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A Maze of Monsters & Men
The Classic Myth... Rehorned
1900
Ever since she could remember, archaeologist Thea Buckley has had visions of Crete. When her father disappears mysteriously on a previous expedition, Thea seeks answers and journeys to the island to uncover its secrets as well as its history. In her dreams, she finds herself drawn to the mountains and the legendary minotaur in the centre.
Newly appointed as a fellow of the Royal Geographical Society, Dr Fintan McCarthy is returning to Crete to aid a new expedition to discover the labyrinth. But Fin has ulterior motives - he is determined to make sure no one finds out the truth about the island and the minotaur he has fallen in love with. The biggest problem? His ex-partner Thea Buckley is also on the island…
For five thousand years, the minotaur Serapion has been imprisoned in the labyrinth with nothing more than books and wine to keep him company.
Alone for centuries, he cries out to both Thea and Fin.
Will they answer the call?
A Maze of Monsters & Men is a Victorian adventure and minotaur poly-romance that is high in heat, history, and heart! It is part-Beauty & the Beast, part-The Mummy, and part-Phantom of the Opera.
1900
Ever since she could remember, archaeologist Thea Buckley has had visions of Crete. When her father disappears mysteriously on a previous expedition, Thea seeks answers and journeys to the island to uncover its secrets as well as its history. In her dreams, she finds herself drawn to the mountains and the legendary minotaur in the centre.
Newly appointed as a fellow of the Royal Geographical Society, Dr Fintan McCarthy is returning to Crete to aid a new expedition to discover the labyrinth. But Fin has ulterior motives - he is determined to make sure no one finds out the truth about the island and the minotaur he has fallen in love with. The biggest problem? His ex-partner Thea Buckley is also on the island…
For five thousand years, the minotaur Serapion has been imprisoned in the labyrinth with nothing more than books and wine to keep him company.
Alone for centuries, he cries out to both Thea and Fin.
Will they answer the call?
A Maze of Monsters & Men is a Victorian adventure and minotaur poly-romance that is high in heat, history, and heart! It is part-Beauty & the Beast, part-The Mummy, and part-Phantom of the Opera.
418 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 14, 2025
8 people are currently reading
17 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
May 12, 2025
I have just finished this book and I am struggling to find the words to describe it.
This book will take you to Victorian era England and Crete, the heyday of archaeology, repressed emotions and delicious turns of phase. It is a second chance enemies to lovers book with a twist straight out of Greek mythology. Filled with mystery and magic, it will call like a siren to your senses.
As the book explores who is the man and who is the monster (a la Frankenstein), it shows our characters each dealing with an aspect of solitude - loneliness, abandonment and isolation. You’ll find a maze with its own magic, rampant colonialism, feminine rage, closeted lovers and 1900-style propriety and sensibilities.
The book is open door (mazes don’t need doors) and comes with the most delightful descriptions during steamy moments. This was an absolute joy to read and I look forward to raiding Ms Cook’s back catalogue soon.
This book will take you to Victorian era England and Crete, the heyday of archaeology, repressed emotions and delicious turns of phase. It is a second chance enemies to lovers book with a twist straight out of Greek mythology. Filled with mystery and magic, it will call like a siren to your senses.
As the book explores who is the man and who is the monster (a la Frankenstein), it shows our characters each dealing with an aspect of solitude - loneliness, abandonment and isolation. You’ll find a maze with its own magic, rampant colonialism, feminine rage, closeted lovers and 1900-style propriety and sensibilities.
The book is open door (mazes don’t need doors) and comes with the most delightful descriptions during steamy moments. This was an absolute joy to read and I look forward to raiding Ms Cook’s back catalogue soon.
May 7, 2025
ARC review:
This was fun! Well written and paced. Thea, Fin and Serapion have awesome chemistry, and the spice is satisfying. The setting gives the story depth and nuance, especially Thea’s struggles with sexism is academia (and in society in general).
A definite recommendation!
This was fun! Well written and paced. Thea, Fin and Serapion have awesome chemistry, and the spice is satisfying. The setting gives the story depth and nuance, especially Thea’s struggles with sexism is academia (and in society in general).
A definite recommendation!
March 30, 2025
Oh my god! I needed to wait about 12 hours after finishing before writing this because it was so good! I was given a copy to Beta read and when I say I was squealing and screaming and well just all the emotions.
I cannot begin to say how much I loved this because words fail me. I grew up loving Disney’s The Beauty and Beast and The Mummy (!999) and let me say this brings those vibes to the table but so much more. Firstly I want to say I adore Thea, Fin and Sera. They are all so well rounded, fleshed out and perfect. Thea is my new book wife (but Miriam is still number one!) and I have to say Fin and Sera are going to have to get used to living with John! No, in all seriousness though I love how Sarah represents characters. We all have a very tainted view of the prim and proper and prudist Victorian’s but Sarah shows that they were in fact human, with wants, desires and dreams of their own. I loved Thea’s fierceness. Seeing her struggle against the biased and misogyny of the team was frustrating but inspiring. Fin was another gem. I adored the little detail of his Vegetarianism. Serapion was probably my favourite ‘monster’ ever. I adored how gentle and loving he was behind the exterior of the monster and as a sucker for myths and Legends he honestly broke me.
The relationship of these three was just amazing. I admit I haven’t read a good polyamory novel before. The romance always seemed to end up one sided with two of the three becoming the favoured part, so much so it did make me worried about reading them but not so here. The love these three share is so beautiful (and more than a little spicy at times). It’s equally spread between the three and the way Sarah writes it is clear all three are deeply in love with each other and connected. On top of the main characters the supporting ones are just as good and the villain was amazing but he was actually awful. I can’t remember hating a character this much in a long time.
Which leads me on nicely to the writing which is once again amazing. Sarah captures the historical setting of the time and interviews this with characters that spring right off the page. And honestly I wish they would because I need to find myself a Fin, Thea or Sera! But this isn’t just a romance, there is adventure and so much more. There was also a moment where I was worried this would end in tears like Diary of Murders but thankfully it wasn’t the case. That didn’t keep me from nearly bursting into tears though! Thankfully these were momentarily broken when Rook got just what he deserved!
Finally though that ending had me grinning and gave me all the happy feels! The idea of the trio living together through the years, running their museum/visitor centre and loving each other just the same was the cherry on top of a wonderful, captivating story. I have been an avid Sarah Cook Fan since Diary of Murders and that book will always be one of my favourites. To give you an idea, it’s right next to The Lord of the Rings trilogy on my list but A Maze of Men and Monsters had now joined them in my top ten.
I cannot begin to say how much I loved this because words fail me. I grew up loving Disney’s The Beauty and Beast and The Mummy (!999) and let me say this brings those vibes to the table but so much more. Firstly I want to say I adore Thea, Fin and Sera. They are all so well rounded, fleshed out and perfect. Thea is my new book wife (but Miriam is still number one!) and I have to say Fin and Sera are going to have to get used to living with John! No, in all seriousness though I love how Sarah represents characters. We all have a very tainted view of the prim and proper and prudist Victorian’s but Sarah shows that they were in fact human, with wants, desires and dreams of their own. I loved Thea’s fierceness. Seeing her struggle against the biased and misogyny of the team was frustrating but inspiring. Fin was another gem. I adored the little detail of his Vegetarianism. Serapion was probably my favourite ‘monster’ ever. I adored how gentle and loving he was behind the exterior of the monster and as a sucker for myths and Legends he honestly broke me.
The relationship of these three was just amazing. I admit I haven’t read a good polyamory novel before. The romance always seemed to end up one sided with two of the three becoming the favoured part, so much so it did make me worried about reading them but not so here. The love these three share is so beautiful (and more than a little spicy at times). It’s equally spread between the three and the way Sarah writes it is clear all three are deeply in love with each other and connected. On top of the main characters the supporting ones are just as good and the villain was amazing but he was actually awful. I can’t remember hating a character this much in a long time.
Which leads me on nicely to the writing which is once again amazing. Sarah captures the historical setting of the time and interviews this with characters that spring right off the page. And honestly I wish they would because I need to find myself a Fin, Thea or Sera! But this isn’t just a romance, there is adventure and so much more. There was also a moment where I was worried this would end in tears like Diary of Murders but thankfully it wasn’t the case. That didn’t keep me from nearly bursting into tears though! Thankfully these were momentarily broken when Rook got just what he deserved!
Finally though that ending had me grinning and gave me all the happy feels! The idea of the trio living together through the years, running their museum/visitor centre and loving each other just the same was the cherry on top of a wonderful, captivating story. I have been an avid Sarah Cook Fan since Diary of Murders and that book will always be one of my favourites. To give you an idea, it’s right next to The Lord of the Rings trilogy on my list but A Maze of Men and Monsters had now joined them in my top ten.
June 17, 2025
Thea and Fin are archaeologist. While the second one has gained the doctor title together with the recognition from his colleagues the first one struggles to be considered at all. This thanks to the misogonystic Victorian society. But both are bound through their shared dream of Crete and their feelings for each other...
The setting is already very appealing but there is so much more to this book. Thea rebelling the unjust prejudice towards women in the patriarchal Victoria era.
Love that was lost but found again.
The wonderful island of Crete with its colours, culture and history.
And of course a minotaur, king of his reign, and third protagonist of a beautiful polyamorous relationship.
This book was such a pleasure to read, well paced, lovely protagonist, enough about archeology and Greek mythology to make one crave fore more.
And obviously very hot encounters between the three protagonists.
But the thing that I appreciated the most was the positive, no actually enthusiastic approach to a chubby body shape. It was very refreshing to read about characters that have more as 3 percent of body fat and are nonetheless perceived as desirable and attractive.
I am very much looking forward to my next book written by Sarah Cook.
The setting is already very appealing but there is so much more to this book. Thea rebelling the unjust prejudice towards women in the patriarchal Victoria era.
Love that was lost but found again.
The wonderful island of Crete with its colours, culture and history.
And of course a minotaur, king of his reign, and third protagonist of a beautiful polyamorous relationship.
This book was such a pleasure to read, well paced, lovely protagonist, enough about archeology and Greek mythology to make one crave fore more.
And obviously very hot encounters between the three protagonists.
But the thing that I appreciated the most was the positive, no actually enthusiastic approach to a chubby body shape. It was very refreshing to read about characters that have more as 3 percent of body fat and are nonetheless perceived as desirable and attractive.
I am very much looking forward to my next book written by Sarah Cook.
April 30, 2025
A bisexual minotaur wasn't on my bingo card for this year, but when I heard about this romance novel featuring this mythical creature, I knew I definitely wanted to read it.
I really enjoyed this story's build up, with Thea's battle to be respected amongst her peers at the Royal Geographical Society. Her ability, knowledge and passion for archaeology all being ignored because she is female 🙄 Thankfully the support of her family got her to Crete, where she ends up discovering so much about herself, as well as the land she went to excavate.
The spice is very graphic, described in delicious detail, and with there being a really good plot too, I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
I received an ARC of this ebook, and I'm voluntarily leaving this review.
I really enjoyed this story's build up, with Thea's battle to be respected amongst her peers at the Royal Geographical Society. Her ability, knowledge and passion for archaeology all being ignored because she is female 🙄 Thankfully the support of her family got her to Crete, where she ends up discovering so much about herself, as well as the land she went to excavate.
The spice is very graphic, described in delicious detail, and with there being a really good plot too, I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
I received an ARC of this ebook, and I'm voluntarily leaving this review.
May 10, 2025
WHAT CAN ONE SAY ABOUT A VICTORIAN POLY ROMANCE SET IN GREECE?!
ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT!
Got this book as an ARC and to be honest, I am so glad I did because it was such a fun read with an unexpected ending.
If this is your first MMF book, have a gem in your hands!
It has all the spicy you need to keep you going from mid of the book until the end, but like the wait is so worth it.
Thea and Fin are enemies, ex lovers but this changes in Greece, and both meet Serapion, a minotaur from ancient tales.
As we know, love conquers all...or does it? Because what separated these two love birds was a series of events so tragic and sexist (victorian times *cof cof*) that love might not be enough to fix it.
Will definitely be reading more from this author.
ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT!
Got this book as an ARC and to be honest, I am so glad I did because it was such a fun read with an unexpected ending.
If this is your first MMF book, have a gem in your hands!
It has all the spicy you need to keep you going from mid of the book until the end, but like the wait is so worth it.
Thea and Fin are enemies, ex lovers but this changes in Greece, and both meet Serapion, a minotaur from ancient tales.
As we know, love conquers all...or does it? Because what separated these two love birds was a series of events so tragic and sexist (victorian times *cof cof*) that love might not be enough to fix it.
Will definitely be reading more from this author.
August 15, 2025
This book was….interesting to say the least.
I liked that the two human characters weren’t super skinny or had six packs or anything. However, it did fall into the big dick trope.
I also thought the POV was interesting. When it followed Thea and Fin, it was in third person, but Sera’s sections were first person.
Anyways, overall, it’s good for a monster romance. It was silly, goofy, smutty, and fun. It was entertaining. I really just love the fact that a human being thought of this idea and was like “yes, yes, that needs to be written”.
4 stars.
I liked that the two human characters weren’t super skinny or had six packs or anything. However, it did fall into the big dick trope.
I also thought the POV was interesting. When it followed Thea and Fin, it was in third person, but Sera’s sections were first person.
Anyways, overall, it’s good for a monster romance. It was silly, goofy, smutty, and fun. It was entertaining. I really just love the fact that a human being thought of this idea and was like “yes, yes, that needs to be written”.
4 stars.
December 17, 2025
I was initially given this book as an ARC but then i entered a massive reading slump and here we are, I attempted to get back into this and was unfortunately just not able to, the main characters just annoyed me, they did not grow on me at all! I trudged through over 60% before finally pulling the plug on this book. I did like the world building and the amount of research that went into what the world would have been like during this time period though, the info dumping was much nicer to get through when you could tell the author came from a place of passion with the world building.
May 22, 2025
I had the joy of arc reading this book I'm reviewing a little late oops! this book has its up and downs along with its spicy moments I was eating up! I love that we got multiple pics and to see how all the characters felt and desired each other but something was holding them back. I really enjoyed reading this book!
May 2, 2025
Thank you to the author for providing an eARC!
Cook seamlessly blends the heart, adventure, and history of "The Mummy" with the sensuality of "Beauty and the Beast," as well as asking readers who is more monstrous: the Minotaur of myth or the English Empire seeking him out, all whilst claiming antiquity as their own? A heartfelt and spicy poly romance romp, woven with threads of love, forgiveness, and freedom, A MAZE OF MONSTERS AND MAN is a delightful little nugget of a novel that will surely appeal to Greek mythology enthusiasts and minotaur lovers alike. A monster-loving must-read!
Cook seamlessly blends the heart, adventure, and history of "The Mummy" with the sensuality of "Beauty and the Beast," as well as asking readers who is more monstrous: the Minotaur of myth or the English Empire seeking him out, all whilst claiming antiquity as their own? A heartfelt and spicy poly romance romp, woven with threads of love, forgiveness, and freedom, A MAZE OF MONSTERS AND MAN is a delightful little nugget of a novel that will surely appeal to Greek mythology enthusiasts and minotaur lovers alike. A monster-loving must-read!
May 14, 2025
Listen, never any spoilers.
This book was an absolute fucking delight. Highly recommend it. Loved the way the author writes. Loved the story and the characters. Just a really really lovely book. 10/10.
This book was an absolute fucking delight. Highly recommend it. Loved the way the author writes. Loved the story and the characters. Just a really really lovely book. 10/10.
May 28, 2025
Bought this book on a whim at comic-con and I’m so glad I did - the story was interesting and the sex scenes were…. Unique - only disappointment I had was that the promised massive monster dong wasn’t as big as I expected 😅
July 25, 2025
I absolutely raced through this, couldn't put it down! So many aspects to enjoy - Victorian history and archeology, Greek mythology, the setting of Crete (beautifully described), and of course the downright filthy erotica.
May 15, 2025
Proper review to come…I received this as an ARC that I fully forgot I signed up for. Was a bit nervous about if I would like the content but I was surprised and enjoyed the book
December 17, 2025
Engaging.
The author really knows her stuff about Victorians and that shows. Very smutty in places that did make me blush a few times but I adored the trio and their adventures!
The author really knows her stuff about Victorians and that shows. Very smutty in places that did make me blush a few times but I adored the trio and their adventures!
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews