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Theseus and the Sky Labyrinth

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Navigate the labyrinth,
Kill the beast.
Don’t fall for the princess…
Simple, right?

Theseus should know better than to try to impress a princess. And yet… here she is, in a sky labyrinth — an architectural wonder, a prison, a death trap, a maze of masks and monsters — where things are seldom what they seem.

Theseus might have made a name for herself in the monster-killing business, but in the labyrinth-dwelling Minotaur, she might just have met her match.

'Theseus and the Sky Labyrinth' is a standalone novel set in the 'Jasyn and the Astronauts' universe. Like the Jasyn series, it is a sapphic, swords & sorcery in space reimagining of myth where the skies are a wonder and love can move the heavens.

***releasing 7 August 2025***

ebook

Published August 7, 2025

8 people are currently reading
175 people want to read

About the author

Gwenhyver

5 books50 followers
Gwenhyver writes stories with fantastical elements and queer characters. She lives in a village on Dartmoor, England, with her wonderful wife. When she’s not happily hermit-ing in her writing den, she’s likely roaming the moors or exploring cycle trails wearing too much hi-vis. Jasyn and the Astronauts - Book 1 - Under the Ice Skies is her debut novel series.

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
Profile Image for Unpopmary.
204 reviews16 followers
August 28, 2025
3.5 ⭐

Before picking up Theseus and the Sky Labyrinth, I didn’t know much about the myth of Theseus and the Minotaur. In this retelling, the focus shifts to two women from different planets and cultures, and I absolutely loved how imaginative this world was. The obstacles the author created around the labyrinth were clever, well thought out, and without a doubt, very creative.

As for the characters, Theseus was such an intriguing main lead. I enjoyed seeing her adventurous side as a monster hunter, but also her softer side when she was with Asterion — the one person who could truly make her heart soften. Asterion’s backstory was heartbreaking, and watching her discover the sad truth about her situation made me admire her resilience even more. I loved how she stepped out of the shadows and fought for a real chance at life.

Their romance felt spontaneous in the best way. The author took the time to let it develop naturally, without rushing. I could feel their chemistry building with every chapter, and I especially enjoyed seeing how they overcame the language barrier and built trust and intimacy step by step.

With this in mind, I did struggle with the pacing at times. At over 600 pages, the story occasionally felt longer than it needed to be. I don’t mind long books (I’ve happily read ones with over 1,000 pages), but somewhere around the halfway point, I felt a bit disconnected until the pace picked up again. In fact, I put it down for about a month before deciding to commit to finishing it — and I’m glad I did, because it was worth it in the end.

Overall, this book has all the ingredients for a perfect fantasy romance, but there are still a few elements that could have been executed more tightly. Still, if you’re in the mood for an imaginative, slow-burn sapphic retelling with rich worldbuilding, it’s worth giving a try.
Profile Image for mtrics.
128 reviews11 followers
July 13, 2025
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

There’s a monster terrorizing the planet Minos: every year, fourteen criminals are sent into a dangerous, ever-shifting maze in the sky to fight for their lives, but none ever return. Whoever survives and slays the beast roaming the labyrinth would not only earn their freedom, but also win the hand of Princess Ariadne of Minos in marriage, and, therefore, the chance to reign at her side. Enters the titular Theseus; she's a professional monster hunter with “a desire to make the universe a better place and a death-wish,” and is determined to bring this nonsense to a close.

The opening chapters absolutely blew me away. The writing is sharp, and the blend of sci-fi with “fairy tale”-esque elements really worked for me. The descriptions of the maze created vivid visuals in my mind which helped me picture the scenes as if I was there. Theseus stole the show right away: she’s witty, charming, and genuinely funny. The language barrier between her and the other inmates is an amazing touch; it adds both complexity to their interactions and a strong dose of humor.

The best compliment I can give this book is that Part I reminded me of Murder at Spindle Manor by Morgan Stang (my top book of 2024), notably due to the strong female lead having to deal with everyone’s nonsense while hunting a monster/trying to do her job. I was completely charmed.

That said, I was not as entranced by the following parts, and the book truly lost me at the 30% mark, I’ll be honest, I was livid.

