tammy_m_nc 's review for:

The Curse that Binds by Laura Thalassa

4.5

dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

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Love, magic and violence 

I loved, loved this prequel to the Bewitched series. While the other books in the series have flashbacks of the end of Roxilana and Memnon’s love story, this book gives us the whole tale from beginning to end. And phew what an exciting tale it is - exhilarating adventure, palpable tension, unexpected twists, life-threatening danger, powerful magic, and spicy romance.  Roxilana is a child from Brittania who ends up in the Roman Empire at age 7 after her family is massacred. At the age of 12 she begins to hear the voice of Memnon, a young male, in her head. While only psychically connected, first Roxilana’s witch magic awakens and then Memnon’s sorcerer magic does. Despite there being only a mental link between them at first, this is where their deeply connected relationship starts and ultimately leads them to meet, fall in love, and become the Sarmatian king and queen. The world building and storyline is so rich and vibrant, I felt like I was there with the characters feeling their feelings and living their lives. It also made the history nerd in me so happy. The story is full of all these juicy details of ancient Rome and Sarmatia - the people and the cultures all wound around the story of Memnon and Roxilana’s love story and the effect of power, violence, magic, and betrayal on them and their people. While I have read the two books in the Bewitched series, I do not think you would be lost in this story if you have not. Although, reading this will spoil a bit of Bewitched.  4.5 stars.