The Hyacinth Labyrinth

by Jamie Pacton

A whimsical adventure full of magic, fantastical road trips, and a sapphic slow-burn, friends-to-lovers romance—for fans of Sorcery of Thorns and Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries.

All magic begins in stories. That’s what Fae princess Hyacinth has always been told. As the unmagical daughter of Queen Mab, Hyacinth has never fit in at her mother’s court. She hopes that if she learns about her father, who disappeared fifteen years ago, she can finally learn more about herself.

When Hyacinth and her friend Chloe—a human stablehand trapped in Fae—sneak off to a riverside night market, Hyacinth learns that her father was last seen heading to a library at the heart of a treacherous labyrinth. The problem: The labyrinth was built long ago by three goddesses, and no one has ever returned from it.

Still, Hyacinth has to try.

With the help of Chloe and a tiny dragon named Coffee, she defies Queen Mab and sets off into the wilds of the Moonshadow Kingdom. Along the way they face bandits, magical creatures, a centuries-old human who hosts an Endless Ball, and Hyacinth and Chloe’s growing feelings for each other. Meanwhile, an ancient power lies in wait at the center of the labyrinth, and it is eager to write the girls’ ending.

A lush, fairycore, sapphic YA fantasy that returns readers to the Fae world introduced in Jamie Pacton’s bestselling novel The Absinthe Underground!

Perfect for readers who love Sapphic Slow-Burn, Friends-to-Lovers, Grumpy/Sunshine, Princess/Lady Knight, Bodyguard Romance, Fae/Human Relationships, Only One Bed, and Stories Are Magic!

Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult, Lesbian, Queer, LGBT, Romance, Fae

368 pages, Hardcover

First published June 2, 2026

Reviews

[ava ⋆˙⟡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

𝘵𝘺𝘴𝘮 𝘵𝘰 𝘯𝘦𝘵𝘨𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘶𝘣𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘨𝘪𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘦 𝘢𝘯 𝘢𝘳𝘤 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬 <3

ˋ°•*⁀➷ 4.5 𝕤𝕥𝕒𝕣𝕤 .˚🪻𓍢˖˚🤍𓍢˖˚💌˚.

I loved this book so much!! it got me out of a reading slump, which definitely says something lol. cozy fantasy is literally the most underrated genre omg 🙂‍↕️ this was just such a fun, cute read, but still fast paced enough to be entertaining and very well written!

»[long story short - taylor swift] «
0:00 ─〇───── 4:00
⇄ ◃◃ ⅠⅠ ▹▹ ↻

𝑾𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒕𝒐 𝒆𝒙𝒑𝒆𝒄𝒕 🦢

౨ৎ cozy fantasy
౨ৎ young adult
౨ৎ sapphic
౨ৎ friends to lovers
౨ৎ one bed

.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。. .・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。.

ೃ⁀➷ 𝘗𝘰𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘴𝘱𝘰𝘪𝘭𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘱𝘰𝘪𝘯𝘵 𝘰𝘯

Ages 13+

𝑪𝒐𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒘𝒂𝒓𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒔 🔮

౨ৎ Language- not much! A few uses of damn and possibly hell (idk for sure though lol)

౨ৎ Romance- non descriptive kissing, yearning/crushes

౨ৎ Violence- injuries, some violence but nothing too bad

౨ৎ Other- death of a parent (past, off page), characters drink wine


.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。. .・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。.

𝑪𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒔 🤍

⤷ Chloe- wait I actually loved her so much! she was literally just a great character lol

⤷ Hyacinth- also amazing 🙂‍↕️


.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。. .・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。.


𝑾𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝑰 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆𝒅 🪻

ok so first of all the setting as literally perfection. it felt so cozy and beautiful and just amazing in every way 🤭 the writing was just descriptive enough that I could picture it all easily in my head, which I always love in books

I also loved the romance! books with yearning may be my favorite thing ever. like they were literally SO CUTE together 🤭 I was giggling sm when they finally got together at the end

once I got to around 40% through I literally could not put it down. like I stayed up until 2am two nights in a row reading it because it was just that addictive. The plot twists were also amazing and it was seriously just so entertaining and fun!

it also literally had some of my favorite tropesss yayayay so like ofc I loved it!!

finally, I will literally just love any book with a tiny dragon. like for some reason it just makes everything 100x better idk why but it does

𝑾𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝑰 𝒅𝒊𝒅𝒏’𝒕 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆 💌

It did start out a bit slow, which ofc is expected for the genre lol, but I did get a tiiiny bit bored at the beginning! it wasn’t bad at all though

I do also wish the characters had slightly more personality, but it’s not a huge complaint and was still a great book overall

.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。. .・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。.


|🤍| post read |🪻|

omg this was so good!! it started out a bit slow but by the end I literally couldn’t put it down. I absolutely adored the romance and the setting and plot too! rtc


|🪻| pre~read |🤍|

yayy I got an arc of this! idk much about it but it looks like a fun read so I’m excited <3

[Emily Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

**Review of free/gifted ARC copy** 4.8 ⭐️ I had the time of my life with this.

I absolutely loved The Absinthe Underground but I think, for me, this surpassed that hugely. Whilst I am a sucker for a good adventure and fae realm, this novel was just so much fun.

