What do you think?
Rate this book
Darkest Queen #1
For Whom the Bell Tolls
In the beginning, everything made sense. I had a place, a purpose, and a mate who supposedly loved me.
Then I did something so unspeakable, I was cast out of Heaven and thrown onto a planet I know very little about, with a curse on me that kills people on the spot whenever they stare into my eyes.
The thing is? There are two sides to every story, and this one is mine. I’m not the monster the world makes me out to be. That position is reserved solely for the man threatening to destroy Earth and everyone on it if I don’t give in to his insidious demands.
But I’m getting ahead of me myself. Let me start from the beginning.
Because before there was light, there was…me.
Lucillania, God’s favorite angel.
And now, the Queen of Hell.
This is a reverse harem paranormal romance with angels, demons, hellhounds, and the queen who rules over them all. It will end on a cliffhanger.
Then I did something so unspeakable, I was cast out of Heaven and thrown onto a planet I know very little about, with a curse on me that kills people on the spot whenever they stare into my eyes.
The thing is? There are two sides to every story, and this one is mine. I’m not the monster the world makes me out to be. That position is reserved solely for the man threatening to destroy Earth and everyone on it if I don’t give in to his insidious demands.
But I’m getting ahead of me myself. Let me start from the beginning.
Because before there was light, there was…me.
Lucillania, God’s favorite angel.
And now, the Queen of Hell.
This is a reverse harem paranormal romance with angels, demons, hellhounds, and the queen who rules over them all. It will end on a cliffhanger.
233 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 30, 2022
253 people are currently reading
765 people want to read
About the author
Katie May
99 books2,625 followersKatie May is a romance writer of numerous genres! She writes everything from horror to fantasy to contemporary. #whychoose
She has a gorgeous tabby cat who she adores, and she’s obsessed with coffee and horror movies.
She has a gorgeous tabby cat who she adores, and she’s obsessed with coffee and horror movies.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
June 24, 2022
Okay, so, I was pretty excited to jump into For Whom the Bell Tolls. If I'm being honest here, the cover and the synopsis really drew me in. Unfortunately, things just fell flat pretty early on.
I think my main problem was the back and forth between the present and past. Mostly because things were easily confusing me and I'm still not even sure who is or isn't alive in this. That being said, the romance was kind of hard to get into. Trust me, I tried really hard to like something between the main character and any of the guys.
Besides that, I could see some areas that had potential to make this book a lot better in my eyes. Not sure what the direction will be for the next book in this series. I feel like if it's following the same formula as this one, well, I probably won't dive into it. That doesn't mean I'll give up on Katie May because I think I'll give another one of her books/series a try.
In the end, I ended up being a little disappointed by this but still somehow happy to knock it off of my kindle.
I think my main problem was the back and forth between the present and past. Mostly because things were easily confusing me and I'm still not even sure who is or isn't alive in this. That being said, the romance was kind of hard to get into. Trust me, I tried really hard to like something between the main character and any of the guys.
Besides that, I could see some areas that had potential to make this book a lot better in my eyes. Not sure what the direction will be for the next book in this series. I feel like if it's following the same formula as this one, well, I probably won't dive into it. That doesn't mean I'll give up on Katie May because I think I'll give another one of her books/series a try.
In the end, I ended up being a little disappointed by this but still somehow happy to knock it off of my kindle.
February 20, 2022
2,5/5,0
I really hate when books are divided between past and present ugh
I really hate when books are divided between past and present ugh
February 1, 2022
I only got through the first book of the darkest flames so spoilers for that one. Kat is Lucy’s best friend so really need to finish that series. The switch from past and present was interesting. A lot of characters bouncing around, cliffhanger and another sacrificial type.
Recap:
FMC - Lucy
Guys - Kore, Samael, Dainn and Ruman?
Lucy asks a question god doesn’t like…banishment and cursed…finding Kore and Dainn…War…Ruman with a message…Earth threatened…cliffhanger surrender with Ruman.
Recap:
FMC - Lucy
Guys - Kore, Samael, Dainn and Ruman?
