As someone who studied Roman history at Oxford, I was immediately intrigued by The Curse That Binds’ - a romantasy set in ancient Rome, blending magic, political stakes, and an all-consuming love. Unfortunately, the historical inconsistencies and anachronisms pulled me out of the story repeatedly. If a fantasy novel chooses to ground itself in a real-world setting, even loosely, it needs to honour the basic contours of that world. Here, the Roman backdrop felt more like window dressing than substance.

Characterisation was also a challenge. The heroine reads as overly juvenile, while the hero’s entire personality seems to hinge on being obsessed with her and occasionally fighting things. Their dynamic lacked nuance, making it hard to invest emotionally in their fated connection. The magic system, though intriguing in theory, feels like a plot device rather than a well-developed framework—it appears and adapts as needed, leading to unresolved questions and inconsistencies.

Though the premise had potential, the execution didn’t deliver the depth I’d hoped for—historically, romantically, or fantastically.

⭐ — A disappointing read for fans hoping for a richly built magical world. Recommended only for readers who prioritise romance tropes over historical plausibility or coherent world-building.

Reading a prequel after reading two of the original books in the series is an interesting experience. Laura does a fantastic job writing about the main characters lives from 2000 years ago and ends the story perfectly to be picked up in Bewitched. We get to experience the true beginning of Selene/Roxilana and Memnon's story. And what a story it is! A true love story! The only reason I'm not giving this five stars is because I felt like there were major parts of these characters, like the results of Memnon's magic that were important I felt like it didn't get enough focus. I also would have liked some more interaction or depth to secondary characters, Especially given the nomadic lifestyle and very close relationships they had. The focus was so much on the two main characters that it made them seem self-centered which I don't think was intentional.

Thank you NetGalley and SOURCEBOOKS Bloom Books for this electronic Advanced Reader Copy. All opinions are my own.

I enjoyed reading this book - the first part especially had me in such a grip! Their initial meeting...? Perfection!
I haven't read the main series but I think this worked well as a stand alone. It worked to get me really excited to read Bewitched!
I was a little lost as to the extent of their magic - it seemed to have very little limits so it was hard to keep track of what they were capable of.
I did especially enjoy how history was woven into the story.

I'm giving this 3.5 stars rounded up to 4.
Thank you so much to Bloom Books for the ARC via NetGalley and for giving me the opportunity to share my honest thoughts.

First off, thank you to net galley and the publisher for access to this Earc!

The curse that binds is a romantasy set in roman times about a love story that is so powerful and deadly that it conquerors all! We follow our two main characters from childhood and see how there love unfolds over time, and all the trials and tribulations they go through. This is also a prequel story and I read this before I read the other two books that were published before it.

I unfortunately did not connect to our two main characters like i was hoping. I felt our fmc was too juvenile and our mmcs personality was just being obsessed with our fmc and fighting, which fell very flat for me. Both lacking in personality. I also would of loved to learn more about the magic system, it felt like it was just a convenience thing throughout the story and was lacking depth which lead to plot wholes. All that being said the plot was intriguing and with more complexity for our characters/magic system, world building and less smut i think i would of absolutely loved this.

This series has been my favorite from Laura Thalassa and this book was just as good as the first two in the series! The Curse That Binds is a prequel that shows you how Roxi and Memnon's relationship started thousands of years ago and how they got to where it is in current times.

I absolutely loved this book and how we got the full history of these characters. Now I need to go reread the first two books again!

Thank you to #NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

If you read the first two books then you already know the ending of this book, also I don’t typically like prequels, but this one ATE, I love some romantasy with historical themes sprinkled over the story, also memnon, my man 🫣 my little baby psycho 🥰 now we get to see how he was obsessed and down bad for roxi from the start and i ate it up!!! Cannot wait for the third and i’m ngl It’s kind of diabolical we have to wait until 2026 🥲🥲🥲

Thank you to NetGalley for giving me an Arc in exchange of an honest review.

This book was so much fun and such a great addition to Bewitched and Bespelled. We see in Bewitched and Bespelled how much Memnon says he loves Selene/Roxi, but in The Curse that Binds, we finally get to read and feel why. Memnon would do anything for Roxi, and that makes 1 certain character even more frustrating to me. I legitimately dislike this character the most out of all the books I have read. (You will 100 % know who it is and will most likely join me in my sentiment. Haha!) I feel adding this book to the series has me even more on the edge of my seat for the next book, because it leaves you rooting for Memnon and Selene/Roxi even more. If you like fated mates and magic with a little bit of spice, you will love The Curse that Binds. (Oh, and Memnon. You will love Memnon. Haha!)

