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Her Spell Trilogy #1
Her Spell That Binds Me
A spellbinding rivalry unraveled by fate...A sapphic romance born from the ashes of prejudice…A Regency Era tale of lust and magic.
Iona's magic thrives in ways that defy explanation.
The threads of fate pull Iona to Lysander College, an illustrious school for aristocratic witches of great renown. Though Iona is only a novice witch with no ancestral claim to old magic, her anomalous power garners the unwanted attention of imperious witches in her class.
Ariadne is a prodigy of magic descended from a prestigious bloodline of witches.
Ariadne is her family’s one hope of maintaining their noble status in high society. When Iona arrives at college under mysterious circumstances, wielding magic that somehow rivals Ariadne’s, she makes it her vendetta to put Iona in her place.
The scholarly witches of Lysander College share one common goal: to claim the coveted pendant of Morgan Le Fay.
Within the pendant's shimmering stones lies indomitable power, which can only be claimed by the witch who wins Morgan’s arcane trials in Spring. Ariadne must claim the pendant for her family or face the consequences should she fail. Ariadne will not let Iona steal her victory, though she might steal her heart.
Her Spell That Binds Me is an F/F rivals to lovers, dual POV, dark fantasy romance novel. Contains mature themes.
Iona's magic thrives in ways that defy explanation.
The threads of fate pull Iona to Lysander College, an illustrious school for aristocratic witches of great renown. Though Iona is only a novice witch with no ancestral claim to old magic, her anomalous power garners the unwanted attention of imperious witches in her class.
Ariadne is a prodigy of magic descended from a prestigious bloodline of witches.
Ariadne is her family’s one hope of maintaining their noble status in high society. When Iona arrives at college under mysterious circumstances, wielding magic that somehow rivals Ariadne’s, she makes it her vendetta to put Iona in her place.
The scholarly witches of Lysander College share one common goal: to claim the coveted pendant of Morgan Le Fay.
Within the pendant's shimmering stones lies indomitable power, which can only be claimed by the witch who wins Morgan’s arcane trials in Spring. Ariadne must claim the pendant for her family or face the consequences should she fail. Ariadne will not let Iona steal her victory, though she might steal her heart.
Her Spell That Binds Me is an F/F rivals to lovers, dual POV, dark fantasy romance novel. Contains mature themes.
429 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2024
About the author
Luna Oblonsky
6 books236 followersAuthor of the Her Spell Trilogy, Luna Oblonsky has a passion for crafting stories infused with themes of sapphic romance, magic, and historical elements. She resides in the city of Los Angeles with her beloved orange cat.
Connect with Luna on Instagram and TikTok [@lunaoblonsky] for behind-the-scenes glimpses into her creative process and exclusive updates on her latest projects.
Connect with Luna on Instagram and TikTok [@lunaoblonsky] for behind-the-scenes glimpses into her creative process and exclusive updates on her latest projects.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 412 reviews
March 7, 2024
5 stars. Okay, so for all of my Tryst Six Venom girlies take our beloved Clay and Olivia and put them in a school to be witches in regency times. Yeah. You’re welcome.
Now hold on, put your pitchforks away. I’m not saying that this is as good as TSV because lets be honest nothing is but I loved it. It just gave me those vibes in certain aspects of the characters dynamics. They are genuine enemies and play tricks on each other often. Ariadne is definitely the more mean girl of the two and I loved her so, so, SO much. She’s ruthless and determined to always one up Iona but when she falls for Iona she falls hard and I loved seeing her fall in love. Iona is a lot more timid but she definitely knows how to stand her ground against Ariadne and their chemistry was fantastic even when they hated each other. There are some hot scenes in this. I loved all of the ups and downs of their relationship and found their HEA to be well earned after everything that they had been through together.
While I think this book was a bit too long, especially the ending section seemed to drag it was overall very atmospheric and romantic. I loved the world building and the magic system and I did genuinely enjoy reading this. I wouldn’t mind a sequel set in this same world following some of the side characters.
Now hold on, put your pitchforks away. I’m not saying that this is as good as TSV because lets be honest nothing is but I loved it. It just gave me those vibes in certain aspects of the characters dynamics. They are genuine enemies and play tricks on each other often. Ariadne is definitely the more mean girl of the two and I loved her so, so, SO much. She’s ruthless and determined to always one up Iona but when she falls for Iona she falls hard and I loved seeing her fall in love. Iona is a lot more timid but she definitely knows how to stand her ground against Ariadne and their chemistry was fantastic even when they hated each other. There are some hot scenes in this. I loved all of the ups and downs of their relationship and found their HEA to be well earned after everything that they had been through together.
While I think this book was a bit too long, especially the ending section seemed to drag it was overall very atmospheric and romantic. I loved the world building and the magic system and I did genuinely enjoy reading this. I wouldn’t mind a sequel set in this same world following some of the side characters.
May 14, 2024
Did you say sapphic witches during the regency era?? Don't mind if I do!
Iona Evora is a witch who lives with her mother in a cottage by the sea. Isolated from the rest of the world, she is blind-sided when her mother falls ill and sends her off to study magic at Lysander College. A whirlwind of new information and new experiences show her that she has more power than some witches who have been studying their whole lives. And with her powers come new friends AND new enemies. Enemies who view her as competition for the pendant of one Morgan Le Fay-one of the most powerful magical artifacts in the world.
Ariadne is a witch from one of the most powerful magical families in Europe. And she is determined to win the pendant in the spring trials. Her future depends on it and she will let nothing stand in her way. Especially a new witch who seemingly came from nothing, no matter how attracted she is to her.
THIS SOUNDED SO GOOD. Right up my alley!! Magic, academic rivalry, enemies-to-lovers, LESBIANS. What's not to like???
The concept was SO GOOD! The execution? Not so much.
First of all, the writing was very stilted and awkward. The dialogue felt unnatural and the plot progression felt simultaneously too fast and too slow... the pacing was just very jerky. Like, the book could have been 90% shorter if I didn't have to hear every professor's lesson plans for the day. SHOW me, stop TELLING me. The world building was so forced and unnatural.
I think part of the problem was that the author couldn't decide whether they wanted romance with a fantasy sublot or fantasy with a romantic subplot. There was too much dense world-building for a romance and too much romantic subplot for a fantasy novel. And the romance moved too FAST, like these girls were practically MARRIED within 6 months. How do you go from hating someone's entire guts to with someone. Make it make sense.
And the writing, oh the writing.... it felt so in need of an editor. Sometimes it felt like I was getting an encyclopedia on the symbolism of flowers, sometimes it felt like I was getting a translation dictionary, sometimes it felt like an unedited journal written in pen of all of the ideas someone wanted to put in this book but some of it is scratched out and other bits of it are completely incompatible but they're in there anyway, but whatever it was it was being THROWN AT MY HEAD.
AND ONE OTHER THING. Did you ever played mermaids growing up? When you would be fighting over who had the best powers?? And the conversation would go a little something like this:
"Well, I have the most powerfullest tail and it's rainbow with gold sparkles and actually I can also make wings and I can fly."
"Okay, but I actually have a powerful tail that's more powerful than yours because I have moon magic and my mom was a double tailed mermaid and SHE had a magic sea shell necklace that she gave me so I can control dolphins and-"
"Well, MY necklace actually let's ME..."
You get the point. There was no concrete magic system, there were no stakes. Everyone had the most powerfullest magical artifact in the kingdom. Create rules and stick with them.
I wanted to like this book and I think it could have had potential with a little more polishing. I loved how sapphic it was and I loved the concept. It could have been SO good, but I think there was too much going on all at once. Whittle it down a little bit and hire a better editor. 2 stars.
Iona Evora is a witch who lives with her mother in a cottage by the sea. Isolated from the rest of the world, she is blind-sided when her mother falls ill and sends her off to study magic at Lysander College. A whirlwind of new information and new experiences show her that she has more power than some witches who have been studying their whole lives. And with her powers come new friends AND new enemies. Enemies who view her as competition for the pendant of one Morgan Le Fay-one of the most powerful magical artifacts in the world.
Ariadne is a witch from one of the most powerful magical families in Europe. And she is determined to win the pendant in the spring trials. Her future depends on it and she will let nothing stand in her way. Especially a new witch who seemingly came from nothing, no matter how attracted she is to her.
THIS SOUNDED SO GOOD. Right up my alley!! Magic, academic rivalry, enemies-to-lovers, LESBIANS. What's not to like???
The concept was SO GOOD! The execution? Not so much.
First of all, the writing was very stilted and awkward. The dialogue felt unnatural and the plot progression felt simultaneously too fast and too slow... the pacing was just very jerky. Like, the book could have been 90% shorter if I didn't have to hear every professor's lesson plans for the day. SHOW me, stop TELLING me. The world building was so forced and unnatural.
I think part of the problem was that the author couldn't decide whether they wanted romance with a fantasy sublot or fantasy with a romantic subplot. There was too much dense world-building for a romance and too much romantic subplot for a fantasy novel. And the romance moved too FAST, like these girls were practically MARRIED within 6 months. How do you go from hating someone's entire guts to with someone. Make it make sense.
And the writing, oh the writing.... it felt so in need of an editor. Sometimes it felt like I was getting an encyclopedia on the symbolism of flowers, sometimes it felt like I was getting a translation dictionary, sometimes it felt like an unedited journal written in pen of all of the ideas someone wanted to put in this book but some of it is scratched out and other bits of it are completely incompatible but they're in there anyway, but whatever it was it was being THROWN AT MY HEAD.
AND ONE OTHER THING. Did you ever played mermaids growing up? When you would be fighting over who had the best powers?? And the conversation would go a little something like this:
"Well, I have the most powerfullest tail and it's rainbow with gold sparkles and actually I can also make wings and I can fly."
"Okay, but I actually have a powerful tail that's more powerful than yours because I have moon magic and my mom was a double tailed mermaid and SHE had a magic sea shell necklace that she gave me so I can control dolphins and-"
"Well, MY necklace actually let's ME..."
You get the point. There was no concrete magic system, there were no stakes. Everyone had the most powerfullest magical artifact in the kingdom. Create rules and stick with them.
I wanted to like this book and I think it could have had potential with a little more polishing. I loved how sapphic it was and I loved the concept. It could have been SO good, but I think there was too much going on all at once. Whittle it down a little bit and hire a better editor. 2 stars.
May 15, 2024
5 Stars!!!
SAPPHIC WITCHES FOR THE WIN!
I am so in love with this story. I can’t even begin to describe how understated the cover is for the adventure, thrill and excitement bottled up inside! (I am not saying the cover is inferior. Quite the opposite. The cover is beautiful, elegant and perfect for the book). All of that plus the mystery, the enemies to lovers vibe? I cannot recommend this book enough! Oh oh and the spice? Oh lawd. There’s a scene when there was more than…… ok. That’s it. That’s all I’m going to share. It’s enough to peak one’s curiosity to start reading this book. So so good.
SAPPHIC WITCHES FOR THE WIN!
I am so in love with this story. I can’t even begin to describe how understated the cover is for the adventure, thrill and excitement bottled up inside! (I am not saying the cover is inferior. Quite the opposite. The cover is beautiful, elegant and perfect for the book). All of that plus the mystery, the enemies to lovers vibe? I cannot recommend this book enough! Oh oh and the spice? Oh lawd. There’s a scene when there was more than…… ok. That’s it. That’s all I’m going to share. It’s enough to peak one’s curiosity to start reading this book. So so good.
April 5, 2025
4.5
This was an enjoyable read! I was hooked by all the drama, angst, and steam—it really kept things entertaining as I followed Iona and Ariadne’s journey from enemies to lovers. I’ll admit, I had a hard time warming up to Ariadne at first—she was pretty awful until about the halfway mark—but once she started to redeem herself, it happened quickly and felt believable.
The world-building and lore were really well done, especially the college campus setting—it was so immersive, that I could easily lose myself in it. While the story could’ve used a bit of tightening here and there, overall, I had a great time with it!
This was an enjoyable read! I was hooked by all the drama, angst, and steam—it really kept things entertaining as I followed Iona and Ariadne’s journey from enemies to lovers. I’ll admit, I had a hard time warming up to Ariadne at first—she was pretty awful until about the halfway mark—but once she started to redeem herself, it happened quickly and felt believable.
The world-building and lore were really well done, especially the college campus setting—it was so immersive, that I could easily lose myself in it. While the story could’ve used a bit of tightening here and there, overall, I had a great time with it!
February 10, 2025
I loved this novel. Like, a lot. I read this in a single sitting while stuck on a plane and although it took several hours to read, they flew (hah) by very quickly. There is a lot in this novel, and it isn’t short, and that is something that I love. It wasn’t perfect and I have some nitpicks, but the good parts far outweigh any criticisms I have and the overall package was very enjoyable. Recommend!
My Rating: “A”
Converted Rating: 5-Stars.
The characters were well written and complex. Nothing 2-dimensional to see here! There were layers and past histories and lots of complicated feelings that made these characters (including side characters) feel very real. There was a solid little plotline, and the worldbuilding was well-executed and fantastical without being too complex or hard to understand. I like when a romance novel has substance outside of the romance, and this delivered. The writing was well done as well… everything was just all-around really good.
The romance/relationship between the protagonists was a strong point. Ill say right now that I struggle with “bully romance” style stories and generally its not my thing, but this was an example of it being done right. Without giving spoilers, ill just say that the way it was written worked for me and I was able to get onboard with the reconciliation and eventual romance. It is VERY EASY for an author to write a story like this that I would dislike, so congratz to this author for making it work for me (basically just this one and Tryst Six Venom lol). Overall, the relationship arc (and it was a hell of an arc) was well done and believable.
I LOVED what they did with the soul link thingy.
For some other nitpicks, because this wasn’t perfect, there were some inconsistencies and minor continuity errors (but not too bad or significant). Some of the details about the abilities of the magic didn’t quite work for me; I just don’t see things working as they do given the types of powers on display. It seems like the magic was SO powerful and nearly impossible to defend against that I’m shocked that everyone isn’t just being killed off all the time (reminded me about thoughts I had during Harry Potter lol). I don’t want to be the person saying that the magic wizard school wasn’t realistic…. Except that if you’re thinking about it “in universe” it IS possible for things to be realistic/consistent, following the rules of the fictional setting. Also, all this bullying and no one ever spoke to a teacher/administrator? Is it ok for students at this school to potentially kill each other off? Some clarity here would be nice.
One advantage of a high page count, is that you can cram in enough awesome details that the few sub-par ones get buried and disappear lmao.
My Rating: “A”
Converted Rating: 5-Stars.
The characters were well written and complex. Nothing 2-dimensional to see here! There were layers and past histories and lots of complicated feelings that made these characters (including side characters) feel very real. There was a solid little plotline, and the worldbuilding was well-executed and fantastical without being too complex or hard to understand. I like when a romance novel has substance outside of the romance, and this delivered. The writing was well done as well… everything was just all-around really good.
The romance/relationship between the protagonists was a strong point. Ill say right now that I struggle with “bully romance” style stories and generally its not my thing, but this was an example of it being done right. Without giving spoilers, ill just say that the way it was written worked for me and I was able to get onboard with the reconciliation and eventual romance. It is VERY EASY for an author to write a story like this that I would dislike, so congratz to this author for making it work for me (basically just this one and Tryst Six Venom lol). Overall, the relationship arc (and it was a hell of an arc) was well done and believable.
I LOVED what they did with the soul link thingy.
For some other nitpicks, because this wasn’t perfect, there were some inconsistencies and minor continuity errors (but not too bad or significant). Some of the details about the abilities of the magic didn’t quite work for me; I just don’t see things working as they do given the types of powers on display. It seems like the magic was SO powerful and nearly impossible to defend against that I’m shocked that everyone isn’t just being killed off all the time (reminded me about thoughts I had during Harry Potter lol). I don’t want to be the person saying that the magic wizard school wasn’t realistic…. Except that if you’re thinking about it “in universe” it IS possible for things to be realistic/consistent, following the rules of the fictional setting. Also, all this bullying and no one ever spoke to a teacher/administrator? Is it ok for students at this school to potentially kill each other off? Some clarity here would be nice.
