I was absolutely thrilled to get an ARC of The Curse That Binds by Laura Thalassa, and diving into the heartbreaking tale of Roxilana and Memnon was a rollercoaster of emotions. Their tragic demise was beautifully written, dripping with angst that made me savor every moment, even as I dreaded the inevitable ending. Readers should know that this book was originally meant to be a novella, which explains some of the choppy jumps through time. I wish the side characters had been fleshed out more, but still, this book left me desperate for the rest of the series so that I could get back to modern times with my girl Selene, whose chemistry with Memnon I like a little more. The Curse That Binds delivered the angst, heartbreak, and history of Memnon and Roxilana I craved, and despite knowing where their love was headed, I enjoyed this epic love story, and love the world Thalassa has created. 100% recommend—4/5 stars!

Thank you NetGalley for the e-Arc of this book!

So this is a book that you definitely need to check the trigger warnings for.

Their story starts out pretty young when Roxi is 7 Memnon hears her in his head for the first time and when she is 12 she hears him in her head for the first time. So from 12 and on through the years they talk, just casual conversations. If you look at the chapter titles, you can make the conclusion that Memnon is 4 years older than her. Which makes it a bit awkward knowing that she is 12 and he is 16 when they start talking, even though it is innocent conversation. I wish she would have sped that process up and gotten to when Roxi turns 18 much sooner than it actually did, because it just feels awkward knowing the age gap.

Then the first spicy scene really told me how I was going to feel about this book because while she is 18 at the time, it gives the feeling that she is much younger due to her naivety and their very awkward conversation during it. Then from there, each spicy scene just stayed uncomfortable.

If you read the content warnings then you know that this book has a pregnancy loss in it, but that’s not it. She gets pregnant, then fights in a battle and gets a lot of damage from an arrow. She passes out due to power overuse and wakes up fine. Then a few days later she looses her baby and it goes into enough detail to mention her actually holding the unborn fetus in her hand and crying as she digs a grave for it with Memnon. So it just got pretty heavy and then all is fine right after that.

It was just awkward and uncomfortable in so many places which sucks because I loved Bewitched and was really looking forward to this book

Step back in time to the story that started it all. Roxi has been raised in Rome to a cruel adopted mother. But at twelve, she starts to hear a voice in her head. Memnon's voice. A Sarmatian warlord from halfway around the world, Memnon becomes Roxi's dearest friend, and as they age, something more. On the eve of her unwanted wedding, Memnon rides into Rome to claim her as his bride. But they have enemies they never could have expected, and even a love as powerful as theirs is doomed for an unhappy ending.

I love the original books in the Bewitched series and ancient history, so The Curse That Binds was the perfect combination of both. While the pacing was a little too fast at the end, the romance was incredible, and I loved the character growth. Getting a glimpse at the author's version of the Sarmatian people was also fascinating and it's clear that she did her research when portraying their culture while adding a touch of her own imagination.

Read if you like...
⚔️ Touch her and you die
⚔️ I'd burn down the world for you
⚔️ He eventually hates everyone but her
⚔️ An abused woman coming into her power
⚔️ Feminine rage
⚔️ Healing wounds
⚔️ Mental communication for... various purposes
⚔️ Magic inspired by ancient cultures
⚔️ An adorable magic panther
⚔️ Great nods to the original series
⚔️ He makes her his equal
⚔️ Training sequences
⚔️ Eternal love
⚔️ Strong sisterhoods and chosen female community

"The Curse That Binds" was one of my most-anticipated books of 2025, and it did not disappoint!

We get such an amazing look at Roxilana's life from a young age all the way through the events that we got in a flashback moment in "Bespelled", and it really filled in all those blanks for me that I ached for. ESPECIALLY where Roxi and Memnon's past relationship was concerned! We also get a lot more insight into Memnon as a character which made me appreciate his progression in "Bewtiched" and "Bespelled" so much more.

Overall, just so good and so satisfying!

The Curse That Binds was absolutely fantastic. Fast paced and utterly chaotic (in the best way), and I loved every minute of it.