The final battle was emotional and satisfying, and I especially appreciated the resolution of certain plot threads The prose throughout the book remained stunning: vibrant, evocative, and really making the world pop off the page. I also adore the cover art on NetGalley; it is absolutely gorgeous.

In the end, I’m just a bit sad about the missed potential. The first part of the book made me think I’d found my new top read for 2025, but the focus shifted too much toward romance and hurt/comfort tropes at the expense of intrigue, action and world-building-which the author truly excels at, so seeing it underutilized was disappointing. I never really felt the danger from the maze for the two protagonists, and the antagonists were underdeveloped, almost caricatures. I wish more time had been spent exploring other characters and the finer points of the politics and world-building, instead of rehashing the same scenes over and over again.

Still, Theseus and the Sky Labyrinth shines brightest in its action-packed moments, which left me breathless. When the story moves forward, it leaves you hungry for more. But it might also be a case of YMMV: this pet peeve of mine (rewinding narratives) might not be yours, and in that case, I’d urge you to pick up this book. Especially if you love romances with strong leads, great character chemistry, beautiful scenery. And fire-breathing chickens! Bok-bok my beloved.
Profile Image for Nicole.
381 reviews52 followers
August 7, 2025
Oh, my goodness, where do I even start?! Theseus and the Sky Labyrinth by Gwenhyver is an epic sci-fi adventure and sapphic romance featuring sword-wielding lesbians, an evil princess, a death maze in space, an overzealous "hero," a driven monster hunter, and an extraordinarily complex "beast."
Dysfunctional childhoods, mental and physical traumas, nasty villains, and language barriers challenge our protagonists as they struggle to communicate and make sense of the situation they’ve found themselves in.
The blurb effectively describes the plot while leaving us to discover the exciting twists and turns as we navigate the labyrinth. There’s plenty of action, suspense, tension, and even some spice. The characters are complex and fun to get to know, and the main characters have fantastic chemistry. They’re well-rounded, likable, and so sweet together. The space tech is fascinating. Also, there’s a feisty chicken—and I love it.
Bonus for neurodivergent rep.
Theseus is the first novel-length work I’ve read by this author, and it’s a doozy. Not only is it super long, but it’s thoroughly entertaining and completely engaging. I didn’t want to put it down. The short story I read by this author was also a five-star read for me. I absolutely love, love, love Gwenhyver's writing style!
I’m a fan and will pick up anything they write.
#spacetech #scifi #epic #sapphicromance #butchbutch #slowburn #firsttime #space #forcedproximity #action #suspense #spicy #touchheranddie #onlyonebed #royaltyromance #lesbianswithswords #nursingbacktohealth #whodidthistoyou #HEA #neurodivergentrep
I received this free ARC from the author. This is my honest opinion.
Profile Image for Gio.reads.sapphic .
57 reviews41 followers
July 30, 2025
I'm gonna go straight to the trope because the summary speaks for itself. In this sci-fi book you'll find:
- Forced proximity
- First time
- Slow burn
-Touch her and die
-Only one bed
- Royalty romance
- Nursing back to health
-Lesbians with swords
- All female casts
- Masc x Masc
and an amazing emotional support fire chiken (Bok Bok, trust me he'll become you favorite character and at the end of the book you'll want to have both him and a minotaur plush). So if this is something you might find interesting you should definitely give it a go!!

3🔥

TW: Blood - violence- being captive- death- parental loss- parental/familiar mistratment.
12 reviews
July 28, 2025
Thank you to Gwenhyver for the ARC copy of Theseus and the Sky Labyrinth.
I really loved this story!
I’ve not read many sci fi stories, but mix the genre with Greek mythology and a heartwarming sapphic romance and I’m sold.
I love a slow burn romance that builds the connection through multiple POVs. Plus there is plenty of plot and action to keep the pace moving.
The banter between characters is not only well written but so cute and I fell for them so much!
Would definitely recommend if you like Greek retellings, court intrigue, roguish monster hunters, and a chicken that breathes fire.
25 reviews
August 15, 2025
I really enjoyed Theseus and The Sky Labyrinth. A spoiler character who I won’t name was my favorite, given a complex backstory that we discover through a growing relationship, and grapples with a difficult decision and a nearly impossible location to escape. Theseus was of course magnificent, funny and a hero to root for throughout. Theseus’s perspective is roughly half the book, with alternate sections with another POV alternating about halfway through the book. The worldbuilding is smoothly introduced through each character’s perspective - past relationships, locations, technology, and social dynamics coming into play as they each deal with the situation at hand.