One advantage of a high page count, is that you can cram in enough awesome details that the few sub-par ones get buried and disappear lmao.
June 28, 2024
I'm enchanted.
Iona and Ariadne experience an incredible journey to themselves and to each other.
This book is full of love, kindness, understanding and friendship.
And so many tears, fear and loss they have to endure.
I didn't want to leave this fantastic world.
Some books you just read and know that they will stay with you for a long time - this is one of those books for me 🖤
Iona and Ariadne experience an incredible journey to themselves and to each other.
This book is full of love, kindness, understanding and friendship.
And so many tears, fear and loss they have to endure.
I didn't want to leave this fantastic world.
Some books you just read and know that they will stay with you for a long time - this is one of those books for me 🖤
August 1, 2026
I am so mad at myself I didn't read this sooner, intensely glad I already have book two on hand, and low-key panicking because book three doesn't come out until 2027 and I am going to need it immediately.
I was blown away by this book. Literally... I devoured this delicious piece of work. I hate star ratings for a lot of reasons, but especially right now, because this absolutely deserves more than five.
The audiobook is perfection. Kimberly M. Wetherell nails the accents and the energy of this book perfectly... exactly the kind of narration that makes a world feel real in your ears. Completely immersive. The plotline is superb, the storytelling is something else (I don't even have the right words for it, you just have to experience it), and I am completely enamored with the way Luna Oblonsky builds Lysander College (this illustrious school for aristocratic witches) and the two women at the center of it. Iona is a novice witch with no ancestral claim to old magic, and yet her power is so anomalous it stuns everyone in her class. Ariadne is a prodigy from a prestigious bloodline, carrying her entire family's hope of holding onto their status in high society. This is 499 pages of spectacular sapphic storytelling and every single one earns its place.
Can we talk about the vocabulary for a second? It has been so long since I've had to look up a word while reading, and I want more of that. I freaking loved everything about how the author structured the sentences, lacing in such big beautiful words, building this incredible vision of this witchy world. When was the last time I even noticed something like that?! Idk, but give me a book that respects my brain and my heart in the same breath. I need more of thisssss.
This is one of my top 10 for 2026, no question. I am an instant Luna Oblonsky fan.
And babes!!!! I almost forgot... OMG the spice is spicing. The steam is steaming. And the sapphics are sapphic-ing. This is a historical paranormal that reads beautifully and does not skip on the steam in the slightest. Don't let the cover fool you. This book is sooooooo hot.
Iona and Ariadne go from rivals to something so much more, all set against a Regency-era witch academy where the entire school is racing for one thing: the coveted pendant of Morgan Le Fay, said to hold indomitable power that can only be claimed by whoever wins the arcane trials come Spring. Real stakes, real magic, real rivalry that slowly becomes something neither of them expected. If you want dark fantasy romance with brains, heart, and heat, start here.
I was blown away by this book. Literally... I devoured this delicious piece of work. I hate star ratings for a lot of reasons, but especially right now, because this absolutely deserves more than five.
The audiobook is perfection. Kimberly M. Wetherell nails the accents and the energy of this book perfectly... exactly the kind of narration that makes a world feel real in your ears. Completely immersive. The plotline is superb, the storytelling is something else (I don't even have the right words for it, you just have to experience it), and I am completely enamored with the way Luna Oblonsky builds Lysander College (this illustrious school for aristocratic witches) and the two women at the center of it. Iona is a novice witch with no ancestral claim to old magic, and yet her power is so anomalous it stuns everyone in her class. Ariadne is a prodigy from a prestigious bloodline, carrying her entire family's hope of holding onto their status in high society. This is 499 pages of spectacular sapphic storytelling and every single one earns its place.
Can we talk about the vocabulary for a second? It has been so long since I've had to look up a word while reading, and I want more of that. I freaking loved everything about how the author structured the sentences, lacing in such big beautiful words, building this incredible vision of this witchy world. When was the last time I even noticed something like that?! Idk, but give me a book that respects my brain and my heart in the same breath. I need more of thisssss.
This is one of my top 10 for 2026, no question. I am an instant Luna Oblonsky fan.
And babes!!!! I almost forgot... OMG the spice is spicing. The steam is steaming. And the sapphics are sapphic-ing. This is a historical paranormal that reads beautifully and does not skip on the steam in the slightest. Don't let the cover fool you. This book is sooooooo hot.
Iona and Ariadne go from rivals to something so much more, all set against a Regency-era witch academy where the entire school is racing for one thing: the coveted pendant of Morgan Le Fay, said to hold indomitable power that can only be claimed by whoever wins the arcane trials come Spring. Real stakes, real magic, real rivalry that slowly becomes something neither of them expected. If you want dark fantasy romance with brains, heart, and heat, start here.
Read
June 4, 2024dnf
a book that in theory has everything i could ever want, but in execution reads like what a 13 year old thinks regency books sound like.
the writing was atrocious, flip flopping between modern writing and historical which made is awkward and clunky, the main characters have 0(!!!!!) chemistry nothing about the romance or their rivalry made sense, and random things kept happening for the sake of story progression that had me looking weirdly at the page.
you could point a gun to my head and ask me to describe the plot to you and just like that id be dead because when i tell you there was no plot but just a series of things happening, way too much detail about every single fucking class they went to and a damn horny bond that was my last straw, i really mean it.
this book needed several (!!!!) rounds of editing and maybe a couple more drafts before it got published.
first book of pride month and it's already a dnf... we deserve good sapphic romantasies 😔✊
a book that in theory has everything i could ever want, but in execution reads like what a 13 year old thinks regency books sound like.
the writing was atrocious, flip flopping between modern writing and historical which made is awkward and clunky, the main characters have 0(!!!!!) chemistry nothing about the romance or their rivalry made sense, and random things kept happening for the sake of story progression that had me looking weirdly at the page.
you could point a gun to my head and ask me to describe the plot to you and just like that id be dead because when i tell you there was no plot but just a series of things happening, way too much detail about every single fucking class they went to and a damn horny bond that was my last straw, i really mean it.
this book needed several (!!!!) rounds of editing and maybe a couple more drafts before it got published.
first book of pride month and it's already a dnf... we deserve good sapphic romantasies 😔✊
June 7, 2024
For all the lesbians that have been sleeping on this book : PLEASE pick it up!
This is by far the best book I’ve read in my life and I am devastated that it’s over.
It truly has everything a good story and a good romance need and I loved every single pages of it.
It’s gonna take me a while to move on from this one !
This is by far the best book I’ve read in my life and I am devastated that it’s over.
It truly has everything a good story and a good romance need and I loved every single pages of it.
It’s gonna take me a while to move on from this one !
August 3, 2024
I LOVED THIS!!
First, saphic witches!? What’s not to love?
But the build of enemies to lovers was perfection. I loved the magic system. The relationship was 👌🏼
And it’s a stand alone book! That’s so hard to find in the fantasy genre 📚
First, saphic witches!? What’s not to love?
But the build of enemies to lovers was perfection. I loved the magic system. The relationship was 👌🏼
And it’s a stand alone book! That’s so hard to find in the fantasy genre 📚
July 16, 2024
DNF within the first 20 pages, so know that before reading, but you 5 star booktok girlies are making me lose my mind.
I’m sorry, I really tried but I cannot get into this writing style. “Great writing,” where booktok??Present tense doesn’t need to be this awkward, but in this case it is. Sentences are short and awkward, like “Iona decided to go to town that morning. Iona woke up and ate breakfast. Iona went to town,” and it reads more liked a bulleted outline that the writer never added to, or edited. We are hit over the head and “told” everything with ZERO “show.” I could not finish it, and I even took a break and tried to come back, but I just couldn’t do it.
I’m sorry, I really tried but I cannot get into this writing style. “Great writing,” where booktok??Present tense doesn’t need to be this awkward, but in this case it is. Sentences are short and awkward, like “Iona decided to go to town that morning. Iona woke up and ate breakfast. Iona went to town,” and it reads more liked a bulleted outline that the writer never added to, or edited. We are hit over the head and “told” everything with ZERO “show.” I could not finish it, and I even took a break and tried to come back, but I just couldn’t do it.
August 22, 2024
i had quite a good time with this one! i think it lands somewhere in the 3.5ish range. fun sapphic magical rivals to lovers romance with interesting characters.
March 12, 2024
The concept of this story is everything I want in a book.
The execution however was horrific for my brain, I hated the style that it was written in, and felt physically angry and uncomfortable while trudging through it.
The execution however was horrific for my brain, I hated the style that it was written in, and felt physically angry and uncomfortable while trudging through it.
November 26, 2024
just....terrible.
"rival" witches at a college for young witches should have been fun at the very least. but no 😭😭 i think the author just kept on changing what she wanted the book to be about. it started off with a lot of info dumping and worldbuilding and suddenly iona and ariadne were in love 😭???! at like 30% in a 500 pg novel. and then suddenly the whole rivalry no longer exists and there's some new villain (which could've been spotted a mile away) and they had so many suspects yet did nothing....i only stuck around to see the end result and i should've just dnfed
an editor was desperately needed. even from the beginning it was just not great. 4 lines after finding out her moms dying....ionas suddenly fingering herself like bruh what even?? and this is all supposedly set in the early 1800s, idt the characters were even aware of that. the point where i had enough was when one character was described as "not a sapphic" WDYMMMM
also at one point the similarities became too much i couldn't stop laughing at how they were lowkey fem drarry, which did stop but still. esp with how their friends were and iona nonstop referred to as "common"
whatever happened in the 2024 gay releases cannot happen again, just horrendous
"rival" witches at a college for young witches should have been fun at the very least. but no 😭😭 i think the author just kept on changing what she wanted the book to be about. it started off with a lot of info dumping and worldbuilding and suddenly iona and ariadne were in love 😭???! at like 30% in a 500 pg novel. and then suddenly the whole rivalry no longer exists and there's some new villain (which could've been spotted a mile away) and they had so many suspects yet did nothing....i only stuck around to see the end result and i should've just dnfed
an editor was desperately needed. even from the beginning it was just not great. 4 lines after finding out her moms dying....ionas suddenly fingering herself like bruh what even?? and this is all supposedly set in the early 1800s, idt the characters were even aware of that. the point where i had enough was when one character was described as "not a sapphic" WDYMMMM
also at one point the similarities became too much i couldn't stop laughing at how they were lowkey fem drarry, which did stop but still. esp with how their friends were and iona nonstop referred to as "common"
whatever happened in the 2024 gay releases cannot happen again, just horrendous
March 29, 2025
I'm very sorry to confirm I didn't end up enjoying this as I first thought I would.