This book was amazing from the start. Laura Thalassa is a great storyteller who brought Roxi and Memnon’s story to life in a way I didn’t expect. Their love felt very real and deep, full of both passion and tenderness. I liked how their connection grew slowly but strongly, and how the story showed both their strengths and struggles. Memnon is a fierce warrior but so gentle with Roxi, and she really is his whole world. Even knowing how the story ends, I couldn’t stop reading because it’s so emotional and powerful. The writing is easy to follow but also very rich and dark in a good way. I can’t wait to read more from this series. Thank you so much to the author, Sourcebooks, and Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read the book in advance, I received this for free and I'm leaving a honest review

Laura is a master storyteller, this book was everything I’d been waiting for and more. From the very first page, I was completely swept away, transported from the heart of Rome to the wild steppe.
Even though I knew how it would end, nothing could’ve prepared me for how deeply it would hit. The love story between Roxi and Memnon was so tender and unique, i couldn'tget enough of these 2. Their connection felt timeless. Roxi may share a soul with Selene, but she’s her own person, so different, so striking in her own way. Watching their lives unfold in such different eras made everything feel even more profound.
I’m holding onto hope for their happily ever after, they’ve more than earned it.

4.5⭐️ rounded up to 5 for The Curse that Binds the perfect prequel to the Bewitched series.

What you can expect to find in The Curse that Binds:
-fated mates
-they can speak in each others mind
-a down bad mmc
-mmc that backs his queen at every. single. opportunity.
-🌶️🌶️🌶️
-gave me Khaleesi x Khal Drogo vibes

I have been LOVING the Bewitched series by Laura Thalassa. So when I found out there was going to be a prequel to how Roxilana and Memnon. The sweet way that these two found their way to each other was ugh so beautiful. I loved how before they even met they were able to share minds and talk to each other throughout their struggles. It only made prolonging that first meeting between Memnon and Roxilana so heartful and sweet. Yes, Memnon is a bit of a brute - but he clearly loves his little witch so much.

I'm not going to say much more than that, because I feel like you have to read the books in order to get the gist of this prequel. I will say that I can sympathize with Memnon more now that I know his shared background with Roxi. And that ending? 😭😭😭.

Absolutely cannot wait for the next book in the series.

4.5⭐️
"Roxi, you are my first and last thought each day. I have longed for you more than I care to admit- not just as my friend and confidant but also as my lover and wife and amage."
Amazing. Honestly just SO good. Laura Thalassa has said that this book was a labour of love and you can really just feel how much work and heart she put into it. When I first read Bewitched I remember thinking how great it would be if we got flashbacks of Roxilana and Memnon's early years- so when I found out LT was writing this (originally as a novella) I was THRILLED. And when it became not only a full-length book, but the longest in the series? Seriously I was counting down the days.

Roxilana and Memnon are of course, rock-solid. We get to learn how they first heard each other's voices and then later met in Rome. The love between them is so strong, but also the friendship between them. They truly see each other- the good and the bad, and even the bloodthirsty parts. And they accept and love each other no matter what. Every step of the way, both of them are willing to do whatever it takes to protect the other and to make them happy. I loved how Memnon is- even in the early days of magic use- this battle hardened warrior, but is always soft and gentle with Roxi. She's his entire world and he tells her every chance he gets. And for Roxi, who grew up without love or affection, Memnon is her home.

Of course because we know how this story ends, it's also very bitter-sweet. We know what's going to happen to Roxi and Memnon and can do nothing as they continue to walk towards their fate. And it was a little frustrating at times, because it's easier with the knowledge of what is going to happen to point out where they could have stopped it. Like sometimes just wanted to yell at them through the book. For all Memnon loved Roxilana and was fighting for her, he also refused to step back from conquering. And even though Roxi didn't agree with it or want it, she refrained from even giving her opinion most of the time. Like this man is your soulmate and holds your opinion above all others, so SAY SOMETHING my god, he'd listen to Roxi over his advisors, surely. But because Roxi is unquestionably loyal to Memnon, she just went along with all of his plans.