A sapphic relationship is central to this book, just as much as the labyrinth-crawling heroics. There is one stretch that is oddly cozy - a reprieve from the near-impossible obstacles of the labyrinth. The reactions to finding love in such as a place feel believable and the build-up to physical and emotional connection held some delightful suspense.

The language barriers between denizens of each interstellar society were handled thoughtfully, along with the cultural differences. They aren’t stereotypes, and neither are the sapphic lovers. Each has their own strength and talent, and view of the other with concern, affection or amusement. Even the villains who are presented as evil are viewed as complex people who could perhaps change their behavior one day - but the book remains bright and heroic in tone overall, and the villainy must be stopped to save the day. This is the kind of book I’ve always loved to read - and am so glad the genre is now populated with sapphic tales too.

I wish I could have known some of the minor characters longer, but with the space allotted, they were handled well. The spoiler character’s perspective did lag at first in retelling events seen previously through another’s eyes. Overall, I’m excited to see the future for Theseus as well as for those who had a hand in creating the labyrinth. A couple of other characters from Jason’s books do pop up, but this book stands well on its own. For those that have read them, some easter eggs and references will be enjoyable.

I received an ARC of this book. This review is my honest opinion. I am not being compensated in any way.
Profile Image for Raquelio poop.
83 reviews1 follower
July 14, 2025
This book is full of action, and yearning and the setting is so interesting. It was such a fun read, I was turning pages quickly to find out what happens next. I'm so in love with Theseus and Asterion, and I love their development. I'm going to be thinking about this book for a long time in the best way.

Theseus gets herself arrested so that she can try her chance in the sky Labyrinth and slay the Minotaur monster. But once she gets injured and dragged off by the monster, things get very confusing and Theseus slowly realizes things aren't what they seem and the Minotaur isn't the monster the Princess has made her out to be.
397 reviews3 followers
August 7, 2025
Where to start. This book is exceptional. The world-building is magnificent and the characters wonderfully fleshed out and brought to life on the pages as we read.
The labyrinth is amazingly complex, and it’s astounding to think that it all comes from the mind of one very talented author.
The book is full of perils and hidden danger, that are weaved together with humour that made me laugh out loud several times.
Asterion and Theseus will have you captivated. Enjoy
Profile Image for Lauren Head.
636 reviews13 followers
August 7, 2025
I loved this story! A sci fi story, mixed with Greek mythology and a heartwarming sapphic romance is a combination I did not expect to love as much as I did. While I am not one for slow burn romances, there was just something about this one that made me want to keep reading. It may have been the connection through multiple POVs and the plot and action to keep the pace moving. The banter between characters is so cute that it had me kicking my feet!
Profile Image for Holly Violet.
133 reviews4 followers
August 1, 2025
I love Gwenhyvers writing style and her interpretations of Greek mythology. This story lives up to everything you want it too. Well written, whitty and most importantly an exciting adventure with all sorts of twists and turns.

If you are a fan of the classics with a sapphic focus then I suggest you give this book a go! Just make sure you have plenty of free time as it’s not a short book.

I was lucky enough to be given an ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Serina’s Stories wolfganghollows.
119 reviews1 follower
August 2, 2025
I adored this book. With enough of the elements of the original myth of Theseus and the Minotaur but with a sapphic twist. This book will capture your heart from beginning to end, I couldn’t put this down. Set in the same world (not planet) as Jasyn and The Astronauts, this story has that same mix of excitement and intensity that keeps you reading for more.
Absolutely loved it and can’t wait to read more books by this author, each book has a mix of fantasy, myth, space opera and strong sapphic female main characters, what more could you want.

Eagerly awaiting Jasyn book 3 here lol!

I received and ARC from the author and this is my honest review
Profile Image for Kat M.
5,189 reviews18 followers
July 21, 2025
Gwenhyver does it again in the mythology retelling genre, it had that element that I was wanting and enjoyed from other books that I read from Gwenhyver. Theseus and the Sky Labyrinth uses the Greek mythology and Jasyn and the Astronaunts universe perfectly. I enjoyed the fantasy romance and enjoyed how good everything worked together to tell the storyline. I was invested in what was going on and thought the writing was so well done and am excited for more from Gwenhyver.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Profile Image for Kerstin.
51 reviews
November 22, 2025
“Theseus and the Sky Labyrinth” is the second story I’ve read by Gwenhyver, and I’m already eager for more. Huge thanks to her for the opportunity to read this book ahead of its August 7th release!

“Emotions are like a maze; hard to navigate and easy to get lost in.”


Where do I even begin? I was completely hooked by “Theseus and the Sky Labyrinth”! The action, the adventure, the swoon-worthy moments (even though monster hunters do not swoon, thank you), the myth-inspired plot, the underlying mystery—every element had me on the edge of my seat from start to finish.

Our main character, Theseus, is a battle-focused, maze-bound monster hunter heading to her next mission: entering the Sky Labyrinth just outside of the planet Minos and hunting down the beast inside — you guessed it, the infamous Minotaur. She expects danger, of course, but what she doesn’t expect is everything else the maze has in store for her (especially the “renegade arsonist chicken”)!

“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.”


I thoroughly enjoy Gwenhyver’s writing style. She has a true gift for transporting readers into her world — whether it’s through atmospheric descriptions, unique cultures, or believable magic systems. Her writing strikes the perfect balance between showing and telling, giving just enough detail to spark your imagination. Without giving too much away, the story features multiple points of view, and I absolutely loved the way Gwenhyver executed them. You really get to see the story from all angles!

If you’re a fan of sci-fi/fantasy with high-stakes action, epic adventures, journeys of self-discovery, slow-burn sapphic romance, enemies-to-lovers tension and swooning (So. Much. Swooning.), myth retellings, and strong women—literally and figuratively—“Theseus and the Sky Labyrinth” is an absolute must-read!
26 reviews
July 21, 2025
I received an electronic ARC of this book via NetGalley in exchange for a review. All opinions are my own.

I saw the words "sky labyrinth" and the gorgeous cover and instantly knew I had to read this book. A labyrinth, in the sky, with lesbians? AND with a basis in Greek mythology for us Percy Jackson kids? Sign me up!

Theseus and the Sky Labyrinth is a romance set in a sci-fi skin inspired by Greek mythology. Theseus, a monster hunter, finds her way into the Sky Labyrinth in the orbit of the planet Minos. The Architect-in-training, the leader of the planet Minos, sends thirteen criminals (and one Chosen Hero) to the Labyrinth every year to fight their way through the constantly changing, deadly maze, aiming to kill the Minotaur at its heart and end its 19-year reign of terror on the citizens below. But not everything is as it seems.

This book is a fun, indulgent romp that reads a bit like fanfiction, or perhaps like episodes in a season of TV. The protagonist Theseus is flip and irreverent, a bit like a lesbian Geralt of Rivia, and the second POV character was also quite endearing and quickly catapulted to my favorite character after getting to her backstory chapters. We were thrown right into the action, and even though I felt like the story slowed down quite a lot through the middle, there was always progress being made.

This is a romance primarily and a sci-fi secondarily. I was here for the worldbuilding because that concept is what drew me in, but the author focused on these two characters more. Which is okay, just not what I was expecting. There are maybe 4-6 chapters of explicit adult content.

Pros: The amazing concept, worldbuilding, and execution. I am a Percy Jackson kid, and I adore retellings of mythology, so that hit just the right buttons. Concepts like a world-engine and multidirectional gravity are so cool, and I want to see more! Also, there was a heaping portion of poetic justice, which was quite satisfying. Also everyone is a lesbian.

Cons: The writing style wasn't quite what I was used to. I often struggle with 3rd person present because the line between what the narrator knows and what the protagonist knows can easily get too blurred and the infodumping can get too clunky. I also, again, don't read much romance, so the fact that over half of the book was just romance was a bit difficult for me personally. The book could have also done with one final little round of grammar and formatting edits, but that's just the rules stickler in me.

All in all, this book is a 3.5 rounded up for me. I'm definitely interested in reading more of the books set in this universe, because I want to see more of the Greek myths adapted for science fiction! Also more lesbians!

This review is cross-posted on NetGalley, Storygraph, and Goodreads.
Profile Image for Tristin.
182 reviews30 followers
August 1, 2025

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.

Follow me on socials: Instagram | TikTok@mythicalreadsreviewer.


Profile Image for L.B. Shimaira.
Author 6 books38 followers
August 2, 2025
I got to read this ARC using text-to-voice, which means I mostly listened during my drives to/from work.
Positive? Can't throw a book across the room like that.
Negative? Trying to not cry cos you need to see the road 🙈
I jest 💜 ...a little.
I *did* get furious at several points and wanted to yeet SOMETHING cos {incoherent screaming} and also wanted to toss a certain man into a lava stream.
I also did get moved to tears cos HEAVENS ABOVE AND BELOW, GWENHYVER, HOW DARE!
So yeah, definitely a sign of good writing right there 😌

This book was great fun 😁 I don't think I can ever look at a spoon normally again 😂 I also absolutely loved the fire-breathing chicken 🐔
The design of the labyrinth was so playful (and, iykyk, that makes so much sense too) and it creates such an amazing vision in my mind. Would totally love to see this turned into a movie/miniseries, if only to see the multidirectional gravity in action 😁

Now I'll admit: I was afraid the ending would go a certain way and not satisfy me, but I got pleasantly surprised 😌💜
~the ending held a few fun little surprises tbh 🔥

On style:
The book is written in third person but changes pov between multiple characters, each with a very distinct voice. At some point the story so far gets partially repeated but from another character's pov. I found some bits repetitive there, even if a lot of new insights were revealed, simply because this happened at a very tense point in the story and I needed to know what happened next 😭

While I've consumed my fair share of scifi in terms of movies and series (slight Star Trek geek here) I haven't read much in terms of books. That made this extra fun because of how it mixed fantasy/mythology with scifi. Just casual dropping of terms and lore (an alien species/animal here, some scifi tech there). It really made for good world immersion.

So if you're into mythology, made sapphic, in space? Go check out this book! 🌌
Profile Image for Mandy.
124 reviews1 follower
August 7, 2025
Theseus and the Sky Labyrinth is a gender-bent sapphic retelling of the Greek myth of Theseus. In space. And yes, it is as crazy as it sounds. I had found this book and its premise interesting when I first heard of it, but I only read it months later. When I tell you, the whiplash I felt when the different parts of the premise started to click in the first chapter. I was in for a ride.

I have the belief that parodies are only good when the author has respect and an understanding of the source material. It is very clear that Gwenhyver has a deep knowledge of Greek myths and history, which is why they can completely flip it onto its head as they do. Notable points of accuracy is correctly using the Greek name for all the characters, instead of the Roman bastardization, and appreciating and depicting how unbelievably horny the ancient Greeks were.

This book also has a very intriguing narrative style. Theseus is snarky and very focused on the First Rules of Monster Hunting. We not only perceive the world through her lens, but, most importantly, through her sense of humor. It inevitably reminds me somewhat of the narration in Percy Jackson, but more adult and with more flirting.

Sadly, this book did not do it for me, but I can appreciate the beautiful and flowery writing and how well-developed the characters were. We don't have a lot of sapphic sci-fi romance stories, and I definitely appreciate that. It was just too chaotic for me, and unfortunately I kept finding myself thinking back to details from the original myths and then suddenly being reminded that they are in space. I do, however, have some friends that I'm absolutely sure will lot this. It is not a bad book by any means, just not everyone's cup of tea.

Thank you to NetGalley, Gwenhyver, and Sky Dog Books for the advanced copy. This review is left voluntarily and honestly.
Profile Image for KMart Vet.
1,522 reviews81 followers
August 8, 2025
4.5/5 stars

I had SUCH a good time with this one. It’s a sapphic Greek mythology retelling with a snarky, sword-wielding Theseus, a strange sci-fi labyrinth setting, and a slow-burn, unexpected romance. Theseus reminded me of Gideon the Ninth and the labyrinth setting and sapphic romance echoed that. Theseus had a certain chaotic humor and underlying emotional repression that I adored. She's funny and emotionally stunted, and exactly the kind of hero I love.

The opening promises action and stakes, and while we do get some tense labyrinth scenes, the book eventually settles into something quieter and more introspective. Theseus and her endearing love interest find themselves in a strange little domestic bubble inside a sci-fi maze, and I was unexpectedly charmed by how gentle their relationship turned out to be. That said, the pacing isn’t perfectly balanced; once Asterion's POV is introduced, things slow down quite a bit and we restart the book from her perspective. While I liked the insight, I could’ve done with less of it; maybe a little faster speed through? Still, the story stuck the emotional landing and never lost me.

The blend of Greek myth, space fantasy, and romantic healing was just the kind of mash-up I love. Also: secret identities, tragic backstories, fights, drug-induced love confessions, and characters who don’t know how to talk about their feelings until it’s almost too late? Yes, please. Definitely recommend if you like sci-fi retellings with emotional depth, queerness, and a touch of sword-swinging chaos. It has my entire heart.

Thanks so much to the author for the complimentary copy. This review is voluntary and all opinions are my own. What a great time!
Profile Image for The Devon Book Dragon.
47 reviews11 followers
July 24, 2025
“There are too many monsters out there in need of her specific combination of bravery-meets-stupidity.”

I thoroughly enjoy this book!
The story is fantastic and the characters were perfect!
I absolutely loved that even during crazy life threatening, monster hunting mayhem, Theseus is still an incredibly awkward and fumbling mess! Especially around a pretty lady apparently 🤣 her internal cringing tickled me every time.

As expected there are many battles and fights in this book, which mixed with a labyrinth that likes a sneaky gravity swap, makes for a cracking and hard to step away from story.

The POV swaps part of the way in and we see the story from another point of view. To begin with I thought that that was perhaps pointless, but I actually loved it. It added so much to the characters which really made me love them.

“In Theseus’s experience, monsters who play games never tire of them. They never change, either. They strive only to bend the universe to their will.”

The ending had me on the edge. Which with a 4 month old is not easy 😅 I have now stayed up far too late cause I needed to know what happens.

Also, I have so much love for Bok-Bok ❤️

Profile Image for Megan.
121 reviews4 followers
July 24, 2025
Book: Theseus and the Sky Labyrinth
Author: Gwenhyver
Release Date: 8/7/2025

Sci-fi meets mythology: Theseus and the Sky Labyrinth, is a new retelling of the Minotaur from Greek Mythology with a Sci-fi twist. Instead of regions of land, we have planets. Instead of sailing seas, we have space travel. Other fun facets of this book LGBTQ+ and Gender Swaps.

This book features multiple POV, however I did not enjoy that it started after reading 50% of the book. The second POV while providing history, retold the first half of the book from the other perspective. I felt that while it provided some insight, it felt redundant.

I really wanted to love this book, as I love a good retelling, but I did not enjoy the order of POV. I also felt the romance did not feel natural, the speed in which some characters could suddenly pick up another language was soley to move the book along, which why have the langauge barrier to begin with?

I volunteered as an Arc reader. Thank you Netgalley.
Profile Image for diamondinthepages .
132 reviews2 followers
July 30, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ // ARC from BookSirens & Gwenhyver

Theseus and the Sky Labyrinth was absolutely not what I expected—and I mean that in the best way possible.

This is a Theseus and Ariadne retelling set in space with a sapphic twist, and it completely flips the myth on its head. I went in thinking I knew the story of the labyrinth and the minotaur... but Gwenhyver said, “think again.” 😅

From the very first chapter, this book had me guessing. Just when I thought I had the plot figured out, it veered into uncharted territory. It’s packed with twists, betrayals, and reveals that kept me turning the pages with wide eyes and a racing heart. Sci-fi, mythology, queerness, and a dose of chaos? Count me in.

If you’re looking for a queer reimagining that’s bold, imaginative, and utterly unpredictable, this one’s for you. I had a blast!
Profile Image for Jennabeebs79.
603 reviews27 followers
July 16, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2

Theseus and the Sky Labyrinth is a beautifully crafted blend of myth, sci-fi, and sapphic romance that really hits the mark. The vivid worldbuilding and striking descriptions bring the sky labyrinth to life, while the sharp, witty writing keeps the story engaging and balanced. The well-developed main characters feel real and relatable, with complex emotions and vulnerabilities that make their journey compelling. The slow-burning romance unfolds naturally, enriched by moments of domestic warmth that contrast perfectly with the ongoing tension and thrilling action sequences. This book is a captivating, emotional ride that will appeal to fans of reimagined myths, character-driven stories, and heartfelt queer romance alike.

