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Thrones of the Forsaken #1
Labyrinthine
Every generation, the gods take their due. This time, they might take her.
Princess Azhara was born cursed. Marked by ancient magic. Promised to an unholy bargain sealed in blood. When the Reaping begins, suitors will descend into the labyrinth beneath the palace—each one fighting to win her hand or die trying.
She’s never had a choice. Not in the Reaping. Not in her future. Not even in the power buried beneath her skin.
Until now.
The golden prince arrives with charm too slick to trust and eyes that gleam with secrets. Her quiet guardian—once her only constant—has begun to keep dangerous truths from her. And as the labyrinth trials unfold, Azhara realizes the maze isn’t her only trap.
It’s the men.
One lies. One loves. One kills. And she’s not sure which is which.
As suitors fall and secrets surface, Azhara must choose what’s worth saving—her kingdom, her heart, or herself.
Labyrinthine is a seductive, myth-woven romantasy of deadly trials, cursed bloodlines, and a love born in shadows.
Princess Azhara was born cursed. Marked by ancient magic. Promised to an unholy bargain sealed in blood. When the Reaping begins, suitors will descend into the labyrinth beneath the palace—each one fighting to win her hand or die trying.
She’s never had a choice. Not in the Reaping. Not in her future. Not even in the power buried beneath her skin.
Until now.
The golden prince arrives with charm too slick to trust and eyes that gleam with secrets. Her quiet guardian—once her only constant—has begun to keep dangerous truths from her. And as the labyrinth trials unfold, Azhara realizes the maze isn’t her only trap.
It’s the men.
One lies. One loves. One kills. And she’s not sure which is which.
As suitors fall and secrets surface, Azhara must choose what’s worth saving—her kingdom, her heart, or herself.
Labyrinthine is a seductive, myth-woven romantasy of deadly trials, cursed bloodlines, and a love born in shadows.
338 pages, Paperback
Published May 12, 2026
About the author
C.J. Holmes
15 books196 followersCJ Holmes lives in England, where it's cold and damp, and it's always raining - which provides her with enough time to write stories about magic, fantasy and romance. She'd like to escape to somewhere warm but that might mean that she spends too much time sunbathing and not enough time writing books.
She lives in a quaint English cottage which would have one of those idyllic gardens if her fingers weren't the opposite of green. Fortunately, her husband and children don't seem to mind that almost everything she tries to grow ends up dead. She enjoys drinking wine and gin, which conveniently coincides with her love of reading and writing, as well as running and watching bad TV shows. You have been warned....
Instagram ➜ @cjholmes_writing
Find me on threads ➜ @cjholmes_writing
She lives in a quaint English cottage which would have one of those idyllic gardens if her fingers weren't the opposite of green. Fortunately, her husband and children don't seem to mind that almost everything she tries to grow ends up dead. She enjoys drinking wine and gin, which conveniently coincides with her love of reading and writing, as well as running and watching bad TV shows. You have been warned....
Instagram ➜ @cjholmes_writing
Find me on threads ➜ @cjholmes_writing
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 426 reviews
June 1, 2026
To be or not to be? I love him, I love him not? That was basically the entire book.
The whole story was the FMC endlessly debating which guy she should choose. Seriously...😳 WTH? This could have been an email.
I love a good love triangle, but this is a perfect example of how not to write one. The romance between the FMC and the guard felt forced and existed simply because the story needed it to. The relationship with the prince wasn't much better, there was virtually no buildup. We're told they have feelings for each other, but we never actually feel it as readers.
The entire book felt like: choose, choose, choose. There was very little plot outside of the love triangle. There was supposedly some mystery involving her father, but that storyline never really went anywhere or paid off in a meaningful way.
And can someone please explain the princess's magic? The book keeps telling us she has magic, but what magic? What does it do? How does it work? We are told it exists, but we're never actually shown anything. It felt like an important part of the story that was never developed.
Overall, lots of indecision, weak romance development, and an underdeveloped plot. Unfortunately, this one just didn't work for me.
Received an ARC: Love triangle, dark romance, say no more! RTC...
The whole story was the FMC endlessly debating which guy she should choose. Seriously...😳 WTH? This could have been an email.
I love a good love triangle, but this is a perfect example of how not to write one. The romance between the FMC and the guard felt forced and existed simply because the story needed it to. The relationship with the prince wasn't much better, there was virtually no buildup. We're told they have feelings for each other, but we never actually feel it as readers.
The entire book felt like: choose, choose, choose. There was very little plot outside of the love triangle. There was supposedly some mystery involving her father, but that storyline never really went anywhere or paid off in a meaningful way.
And can someone please explain the princess's magic? The book keeps telling us she has magic, but what magic? What does it do? How does it work? We are told it exists, but we're never actually shown anything. It felt like an important part of the story that was never developed.
Overall, lots of indecision, weak romance development, and an underdeveloped plot. Unfortunately, this one just didn't work for me.
Received an ARC: Love triangle, dark romance, say no more! RTC...
February 28, 2026
Holy love triangle!!!!
I am not typically a love triangle lover, and this one had me emotionally spiraling in the best and most frustrating way. One minute I knew exactly who I wanted Azahara with, and the next I was completely convinced she should choose the other. The internal conflict was REAL but honestly, that just shows how well it was written.
What really stood out to me was Azahara’s character growth. Watching her move from a life shaped by expectations and lack of choice into someone willing to claim her own future was incredibly satisfying. There is something powerful about a heroine who learns to trust herself and ultimately gets to decide what her life will be.
The world-building is rich without feeling overwhelming, and the descriptive writing makes everything feel vivid and immersive. C.J. Holmes creates an atmosphere that pulls you in quickly and keeps the pages turning. The pacing is strong, the tension stays high, and there is always something unfolding to keep you invested.
And the ending? Very satisfying. The emotional payoff felt earned, and I closed the book feeling genuinely glad I took this journey with these characters.
While love triangles aren’t usually my favorite trope, this one is undeniably well done my frustration was less about the trope itself and more about how invested I became.
If you enjoy romantasy with layered characters, strong development, immersive world-building, emotional tension, and a heroine who steps into her own power, this is absolutely worth picking up.
A fast-paced, engaging read and a very solid Romantasy. Thanks to the author for an early copy!
I am not typically a love triangle lover, and this one had me emotionally spiraling in the best and most frustrating way. One minute I knew exactly who I wanted Azahara with, and the next I was completely convinced she should choose the other. The internal conflict was REAL but honestly, that just shows how well it was written.
What really stood out to me was Azahara’s character growth. Watching her move from a life shaped by expectations and lack of choice into someone willing to claim her own future was incredibly satisfying. There is something powerful about a heroine who learns to trust herself and ultimately gets to decide what her life will be.
The world-building is rich without feeling overwhelming, and the descriptive writing makes everything feel vivid and immersive. C.J. Holmes creates an atmosphere that pulls you in quickly and keeps the pages turning. The pacing is strong, the tension stays high, and there is always something unfolding to keep you invested.
And the ending? Very satisfying. The emotional payoff felt earned, and I closed the book feeling genuinely glad I took this journey with these characters.
While love triangles aren’t usually my favorite trope, this one is undeniably well done my frustration was less about the trope itself and more about how invested I became.
If you enjoy romantasy with layered characters, strong development, immersive world-building, emotional tension, and a heroine who steps into her own power, this is absolutely worth picking up.
