This book was amazing. The mouth on Memnon is absolutely swoon worthy. The way he would burn the world just for Roxi. I know it doesn’t end well for them in this story but I cannot wait for book 3 and see how their spicy sweet love story ends.

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.

*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!

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

5/5 stars! I absolutely loved this book and could not put it down. I was so excited to receive an arc of this book. I love the Bewitched book series and this book did not disappoint. The Curse that Binds in book 2.5 in the series. It is the prequel/ backstory for the main character’s of the series. I loved reading about Roxi and Memnoms origins and the history that they share. The Curse That Binds is releasing July 1, 2025. Thank you so much to Netgalley, Laura Thalassa and SOURCEBOOKS Bloom Books.

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.

this series holds a special place in my heart and the fact we get to see where it all began has been just mind blowing!
The story is perfect and I can't wait to read the final book

I want to start off by saying: I was in fact the target audience for this book so my deep love for it is probably because it somehow catered to every single one of my loves, hyperfixations, and needs when it comes to a story.
If you liked Greek mythology or the original Grimm fairytales and you have grown to love fantasy and dragons and blood and villains, I reccomend this. If you are fascinated by the historical stories we never get to hear, the ones about queens and women being fucking epic, I reccomend this.
I will say, I never read Bewitched (I am immediatly fixing that problem) so I came into this book with no ideas or understanding of these characters. I honestly felt like this book was epic and beautiful and so well written, that it felt like the beginning of so many things. Now I have to run and read the series that inspired it!

I thought there was no way I would love Memnon more after reading the first two books. Then came this book. And I do infact love him so much more. This was such a good insight into how and why he acts how he does in the other 2 books. Even knowing the end this still kept me on the edge of my seat and falling for them even harder. I can’t wait to now to back and reread the other 2 books knowing what I know now

Thank you to Laura Thalassa, SOURCEBOOKS Bloom Books and NetGalley for the chance to read and review an eARC.

I really loved the first two books in the Bewitched series and I also really enjoyed reading this prequel. This was an entertaining, easy read that held my interest and kept me engaged with beloved characters and the world that they live in. Tension and drama are woven so well into the development of Memnon and Roxilana’s love. The heart wrenching emotions felt whilst reading the end to this book, despite knowing the ending, were not diminished at all. I’ll definitely be picking up book 3 when it’s published.
If you love a Romantasy that has soul mates, he falls first, magic, touch her and ☠️ vibes, found family and banter then The Curse That Binds will kick off a series that you might love.

The Curse That Binds you gives you Memnon and Roxilana's past. We get their most treasured, heartfelt and sweet moments together as well as their painful, steamy, funny and loving ones. I absolutely love this author's writing style. She writes in a way that makes you feel as if you are a part of the story and it was easy to imagine everything as if things were taking place right in front of me. The connection and love between Memnon and Roxi were undeniable and will have everyone falling in love with them and their story all over again. We get to read the about how the connection between Roxi and the panther, and how they became bonded. This book was a perfect addition to their story because the author gave us a chance to experience Memnon and Roxi's connection, power and love at a young age, but it also gave us a more in-depth look to their lives as Sarmatian husband and wife before betrayal took root and destroyed everything. We were told of the betrayal and got parts of how things played out but after reading this story, I hope there is a chance for revenge especially for those Memnon and Roxi considered friends. I definitely want Eislyn to get what's due, and I hope she lived long enough to get what she deserves. I would love to see Roxi dole out the real punishment. We get to see them during their weakest and strongest moments in battle and so much more. I think all paranormal romance readers will love this story and would not be disappointed at all. My only disappointment is that I will have until next year to get the final book in this series.

I absolutely loved The Curse That Binds! Being able to delve into Memnon and Roxilana's history gives so much more depth to the current story in Bewitched and Bespelled and I am so happy Laura Thalassa decided to make it not a novella!

Watching the development of Roxi and Memnon's bond and what the two went through to get together has cemented them as one of my favourite book couples. Memnon's devotion to his queen is enviable and I now understand so much more about his character in the current day timeline. He is a top tier MMC for me!!

There are some difficult topics broached in this book that are done really well and evoked some strong emotions in me - I grieve with Roxi for what she has gone through. She is so strong, loves so hard and is so committed to Memnon and her people.

