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Maze-Born Trouble
A dead girl, a cop he can’t forget, and a price on his head. All on a space station at the edge of a black hole. Just another day’s work for P.I. Lake Harmaa. P.I. Lake Harmaa escaped the darkness and intense gravity of Sisu Space Station’s Maze Sector by turning traitor and spying for the Feds during the war. He has no intention of risking his neck by going back down into those depths, where there’s a price on his head and more than a few souls who wouldn’t mind him turning up dead. But when he’s framed for a brutal murder, Lake realizes he must return to the Maze and settle old scores.
80 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 15, 2016
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284 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
January 16, 2023
Awesome! What a treat to find science fiction written by someone who clearly loves and respects the genre, served up with a subplot of m/m romance.
Since discovering m/m a few years ago I've consumed it voraciously, to the point where it's comprised probably 90% of my reading. As a result, I miss science fiction. Sure, some m/m authors give their story an sf setting. But it's just that — a setting. Just bells & whistles, devoid of substance. I learned the hard way that m/m-sf crossovers are almost guaranteed to disappoint me. Picking one up was rather like thinking I’d won a trip to Paris, only to find myself sent to Des Moines instead.
But Ginn Hale serves up the real deal. I loved the worldbuilding here. Attention to detail brought the world of Sisu Station to vivid life: the complexity of the ecosystem, with symbiotic relationships among the hardscape and the genetically-engineered roaches and fungus and humans; the Finnish subculture of the lower-class society into which the MC was born; the effects of the time dilation caused by the gravity well; the alien sensory perceptions of a narrator who, though human, has drastically modified sensory organs... Happy sigh. I was in my element.
If you're here for the romance, I can say that it's gracefully interwoven into the noir-ish detective story. Former cop and current PI Lake Harmaa investigates a murder in order to clear himself from suspicion... suspicion that has possibly been specifically manufactured to point to him. He's long had a thing — an unrequited thing — for his former partner, Aguilar, who's still on the force and working on the case. The resolution of the slow-burn between them complements the main story in a way that feels natural and unforced.
Although I would have been happy to spend many more hours (days!) immersed in this richly-evoked world, the book felt exactly the right length for the story it told. I was actually surprised, in a way, to walk away satisfied rather than itching for more. That's quite an accomplishment, to nail the landing like that.
Since discovering m/m a few years ago I've consumed it voraciously, to the point where it's comprised probably 90% of my reading. As a result, I miss science fiction. Sure, some m/m authors give their story an sf setting. But it's just that — a setting. Just bells & whistles, devoid of substance. I learned the hard way that m/m-sf crossovers are almost guaranteed to disappoint me. Picking one up was rather like thinking I’d won a trip to Paris, only to find myself sent to Des Moines instead.
But Ginn Hale serves up the real deal. I loved the worldbuilding here. Attention to detail brought the world of Sisu Station to vivid life: the complexity of the ecosystem, with symbiotic relationships among the hardscape and the genetically-engineered roaches and fungus and humans; the Finnish subculture of the lower-class society into which the MC was born; the effects of the time dilation caused by the gravity well; the alien sensory perceptions of a narrator who, though human, has drastically modified sensory organs... Happy sigh. I was in my element.
If you're here for the romance, I can say that it's gracefully interwoven into the noir-ish detective story. Former cop and current PI Lake Harmaa investigates a murder in order to clear himself from suspicion... suspicion that has possibly been specifically manufactured to point to him. He's long had a thing — an unrequited thing — for his former partner, Aguilar, who's still on the force and working on the case. The resolution of the slow-burn between them complements the main story in a way that feels natural and unforced.
Although I would have been happy to spend many more hours (days!) immersed in this richly-evoked world, the book felt exactly the right length for the story it told. I was actually surprised, in a way, to walk away satisfied rather than itching for more. That's quite an accomplishment, to nail the landing like that.
December 30, 2016
4.5 Stars rounded up for the great world-building and evocative atmosphere.
This reminded me of Perdido Street Station --wow, how that book blew my mind when I read it all those years ago. Could it really have been fifteen years already!??
The romance is light and slow burn but the plot races along. I'd forgotten just how much I enjoy a good sci-fi story. More please :)
This reminded me of Perdido Street Station --wow, how that book blew my mind when I read it all those years ago. Could it really have been fifteen years already!??
The romance is light and slow burn but the plot races along. I'd forgotten just how much I enjoy a good sci-fi story. More please :)
November 16, 2016
I had the dizzying pleasure of reading Ginn Hale's Maze-Born Trouble a few weeks ago as a Finnish-language & culture consultant. If you haven't read this book yet, make sure you will, because in Maze-Born Trouble Ginn Hale gives us a completely new, fascinating, sensory rich world to wander in. The way only Ginn Hale can!
Mind you — this is nothing like Basawar, Rifter's world, but the effect on the reader is the same: long after finishing the story I find myself still lurking in the labyrinth-like tunnels of the Maze, smelling humid air and chemical pools, hearing the giant roaches flutter their wings in the shadows. Tasting the rising, sickening panic on my tongue.
Along the world of blooming sensations I, yet again, fell in love with Ginn Hale's characters. In Maze-Born Trouble they are unique, surprising, mesmerizing. It was enjoyable to witness how our protagonist Lake Harmaa turned out NOT to be as ordinary and as grey as his last name hints — quite the opposite. In this story grey (harmaa in Finnish) doesn't equal dull or predictable. Grey is enigmatic, complex and persistent. Grey is grit and full of stoic determination. Grey is displaying courage in the face of adversity and disaster while knowing there's a big chance that you'll fail and simply won't make it.