A fast-paced, engaging read and a very solid Romantasy. Thanks to the author for an early copy!
Did Not Finish
April 25, 2026dnf at 24%
nope. i can’t. i can’t cope with how cringe the guard is, telling the fmc “you’re mine” every couple of lines. declaring his love to her at 5% in. i thought the introduction of the prince would make things more interesting but he’s just as cringe as well.
sadly no tension or slow burn, this is all very insta lust/love which i just don’t like.
thank you to the author for the arc but this one isn’t for me
nope. i can’t. i can’t cope with how cringe the guard is, telling the fmc “you’re mine” every couple of lines. declaring his love to her at 5% in. i thought the introduction of the prince would make things more interesting but he’s just as cringe as well.
sadly no tension or slow burn, this is all very insta lust/love which i just don’t like.
thank you to the author for the arc but this one isn’t for me
May 12, 2026
This review was originally posted on Books of My Heart
Review copy was received from Publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
3.5 hearts
What I was really hoping for was a deep dive into the Labyrinth from Greek mythology. The twisting maze, the monstrous Minotaur lurking at its heart, and the deadly trials within. Instead, Labyrinthine the first book in a new series Thrones of the Forsaken by C.J. Holmes leans heavily into a romance driven love triangle between Princess Azhara, her lifelong guard Mallen, and Prince Darian, the handsome outsider who arrives to break the kingdom’s curse. The story is far more about longing, jealousy, and romantic choice than about adventure or the mythic maze itself.
My 20-to-25-year-old self would have devoured the tension between the stoic, protective guard who has stood by Azhara since she was ten and the charming prince who sweeps in to solve the Labyrinth and win both the kingdom and the princess’s hand. At nearly double that age, though, Mallen’s fierce guardianship started to feel more like possessive imprisonment. He’s willing to kill anyone who threatens “his” prize. While Darian’s polished courtship simply offered a different kind of cage.
The romance itself moved quickly for my taste. Mallen declares his love almost at the outset, drawing on years of shared history that are gradually revealed. For Azhara, who has been so sheltered, this is her first real experience of romantic attention. When Prince Darian arrives with his smooth politician’s charm, she’s suddenly torn, wondering if she could feel something for him too. The insta-love elements and the rapid emotional whiplash kept me from fully investing in the triangle.
Where the book shines is in its writing and emotional core. C.J. Holmes delivers lovely prose and evocative imagery throughout, perfectly capturing Azhara’s desperate longing: her need to escape the chains and curse binding her to the kingdom, the dangerous magic trapped inside her, and above all her yearning for someone who will love her, not the title she carries. One line in particular stayed with me:
What the story was lighter on and what I missed most, was actual adventure inside the Labyrinth. The prince is supposedly sent on a deadly quest to break the curse or die trying, yet he still gets plenty of unhurried time to court the princess. The Labyrinth trials are divided into three distinct events, with two needing to be passed before the final challenge, but they never quite delivered the immersive, high-stakes maze experience I’d been craving. I would have loved to see that portion expanded or handled differently; it was the element I was most excited about going in.
I also wish the magic system had been explained more clearly. Azhara’s power is fascinating (she leaves death in her wake) but I never fully understood how it worked or why until possibly the very end, after she enters the Labyrinth herself.
Overall, Labyrinthine is a strong choice for readers who want a character-focused fantasy centered on romance, longing, and a love triangle rather than magic systems or mythic action. The writing is beautiful, the emotional payoff at the end is satisfying, and Azhara’s final romantic decision is given the space it deserves. If you’re in the mood for heartfelt yearning over pulse-pounding adventure, this one will deliver.
Narration:
Performance: ★★★★
Character Separation: ★★★★
Diction: ★★★★
Pacing/Flow: ★★★
Sound Effects: none
Paige Reisenfeld is a new to me narrator. She is the solo narrator of the book as it is told only from Azhara's PoV. I enjoyed her voice and character voice choices. She did a good job differentiating between the three main male characters: The King, Mallen and Darian making each of there voices distinctive. I liked her performance, but the pacing was a little slow for me. I usually listen to books at a 1.5x speed, but I needed to bump this up to 1.75x to make the flow right for me.
Listen to a clip: HERE
Review copy was received from Publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
3.5 hearts
What I was really hoping for was a deep dive into the Labyrinth from Greek mythology. The twisting maze, the monstrous Minotaur lurking at its heart, and the deadly trials within. Instead, Labyrinthine the first book in a new series Thrones of the Forsaken by C.J. Holmes leans heavily into a romance driven love triangle between Princess Azhara, her lifelong guard Mallen, and Prince Darian, the handsome outsider who arrives to break the kingdom’s curse. The story is far more about longing, jealousy, and romantic choice than about adventure or the mythic maze itself.
My 20-to-25-year-old self would have devoured the tension between the stoic, protective guard who has stood by Azhara since she was ten and the charming prince who sweeps in to solve the Labyrinth and win both the kingdom and the princess’s hand. At nearly double that age, though, Mallen’s fierce guardianship started to feel more like possessive imprisonment. He’s willing to kill anyone who threatens “his” prize. While Darian’s polished courtship simply offered a different kind of cage.
The romance itself moved quickly for my taste. Mallen declares his love almost at the outset, drawing on years of shared history that are gradually revealed. For Azhara, who has been so sheltered, this is her first real experience of romantic attention. When Prince Darian arrives with his smooth politician’s charm, she’s suddenly torn, wondering if she could feel something for him too. The insta-love elements and the rapid emotional whiplash kept me from fully investing in the triangle.
Where the book shines is in its writing and emotional core. C.J. Holmes delivers lovely prose and evocative imagery throughout, perfectly capturing Azhara’s desperate longing: her need to escape the chains and curse binding her to the kingdom, the dangerous magic trapped inside her, and above all her yearning for someone who will love her, not the title she carries. One line in particular stayed with me:
“He saw the ruin in me and called it cathedral. He survived the storm of me and named it beautiful.”
What the story was lighter on and what I missed most, was actual adventure inside the Labyrinth. The prince is supposedly sent on a deadly quest to break the curse or die trying, yet he still gets plenty of unhurried time to court the princess. The Labyrinth trials are divided into three distinct events, with two needing to be passed before the final challenge, but they never quite delivered the immersive, high-stakes maze experience I’d been craving. I would have loved to see that portion expanded or handled differently; it was the element I was most excited about going in.
I also wish the magic system had been explained more clearly. Azhara’s power is fascinating (she leaves death in her wake) but I never fully understood how it worked or why until possibly the very end, after she enters the Labyrinth herself.
Overall, Labyrinthine is a strong choice for readers who want a character-focused fantasy centered on romance, longing, and a love triangle rather than magic systems or mythic action. The writing is beautiful, the emotional payoff at the end is satisfying, and Azhara’s final romantic decision is given the space it deserves. If you’re in the mood for heartfelt yearning over pulse-pounding adventure, this one will deliver.
“Some women want to shine like stars,” he says slowly, “but I think you want to be the lightning that splits the skies.”
Narration:
Performance: ★★★★
Character Separation: ★★★★
Diction: ★★★★
Pacing/Flow: ★★★
Sound Effects: none
Paige Reisenfeld is a new to me narrator. She is the solo narrator of the book as it is told only from Azhara's PoV. I enjoyed her voice and character voice choices. She did a good job differentiating between the three main male characters: The King, Mallen and Darian making each of there voices distinctive. I liked her performance, but the pacing was a little slow for me. I usually listen to books at a 1.5x speed, but I needed to bump this up to 1.75x to make the flow right for me.
Listen to a clip: HERE
Review of advance copy received from Author
This is everything a Dark Romantasy should be! I swear I wanted to throw my Kindle a few times during my read. This book had one of my favorite tropes, a Love Triangle. Not a fluffy love triangle, I'm talking rip your soul out! You have no idea how Azhara will ever choose kind of Love Triangle! Bravo CJ for writing this masterpiece.
Labyrinthine, is a Dark seductive myth retelling Romantasy that captures the heart. You have deadly trials, cursed royalty, dark labyrinth, a feared monster, dark gods, high stakes, plus so much more. Also, the slow burn and yearning in this book! The way I devoured this book because I simply couldn't put it down. The world building in this book was fantastic. It is immersive, but well written and allowed you to feel what the characters felt. Labyrinthine follows a princess named Azhara, who was cursed by the gods to hold a power that could only be claimed by someone winning her hand through deadly trials in the annual Reaping. None ever survived the Reaping, but this time things take a Dark and deadly turn. A Golden Prince and a Dark Commander fight for her heart, but who wins? THESE TWO MEN will have your heart and soul in a chokehold! There were a few plot twists I didn't see coming and one of them nearly took me out emotionally.
If you love a book that captures all the elements of Dark Fantasy and lyrical writing style, then this book is exactly what you want to read. Labyrinthine is a standalone in CJs new series "Thrones of the Forsaken". This one was a 6-Star read with a TWO 🌶 spice rating.
Wonder if you will be Team Darian or Team Mallen? I wish I could tell you which Team that I picked from the beginning, but I can't spoil it for you! Amazing book for CJ's Traditionally Published debut series. I recommend to pick this book up as soon as you can, you won't regret it!
Labyrinthine, is a Dark seductive myth retelling Romantasy that captures the heart. You have deadly trials, cursed royalty, dark labyrinth, a feared monster, dark gods, high stakes, plus so much more. Also, the slow burn and yearning in this book! The way I devoured this book because I simply couldn't put it down. The world building in this book was fantastic. It is immersive, but well written and allowed you to feel what the characters felt. Labyrinthine follows a princess named Azhara, who was cursed by the gods to hold a power that could only be claimed by someone winning her hand through deadly trials in the annual Reaping. None ever survived the Reaping, but this time things take a Dark and deadly turn. A Golden Prince and a Dark Commander fight for her heart, but who wins? THESE TWO MEN will have your heart and soul in a chokehold! There were a few plot twists I didn't see coming and one of them nearly took me out emotionally.
If you love a book that captures all the elements of Dark Fantasy and lyrical writing style, then this book is exactly what you want to read. Labyrinthine is a standalone in CJs new series "Thrones of the Forsaken". This one was a 6-Star read with a TWO 🌶 spice rating.
Wonder if you will be Team Darian or Team Mallen? I wish I could tell you which Team that I picked from the beginning, but I can't spoil it for you! Amazing book for CJ's Traditionally Published debut series. I recommend to pick this book up as soon as you can, you won't regret it!
May 13, 2026
Thank you to Netgalley and City Owl Press for providing an advanced reader copy of Labyrinthine by C.J. Holmes in exchange for an honest review.
Labyrinthine is a dark, Greek-inspired reimagining of the Athenian-Theseus-Minotaur myth.. add in some dangerous, shadow magic and it becomes a gripping, otherworldly descent into legend.
The gods abandoned Starsfall the night the FMC Princess Azhara was born, binding her with powerful magic.. a curse that has defined her life ever since. Every ten years, the kingdom holds the Reaping, where men from Larksbind compete for her hand in marriage. The victor is said to unlock the magic within her and restore it to the realm.
But Azhara is no prize.. she is a prisoner. Her father, the king, is a tyrant behind closed doors.. cruel, manipulative, abusive, and keeps Azhara under tight control to maintain his power. She is confined to the palace and constantly guarded by the Royal Commander, Mallen, her lifelong protector and mentor. When she tries to escape, it’s he who drags her back, and then… confesses his undying love for her! The revelation changes everything Azhara thought she understood, forcing her to confront feelings she never allowed herself to have.
This year’s Reaping brings a new contender.. the Prince of Larksbind, Darian. He is everything Mallen is not, charming, radiant, and dangerously easy to fall for. Torn between them, she feels the pull of two very different worlds.. Mallen, dark and possessive, and fiercely protective of her… and Darian, golden and princely, and determined to set her free.
As the Reaping unfolds, so do the lies. Everything Azhara has been told about her birth, her mother, and even her magic is a carefully constructed illusion. And in the Labyrinth, nothing is as it seems.
To unbind her magic, Azhara must face her destiny.. confront her tyrannical father, along with his formidable magic and power. In doing so, she can reclaim what is hers.. to not only save herself but also her true love and her kingdom.
Overall, this was a gripping story with a compelling plot and high stakes. My only small note is that the prose felt somewhat truncated at times. I would have appreciated a smoother flow that allowed the writing to breathe more fully. That said, it was an immersive and memorable read with strong emotional impact, which made it very engaging.
Labyrinthine is a dark, Greek-inspired reimagining of the Athenian-Theseus-Minotaur myth.. add in some dangerous, shadow magic and it becomes a gripping, otherworldly descent into legend.
The gods abandoned Starsfall the night the FMC Princess Azhara was born, binding her with powerful magic.. a curse that has defined her life ever since. Every ten years, the kingdom holds the Reaping, where men from Larksbind compete for her hand in marriage. The victor is said to unlock the magic within her and restore it to the realm.
But Azhara is no prize.. she is a prisoner. Her father, the king, is a tyrant behind closed doors.. cruel, manipulative, abusive, and keeps Azhara under tight control to maintain his power. She is confined to the palace and constantly guarded by the Royal Commander, Mallen, her lifelong protector and mentor. When she tries to escape, it’s he who drags her back, and then… confesses his undying love for her! The revelation changes everything Azhara thought she understood, forcing her to confront feelings she never allowed herself to have.
This year’s Reaping brings a new contender.. the Prince of Larksbind, Darian. He is everything Mallen is not, charming, radiant, and dangerously easy to fall for. Torn between them, she feels the pull of two very different worlds.. Mallen, dark and possessive, and fiercely protective of her… and Darian, golden and princely, and determined to set her free.
As the Reaping unfolds, so do the lies. Everything Azhara has been told about her birth, her mother, and even her magic is a carefully constructed illusion. And in the Labyrinth, nothing is as it seems.
To unbind her magic, Azhara must face her destiny.. confront her tyrannical father, along with his formidable magic and power. In doing so, she can reclaim what is hers.. to not only save herself but also her true love and her kingdom.
Overall, this was a gripping story with a compelling plot and high stakes. My only small note is that the prose felt somewhat truncated at times. I would have appreciated a smoother flow that allowed the writing to breathe more fully. That said, it was an immersive and memorable read with strong emotional impact, which made it very engaging.
May 12, 2026
Thank you NetGalley for the digetal copy and RBmedia for giving me the opportunity to listen to this book.
