Laura!!!!! Thank you for existing in the world at the same time as me! I am so happy I can read your books. This one was extra good and even though we know how it ends, the ride to get there was just perfect!

I love Laura Thalassa and I was so excited when I was approved for this ARC! This prequel from the Bewitched and Bespelled universe is exactly what fans are looking for. I enjoyed this book from start to finish! If you are a Laura Thalassa fan, run to your nearest book store and dive into this amazing story!

This book is seriously so good! Giving Roxi and Memnon's back story was a wild adventure that made me fall in love with both of these characters so much more. Laura was right not making this a short novella, this book is everything.

Knowing the end really didn't make it any less heartbreaking. I loved Memnon and Roxilana so much throughout Bewitched and Bespelled. Their fiery enemies to lovers energy was perfection, but getting to see their fated mate bond from the beginning was truly magical. Is there truly anything better than a fierce and ruthless warrior that's only soft for his wife??

This was absolutely everything I wanted and needed from their love story, and I'm so excited to get back to their present day.

THIS WAS UTTERLY FANTASTIC omg. The Curse that Binds completely exceeded my expectations, and Laura Thalassa took all of the elements I loved (fast-pacing, romantic chemistry, magic) from Bewitched and Bespelled and increased them tenfold here. Easily one of the best prequel books I've ever read!

The story-telling was marvelous, and I loved how we followed Roxilana's life linearly, as she came of age then later became queen. Seeing how her and Memnon's connection was initially forged, how their magic was unlocked, and how she bonded with FEROX. The backstory only further enhanced the threads of fate between the characters and the events of Bewitched/Bespelled.

I also LOVED the large role the historical aspect played in The Curse that Binds. The world-building was excellent, and I loved the emphasis on the culture of these ancient empires, peoples, and kingdoms. Reading about the lifestyle, day-to-day activities, and battles of nomadic tribes from millennia ago amidst the backdrop of a romantasy setting was incredibly intriguing. Plus the element of magic—this book did feel less witchy/coven/fall vibes than Bewitched/Bespelled. I loved the ley line system and how that magic connected the Sarmatians with the Moche kingdom in South America.

And the ROMANCE. I knew how this book would end because of what happened in Bespelled, but it was even more emotional than I anticipated, especially after 500 pages of highlighting Roxilana and Memnon's unwavering love for each other. There also was a scene around half-way through that was absolutely heart-breaking and had me tearing up. Now, I desperately am craving a Bewitched/Bespelled reread, and I'm begging the author to write more historical romantasy!

Thank you so much to Bloom Books for sending me an ARC of The Curse that Binds. As always, my reviews are one hundred percent voluntary and all opinions are my own :)

Absolutely loved this!! I feel like this is the book we’ve been dying for to know the past and it definitely don’t disappoint!! MEMNON 🫶🫶🫶

Thank you for this arc! Finally i got to read the whole backstory! I loved this book and after reading this one, i had to re-read the first ones again! Great storytelling!

I absolutely loved this prequel story on Roxilana and Memnon! I was gripped from chapter one and I couldn't put this down!!

I was so happy to have been accepted as a reader on Netgalley for this book. Memnon is everything I thought he would be! My expectations have been blown out the water. Roxi is just as expected too! I love this prequel so so much! I love seeing the beginning. My feelings had me alll over the place. I cried for their trauma, pain, their sweet love and hardships. It was so amazing. I feel like im apart of the clan! Lol!! Im also a little disturbed about the Roman ruler "Nero", I've been seeing alot of horrible things about this "thing" of real life.. gosh im so glad he was dealt with in the book! But I dont want to take away from the book. Many lovely Easter eggs and ahHa moments too through out this read. This book is perfect!!! I feel like I never want this series to end.😅 Thank you so much Laura Thalassa for your majestic masterpieces of storytelling! You are a master of words! 10 stars!
Xoxxx

3.5 Red Light Stars ⭐️
Spicy Level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️/5

This is the first book I've read by Alta Hensley and I don't regret it...I don't know what to make of this book. It's not at all what I was expecting... or jumping into...