The Hyacinth Labyrinth is fast paced, packed with mischief and magic, and has a romance plot that left me grinning from ear to ear. Think sapphic, fae realm mayhem…. And throw in a very cute dragon.

Rep// Sapphic Girl MC (17), Sapphic Girl MC (18), non-binary (they/them) SC. Central romance is sapphic / WLW.

(TWs I will add after publication.)

[MortyPie · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️ I loved it. It was much better than I thought it was going to be. I don’t usually read this type of fantasy. I have no idea how to describe it. I want to say cozy but there is too much action for that. It also has some high stakes too. It was just good.
The characters were great. Chloe and Hyacinth were complete opposites but they worked so well together. The secrets they kept were make or break for their relationship but how they dealt with the revelations were great. They both had different views and responses to what was essentially the same secret. (You would understand if you read it.) I loved Hyacinth’s character development through it all too! Chloe was more of a stagnant character. Oh and Coffee (a tiny dragon), I was not expecting him!

Tropes and things:
-LGBTQ+
-One bed
-Magic/potions
-magical creatures
-trials
-fae x human
-Opposites Attract

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

[Ally · Rating 4 out of 5]

Got an arc from the publisher!

I really do love this series, the setting and atmosphere always make me wanna rewatch Howl’s Moving Castle, so I know I’m in for a good time when I pick one up. I feel like this one was a bit darker compared to Absinthe, which was a little lighter than some of the tense stuff going on in vermillion, but it worked for the story that was being told and it had a happier ending across the board than I thought I was going to get!

I do feel like there was a touch too much…I’m not sure if miscommunication is the right word but I felt like there were a number of instances of “why didn’t you tell me this I thought we were being honest!” That being said, these are 17 year old girls in a high stress situation I can understand if they’re not in the best place to make a therapist proud lmao.

[fanboyriot · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely devoured this book. The world the characters and plot it was all so incredible. I am not a big fantasy reader so when I am in the mood for it there are a few things I’m picky about. I saw the cover of this book and thought it was stunning then read the synopsis and requested it on NetGalley and I am so happy I was approved. I will definitely be buying a physical copy so I can annotate it.

Chloe and Hyacinth were such amazing characters and I loved the adventure in this book.

(Note: I received this copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the publisher/author for the opportunity.)

POV: Duel, Third Person
Sad Level: 💧
Would I Recommend? Yes
Favorite Character(s): Hyacinth and Chloe
Emojis Based on Vibes: 🧚‍♀️🍰🐉

⚠️ CONTENT WARNINGS
Moderate: Body horror, Confinement, Grief
Minor: Injury/Injury detail

[Sapphicallyreads ✨ · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Hyacinth Labyrinth by Jamie Pacton, is a whimsical friends to lovers romantic adventure, set in a fantastical fae world.

Fae princess Hyacinth is the unmagical daughter of Queen Mab. Hyacinth has never fit in at her mother’s court. She hopes that if she learns about her father, who disappeared fifteen years ago, she can finally learn more about herself.

When Hyacinth and her friend Chloe—a human stablehand trapped in Fae— team up to investigate what happened to her missing father, they dig up ancient secrets that lead them to the heart of a treacherous labyrinth.

With the help of Chloe and a tiny dragon named Coffee, hyacinth defies Queen Mab and sets off into the wilds of the Moonshadow Kingdom, towards an ancient power that lies in wait at the center of the labyrinth.


Hyacinth Labyrinth is a fun cozy read, perfect for fans of classical Barbie or Howls Moving Castle. The world building is beautiful and the relationship dynamic between the girls is soft and moving. (the story is described as friends to lovers, which is true, but the girls have already kissed off-screen before the book begins.)

If you’re looking for a cozy fantasy with colourful characters and a soft romance, I highly recommend!

Thank you Jamie Pacton for the Beautiful ARC copy and poster that I shall never take down from my wall.

[iris ☀︎ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange of "The Hyacinth Labyrinth" for an honest review!

3/5

Overall, I found this book to be just alright. I think the story was cute, and the characters were cute, but it left me unsatisfied at the end of it and there were definitely times where it felt like a drag and I wanted to be done with it. If you enjoy fae stories, then I would definitely recommend checking this out at least!

