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laurablackwell's review against another edition
5.0
In this novel of political intrigue, the setting is the star. Pelismara is a cavern city with an elaborate caste system. Although likeable characters are presented from every caste that appears, the privileged aristocratic caste, the Grobal (I remembered them as "Gross Nobles"), had me rooting for revolution more and more as the novel proceeded.
The main plot hinges around a few things: A sudden plague that reduces the Grobal population, the selection of the next Heir (a ruler-in-waiting), and teenage Tagaret's crush on a girl of the same caste but a less important family. Three different narrators—the two sons of the the First Family and Aloran, an Imbati-caste servant who signs a contract with a family member early in the book—show different perspectives of this troubled society. Tagaret seems like a nice enough kid, though privilege definitely restricts his vision; his brother Nekantor is ambitious and unstable; Aloran is basically the perfect valet/bodyguard. Aloran was the most relatable for me, but they were all interesting.
A few things made me uncomfortable as I read through, such as the fact that one of the nastier villains was not neurotypical, but gradually I saw that that was an illustration of one of the problems: The aristocrats were more ashamed of someone's obsession with counting buttons than of his cruelty and willingness to sacrifice others. That really says something about them. Something similar happened with the Grobal (who call themselves "The Race") and their insistence on marrying only within Grobal families. They're pretty clearly inbred, and that is causing them problems that the reader can see even if the characters can't. I feel like the things that made me uncomfortable were supposed to make me uncomfortable, and I'm okay with that.
I read an ARC that I won in a Goodreads giveaway. Lucky!
The main plot hinges around a few things: A sudden plague that reduces the Grobal population, the selection of the next Heir (a ruler-in-waiting), and teenage Tagaret's crush on a girl of the same caste but a less important family. Three different narrators—the two sons of the the First Family and Aloran, an Imbati-caste servant who signs a contract with a family member early in the book—show different perspectives of this troubled society. Tagaret seems like a nice enough kid, though privilege definitely restricts his vision; his brother Nekantor is ambitious and unstable; Aloran is basically the perfect valet/bodyguard. Aloran was the most relatable for me, but they were all interesting.
A few things made me uncomfortable as I read through, such as the fact that one of the nastier villains was not neurotypical, but gradually I saw that that was an illustration of one of the problems: The aristocrats were more ashamed of someone's obsession with counting buttons than of his cruelty and willingness to sacrifice others. That really says something about them. Something similar happened with the Grobal (who call themselves "The Race") and their insistence on marrying only within Grobal families. They're pretty clearly inbred, and that is causing them problems that the reader can see even if the characters can't. I feel like the things that made me uncomfortable were supposed to make me uncomfortable, and I'm okay with that.
I read an ARC that I won in a Goodreads giveaway. Lucky!
mahiyaa's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
Content Warnings
Minor: Domestic abuse
hcramer22's review against another edition
2.0
This was interesting, but I had quite a few problems with it. The main one being the antagonist of the story, Nekantor. His POV provided a lot of the more interesting aspects of the book, in particular the ways he is shown to be neurotypical and having obsessive compulsions. However, he’s the villain of the story and is also on page described as being “defective” and a “psychopath”... is that really the message we want to be putting out in the universe? That if your brain doesn’t work the same as others, you’re defective? That’s a big no for me.
I also felt that the relationships were not fleshed out well at all. We got one that was essentially, “I saw her across the room and her hair is beautiful and now I’m in love with her.” It wasn’t compelling enough for me to care about them at all.
I also felt that the relationships were not fleshed out well at all. We got one that was essentially, “I saw her across the room and her hair is beautiful and now I’m in love with her.” It wasn’t compelling enough for me to care about them at all.
brianthehuman's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
krayfish1's review against another edition
4.0
CN: There's a highly contagious fever running amok in the book. Deadly mainly only to the inbred rich folks (who are the main characters). This may affect your choice on whether to read the book in the middle of a pandemic. I thought it was okay, but YMMV.