I love a good rivals-to-lovers romance but this one felt much more like a bully romance for the first thirty-something %. Not an equal back and forth, but a ''I punch you, you call me dumb, I stab you and now we're even''. Like if you lightly bumped your sibling in the head and they broke every toy you love as retaliation.
I couldn't like one of the main characters because she was bitching most of the time (poor privileged important witch) and I couldn't like the other one because she never stood up for herself (poor provincial witch), so when it was time to get to the lovers part, I just didn't care.
The ideas, plot, setting were all very interesting, but since the romance was... that, I couldn't even focus on the parts I liked.
I love a good rivals-to-lovers romance but this one felt much more like a bully romance for the first thirty-something %. Not an equal back and forth, but a ''I punch you, you call me dumb, I stab you and now we're even''. Like if you lightly bumped your sibling in the head and they broke every toy you love as retaliation.
I couldn't like one of the main characters because she was bitching most of the time (poor privileged important witch) and I couldn't like the other one because she never stood up for herself (poor provincial witch), so when it was time to get to the lovers part, I just didn't care.
The ideas, plot, setting were all very interesting, but since the romance was... that, I couldn't even focus on the parts I liked.
June 5, 2024
Her Spell That Binds Me by Luna Oblonsky
Witches ✅️
College of Magic ✅️
Villian ✅️
Enemies to lovers ✅️
A lot of spice with some veryyyyy interesting magical flare ✅️
If you are a former Ravenclaw (or any house, really) thanks to She-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named sharing her hateful opinions, then do yourself a favor and read this book. It's better. There's no fat-shaming, sexism, or prejudice writing.
Witches ✅️
College of Magic ✅️
Villian ✅️
Enemies to lovers ✅️
A lot of spice with some veryyyyy interesting magical flare ✅️
If you are a former Ravenclaw (or any house, really) thanks to She-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named sharing her hateful opinions, then do yourself a favor and read this book. It's better. There's no fat-shaming, sexism, or prejudice writing.
October 14, 2024
Original rating: 5 ⭐
New rating: 4.25 ⭐
New rating: 4.25 ⭐
August 22, 2026
4★⋮ give me rivals to lovers witches and i don’t need anything else to be happy.
⟢ tropes & themes:
☾ dark academia
☾ third person, dual pov
☾ fated bond
☾ magical competition
☾ found family
☾ complicated women who would definitely ruin themselves for each other
˗ˏˋ ꒰💋🪐❤️🔥🐺🌹꒱ ˎˊ˗
⟢ what i liked:
it’s amazing how the story twists from whatever you initially expected. i was surprised when iona, supposedly the fragile, soft girl new to the witchcraft world, actually shows how cunning she can be. she’s not helpless and refuses to be intimidated by the famous prodigy girl everyone is afraid of. ariadne zerynthos, my beloved, has one of the most intricate personalities i’ve ever read. she appears cold and vengeful, but turns out to be the most selfless, protective, caring soul without erasing the darkest traits we adore in her. their love story is addicting and so precious.
once i understood this would be a go to college, train your spells, go through trials to claim a powerful pendant kind of plot, i was afraid it would be more of the same recycled witch stories. i couldn’t be more glad to be so wrong! the world building is fantastic, so whimsical and original. absolutely adored the way the author explores enchantments, illusions, time and space travel, fate and blood bonding. i never even got the chance to get bored!
the names of the characters and the different languages used to cast spells are also so creative and satisfying to read (no need to turn your brain upside down trying to pronounce them correctly tysm)
the ending was very predictable but did not let me down! i wondered if the malefician could be samaira for a little while but always knew it would be elise. the betrayal did hit hard.
every character gets their own closure, with no loose ends, no forgotten plot lines, and it’s genius how subtly a new challenge is set up for the sequel.
⟢ what i disliked:
the writing felt quite youthful at times, which contradicts the book’s historical setting :( and then you’d come across the most beautiful, poetic lines!!! it’s nerve-wracking because you can see how incredible the writer is. there’s also a lot of “iona this, iona that, iona said, iona thought”, i’m sure i’ll never forget these characters names with the amount of repetition we got on a single page.
i know uncomfortable scenes are to be expected in this genre of fiction. but the sirens attack and the way it is approached afterward, diminishing how serious it was, did not sit right with me at all.
⟢ favorite quote:
“do not mistake my preternatural fluke for familiarity(….) do not also mistake my austerity for indifference.🖤”
⟢ tropes & themes:
☾ dark academia
☾ third person, dual pov
☾ fated bond
☾ magical competition
☾ found family
☾ complicated women who would definitely ruin themselves for each other
˗ˏˋ ꒰💋🪐❤️🔥🐺🌹꒱ ˎˊ˗
⟢ what i liked:
it’s amazing how the story twists from whatever you initially expected. i was surprised when iona, supposedly the fragile, soft girl new to the witchcraft world, actually shows how cunning she can be. she’s not helpless and refuses to be intimidated by the famous prodigy girl everyone is afraid of. ariadne zerynthos, my beloved, has one of the most intricate personalities i’ve ever read. she appears cold and vengeful, but turns out to be the most selfless, protective, caring soul without erasing the darkest traits we adore in her. their love story is addicting and so precious.
once i understood this would be a go to college, train your spells, go through trials to claim a powerful pendant kind of plot, i was afraid it would be more of the same recycled witch stories. i couldn’t be more glad to be so wrong! the world building is fantastic, so whimsical and original. absolutely adored the way the author explores enchantments, illusions, time and space travel, fate and blood bonding. i never even got the chance to get bored!
the names of the characters and the different languages used to cast spells are also so creative and satisfying to read (no need to turn your brain upside down trying to pronounce them correctly tysm)
the ending was very predictable but did not let me down! i wondered if the malefician could be samaira for a little while but always knew it would be elise. the betrayal did hit hard.
every character gets their own closure, with no loose ends, no forgotten plot lines, and it’s genius how subtly a new challenge is set up for the sequel.