𝙎𝙮𝙣𝙤𝙥𝙨𝙞𝙨:
Briar Waters suffers from a chronic autoimmune disease that leaves her pretty weak. She returns to her family's old summer home on the eerie island of Heathens Hollow where she’s hoping the quiet isolation will give her time to recover and regroup, especially after being pushed aside by her father, who’s preparing to marry someone younger than her. Instead, it is a place filled with secrets and danger. On her birthday Briar, in an act of rebellion, she throws a party for her new town themed after a raucous and salacious event held on the island called "The Hunt", where men chase women in white dresses and then fuck them. At first, it’s all fun and games, until one of the men at the party gets too aggressive, and things go very wrong for Briar. In an act of defence Briar ends up killing him. Damiano, her strange and brooding gardener and his on-again-off-again-ex Flint end up tied up in the event and together the three are forced to cover up the murder, especially since the dead man’s brother is known for taking justice into his own hands.

𝙏𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙁𝙚𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨:
I love Briar because while she's the type of girl that at times is VERY "too stupid to live", because she constantly makes ridiculous, stupid, spontaneous decisions that put her into crazy situations... she is also incredibly feisty, confident and stands up for herself despite being physically weak.

The relationship between Briar, Damiano, and Flint is toxic, explosive, violent and primal. Damiano and Flint are terrible for each other in the worst way. The two have an incredibly complicated relationship that's almost painful to witness but their chemistry is undeniable. They blur the line between love and hate with every interaction, both of them shaped by a deeply hurtful past. BUT that said with Briar in the middle, she calms them down and brings an almost synergy to their chaos. The three of them just work in this messed up weird magnetic way.

The major star in this book is the writing. It is haunting, poetic, lush and metaphorical. It is filled with an atmosphere that is intense, dark and heavy. There’s a visceral weight to the emotion in every sentence. Everything feels deep, aching, and dangerous in the best kind of way. It is what drew me in and kept me in. The island is its own character, and the dynamic between Briar, Damiano, and Flint is twisted yet intoxicating to watch.

𝙏𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙨:
▶ Dark Romance
▶ Small Town Romance
▶ MMF Romance (YES there is crossed swords)
▶ Strangers to Lovers with Second Chance (between the MMC's)
▶ Touch Her You Die
▶ Forced Proximity

𝙎𝙤𝙢𝙚 𝙆𝙞𝙣𝙠𝙨:
➢ Biting
➢ Primal Play
➢ Voyeurism

and 𝙈𝙞𝙘𝙧𝙤 𝙏𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙨:
▷ Nicknames
▷ Chronic Illness Rep
▷ "Plant Vibes"
▷ Grey Sweatpants
▷ MMC with Tattoo's
▷ "Don't Stop"
▷ He Takes Care Of Her

If you like darkly poetic writing, morally grey characters, and messy, unfiltered chaos wrapped in fantastic vibes, I REALLY RECOMMEND THIS...

Thank you to Valentine PR for the gifted copy! All thoughts and opinions are my own

It was so much fun to get the backstory for Memnon and Roxi. I loved hearing about how they met and fell in love. It made me love Memnon even more! The scenes were the perfect spice level and the romance was swoon worthy. However, I felt the battle and war parts were a bit too much. I found myself getting bored. Overall I’m glad we got their prequel but it wasn’t my favorite. I am excited for book 3!

Thank you to netgalley for the advanced reader copy of this book. This was a great fantasy read. Loved the writing style.

AMAZING! I loved this book. I felt like we got so much history and backstory with Memnon and Roxi. I love how the ending set up the ending of the first book. I love the characters and Laura’s writing. Will continue to read books by her!

guyssss omg this book 😩😩 ahh Memnon and Roxi have my whole heart. getting to see the beginning of their love story was so epic!! as an orphaned girl who is living with and abusive woman who took her in, when she starts hearing a random voice in her head-she naturally freaks out-then forms the purest friendship with the boy on the other side of their bond (and the world).

I freaking loved reading about their conversations when they were living worlds apart and the way they became best friends before Memnon was finally able to ride for MONTHS to find her *crying*

since this is a prequel and I’d already read books 1 and 2, I knew the ending was gonna be heartbreaking but ahhhh the events leading up to it had me screaming into the void!! I hate yknow who and everyone who betrayed Memnon and Roxi. I freaking adored Tamara and Katiari, the way they immediately welcomed Roxi into the family and called her daughter & sister plsss I was unwell knowing what was coming.

the romance in this book was everything. the smut was wild-Memnon is a certified 🐱eater LOL. it was also very interesting to read about all the history and the amount of research that clearly went into that was amazing. it was also such a real and raw story, the way we see Roxi noticing Memnon’s darkness and learning to accept it as well as coming to terms with her own darkness. it was all so well rounded and now I’m just desperately in need of book 3 because I need them to get their happy ending 😭

Oh my gosh! I was so excited for the prequel story of Roxilana and Memnon. This was everything the series needed. It has me in all my feelings and thinking more about Bewitched and Bespelled, I think a reread might be needed now.

Thank you so much for this ARC opportunity! I was very excited to get to read this early.

4⭐ | 3🌶️ | 1⚠️

Set during the Roman Empire, this prequel tells the origin of Memnon and Roxilana, two souls bound by fate. Before becoming queen, Roxilana believes she is no one until she begins hearing a voice in her head.

This book deepens their bond, expands on Sarmatian culture and history, and adds new layers to Memnon the Indomitable. What I love most about him is how deeply he respects Roxilana—her choices, her pleasure, her power. Even though they're mates, their slow-burn romance is all about consent and care.

I really enjoyed this book. The writing, emotional depth, spice, characters I love and love to hate, and cultural richness made it a standout. I especially loved seeing a more vulnerable Memnon.

Some parts felt slightly repetitive and the ending holds no surprise for longtime readers, but that is part of what makes it satisfying. Overall, it’s a strong and emotional read that deepens the series in all the right ways and you can totally read this book as a standalone.

Now I am impatient for book three.

I first thought it was going to be a novella as most prequels are. I was very glad to be proven wrong.

I very much enjoyed how we started at the very beginning from the moment the two began speaking to eachother as kids. I liked to learn how our main charcter Roxi didn't even know about her own magic and Mamnon helped her through it adding to their friendship.
I was very interesting to learn that Memnon wasn't the crazy almost scary kind of man that he first came off as in Bewitched. Growing with Roxi had us grow with Memnon and allowed the reader to better understand how he becae the way he is.

I remeber at firat I was worried that Memnon was much older then Roxi when they first started speaking, but thankfuly that was not the case.

I look forward to reading the finale book and can't wait to see what is going to happen. I am expecting Eislyn to appear once again in the finale book and I cannot wait to see how that is going to turn out!

If it's morally grey you want, this book is what you need.
Getting to know how Roxilana and Memnon were as a couple and seeing what they dealt with in their days was a great addition to the series.
What I loved the most was seeing how Memnon's humanity slowly deteriorates, but never when it comes to Roxi. We sometimes have a “touch her and you are dead” kind of ML, but here we have a “talk shit about her and you're dead” ML - and oh boy did they die...
And it was really interesting seeing her magic shift to what we see with Selene in the main series.
Was she too soft with Memnon? Most of times. But I enjoyed the ride.

This was perfection. The series is already amazing but getting this prequel and more character history is incredible.

I swear Laura can do no wrong. I absolutely devoured this book. It wad so beautifully written. Getting to learn Memnoms and Rosie's history and how they came together was so wonderful. I can't wait for book 3!