Mirror Maze

by Michaele Jordan

Demons and sorcerers stalk the streets of Victorian London in search of a magical treasure lost in the Opium wars.

Genres: Fantasy, Science Fiction Fantasy

401 pages, Paperback

First published October 4, 2011

Reviews

[April]

No rating because this is a DNF. I couldn't finish because I persevered through to page 116, following characters that had no interest for me in the hopes that things would pick up and was disappointed. Sadly the 'pick up' seemed to me like a scene from a serial killer movie and I just couldn't continue.

If you like cold-blooded killers and people who murder beloved pets without an qualms this might be for you. Just not for me.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have to say that I know I'm going to have a hard time reviewing this book. First, I did think this was YA but it is an adult book. There are allusions to smex, but nothing overtly descriptive so the YA crowd could read this one quite easily. It is also full of descriptions from history and fully vetted in a Victorian setting. There is even a few definitions at the back of the book for those who are curious about a certain phrase or specific event or item. So, the book was well researched for those history buffs.

Now, why would I have trouble reviewing? The problem is that there are several of you that I would have to encourage you many times not to put down this book. Seriously. This book seems to consist of 3 separate short stories. None of the 3 actually feel like short stories but they are actually all compete within each section. Now, this is why I would have to encourage you to keep on reading. It's confusing.

Every time I started a section of this book, I was lost, confused and utterly baffled. I just about couldn't see right from left and up from down. The title suits this book well. So, why would I encourage you to keep on reading? Because it all comes together in the ending of each section. It makes sense. However, the next section tends to take that sense and turn it back on it's ear. You are back to scratching your head wondering how you took that wrong turn in Albuquerque (Bugs Bunny reference).

Despite the extreme confusion, I found myself wanting to continue. Wanting to find out how all the parts fit together. Plus, in the end... there is a twist that you will not see. I wouldn't even have minded it continuing for at least one more part just to make sure everything was okay. I think by that time even though the ending made sense... I just didn't trust it anymore. ;)

I give this confusing and interesting book 4 stars. If you hate to be lost (really lost) in a book this one may not be for you. However, if you love a book where you don't seem to be able to predict which way the maze will lead you, try this book. It's a mystery worth solving.

[Brittney · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'm giving this a 1 star, and I have dropped this book. This had a very interesting premise for me, but sadly the book just didn't follow through. Not only did I have a hard time getting into what I read, I felt the book should have ended when Colonel Beckford gave Dr. Chang to the demon. I'm sure there's a reason why the story continued, I couldn't get far enough to find out. Things just seemed to get odd, and I had an extremely hard time suspending my disbelief in what was happening (I don't usually have this problem.)

I can't recommend this to anyone, interesting premise or not.

[Honey · Rating 1 out of 5]

I gave it one star because I started it and didn't finish. This book was no fun to read. The romantic parts were boring, and the fantasy parts didn't make any sense. The author kept alluding to things that happened in the past as dry anecdote which was a shame because nothing was really happening in the story that couldn't have been enlivened by a site trip to another place.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is wonderful and very well written and i would definitely recommend it. The book had great vocabulary and the author described everything in great detail which i really loved. So if you love books with romance, mystery, and a little bit of horror you would love this book.

[Darshan Elena · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted to lose myself within this book, but it just felt limp at times... so much so that I stopped reading at the midpoint. The characters seemed lacking in desire or meaningful motivation. There was potential, to be sure, but the novel was rather lackluster in execution.

[Karen Brennan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting concept; overall decently written but it could have been longer - it was a little choppy in parts. My main problem with it is that I just didn't like most of the characters - it was a little cold when dealing with them.

[Katherine · Rating 1 out of 5]

I could not get through this boo. The premise sounded interesting and I liked the cover. The writing is soooo stilted and I felt absolutely no connection to the characters. Livia is insipid and annoying and the others were no better.

[Susie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love mysteries and fantasy-this had doppelgangers and communicating/traveling through a mirror portal. I did finish it as I wanted to know what happened. I felt a bit more confused than fascinated! Still an interesting time period (Victorian times) and the historical bits were fun.

[Kristin (MyBookishWays Reviews) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review to come...

[Alpha Uniform Delta India · Rating 1 out of 5]

i couldn't even finish it. blah.

[Kelly]

Do not want due to plot elements.

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this, although I'm not normally a big science fiction reader. My friend I worked with at AT&T is the author of the book, so I wanted to check it out. I was not disappointed!

[Tina · Rating 4 out of 5]

At the beginning it felt as if I will not finish this book, but I'm glad I continued reading. Loved the vocabulary, characters and the plot in the story line.

[Mei-Ling]

This book started out well but was too jumbled and disconnected with the four sections...maybe the sequel will wrap it up more neatly?

[Jill · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's obviously a first book, and maybe wasn't as researched as it could have been. i liked it enough to keep reading, and to finish it.

[Missy Lag · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kind of confusing.