⟢ what i disliked:
the writing felt quite youthful at times, which contradicts the book’s historical setting :( and then you’d come across the most beautiful, poetic lines!!! it’s nerve-wracking because you can see how incredible the writer is. there’s also a lot of “iona this, iona that, iona said, iona thought”, i’m sure i’ll never forget these characters names with the amount of repetition we got on a single page.
i know uncomfortable scenes are to be expected in this genre of fiction. but the sirens attack and the way it is approached afterward, diminishing how serious it was, did not sit right with me at all.
⟢ favorite quote:
“do not mistake my preternatural fluke for familiarity(….) do not also mistake my austerity for indifference.🖤”
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 7, 2026
A world of witches and warlocks with wonderful characters and a really great story. I was enthralled.
What I liked was the magical system and the chemistry between the two MCs, their rivalry, the banters and the romantic tension between them. And the many fascinations and mysteries loosely based on Arthurian and other world myths and legends.
What I didn't like was how underdeveloped everything felt especially the side characters and the world building. There was also a little too much of that which I will not name but obviously everyone else worships it.
Overall what was good and enjoyable outweighed the bad since it had the ability to keep me up way past my bedtime.
What I liked was the magical system and the chemistry between the two MCs, their rivalry, the banters and the romantic tension between them. And the many fascinations and mysteries loosely based on Arthurian and other world myths and legends.
What I didn't like was how underdeveloped everything felt especially the side characters and the world building. There was also a little too much of that which I will not name but obviously everyone else worships it.
Overall what was good and enjoyable outweighed the bad since it had the ability to keep me up way past my bedtime.
Did Not Finish
August 6, 2025DNF @ 14%. Perhaps I'll come back to this at a later date? But I doubt it. I really dislike the writing, and I really dislike the worldbuilding. The first chapter where the main character gets whisked off to magic school happens way too quickly. This is supposedly Regency, but it does not feel rooted in history. (Are we gonna get an explanation for why no one blinks an eye at lesbianism, or...?) The magic system seems loose as hell, way too permissible. Iona knows how to conjure precious pearls and diamonds, but not like, clothing? And as soon as I realised that the magic system allows for the conjuring of actual live creatures, I knew this wouldn't work for me. Where are the limits? Where are the breaks? Perhaps those things will come later, but I'm too impatient to stick around.
The relationship seems fine; it begins as enemies to lovers. But I can see from other reviews that it's not going to be as slow burn as I want, so that's a deterrent for me. And when you add in the bad writing and the punctuation errors and the tense shifting... I don't think this is for me. Maaaaaybe I'll come back to it one day, since other people seem to enjoy it. But right now, this feels like it would be less than 2 stars, so it feels unfair to both me and the book to continue reading.
The relationship seems fine; it begins as enemies to lovers. But I can see from other reviews that it's not going to be as slow burn as I want, so that's a deterrent for me. And when you add in the bad writing and the punctuation errors and the tense shifting... I don't think this is for me. Maaaaaybe I'll come back to it one day, since other people seem to enjoy it. But right now, this feels like it would be less than 2 stars, so it feels unfair to both me and the book to continue reading.
April 26, 2024
Que señor libro!!!!
Debo decir que pocos libros de fantasía me impresionan, hay algunos que logran mantener el vilo y nunca sabes que pasará y te sorprenden con el universo creado, uno como este es muy predecible, al menos para mi, pero el sistema mágico y los acontecimientos sucedidos, me volaron la cabeza.
Ariadna en ese sentido, es un personaje increíble X1000, y tiene mi corazón por la forma en que trata y protege de Iona. Y la villana también es buena, no excelente, pero se desarrolla bien.
Lo cierto es que vale la pena leer el texto pese a lo largo que es, no se si esperaría una segunda parte, aunque no se puede descartar.
Debo decir que pocos libros de fantasía me impresionan, hay algunos que logran mantener el vilo y nunca sabes que pasará y te sorprenden con el universo creado, uno como este es muy predecible, al menos para mi, pero el sistema mágico y los acontecimientos sucedidos, me volaron la cabeza.
Ariadna en ese sentido, es un personaje increíble X1000, y tiene mi corazón por la forma en que trata y protege de Iona. Y la villana también es buena, no excelente, pero se desarrolla bien.
Lo cierto es que vale la pena leer el texto pese a lo largo que es, no se si esperaría una segunda parte, aunque no se puede descartar.
January 14, 2024
Enjoyable but predictable story. I just really disliked the writing style. It was very wordy and annoying.
January 4, 2025
to the man that audibly gasped as he read some graphic wlw smut over my shoulder… keep your nose out next time boo x
November 4, 2024
Great book!
This book put a spell on me. I couldn’t stop reading it. Iona’s and Ariadne’s story is so beautiful and so satisfying. Everything is included here. Love, spice, adventure and so much more. I love sapphic books about witches!
The plot was incredible. I found it interesting and captivating. This whole story was well-written and full of surprises.
Iona and Ariadne were great. Their characters, their chemistry were very well-build and thought through. Depth of their emotions touched my heart.
