Hmmm.

I am a little out of sorts on this one, but I am going with 3 stars.

So, let me start by saying I have absolutely adored Laura Thalassa’s previous book, especially the Bargainer series. This book was supposed to be set in the same world as The Bargainer series, but I don’t really see that tbh. There is no sign of any connection.

I enjoyed the concept of this story, but also found it a bit problematic. The love story here wasn’t exactly one I would say was believable. While I love a good amount of back and forth, much of Memnon’s actions and the way Selene responded didn’t exactly create a love story that was all that convincing.

The end especially seemed pretty random and disconnected from the rest of the story — I’m not really sure how their love can really be redeemed after that ending.

Ahhh I am conflicted because I really enjoyed the first half or so, but the story really fell apart for me in the second half. I’m not quite sure if I will be reading the next book, I think I may have set my expectations too high based on the previous work that this book really disappointed me.

Thank you to Bloom Books and NetGalley for my ARC of this book. This in no way impacted my review.

4 - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I am a simple person: I see Laura Thalassa wrote something new and I read it.

I loooved the concept of this story! A witch whose power comes at the cost of her memories is so fascinating and the way that unfolds throughout the book was so perfectly disarming. Because Selene loses her memories whenever she uses her magic, she sometimes loses memories of the events that have happened in the story. At times, she will think she’s meeting someone for the first time or recalling something not quite correctly, which was in turn making me doubt things. I thought this was such a unique way of writing an unreliable narrator that kept me second-guessing until the last page.

Our love interest is Memnon, a vengeful, cursed god unleashed after millennia buried in stasis. Let’s tell it like is is: he’s an asshole. He’s overbearing, domineering, possessive, and hellbent on revenge. But he’s also seductive, protective, devoted, and even caring. To me, the core essence of his character is the war between these different sides of him. Where Selene uses magic at the cost of her memories, Memnon does it at the cost of his conscience. The years of powerful magic use have worn away his empathy, and now he reconciles who he once was with who he has become. I know there’s going to be more to him than we’ve seen so far and I’m excited to see what comes next.

I docked one star because I do wish there was more depth to the story and the characters. However, I presume it was a bit lighter in this regard due to Selene’s memory loss and the world will continue to be fleshed out in subsequent installments. In a lot of ways, this reminds me of one of Laura’s other series, The Bargainer (which is in this same universe, if you weren’t aware!). Rhapsodic also had a slower start that was more focused on development and ramped up from there, so I trust that the same will happen here!

After that cliffhanger, I will be extremely impatiently waiting for the next book and all of the twists and turns that are for sure coming along with it.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this copy in exchange for an honest review!

This story absolutely blew my mind!!

Selene is a witch who just wants to find her place in the world. Her dream is to attend Henbane Coven with her bestie, there’s just one small issue, she loses memories every time she casts magic. Even still, she’s determined to join the coven by any means necessary. This mission takes her on a journey that leads her directly to her familiar, Nero, and a devilishly handsome and dangerous being known as Memnon. Yes please! The rest of the journey is a ride of self discovery filled with challenges, laughs, love and danger.

It made me laugh and at times made me feel like my heart was about to beat out of my chest with anticipation. My heart swelled up when Selene finds Nero, her familiar. I think that was my favorite part out of the whole book. I actually got giddy and laughed out loud, I think everyone needs a Nero. I really felt for Selene throughout the whole story. So many challenges being thrown her way and having to struggle with losing her memories on top of it all. Not knowing what or who she could trust and still being her sweet and kind self. Her best friend Sybil is serious friend goals! I loved every interaction between them. They were so funny together and complimented each other nicely. Then there’s the heat between Selene and Memnon. The back and forth between them was delicious in every way. Selene couldn’t figure out if she wanted to fight him or f**k him and honestly, same girl. It was frustratingly sexy. I loved every bit of it and I can’t wait to read more.

I really enjoyed reading Bewitched! As a big fan of Laura Thalassa's previous books, I was excited to dive into this new series set in the same world. The main character, Selene, is a witch who's determined to join a coven, even though she loses her memories every time she uses her magic. To gain acceptance, she sets out on a quest to find a familiar, but things take an interesting turn when she crashes into the jungles of Peru and awakens an ancient evil named Memnon.

Although the story started off a bit slow, I was completely hooked once Selene freed Memnon. There's plenty of action, danger, and even a bit of romance in this book. I'm already looking forward to the next book in the series, as the ending left me wanting more.

This book is a great choice for anyone who loves a unique paranormal romance. The story is intense and a bit spicy, but also well-written and creative. The only drawback is that there's not much backstory, but the plot more than makes up for it. If you're a fan of witches, magical schools, and supernatural elements, I definitely recommend checking out this book.

