You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Scan barcode
jennalabollita's review
challenging
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Thank you to NetGalley for the chance to read this ARC!!
Overall this was a unique and detailed story! Daesre, a demigod turned daemon, and Sadare, a mortal witch, find themselves in a precarious situation involving a maze. As the story progresses, we learn much more about them both and how intertwined they are.
Personally, I felt as though there wasn't a lot of depth in the story or the characters. The story felt a bit forced and unorganized, and just didn't *grab* me. I did read it all - it's a good story, but the dialogue bounces back and forth between being more modern versus an older style.
<SPOILER>
I also wasn't a huge fan of Sadare's connection to the aether being related to pain. Self-inflicted injuries are hard to read, especially for those who have a history of self-harm. This was a pretty poignant part of the book, and while I understand the context within the story, the descriptions did pull me out of the story quite a bit.
Overall this was a unique and detailed story! Daesre, a demigod turned daemon, and Sadare, a mortal witch, find themselves in a precarious situation involving a maze. As the story progresses, we learn much more about them both and how intertwined they are.
Personally, I felt as though there wasn't a lot of depth in the story or the characters. The story felt a bit forced and unorganized, and just didn't *grab* me. I did read it all - it's a good story, but the dialogue bounces back and forth between being more modern versus an older style.
<SPOILER>
I also wasn't a huge fan of Sadare's connection to the aether being related to pain. Self-inflicted injuries are hard to read, especially for those who have a history of self-harm. This was a pretty poignant part of the book, and while I understand the context within the story, the descriptions did pull me out of the story quite a bit.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Physical abuse, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Violence, and Injury/Injury detail
ta2dlibrarian's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
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, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Animal cruelty
Minor: Rape and Death of parent
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