After a brief hiatus on this series, my review of Bespelled by Laura Thalassa finally gets its moment to shine! After that cliffhanger in book one, I had so many questions about Selene and Memnon – especially after he basically framed her and forced her into a marriage pact. I’ve been sitting on my thoughts about how this book compares to the first, and I’m finally ready to break it down!
**Please Note: This review contains major spoilers**
Plot Summary
“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.
(Via Goodreads)
Quality of Writing
Rating: 5/5
The writing in Bespelled is such a massive step up from the first book. I only spotted two typos total, which is a huge win compared to the first one being a bit messy with grammar. I’m actually obsessed with Laura’s style; she nails Selene’s POV so perfectly that it doesn’t even feel like reading. It just feels like your own internal monologue, making it super easy to get lost in the story.
Plot Development
Rating: 5/5
The mystery in Bespelled really takes off once we find out Memnon basically framed Selene just to keep a criminal organization happy. From there, it’s just a wild ride of “why” and “how” as the plot thickens. I love that this book still feels like a total love letter to The Mummy and Sabrina the Teenage Witch – it’s got such a fun vibe that has my whole heart.
Characters
Rating: 5/5
Memnon is still his usual unhinged self in Bespelled, but he actually gets a solid redemption arc this time. Even with his level of insanity, his total devotion to Selene is so sweet. I was also so relieved that Selene stopped being petty and finally met him in the middle, and let me tell you, that spicy payoff is absolutely worth the wait!
It was also great to see more of the side characters getting involved in the plot as the murder mystery unfolds. I loved getting a bit more time with Sybil and diving into Memnon’s family lore as Selene starts piecing together her past with him.
Ease of Reading
Rating: 5/5
Bespelled goes down like butter, just like the first book did. The plot is super easy to follow, and I seriously did not want to put it down the entire time I was reading. Luckily, I was actually on vacation while I tackled this one, so I didn’t have to stop!
Ending
Rating: 5/5
The murder mystery in Bespelled actually wraps up with the destruction of the criminal empire behind everything, but in classic Memnon fashion, that’s definitely not the end of the story. I honestly love his antics, so I’m not even mad about it. I’m dying to see what happens next now that Memnon and Selene have basically inherited a whole criminal organization!
Would I Recommend This Book
Yes! I feel like I don’t hear a whole lot about this series, but Bespelled is so incredibly good and such a fun read. If you’re a fan of morally gray men and those perfect witchy vibes, this one is 100% for you.
Overall Rating
I’m so impressed with how much the writing style improved in Bespelled – The POV is just spot on. The murder mystery is still super engaging and really keeps the story moving. Plus, the romantic development between Memnon and Selene is totally swoon worthy, and it was great seeing the side characters get more involved in the mess. It’s a fast paced read that’s impossible to put down, and that ending? Completely insane. I’m already counting down the days until the final book!
Book Rating: 5/5
Spice Rating: 3.5/5
Curious about how I rate my reads? Check out my Rating System Blog Post for more!
Let’s Talk
What’s one thing that keeps you coming back to a series, even when the first book is a bit rocky?
Reading Stack
Previous Book: Immortal
Current Book: Darkness Bound/ The Curse That Binds
Next Book: Crown of Midnight
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