This was definitely one of the best books I read.
This book put a spell on me. I couldn’t stop reading it. Iona’s and Ariadne’s story is so beautiful and so satisfying. Everything is included here. Love, spice, adventure and so much more. I love sapphic books about witches!
The plot was incredible. I found it interesting and captivating. This whole story was well-written and full of surprises.
Iona and Ariadne were great. Their characters, their chemistry were very well-build and thought through. Depth of their emotions touched my heart.
This was definitely one of the best books I read.
December 2, 2024
This one’s going into my favourites ✨ Ugh the enemies to lovers trope, tension, magic, slow burn, mystery, side characters and spice were everything I could want in a novel. I adored Iona and Ariadne, and I loved seeing them fall for each other and learn to trust the other implicitly. Iona was so sweet and bashful, and then Ariadne with her mischievous and teasing personality (but also sweet when she wanted to be with her endless flowers), it was the perfect combination. Loveddd this, definitely recommend!!
Shoutout to bex for the rec haha ;)
Shoutout to bex for the rec haha ;)
January 5, 2025
This was my first book by Luna Oblonsky and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I loved the way her imagination soared with the possibilities of magic. It was a refreshing read and I found myself not being able to wait to sit back down with Iona, Ariadne, and company.
I did feel like some of her writing was rushed. There were situations which I feel like could have been elaborated on or extended instead of just a short sentence. However, the sexy scenes were beautifully handled and, well, sexy. This book is full of love, kindness, determination, and lessons. I highly recommend it!
I did feel like some of her writing was rushed. There were situations which I feel like could have been elaborated on or extended instead of just a short sentence. However, the sexy scenes were beautifully handled and, well, sexy. This book is full of love, kindness, determination, and lessons. I highly recommend it!
September 1, 2024
DND... you booktok niggas are insane because 4 star rating for what exactly??
Good morning all, I woke up today with the biggest headache of my entire life because I thought about the first two pages of the book.
Tell me how you go from worrying about your mothers health and masturbating two sentences later!
The world building was like nails on a chalkboard, the writing was heavily unedited
Total waste of my time, should've never left Wattpad
Good morning all, I woke up today with the biggest headache of my entire life because I thought about the first two pages of the book.
Tell me how you go from worrying about your mothers health and masturbating two sentences later!
The world building was like nails on a chalkboard, the writing was heavily unedited
Total waste of my time, should've never left Wattpad
July 12, 2024
enemies to lovers? sapphic? SAPPHIC ENEMIES TO LOVERS ?!?! need i say more ?
okay anyway, safe to say i enjoyed this book. im also such a sucker for the underdog to baddest bitch of the century plot line therefore i ATE THIS BOOK UPP.
if there was ONE THING i could point out, i wish the enemies part of the enemies to lovers was a tad bit longer, wouldve loved more banter and hate tbh
okay anyway, safe to say i enjoyed this book. im also such a sucker for the underdog to baddest bitch of the century plot line therefore i ATE THIS BOOK UPP.
if there was ONE THING i could point out, i wish the enemies part of the enemies to lovers was a tad bit longer, wouldve loved more banter and hate tbh
February 8, 2024
I am hers and she is mine. We have nothing to fear anymore. To love her is my fate and I will thank the stars every night for their intervention, Iona thinks to herself.
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que AMADAS! se eu for parar p pensar (não preciso pensar por muito tempo...) eu poderia facilmente dar três estrelas p esse livro. senti muito falta em questão de construção de personagens, personalidade e algumas coisas do romance, MAS como eu não preciso ser uma crítica CHATA o tempo todo vou me contentar com essa nota. apesar desses defeitos que decido ignorar (R.I.P eduarda!) elas me divertiram MUITO ao ponto de eu não querer terminar o livro. amo livros com uma pegada meio gótica e isso era o que eu estava procurando. enfim elas são duas queridas, os familiares delas são as coisas mais adoráveis do mundo e o plot foi bem previsível mas fez sentido... um beijo p iona aka minha prima brasileira dividimos o mesmo sangue!
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que AMADAS! se eu for parar p pensar (não preciso pensar por muito tempo...) eu poderia facilmente dar três estrelas p esse livro. senti muito falta em questão de construção de personagens, personalidade e algumas coisas do romance, MAS como eu não preciso ser uma crítica CHATA o tempo todo vou me contentar com essa nota. apesar desses defeitos que decido ignorar (R.I.P eduarda!) elas me divertiram MUITO ao ponto de eu não querer terminar o livro. amo livros com uma pegada meio gótica e isso era o que eu estava procurando. enfim elas são duas queridas, os familiares delas são as coisas mais adoráveis do mundo e o plot foi bem previsível mas fez sentido... um beijo p iona aka minha prima brasileira dividimos o mesmo sangue!
August 23, 2024
I usually avoid books like this. I have a huge bias against YA books that add sex scenes, changes everyone’s age to 19, and call it New Adult. 🙄 This is one of the more blatant ones. Amateurish writing aside, (See Iona. See Iona run. See Iona run along the beach.) this is what happens when someone grows up reading Harry Potter and watching Gilmore Girls decides to write a novel but make it sapphic spicy! The entire plot, nemesis level hatred, “puzzles” and character behaviors are exactly what you expect to find in a magical middle school for girls. But can’t have NC-17 behavior there so here we are. All that said, I still found myself reading this novel in the wee hours of the early morning. Like a bad reality show, I couldn’t look away.
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