Reviews

The Labyrinth of Doom by Stuart Gibbs

chrissiemwright's review against another edition

adventurous lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

darumachan's review against another edition

• Loveable characters? No

1.5

The character development, plot, and use of humor all came across as incredibly lazy. Sure, it's not intended to be historically accurate, but the idea that premodern women could only hope to become wives or witches is just outdated and cliche, and is little more than the product of a misogynist and imperialist view of history. Likewise, making the "village idiot" smart and serious is cringeworthy and pretty insensitive if you consider the historical association of the word "idiot" with differences in race, gender, neurological function, and mental health. And it was exhausting to slog through another "fun" adventure story in which the hero is a white boy who is not only inexplicably inept but also carried to success on the shoulders of nonwhite, nonmale, neurodiverse characters. The message about who gets to fail upward and who has to stay in the margins is clear, and it's depressing to think that it is being presented so glibly to yet another generation of readers.

janeofalltrades's review against another edition

adventurous funny lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

ruhhnay's review against another edition

adventurous funny lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

This was so cute and although I never would’ve read it without it being free from LibroFM, I’m glad I got to enjoy this cute, silly fantasy adventure! Perfect for kids who want something fun and easygoing. I looooved the added vocab words!

library_kb's review against another edition

adventurous funny lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

I listened to this audiobook via's @Libro.fm's ALC program. Like the first book in the series, this is a funny medieval set adventure story for elementary readers (I'd say 3rd-5th). In this volume, Princess Grace has been kidnapped by Prince Rupert and stuck in the Labyrinth of Doom, and Tim and Belinda must enter the maze and survive the dangers to rescue her. The book is very similar to the first one, and I think you could probably read them as stand-alones if you wished. Great option for more illustrated novels with humor for readers!

lil_hobbit_gal's review

adventurous funny lighthearted

3.75

These books are just goofy fun and I can see their appeal for elementary/middle school aged kids.

singerji's review against another edition

adventurous funny informative lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

neffcannon's review against another edition

adventurous funny

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

danadoesbooks's review against another edition

adventurous funny lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

Thank you to LibroFM for the gifted audiobook of The Labyrinth of Doom through their educator ALC program!  All opinions in this review are my own.

The Labyrinth of Doom is the second book in the Once Upon a Tim series.  I have not read the first book but after listening to the second one, I definitely want to go back to it!

While the audiobook of The Labyrinth of Doom is missing the fun illustrations of the print version, I have to recommend this full cast version that also includes sound effects!  I love when audiobooks have multiple narrators and use sounds or music to more fully immerse the reader in the story and The Labyrinth of Doom does not disappoint!  I listened to it in just one sitting because the sense of adventure and danger coupled with humourous moments made this audiobook really fun to listen to!

storiesandsours's review against another edition

adventurous funny lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Loveable characters? Yes

4.5