Bewitched is the first novel in a series of the same name. This story follows Selene Bowers (early 20s) who goes on a quest to gain entry to the Henbane Coven, an academy for young witches. On the quest, she discovers Memnon, a warrior king who was cursed into eternal sleep by his wife, Roxilana. He believes that Selene and Roxilana are the same, which leads to a huge push-pull romantic tension between them along with a mystery to search for the truth. Not only did Selene become connected to Memnon in her quest, but she also lost her memories after using her magic. This leads to a whole mystery surrounding Selene and her memories.

Selene was an interesting character where she is innocent and determined where she struggles with her attraction to Memnon. I do wish, though, that she did not seem to lose her senses when it comes to Memnon’s physique. There is a lot of emphasis on his perfection, which is nice when trying to have the reader picture him in their minds, but it did become a little repetitive. He is a morally grey character, but there is still a lot to learn about him. Since this is the first novel in a series, the pacing starts off slow and increases little by little to get to the cliffhanger ending. While I prefer not to have cliffhangers as its difficult to wait for the sequel, it was expected at least. The story itself took a bit for me to become hooked, but by the end I was anxious to get my hands on the sequel. Overall, this was an enjoyable story with a lot of potential to be amazing as a series. I look forward to reading the sequel in the future!

**I give a special thank you to Netgalley and the publisher, Bloom Books, for the opportunity to read this entertaining novel. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.**

Ok so as a fan of this author's other series (and if you haven't read The Four Horsemen-then I absolutely recommend that series!) I was really excited when a new series was announced. And the blurb made it sound interesting and right up my alley. However, while the writing and such is still excellent-the story didn't really suck me in like I had hoped. Selene is a witch who loses parts of her memory every time she uses her magic. And honestly, while it the blurb that sounded in interesting-in the book it just got on my nerves. When she meets Memnon, I thought that would be the point that I started to really get into it, but it didn't happen for me. They didn't have any true chemistry, or at least it didn't feel that way to me. And I actually liked his character, but Selene was still annoying me LOL! I don't know, I will be reading the next one just because I need to know how everything will turn out. So I am hoping maybe this was just a one off, but it was just ok for me.

I LOVE witchy stories and this one did not diss appoint! It is written to keep a reader engaged with the most beautiful world building. If you like villains as the romance interest you’re going to like this one! Also unreliable narrator does keep you on your toes.

Not Laura's best nor worst book. It was very average and ended on a cliffhanger, but I'm interested to see where the story goes.

It’s been a minute
since I’ve read a book by Laura but I adore her Bargainer series so I just knew I
had to give this one a whirl.

Selene is desperately trying to get into Henbane Coven, she just has a few more
hoops to get through, including going on a magical quest and finding her
familiar. Its during said quest that Selen accidently wakes Memnon the Cursed
which is when the shit really hits the fan!
Ahh the book!! Man, it was so good, I loved

Selene I think she has all the
ingredients to become a very powerful witch. I’m so excited to see how her
character is going to grow in the next book because she was damn awesome in
this one. I also love her bestie Sybil I thought she was a great friend. And then we
get to Memnon…. He’s no Des that’s for sure. I had a real hard time liking this dude,
he's such a douche most of the time. He def gave me that bad guy from the
Mummy vibes.

The storyline was paced well, I enjoyed the learning about the way of life for the
witches and how they come into their power.

Overall this was a great start to a series and I’m already super excited for the next book.

I absolutely love this book! The world building it magical and story adventurous. It is a slow burn, enemies to lovers, fated mates which are the best tropes for the perfect romantasy! Be warned it does leave you on a major cliffhanger wanting more!

Starting with a mini spoiler that it does end in a cliffhanger.
Now that that is out of the way, this book is a full win. Magic, soul mates, wolves, witches, it literally has it all!!
If you've liked Laura's past witchy stories, I think that this series definitely has the potential to match those!

A witch trying to get into the coven of her dreams is given a list of things she needs to do to be accepted, go on a magic quest, and find a familiar, yeah doesn't sound impossible at all.

It doesn't help that every single time Selene uses her magic she loses memories, take a moment to think about that, having power but using it you lose a part of yourself, and you have no idea what you'll lose, how do you decide when to use magic, what's a good enough reason to risk it? Selene has faced those questions every day of her life, and she has the journals to prove it.

After a night she has no memory of, Selene finds herself with a plane ticket to South America and a plan, well a kind of plan, she knows what she needs to do just not how she'll do it exactly.

