book 3)
The Girl Who Dared to Rise (Book 4)
The Girl Who Dared to Lead (Book 5)
The Girl Who Dared to Endure (Book 6
The Girl Who Dared to Fight (Book 7)

A SHADE OF VAMPIRE

Season 1: Derek & Sofia’s story

Books 1 to 7

Season 2: Rose & Caleb’s story

Books 8 to 16

Season 3: The Shade continues with a new hero...

Books 17 to 24

Season 4: A Clan of Novaks

Books 25 to 32

Season 5: A Dawn of Guardians

Books 33 to 41

Season 6: A Gift of Three

Books 42 to 50

Season 7: A Call of Vampires

Books 51 to 59

Season 8: A Voyage of Founders

Books 60 to 68

Season 9: A Birth of Fire

Books 69 to 77

Season 10: An Origin of Vampires
An Origin of Vampires (Book 78)
A Game of Death (Book 79)
A Veil of Dark (Book 80)
A Bringer of Night (Book 81)
A Circle of Nine (Book 82)
A Bender of Spirit (Book 83)
A Memory of Time (Book 84)
A Shard of Soul (Book 85)
A Break of Seals (Book 86)

Season 11: A Shade of Mystery
A Shade of Mystery (Book 87)
An Isle of Mirrors (Book 88)
A Sanctuary of Foes (Book 89)
A Ruler of Clones (Book 90)
A Gate of Light (Book 91)
A Dawn of Worlds (Book 92) ➜ Coming soon!

Reviews

[Jamie’s Two Cents · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s not over yet

Ugh! There were so many opportunities to finish this series here and make a final stand and I feel like it should have happened. I’m frustrated that this continues to linger into another book.

I hope the last book is really the final one. I want to see how this all ends, but I feel like it should have already.

This writer tends to spend too much time monologuing in general. Katherine does as a character, but the author also tends to spend too much time in people’s heads. I can skips several pages of that alone.

Overall, this is still a decent series. Is it as good as Harry Potter? No, not even close. But it is decent and I still think you should give it a shot. Happy reading y’all!

Do you want to see what else I'm reading?! Find more at www.jamiestwocents.com

[Tina Hilton · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the series that never ends...but it should have three books ago.
Let me start with the fact that I was thrilled when I discovered the Harley Merlin series. I liked the characters, I enjoyed the story line. It was a good solid series. Until we got to book six. Seriously, it feels like the author is just stretching the story out so much that it's perilously thin now. Where in the first five books I devoured every page, now I'm skimming through huge portions because *yawn* it just feels like needless filler. The whole "Katherine" viewpoint in this particular book was unnecessary and plain painful to read. As an avid reader of fantasy and series fiction, it's entirely apparent that the author has chosen to extend the series at the expense of the story. She could have nicely wrapped this up books ago, but no. She added the whole second viewpoint filler and here we are still waiting for book 9 which claims to be the conclusion. We'll see.

It's sad to see something that had the potential to be a really solid fantasy series devolve into 'meh' for the sole purpose of getting more books out of the material. It was a poor choice by the author.

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was probably my least favorite book in the series this far. These books are in Harley’s POV and one other character (different for each book). This book was also in Katherine’s POV and while you would think it would be interesting to hear from the villain’s side, her chapters were very repetitive. I get it, she wants to take over the world. Now move on. I’m also getting tired of Harley’s constant failure. This series probably could have been finished in 4 books instead of 9. I definitely want to find out how it ends, so I will be reading the next book.

[Pam Nelson · Rating 3 out of 5]

So over the Kathrine storyline.... one more book..

I loved Finch in this one!

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was really into these books at first. The first few were great and I just went into one after another. At about book 6 I was starting to become a little agitated that the book wasn't finished yet. It is starting to get redundant with Harley and the Rag Team just chasing Katherine. It's the same thing over and over again. This book was my least favorite and by far the least entertaining. I am going to continue to read the series because I need to know what is going to happen and I've dedicated my time to reading the series.

[Asha · Rating 2 out of 5]

So disappointed in Harley and her Rag Tag team. They are useless, I’m basically cheering for Katherine now😩 Harley is supposed to be super powerful and born to destroy Katherine, yet 8 books in and her only super power is her whining...I almost dont want to finish the series🙄 Characters are supposed to develop & grow...most stagnant characters EVER! Katherine is the only one developing and growing exponentially (ass backwards but hey).

[Brooke Donner · Rating 3 out of 5]

There was a lot of excitement and anticipation, but this book was also filled with dialogue and chapters that dragged on, repeating the same thoughts over and over. Let's get to the good stuff!