A CURSE THAT BINDS is Laura Thalassa at her best. This has all the best parts of her writing. I really enjoyed this book and think it adds to this series in a massive way. The characters, the story, and the pacing are all well done and make this story the best one in this series to date.

One of the larger issues I have with the Bewitched series is that the audience has to learn with the characters the connection between the characters. And because of that, I felt like large parts of the story were missing in a way that wasn't cohesive to the plot. But this book fills in all the gaps and showcases why I love Thalassa as a writer. Everything about the story came together here that created an engaging story that filled in all those gaps. I actually wish this came out before or was the first book in the series. It reminded me of the first book in The Bargainer series, which is one of my favorite series.

On top of that, the pacing was well done. I was hooked the whole time.It was action packed and had some of my favorite tropes of touch her and die and fated mates. I also really loved the characters. I understood their love story better, and I understood their connection way more than in the series previously. That made the story extremely enjoyable.

Overall, I really enjoyed this novel and I thought it added to the series. I was hooked and it has some of the best parts of the romantsy genre. I definitely think it is worth the read!

Thank you to Bloom Books and NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

The Curse that Binds is the prequel novel to the adult fantasy series, Bewitched. Even though I didn’t know that this should be read after book 1 & 2, I requested this when I saw its Laura Thalassa! Who wouldn’t want to read her books though!

Roxilana's life has been filled with hardships but she hears a voice inside of her head when everything feels broken and that voice held her together for 19 years. This voice has an owner and he is Memnon. He claims they are soul mates and destined for each other. Later when they meet up, Roxi finds herself immersed in a world where power is everything.

Memnon! Omigod! like every book male character in Thalassa’s books, I fell in love with him. He’s fierce i know, but once in a while, we deserve a possessive male like that. Memnon loves with an obsession that I can’t even have words to describe it. He is willing to do anything and everything for Roxi. Omigod that hair and beard cutting part was really awesome!

Roxi is really a relatable character and I loved her character development.
I felt her journey in the story reveals the depths of her love for Memnon.

Overall, this was light read for me and this prequel gives me a motivation to read the book 1 & 2 because of Memnon!

Wow... Just... Wow... This is the ultimate love story and I think Memnon is the man every woman secretly craves.

When reading Bewitched I wasn't sure of what I was thinking about Memnon and the relationship between him and Selene. But after reading The Curse That Binds everything just falls into place and I can't get over how amazing their bond and love for eachother is (although slightly toxic).

The character building in this book was top tier. The fact that I got to know them both from a young age all the way through young adults was so fun and to read about how their bond and love evolves was amazing.
I love the fact that so many events were based on true historical events.

Even though I already knew how this book was going to end, the plot twist was heartbreaking and I felt so bad for Memnon and Roxilana.

The Curse That Binds is absolutely beautifully written and I had the best time reading it.

This book is everything I love about dark fantasy romance wrapped up in one gorgeously dangerous package. Thalassa delivers heart-wrenching tension, morally grey characters, and an addictive plot that never lets up. The chemistry between the leads crackles on every page, and the worldbuilding is immersive without being overwhelming. This deluxe edition is a treat for fans—beautifully designed and packed with extras that make it feel even more special. I couldn’t put it down and didn’t want it to end. Highly recommend for readers who love intensity, romance, and a touch of darkness.

Dark, romantic, and absolutely addictive—The Curse That Binds is Laura Thalassa at her best. With rich world-building, sizzling tension, and heart-wrenching emotional stakes, this book pulls you in and doesn’t let go. The magic is deadly, the romance deliciously slow-burn, and the ending is everything fans could hope for. A must-read for fantasy romance lovers!

I loved Bewitched last year and am desperate for the third book in the series, so this prequel was an exciting opportunity - to see how Roxilana and Memnon got to where we first met them. And it didn't disappoint, full of action and romance and devastation. Unfortunately, instead of making it easier to wait for the third book, this has just made it harder since I now need to know how things end!

Thank you to the publisher for sending a copy for review

The C U R S E that binds .
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Memnon .... his obsession and love for his queen, knows no bounds.
The devotion.
Burn the world for her.

This prequel answered so many lingering questions I had after Bespelled, about Selene and Memnon and their origin story.

If you haven't read Bewitched or Bespelled you're truly missing out. It has paranormal romance, modern day witches, covens, werewolves and an academy setting.

You follow a young witch who wants to attend a witch academy. And in doing so, she must reach her powers. Everytime she uses her magic, she loses more memories. Sent on a quest to South America to awaken all of her powers. Selene ends up awakening Memnon, an ancient evil. He claims she is his long lost wife, the one who betrayed him, Roxilana.
👀
But let's jump back and see where it all began!

We finally get their origin story, and it totally gave me Game of Thrones vibes. Specifally Daenerys Targaryen and Khal Drogo's. (Memnon and his fierce tribal influence and Selene an orphan girl raised in the city of Rome.)

I truly think you should read the other books first to truly appreciate this. The story is a lot slower than expected, but I enjoyed getting to the root of these characters. This was the prequel I was waiting for.

I have to end off with saying I absolutely loved the research and thought that when into this prequel. Laura states that you can read this as a prequel or after Bespelled as a 2.5.

Laura Thalassa was inspired by her knowledge of ancient Rome and other tribes. Although slavery was a big part of the past, she didn't make it a plot device and I truly love and respect her for that.

Prequel
Forced proximity
Ancient civilization
Magic
Familar
War
Curses
Burn the world for him/her

Releases July 1st

Thank you @laurathalassa , @netgalley and @read_bloom for this earc! I can't wait for the next book in the series!

My reviews for Bewitched and Bespelled on Goodreads and TikTok

🏹❤️‍🔥🐎📜

I absolutely love this book. We get the backstory of Roxanne and Memnon. I would have loved to read this before bewitched and be bespelled even though I was not able to do that. This is a necessity to the story. I’d love the way Laura Thalassa writes her stories. I have been reading her ever since the bargainer series came out. But I have read every book she has wrote. I think I love the bewitched series the most. This is an honest review for an arc copy from NetGalley. The book comes out July 1, 2025. Be sure to grab a copy. I know I will be.

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.

The Curse That Binds by Laura Thalassa
Rating: 5 stars
Steam: 4 chilis
Pub date: 7/1

Thank you so much to Bloom Books for my advanced copy!

If you love the Bewitched series as much as I do, The Curse That Binds is the prequel that’ll completely steal your heart. Set thousands of years before Selene’s story, this book gives us all the details we’ve been craving about Roxilana and Memnon: their magic, their love, and the tragedy that shaped everything that came after.

The story starts with Roxi hearing a voice in her head and wondering if she’s crazy. But it’s Memnon, her soulmate, who claims they’re both god-touched and destined for something huge. As their powers awaken and Memnon rises to become a sorcerer king, he shows up at Roxi’s door ready to make her his queen.

Laura Thalassa poured so much heart into this book, and it shows. The love between Roxi and Memnon is intense and real, and watching their bond grow is as satisfying as it is heartbreaking. The steam is extra steamy in this one, too.

This book completely pulled me in! It’s emotional, magical, and impossible to put down.

The Curse that Binds is a romantic and thrilling prequel to the Bewitched series.

I really enjoyed this next installment in the Bewitched series. In books 1 and 2, we get hints that Selene and Memnon were connected in the past, and The Curse the Binds gives us their story from the beginning. Set in Ancient Rome and Sarmatia, this books follows Roxilana and Memnon in their early days of their relationship, learning to use magic, and their unique power. We also learn about the events and actions Roxilana took in the past that set into motion the story set in the future in Bewitched. Overall, I really enjoyed this story! The pacing was excellent and kept me engaged throughout. I had so many questions the end of Bespelled about Selene/Roxilana's past and how she and Memnon came to be, especially with the fae and Eislyn, and this book answers so many, and left me absolutely ready for Book 4!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and to SOURCEBOOKS Bloom Books for the advanced copy of this book. All opinions are my own!

Second, I read this as a true prequel without having read books 1&2 of the Bewitched series by Laura Thalassa… I lost definitely will be reading those 2 books next. Previously I had read The Bargainer Series which overall I would give 4 stars. That was good, but The Curse that Binds so much better!

I cannot express how much I enjoyed this book right from the beginning. The relationship between Memnon and Roxi starts out so sweet and based on friendship to grow into a marriage of true love and lust. Nearly every trope or theme that I love was hit on in this book, saving the damsel in distress, (soul)mates, mind speak, chase scene, touch her or him and die, saving themselves for each other, true love and devotion and so much more. There is intricate plot, character building, battle, romance, and ancient history woven throughout.

For all my Romantasy readers, highly recommend this book. It checks all the boxes for me at least.

I've been dying to read a prequel to Bewitched long before it became a book so I was over the moon when Laura began writing it. And even more ecstatic that I finally got the chance to relive more of Selene's (Roxi's) past. Watching her relationship with Memnon blossom from young love into something more was really special. Laura is a fantastic storyteller and I can't wait to read the final book in this series!