Going into this prequel, I thought I was prepared—but nothing could’ve fully braced me for the emotional intensity of Roxi and Memnon’s beginning. Knowing how their story ultimately unfolds only made this origin tale more powerful. There’s a kind of aching beauty in watching a love story bloom when you already know its future.

This installment masterfully combines sweeping romance with gritty, high-stakes conflict. The tension is ever-present, both in the battles fought and the personal sacrifices made. The world feels ancient and alive, with vivid descriptions that immersed me in a time of empire, war, and raw devotion.

What really stands out is the chemistry between Roxi and Memnon. Their connection feels destined, and yet hard-won—tested by time, distance, and betrayal. It adds layers of heartbreak and hope to an already rich narrative. I didn’t think I could love them more after books 1 and 2, but this prequel proved me wrong.

With book 3 on the horizon, my anticipation has only grown. I’m deeply invested in their journey and desperately rooting for them to find peace, and maybe even joy, after everything they’ve endured

Considering I’ve been in a bit of a reading slump, I DEVOURED this book.
I surprisingly received an eARC of this book through net galley. When I heard this was up I immediately went to request as I’ve read Bewitched and Bespelled.
I’ve been following Laura’s work for a while and to be honest she’s one of the authors that I will read any of the books she publishes, no questions asked.
And boy, this did not disappoint at all.

The Curse That Binds is a true prequel and can be read before or after Bewitched/Bespelled (although if you ask me reading it after Bewitched would have had me reeling).
With out giving too much away, readers really get to see who Roxi is and how she is similar in ways to Selene. We also get to understand why Memnon is the way he is.

This book had me enthralled from the get go, and I never felt like there was a lull in the story telling. You can also tell Laura really did her research when it came to the culture of the Sarmatians and other civilizations of the era, which is refreshing considering thereve been other books (from other authors) that have been published without much thought into cultures or elements the characters are being inspired by.

All in all if you are a fan of Laura Thalassa or looking to start your journey, this is a great place to start. I honestly cannot wait for the final installment to this series.

3.25 ⭐

This was one of my most anticipated reads of the year and it unfortunately did not fully do it for me.
I did enjoy learning more about Memnon's family, and Roxi's origins. They both went through a lot before everything leads up to the moment where he is entombed.

There were fantastic moments and but I really got the ick for Memnon and some of the more intimate moments made me cringe for some reason....

That being said, I am still really looking forward to Book 3 of the Bewitched series.

Thank you to Bloom Books and Netgalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.

Guys... the journey, the setting, the characters, the overall story were so beautifully and perfectly written. I feel so privileged to have gotten to read this book early! I kept this a bit vague on purpose as to not spoil anything for either this book or Bewitched while trying to express how much you NEED to read this series if you haven't already. Memnon is probably my favorite MMC I've ever read. You want fated mates and a man that will literally BURN THE WORLD for her all while also having an amazing and powerful in her own right FMC. This is it. This is ALL OF IT! I am going to be rereading Bewitched and Bespelled now and am anxiously awaiting book 3!

Thank you to Netgalley for the free ARC in exchange for my honest review.

“The Curse That Binds” by Laura Thalassa is a prequel in the Bewitched series. Fans of the original duloagy will love this edition. I do recommend reading the first two books first before reading the prequel so that the surprises in Bewitched are not spoiled.
Thank you to NetGallery and SOURCEBOOKS Bloom Books for an advanced copy of this ebook in exchange for my honest review.

I LOVE Laura Thalassa and I LOVE this series. I was so excited to read this to get a better understanding of Roxilana and Memnon's relationship from the beginning, and Laura did this one justice. I was so emotionally invested from the beginning due to how much I already loved the story, but after seeing their love story and the true lengths these two would go to for each other... I have fallen in love with these two even more. The way Laura weaves everything together makes you feel like you're right there living this story out with the characters. I was a tiny bit disappointed we didn't get much of Memnon's POV in this book, but I understand the reasoning behind it.

This is easily one of my favorite book series and I cannot wait to read the third installment.

I absolutely love love love the sweetness that is this story. The dedication of Memnon has always been a huge selling point of this series. Talk about a man who would burn the world for you.. Memnon knows nothing but devotion. I adore that.

What I will say, is that as I moved further into this story.. it became harder and harder to read. Not in a bad way necessarily, but so is the way of a prequel right? You know the general version of how it’s going to end. I found myself with such dread at the prospect of getting there.

And yet, forward I went.. into the path I knew would get me to the present day story. And ugh. I mean if you love Memnon in present day you’re just going to eat up Memnon coming of age and establishing life with Roxi.

You may know present day, but this prequel is a story you can’t miss.

Thank you so much to Laura Thalassa and Bloom for the eARC of this sweet and brutal story.

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!