When it comes to the story, I do think it was generally a cute one! Hyacinth and Chloe go on a mission to find Hyacinth's father, and they run into many complications along the way that they always manage to get out of. The big conflict and the resolution to that did admittedly feel like it came out of nowhere and the stakes didn't feel nearly as high as they should have felt, which left me a bit disappointed, but it was a cute story in general.

I do think the trope-based marketing is a bit misleading (and something that I dislike as a whole, though it alone doesn't impact my rating), I wouldn't call Hyacinth and Chloe's relationship a slowburn, rather a Will They, Won't They situation. I also don't think I'd describe them as grumpy/sunshine or princess/lady knight (Chloe has a sword, but that's as close as she gets to being a knight), but that's just me...... Despite that, I think their relationship was alright! It got a bit annoying at times when they kept constantly talking about the time they kissed (because they've already kissed before the book began) and how much they like each other but can't let the other know. It just got to be a bit much at times. Their relationship and their dynamic as a whole were still cute though!

Individually, I do think they fell a little bit flat as characters and never really had anything beyond the single thing that was motivating each of them to undertake this journey. They just weren't the most interesting characters to follow, and I think that played into why it felt like such a drag.

I thought the world seemed super interesting, though I wish there was a little bit more of the worldbuilding within this book. I didn't know that this was part of a wider universe going into it and, while this is a standalone book, I felt like I was missing a lot of the worldbuilding aspect because the world had been done prior to this book. Despite that, it seems like a really well thought out world and setting, and it was definitely cool to see Hyacinth and Chloe go through the different areas on their journey!

Overall, I think this book is just okay. It's not bad by any means, I just don't think it's particularly for me. I do think we need to stop with the trope-based marketing though. Please.

Again, thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

[Amelia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I genuinely didn’t think I could enjoy this as much as I enjoyed the previous book (The Absinthe Underground) because that book was GOOD, but this book? SO much better, the writing is better, the world building is clearer, you can just see the growth of the author in the writing, and that allows the story to just be better?
This is a princess and lady sort-of knight tale, and the real ones know they are my favorite, so I was DOWN for this book. I jumped at it, Leaped if you will. And then there was a teacup sized dragon added into the mix? WHAT ELSE CAN YOU WANT???
The storyline was beautiful, it was all about an incredibly underestimated princess, Hyacinth, wanting to find her long lost father, all she has is an old book of his and the name store it came from. She brings her ‘best friend’ Chloe along, because they are inseparable, but they are only friends of course because they have only kissed once, and obviously neither of them want to talk about it or happen again, obviously.
The author took inspiration from Emily Wildes Encyclopedia Of Faeries, which also stood out to me because I have been wanting a sapphic story similar to that series for a LONG time, and this was perfect, everything I have dreamed of, everything I asked for (in my head) and I am SO grateful and excited and emotional and all the feelings about this book.
I loved all the characters we met along the way, the adventure Princess Hyacinth and Chloe went on was a rollercoaster that took many turns and was very eventful, meaning we met many side characters along the way, who were all beautifully written, my ultimate favorites I can’t talk about too much without spoiling my favorite part of the book, but I LOVED the nightpine fairies, they were the light after the darkness, and exactly what the story needed at that moment, I also can’t talk at all about my second favorite because that would spoil two special reveals, but I loved who Chloe and Hyacinth met after the fairies too. I loved how this story was written, the light after the dark, but the dark was never forgotten, it stuck in Chloe and Hyacinths mind (particularly Chloe) and I liked that because it felt real. Too many times in these books do characters go through truly terrible things and then it’s just forgotten and the characters move on like nothing happened, but not in this book.
I loved how this felt like a true fairytale, similar to the first book, so much happened and it was so full of action but it still managed to be cozy and there was always the relaxed moments that were so beautiful. I am incredibly grateful for this book, and this series, THANK YOU 🤍

[Rachel Reeves · Rating 4 out of 5]

TW: Mind control, blood, injury, grief, class struggle, PTSD

This was a lovely teen read, fill of fae hi-jinks and a believable bond between two great characters. I love fae stories, and so this appealed to me instantly. But first, the plot:

Hyacinth is the youngest daughter of Queen Mab, the Queen of the High Fae. As a princess, she should have access to powerful magic and beautiful wings, but she doesn't. Her wings are fake, and she mimics having powers through potions. This makes things worse, as Hyacinth wants to find her father, and not having magic is surely detrimental to that. The other half of this duo is Chloe Wreckersfield, a human former mapper's apprentice turned stable hand hiding as a common Fae girl. Chloe desperately wants to return to her twin sister. Hyacinth and Chloe have been seeing each other in secret and both resolve to skip that year's Solstice ball to go to a once a year market, to both find what they seek. However, they both are hiding their true intentions from one another, including their true feelings. When the market leads to a Labyrinth, will Chloe and Hyacinth be able top survive? Will they finally admit how much they mean to one another?

This was a wonderful teen read. I loved both Hyacinth and Chloe; they both had clear character arcs and genuine struggles. Hyacinth in particular was a wonderful character; I could really feel her frustration with not having magic. At the same time she is flawed, as she was raised in a higher social class than Chloe and her prejudice does come out. I love Chloe as well, as she is very clearly a survivor, and loves very deeply. I appreciate the queer rep, as both Chloe and Hyacynth are gay, and this is a queer normative setting. There is only kissing between our two leads, and their relationship is adorable. I also appreciated the action, and tje fact that the characters get hurt. There are some real stakes.

The setting was suitably faerie-tale like, and I loved the colorful citizens of the fae realm. However, some of the settings are a bit sketched in, but that makes sense. The ending may also feel a bit too neat. The prose is also a bit soft, which, again makes sense for the intended audience.

I recommend this book for teens who want a breezy and heartwarming read.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

Final Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Check out my blog for drink parings and other reviews: https://theredreaderreviews.blogspot....

[The Bookish Chimera - Pauline · Rating 5 out of 5]

“All magic begins in starlight and stories.”

The Hyacinth Labyrinth is one of these books you thought would tick all the boxes before you read them, just for you to realize that it ticked even more of them after finishing the story. I knew I would love the world, as The Vermillion Emporium and The Absinthe Underground are very close to my heart and it didn’t disappoint at all, even though it makes me a bit sad to realize it was the last adventure in this universe.
But what an adventure it was. It brought me back to the aesthetics of my first encounters with fantasy, with the 80s/90s movies and Tolkien’s books, as much as with children's fairy tales. The story is a mix between a classic quest seasoned with challenges and something very cozy, almost like a road trip in fairy land, that allows the characters to really get to know each other —and themselves— and the reader to breathe. It’s a beautiful story about stories and how they define humanity, about the story that a parent (or the society) can tell themselves about their kid, making them feel they're not enough.
Hyacinth, in that regard, hit me hard (and the object of her quest too, for personal reasons). Contrary to the other fae of her rank, she doesn’t have magic and tries everything she can to cover that up. That felt very close to masking, and I loved seeing her discover that she could be herself and be enough anyway.
The love story with Chloe (beautiful, strong Chloe!) is omnipresent in their thoughts (but not so much in their actions), just like THAT kiss they don’t talk about but never stop thinking about. That creates a yearning that plays the role of a red line for the story, just like Coffee the teacup dragon adds a comic relief but also a lot of food for thoughts.
In the end, The Hyacinth Labyrinth is a story that will be loved by teens, but also by adults (the nostalgia!) as it gives all the feels and is an ode to (self)acceptance and diversity, full of sapphic yearning, cozyness and breathtaking adventures, and I know it will become one of my comfort books.

Thank you to the author for sending me an ARC of this book. My opinions are my own.

[bookishbunna]

"She was beautiful and ferocious.
She was Chloe's beginning, middle, and end.
She was home." — Chloe

Fae Princess Hyacinth is the magicless youngest daughter of the overprotective Queen of High Fae, whose mysterious father has been missing for fifteen years. Desperate to know more about him and why she has no High Fae magic or wings, Hyacinth enlists the help of her best friend and secret crush, Chloe, for an adventure to the perilous Labyrinth, the last place her father was allegedly headed.

However, unbeknownst to her, Chloe is a human who has been accidentally stuck in the Fae realm for over a year. Desperate to return to her twin sister by all means necessary, Chloe battles her growing feelings for the Fae Princess who could definitely never love a human back. Fortunately, rumour has it that the very last portal to other worlds may be found in the centre of the Labyrinth...

◆ Fae Princess x Human Lady Knight (in-training)
◆ YA Cozy Sapphic Romantasy
◆ Friends-to-Lovers & Yearning
◆ Immersive Worldbuilding
◆ Coffee, A Pocket-Sized Dragon!

As someone who adores sapphic Fae romantasies, The Hyacinth Labyrinth has been such a whimsical and wild ride! The light romance was sweet and charming, and the characters were easy to like. Chloe was protective and brave, always the first to step in front of her princess no matter how dangerous or bleak their situation may be. Hyacinth started off idealistic and naive, but quickly grew into her own strength in order to have the power to save the people important to her. And we can't forget teeny tiny Coffee 🐉 the amnesic star of the show who tagged along for the adventure and always had a wise thing to say to the girls.

I absolutely adored the lush worldbuilding, and really wish I'd read the previous books before this, because there were a few references in the beginning and they seemed like such a fun time too! While a cozy fantasy, there were relatively high stakes involved and I loved how I got to witness our female leads grow, both individually and together, as they overcame epic trials in order to reach their fairytale ending 😍 Looking forward to reading more books in this world!!!

[Meagan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Actual Rating: 4.5 Stars

Thank you to NetGalley and Peachtree Teen for the eARC and Jamie Pacton for the physical ARC in exchange for an honest review! The Hyacinth Library comes out June 2nd. It follows High Fae princess Hyacinth and her best friend and secretly human stablehand Chloe as they try to hunt down Hyacinth’s long-lost father and a portal for Chloe to return to the human world. Their whimsical adventure takes them across the realm, meeting various creatures, both friendly and fearsome, and magic of all kinds. Along the way, both girls can’t stop thinking about the kiss they shared and what it could mean for them.

This was beautifully written. Jamie Pacton’s descriptions are lush, the settings and characters detailed and as vivid as a movie. I loved the lore, the focus on the magic of storytelling, and Coffee the teacup-sized dragon.

The romance aspect, while well-done, is a relatively small part of this story in the grand scheme of things and I think the marketing focusing so much on it is a bit misleading. This does have a sweet sapphic love story but it’s hardly the main focus of the novel and I imagine some readers will pick it up thinking it plays a bigger role and be disappointed. I personally didn’t mind at all but it’s just something to keep in mind if you plan to read it!

Some things felt a little bit too convenient and there were a couple of choices Hyacinth and Chloe made that struck me as a little bit strange. It felt like they only happened so that Jamie Pacton could steer the story in a certain direction even though it didn’t make the most sense.

Still, I loved my time with The Hyacinth Labyrinth and I’ll definitely be picking up more by Jamie Pacton!

[Sabrina Pisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just started reading and my brain is already working overtime! 📚

I’m only 8 pages in and these characters are already so complicated. Here is what I’m picking up on:
Hyacinth’s Mom (The Queen): Totally obsessed with being "perfect and normal" in the craziest way. She’s completely blind to the pain she’s causing her own daughter.

Hyacinth: She’s dealing with so much self-hate because of her mom’s pressure. She’s currently stuck in this mindset where she looks down on others (like Chloe) because of class differences—she doesn’t see that she’s hurting people, too. It’s painful to read, honestly.

Chloe: The one who works for the Queen and is actually helping Hyacinth search for her father.
Can’t wait to see how this unfolds. Has anyone else read this?
Started The Hyacinth Labyrinth and I’m finding myself completely stuck in Hyacinth’s world.
On one hand, it’s a study in messy family dynamics—that feeling when a mother thinks she knows 'what’s best' and uses 'tough love' to control your path, only to make you want to rebel and hunt for the truth even more. I’m really analyzing the secrecy here: what did her dad actually do that’s so dangerous that her mother is willing to lock away the past to keep it hidden?

It hits a little too close to home, honestly. It’s hard to navigate when you’re caught between family pressure and the person you’re actually trying to become. But then there’s the dynamic with Chloe—that’s the real highlight for me. It’s the only part that feels honest and cute, and it’s the only thing keeping me grounded while the rest of the story feels like a storm. ⚔️✨

Has anyone else read this? I’m really curious if you see the mom’s 'protection' as love, or just a way to keep Hyacinth from her own power."

[Ana Torrez · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was one of the worst books I have ever read.

I am the intended audience for this book; It said it had everything I look for in one: Magic, dragons, sapphics. It…was disappointing to put it lightly.

First of all, it was completely misleading with its marketing. Slow burn? They kissed before the book even started. It was certainly not grumpy/sunshine, which I’m not upset about as I don’t like the trope, but I’m sure it got some people to read it. Princess and lady knight? Kind of? Chloe isn’t a knight. The only thing that the marketing got right was friends to lovers and only one bed—and the only one bed thing was a one page gag. Don’t even get me started on how this was marketed as a stand alone! I felt completely lost half of the time and then the book would just cheaply explain it as “Oh haha, you should have been there”.

Aside from that, the writing was just bad. It was near impossible to tell the difference between Chloe and Hyacinth’s voices. They sounded the same: very dull and not the brightest. The entire book they were said to be super smart and cunning, but the certainty were not. Prime example of a “tell not show” situation. The two main characters also never progressed the plot. They literally fell into where they needed to be half of the time. There was no problem solving, no tension, barely any conflict, and most of all no consequences. It was as if they got on a kiddy ride at a theme park and had their story told for them, which is ironic considering the boring and fast paced ending.

I overall really disliked this book and was eagerly counting down the pages until I finished it. I hope that some readers fine the magic that was advertised in ‘The Hyacinth Labyrinth’ within these pages. It just wasn’t for me.

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and Peachtree Publishers for the digital ARC!

