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Labyrinthine
Not yet published
Expected 12 May 26Every 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.
300 pages, Paperback
Expected publication May 12, 2026
1 person is currently reading
67 people want to read
About the author
C.J. Holmes
15 books128 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 - 3 of 3 reviews
February 4, 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!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Full Review soon!
Review of advance copy received from Author
I went into Labyrinthine expecting a dark fantasy romance, but what I found was something far more haunting and immersive. This story doesn’t just pull you into a maze of magic and danger, it traps you inside the emotions of its characters in a way that feels almost impossible to escape.
The atmosphere is rich and heavy with tension, every scene layered with longing, grief, and fragile hope. The romance is slow, aching, and deeply emotional rather than rushed, which made every small moment feel significant. I loved how the worldbuilding unfolded naturally, revealing secrets piece by piece until the full weight of the story settled in.
What stayed with me most was the emotional intensity. The characters feel raw and real, shaped by trauma, loyalty, and difficult choices. By the end, I wasn’t just reading about their journey. I felt like I had lived inside it.
If you love dark romantasy with lyrical writing, deep emotional stakes, and an FMC who really grows into herself and who she is, then Labyrinthine is absolutely worth the read. I’m already thinking about it long after turning the final page.
The atmosphere is rich and heavy with tension, every scene layered with longing, grief, and fragile hope. The romance is slow, aching, and deeply emotional rather than rushed, which made every small moment feel significant. I loved how the worldbuilding unfolded naturally, revealing secrets piece by piece until the full weight of the story settled in.
What stayed with me most was the emotional intensity. The characters feel raw and real, shaped by trauma, loyalty, and difficult choices. By the end, I wasn’t just reading about their journey. I felt like I had lived inside it.
If you love dark romantasy with lyrical writing, deep emotional stakes, and an FMC who really grows into herself and who she is, then Labyrinthine is absolutely worth the read. I’m already thinking about it long after turning the final page.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews