Title: Bespelled
Author: Laura Thalassa
Series: Bewitched #2
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Published: May 28, 2024
Format: eARC (NetGalley)
Pages: 546
Re-read: Lost Count
Spice Level: 4/5
Age Rating: 18+
Tropes: Morally Grey Hero, Touch Her and Die, Obsessive Possessive Alpha Anti Hero, Fated Mates, Past Life Connection, Strong Heroine, Suspense, Witch x Sorcerer, Groveling Hero, Enemies to Lovers
Bespelled Book Review
I wondered if Bespelled by Laura Thalassa, the second book in the Bewitched series, would hold me captive as Book One did. And yes, it did. This love story between Memnon and Selene spanning a millennia, ‘bespelled’ me to finish this book in just one day, desperate for more.
Okay, I tried inserting the book name like that haha!
PS – Haven’t read the first book? Check out my review of Bewitched by Laura Thalassa. Together, Bewitched and Bespelled form a gripping paranormal romance series.
After that explosive ending in the first book, I felt like I was dying of thirst. Laura’s good at making you think of her characters constantly. Bespelled is honestly everything I was expecting from a sequel.
Bespelled was just as gripping as Bewitched (maybe more so). The momentum was strong and the plot unraveled smoothly in every chapter.
Note: If you haven’t read the first book, stop reading this review as it will contain spoilers.
I want you to crave me the way I crave you. You are the air in my lungs and the blood in my veins, and all the power and glory in the world are useless without you.
If there’s one thing that entices me the most in a Dark Paranormal Romance is the villain-ish hero who is uber-powerful, willing to ruin the world, accept his mistake, and grovel till he wins the heart of his heroine back. This book has one of the best groveling tropes I have ever read in a romance book.
Memnon took me by surprise. I remember being fearful of him and his intentions for Selene in the first book. Bespelled dives more into his personality and his motivations. What drives him is his ultimate love for Selene. Although he is manipulative, and cunning, always strategizing to be in the position of power, he realizes the mistake he made and surrenders his power to Selene for the time being (or did he? LOL).
He’s lonely, and a little lost in this modern world, but he has an anchor in Selene and their past incomplete love story. He wants her and he’ll have her. He is an alpha hole male, completely about Selene and protective and possessive of her. I loved him in this book.
Clever, vicious woman. I should know by now that you would have vengeance to match my own.
Selene is a badass witch. She’s a completely different version from Bewitched and comes fully into her power.
Written completely in her POV, we understand what she’s going through. Her struggles to reconcile her past and present self, and Memnon as she knew him in the past and now.
She is as powerful as him — and there’s more to her that we will learn in the third book. I loved her character development in this one. She is true to herself. Despite several setbacks, she doesn’t lose the kindness she has and I hope she doesn’t harden much in the future.
She’s vengeful, and won’t give Memnon the time of the day, but luckily for him, she needs his help, and together they’ll solve whatever’s haunting them.
We have toppled armies and slain enemies for each other. We are bold, wicked creatures, est amage.
The plot is woven so beautifully. The major focus is on the romance, Memnon’s path to redemption, and Selene finding herself and trying to understand her king. There’s a mystery surrounding the coven, and both will do their best to reveal it and fight their enemies along the way.
Bespelled is as unique, sexy, steamy, and full of action, suspense, and heartbreaking moments, as in Bewitched. It kept me hooked, on my toes, giggling at the main characters’ budding romance, the angst, the broken trust that Memnon does his best to repair, a strong heroine – Selene, who made Memnon work for it, for her and for their future.
The book ends on a lighter cliffhanger than Bewitched, leaving you desperate for more. It’s perfect actually, making you guess what’s in store for us in the next one as it doesn’t end in a conflict.
I loved this book. I highly recommend everyone who is a fan of the paranormal, Witches, Suspense, Obsessive Possessive Alpha Hero, and a strong heroine.
Also, can we take a moment to appreciate this artwork, for Bespelled’s special edition?
Is Bespelled a standalone book?
No, Bespelled by Laura Thalassa is Book 2 in the Bewitched series and cannot be read as a standalone.
Are Bewitched and Bespelled a duology?
No, Bewitched is a trilogy and Bespelled is Book 2 in the Bewitched Series.
Does Bespelled end in a cliffhanger?
Not really. The ending in Bespelled is not as bad as Bewitched (Book 1).
Is there a book after bespelled?
Yes, The Curse the Binds is Book 2.5 in the series and is set to release on 1st July 2025.
Is Bespelled on Kindle Unlimited?
Yes, all of the Bewitched books including Bespelled are available on Kindle Unlimited (All the more reasons for you to read!)
Bespelled by Laura Thalassa Blurb
“Neither magic, nor time, can keep us apart. We are like the stars. Eternal.”
No one told witch Selene Bowers having a soul mate would be so difficult. Nor did they warn her that he might be a vengeful, ancient sorcerer who would frame her for murder, force her to remember a past life he swears she lived, and then coerce her into an unbreakable marriage pact. But that’s exactly what happens the night of the Samhain Ball, when Selene finds herself in a jail cell.
After waking from enchanted sleep, Memnon swore to discover why Selene betrayed him long ago. But when his soul mate’s memories return, the truth reveals something else entirely. Horrified by his own actions and desperate to make amends, Memnon offers Selene the unthinkable: a magic bond that will give her full control over his will. And Selene is desperate enough to accept it.
But other enemies still haunt Henbane Coven, Selene’s magical academy, and they’ve taken a keen interest in her. If she wants to stop them, she’ll need Memnon’s help. But partnering with the sorcerer is a tricky business, especially when he’s dead set on winning her heart. And that can’t happen…because the bond controlling him will break the moment she falls in love with him.
Purchase Links
About Laura Thalassa:
Found in the forest when she was young, Laura Thalassa was raised by fairies, kidnapped by werewolves, and given over to vampires as repayment for a hundred year debt. She’s been brought back to life twice, and, with a single kiss, she woke her true love from eternal sleep. She now lives happily ever after with her undead prince in a castle in the woods.
… or something like that anyway.
When not writing, Laura can be found scarfing down guacamole, hoarding chocolate for the apocalypse, or curled up on the couch with a good book.
Books in the Bewitched Series:
