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captainshane's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This was a unique retelling of the minotaur story that I enjoyed! The characters were unique and interesting, as well as the gods and their motivations.
We follow two main characters through a maze as they grapple with their history as a couple, betrayal towards each other, and their own personal past traumas. They must overcome it all to escape the maze. We have lovers to rivals to lovers, and a beautiful dose of masochism/sadism.
Pain has a unique role in this story and is written in extremely well!
There were moments where the plot got a bit cyclical and lost. I got the feeling that the author was writing with a notebook next to them making sure they didn't leave any plot holes, but the messiness of it was a bit confusing and had me wishing the characters would just get to the point and the action.
We had a few themes like betrayal and self-deprecation that came up so often and without progress that I stopped caring about them by the end of the book. The characters did eventually grow and change but I stayed for the love and action. I did thoroughly enjoy the ending!
Do check Trigger Warnings before giving this book a try!
We follow two main characters through a maze as they grapple with their history as a couple, betrayal towards each other, and their own personal past traumas. They must overcome it all to escape the maze. We have lovers to rivals to lovers, and a beautiful dose of masochism/sadism.
Pain has a unique role in this story and is written in extremely well!
There were moments where the plot got a bit cyclical and lost. I got the feeling that the author was writing with a notebook next to them making sure they didn't leave any plot holes, but the messiness of it was a bit confusing and had me wishing the characters would just get to the point and the action.
We had a few themes like betrayal and self-deprecation that came up so often and without progress that I stopped caring about them by the end of the book. The characters did eventually grow and change but I stayed for the love and action. I did thoroughly enjoy the ending!
Do check Trigger Warnings before giving this book a try!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Blood, and Murder
katerinovaaa's review
adventurous
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
1st POV / 1 POV / chapters: medium-long / TW bellow
🩸monster romance: witch x demon (hooves, tail, horns)
🩸deadly labyrinth with mind of its own
🩸SPICE (explicit, BDSM – more info below)
🩸big plot twist
🩸betrayals, second chance, forced proximity, passion
🩸amnesia
🩸morally grey characters...they definitely match their freak
The world-building and story is beautifully complex compared to her previous YA books. Learning about the world (and gods) alongside the FMC (who has amnesia) is always genius as it doesn't overwhelm the reader AND it enriches the plot at the same time. We experience visiting the FMC's past and getting info out of the (unwilling) demon –– so we get the best of both worlds.
The maze is an amazing setting as well. We don't spend the entire book looking at grass and hedges but travel UNDER – through caves and sooo many different settings each with their own challenges. The pacing is perfect because it alternates between the romance (and banter) and the labyrinth's challenges.
I absolutely adored the pull between "I hate you...but I don't want you to die so we're kinda allies but not really and I HATE YOU but, of course, I love you, you idiot, you're a beautiful BITCH and I'd burn the world down for you." My heart was torn and struggled alongside theirs. So... lovers to enemies to lovers to enemies to allies to enemies to friends to lovers to enemies to lovers... It's a RIDE. But it feels just right, makes sense, and didn't make me anxious!
The plot twist? HELLO? I had to put the book down because I was completely disoriented and had to replay the entire book in my brain to wrap my head around it. And yet, I didn't have a problem understanding, I only had to slow down and read it again to make sure all the pieces snap together (maybe I'm just not that smart 😄). It's utterly genius and if anyone says otherwise, they just don't think about our very own souls that much. (which is okay) This book is about self-discovery, forgiveness, and love on so many different levels.
– Rep: bisexual demon, non-binary god
Sexual scenes: CNC, sado-masochism, degradation, primal play, choking, gagging, rope bondage, spanking, blood play, foot fetishization, raw/unprotected sex – if you mind rough sex and pain I really don't recommend this book because the scenes are very intense (in a good way if you're into it).
full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6943678576
🩸monster romance: witch x demon (hooves, tail, horns)
🩸deadly labyrinth with mind of its own
🩸SPICE (explicit, BDSM – more info below)
🩸big plot twist
🩸betrayals, second chance, forced proximity, passion
🩸amnesia
🩸morally grey characters...they definitely match their freak
The world-building and story is beautifully complex compared to her previous YA books. Learning about the world (and gods) alongside the FMC (who has amnesia) is always genius as it doesn't overwhelm the reader AND it enriches the plot at the same time. We experience visiting the FMC's past and getting info out of the (unwilling) demon –– so we get the best of both worlds.
The maze is an amazing setting as well. We don't spend the entire book looking at grass and hedges but travel UNDER – through caves and sooo many different settings each with their own challenges. The pacing is perfect because it alternates between the romance (and banter) and the labyrinth's challenges.
I absolutely adored the pull between "I hate you...but I don't want you to die so we're kinda allies but not really and I HATE YOU but, of course, I love you, you idiot, you're a beautiful BITCH and I'd burn the world down for you." My heart was torn and struggled alongside theirs. So... lovers to enemies to lovers to enemies to allies to enemies to friends to lovers to enemies to lovers... It's a RIDE. But it feels just right, makes sense, and didn't make me anxious!
The plot twist? HELLO? I had to put the book down because I was completely disoriented and had to replay the entire book in my brain to wrap my head around it. And yet, I didn't have a problem understanding, I only had to slow down and read it again to make sure all the pieces snap together (maybe I'm just not that smart 😄). It's utterly genius and if anyone says otherwise, they just don't think about our very own souls that much. (which is okay) This book is about self-discovery, forgiveness, and love on so many different levels.
– Rep: bisexual demon, non-binary god
Sexual scenes: CNC, sado-masochism, degradation, primal play, choking, gagging, rope bondage, spanking, blood play, foot fetishization, raw/unprotected sex – if you mind rough sex and pain I really don't recommend this book because the scenes are very intense (in a good way if you're into it).
full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6943678576
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Cursing, Death, Self harm, Sexual content, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Confinement and Gore
Minor: Animal cruelty, Domestic abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, and War