This really just made me want a happy, peaceful life for these two.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishing team for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I went in blind, because I like to read series in a chronological order, although understanding the premise, I think this prequel is also super enjoyable for those who are already familiar with Roxilana’s and Memnons story.
Laura’s writing is deliciously dark, enjoyable and easy to get lost in.
Will definitely continue with this series!

Are you kidding me! She is such a master piece. I knew I’d love this but I didn’t realize just how much. It’s perfection. The romance and history behind the couple and how things lead to books 1and 2. The love they have is so viscerally strong as the years go back. You could almost just read this as a standalone BUT you’d be doing yourself a disservice. This story stands on its own and is so magical and emotional. I just can’t say enough good things. Thank you for allowing me to read this early 🩷

This is the perfect prequel. You see where both characters begin, how they come together, and how everything gets fucked up.
Compelling and interesting all the way through.

The Curse That Binds Us had me hooked, confused, and very possibly in love with a morally grey sea god.

Look, I still don’t fully know what happened. The plot is chaos, the world is wild, and the pacing is… questionable. But did I devour every page? Yes. Yes, I did.

Cosima is feisty, reckless, and makes very questionable choices (same, girl). And the Bargainer? Dark, broody, full of secrets… aka, my type.

It’s messy. It’s magical. It’s a little unhinged. But I’ll be reading the next one because apparently, I enjoy emotional whiplash.

3.5 stars of beautiful disaster energy

This prequel ATE so well, like oh my goodness. This story was so well done in typical Laura Thalassa fashion and gave us such a perfect prequel book of characters who have this beautiful forbidden romance, fantasy, and all the intrigue that makes any romantasy reader.

It flowed really well, and if you've read the other books in the series that are currently out, you're going to want to dive right in and eat this book up!

Thank you NetGalley for an eARC!

Loved it! I’ve now read the three books that are available in this series, and, can I just say, this prequel enriched the story so so much! ✨🖤🗡️ 🔥 It not only explains a lot, it’s the perfect telling of their joined history. Highly recommend all of these books. In fact I think I’m gonna need to reread the others now — which I absolutely LOVED — to see if I notice anything new and just basically because more Memnon and the Empress is always good!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Curse That Binds by Laura Thalassa
NetGalley Review

This book destroyed me in the best possible way. Laura Thalassa knows how to serve tension, angst, and that slow-burn, soul-shattering romance that leaves you breathless.

The world? Dark and dangerous. The romance? Painfully good. I was hooked, obsessed, and fully unwell the entire time. Every twist had me gasping, and by the end, I was emotionally wrecked and already desperate for more.

Huge thanks to NetGalley and Bloom Books for the early copy! I’ll be screaming about this one forever 🖤

The prequel to Bewitched. Roxilana loses her family in a Roman attack at a young age and is stolen and adopted by the Romans. When she starts hearing the voice of a boy in her head she thinks at first she is crazy but slowly developed a deep connection and friendship with Memnon, a Sarmatian warrior who begins to teach her about her magic. When they finally meet their connection is so deep it’s love at first sight. She becomes his Queen and together they build and defend their kingdom but Memnon’s magic comes with a dark side and every time he uses it he loses a little more of his humanity. Enemies are closing in from all sides and Roxilana makes a heartbreaking sacrifice to save her husband’s soul.

This prequel was beautiful, heartbreaking, intense and sexy. After reading Betwitched and Bespelled finally getting to see how Selene/Roxilana and Memnon started out adds new layers to their relationship.

I have some theories on Eislyn’s true identity and goal. I’m really looking forward to book 3 and seeing Selene and Memnon take her down once and for all.

This was intriguing and adventurous and an amazing prequel! I love love Laura Thalassa’s work and have been so excited about this prequel. This was emotional and funny and made the world building feel so much richer having read this after Bewitched.

I knew I already loved this couple but this prequel made me love them even more. I’m already obsessed with this world that’s been created… and Laura’s writing… but the depth that we delve into knowing these characters. I am so ready for their HEA!

I wasn't a big fan of the first book in this series. But I thought I love prequels why not give it a go.
Unfortunately this didn't work for me. I found it too Repetitive. I also didn't like going through the different ages and she sounded the same. She's meant to be 7 at the start but it read like a 16+.