The three POV characters are Tagaret, Nekantor and Aloran. Tagaret is a little boring, though I think he's supposed to be the good one? He's very focused on getting the girl and searching for meaning outside of what his society taught him. Nekantor is an asshole, but weirdly relatable to me -- he knows what he wants and how to get it, but he frequently stumbles in the execution of the plan due to OCD. The cause is different, but the argh I had a perfect plan and now it's going a little haywire because of how my body is reacting should be familiar to anyone who's ever had stage fright or similar. Aloran is highly competent and stupidly loyal, which is such a trope-y character, and I like it.
The three POV characters are Tagaret, Nekantor and Aloran. Tagaret is a little boring, though I think he's supposed to be the good one? He's very focused on getting the girl and searching for meaning outside of what his society taught him. Nekantor is an asshole, but weirdly relatable to me -- he knows what he wants and how to get it, but he frequently stumbles in the execution of the plan due to OCD. The cause is different, but the argh I had a perfect plan and now it's going a little haywire because of how my body is reacting should be familiar to anyone who's ever had stage fright or similar. Aloran is highly competent and stupidly loyal, which is such a trope-y character, and I like it.
lmwanak's review against another edition
4.0
With our country the way it is today, one would think that a fantasy novel focused on political intrigue wouldn’t be so much escapism, but more like reading today’s news. Yet Juliette Wade’s debut novel, Mazes of Power, not only dives deep into political intrigue, it focuses a sharp lens on the relevant issue of what one can do with power, for good or for ill.
Read the rest of this review at Lightspeed magazine: http://www.lightspeedmagazine.com/nonfiction/book-reviews-february-2020/
Read the rest of this review at Lightspeed magazine: http://www.lightspeedmagazine.com/nonfiction/book-reviews-february-2020/
kmherkes's review against another edition
4.0
There's a lot to love about this book. The writing grabbed me from the first page with a wondrous balance of intricate world-building and fulfilling story. Points about history, politics and physical realities of the alien setting were layered one upon another, with each new twist of the plot revealing a little bit more of the strange, complex, and intriguing setting.
I especially loved the way I experienced the characters’ world with them rather than being presented with long, detailed explanations. Most of the characters are young, and the limitations of seeing events from their perspective lends a deceptive simplicity to the story's style. Their lives are anything but simple, though.
Everyone in Mazes of Power is trapped within a rigid, vicious society, and while most of the characters navigate their way to a successful resolutions by the end of this book, it’s clear their stories aren’t over. There were plenty of hints that this restrictive culture is cracking at the seams, and the conflict between those who want to win under the current rules and those who want to change the rules is clearly just beginning.
I’m really looking forward to seeing what develops in the next book.
I especially loved the way I experienced the characters’ world with them rather than being presented with long, detailed explanations. Most of the characters are young, and the limitations of seeing events from their perspective lends a deceptive simplicity to the story's style. Their lives are anything but simple, though.
Everyone in Mazes of Power is trapped within a rigid, vicious society, and while most of the characters navigate their way to a successful resolutions by the end of this book, it’s clear their stories aren’t over. There were plenty of hints that this restrictive culture is cracking at the seams, and the conflict between those who want to win under the current rules and those who want to change the rules is clearly just beginning.
I’m really looking forward to seeing what develops in the next book.
cchu1215's review against another edition
3.0
A good exploration of power -- family, politics and societal castes -- in this book. The characters are compelling and the very segregated society allows for interesting explorations of the subtleties of different types of power. I'm curious to see how the society changes, if it does, as the series continues.
booksthatburn's review against another edition
The opening is exhilarating and immersive, explaining things in a way that makes sense for this character and this world. I felt thrown into the story with a lot of context to pick up quickly and it works really well. Unfortunately I just can't handle reading a book right now which has an epidemic as a central feature, especially not one that has vastly different effects along class divides. Hopefully I'll circle back for this one in a year or two, I just can't right now.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Terminal illness and Violence
frothy's review against another edition
5.0
Very satisfying science fiction. Not sure why it’s referred to as a fantasy. Good characters, great world building and good story. The book reaches a satisfying ending (and a pondering of how soon can I reread it) while leaving the reader with lots of questions. For example, what’s with the aliens? How did they get there? Why are they living in underground cities?
The only problem is that we have to wait until Wade writes the next book dammit.
The only problem is that we have to wait until Wade writes the next book dammit.