When I saw the cover, I was obsessed and told myself that this book must be amazing and have a wonderful story, but it wasn't quite what I expected. It was good, but it didn't overwhelm me. Well, there are some lovely romantic moments
and I love the twist 🤯
But I didn't like the MFC weak personality ! she's weak most of the time. She tried to be stronger and finally make her decision. I also didn't like the back-and-forth about who will win her over( You are mine, You are mine, You are mine, and both MMC characters—oh, each one of them—tell her what to do, as if she has no say at all, or as if she's a child who can't do anything on her own or think and decide. Even from her father and his control over her destiny😡
The story needs more world-building and details; we need more details and information about the Magic System and the world.
If this book were rich in details about the world and the Magic System, my rating would change because, as I mentioned before, there are beautiful romantic moments that I absolutely loved 🥰
I enjoyed listening to the narration she did a great job She is excellent at switching between characters and changing her tone of voice.
April 15, 2026
Review of Advanced Copy received by the author.
“It’s what men don’t say that tells the real story.”
Azhara is the ultimate empath, badass survivor. She has been raised in the most toxic environment, forced to perform for her father, and to be the prize to be claimed by whoever wins the impossible trials. She has learned to anticipate the moods/emotions of those around her in order to survive. My god, does her dad SUCK!
I usually don’t care for love triangles, but this one was well done. I liked how she was going back and forth, the turmoil was believeable, and ultimately she made her choice without either man being horrible and making it easy to choose. She just followed her gut and what her heart truly wanted.
Hell yeah for strong FMC’s and imperfect love interests, who are at least feminist and supportive, that’s what I want to read! The worldbuilding was great, not too heavy, and the real focus was on the emotions of the characters. Azhara feels so deeply, but she is the product of the environment she in which she was raised. Such a good book!
“It’s what men don’t say that tells the real story.”
Azhara is the ultimate empath, badass survivor. She has been raised in the most toxic environment, forced to perform for her father, and to be the prize to be claimed by whoever wins the impossible trials. She has learned to anticipate the moods/emotions of those around her in order to survive. My god, does her dad SUCK!
I usually don’t care for love triangles, but this one was well done. I liked how she was going back and forth, the turmoil was believeable, and ultimately she made her choice without either man being horrible and making it easy to choose. She just followed her gut and what her heart truly wanted.
Hell yeah for strong FMC’s and imperfect love interests, who are at least feminist and supportive, that’s what I want to read! The worldbuilding was great, not too heavy, and the real focus was on the emotions of the characters. Azhara feels so deeply, but she is the product of the environment she in which she was raised. Such a good book!
March 24, 2026
This was one of those rare reads where I went in with sky-high expectations… and somehow still got exactly what I wanted.
The story is drenched in deception, secrets, betrayal, and plot twists that just keep escalating into complete carnage. Every time I thought I had a grip on what was happening, the rug was pulled out from under me. And don’t even get me started on the love triangle… it’s the kind that melts your insides and then casually ruins your emotional stability for fun.
There’s so much to love here: enemies to lovers, light versus shadow, deadly trials, cursed bloodlines… it’s basically a checklist of addictive tropes done right.
And the characters? Absolutely unhinged in the best way. The men are dangerous, morally questionable, and impossible to ignore, while the FMC holds her own with a fierce determination to set things right no matter the cost. The dynamic between them all is electric.
The author crafted relationships that pull you in so deeply you almost stop asking questions… even when you definitely should be. Trust is fragile in this world, and I found myself constantly second-guessing who was genuine and who was about to stab someone in the back.
It kept me hooked, suspicious, and fully invested from beginning to end.
I loved everything about it. The plot, the magic, the romance… all of it just worked.
The story is drenched in deception, secrets, betrayal, and plot twists that just keep escalating into complete carnage. Every time I thought I had a grip on what was happening, the rug was pulled out from under me. And don’t even get me started on the love triangle… it’s the kind that melts your insides and then casually ruins your emotional stability for fun.
There’s so much to love here: enemies to lovers, light versus shadow, deadly trials, cursed bloodlines… it’s basically a checklist of addictive tropes done right.
And the characters? Absolutely unhinged in the best way. The men are dangerous, morally questionable, and impossible to ignore, while the FMC holds her own with a fierce determination to set things right no matter the cost. The dynamic between them all is electric.
The author crafted relationships that pull you in so deeply you almost stop asking questions… even when you definitely should be. Trust is fragile in this world, and I found myself constantly second-guessing who was genuine and who was about to stab someone in the back.
It kept me hooked, suspicious, and fully invested from beginning to end.
I loved everything about it. The plot, the magic, the romance… all of it just worked.
May 30, 2026
I wanted to dnf but sometimes I hope it gets better in the end. Well it didn’t. This book had literally everything I love but I kept losing interest. I didn’t like the short sentence writing style. I didn’t like any of the characters. They kept talking about ‘power’ and ‘magic’ and I still don’t know how the magic works or what the power was. Just a disappointed read overall.
March 21, 2026
Thank you C.J. Holmes for this eARC!
I’m not typically one to enjoy a love triangle but this was different and I’m here for it!! Azhara’s internal struggle was complicated and it doesn’t help that she has trust issues that are almost beyond repair.
The twists and turns have you constantly questioning how you want the ending of this book to play out. Did I see some of the reveals coming? Of course, but it didn’t help me choose how I wanted this to go.
I love the writing style and it made me feel like I truly knew what Azhara was feeling - even if I did want to slap her occasionally to knock some sense in her. Same with Mallan, I do hope there are future plans for his POV because that would be amazing to read. He has many pretty words but I also wanted to throttle him more often than not. In the end, I believe it was tied up with a pretty bow and what more could we want?
I’m not typically one to enjoy a love triangle but this was different and I’m here for it!! Azhara’s internal struggle was complicated and it doesn’t help that she has trust issues that are almost beyond repair.
The twists and turns have you constantly questioning how you want the ending of this book to play out. Did I see some of the reveals coming? Of course, but it didn’t help me choose how I wanted this to go.
I love the writing style and it made me feel like I truly knew what Azhara was feeling - even if I did want to slap her occasionally to knock some sense in her. Same with Mallan, I do hope there are future plans for his POV because that would be amazing to read. He has many pretty words but I also wanted to throttle him more often than not. In the end, I believe it was tied up with a pretty bow and what more could we want?
March 31, 2026
Review of advance copy received from the Author.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ stars
What to expect
👑 Fierce FMC
🗡️ Morally gray MMC’s
👑 Love triangle
🗡️ Deadly trials
👑 High stakes
🗡️ Myth retelling
Wow… this book was fantastic!
We follow our FMC Princess Azhara who was born curse, makes by ancient magic. She has never had a choice with anything.
One of my favourite things about this book was Azhara’s character growth. She was so timid in the beginning and now she is someone who will make her own choices and stand by her decisions.
She became such a strong and confident badass and I loved that!
This book has a love triangle and boy was it good!
I couldn’t decided on one man and I couldn’t predict who Azhara was going to end up with.
I won’t say anymore about the men in this as I don’t want to ruin it for other people.
But they are both 🔥🔥🔥 in their own way!
Boy this book took you on a journey and I was here for it! There are so many twists and turns. Betrayals 🤯
This book is very fast paced with high stakes!
I had no idea how this book was going to end!
I was on the end of my seat for like the last 20% of the book.
This author has written a beautiful and descriptive book that I think a lot of people are going to love.
