After the incredible popularity of Laura Thalassa’s Four Horsemen series, I was excited to try some of her other books, something fresh and slightly lighter if possible. Bewitched is a new trilogy about a modern society where witchcraft and other supernatural entities are a normal occurrence.
Selene is the main heroine in this trilogy. She is a witch who is unlike the others. Each time she uses her magic, some of her memories are erased. She has accepted this and found ways to cope with the anomaly. Desperate to get into the local coven, Selene is working tirelessly to impress them and not let her memory issues prevent her from doing so. Due to her lack of interesting magical quest and familiar, Selen feels defeated but is not ready to give in just yet. In a last attempt to impress the coven, Selene boards a plane to begin her trip into South America and visit to the Galapagos Islands. Unfortunately, this plane journey doesn’t go to plan when she starts hearing this strange voice aboard the plane, one that is guiding her forcefully somewhere. As the plane starts experiencing turbulence and eventually starts to crash, Selene intervenes saving all the passengers aboard but depleting her magic. The voice is still there, guiding her twenty miles away from the crash site to a strange crypt. She discovers a man, asleep and awakens him not understanding the consequences of her actions.
Returning to the US with a panther familiar, which I don’t know why, I found slightly corny, and an impressive magical quest Selene is determined to get back to normal but this will not happen any time soon.
Memnon, the mystical man from the crypt has returned with Selene, desperate for revenge on a woman named Roxilana, his wife who he thinks trapped him in the tomb and betrayed their relationship.
Obviously, Selene is having a ‘wtf’ moment as she has no idea what he is on about. For the remainder of the review, I will try and remain spoiler free as it’s definitely a wild journey.
This book has a blend of college life, ancient magic, unknown enemies, and new magic system. It felt like a soap opera in book form to me. I didn’t dislike it, but I didn’t find it emotionally charging either. It was entertaining, the romance was fun to read and the plot kept moving throughout with twists and turns right until the end. I definitely went straight into book two – Bespelled.

What a fun witchy read!
This did not have a slow start and pulled you in immediately. The action was there, the plot was there and the relationship development started strong.

They all did kind of fizzle out in the middle - I think part of Selene not remembering parts of her life when she does magic will always alter the timeline of things. It felt like I didn't know what was going on, but the characters didn't either.

I am reading reviews that this is in the same world as the bargainer but I felt like the world building was not as detailed as I expected in book one. You knew everything you needed to know, but nothing else. The immediate community was understood but past that, not a ton of details. I think there could have been more, even if you've read the other series.

I am a stan for a book boyfriend, okay! The thing that I felt was so different and enjoyable here was that Laura did such a good job at can we trust Memnon - I questioned it the entire time. He was acting a fool and then Selene was not saying what she meant while also forgetting things. Through it all, the fact that I was like is he good or bad for Selene is so different then my usual attitude toward fictional men, I liked that I wasn't completely one way or another.

The cliff made me jump to book 2 so just be prepared and have it ready to go!
Thank you NetGalley for the ebook with Bespelled's release

#Bewitched:

Thank you so much @bloom for my gifted copy.

Memnon, it’s on site.

I received book 1 and 2 from @bloom since Bespelled is out on the 28th. I flipped through a few pages, became instantly hooked, and two sleepless nights later, I finished and had the biggest book hangover.

This book was what I needed at the perfect time. A FMC that is loud, proud, and stubborn. She’s a hint of snark. A very sketchy, yet brooding love interest. There’s a magical school that is having mysterious murders on campus, a pack that I’m totally down with. (I love Kane, so can we make sure he gets his HEA please?)

I can go on and on about how much I loved this book. It’s just what I needed, ya know? Also, Nero, ugh, I just adore you. The snark and mystery with a good ole dollop of spice really just did it for me.

Off to go obsess over book 2 now!

Predict text: I was bewitched….

I was bewitched by the fact that I was not a good reader!

🖤🥀 Bewitched Review 🥀🖤

Thank you so much to Laura Thalassa and Bloom Books for the opportunity to read and review this book!

Bewitched is a fantasy romance and book one in the Bewitched series. Selene dreams of being part of the Henbane coven. But whenever she uses her magic, she loses pieces of her memory. When she’s given two tasks to complete before being admitted to the coven, she realizes she might be taking on more than she expected

This book was such a fun read. I really enjoyed the unique world building and different twists to traditional witchy lore. Selene is a wonderful character and I loved her strength throughout this story. Memnon is just absolutely delicious and I really enjoyed his character.

Overall this was a four star read for me. It was a fun start to a new series! I really enjoyed the characters and the world - I can’t wait for the second book! This book did have some darker elements, so please check triggers if you’re sensitive. This book did have spicy moments throughout, so overall three flames for spice

If you’re a fan of strong characters, unique world building and ancient enemies vibes, then absolutely pick this one up!

4.25 stars!!

WOW a witch's coven, missing memories, a 2000 year old sorcerer soul mate awakening from a curse, familiars galore, and a string of murders...this truly is new york's hottest club!!

All Selene Bowers wants to do is get into Henbane Coven so she can have a support system and be with other witches. What she doesn't expect is crashing a plane in Peru, awakening a millennia-long cursed socerer named Memnon, and ending up with a lot more than she bargained for. All magic has a cost, and her cost is her memories- the very thing that could help her figure out what exactly has happened to her life!! Memnon, of course, remembers all 2000 years he's been cursed, and a life he led before with his warrior queen wife, Roxilana- and wouldn't you know, Selene looks and acts JUST LIKE HER. If only her memories weren't consistently disappearing and she could know for sure one way or the other.

This is such a fascinating world, spun-off slightly from the Bargainer world (mostly just that the same supernatural laws and universities exist), where witches and lycanthropes and other supernatural beings live in our world and hide their magic. I loved getting a chance to dive in and learn more about the witches of this world, and have a much more positive view of lycanthropes after the Bargainer! The mystery of this book still hasn't been fully solved, and I feel like the story is just beginning. I cannot wait to get to the next book and see where the story goes from here!!

Thank you so much to Laura Thalassa and NetGalley for a chance to read this in exchange for an honest review...onto Bespelled!!!

Spellbinding. I cannot wait for the release of Bespelled, the second installment of Laura Thalassa’s Bewitched at the end of this month. Thank you NetGalley and Sourcebooks for giving me the opportunity to read Bewitched in advance.

STORY LOVES
♥️♥️♥️

SPICE
- - -

RECOMMEND
💳 yes

Selene Bowers seeks acceptance into Henbane Coven by embarking on a quest to connect with her powers. However, when her magic saves her from a supernatural attack, it erases her memories. Unknowingly awakening an ancient evil, Memnon the Cursed, Selene becomes entangled in a dangerous plot at her new school. Accused of murders due to her memory loss, she must rely on Memnon's help, setting off a chain of events that will change her destiny.

At first, this book reminded me of the movie 'The Mummy' since Memnon believes Selene to be his long-lost wife. But every time I thought I knew what was happening, there was another twist and more questions to be answered. If you want a book to keep you on your toes, this is it! From the slow-burn, tension and spice to the thrilling twists, I could not read this fast enough. The ending left me with my jaw on the floor, immediately needing the next book. I cannot wait to see how Selene will make it out of this hot mess!

Thank you Sourcebooks/Bloom books for the ARC!

What a fun and exciting ride! I love Laura Thalassa and was thrilled to get a copy of Bewitched, and it didn’t disappoint! I loved the world building, the magic system, Selene’s internal struggles with her abilities, etc. And the romance! 😍😍 I’m so excited to see where this story goes next!

Utterly romantic and addicting, this thrilling read blends elements of adventure, fantasy, and romance together to create a start to a bewitching new series.

All Selene has ever wanted is to be accepted into Henbane Coven and feel a sense of belonging in her journey as a witch. But her magic comes at a price. With every spell she casts, she loses a piece of her memory, making her chances of acceptance hard to achieve. When she is faced with an opportunity to become part of the coven by going on a more intricate quest, she accepts the challenge. But when mysterious forces impose on her trip, she accidentally wakes an ancient sorcerer, who may be more powerful than she could have imagined.

If you loved Rachel Griffin’s nature-filled witchy books, this magical world-building is similar but almost a grown-up version with a hint of mystery, mysticism, and allure of The Mummy and the thrill and adventure of Indiana Jones. I loved the witchy element so much! I enjoyed seeing Selene find a familiar (my heart!!) and go about her life as a witch.

The romance was very intriguing as well. It was a mix of curiosity and lust, leading to something completely compelling and intoxicating (whew!). I think this book set up the romance and story so well for the next one, and I’m excited to see what happens next!

3.5/5

*Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for sending me an eARC in exchange for an honest review.*

Selene Bowers is determined to get into the Henbane Coven to focus her magic studies . She was previously rejected because her magic feeds off of her memories and it is considered fatal. She needs to have a life defining adventure of epic proportions in order to gain entry this time around. She ends up in the jungles of South America and ends up accidentally waking up a 2000 year old sorcerer who claims to be her mate!

I loved this book! Even though Selene is constantly losing her memories, she isn't a push over and is smart with her record keeping. This book did drag a little in the middle but after I got over that hump the story flew by!

I can't wait to see what happens in the next book!

I was really into the whole witchy premise of this book. I loved being at the coven & getting to learn about the classes witches take to continue their magical education. It was unusual that Selene lost her memories everytime she cast a spell and something I’ve definitely never read before. Her friendship with Sybil was great & I actually wish we got more of that.

I absolutely did not like Memnon or anything pertaining to him, which kind of sucks because that’s majority of the story. I didn’t really buy him and Selene’s relationship and their chemistry was weird. His constant need to refer to her as my soulmate or mate made me crazy- dead ass sounded like a drunk British/Australian dude talking to one of his friends MATE. This is truly the first morally grey MMC I absolutely do not enjoy.

But of course I’m a sucker and must know what happens in the next book. I will absolutely be reading it even though Memnon makes me want to jump out a window. Gosh he sucks. Give me less of him and more coven.

Thank you to NetGalley and Laura Thalassa for the ARC of this title!

I loved the concept for this book, and was actually quite surprised by how much it pulled be in towards the back half of the book. While I have some complaints as far as a couple of elements of the story (see below), I am hoping they get resolved in the next installment. I also felt like there were times I got thrown out of the story, particularly with Memnon as be began to use more modern language, but it didn't stop me from wanting to continue the story. The cliffhanger was STEEP and I need to know more!

If Goodreads had a more nuanced rating scale I would probably honestly give this book a 3.5-3.7 because again, I just feel like it was not *quite* there are far as would building and background information for my specific tastes, but YMMV, but I was otherwise entertained and kept hooked, which is higher on my hierarchy of needs for reading for pleasure, so I'm happy to leave it at a 4 here! I'll definitely be seeking out more in the Laura Thalassa universe in the meantime while waiting for "Bespelled"!




------SPOILERS BELOW------------------------------------------------------




















Below are some more specific pros/cons that contain book spoilers!

One of my biggest complaints with the book overall is that I feel like we have a lot of loose ends that aren't tied up, and I can't tell if that is because they're going to be addressed later, or if that is because of the writing. Immediate examples of this include the werewolf/shifter plot line (literally got brought up at the last minute while a ton of other things were going on), and honestly the entire plot with the police. I felt like with a lot of the interweaving story lines the plot was just ~missing~ enough extra details to make them seem centered in the story. I think there were several really good examples of Selene's memory issues being used to alarm the reader and also explain why she's not paying attention to certain things, like when we are introduced to Kasey twice. However, I feel there were a ton of small moments when things either needed a couple of extra lines to show Selene has forgotten, because otherwise I felt more than once things were specifically ignored by the author and/or I as the reader was supposed to assume Selene had forgotten.

I also like a lot of worldbuilding, and I think I would have liked to se more lore around the school, more of Selene's day-to-day activities, and the world of the witches and supernatural in general to feel more set in the story. Same with more of the tertiary characters, there were definitely times where I felt as though her BFF was just there to play the BFF role instead of functioning as a fleshed out character (actually, I don't think she was ever described physically in the book, now that I think about it). Same comments about the familiar selection and their purpose, I just feel like we got pushed through it without really getting settled into the story and WHY a familiar is important or more lore around them.

I also really would have liked more insight into what Memnon was doing off-page. I think it sometimes just felt like he was hanging out backstage waiting to become plot relevant, and I would have loved to figure out how he managed the new world, or how he got to San Francisco, or where he's getting money from, but this all may be revealed in later books. Like I can barely handle online banking as a Millennial child of the internet and he's been here for a few months and has it down pat? Debatable. I would also love to learn more about his background culture, but I definitely feel like that will be forthcoming. I do really like that he's a proper enemy in the enemies-to-lovers trope instead of just a reluctant ally and or "we'll we're kind of enemies but we're iN lOvE so not really". This man is an Enemy with a capital 'E' and I am here for it.

Overall though, as I said I enjoyed the story and will absolutely be continuing the series. While I would like more depth and more background in the lore, this was still an entertaining read! I am hoping some of the things I am concerned about will be explained in the next book, which I can't wait to get my hands on!

In "Bewitched" by Laura Thalassa, readers are drawn into a mesmerizing world where magic comes at a steep price. The protagonist, Selene, possesses a unique and dangerous gift—her magic devours her memories. Thalassa weaves a captivating tale around this central premise, exploring the complexities of power, sacrifice, and identity.

One of the book's most compelling aspects is its exploration of Selene's struggle with her own abilities. As her magic consumes her memories, she faces a constant battle to retain her sense of self. Thalassa skillfully portrays this internal conflict, delving into Selene's psyche with depth and nuance.

Furthermore, Thalassa's world-building is immersive and richly detailed, transporting readers to a realm where magic is both wondrous and perilous. From the intricate political machinations to the vividly depicted landscapes, every aspect of the setting feels alive and vibrant.

While the central premise of memory-consuming magic is undeniably intriguing, Thalassa also excels in crafting a gripping plot filled with twists and turns. The pacing is brisk, keeping readers on the edge of their seats as Selene navigates a treacherous world filled with danger and deception.

Overall, "Bewitched" is a captivating read that will enchant fans of fantasy and romance alike. Thalassa's masterful storytelling and compelling characters make this a book that is impossible to put down. With its inventive premise and thrilling narrative, "Bewitched" is sure to leave a lasting impression on readers long after they've turned the final page.

Thank you Bloom Books and Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I'm gonna be honest. I love Laura Thalassa. I have been a big fan of her writing since Four Horseman. However I feel like I definitely need to go back and read Rhapsodic and that whole series to then come back and enjoy this more.

This book started off great. I was sucked into the plot. Selene’s trip and releasing of Memnon was intriguing. However, it seemed to go downhill from there. Memnon is obsessed with his “soul mate” and is desperate for Selene to regain her memories. He does a TERRIBLE job of endearing himself to her though. He wants his revenge for being stuck in a tomb for so long. I get it. But the notebooks and his actions at the ball were pretty irredeemable in my opinion. They were callous, especially for someone who supposedly loves his soul mate.
Selene’s actions around Memnon are equally as bad. She hates him, loathes him, but is attracted to him and becomes a pliable puddle in his presence. Girl has no backbone. She has good qualities though. She is determined, independent, loyal, and fiercely protective of others.
I did enjoy her familiar, Nero, even though he doesn’t do much in this first book. Selene’s best friend, Sybil, is my favorite character and honestly, the werewolf should have gotten the girl.
I’m going to read the next book to find out how this all plays out, because the ending is a big cliffhanger. I’m very curious to see how the author tries to develop the relationship between Selene and Memnon, or if he does something major to redeem himself.

I couldnt get into this book, unfortunately. I was so excited for it, but this genre just isnt for me i suppose.

5/5 ⭐️

Laura Thalassa has done an amazing job with this new series!
This is my 2nd read (a year later) and I forgot how much I loved this book! Thalassa’s writing is brilliant and beautiful!

The world of magic and witches is so exquisitely shaped. The spells were brilliant and the magic was exciting.
Selene, the FMC, is snarky with a twisted sense of humor. But she is endearing and lovable. Memnon, the FMC, is well, a bit unhinged and maniacal; and a bit rough around the edges.
The dynamic between the MCs is a bit, well a lot, of a love-hate relationship. But I get it, he just wants his queen back. I really wanted to hate him for all the turmoil he put Selene through, but it’s really hard to not love him. While there is a bit of spice in this book, I foresee much more coming in future installments.
The plot was well thought out and captivating. The story gripped me from the very beginning and never let go. I think there is still a lot to learn about the two and their past and I’m looking forward to finding out where the story goes. PSA - this book ends on a bit of a cliffy.

A huge thank you to NetGalley, Laura Thalassa and Bloom books for allowing me the opportunity to read this ARC!

I really wanted to love this book and tried a few times to push through but I think the writing style wasn't for me. It was unfortunately a DNF.

Unfortunately I tried! I got to Chapter 8. Here is my honest review.
I am a huge fantasy lover and I love everything about magic.

I loved the first part of the book, the meeting and the school of witches and the interaction with the characters. The magic that uses memories ect this got me excited! I was enthralled in it, I was like yes it’s going to have a Harry Potter feel to it mixed with quests and magic.

But my honest opinion it was lacking in something. The quest was rushed I felt like it was jumping from one scene to the next, left me a bit confused. The part it really needs to be reeled in more is less descriptive of feelings and thoughts, it just drags on and on especially with ‘my queen’ There needs to be more world building. I felt lost a few times. Although I do love the character she has a great sense of humour and swears a lot. But the character fell in love quickly? Really?
With the familiar it was great but, the connection straight away was too quick and she doesn’t seem to be weirder out, and suddenly they are on this adventure together. It felt too quick and rushed the story didn’t have the reason behind it such as who she was, why she was at the witches school, who is the family and friends, it felt like it missed a lot. Should have been more world building. I really wished that I stayed at the school it would have been more interesting rather than a plane crash… I am sorry but I can do it too many of the same words are sentences! It feels like it’s repeated a lot and I have grown board of it. DNF!

I wished there was more gradual steps for each scene. 2 stars 🌟

Dark academia vibes with one of Laura Thalassa’s female leads? Sign me right up. I have been chomping at the bit for a GOOD Dark academia read, and this one gave me a GREAT one. One of the things I love about this author is how she keeps you invested with character conversations and banter, and this was no different. Selene and Memnon work to solve a murder before one of them (cough cough Selene) meets the wrong side of the law and I couldn’t put this one down!