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3.69 AVERAGE
3.69 AVERAGE
First of all, I feel like I need to give this book some bonus points for a few things. I felt it was an original twist on what could be a tired concept--witches. Instead of the whitewashed, finally I find out how special I am, Harry Potter type of witchcraft (nothing against Harry Potter, I do love it), Labyrinth Lost is dark, bloody, angsty, and not-WASPY right off the bat. (why is witchcraft portrayed so WASPily in books?) Alex knows she’s a bruja and doesn’t want it even though it’s a family tradition. She doesn’t necessary want to avoid it to be normal, but to avoid the power that terrifies her. Then she does some stupid shit as teenagers are oft to do.
The thing was, I liked the premise. I didn’t hate the YA voice so I can’t blame YA fatigue. I think I was disappointed because I was very attached to the opening set up and that was all snatched away with Los Lagos. Once they were there (the majority of the book), I couldn’t be bothered. Shame.
The thing was, I liked the premise. I didn’t hate the YA voice so I can’t blame YA fatigue. I think I was disappointed because I was very attached to the opening set up and that was all snatched away with Los Lagos. Once they were there (the majority of the book), I couldn’t be bothered. Shame.
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
While I enjoyed the book, I found some parts lacking, though that could be be ause of how short the book was. The world building was great, I loved reading about the Deos, the diff rent powers. I adore when books have quotes from in-universe texts as chapter starters. The scene in the meadow with the adas had to be my favorite hands down. It was so visceral and raw, and the horror in it was gorgeous. I love Rishi and Alex, and I wish there was more development to their relationship beyond their very obvious crushes.
Because this is a YA novel and the first in a series, the exposition felt a little heavy handed and rushed. More than once, characters, including the antagonist, would stop everything to explain exactly what they were doing and why.
Given that the other books are more focused on Lula and Rose than Alex, I'm not sure if I'll continue the series at this time.
Because this is a YA novel and the first in a series, the exposition felt a little heavy handed and rushed. More than once, characters, including the antagonist, would stop everything to explain exactly what they were doing and why.
Given that the other books are more focused on Lula and Rose than Alex, I'm not sure if I'll continue the series at this time.
adventurous
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-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
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-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:
No
4.25/5 stars
Tropes:
Witches/Brujas
Coming of Age
Quest/ Adventure
Family dynamics
Forced proximity
Single POV
I had a hard time filtering along in the beginning, but once I understood the world building, then it was a great read. I listened to the audiobook and really enjoyed the narrator. The plot twist got me... like OMG the betrayal. I'm still on the fence about how that played out. The book ends on a tiny cliffhanger, but it sets up the next book really well. Can't wait to read more about this family of brujas.
Tropes:
Witches/Brujas
Coming of Age
Quest/ Adventure
Family dynamics
Forced proximity
Single POV
I had a hard time filtering along in the beginning, but once I understood the world building, then it was a great read. I listened to the audiobook and really enjoyed the narrator. The plot twist got me... like OMG the betrayal. I'm still on the fence about how that played out. The book ends on a tiny cliffhanger, but it sets up the next book really well. Can't wait to read more about this family of brujas.
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
This was an enjoyable read but not a favorite. I don’t read YA as often anymore and it’s a lot harder for me to love it so that definitely impacts my rating. I enjoyed the story, but I think I would’ve loved it more if I read it when I was younger.
The story itself has some great elements: magic, a family of brujas, a rich world, a magical realm where everything is not what it seems, and a sweet friendship that blossoms into something more. It feels like a very classic YA in its tone and structure. So I know I would’ve loved this when I was younger. As an adult reading this though, I wanted more and Alex got on my nerves sometimes.
The story itself has some great elements: magic, a family of brujas, a rich world, a magical realm where everything is not what it seems, and a sweet friendship that blossoms into something more. It feels like a very classic YA in its tone and structure. So I know I would’ve loved this when I was younger. As an adult reading this though, I wanted more and Alex got on my nerves sometimes.
What I loved most about this book is that it was different from any other book I'd read. It showcased a culture and a brand of magic that I only had the barest knowledge of so it was fun to see it in full color. Alex was a really good character that developed over the story. She was relatable and strong. It did embrace some tropes and it was a little predictable, but the settings and characters were so vibrant that it certainly didn't lessen my enjoyment of it. This was much more a fantasy novel than I expected, but again I enjoyed that part of it so very much.
*I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.*
I didn’t know one of our country’s words that are used for calling someone in a funny way actually has a meaning. For us –well, me specifically –bruja means bitch or just a term which also means sis or sister. Didn’t know it actually meant witch.
This book has a unique story. Unlike any other book that has the cliché of having a person based on a prophecy and things like that, Alejandra Mortiz, the chosen one, doesn’t want to be the chosen. Most books with this kind of theme, the chosen ones always cry that they are not the right person. But with Alex, she knows that she’s the one and she hates it. For her, having a power like hers is a burden and not a gift. Which kind of irritate me, that side of hers irritates me. Also, because of that side, she lost all her family.
For some reason, for me, she became as a self-centered girl to all throughout the book. And as what Nova said, she’s a brat. She has everything anyone could hope for but she doesn’t want it. Even Rishi felt that she’s perfect but Alex doesn’t see it.
Their adventure is amazing though. Magic and powers are amazing things. Never read a book with so much magic and power like this. Where the owner of the magic is in control and they don’t use it limitedly. It’s amazing. And the way it was written is good that it painted crystal clear scenes inside my head. It’s like I’m watching a movie while reading this.
And yes. I really wish that this could turn into a movie. It would be awesome!
One of the unique things about this book is having a girl as the villain. Most books today have men for a villain and a girl for a hero. (Go girl power?) Sure it was unique and it was new so I was actually expecting that the battle between Alex and the Devourer would be epic and full of exchange of blows in magic and power. But it happened only in one chapter. And I was expecting more. Seriously, it would be really great if they fought even more where it would be like the battle of who’s stronger of the two. But the battle was abrupt.
The other unique thing about this book, and also new to me, is the love triangle. Most love triangles in a book are composed of one girl and two guys. But here, it’s one guy and two girls. And that’s not the unique part! (Brace yourself because this could come out as a bit of a spoiler. If you don’t want to be spoiled from anything, skip the next part!) Yes it was composed of two girls and a guy but it’s not the two girls who are fighting for the guy but it was the boy and the other girl who is fighting for the heroine! Nova and Rishi are rivals! I never encountered any love triangles that have opposite sex as rivals. It was unique and new to me so it was great!
I don’t have issues about the writing style or anything else. Though I was expecting more from what’s gonna happen on the end but it outweighed the adventure I felt all throughout reading the book so it’s a perfect score for me.
This is a great read! If you are the kind of person who loves adventure with magic and powers and unique love triangle in it, this one is perfect for you!
Make sure to mark your calendars for it will be release this 6th of September!
I didn’t know one of our country’s words that are used for calling someone in a funny way actually has a meaning. For us –well, me specifically –bruja means bitch or just a term which also means sis or sister. Didn’t know it actually meant witch.
This book has a unique story. Unlike any other book that has the cliché of having a person based on a prophecy and things like that, Alejandra Mortiz, the chosen one, doesn’t want to be the chosen. Most books with this kind of theme, the chosen ones always cry that they are not the right person. But with Alex, she knows that she’s the one and she hates it. For her, having a power like hers is a burden and not a gift. Which kind of irritate me, that side of hers irritates me. Also, because of that side, she lost all her family.
For some reason, for me, she became as a self-centered girl to all throughout the book. And as what Nova said, she’s a brat. She has everything anyone could hope for but she doesn’t want it. Even Rishi felt that she’s perfect but Alex doesn’t see it.
Their adventure is amazing though. Magic and powers are amazing things. Never read a book with so much magic and power like this. Where the owner of the magic is in control and they don’t use it limitedly. It’s amazing. And the way it was written is good that it painted crystal clear scenes inside my head. It’s like I’m watching a movie while reading this.
And yes. I really wish that this could turn into a movie. It would be awesome!
One of the unique things about this book is having a girl as the villain. Most books today have men for a villain and a girl for a hero. (Go girl power?) Sure it was unique and it was new so I was actually expecting that the battle between Alex and the Devourer would be epic and full of exchange of blows in magic and power. But it happened only in one chapter. And I was expecting more. Seriously, it would be really great if they fought even more where it would be like the battle of who’s stronger of the two. But the battle was abrupt.
The other unique thing about this book, and also new to me, is the love triangle. Most love triangles in a book are composed of one girl and two guys. But here, it’s one guy and two girls. And that’s not the unique part! (Brace yourself because this could come out as a bit of a spoiler. If you don’t want to be spoiled from anything, skip the next part!) Yes it was composed of two girls and a guy but it’s not the two girls who are fighting for the guy but it was the boy and the other girl who is fighting for the heroine! Nova and Rishi are rivals! I never encountered any love triangles that have opposite sex as rivals. It was unique and new to me so it was great!
I don’t have issues about the writing style or anything else. Though I was expecting more from what’s gonna happen on the end but it outweighed the adventure I felt all throughout reading the book so it’s a perfect score for me.
This is a great read! If you are the kind of person who loves adventure with magic and powers and unique love triangle in it, this one is perfect for you!
Make sure to mark your calendars for it will be release this 6th of September!
The map is gorgeous in Labrinth Lost and it’s a perfect October book. The opening scene was magnificent, so visual and all my other senses were alit too. I could feel myself in the setting.
I love reading of different cultures unfortunately this book was too YA for me. I wish there were more plots that felt YA adventure based but with older characters and steam.