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ebook
Published August 7, 2025
“Emotions are like a maze; hard to navigate and easy to get lost in.”
“She laughs even harder, then, because she’s faced down monsters in masks and multiheaded beasts, but she is undeniably afraid of this one chicken.”
Digital ARC provided by the author. All thoughts are my own.
Theseus and the Sky Labyrinth had me from the start with its promise of lesbians, space, and myth. Gwenhyver delivers on all three fronts with a creative and surprisingly heartfelt reimagining of the Minotaur myth. This is a book that knows exactly what it wants to be: sapphic swords and sorcery in space, and it commits to the bit beautifully.
The worldbuilding is clever and detailed, with just enough tech and fantastical engineering to keep the sci-fi elements grounded, but not so much that it overpowers the emotional core of the story. The labyrinth is one of the most immersive parts of the book, both visually and atmospherically. The tension Gwenhyver builds through Theseus’ journey is sharp and engaging. You feel the pressure, the claustrophobia, the uncertainty of the maze, and then, almost too suddenly, it all dissipates.
That’s where the pacing faltered a bit for me. After such a gripping first half, the narrative hits a stretch of relative stillness. It makes sense plot-wise, but emotionally it feels like a lull in momentum that the book never fully recovers from. Coupled with a few scenes that rehash events from another point of view without adding much new insight, this middle section dragged just enough to make me notice.
That said, I really loved our FMCs. Their arcs, both individually and as romantic leads, were satisfying and nuanced. I was especially into the way their dynamic challenged each other and allowed space for vulnerability. The romantic tension is steady and well-paced, and the sapphic representation is front and center in a way that feels natural and unapologetic.
The ending was solid and the resolution satisfying, though if I’m being honest I wish it had gone on just a bit longer. There were emotional beats I wanted to linger on and moments of vengeance and closure that could have been more detailed. But that’s likely the vengeance-loving part of me talking.
Ultimately, this is a vibrant, queer reworking of myth that does a great job balancing character, setting, and theme. If Gwenhyver ever revisits Theseus and her crew, I’ll absolutely be the first in line to see what they’re up to next.
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