Cannot wait to read more by this author!!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ stars
What to expect
👑 Fierce FMC
🗡️ Morally gray MMC’s
👑 Love triangle
🗡️ Deadly trials
👑 High stakes
🗡️ Myth retelling
Wow… this book was fantastic!
We follow our FMC Princess Azhara who was born curse, makes by ancient magic. She has never had a choice with anything.
One of my favourite things about this book was Azhara’s character growth. She was so timid in the beginning and now she is someone who will make her own choices and stand by her decisions.
She became such a strong and confident badass and I loved that!
This book has a love triangle and boy was it good!
I couldn’t decided on one man and I couldn’t predict who Azhara was going to end up with.
I won’t say anymore about the men in this as I don’t want to ruin it for other people.
But they are both 🔥🔥🔥 in their own way!
Boy this book took you on a journey and I was here for it! There are so many twists and turns. Betrayals 🤯
This book is very fast paced with high stakes!
I had no idea how this book was going to end!
I was on the end of my seat for like the last 20% of the book.
This author has written a beautiful and descriptive book that I think a lot of people are going to love.
Cannot wait to read more by this author!!
May 12, 2026
I just finished reading the ARC of Labyrinthine, and honestly, I struggled a little bit with my star rating. Ultimately, I ended up giving it 4 stars because I liked the story overall and feel it has so much potential. What I struggled with was the execution. One of the main issues is with the authors writing. She writes beautifully and very descriptively, but I think it this case, the phrase “less is more” applies. Because she was often TOO descriptive. I really didn’t feel like it was necessary to describe the FMCs internal conflict and emotions in such vivid detail for pages and pages in almost every chapter. After a while it becomes repetitive. And we certainly don’t need the “stillness in the air” and the general atmosphere to be described in detail for 3 whole pages… This made the pacing of the story strange and the chapters way too long. Other little issues were the lack of a proper backstory and description of the magic system (maybe a prequel novella wouldn’t be such a bad idea). It’s all very vague and although you do find out more as the story goes on, I felt that by the end of the book, I still lacked a good understanding of how it all works. My other issue is about the trials, especially the labyrinth part. For a book that is called Labyrinthine, the labyrinth felt like an afterthought. There was this big build up to the scary labyrinth that no one makes it out of, but the whole thing felt like it was over before it started. Honestly, I liked the book. And I would still recommend it. It has potential, but I truly feel like it could’ve benefited from another round of beta readers and some tweeking before entering the ARC stage and being released out into the world.
May 12, 2026
This audiobook was a fun one! I enjoyed how Paige Reisenfeld brought this world and Azhara to life.
I really liked the dark atmosphere and the character growth Azhara had in this book. Heads up that there’s a love triangle. I’m not always a fan of that trope but this book done it really well. I would be rooting for one MMC and then I’d switch sides to the other. I didn’t like one of them at first but by the end they were both honestly pretty great and I’m happy with the choice Azhara made. This book had a lot of fun things going on. Deadly trials, death magic, and best of all it had an FMC gaining control and making choices for herself. 💪
My only complaints are that I felt like the beginning was a bit strange with the first mmc. He was declaring his love and the fmc didn’t really seem to reciprocate those feelings so it took a while for me to even like the romance. And I wish there had been a little more explaining of the magic itself. Other than that, this was a fun read.
3.5/5 ⭐️
I really liked the dark atmosphere and the character growth Azhara had in this book. Heads up that there’s a love triangle. I’m not always a fan of that trope but this book done it really well. I would be rooting for one MMC and then I’d switch sides to the other. I didn’t like one of them at first but by the end they were both honestly pretty great and I’m happy with the choice Azhara made. This book had a lot of fun things going on. Deadly trials, death magic, and best of all it had an FMC gaining control and making choices for herself. 💪
My only complaints are that I felt like the beginning was a bit strange with the first mmc. He was declaring his love and the fmc didn’t really seem to reciprocate those feelings so it took a while for me to even like the romance. And I wish there had been a little more explaining of the magic itself. Other than that, this was a fun read.
3.5/5 ⭐️
June 10, 2026
Azhara spends most of this story surrounded by people she cannot fully trust, and that uncertainty is what kept me hooked. Every character seems to be hiding something. Some genuinely care for her, some only pretend to, but almost everyone is serving their own interests first. It made every interaction feel layered and difficult to read in the best way.
I particularly enjoyed the push and pull of the love triangle. There were moments when I was so frustrated on Azhara's behalf that I wanted her to tell both men to get lost and simply choose herself instead. The emotional tension worked well because I was never completely sure who deserved her trust.
The pacing is smooth throughout, and the audiobook narration only enhanced that experience. The story moves quickly without feeling rushed, keeping me invested both in the unfolding mysteries and in Azhara's emotional journey. By the end, I was far more interested in her finding her own freedom than in who she might end up with.
I particularly enjoyed the push and pull of the love triangle. There were moments when I was so frustrated on Azhara's behalf that I wanted her to tell both men to get lost and simply choose herself instead. The emotional tension worked well because I was never completely sure who deserved her trust.
The pacing is smooth throughout, and the audiobook narration only enhanced that experience. The story moves quickly without feeling rushed, keeping me invested both in the unfolding mysteries and in Azhara's emotional journey. By the end, I was far more interested in her finding her own freedom than in who she might end up with.
May 28, 2026
Spoil Free Reviews
Stars: ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Author: @cjholmes_writing
POV: Single first person
Gene: Romantasy
Triggers: A few open door scene, violence,
Read Time: 6 - 9 hours
Expected Publishing Date: 5/12/2026
I received an advance review copy from the author, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
❤️ World Building: I really enjoyed the world building! The trapped magic, the meddling gods, political intrigue was all really distinctive. The locations were really well written, giving you a feel for the place and immerses you into the world.
❤️ The Characters: The three main characters really stood out. From Mallen’s dark obsession & possessiveness, to Darian the perfect prince sent to break the curse and to win the heart of Azhara. Azhara is sweet, but silently deadly in her own right. They are moving and they grow as the story proceeds, I really got invested in each of them.
❤️ The Story: The three of them all want the same thing, but each wants to achieve that goal in different ways. There is so much going on that it kept me riveted the whole time I was reading it. Being a dark romance, there is some incredible wanting that isn’t always healthy, but is just prefect!
❤️🔥Overall: This was just a great read! I’m looking forward to the next one in the series! This comes out tomorrow!
Labyrinth fact Inspired by the book: The “Minotaur Labyrinth” is probably the most famous of existing labyrinth designs. This Greek legend evokes mysticism, magic, and wonder. The story of the monster locked in a dark, confusing prison is part of our deep subconscious experience. Timeless. Labyrinth designs are found on ancient coins from Crete; they are found as the "Man in the Moon" in the Hopi culture and across continents that had no connection to one another. Labyrinths were prolific across the Roman Empire and spread. The most famous one in our world today is in Chartres Cathedral, a UNESCO world heritage site. Over. 1.5 million people travel to Chartres each year.
Stars: ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Author: @cjholmes_writing
POV: Single first person
Gene: Romantasy
Triggers: A few open door scene, violence,
Read Time: 6 - 9 hours
Expected Publishing Date: 5/12/2026
I received an advance review copy from the author, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
❤️ World Building: I really enjoyed the world building! The trapped magic, the meddling gods, political intrigue was all really distinctive. The locations were really well written, giving you a feel for the place and immerses you into the world.
❤️ The Characters: The three main characters really stood out. From Mallen’s dark obsession & possessiveness, to Darian the perfect prince sent to break the curse and to win the heart of Azhara. Azhara is sweet, but silently deadly in her own right. They are moving and they grow as the story proceeds, I really got invested in each of them.
❤️ The Story: The three of them all want the same thing, but each wants to achieve that goal in different ways. There is so much going on that it kept me riveted the whole time I was reading it. Being a dark romance, there is some incredible wanting that isn’t always healthy, but is just prefect!
❤️🔥Overall: This was just a great read! I’m looking forward to the next one in the series! This comes out tomorrow!
Labyrinth fact Inspired by the book: The “Minotaur Labyrinth” is probably the most famous of existing labyrinth designs. This Greek legend evokes mysticism, magic, and wonder. The story of the monster locked in a dark, confusing prison is part of our deep subconscious experience. Timeless. Labyrinth designs are found on ancient coins from Crete; they are found as the "Man in the Moon" in the Hopi culture and across continents that had no connection to one another. Labyrinths were prolific across the Roman Empire and spread. The most famous one in our world today is in Chartres Cathedral, a UNESCO world heritage site. Over. 1.5 million people travel to Chartres each year.
May 1, 2026
NetGalley ALC Review
Thank you RBmedia for giving me the opportunity to listen to this book.
I enjoyed the narration and thought she did a great job with representing males voices and creating a differentiation between characters. There were a few times where I couldn’t tell if it was the narrator’s tone or the writing style that left me confused on Azhara’s feelings towards the MMCs. In one sentence I thought she was put off by their actions and then in the next it seemed like she was charmed by them.
I think this novel needed more world building or even a prequel to explain the magic system, creatures and the different aspects of completing the trials/labyrinth. I went back and listened to a few sections, because I was having trouble comprehending the purpose of the labyrinth. You do start to find out more as the story progresses, but I felt confused or like I had missed something while I was listening. I think this book has the potential to be rated higher, if I had more of a back story, but I just felt very lost.
I was hoping to see more of the labyrinth, considering the title of the book, but they were only in it for maybe a chapter.
Thank you RBmedia for giving me the opportunity to listen to this book.
I enjoyed the narration and thought she did a great job with representing males voices and creating a differentiation between characters. There were a few times where I couldn’t tell if it was the narrator’s tone or the writing style that left me confused on Azhara’s feelings towards the MMCs. In one sentence I thought she was put off by their actions and then in the next it seemed like she was charmed by them.
I think this novel needed more world building or even a prequel to explain the magic system, creatures and the different aspects of completing the trials/labyrinth. I went back and listened to a few sections, because I was having trouble comprehending the purpose of the labyrinth. You do start to find out more as the story progresses, but I felt confused or like I had missed something while I was listening. I think this book has the potential to be rated higher, if I had more of a back story, but I just felt very lost.
I was hoping to see more of the labyrinth, considering the title of the book, but they were only in it for maybe a chapter.
April 3, 2026
ARC Review
This one hooked me in early with the tension — and when I say tension, I mean TENSIONING 😮💨🔥. Between the deadly labyrinth trials, the cursed princess setup, and the men circling Azhara from every direction, it had all the ingredients for a dark, addictive romantasy.
Azhara’s life is one giant prison, and that trapped feeling comes through strongly from the start. Her father is genuinely awful — abusive, power-hungry, and willing to sacrifice his own daughter for control. He constantly treats her like a burden rather than a person, which made it easy to understand why she’s so desperate to escape her world.
The romantic dynamics definitely kept things interesting. The bodyguard starts off giving loyal protector vibes, but once he confesses his feelings, that protective edge quickly starts tipping into possessive and jealous territory 🚩. At first it’s easy to brush off because it feels rooted in concern, but by the halfway mark it definitely starts leaning into the “slightly unhinged” zone. Meanwhile, the prince brings that cheeky, charming, I know I’m hot energy, but at least seems to genuinely see Azhara beyond the role she’s forced to play.
I also loved that Azhara can actually fight — give me an FMC who can wield a sword and put a man on his arse any day ⚔️✨.
That said, the biggest struggle for me was the magic system and curse lore. Even as the story progressed and more of the kingdom politics started to click into place, I still felt a little too in the dark about what her power actually was, why she had it, and what it could really do. There were hints with the neighbouring kingdoms, the monster beneath the city, and the magic bound inside her, but a lot of it felt vague enough that I was left making assumptions rather than feeling grounded in the world.
By the second half, my biggest issue became the characters themselves. Azhara’s indecisiveness started to wear thin — every choice immediately became regret, every moment turned into second-guessing, and instead of growing into the fierce independent heroine I was hoping for, she slipped more into a frustrated, woe-is-me mindset that made her harder to root for. Unfortunately, by the end, I found most of the cast equally irritating.
The final shift into the conflict with her father had potential, and I liked the direction of her magic finally being released, but because the lore still felt underexplained, the ending ended up more confusing than satisfying for me.
Overall: a strong, tension-filled start with intriguing romantasy vibes, but the unclear magic system, frustrating character choices, and confusing ending left this one sitting in the “meh” category for me.
This one hooked me in early with the tension — and when I say tension, I mean TENSIONING 😮💨🔥. Between the deadly labyrinth trials, the cursed princess setup, and the men circling Azhara from every direction, it had all the ingredients for a dark, addictive romantasy.
Azhara’s life is one giant prison, and that trapped feeling comes through strongly from the start. Her father is genuinely awful — abusive, power-hungry, and willing to sacrifice his own daughter for control. He constantly treats her like a burden rather than a person, which made it easy to understand why she’s so desperate to escape her world.
The romantic dynamics definitely kept things interesting. The bodyguard starts off giving loyal protector vibes, but once he confesses his feelings, that protective edge quickly starts tipping into possessive and jealous territory 🚩. At first it’s easy to brush off because it feels rooted in concern, but by the halfway mark it definitely starts leaning into the “slightly unhinged” zone. Meanwhile, the prince brings that cheeky, charming, I know I’m hot energy, but at least seems to genuinely see Azhara beyond the role she’s forced to play.
I also loved that Azhara can actually fight — give me an FMC who can wield a sword and put a man on his arse any day ⚔️✨.
That said, the biggest struggle for me was the magic system and curse lore. Even as the story progressed and more of the kingdom politics started to click into place, I still felt a little too in the dark about what her power actually was, why she had it, and what it could really do. There were hints with the neighbouring kingdoms, the monster beneath the city, and the magic bound inside her, but a lot of it felt vague enough that I was left making assumptions rather than feeling grounded in the world.
By the second half, my biggest issue became the characters themselves. Azhara’s indecisiveness started to wear thin — every choice immediately became regret, every moment turned into second-guessing, and instead of growing into the fierce independent heroine I was hoping for, she slipped more into a frustrated, woe-is-me mindset that made her harder to root for. Unfortunately, by the end, I found most of the cast equally irritating.
The final shift into the conflict with her father had potential, and I liked the direction of her magic finally being released, but because the lore still felt underexplained, the ending ended up more confusing than satisfying for me.
Overall: a strong, tension-filled start with intriguing romantasy vibes, but the unclear magic system, frustrating character choices, and confusing ending left this one sitting in the “meh” category for me.
April 5, 2026
OMG this book is unbelievable. I posted a review on my IG that best articulates how amazing this book is, but if you loved reading the poetic style of Tolkien but with the trials, dark magic, morally gray characters, and a strong female characters of modern fantasy, then you have found the perfect book with Labyrinthine. This book is so beautifully written, the story keeps you captivated and really makes you question if there are actually good or bad people, or just bad people who do good things and good people who do bad things?
This book should be on everyone’s shelf!
This book should be on everyone’s shelf!
May 13, 2026
She is told that ten men are to be offered the chance to win her hand in three trials (The Reaping) set by two kings. The goal is to preserve the peace. If someone from Larksbind wins her hand, then Starsfall, once a sacred place, loses its magic. But she finds out that’s not the whole truth. There are some holes there, and those missing pieces all lead to her father and the power he’ll obtain.
Princess Azhara is described as fierce, and she is. She’s strong, independent, and savvy, and she has two guys interested in her. But what I liked is how Author CJ Holmes showed Azhara’s vulnerability at times. I typically don’t read a lot of love triangle romances—my poor heart can’t handle it, but I like the way this one was done as well as the outcome.
Romantasy lovers will gobble up Labyrinthine, a captivating story filled with suspense and a creatively woven romance.
Thank you to Author CJ Holmes for the gifted e-copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Princess Azhara is described as fierce, and she is. She’s strong, independent, and savvy, and she has two guys interested in her. But what I liked is how Author CJ Holmes showed Azhara’s vulnerability at times. I typically don’t read a lot of love triangle romances—my poor heart can’t handle it, but I like the way this one was done as well as the outcome.
Romantasy lovers will gobble up Labyrinthine, a captivating story filled with suspense and a creatively woven romance.
Thank you to Author CJ Holmes for the gifted e-copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
May 8, 2026
★★★☆☆ (3.5/5)
Labyrinthine had a really intriguing premise and I enjoyed the darker atmosphere and mystery throughout the story. Once things finally picked up, I found myself much more invested in the world and the tension between the characters.
The beginning, however, felt very slow for me and it took quite a while to properly get into the story. I also struggled a bit with the FMC because she came across as too whiny at times, and while Maral’s possessiveness will probably appeal to some readers, it occasionally felt a little overbearing for my taste.
I think I may have also gone into this a little overhyped, especially because the cover is so gorgeous and immediately pulled me in, so the story didn’t fully meet the expectations I had built up in my head. Despite that, I still enjoyed the overall reading experience and can definitely see why it works for other readers.
There were definitely elements that kept me turning the pages, and I’d still be interested to see where the series goes from here.
Thank you to the author/publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Labyrinthine had a really intriguing premise and I enjoyed the darker atmosphere and mystery throughout the story. Once things finally picked up, I found myself much more invested in the world and the tension between the characters.
The beginning, however, felt very slow for me and it took quite a while to properly get into the story. I also struggled a bit with the FMC because she came across as too whiny at times, and while Maral’s possessiveness will probably appeal to some readers, it occasionally felt a little overbearing for my taste.
I think I may have also gone into this a little overhyped, especially because the cover is so gorgeous and immediately pulled me in, so the story didn’t fully meet the expectations I had built up in my head. Despite that, I still enjoyed the overall reading experience and can definitely see why it works for other readers.
There were definitely elements that kept me turning the pages, and I’d still be interested to see where the series goes from here.
Thank you to the author/publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
May 12, 2026
Every time I thought I knew who Azahara should choose, the story made me question everything again. Her growth was one of the strongest parts of the book watching her break free from expectations and step into her own power was incredibly satisfying. The world-building felt vivid and immersive, the pacing never slowed, and the tension kept me hooked the entire time. And that ending? Completely worth the emotional chaos. A fast-paced, emotional romantasy with layered characters, strong development, and a heroine you can’t help but root for.
May 3, 2026
I had the pleasure of receiving this as an e-ARC and ALC and voluntarily will be giving my honest review. Wow, I totally fell in love with the characters of this book!! I immersive read this book in 3 day and the audio and book were phenomenal!! Wanted to jump in the book and throw it a couple of times 🤣!! This is a dark gothic romantasy that you will definitely fall in love with like I did!! Chefs kiss CJ!!
“Labyrinthine is a seductive, myth-woven romantasy of deadly trials, cursed bloodlines, and a love born in shadows.”
“Labyrinthine is a seductive, myth-woven romantasy of deadly trials, cursed bloodlines, and a love born in shadows.”
May 13, 2026
Loved the immersive atmosphere, the high stakes, and the fierce FMC navigating everything thrown her way.
Usually in a love triangle I have a clear favourite, but this had me conflicted and sympathising for both her broody protective guard, and the charismatic prince.
Loved the themes of powerful magic and curses, the mystery and danger of the labyrinth, and so much yearning.
It's a beautiful Greek retelling/ dark Romantasy, and empowering story of survival and resistance.
I loved the twists, not knowing who would be chosen, and seeing the character growth.
Usually in a love triangle I have a clear favourite, but this had me conflicted and sympathising for both her broody protective guard, and the charismatic prince.
Loved the themes of powerful magic and curses, the mystery and danger of the labyrinth, and so much yearning.
It's a beautiful Greek retelling/ dark Romantasy, and empowering story of survival and resistance.
I loved the twists, not knowing who would be chosen, and seeing the character growth.
May 7, 2026
3.25 stars I really enjoyed the writing style…it was immersive and immediately pulled me in. The battle scenes were vivid, exciting, and genuinely fun to read. However, the constant back-and-forth between the male characters…who was good, who was bad, who was lying…started to feel a bit overwhelming and gave the story a whiplash effect at times.
April 12, 2026
I love that this story starts with the Princess FMC, Azhara, running away and being easily caught by brooding, overly protective Commander of the Royal Guards, Mallen. This immediately sets up the dynamic between the two and had me so invested. I love the princess + bodyguard trope 😍
This is a dark, oppressive and often cruel world, where the King seeks to keep the magic of the world within his realm, Starsfall. The vibes of the world are mirrored within Azhara, in the way she fights against being imprisoned within the castle, that she is "cursed" with having her dark magic bound within her, and the way she is controlled by her hateful father, the King, as a pawn in his political machinations.
A key focus in this book is the mysterious labyrinth, and the legendary dark monster that lives within it. As part of keeping the magic of the world within his kingdom, there are deadly trials called the Reaping held each year. If a man from the other kingdom, Larksbind, can win all three trials they have the right to claim Azhara's hand in marriage. Entering the labyrinth is the third trial where it is said that the magic is old and deathly and impossible to beat the beast that lives within. Most years the men from Larksbind haven't made it past the first trial but this year, Larksbind sends its handsome and flirtatious prince, Darian. So begins the love triangle.
This was a love triangle that I was very interested in seeing play out. You couldn't have more opposite MMCs. Mallen is dark haired with green eyes, brooding and entirely too serious and Darian is blond, poetically handsome and dangerously flirtatious. Both are vying for Azhara's hand and make their intentions known. I was really into Mallen, he is down bad and delightfully obsessed with Azhara and has been waiting for years to shoot his shot with her, but I was unsure if he would be end game.
Darian's dazzling words, the way he seems to truly see Azhara as a force to split the sky and woos her with the promise of depriving the King of his continued hold on the magical power of the world are so tempting to someone like Azhara who has been so locked away from experiencing the world. Sometimes through Azhara's POV, Mallen seems a little too intense and Azhara interprets his actions as controlling. But the way Mallen wants Azhara is deliciously all consuming. "I wanted you to choose me. Not for what I could offer. Not because I was safe or useful or ordained. I wanted it to be me. Flawed. Mortal. Me." Whereas Darian seems to offer her the opportunity to make one choice for herself, a luxury she has never been afforded before. "Choose me," Darian says, voice quieter now but insistent. "Not because you're afraid. Because you want to. Because I want you."
We see immense growth in Azhara, and her whole journey really resounded with me. She has to start to make her own choices and mistakes to be able follow through with her plan of ridding their world of her father and his obsession with hoarding all the magical power and controlling Starsfall and Larksbind. I'm not giving away any spoilers but the second half of the book was full of fast paced plot and lots of twists and turns and a few big reveals that had me on the edge and reeling!!
This was a really fun read. and I highly recommend it. The dark gothic elements and the very real emotional journey and coming of age story for Azhara were so immersive and I inhaled the plot. You will finish this book and immediately want to reread your favourite chapters (there is some excellent open door spice that was so beautiful and deeply emotional).
My thanks to CJ Holmes for the review copy and this is my honest review.
This is a dark, oppressive and often cruel world, where the King seeks to keep the magic of the world within his realm, Starsfall. The vibes of the world are mirrored within Azhara, in the way she fights against being imprisoned within the castle, that she is "cursed" with having her dark magic bound within her, and the way she is controlled by her hateful father, the King, as a pawn in his political machinations.
A key focus in this book is the mysterious labyrinth, and the legendary dark monster that lives within it. As part of keeping the magic of the world within his kingdom, there are deadly trials called the Reaping held each year. If a man from the other kingdom, Larksbind, can win all three trials they have the right to claim Azhara's hand in marriage. Entering the labyrinth is the third trial where it is said that the magic is old and deathly and impossible to beat the beast that lives within. Most years the men from Larksbind haven't made it past the first trial but this year, Larksbind sends its handsome and flirtatious prince, Darian. So begins the love triangle.
This was a love triangle that I was very interested in seeing play out. You couldn't have more opposite MMCs. Mallen is dark haired with green eyes, brooding and entirely too serious and Darian is blond, poetically handsome and dangerously flirtatious. Both are vying for Azhara's hand and make their intentions known. I was really into Mallen, he is down bad and delightfully obsessed with Azhara and has been waiting for years to shoot his shot with her, but I was unsure if he would be end game.
Darian's dazzling words, the way he seems to truly see Azhara as a force to split the sky and woos her with the promise of depriving the King of his continued hold on the magical power of the world are so tempting to someone like Azhara who has been so locked away from experiencing the world. Sometimes through Azhara's POV, Mallen seems a little too intense and Azhara interprets his actions as controlling. But the way Mallen wants Azhara is deliciously all consuming. "I wanted you to choose me. Not for what I could offer. Not because I was safe or useful or ordained. I wanted it to be me. Flawed. Mortal. Me." Whereas Darian seems to offer her the opportunity to make one choice for herself, a luxury she has never been afforded before. "Choose me," Darian says, voice quieter now but insistent. "Not because you're afraid. Because you want to. Because I want you."
We see immense growth in Azhara, and her whole journey really resounded with me. She has to start to make her own choices and mistakes to be able follow through with her plan of ridding their world of her father and his obsession with hoarding all the magical power and controlling Starsfall and Larksbind. I'm not giving away any spoilers but the second half of the book was full of fast paced plot and lots of twists and turns and a few big reveals that had me on the edge and reeling!!
This was a really fun read. and I highly recommend it. The dark gothic elements and the very real emotional journey and coming of age story for Azhara were so immersive and I inhaled the plot. You will finish this book and immediately want to reread your favourite chapters (there is some excellent open door spice that was so beautiful and deeply emotional).
My thanks to CJ Holmes for the review copy and this is my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
This book is a very powerful book to me. I love the style of CJ Holmes the way she writes her character building. It’s like you’re sitting right with him. The world building you are immersed into not just reading, but you’re in the world, the female character at first how she is I wasn’t sure if I would like her or not, but she is shaped by the world that she was brought up and by her father, and even though she’s a princess, she to me kind of resent how she was brought up if she wanted to escape the world that she was brought up and caught between two men, one of her kingdom and another from another totally different in personality. Both men were the magic I wouldn’t say it’s ordinary or I couldn’t see the Harry Potter in it, but it was in freaking. It was more that she has to adjust to her identity to who she is and what energy she possesses the lifestyle without giving pot line away because I don’t want to. I’m not gonna ruin it for other readers who will read this fuck but I want to talk about the writer in her thought in her phrases and what she says, I like her style of writing like I said, and this is from Azhara it’s a quiet storm sweeping your way as if I were fallen leaves that right there the writer just her thought when she writes wow I mean somebody that may be no big deal but it’s a little subtle things to me not just a plot line. It’s the style. It’s what the writer is saying and speaking that I fall into when reading a book definitely five star
April 3, 2026
4 stars!
I received this as an ARC read and I give my review freely.
This was a super fun story, and I was captivated throughout. I think a few things could make this a bit stronger:
1) more description of the setting
2) clearer understanding of her power
Other than those two things, this was a great read that helped me get out of a reading slump. Thank you for the chance to read and enjoy!
I received this as an ARC read and I give my review freely.
This was a super fun story, and I was captivated throughout. I think a few things could make this a bit stronger:
1) more description of the setting
2) clearer understanding of her power
Other than those two things, this was a great read that helped me get out of a reading slump. Thank you for the chance to read and enjoy!
May 4, 2026
I think love triangle might be my new favorite trope! I loved this story and how you could feel the weight of Azhara’s choices and the men in her orbit did not make it easy! Thank you CJ Holmes for the ARC and to have me be a part of your team!
April 25, 2026
ARC Review
📖 Labyrinthine
🖊️ C.J. Holmes @cjholmes_writing
Azhara - FMC
Darian + Mallen -MMC’s
First off I had to digest this book after I finished it. It was that good.
Stars: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️
Besides the fact that there are two delicious MMC’s who gave me emotional whiplash. The star of the book was Azhara. She finds herself in a world of lies and men who want to control her. She finds her power and embraces who she is instead of being fearful of her strength.
This book was so well written and had me reading late into the night.
Releases on May 12, 2026.
Add now to your Goodreads TBR!
Especially if you like:
🔥Slow burn
🚺 Fierce FMC
🗡️ Deadly trials
🖤 Dark romantasy
📖 Labyrinthine
🖊️ C.J. Holmes @cjholmes_writing
Azhara - FMC
Darian + Mallen -MMC’s
First off I had to digest this book after I finished it. It was that good.
Stars: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️
Besides the fact that there are two delicious MMC’s who gave me emotional whiplash. The star of the book was Azhara. She finds herself in a world of lies and men who want to control her. She finds her power and embraces who she is instead of being fearful of her strength.
This book was so well written and had me reading late into the night.
Releases on May 12, 2026.
Add now to your Goodreads TBR!
Especially if you like:
🔥Slow burn
🚺 Fierce FMC
🗡️ Deadly trials
🖤 Dark romantasy
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