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reading_historical_romance's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Bespelled continues the story of embattled soulmates, Selene and Memnon, who have been bound together by fate and magic since they met in the ancient world. The book picks up right where Bewitched ends, with Selene in jail after Memnon framed her for grisly murders of several fellow witches at Henbane Coven. When Memnon learns that he was completely wrong about Selene’s role in his near-death 2000 years ago, he is ready to spend the rest of his life groveling for her forgiveness and requests that she agree to a forged bond. The humor and the pathos in this novel stems from the unplanned repercussions of their forged bond, and the irony that it doesn't make an iota of difference when it comes to Memnon's uncanny ability to frustrate Selene at nearly every turn while she tries to identify the real killer.
It’s the push and pull dynamic between Memnon and his Queen that makes this series so much fun, and so very sexy! I love that Memnon and Selene are constantly arguing about each other’s questionable judgment and impetuousity, but when it comes to Selene determining that vengeance is due, Memnon doesn’t even blink and runs to gather his weapons.
Laura Thalassa is one of my favorite authors, and Bespelled doesn't disappoint. It may also be the spiciest novel that Laura has written to date. [Fans self madly.] Memnon is a bad ass on the battlefield, and to no one’s surprise, is also a beast between the sheets. And for everything Selene has had to go through over the last 2000 years because of this guy, the girl deserves it! Bespelled really takes off when Selene realizes she’ll never beat Memnon at the game, shrugs her shoulders, and joins him. The ensuing fireworks are everything you knew they would be.
I enjoyed getting to see Memnon in different situations that show us how powerful his magic is and the various ways he wields it. Similarly, now that Selene’s own curse has been lifted, we learn more about her abilities, and that she can harness earth and blood magic. I am a big fan of Kane and the Marin Pack, and we get to spend some great time with the wolves in this book as well. Those who ship Sybil and Sawyer like I do will also enjoy what happens between them.
There is a lot of suspense and action in this novel which counterbalances all of the personal drama going on between the characters. I loved the climax of the novel. I think the cliffhanger is predictable and the stakes don’t feel as high as the end of the first book, but I still can’t wait to see what happens next.
The only criticism I have with both Bewitched and Bespelled is that I think they’re both too long. There are so many subplots going on that I think the pacing gets weird in places and it’s hard to keep track of or even determine what the central storyline is. I think the series is still trying to figure out what it really wants to be. Is it a romance with a sprinkling of mystery and adventure? Or is it a mystery adventure with romantic elements?
Thank you Netgalley and SOURCEBOOKS Bloom Books for the opportunity to read and review this novel. All opinions are my own.
It’s the push and pull dynamic between Memnon and his Queen that makes this series so much fun, and so very sexy! I love that Memnon and Selene are constantly arguing about each other’s questionable judgment and impetuousity, but when it comes to Selene determining that vengeance is due, Memnon doesn’t even blink and runs to gather his weapons.
Laura Thalassa is one of my favorite authors, and Bespelled doesn't disappoint. It may also be the spiciest novel that Laura has written to date. [Fans self madly.] Memnon is a bad ass on the battlefield, and to no one’s surprise, is also a beast between the sheets. And for everything Selene has had to go through over the last 2000 years because of this guy, the girl deserves it! Bespelled really takes off when Selene realizes she’ll never beat Memnon at the game, shrugs her shoulders, and joins him. The ensuing fireworks are everything you knew they would be.
I enjoyed getting to see Memnon in different situations that show us how powerful his magic is and the various ways he wields it. Similarly, now that Selene’s own curse has been lifted, we learn more about her abilities, and that she can harness earth and blood magic. I am a big fan of Kane and the Marin Pack, and we get to spend some great time with the wolves in this book as well. Those who ship Sybil and Sawyer like I do will also enjoy what happens between them.
There is a lot of suspense and action in this novel which counterbalances all of the personal drama going on between the characters. I loved the climax of the novel. I think the cliffhanger is predictable and the stakes don’t feel as high as the end of the first book, but I still can’t wait to see what happens next.
The only criticism I have with both Bewitched and Bespelled is that I think they’re both too long. There are so many subplots going on that I think the pacing gets weird in places and it’s hard to keep track of or even determine what the central storyline is. I think the series is still trying to figure out what it really wants to be. Is it a romance with a sprinkling of mystery and adventure? Or is it a mystery adventure with romantic elements?
Thank you Netgalley and SOURCEBOOKS Bloom Books for the opportunity to read and review this novel. All opinions are my own.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Kidnapping, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, and Violence
doahdancer's review
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
I feel like this series has a lot of similarities to The Coven, but I love this one so much more. The only thing that disappointed me was getting to the end and realizing there's going to be a third book that I now have to wait for. But I'm also really glad there's a third book because the ending was about to feel really rushed otherwise.
Unlike the brutality of the MMC in The Coven, Memnon is evil in an insidious way where you start to actually trust him before he shows his teeth again. He's conniving and manipulative, brutal and relentless... and utterly obsessed with the FMC.
In a, he'll suck your **** while he slits your enemy's throat, kind of way, he demonstrates the sheer horror and all consuming bliss of being the fated mate of an ancient, sorcerer king.
This story is a dark, twisted mystery and I am here to gleefully watch it all unravel.
Unlike the brutality of the MMC in The Coven, Memnon is evil in an insidious way where you start to actually trust him before he shows his teeth again. He's conniving and manipulative, brutal and relentless... and utterly obsessed with the FMC.
In a, he'll suck your **** while he slits your enemy's throat, kind of way, he demonstrates the sheer horror and all consuming bliss of being the fated mate of an ancient, sorcerer king.
This story is a dark, twisted mystery and I am here to gleefully watch it all unravel.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Murder, Sexual content, Torture, Blood, Body horror, Physical abuse, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Death, Gaslighting, Gore, Toxic relationship, and Violence
natalied21's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
ARC READ provided by NetGalley.
I have been waiting for this book and it did not disappoint. I have to say that I was spinning in my desk chair at work kicking my feet in the air reading the first few chapters at work.
Bespelled builds on the mysteries left off from the previous novel and brings in villains from the present in the past in an exciting way that had me following along with Selene in the mystery.
Selene and Memnon's dynamic in this one is so great. Memon is evil but married evil so he wants to murder people but Love his queen so much. AHHH. 😍❤. Selene is very angry reasonable so, especially with the return of her memories. But as she builds on both the return of the memories of her current and past lives she grows far more confident than she was in the first novel. Also, shout out to Nero the Pathener who deals with far too much in this Novel including attacks, and watching Memnon flirt with his angry fiancee the whole novel.
Also, note the werewolves in this novel both drove me crazy and were valuable allies. I still have mixed feelings about Kane, like get over yourself man, please and I would like you more.
Overall, I am continuously spelled bound by Laura's writing and character.
The content is Adult Romance Fantasy.
I have been waiting for this book and it did not disappoint. I have to say that I was spinning in my desk chair at work kicking my feet in the air reading the first few chapters at work.
Bespelled builds on the mysteries left off from the previous novel and brings in villains from the present in the past in an exciting way that had me following along with Selene in the mystery.
Selene and Memnon's dynamic in this one is so great. Memon is evil but married evil so he wants to murder people but Love his queen so much. AHHH. 😍❤. Selene is very angry reasonable so, especially with the return of her memories. But as she builds on both the return of the memories of her current and past lives she grows far more confident than she was in the first novel. Also, shout out to Nero the Pathener who deals with far too much in this Novel including attacks, and watching Memnon flirt with his angry fiancee the whole novel.
Also, note the werewolves in this novel both drove me crazy and were valuable allies. I still have mixed feelings about Kane, like get over yourself man, please and I would like you more.
Overall, I am continuously spelled bound by Laura's writing and character.
The content is Adult Romance Fantasy.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Kidnapping
Minor: Miscarriage, Injury/Injury detail, Alcohol, Torture, and Animal cruelty
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