Lucy asks a question god doesn’t like…banishment and cursed…finding Kore and Dainn…War…Ruman with a message…Earth threatened…cliffhanger surrender with Ruman.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 8, 2022
I have to admit, this book was slightly out of my comfort zone. And no, not because of the devil or the demons or the explicit content, I read plenty of that. It was mostly out of my comfort zone because in this story God is portrayed as the bad guy. Don't get me wrong, I know that a lot of awful things are done in God's name, I just personally believe that God is shaking their head, rolling their eyes and losing their patience with these people too.
However, I decided to just look at this book as "fiction", just like I love fiction about the Greek Gods and Greek mythology and when looking at the story like that I quite enjoyed it. Lucy is an amazing main character, especially because she's literally thrown into a situation, expected to be begging to be saved quite soon, and managed to find a way to survive and even to be happy. She is not letting anyone change her and she's not letting anyone make her believe that speaking her mind is a sin.
The book switches constantly between the present and the past. Although I understand some people might dislike that, I personally really enjoyed reading the story this way. And reading the story in this order is also a lot better for my nerves. Even in the past quite some nasty things are happening already, but at least we know for sure that all those issues eventually will be solved considering the situation in the present.
I was also quite positively surprised that the characters from the other series set in this world are so prominently there. It's quite clear that the girls have formed a deep connection. Which also means that this connection can be used to hurt and manipulate. The cliffhanger of this book didn't come unexpected, but it's still quite brutal. I hope that the authors won't let us wait for the sequel for too long. I'm dying, pun intended, to read the next book!
However, I decided to just look at this book as "fiction", just like I love fiction about the Greek Gods and Greek mythology and when looking at the story like that I quite enjoyed it. Lucy is an amazing main character, especially because she's literally thrown into a situation, expected to be begging to be saved quite soon, and managed to find a way to survive and even to be happy. She is not letting anyone change her and she's not letting anyone make her believe that speaking her mind is a sin.
The book switches constantly between the present and the past. Although I understand some people might dislike that, I personally really enjoyed reading the story this way. And reading the story in this order is also a lot better for my nerves. Even in the past quite some nasty things are happening already, but at least we know for sure that all those issues eventually will be solved considering the situation in the present.
I was also quite positively surprised that the characters from the other series set in this world are so prominently there. It's quite clear that the girls have formed a deep connection. Which also means that this connection can be used to hurt and manipulate. The cliffhanger of this book didn't come unexpected, but it's still quite brutal. I hope that the authors won't let us wait for the sequel for too long. I'm dying, pun intended, to read the next book!
February 4, 2022
3 stars
Unique take on god being a gardener & the universe his plot is land. The author did a good job distinguishing between past & present storytelling. It’s a decent start to the series & I will read book 2.
Pet peeve: cliffhanger ending. Blasphemous towards established religious conventions. (Don’t @ me about it)
Unique take on god being a gardener & the universe his plot is land. The author did a good job distinguishing between past & present storytelling. It’s a decent start to the series & I will read book 2.
Pet peeve: cliffhanger ending. Blasphemous towards established religious conventions. (Don’t @ me about it)
September 18, 2025
The jumping back and forth between timelines is super annoying. It can work, but this just wasn't it for me. I think I would have liked it a lot more if it had just started from the beginning. I'm sure there was a good reason for not doing that, but I can't see it yet in this first book alone.
I'm also very confused about where the love between Lucy and Dainn came from. Especially when their relationship had been pretty antagonistic up to that point. It just didn't make a lot of sense.
Oh, I should add that I could see a lot of people being uncomfortable with this since the Christian god is portrayed as the bad guy, and that should be known going into this book. If that is something that would be problematic for you, I would avoid this series.
I'm also very confused about where the love between Lucy and Dainn came from. Especially when their relationship had been pretty antagonistic up to that point. It just didn't make a lot of sense.
Oh, I should add that I could see a lot of people being uncomfortable with this since the Christian god is portrayed as the bad guy, and that should be known going into this book. If that is something that would be problematic for you, I would avoid this series.
January 30, 2022
Interesting and unique spin to Lucifer building on myths and legends and twisting them into one compelling story about Lucy's desire to have free will. The mix between the past and present adds a curious cadence to reading, but not unpleasant. Look forward to reading more!
Want to read
May 8, 2022 Pre-read (5/8/22): My post-exams TBR stack seems to be growing out of control. But I would be remiss if I didn't add this to the pile because my slump has left me behind on some of my fave authors from KU and I would be wrong to not catch up to Katie May's "backlist".