[M.L. · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book felt like another unnecessary instalment in the seemingly never ending Harley Merlin series. The problem is, I do love the plot and want to find out what happens, but the author has dragged it out for as long a possible - I ended up skim-reading or skipping most chapters. The talking was endless, the 'banter' was boring, and the monologues were long. Again, the plot was virtually the same, Harley & co. trying, and failing, to stop Katherine. Harley was pretty useless in this book, and so far has done little with her 'all-powerful' status. The characters haven't really grown or changed since book one (with the exception, perhaps, of Alton and Raffe), and this late in the game, I'm not expecting them to. New character Davin Doncaster is just... I don't know why he speaks like that. Then again, it's not as irritating as Imogene Whitehall always saying 'Harley' at the end of every other sentence.

The necromancy aspect was pretty cool, and once again the magic aspect of this series is really fun to read. I just wish there was more content in these later books, that they were meatier, or that the series had been more compact. Not that it matters, I suppose, because I still read them all.

I am at least relieved to learn I only have one more book to go, and not two. Hopefully the last book in this series will return to the feel of the first few and pick up the pace again. Fingers crossed!

[Marjorie Dawson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun (and total exasperating) series. Sometimes the characters are brave and fearless, other times I am growling at a villain! This makes it a really great audio book and I recommended it.

One note for those who like their stories fast moving and snappy. This is not that kind of series. It is discursive, and you visit plenty of different corners of the Harley Merlin universe. Me? I like that kind of book, even if the writer drove me crazy sometimes.

I heard a rumour Finch might be taking a front row seat.... let's see.

[Samuel Flanigan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ummm

This was typical as the other books in this series but definitely had a twist at the end that I didn't see coming but made sense.

[Tracey Mccall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exciting

Wickedly brilliant series! Action packed with seamless transition from one book to the next. Characters that leap off the pages and demand your attention

[The Book Club · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ok, so I thought this was the books were we could have seen our hero triumph, but Bella has other plans for us.. sooooo I guess Harley Merlin 9 here I come 😂

[Em · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reeaaallly dragging it out here, Bella. The frustration is real. Keen to reach the end in book 9.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series is somewhat difficult to review. Perhaps I would feel differently if I was a teen and read this book. I am not. I am in my 40s. Here is how I feel:

Is this book particularly well written and original in its ideas? No, I have to say not. YET, the author has moments of genius where there are twists and turns. Some just silly, some totally out of left field and incredible because I didn’t see it coming. I do feel like this is a series I would like to read again because I bet there are little tidbits and things I missed along the way that I would pick up on a second time around.

This book (actually the entire series) has moments of exquisite beauty. Greatness. It also has moments of dull and boring. I don’t know. I would absolutely say that it is a fun ride even if it’s somewhat predictable at times. It really is a long commitment though most worth-while series are. I’m enjoying it. If you are a teen, you would likely love it even more. It probably won’t win any awards, but it’s definitely entertaining and I would recommend it.

My only complaint is that it’s the same set of characters with the same main villain and there is still another book to go. Each book does have some sort of resolution but geez, I’m done with the Harley vs Katherine fight. It’s starting to feel dragged out. What is 9 books could have been 5-7 books and I would have been happier. Though, I do see why she broke it into 9 books. I also would feel differently if I was reading from a library for free. But I didn’t. I listened on audible. 8 credits is a lot of money for a story that is still not over. It’s ok. You got me. I’m sucked in now. Going to spend another credit. 🤣

[Alison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book! The quality of the writing has been even throughout the series, which I haven't always found to be with other series.

[Bev · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book

Once again Bella Forrest has shown the vast imagination I have come to expect from her! Harley continues to fight against Katherine this time trying to go it alone in order to protect her friends. A fantastic series which if you are going to read you have to to start at book 1 in order to follow what is happening. I’m already desperately awaiting the next book.. a definite page turner, guaranteed to keep you up in order to find out what is going to happen. If you like books about magicals, a great storyline, plenty of adventure and a few good snaky comments (finch!) then this series is for you.

[Terri · Rating 4 out of 5]

*** No Spoilers ***

I ended up completely immersed in this book. I had a bad time staying focused reading the first 40% of the book. After that I couldn't put the book done. I'm not saying the first part is bad, it was most likely me and not the book. Bella has continued with an amazing storyline. This book is in the point of views of Harley and Katherine only. Everything comes together with twists and turns. I'm hoping that Harley beats the crap out of Katherine. I have to wait for the last book to find out.
•••• I highly recommend this book/series! ••••
~~ I have Kindle Unlimited, and I used that service to read this book. ~~

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Too many books in this series - never thought I’d say that!

