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nekokat's review
3.0
Strange, dark, meditative, dreamlike. The narrative itself evokes the maze; at times sad, at times hopeful, mostly a bit of both. It feels somehow incomplete, as if it's more of a series of vignettes than a story, or as if the character who seems like the protagonist is actually just a side character, a Rosencrantz (or Guildenstern), seeing only bits and pieces of the main narrative. That sense of incompleteness is, of course, what it's like to live in the maze. It's all a metaphor, of course. I don't know why it's only getting three stars: maybe because it made me feel sad and I'm not sure I'll read it again. Maybe because of the women raped and cats killed and other things I wish hadn't happened, even though I know that is how I am supposed to feel about them.
It's definitely #LossLit, and given that I picked it up via M. John Harrison, I am not at all surprised.
It's definitely #LossLit, and given that I picked it up via M. John Harrison, I am not at all surprised.
catsy2022's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Rating: B
Part Dark Eden, part Black Leopard, Red Wolf, Maze by J. M. McDermott is a strange portal fantasy following 5 different characters as they are transported / grow up in the maze, a massive, mysterious multi-season, time-bending maze with strange pseudo-human and mutant creatures that the humans are forced to kill to survive.
Each arc shows a bit more of the mysterious maze and how hard survival is. I found myself most interested in Julie and Maia's story, but Joseph's story was good, too. I liked seeing the generations pass through time and the strange discoveries. It was an interesting read, though perhaps too abstract for me.
Part Dark Eden, part Black Leopard, Red Wolf, Maze by J. M. McDermott is a strange portal fantasy following 5 different characters as they are transported / grow up in the maze, a massive, mysterious multi-season, time-bending maze with strange pseudo-human and mutant creatures that the humans are forced to kill to survive.
Each arc shows a bit more of the mysterious maze and how hard survival is. I found myself most interested in Julie and Maia's story, but Joseph's story was good, too. I liked seeing the generations pass through time and the strange discoveries. It was an interesting read, though perhaps too abstract for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Gore, and Blood
Moderate: Death
conalo's review
3.0
I received this book in a GoodReads First Reads giveaway.
This book was quite a bit different than the impression I got when reading the book description for this novel. The book was much darker than I expected with quite a bit of mythical and horror themes that I don't normally read. It was well written but I can say that this was not my favorite novel that I have read. If you enjoy these themes, this novel is probably a good fit for you and if not, their might be better choices.
3 stars for being well written
This book was quite a bit different than the impression I got when reading the book description for this novel. The book was much darker than I expected with quite a bit of mythical and horror themes that I don't normally read. It was well written but I can say that this was not my favorite novel that I have read. If you enjoy these themes, this novel is probably a good fit for you and if not, their might be better choices.
3 stars for being well written
myxomycetes's review
4.0
Men and women from various times and places disappear and find themselves trapped in a strange maze. Weird small press science fiction book that sort of makes sense if you squint at it or look at it side ways, just don’t ask me to explain it. It reads a bit like an early 20th century fantasy novel (think William Morris or David Lindsay) on 21st century drugs. I liked it.
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