February 1, 2022
So good
What a really good book! All the drama all the feels everything a person needs on a cold day! !
What a really good book! All the drama all the feels everything a person needs on a cold day! !
February 25, 2022
Loved getting to know Lucy more! I always adored her scenes in Ann and Katie's Darkest Flame series. I was so stoked to find out that she was getting her own spin-off. Plus loved getting to see the guys from the first series again!
This book was written so well! Every other chapter changed from the current time to the past. It was such a unique way to tell the story! When we meet everyone, they are already an established harem that's been with each other for years. We see how they love and interact with each other now, but the flashbacks are where everything shines! It's a slow trickle of information as we get to know everyone and get bits teased out.
Honestly, this book was soo interesting in its view on religion and the heaven and hell trope. I mean you should know this by picking up a RH based on the devil that this is not going to be a book for devout Christians, but I loved the lore these authors have built into the world.
What a cliffhanger too! I cannot wait until we get the next book to find out more about the past and future!
This book was written so well! Every other chapter changed from the current time to the past. It was such a unique way to tell the story! When we meet everyone, they are already an established harem that's been with each other for years. We see how they love and interact with each other now, but the flashbacks are where everything shines! It's a slow trickle of information as we get to know everyone and get bits teased out.
Honestly, this book was soo interesting in its view on religion and the heaven and hell trope. I mean you should know this by picking up a RH based on the devil that this is not going to be a book for devout Christians, but I loved the lore these authors have built into the world.
What a cliffhanger too! I cannot wait until we get the next book to find out more about the past and future!
February 3, 2022
Wow, I’m kind of at a loss for words after finishing this book. I went in to it expecting it to be like Katrina’s series in this same universe and while it had similar elements this book had a lot more depth. While Katrina’s past was sad, Lucillania’s was absolutely devastating.
I enjoyed how this particular book bounced back and forth from past and present. You get to see part of Lucy’s time in heaven and what happened immediately after her fall when she started meeting her men. Then when skipping to the present you get to see the relationship with her men and the war between heaven and hell that they deal with daily.
When Lucy’s past and present collide it quite literally becomes explosive. I love that Luce will do anything to protect those she loves and adore how truly fierce she is. I also really enjoyed seeing Katrina and her mates again. I can’t wait to delve further into this series and see what else Ann and Katie have in store for these characters.
I enjoyed how this particular book bounced back and forth from past and present. You get to see part of Lucy’s time in heaven and what happened immediately after her fall when she started meeting her men. Then when skipping to the present you get to see the relationship with her men and the war between heaven and hell that they deal with daily.
When Lucy’s past and present collide it quite literally becomes explosive. I love that Luce will do anything to protect those she loves and adore how truly fierce she is. I also really enjoyed seeing Katrina and her mates again. I can’t wait to delve further into this series and see what else Ann and Katie have in store for these characters.
February 5, 2022
Cliffhanger
Interesting take on historical events, great weaving together, emotionally frustrating, good flc character, not happy to end on a cliffhanger.
FLC is a creation of creator, after hundreds of years being of safety and security, of being nurtured by her creator, she becomes disllusioned and asks a question, for aome reason he flies off the handle, tears her wings from her back and she is cast aside, treated abominably and is abandoned on earth. She builds a life, and a world, collects a harem of mates and the creator wages war on her.
This book is not for the truly stout believer.
Wait for the series to come out before you buy.
Interesting take on historical events, great weaving together, emotionally frustrating, good flc character, not happy to end on a cliffhanger.
FLC is a creation of creator, after hundreds of years being of safety and security, of being nurtured by her creator, she becomes disllusioned and asks a question, for aome reason he flies off the handle, tears her wings from her back and she is cast aside, treated abominably and is abandoned on earth. She builds a life, and a world, collects a harem of mates and the creator wages war on her.
This book is not for the truly stout believer.
Wait for the series to come out before you buy.
March 1, 2022
DNF (did not finish). What made the book unfinishable in your opinion?
The main character turns out to be the devil. The prologue was an interesting take on her fall from grace. However, once the main story starts there are a whole bunch of characters that the author seems to assume you know. I feel like I picked up a book from the middle of a series and not the first book. There was no character development just character introductions one after another without any pause. I made it to 12% into the book where I lost interest. Because I didn't get far into the book I'm just going to give this an average rating.
The main character turns out to be the devil. The prologue was an interesting take on her fall from grace. However, once the main story starts there are a whole bunch of characters that the author seems to assume you know. I feel like I picked up a book from the middle of a series and not the first book. There was no character development just character introductions one after another without any pause. I made it to 12% into the book where I lost interest. Because I didn't get far into the book I'm just going to give this an average rating.
January 30, 2022
I love Lucy
It is so great seeing more about Lucy, she had my rapt attention from the other Darkest Flame series. In this book we get to see Lucy’s origin. Especially when they get slapped in the face with Lucy’s past. To see how Lucy and her men formed and how they’ve grown is a real treat. I also love that we get to see Katrina and her harem too. It’s just a great continuation while not being redundant. I’ll read anything these two authors write, and this did not disappoint.
It is so great seeing more about Lucy, she had my rapt attention from the other Darkest Flame series. In this book we get to see Lucy’s origin. Especially when they get slapped in the face with Lucy’s past. To see how Lucy and her men formed and how they’ve grown is a real treat. I also love that we get to see Katrina and her harem too. It’s just a great continuation while not being redundant. I’ll read anything these two authors write, and this did not disappoint.
January 30, 2022
Lucy!
I have been so excited waiting for Lucy's story, and the authors don't disappoint! We get to learn more about Lucy's past while she also tackles dangers in the present. Oh, and some familiar faces pop up alongside several new characters, which is pretty cool. While you wouldn't have to have read the last series to understand and enjoy this book, I do recommend it since it makes Lucy's life and personality even more enjoyable to learn about in For Whom the Bell Tolls. I can't wait to see what happens in the next book!
I have been so excited waiting for Lucy's story, and the authors don't disappoint! We get to learn more about Lucy's past while she also tackles dangers in the present. Oh, and some familiar faces pop up alongside several new characters, which is pretty cool. While you wouldn't have to have read the last series to understand and enjoy this book, I do recommend it since it makes Lucy's life and personality even more enjoyable to learn about in For Whom the Bell Tolls. I can't wait to see what happens in the next book!
April 19, 2022
The beginning
Loved the Lucy I met in Katrina's books. I was excited to see how she became who she is. Her chosen mates are who hold her together. Kore being the first one to want to save her, lie for her, love her. His gift was beautiful. Dainn being the scary murderer they ran from and ended up saddled with. I wish I knew how Sameal came into their lives.. the betrayal of one meant to love her.. the glutton in me wants to demand more now..
Loved the Lucy I met in Katrina's books. I was excited to see how she became who she is. Her chosen mates are who hold her together. Kore being the first one to want to save her, lie for her, love her. His gift was beautiful. Dainn being the scary murderer they ran from and ended up saddled with. I wish I knew how Sameal came into their lives.. the betrayal of one meant to love her.. the glutton in me wants to demand more now..
February 7, 2022
This book is well written and the main character seemed good. I simply could not continue as it had my pet peeve of flashbacks. I can only handle a small amount of flashbacks in a book. The fact that half the book was set in the past and the other in the present was just something I could not deal with. Others may have no problem with this and thoroughly enjoy the book.
February 8, 2022
Twist for Heaven and He’ll
I liked that it was a female
Devil and God was your typical jealous petty Manchild . By the end of the book I was yelling
noooo cause hate cliffs. Loved
The fact that it had past
And present maybe
Next book could have multiple POV’s I liked to hear God’s thoughts I bet they’d be like a five
Year old stomping their foot lol. Can’t wait
For book two!
I liked that it was a female
Devil and God was your typical jealous petty Manchild . By the end of the book I was yelling
noooo cause hate cliffs. Loved
The fact that it had past
And present maybe
Next book could have multiple POV’s I liked to hear God’s thoughts I bet they’d be like a five
Year old stomping their foot lol. Can’t wait
For book two!
February 10, 2022
😈👑💙💚💛💜👑😈
OMMFG I'm in love with this book and I cannot wait for the next book!! Lucy is amazing and you just become in thrall of her story. That ending was 😭🔥💀👑. Her mate's are 💀🔥😈⚡😘😋, and crap is about to hit the fan. God needs to die and Lucy should take his place. Also, I think she can use some more loves because she certainly deserves all the love one can get!!
OMMFG I'm in love with this book and I cannot wait for the next book!! Lucy is amazing and you just become in thrall of her story. That ending was 😭🔥💀👑. Her mate's are 💀🔥😈⚡😘😋, and crap is about to hit the fan. God needs to die and Lucy should take his place. Also, I think she can use some more loves because she certainly deserves all the love one can get!!
Read
February 17, 2022Why is this reading as if it’s book #2? I kept checking to see if I’m on book one. Apparently the protagonist has her mates and the story itself is already outlined. No storytelling to show how it happened. From reading reviews apparently there’s flashbacks to show the past and present. Not a big fan of flashbacks.
March 20, 2022
This book is nothing amazing or spectacular. In fact, it you are religious it might be even offensive. The book bounces back and forth between past and present each chapter. Flashbacks are annoying but the book does this well. Grammatically the book flows and is written well. I just couldn't connect with the story or the fmc and having her be the ruler of hell is just overdone in this genre.
July 21, 2022
Good story
I loved this story about God's once favourite Angel who is cast out of Heaven for daring to challenge God. She is sent to Hell wingless, but is also cursed to kill anyone she looks at. This story goes back and forth between the past and the present so it's only part-way through in this instalment.
I loved this story about God's once favourite Angel who is cast out of Heaven for daring to challenge God. She is sent to Hell wingless, but is also cursed to kill anyone she looks at. This story goes back and forth between the past and the present so it's only part-way through in this instalment.
April 22, 2023
🥺why??
Why would you guys do this to us???? I thought you loved us and you just end it....like that??? I have too many questions and I feel like we barely know Lucy's mates. And...and....I think she's one of my favorite heroines. I love her fight and her spirit and the way she loves!! Hurry up book 2. #LongLiveTheQueen
Why would you guys do this to us???? I thought you loved us and you just end it....like that??? I have too many questions and I feel like we barely know Lucy's mates. And...and....I think she's one of my favorite heroines. I love her fight and her spirit and the way she loves!! Hurry up book 2. #LongLiveTheQueen
September 9, 2025
Warning - 3 years and no book 2
This book is great but ends on a cliffhanger. When I saw it was published in 002022, I thought "oh good they have had time to complete the series". Wrong!
My pet peeve is when authors abandon a series. Please, one or both of you, finish this or don't end your books on a cliffhanger in future.
This book is great but ends on a cliffhanger. When I saw it was published in 002022, I thought "oh good they have had time to complete the series". Wrong!
My pet peeve is when authors abandon a series. Please, one or both of you, finish this or don't end your books on a cliffhanger in future.
January 31, 2022
Oh I love it!!
I absolutely am thrilled to have this series starting up! I love how it has characters from darkest flames in it and I absolutely cannot wait to see how this plays out in the next book!! I'm hooked right now!!
I absolutely am thrilled to have this series starting up! I love how it has characters from darkest flames in it and I absolutely cannot wait to see how this plays out in the next book!! I'm hooked right now!!
Read
February 4, 2022Yes yes yes
Yes yes yes! I loved this starter... It was a fabulous appetizer that has left me starving for more. I love this author duo and I love that they are bringing a new series with some of my favorite characters from a past series. I'm so excited for more.
Yes yes yes! I loved this starter... It was a fabulous appetizer that has left me starving for more. I love this author duo and I love that they are bringing a new series with some of my favorite characters from a past series. I'm so excited for more.
August 11, 2022
Half a chili of spice. This one was really about setting the scene for what comes next. It was good but not great. A few funny one liners. My favorite parts were when Katrina and her murder where mentioned. I think I’ll read the next one but who knows🤷♀️
January 30, 2022
loved
This was such an amazing read! I absolutely loved the flash backs. They were my favorite. I even shed some tears. I’m so excited for the next book!!
This was such an amazing read! I absolutely loved the flash backs. They were my favorite. I even shed some tears. I’m so excited for the next book!!
January 31, 2022
Alright.
February 1, 2022
So freaking good!
I really loved reading this! I love the characters and the storyline is really good! I can't wait to read the next book!
I really loved reading this! I love the characters and the storyline is really good! I can't wait to read the next book!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews