Tags: #DarkRomance #Soulmates #AncientMagic #Witches #QueenRoxilana #SeriesFinale #CeceRecs
Some love stories start with a mystery. Some grow into an obsession. And some turn out to be so much bigger than you ever expected.
That is what this journey with Selene and Memnon became for me. I started this series for the gothic mystery and the mysterious, obsessively devoted love interest. I stayed because I loved Memnon, loved watching the relationship develop, and needed to understand the history connecting these two.
꧁The Characters꧂
I love Memnon. I understood his fear long before I had the full history: his fear of her being hurt, and of being the only one who remembered what they had been to each other. I wanted the story to let us see the whole picture, and I was already rooting for him before the soulmate revelations made everything even more devastating.
I love Selene, too. She starts strong, though there are moments when I wanted her to stop holding herself back and remember that there are BIGGER THINGS AT HAND. I wanted her to trust herself, embrace her power, and take up the space her story keeps telling us she deserves.
꧁The World Building꧂
One of my favorite things about this series is piecing together the history of these characters while trying to figure out the larger plot. The revelations make you reconsider what you thought you understood, and the story keeps pulling the present and the past closer together until their connection feels impossible to separate.
And yes, we also get to scream at the scheming evil fairy bitch. MA’AM. We have QUESTIONS. We have grievances. We have been through THREE BOOKS and I would like a word.
꧁The Romance꧂
An ancient warlord sorcerer king is cursed, wakes up in the modern world, and chooses violence. But he loves his girl.
YOU KNOW THIS IS MY KIND OF PLOT.
What makes the romance work for me is that I was already on their side before I knew the full truth. The history didn’t create my investment; it deepened it. Suddenly, every glimpse of his fear, every moment of devotion, and every attempt to protect her carries another layer of meaning.
Because after everything, I want her to have that. I want her to embrace her power. I want her to be brave enough to trust again. I want her to have the chance to live the life she deserves.
꧁The Cece Verdict꧂
This is a love letter to the journey: the gothic mystery that hooked me, the relationship that made me fall harder, and the history that made me want these two to have their happy ending even more.
Laura Thalassa, thank you for giving me Memnon, for making me care about Selene and Roxilana, and for taking a romance that already had me invested and revealing the deeper story underneath it all.
Memnon, sir, you are a PROBLEM. I regret absolutely nothing.
꧁A Letter to the Queen꧂
And because I needed to give these feelings somewhere to go, I wrote this letter for the queen. These are my words, inspired by Selene and Roxilana’s journey.
My dearest Queen,
Your subjects are loyal and as numbered as the stars above. The Ancient Ones recognize that your being of pure light, power and beauty is too much for this world.
We have tried many times to bring you back.
But the love of your king Memnon, the sorcerer king of the Sarmatians has proven itself worthy of another chance. Another… lifetime.
We mourn the future that amage Roxilana would have brought to all under your rule.
We thank you for your secret, whispered as bargaining for a greater power.
We honor your sacrifice and hope you feel pleased by the second life that awaits you – Health, love from parents and a chance to know true friendship if you are but brave enough.
We hope you have better selection of who you trust than your soul mate did.
We are awaiting eagerly news of how you shall continue this journey with a new name, a new destiny, and a new life ahead. We hope you embrace all it has to offer with open arms, bravery and curiosity. Never forget your power. For but a single drop of your blood and the words only you can speak will again unleash a great power.
We will not forgive this realm for betraying you a second time.
For the sake of this world you love so much…
May your second life as Selene find happiness…
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