I had a lovely time reading “The Hyacinth Labyrinth” by Jamie Pacton. I’ve wanted to read one of Jamie Pacton’s novels for a while and the description and cover on NetGalley were just too irresistible. I'm a sucker for magical roadtrips, mysterious labyrinths, and a princess/lady knight pairing. I found the dual-pov protagonists, human stable-hand Chloe and Fae Princess Hyacinth enjoyable, in a friends to lovers sort of situation as they set out on a quest to rescue Hyacinth’s father from a forbidden Labyrinth. Both characters harbor secrets from the other about aspects of their true selves that test their friendship along the way. Coffee, the pocket-sized dragon that Chloe rescues, was a lovely companion on their quest, and oh so adorable. The Fae world was interesting, and the explanations of magic were easy to understand. Even though this book is technically the third in a series, there was enough explanation of information from the other novels so it worked as a stand-alone. I’d label the conflict as cozy fantasy levels of danger, but there were also a few scary moments where humans are trapped under cruel Fae spells. The themes in the book of growing up and finding your true-self were appropriate to the Young Adult target audience. Overall this was a light fun sapphic fantasy read, and I would be pleased to recommend it to the young adult readers at my library.

[Natalie Jadwin · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a whimsical adventure this book took me on!

Although this is the third installment within a world crafted by the author, I feel Jamie Pacton did a good job weaving in past stories and references to previous books to give context and understanding to the reader. I didn't read the previous books and I think as long as the reader understands that there were previous stories including our main heroines, they will have an easy time catching on to the ways of the world. Although, I do really wish I got to experience Hyacinth and Chloe's initial meeting and even their first kiss the night before the book starts.

The plotting kept me hooked into the story with the eerie Mountain King and his Endless Ball or the trials held within the Labyrinth. I love a Fae world with true lore and research behind it a la Holly Black's Elfhame stories.

I think this book would be a good jumping off point for someone graduating from middle grade fantasy and ready to step up into YA fantasy because of the way each part of the quest and item obtained along the way clearly were stepping stones into where they were going next (like Hyacinth's potion belt and her different magical items always saving the day).

[Marina Marcello · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jamie Pacton has done it again! The Hyacinth Labyrinth brings us back to the Fae Realm of The Absinthe Underground which was introduced to us in that second adventure she wrote in the world of Severon, following The Vermilion Emporium. I absolutely adore this multiworld universe of hers, and I will read anything that comes out of it! After The Absynth Underground I specifically asked if we would ever get a Chloe and Hyacinth book, and I am so glad that Jamie’s plan became a reality!

Jamie is excellent at writing epic quests that often echo themes of grief and feature found family. Her characters are always quite colorful and fleshed out and, being these are YA worlds, they tend to feature self-discovery in some way, which I adore following along. The Hyacinth Labyrinth ofc features an actual Labyrinth and an adventure through fae forests and mountains, echoing The Hobbit, The 10th Kingdom, and the OG Labyrinth.

This book was four stars for me, and one of my favorite parts was in the author’s note: “...story lives in the stretched-thin places and overlooked corners of history. Stories are magic, after all.” Excuse me while I quest for more fae stories to keep the magic Jamie inspired in me alive!

[Juliana · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book contained good writing and an immersive world of fae magic. I enjoyed the story leading up to the labyrinth. Chloe and Hyacinth’s travels outside of the Moonshadow kingdom were fraught with challenges. The secrets they both held only further complicated their trials. I was surprised at how long it took for everything to be revealed. The inner monologues could be a bit repetitive about it all. I felt the reader didn’t need as much reminding as there was.

I liked the common fae stories this book included like the rules about food and endless dancing. I had a hard time with the trials in the labyrinth. It felt like they were solved too easily or with no real acknowledgement. The end in general felt very rushed and almost uninteresting. I could see what the author was trying to do to connect the whole story, but it just didn’t work for me.

I enjoyed the representation in this story with the sweet romance between Chloe and Hyacinth. It may not have been my favorite, but I could see many cozy fantasy fans loving this story. I recommend this to cozy fantasy lovers and those looking for a sweet friends-to-lovers romance.

[JessOfAwesome · Rating 3 out of 5]

ARC from Netgalley
Book is a classic princess who has big plans for her kingdom but no one expects much because she's a women. She has knight/swordswomen best friend that is the love interest. However, it's not necessarily slow burn, just angst in the fact they are aware they like eachother but don't know how to discuss it or where they want their relationship to go from there. Also, they had bigger priorities then their love lives at the moment. However, it gives the a chance to mature and grow together before a relationship is officially formed.
Great fairy lore. Clearly inspired by Emily Wilde's Encyclopedia of Faeries. Also some Legends and Lattes vibes in there in the whimsical cozy YA fantasy sense. A felt some Labyrinth but any book with a maze or labyrinth makes me think of The Labyrinth.
Writing and writing style is clear and easy to read. Nothing spectacular, but I got through it quickly.

[Julia Pika · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley & Peachtree Publishers for the early copy in exchange for an honest review. Sadly, I DNF'ed at 20% of the way through.

The cover is absolutely STUNNING!

I'm sorry to say the story is chaotic and confusing. The maddingly misleading marketing (alliteration ftw) doesn't help either. This is NOT a slow burn--they've literally already kissed off screen before the book started. I couldn't get into characters nor their romance, so I didn't see the point in continuing any further.

The book is apparently a standalone part of a larger Fae series that I had no idea about. I wish the marketing mentioned that because I felt a bit lost, not knowing this book was already part of an established world.

I'm sorry I'm so salty, but I wish the publishers/marketing team would stop relying so much on tropes and actually describe what happens in the book instead of vague promises of tropes. Ridiculous.

[Michaela Whitney · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy through NetGalley for review.

Having not read the other books that include this world, or characters.
It was surprisingly easy to get into this kind of cozy feeling, yet dangerous adventure, between a High Fae Princess without magic, and a human glamoured to appear as a regular Fae.

Princess Hyacinth is the youngest daughter of the great Queen Mab, has no wings or magic, and he mother won't answer any of her questions regarding her missing father who disappeared or why her magic and wings have yet to appear on the anointed birthday when most High Fae come into their powers.
Chloe is a glamoured human, who is training as a knight and working as a stable hand for the queen's dragons. All she wants to do is figure out how to get back to her own world through a door to her twin sister Anya who managed to get out after they were brought into Fae at children.

Smitten with each other they go on a journey to try to figure out what happened to Hyacinth's missing father and try to find him. It's got a little romance, wild chases trying to avoid the Queen, a scary enchanted labyrinth, scary King with scarier powers, it's a light kind of cozy adventure fantasy. I did really enjoy it. It was a fun read.

[Cait · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Hyacinth Labyrinth feels like a warm hug while snuggled up in a blanket. I had read Jamie Pacton's previous instalment in this world, but I think this one is my favourite yet!

I really enjoyed the world-building and writing style, which reminded me of cozy RPGs and classic Barbie movies. Were there stakes? Yes. Did you know everything was going to turn out just fine? Also yes.

I loved the persistent yearning between Chloe and Hyacinth. Anyone who says that yearning is dead needs to read lesbian romance books, because my goodness!

Coffee the tiny (or not so tiny?) dragon was also an absolute highlight. There were so many parts of this world that I felt immersed in, from the night markets, to the Hyacinth cottage, the labyrinth and the mushroom city. This is a propet fairy story!

Thank you Peachtree and Netgalley for the eARC, and Jamie Pacton for the street team physical ARC! Receiving these has not biased my review.

4 5 stars rounded up ⭐️

[The Atlas of Stars · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Peachtree Teen and Netgalley for an eARC of this!

Overall I really enjoyed this book. It was a very good mix of cozy and nerve wracking. The thing that really stood out is the amount of detail and love that went into describing the settings as Princess Hyacinth and Chloe moved throughout the realm.

This book is about the actual journey that is taken as well as both Hyacinth and Chloe's own personal journeys of self discovery, learning to trust themselves and each other while navigating their own personal hardships. Also I felt like the the commentary on the abuse and turmoil humans can face in the fae realm is very pertinent to the story as a whole.

My only hang up with this was there were some areas that felt a bit slow and that made those areas kind of hard to feel immersed into. I do however think the chapters that chilled me to my core kind of made up for it at least a little. If you like sapphic high stakes cozy fantasy, this is the book for you!

[Therearenobadbooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cozy fantasy meets nostalgic classics with a great sapphic couple and a tiny dragon (with memory loss) named Coffee. The journey sends them on a perilous journey while trying to keep secrets from each other. A fae princess with fake wings and no magic, a human in a fae realm. The ball chapters with the king were the ones to give me Labyrinth vibes but the entire book is a great homage to reading and watching those books/movies for the first time. I haven't read the Absinthe one, but I liked this one so it will be great to return to the same world (a couple of months before this journey). A search with high stakes, dealing, chances, talking dragons, and characters that are more than meets the eye.

[Allison Romeo · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.3/5!

Looking for a sapphic cozy fantasy with a tiny dragon, fae, and a quest into a labyrinth to save a loved one? Then look no further!

This book was a great change of pace from a lot of what I have been reading lately and I loved how cozy it was. There is adventure and excitement around every corner, including high stakes, but the way it is written is like a warm hug, and it feels so magical and calming.

Hyacinth can be a bit of a spoiled princess at times, but she knows what she wants, to save her father and to kiss Chloe some more.

I really enjoyed this one and it has been such a pleasure being a part of the street team!

[Robin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story is about Hyacinth and Chloe going on a mission to find Hyacinth's father. They run into many complications along the way. The book is told in two perspectives throughout the story. We get Hyacinth's point of view in every other chapter and then we get Chloe's perspective in the other chapters. I preferred Chloe's chapters more than Hyacinth's perspective because I felt like more things were going on with her then Hyacinth even though we went on this adventure for her. I found the book to be cute overall but to repetitive over time. The constant reminder that the two characters kissed in the beginning of the book and the phrase " bramble and marsh" every other page.

[Dahlia (ofpagesandprint) · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

The Hyacinth Labyrinth is a sweet, sweeping, and swoon-worthy sapphic YA fantasy.

Jamie Pacton has written some of my all-time favorite YA fantasy novels, and THL is no exception. From the first page, Pacton enchanted me with her immersive, lush, and whimsical world-building. The infusion of faerie folklore was excellent. The characters were compelling, witty, and vibrant, and the romance between Hyacinth and Chloe was addictive, filled with irresistible friends-to-lovers tension. The plot was adventurous and entertaining, and the pacing was engaging. Pacton’s prose was heartfelt, witty, lyrical, and magical. I highly recommend this spellbinding story!

Thank you to Jamie for the free copy!

[Lesia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Penguin Teen Canada and Peachtree Teen for the advanced copy of this book!

This was such a delightful little cozy fantasy! Though I do wish I had read The Absinthe Underground first, due to referenced events and characters that I was unfamiliar with, I still thoroughly enjoyed this one!

Hyacinth and Chloe are both such wonderful FMC's that are easy to root for! I loved the way they managed to finagle their way out of every predicament, and the role that a teeny little dragon played in all of it! It was just such a fantastic adventure with relatively low stakes, a pseudo-lady knight, and kissing girls! I absolutely devoured it and didn't want to put it down.

[M D · Rating 4 out of 5]

Listened to an advanced audio copy on PRH Audio.



I thought the narration was well executed by the voice actor.



I have yet to read the previous books, and though they might have been a few minor spoilers mentioned, nothing too major that would keep me from going back at reading the previous two.



I found the story to be charming and full of adventure, if somewhat stuttered at the beginning, but it quickly finds its footing. I thought both characters had good development and chemistry.

Any teen who likes the fay will enjoy reading this one.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Hyacinth Labyrinth by Jamie Pacton follows her previous novel, The Absinthe Underground. Set in the same world, this one can be read as a standalone. I wasn't sure at first, but the tie-in was well explained, so the story worked even without having read it. That being said, I intend to read it as well.
The blurb does a thorough job of setting the scene. Pacton builds a beautiful and terrifying world of magic and fae with a balance of whimsy and danger. She uses lovely prose and vivid imagery to create a story reminiscent of childhood fairytales, but this one is for girls like me. It is a story for those who grew up with princesses who needed saving by boys but would rather save themselves.
The Hyacinth Labyrinth offers hope to little girls seeking adventure and romance and to the brave girl who would rather befriend the dragon, defeat the misguided villain, and win the girl herself in the end.
Hyacinth and Chloe are young, idealistic, and daring. They are best friends who are becoming something more. Their relationship, despite developing in a fantasy world, seems very realistic. They care and protect one another even when they are angry. They keep secrets when they should not. They trust each other even as they doubt. They are stronger together. They have sweet chemistry.
Coffee, the tiny dragon, is a show stealer! He is adorable, and I love him. I am also a fan of Runa, the queen's massive dragon.
The plot is highly engaging as Hyacinth and Chloe are on a quest to find her father; they encounter wonderful and dangerous things. Several unexpected twists keep things interesting and move the pace along.
This novel was so much fun, and it is one to own and read again and again—the kind of book I would gift to my daughter.
I highly recommend it!

Quoteworthy:
The dancers moved in a kaleidoscope— no, landslide was a better word for it— of feathers, silks, mosses, berries, and sparkling dew-spun dresses and suits.

“What a calamity, this merriment. So fleeting, so fickle. Echoes of joy lost in the frenzy of time… .” - Spoken by an enchanted willow tree stuck in a ballroom.

"Dear Anya, I hope I don’t die on a giant mushroom. Wouldn’t that be embarrassing?"

"All magic begins in starlight and stories.”

#nospice #youngadult #teenagers #slowburn #Quest #fae #Onlyonebed #Friendstolovers #GrumpySunshine #PrincessKnight #royalromance #BodyguardRomance #Dragons #differentworlds #richpoor #adventure #worldbuilding #magicallibrary #labyrinth #goddesses #Whimsical #danger #suspense #HEA
I received a review copy from the author through NetGalley.