Who would have thought surviving a plane crash, actually saving everyone on the plane would have been the easy part but it was. Once there she finds her familiar who just happens to be a panther, I mean go big or go home right? And somehow finds herself face to face with Memnon a man with immeasurable power who just might think she's his long-lost wife that betrayed him and wants his special form of revenge. Speaking of him let's say wow, the fireworks between those two are incredible, at points I was waiting for the Kindle to overheat.

I loved every single page of this book, the characters, the world-building, the spice, the story, ohh the story, it brought so many emotions out and kept me glued to the pages and more importantly kept me guessing and wanting more.

Now let's talk about the ending for a moment holy mother of cliffhangers, can I just say I deleted the book and reinstalled it because I was sure I missed the last page, I'll be searching social media and everywhere I can think of to find out what happens next because I need to know.

If you're looking for a phenomenal story that includes, witches, shifters, soul mates and an overall feeling of magic that draws you in and doesn't let you go this one is for you, I really can't recommend it enough.

Thank you to Sourcebooks, Bloom Books, and NetGalley for providing a digital copy of this book, I have voluntarily read and reviewed it and all thoughts and opinions are my own.

This was a little different of a witchy story for me. I liked the magical world building that author Laura Thalassa did and the enemies to lovers and slow burn romance. I not sure how I feel about Selene and Memnon romance I don’t think I cared for memnon to much but I moved passed that.
I dont think I’ve read a witchy story about a witch when using her powers loses a bit of her memories I like the uniqueness of the story line and I enjoyed Selene determination. The ending left me hanging a bit i would like to see how it turns out.
If you like a witchy fantasy with romance with a little spice I think you will like this.
Thank you netgalley

4.5 stars <\b>

You are my weakness, Empress,” he confesses, “You always have been.”

Wow! What a wickedly wild, sexy, magical adventure! We loved it and can’t wait for more! We met a kick arse sassy witch named Selene Bowers, and a ridiculously hot and sinful ancient sorcerer named Memnon, King of the Moche. Bloody Norah!! Wooooarrr, this bloke! We’re not sure if we’re supposed to despise him and his evil ways, because he had us hook, line, and sinker. We were tingling in places we didn’t know we could tingle at the sheer mention of Memnon.

To ensure her wish to enter the Herbane Covent, 20-year-old witch, Selene is off on a magical quest when her plane lands somewhere in northern Peru. Selene unwittingly uncovers more than she bargained for when she opens an undisturbed crypt and awakens an ancient (albeit all male, pure unadulterated sex on toned legs) ancient warrior King Memnon. He’s a powerful Sorcerer who believes Selene to be his Queen and soulmate Roxilana. He’s hooked, she’s skeptical to say the least.

This is what men kill and die for. What no amount of wealth can buy. Love. One that could set whole nations on fire.” He takes my chin then, giving me a look that’s as close to adoration as one can get. “You cannot fathom it, little witch, only because you cannot remember that you once had it. But I remember.”

And there is where the adventure begins, and we were there for it all. Gosh, we’ve missed this sort of read, and want to thank Laura Thalassa for delivering everything that makes these types of stories resonate with us. The world-building was creative, the imagery spot on and the chemistry was off the charts! The story itself had us hooked from start to finish! We didn’t want it to end. Oh, what a fabulous tale it was! We need the next book, NOW!

I really enjoyed the world that Thalassa has created here. I loved the MC Selene’s witch powers and flaws and how she’s sent on a magic quest in order to be admitted into Henbane Coven.

The world building and school setting were very intriguing as was the introduction of Memnon. I feel that as the series continues, the world will continue to expand in really fun ways.

While this is an introduction into this story, it didn’t feel fully formed yet. I anticipate reading more in this series, especially after it ended on such a big cliffhanger.

Read if you like:

Fated mates
Enemies to lovers (or is it lovers to enemies?)
Magic School setting

Thank you NetGalley and Bloom books for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!

“You are my weakness, Empress,” he confesses, “You always have been.”

Wow! What a wickedly wild, sexy, magical adventure! We loved it and can’t wait for more! We met a kick arse sassy witch named Selene Bowers, and a ridiculously hot and sinful ancient sorcerer named Memnon, King of the Moche. Bloody Norah!! Wooooarrr, this bloke! We’re not sure if we’re supposed to despise him and his evil ways, because he had us hook, line, and sinker. We were tingling in places we didn’t know we could tingle at the sheer mention of Memnon.

To ensure her wish to enter the Herbane Covent, 20-year-old witch, Selene is off on a magical quest when her plane lands somewhere in northern Peru. Selene unwittingly uncovers more than she bargained for when she opens an undisturbed crypt, and awakens an ancient (albeit all male, pure unadulterated sex on toned legs) ancient warrior King Memnon. He’s a powerful Sorcerer who believes Selene to be his Queen and soulmate Roxilana. He’s hooked, she’s sceptical to say the least.

