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4.29 AVERAGE
4.29 AVERAGE
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
"I leave for but a moment and already the panther has taken my place"
Cats are the same no matter the size. Tough luck all powerful sorcerer, the cat will steal your cuddles.
I am so excited for this book after reading the other two. It's amazing to see them as they first meet. I have too many highlighted quotes and it's so romantic and lovely. The 'But, how did you two first meet?" question from the first two books are being answered in this book and it's just so really amazing.
Cats are the same no matter the size. Tough luck all powerful sorcerer, the cat will steal your cuddles.
I am so excited for this book after reading the other two. It's amazing to see them as they first meet. I have too many highlighted quotes and it's so romantic and lovely. The 'But, how did you two first meet?" question from the first two books are being answered in this book and it's just so really amazing.
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This was one of my most anticipated reads of 2025, and it was everything I wanted/hoped for and more!! I’m so glad this ended up being a full-length novel instead of a novella, because wow, I think Laura really did an amazing job with Memnon and Roxy and having this at full-length definitely did them justice in my eyes.
This book really made me want to reread Bewitched and Bespelled, though, because what do you mean I have to sit with that ending again without settling my mind with the present-day story?! And I honestly think the only reason this book didn't leave me in tears is because I have read Bewitched and Bespelled, so I know how things go in their present timeline.
I also had to restrain myself from reading this too fast because I didn’t want it to end! After reading Bewitched and Bespelled, to be able to see how Roxy and Memnon came to be was so lovely. Not only that, but the writing in this was amazing. I wasn’t sure what the plot would look like since we have a present timeline for these characters already and were given pieces of their past in the other book, but I was blown away. Despite knowing how their story (for this timeline) ends overall, this was just so well done that I was fully engaged with the writing the entire time.
I absolutely loved Roxy’s character arc most of all, though. She was so strong regardless, but she really embraced herself after finding Memnon and never stopped striving for what she believed was right, even when her beloved saw things a bit differently than she did.
I fell in love with Selene and Memnon in Bewitched, falling for the villain we all love to hate, became obsessed with them in Bespelled, and if it’s possible, became even more enamored with the couple after reading The Curse that Binds. Laura Thalassa remains one of my favorite authors and has been a secured auto-buy since I first picked up one of her titles, and this only solidified that further. I cannot wait for Book 3 in this series, and am confident I will fall even more for these characters once it is released.
Thank you to Netgalley, Laura Thalassa, and SOURCEBOOKS Bloom Books for my eARC copy of this book! All of my opinions are my own and are in no way influenced by how I received this ebook.
This book really made me want to reread Bewitched and Bespelled, though, because what do you mean I have to sit with that ending again without settling my mind with the present-day story?! And I honestly think the only reason this book didn't leave me in tears is because I have read Bewitched and Bespelled, so I know how things go in their present timeline.
I also had to restrain myself from reading this too fast because I didn’t want it to end! After reading Bewitched and Bespelled, to be able to see how Roxy and Memnon came to be was so lovely. Not only that, but the writing in this was amazing. I wasn’t sure what the plot would look like since we have a present timeline for these characters already and were given pieces of their past in the other book, but I was blown away. Despite knowing how their story (for this timeline) ends overall, this was just so well done that I was fully engaged with the writing the entire time.
I absolutely loved Roxy’s character arc most of all, though. She was so strong regardless, but she really embraced herself after finding Memnon and never stopped striving for what she believed was right, even when her beloved saw things a bit differently than she did.
I fell in love with Selene and Memnon in Bewitched, falling for the villain we all love to hate, became obsessed with them in Bespelled, and if it’s possible, became even more enamored with the couple after reading The Curse that Binds. Laura Thalassa remains one of my favorite authors and has been a secured auto-buy since I first picked up one of her titles, and this only solidified that further. I cannot wait for Book 3 in this series, and am confident I will fall even more for these characters once it is released.
Thank you to Netgalley, Laura Thalassa, and SOURCEBOOKS Bloom Books for my eARC copy of this book! All of my opinions are my own and are in no way influenced by how I received this ebook.
“The Curse That Binds” by Laura absolutely captivated me. I loved getting to see the beginning of our main character’s journey and life—there’s something so special about witnessing where it all starts. The depth of emotion, the rich world-building, and the way the story unfolds pulled me right back into this universe I’ve come to love. It made me want to re-read the entire series all over again, just to relive every moment from the start. I’m on the edge of my seat waiting for the final book—I know it’s going to be unforgettable!
emotional
hopeful
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I love the bewitched series so when I found out about this prequel I just knew I had to read it. I say it’s best to read it after book 2 of the series but going through it, I realized that you can definitely read it whenever. I loved reading the origins of Roxilana. It is briefly mentioned in the main series but it does not compare to reading it from Roxi’s POV. How they communicated with Memnon mind to mind, how they met, and how they conquered. What made it more special is that we see the entire plot set for bewitched. I think my favorite part of this was to see another side of this character because Roxilana and Selene, even when they share a soul, started out with very different origins and worlds but still developed as great main characters. I will be patiently waiting for that third bewitched book.
I loved everything about this book. I'm literally obsessed with Roxilana and Memnon!
The way this one starts and builds their love story is great. Even knowing who will eventually betray them and how this story would end, I still couldn't get enough.
I found this book filling in blanks and answering questions I didn't even know I had from books 1 & 2. I literally can't wait for book 3 now!
✨️ Revenge
✨️ Magic
✨️ Soulmates
The way this one starts and builds their love story is great. Even knowing who will eventually betray them and how this story would end, I still couldn't get enough.
I found this book filling in blanks and answering questions I didn't even know I had from books 1 & 2. I literally can't wait for book 3 now!
✨️ Revenge
✨️ Magic
✨️ Soulmates
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Wow! Let me just start off by saying wow, this was fantastic! I read this as a true prequel to the Bewitched Series and now I cannot wait to read more!
The author uses this work to provide backstory of the relationship between the two main characters. This isnt just a story, it's an adventure through magic, romance and time. To do this she takes us back to the ancient Sarmatian, and Roman people people, where she weaves in pieces of their culture as she tells the characters story.
If you enjoy spice, Thalassa has weaved some spice in too. The spice is written in a manner that feels natural, and helps the reader understand the level of connection the characters share.
The ending had me wanting to leap out of my seat and applaud. It caught me so off guard, and I was so invested I could not put it down! I read this story without reading anything else in the Bewitched Series and I truly cannot wait to pick up Bewitched and find out where the characters take me next!
Thank you to Laura Thalassa, Net Galley, and Bloom Books for the opportunity to pre read an ARC of The Curse That Binds.
If you're interested in any of these tropes then you may enjoy The Curse That Binds:
- Fated Mates
- Fantasy / Magic
- Historical Setting
- Found Family
- Touch her and die
The author uses this work to provide backstory of the relationship between the two main characters. This isnt just a story, it's an adventure through magic, romance and time. To do this she takes us back to the ancient Sarmatian, and Roman people people, where she weaves in pieces of their culture as she tells the characters story.
If you enjoy spice, Thalassa has weaved some spice in too. The spice is written in a manner that feels natural, and helps the reader understand the level of connection the characters share.
The ending had me wanting to leap out of my seat and applaud. It caught me so off guard, and I was so invested I could not put it down! I read this story without reading anything else in the Bewitched Series and I truly cannot wait to pick up Bewitched and find out where the characters take me next!
Thank you to Laura Thalassa, Net Galley, and Bloom Books for the opportunity to pre read an ARC of The Curse That Binds.
If you're interested in any of these tropes then you may enjoy The Curse That Binds:
- Fated Mates
- Fantasy / Magic
- Historical Setting
- Found Family
- Touch her and die
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Many thanks to Bloom and NetGalley for the preview. All opinions are my own.
4.5 stars
It's cr @ ck she puts in these books. It has to be. That's the only explanation for how I can DEVOUR them without a breath and love every second. I've been waiting for this story for a while and it was everything i wanted it to be. Memnon is my favorite red flag, and that hasn't changed. But he and Roxi are just so sweet and tender together, in addition to being completely SCORCHING HOT.
This is a bloodthirsty and brutal story. And we KNOW how it ends, which makes it all the more poignant and tense. Especially knowing already the names of who betrays them and watching them in the background throughout the book. Even still, I loved Memnon, Roxilana, and Ferox so so much. I was screaming about his choices, knowing where it would lead. I am even more feral now to get to the conclusion of their story in present day.
For anyone asking, yeah you could read this first. But you get infinitely more out of it, especially on the angst and foreboding scale. Highly recommend this series!
4.5 stars
It's cr @ ck she puts in these books. It has to be. That's the only explanation for how I can DEVOUR them without a breath and love every second. I've been waiting for this story for a while and it was everything i wanted it to be. Memnon is my favorite red flag, and that hasn't changed. But he and Roxi are just so sweet and tender together, in addition to being completely SCORCHING HOT.
This is a bloodthirsty and brutal story. And we KNOW how it ends, which makes it all the more poignant and tense. Especially knowing already the names of who betrays them and watching them in the background throughout the book. Even still, I loved Memnon, Roxilana, and Ferox so so much. I was screaming about his choices, knowing where it would lead. I am even more feral now to get to the conclusion of their story in present day.
For anyone asking, yeah you could read this first. But you get infinitely more out of it, especially on the angst and foreboding scale. Highly recommend this series!