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3.39 AVERAGE
3.39 AVERAGE
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A dark Minotaur myth reimagining with mental gymnastics and verbal repartee galore! If you're looking for dark romantasy escapism, move along!
I did enjoy the unique levels and monsters they encountered in the maze. The characters are clear parallels to their Greek counterparts but with new and interesting twists.
May robbed us on that ending! Starting with the FMC point of view to end on the MMC point of view is just plain cheating, especially when you don't give us her take on the ending after we had to read twenty chapters of them bantering back and forth and back and forth.
Also #JusticeforDeos
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Physical abuse, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Toxic relationship, Blood, Suicide attempt, Murder, Toxic friendship, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Animal cruelty
Minor: Rape, Death of parent
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
ARC Review: Sadaré wakes up in an ever-changing maze. She remembers nothing of her life, but can feel that she is powerful. A guy, sorry a daemon, shows up and the two realize they must travel together to make it to the end of the deadly maze and fight the monster at the center if they have any hopes of escape. Daesra, the daemon, remembers everything Sadaré does not and oh boy does he hate her guts. And yet...
Look, I know this is tagged as romantasy and adult but whew this was way more explicit than I was anticipating. The specific uhhhh thing in this book is not really my thing but I went along for the ride and enjoyed it nonetheless. Also, the Cardan tail hater girlies are NOT gonna like this - homie's got a tail and hooves.
What I liked: There's a myriad of spoiler warnings at the beginning that seem all-encompassing, but I'm not an expert; The magic system itself relies on consent. After reading so many "romances" that have dubious consent in the best case, I deeply appreciated this; The fantasy elements of the maze were actually interesting, kept me on my toes, and added a real sense of peril; The relationship development and unfolding of memories were well-paced and felt believable; THE ENDING????????
What I didn't like: The first couple steamy scenes are all flashbacks, which really broke the building tension in the present; Didn't really love the desire for pain but like that's just me dawg; I wanted the outside world to be more fleshed out and the gods to be explained further. It looks like this may be the first in the series so maybe that will happen in later books.
Overall, I had a fun time and was absolutely gagged by the ending which bumped this from a 3 star to a 4 star.
Look, I know this is tagged as romantasy and adult but whew this was way more explicit than I was anticipating. The specific uhhhh thing in this book is not really my thing but I went along for the ride and enjoyed it nonetheless. Also, the Cardan tail hater girlies are NOT gonna like this - homie's got a tail and hooves.
What I liked: There's a myriad of spoiler warnings at the beginning that seem all-encompassing, but I'm not an expert; The magic system itself relies on consent. After reading so many "romances" that have dubious consent in the best case, I deeply appreciated this; The fantasy elements of the maze were actually interesting, kept me on my toes, and added a real sense of peril; The relationship development and unfolding of memories were well-paced and felt believable; THE ENDING????????
What I didn't like: The first couple steamy scenes are all flashbacks, which really broke the building tension in the present; Didn't really love the desire for pain but like that's just me dawg; I wanted the outside world to be more fleshed out and the gods to be explained further. It looks like this may be the first in the series so maybe that will happen in later books.
Overall, I had a fun time and was absolutely gagged by the ending which bumped this from a 3 star to a 4 star.
I first noticed this book because of the cover. Something about it just caught my eye and I wanted to know more! Immediately the opening line captured me and I knew I was going to like this author. The depth of the world and the richness of the descriptions really created a movie in my mind, allowing me to fall into the story even more. I loved the idea of the maze, and that the maze itself was sentient, a character all its own.
As for character's, I really loved that we were trying to figure out the main character the same as she was if you will. The idea of a lost memory, and having those little snippets flitter just outside your reach is so relatable, but now imagine traversing a maze with no memory of how you got there AND with someone that clearly is NOT a fan of you. Chaos would surely ensue, which it does, and the banter of the two MCs is "chef's kiss". The tension is juuuust right and the payoff for said tension is 10/10. Also, the sidekick was something I didn't know I needed!
As for the story, it's lush and moves at just the right pace. I did NOT see the plot twist coming and sort of just had to sit there for a second when I realized what was happening. I thoroughly enjoyed being made to sit down and revisit everything I had just read, to see now what I didn't know then. I enjoyed the ending, and that there COULD be more, but was happy with the way things worked out!
Thank you to the team at Gallery Books and AdriAnne May for the e-ARC via Net Galley!
As for character's, I really loved that we were trying to figure out the main character the same as she was if you will. The idea of a lost memory, and having those little snippets flitter just outside your reach is so relatable, but now imagine traversing a maze with no memory of how you got there AND with someone that clearly is NOT a fan of you. Chaos would surely ensue, which it does, and the banter of the two MCs is "chef's kiss". The tension is juuuust right and the payoff for said tension is 10/10. Also, the sidekick was something I didn't know I needed!
As for the story, it's lush and moves at just the right pace. I did NOT see the plot twist coming and sort of just had to sit there for a second when I realized what was happening. I thoroughly enjoyed being made to sit down and revisit everything I had just read, to see now what I didn't know then. I enjoyed the ending, and that there COULD be more, but was happy with the way things worked out!
Thank you to the team at Gallery Books and AdriAnne May for the e-ARC via Net Galley!
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
It was good in the beginning, but then the twist was confusing and the ending was taking too long to the point where I grew bored. It’s got spicy moments with a few sex scenes, but wasn’t as kinky as I originally thought it would be. Because of those things this gets a lower rating. This had a lot of potential, but alas.
adventurous
dark
emotional
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
so repetitive and somewhat boring. Did not grab me, finally had to give it up.