The history and lore is rich throughout The Curse That Binds and it's clear that Laura put a ton of work and research into this. It feels immersive and is one of the highlights of my read.

Thank you so much Sourcebooks and Bloom for the advanced review copy.

Easily my favorite read this year, from one of my very favorite authors! What a perfect beginning to Roxilana/Selene’s and Memnon’s story. This book was everything I had hoped it would be. Even knowing how the book would end, or perhaps because I knew, I was so engrossed in this story. To see how they got to where they were, how Memnon became who he is, and context to Selene's past, was a treasure.

I can’t recommend this book enough, even if you haven’t read the Bewitched trilogy, read this book!

Thank you to Laura Thalassa, Net Galley, and Bloom Books for this eARC. It is most appreciated!

The Curse That Binds by Laura Thalassa: 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

This was absolutely my favorite book in the series up until this point.

I lovedddd getting more insight into who Memnon and Roxi are, which really added to the books that were previously released in the series.

If you haven’t started this series yet and are looking for a place to start, I would read this one first because it’ll absolutely change your perspective of the first two books. You can read it at any point, but I highly recommend it either before book 1 (bewitched) or after book 1 (bewitched).

Memnon and I had a weird relationship in the other books, but I’m officially a Memnon lover now. I’m also a Memnon hater, which doesn’t make sense out of context, but you’ll get it when you read the book.

I loved jumping into the past to get insight into the characters. It changed my perspective, made me think back on moments from the previous books, and is making me yearn for the final book in the series.

This is a book of yearning, heartache, passion, and desperation that you don’t want to miss.

Thank you very much to Sourcebooks Bloom Books and NetGalley for an ARC of this book. All opinions are my own and are not influenced by the manner in which I received it.

This was one of my most anticipated releases this year. Bewitched and Bespelled were some of my favorites book last year and I was so excited to learn Memnon and Roxi’s backstory. Unfortunately, this book fell flat to me. It wasn’t bad but my expectations were so high. The pacing felt too quick in the beginning and too repetitive in the end. If I wasn’t already so engrossed with these characters, I don’t know how much I would have liked this book. Honestly, this book really put me off Memnon but did make me feel more for Roxi. I enjoyed learning about Memnon’s family, how some of his people betrayed him, and the backstory with Eislyn, but overall, this wasn’t my favorite book from this author. I am still very excited for the next book in the series.

I wish I could rate higher than 5 Stars.
This story is just amazing. I loved getting Roxi & Memnon’s prequel story. Just watching it unfold was amazing. I could not put it down, I neglected housework, and I finished it in 2 days. I can't wait to purchase the beautiful deluxe edition for my shelf.

This story is a bit too weird for me. I also don’t like the literal child abuse at the beginning of the book.

4.5 rounded up 🌟

I already knew going into this that I would binge it just as quickly as I had the rest of the series. It was about time we received Roxilana and Memnon’s backstory. After having it teased for so long I can breathe a sigh of relief now that I know where their story all began. This is such a timeless story about a love that defies all odds. I am such a sucker for a fantasy where the female lead is just as badass as the male lead. Toxic is just as defiant as ever in this book and I DEVOUR every second of it.
Although I already knew what happened to Roxi and Memnon from the rest of the series, their backstory had such a devastating impact. Their willingness to
Fight for one another and create their own family in one another is astounding. These two beings never fail to defy all odds.
As if you weren’t shocked before, Laura Thalassa has delivered yet another instant masterpiece. If this series no longer has any fans then I have successfully left the planet. I cannot recommend this series enough!

I was so excited when this approval hit my inbox. I literally screamed. Laura is one of my favorite authors and the first two books in this series are epic. I was dying to find out what Roxilana and Memnon’s life was like before he was cursed and let me just say that I was not disappointed and you won’t be either.

Starting as friends, then turning into lovers and soulmates, Roxilana and Memnon build a nomadic empire to rival the Roman’s. But with power comes enemies and it was those enemies who tore Memnon and Roxilana apart. I can only hope that in future books, these wrongs are set right because the love that they have for each other is Eternal and I need Selene to see that, broken conscience or not.

Now that I’ve read this, I’m re-reading Bewitched and Bespelled to put together some things that I feel like the third book gives us. Can’t wait for release day to properly buy it to add to my collection!!

𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀: 𝗠𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗴𝗲