A review by teaand_tomes
The Curse that Binds by Laura Thalassa

medium-paced

4.0

Thank you Laura Thalassa, Bloom Books, Sourcebooks Romance, and NetGalley for the free gift! 

A god-touched soulmate, ancient magic, and an empire caught in the crosshairs of love and power, Laura Thalassa’s latest prequel conjures an epic tale of fate and fire. 

Set two thousand years before Bewitched, The Curse That Binds dives into the forgotten story of Roxilana and Memnon, star-crossed lovers with magic in their veins and war in their wake. I haven’t read Bewitched yet, but this prequel easily stands on its own and piqued my interest for what’s to come. 

The ancient Roman setting is refreshingly different from the usual medieval fantasy fare, and Thalassa does a beautiful job blending historical detail with mythic atmosphere. The opening chapters were electric. Roxilana’s Awakening, the fated bond, and Memnon’s sudden arrival brought high stakes and irresistible tension. 

That said, the middle of the book dragged a bit for me. The “fight, fuck, downtime, repeat” cycle became repetitive and slowed the pacing. Still, the emotional payoff at the end, combined with the strong premise and rich world-building, made it a worthwhile read. 

If you’re a fan of fated love, morally gray heroes, and fantasy rooted in historical power dynamics, this is one to check out, especially if you loved the Bargainer series. 

Final Thoughts: A sweeping, sensual, and lore-rich story that deepens the Bewitched universe. Despite a sagging middle, the immersive world and mythic romance kept me hooked. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Gore, Miscarriage, Sexual content, Violence, War