Honestly, the storyline is really good, however...NINE books almost isn’t worth the frustration and the same ‘ol same ‘ol. It’s annoying to hear Harley proclaim that she’s going to end Katherine in EVERY book and FAIL in EVERY book...I agree with many of the reviews. This series would’ve been better if it was maybe 5 or 6 books. It became ridiculous after the fifth book. Sigh...I guess I have to read the last, although from what I’ve read Harley isn’t even the one who ends Katherine - Finch is.

[Molly Thiessen · Rating 1 out of 5]

How can this series NOT be over? I would love to know how it ends but it is so frustrating. Harley is strong and ready to fight the good fight until she gets in a situation where she can. Then she just stands there and blathers on and on about how she is can’t do anything. Infuriating! I have skipped entire chapters because I start yelling at Harley. Can’t do it any more.

[Debra Montgomery · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very disappointed.

Isn't Harley supposed to be the most powerful magical in history? Isn't Harley supposed to have so much power that she could break bionic
cuffs? The most powerful one since the foundation.! Did not see it. She couldn't beat a worm. This book was very disappointing.

[Clementine Hinlopen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omg! I can’t believe it’s nearly the end! I’m dying to know how it ends! But I also don’t want to end this amazing serie! I feel like I know the characters and I love that we’ve know also gotten to know Katherine’s side. Such plot twist were revealed as a result!!!

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

I know that there are 21 books in this series but I saw and ending to Katherine so clear. I may be getting a but frustrated that an ending isn't coming.

Reads do much like Harry Potter - but it is NOT Harry Potter. Love that we have a female hero that is so relatable. Her emotions are spot in and NEVER overlooked. I am concerned that the series will switch to Finch - but his redemption story line will be worth it. He has earned some glory.

Katherine is a GREAT enemy. I don't think I have read a book with a greater evil than her. I am still in awe of the twists that Bella keeps bringing in this series, but with 400+ pages in each book, I think my desire to push through is dwindling rapidly.

Still love Harley. She has so many character flaws that I truly feel like she is a REAL character. Bravo to Bella for that! Some of the romance and pairing up is getting annoying. Still glad it is being kept PG though! Makes me confident I can let my children read these when they are ready.

Davin is going to be a FABULOUS key in the next book. I desperately want him to have a written perspective but it looks like it won't be :(

I am also impressed that Bella Forrest is not afraid to kill off characters we have learned to love. A good writer is willing and able.to do this with all the fanfare and mourning a reader could possess.

Overall I don't think anyone could be disappointed getting through Book 8. If you are still here as fans, you are true!

[James Williamson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loads of action! Look out Kathryn, Harley is locked and loaded and coming for you!

Things were Looking up, Harley has established a balance between the light and darkness of her powers and has the Family Grimoire containing the Kathryn Show Stopping Hidden magic when she returns to the SDC with Wade and Finch finding members of the Rag Team have been hurt or killed in a sneak attack by Kathryn. Harley and the Rag Team are even more determined to destroy Kathryn before she can complete the 5th ritual and ascend to become a child chaos!

Tobe, Wade and Finch have training setup for Harley learning to control the coven purge beasts so Harley will be able to fight and take down Kathryn's Lieutenant and Recruiter Naima to slow down the kidnapping and recruitment of untrained magical.

Harley has to figure out how to perform the Hidden Things spell involving knowledge of threes in order to be able to access the spell hidden within the grimoire designed to kill Kathryn.

And then the big battle we all ha e been waiting for; but Harley has a big problem, how to evade the Rag Team and confront Kathryn on her own to avoid the fate the "Chains of Truth" seem to have predicted to ensure nobody else would die on her watch!

[Emily Skermer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book which is good considering the last book so boring.

It really surprised me that Katherine actually managed to finish the rituals in this book as I did think they would stop her but the fight scene at the end was great although I feel sad we lost Remington.

I really enjoyed that Finch was more involved in this book again as it felt like the last one was only focused on Harley and Jacob so I missed the other characters though it does sound like everyone is going to be involved in the next book which is good.

Harley slightly got on my nerves this book as she kept going off on her own when she didn't even need to as Wade and Finch literally were trying to support her and what she did to Wade was just mean although I am glad they are still together.

I really liked reading from Katherine's POV as I liked hearing from her point of view and it made the fact that no one knew she was Imogene more bareable. Davin seemed cool as well.

Excited to read the next book although I have no idea what they are going to do about Katherine as they are literally powerless against her.

I would rate the books
65184327

[Bronwyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good ending and the whole church scene was great, but everything else... It got seriously boring in places even when I was skim-reading those parts. Most of the Katherine POV was unnecessary and useless, instead of that filler couldn't we have more story? I love the story of the book, but instead of the filler and alongside the story already there, couldn't there have been another threat or something?
I really liked it in places, but god, in others I just didn't care if I put the book down or not.
Hope the next book is better. Since my favourite(s) (which was either 5 and/or 6) the books seem to have gone down hill after they were getting good. Which is upsetting.
Characters I like - hate Wade - and I'm loving Finch, Harley and Santana. The characters are very well done.
Undecided whether I'll read the [potential spoiler because it was a spoiler to me coz now I know they don't die] spinoff book series. If the books get better and if they include Harley then there's a better chance of me reading them.

[Mya M · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is the 8th book in a series consisting of 21 books total. It is themed in a modern world with a magical twist. I usually prefer books like this where there is a special twist in a magical world. The main character is Harley Merlin, who is a troubled orphan in her twenties who is just trying to find her place in the world.

However, the forces of evil are trying to kill her, her family, friends, and loved ones. She must make promises and trades to save everyone, including her love. She is the only one able to defeat this evil, but she feels unable to allow her friends to take the same risks as she does.

There is an excellent plot line, but I feel Bella Forrest takes a little too much to heart. There is a little to much romance and easy things to get done, but Forrest still decides to ramble on about simple moments. Each moment seems to last four paragraphs more than it should. Otherwise, this book has an amazing plot where most of the time you feel unable to stop reading.

[Chris Berry · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is definitely one of the stronger ones in the series and a great lead up to the final book. That said, I can totally see why a lot of people are frustrated with it and the series as a whole. It is a lot of the same (structure-wise more than anything else), book after book, and the author could arguably get to a conclusion faster if she was to combine books and remove some of the repetitive parts. But I would argue that the books make sense as standalone stories and the consistency with the structure of each story can be a good thing, especially if you're looking for a slow burn series and want to know what to expect, or you want smaller sprints with your reading. In the grand scheme of things, I'm pretty content with what I'm getting and enjoying this for what it is. Is it the most amazing thing I've ever read? No. But it's definitely above average for this genre. I'm excited to see how it all ends.

[Kat Starwolf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Harley Merlin Series 8 of 21

If book 7 (HARLEY MERLIN AND THE DETECTOR FIX) was a cliff hanger, this entire book is a MEGA cliff hanger! There’s action throughout the book, which keeps one on the proverbial edge of the seat. In fact, there’s pretty much NO point at which either the Good Guys or the not so good guys STOP moving and where one chapter sees Harley and the Gang with the upper hand, and then the next chapter with … the Other who must not be named … holding the reins.

Talk about a breathless pace! The chapters alternate between the two sides and leave one guessing, up to and even after the book has ended.

Will Harley and her Posse win? Or will it be he or she who must not be named? If Harley et al wins, then the world will have been saved. But if not… no one is safe.

I really was out of breath by the time I finished HARLEY MERLIN AND THE CHALLENGE OF CHAOS! You will likely be too.

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't know what it is, but I seriously had to slog through this one. It just feels like these books could have been great if they were 3-4 books. But I made it all the way to 7 and I can't help but feel the need to finish Harley's story. I am not really invested in it anymore. It has now just become a thing of pride and my need to finish every series I start.

Its not that the book was bad, it was just the same monotonous plot as every other book in the series. So I can't get myself to give it a bad rating. Because it is a good story, it just has been expanded to death. But don't worry guys, I see the light ahead. One more book to go!

[Grenadine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Es hätte hier auch enden können...

Ich finde es etwas schade, dass in jedem Buch nur ein Ritual behandelt wird. In 6 Büchern ist es immer das Gleiche: Katherine bereitet ein Rotual vor, Harley und das Putzteam versuchen sie zu behindern und am Ende schließt sie das Ritual ab. Ein bisschen zu vorhersehbar bei 6 aufeinanderfolgenden Büchern für meinen Geschmack.
Es gab ein paar Längen und bei einigen Dialogen wurde der Sinn mehrmals in verschiedenen Sätzen wiederholt.
Zudem hat der Plot eigentlich auch schon viele Möglichkeiten geboten, die Serie zum Abschluss zu bringen. Aber es musste ja wieder ein Ritualband werden.
Trotzdem war es ganz unterhaltsam und ich finde die Endidee für den Cliffhanger, dass es nun keine Magier-Magie mehr gibt (nur noch in magischen Wesen/Dingen) ganz spannend.