Check out my complete review at TheLesbianReview.com
Profile Image for Ky.
219 reviews29 followers
August 6, 2025
Lesbians - Greek retelling - all female cast- touch her and die… what more can I say?!

Gwenhyver nails it every time, this is the third ARC I have had the pleasure to read and I have never been disappointed. This retelling of the Minotaur is incredible, addicting and beautiful.

I absolutely loved Theseus, her character was so imperfectly perfect. I loved all of the inner dialogue and the humour she brought to this story.

This is a big, long, epic tale. Written in dual POV, it gives you a well rounded view of everyone’s personalities, perspectives and peeves. I did find some of the swapped POV to be a bit redundant, but I never felt it hurt the story.

Absolutely recommend this amazing retelling!! Thank you so very much for the ARC!
Profile Image for Carolyn Marsh.
53 reviews
August 9, 2025
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

It was a fun read and a different take on a known myth. I feel like some points were pretty obvious and the book did tend to lag at parts definitely after the first act when we basically had to go back through everything we just read. I think it would have worked better if the plot kept moving forward like it did with the third act and just switched povs without replaying past events. There was also a pint in the book where i felt like nothing was progressing and it made it hard to get through. I do wish there was more action and suspense but over all a fun read.
Profile Image for Jay Beau.
83 reviews1 follower
September 10, 2025
*I got this book for free, but this opinion is my own*

I loved the premise. A Sci-fi gender-bent Theseus taking on the Minotaur. It was an awesome idea. My mind raced with ideas before and during reading.

The tension was really hooking. And the characters were awesome.

The discovery chapters are interesting, but at some point it lost my interest.

The Sci-fi elements were still there, to be fair, but it felt like there were no more threats after the Minotaur.

Instead of it being a kickass sapphic Sci-fi, it became a generic contemporary sapphic romance. And if that's what you like, then this book is sweet and worth reading.
Profile Image for Andrea Stoeckel.
3,138 reviews132 followers
August 18, 2025
"silence chosen is better than silence forced"

A sapphic spin on Theseus? A possible partner in a princess? Leave it to Gwenhyver to fascinate and at some levels educate neophytes with Greek tinged mythological construction.

Of course the characters are fairly smart( with the possibility of one who *thinks* he is). The plot is woven as well as the labyrinth itself. Theseus and Ariadne retold in a neurodivergent way. I loved this book! Highly Recommended 5/5

[ Disclaimer: I received this book as a gift from the author but in no way did it affect my reading or review]
Profile Image for Elizabeth.
3 reviews
September 4, 2025
Exciting adventure with complex characters. The world building is extremely engaging and clever, the characters are multidimensional and layered. Deeply enjoyed this sapphic re-imagining of this myth. The writing as always was a careful mix of adventure, character building, and wit. Loved spending time with these endearing characters and the creative world(s) they inhabit. Another great read from a fantastic author.
25 reviews
September 18, 2025
omg, where to start? Lesbians with swords, magical planets, galaxies, pricesses who save themselves, muscle lesbians, A LOT of swooning and an incredible pace that makes you want to never put the book down.
incredible work, i really enjoyed reading this!
Profile Image for Julie.
90 reviews3 followers
August 5, 2025
Theseus is a monster hunter and wants to kill the monster on Sky Labyrinth but has to get arrested so she and other criminals get there, it's like reading two different magical worlds. I liked the slow burn between the princess and Theseus, light touches , longer eye contact feeling the attraction between them . Theseus and the Sky Labyrinth thrilling action sci Fi and slow burn sapphic romance is beautifully written!

Thank you to Gwenhyver and Bookfunnel for ARC
819 reviews19 followers
July 29, 2025
Wow this book blew me away the main characters were incredible written in so much depth making you feel like you knew everything about them then twists happen keeping you hooked i was captured so much that I read it in one go i couldn't put it down definitely must read congratulations
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