From a young age, Roxilana suffers misfortune and abuse at the hands of the Roman Empire until she begins to hear the voice of Memnon in her head. Over years, he becomes her confidante, her comfort, her rescuer, her lover, and then her King. After taking Roxi back to his nomadic tribe of warriors, Memnon and Roxi’s determination and magic help grow a kingdom nearly powerful enough to defeat Rome until they are betrayed and left to make desperate choices ensuring their love continues across the ages.

This was a top tier love story. I loved listening to Roxi and Memnon get to know each other through their mental connection as children. Once they were physically together, I loved how downbad, supportive, and willing to grow they were throughout their relationship. I mean a man who literally cuts his “barbarous” hair off to put her at ease? Khal Drago would never. The spice was spicy especially with the mental connection enhancing the experience. My only complaint was how long it took to figure out the age gap: 4 years. Memnon’s age isn’t mentioned until his single chapter, 80% into the book, so even though I knew they connected as youths, I was a little wary when he showed up all tall, built, and intimidating when Roxi was only 18. Knowing sooner that he was 22 would have been reassuring.

I listened to this story via an advanced listener copy so my review is based on the audiobook experience. With that, narrator Verla Bond was excellent. This was my first time hearing her work and I thoroughly enjoyed it. She captured the emotions behind each character well, and she did a great job with masculine voices too. It’s always annoying to see a male narrator billed when they actually only read one chapter. Here, by the time Tommy Fuller’s chapter came around, I was so used to hearing Verla as Memnon that Tommy’s narration was jarring. Not everything needs duet narration, but if you’re going to use a male narrator, the listening experience is better when he’s used throughout.

Overall, the story was well laid out, well paced, and deeply engrossing with so much historical information on Roman and nomadic cultures. Plus a unique take on magic. And a panther pet. The audiobook just enhanced the entire story.

Perhaps some might consider it strange to start a series by reading the prequel, but I have no regrets. I loved this story and I’m excited to see what happens in books 1 and 2. (And eventually 3.)

Thanks to Laura Thalassa, Dreamscape Media, and NetGalley for providing me with an ALC, which allowed me to listen the book and voluntarily provide an unbiased review.

This premise was so interesting to me how Memnon and Roxilana came fated to be in ancient Rome/Samaritan times. They both have magic which get awakened after they meet; Roxi being a witch & Memnon a sorcerer but he seems to tread on the dark side. I hadn't read any of the first 2 in the series yet as I was told it could be read a standalone. Most of that is true. I wasn't fully lost. I think some side characters I didn't fully understand their reason of existence. Some of the story mainly dragged a bit for me. The ending does have me wanting to read book 1.

The narrators Verla Bond; Tommy Fulle to me weren't the best. The females voice didn't change with characters and Tommy too bad we only heard him in one or two chapters. This would've been better as a duet narration.

I received this audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this unbiased review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

The story was absolutely fantastic, and the narrator was okay. There were times in the beginning when the narrator's voice would screech, and it would actually hurt my ears. However, once Roxi's adoptive mom was out of the picture, I enjoyed the audiobook a lot more. 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. This author storytelling 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 know how the connection between Roxi and the panther started, 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 get to know how the betrayal came into play, but 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. 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.

5 ⭐ 2 🌶️ 4 🎧

I've been excited for this story and ohmygoodness, it did not disappoint. It was exciting and suspenseful and heartbreaking and just everything I was hoping for when going back to Selene and Memnon beginnings.

I really enjoyed Roxilana's (aka Selene's) journey to Memnon. Runaway bride is such a fun trope and it had me giggling in this one. But watching her turn from a young adult into a powerful queen was so amazing. She was strong and sure and I loved how she handled diversity.

Then that ending. How on earth does an ending you know is coming still feel like such a bloody cliffhanger? It has me itching to read Bewitched and Bespelled all over again. I absolutely loved this prequel story.

The audio was great. I really enjoyed Verla Bond and Tommy Fuller and thought they did a wonderful job with these characters. Thank you so much to Laura Thalassa and Bloom for this advanced ebook and Dreamscape Media for the audiobook!

In the main series, Roxilana and Memnon’s love was a whispers, fleeting glimpses of how it all began. But this prequel tears the veil away. Here, we finally see their story in full: the passion, the betrayal, the choices that doomed them … and the curse that still bleeds into the present.

It’s haunting and heartbreaking, yet impossibly beautiful. This book does fill in the gaps and changes everything. Their love feels like the spark that set the entire series ablaze, and now every mention of them carries a weight I’ll never be able to ignore. The legend is no longer legend. It’s flesh, blood, and ruin.