“This is what men kill and die for. What no amount of wealth can buy. Love. On that could set whole nations on fire.” He takes my chin then, giving me a look that’s as close to adoration as one can get. “You cannot fathom it, little witch, only because you cannot remember that you once had it. But I remember.”

And there is where the adventure begins, and we were there for it all. Gosh, we’ve missed this sort of read, and want to thank Laura Thalassa for delivering everything that makes these types of stories resonate with us. The world building was creative, the imagery spot on and the chemistry was off the charts! The story itself had us hooked from start to finish! We didn’t want it to end. Oh, what a fabulous tale it was! We need the next book, NOW!

I don't even know where to start. I am torn. I don't know if this book is a result of the incredible brain of Laura Thalassa or if it is a little disappointment....hence I chose the middle ground with the 3 stars.

This is not enemies to lovers story instead I'd say this is lovers to enemies. Which would be great, if there was the big moment where Selene becomes a BA witch and gets stronger and burns Memnon's " hot body to die for" to a crisp. Like a queen he says she is... but we do not get this empowering moment. (maybe in book 2?)

The main characters were on and off all the time. They were all touchy-feely on one page and enemies on the next one and again next chapter they couldn't get their hands off of each other. It was confusing and their relationship lost the build up and momentum.

Selene had a great flaw which author perfectly worked into the plot. As Selene learns about Memnon she slowly starts to realize that he is not a friend and at this point I am expecting her to switch to the enemies and fight him but she never once stands up for herself or fights him. This is the part where I am not sure if this is coming in the next book (hence the brilliance of the author and we'll get the most brilliant character development) or if this is going to continue into the book two and will become a little disappointment.

Memnon (love the name) was very abstract to me. I don't know what this guy looks like at all. For some reason I just couldn't imagine him. His appearances in the story were also abstract. He would disappear for pages and we don't know what he was up to or what he was doing. And then he appears from out of the blue for literary no reason. The parts I did love about him were his cruelty, this is what Laura writes so well. Cruel men with evil intentions and I love these villains. I also enjoyed the real historical parts that the author worked into Memnon's character this gave him more depth and value.

The best part of the book was the magic system. FINALLY a good magic book which is not a copy of the famous wizarding school. Finally a book with rhyme spells, witch coven and sisterhood. A book where the spells are done with candles and chalk drawings. I loved every part of the magical world that was introduced. Especially the familiars. I would really like to know more about the familiars. What can familiars do for the witches. Why do witches have them? How are they useful?

I also really loved the werewolves. The pack and their dynamics was very nicely done. Kane was very lovable and enjoyable and it was shame we didn't get more involvement from him.

(Unpopular opinion) I loved the cliffhanger! It freaking destroyed me! The events leading to it were pure FIRE and then the book just stopped. I was screaming and crying... absolute masterpiece!

Okay, there was a lot to love about this book. I liked the magic and I am always a sucker for magic universities. I thought that the magic that takes her memories was a unique idea. I did feel like some parts were rushed or happened abruptly. I felt like more time could have been spent on certain parts because some of the plot felt surface level to the point it was hard to invest. Like the werewolves felt like an afterthought, but maybe will come up in later books. Overall, I still found it to be a page turner and look forward to seeing where the plot goes!

Thanks to Bloom Books, Netgalley and the author for an ARC. I am leaving this unbiased review voluntarily and have not been compensated for it.

I read Thalassa's Four Horsemen books and thoroughly enjoyed them, so when the opportunity arose to read this first book in a new series, I jumped at it.

Selene is a witch and has always wanted to attend Henbane Academy, but can't get in until she goes on a quest and finds a familiar. When she wakes Memnon from his sleep of two thousand years accidentally, he comes to Henbane to find her.

I think this author specialises in the 'falling for the wrong man' storyline. Memnon, while hot and in love with Selene, is not a nice guy. The reader, like Selene, is torn between being drawn to him and repulsed by his methods.

I wish I knew that there would be a cliffhanger end to this story, as I was expecting things to be tied up, at least a little bit, in the first book. But it looks like I will need to wait for the next book to find out what happens with Selene and Memnon (and whether I even want their love to continue).

A great start to a compelling series.

Super bummed. I loved this authors work with the Horseman series, but this story’s vibe was just completely off. I honestly kept checking that it was the same author to make sure I was reading the right book.

The story and world building started off strong, but then it just got super convoluted (I mean, confusing and stupid drama convoluted), and I wasn’t really sure where it was going, especially with the FMC. At some points in the story, I thought she was awesome and in others she was just super annoying.

To close I’m just super frustrated and hoping that this was just a blip for the author, and there will be better things to come in the future.