While not wanting to reveal too much of the story, I highly recommend it. It's best if you get to experience it yourself and to enjoy the rich, capturing voice of the author! But let me just say this: I'm truly honored that Ginn Hale has chosen Finnish as part of the book. She does it beautifully, too. Kiitos, Ginn! Olen ylpeä sinusta!
Mind you — this is nothing like Basawar, Rifter's world, but the effect on the reader is the same: long after finishing the story I find myself still lurking in the labyrinth-like tunnels of the Maze, smelling humid air and chemical pools, hearing the giant roaches flutter their wings in the shadows. Tasting the rising, sickening panic on my tongue.
Along the world of blooming sensations I, yet again, fell in love with Ginn Hale's characters. In Maze-Born Trouble they are unique, surprising, mesmerizing. It was enjoyable to witness how our protagonist Lake Harmaa turned out NOT to be as ordinary and as grey as his last name hints — quite the opposite. In this story grey (harmaa in Finnish) doesn't equal dull or predictable. Grey is enigmatic, complex and persistent. Grey is grit and full of stoic determination. Grey is displaying courage in the face of adversity and disaster while knowing there's a big chance that you'll fail and simply won't make it.
While not wanting to reveal too much of the story, I highly recommend it. It's best if you get to experience it yourself and to enjoy the rich, capturing voice of the author! But let me just say this: I'm truly honored that Ginn Hale has chosen Finnish as part of the book. She does it beautifully, too. Kiitos, Ginn! Olen ylpeä sinusta!
November 18, 2024
Ginn Hale kicks ass at world-building. Just...wow. Incredibly satisfying for a novella.
October 18, 2021
Higher end of 3. Ginn Hale is one of my absolute favorite authors - top 5. I love her world-building, her descriptions, her characters... I could go on.
I really wish this could have been a longer book. I really enjoyed what was here, like above: the characters and the world. But, with this being so short, I feel like it could have done with less world-building/character past, etc. I really enjoyed that info but it really just seemed like this could have been a stronger story if there was a bit less of all that - again, length. She always comes up with the most interesting ideas. Love it. Always. She brings such life to this world she's created and shows the society therein. So much about it with such a short story.
I did not even read the summary before picked this up (Ginn Hale!). Like I said above: I really liked this world and how the characters were going. Really leaves me wanting more from them. I also liked how it is friends to lovers (need it every now and then) - after other stuff we'll leave it at, lol.
I just really can't get over her interpretations of the world she's created here.
Today he didn't even bother engaging sound - he didn't want to risk being overheard. Instead the small depth screen tapped out a flutter of Braille across his fingertips.
For the eBook version I have, it really would have been great to have the communication bits in italics or just something more obvious. Even after learning that it was how it was going to be throughout the book, it still threw it off. It seemed a part of the narration and then it'd be confusing by the wording; then obvious that it was people communicating.
They might not find him a threat, but that wouldn't stop them from deeming him badly injured and ready for the pit. The queen was always hungry.
TW (Putting this under a tag since it could give some thing(s) away...):
I really wish this could have been a longer book. I really enjoyed what was here, like above: the characters and the world. But, with this being so short, I feel like it could have done with less world-building/character past, etc. I really enjoyed that info but it really just seemed like this could have been a stronger story if there was a bit less of all that - again, length. She always comes up with the most interesting ideas. Love it. Always. She brings such life to this world she's created and shows the society therein. So much about it with such a short story.
I did not even read the summary before picked this up (Ginn Hale!). Like I said above: I really liked this world and how the characters were going. Really leaves me wanting more from them. I also liked how it is friends to lovers (need it every now and then) - after other stuff we'll leave it at, lol.
I just really can't get over her interpretations of the world she's created here.
Today he didn't even bother engaging sound - he didn't want to risk being overheard. Instead the small depth screen tapped out a flutter of Braille across his fingertips.
For the eBook version I have, it really would have been great to have the communication bits in italics or just something more obvious. Even after learning that it was how it was going to be throughout the book, it still threw it off. It seemed a part of the narration and then it'd be confusing by the wording; then obvious that it was people communicating.
They might not find him a threat, but that wouldn't stop them from deeming him badly injured and ready for the pit. The queen was always hungry.
TW (Putting this under a tag since it could give some thing(s) away...):
September 14, 2024
3.5 maybe? Hard Boiled scifi with a twist of m/m. And roaches. Could have been better. Definitely not my favorite from Hale, though in the abstract the elements were my sort of fare. Aside from the roaches. Bug-lady spy mistress was kind of cool in a cheesy fits with the setting sort of way, but the rest of the side characters were not bright bulbs, and just, idk.
November 18, 2018
This is a sci-fi murder mystery with a noir touch. The story itself is nice enough but where the book really shines is the original world-building. I don't know why I waited so long to read it. Highly recommended!
February 5, 2023
Good but too short. Although the main murder mystery is wrapped up in the end, this story feels somewhat incomplete. I wouldn't mind if Ginn Hale decides to write more things (preferably novella-length) set in this strange isolated outer space world with its strange retro tech, roaches, spiders, partitions, underground worlds, and the two detectives at the center who are only just beginning to find their way back to each other.
November 19, 2023
4.5 ⭐
I continue to be impressed by Ginn Hale. I consider her a master world builder, she doesn't need more than 80 pages to create a rich, vivid setting with a cavalcade of interesting characters. I'd of course love to delve into all of these universes for the length of several novels but there's already a real complex world and a story in these 80 pages. I would have only wished to linger on the romantic relationship a bit more.
The protagonist is one of those hard boiled PIs which fits very well in the world. The maze is a collection of dark, high-gravity underground tunnels, and the maze-born are a forgotten colony of people having grown up in those tunnels amongst giant cockroaches. Then a new set of humans swoop in and the end result is a literally and socioeconomically layered mixture with plenty of racism, greed and exploitation.
Personally I also found the Finnish connections interesting. The maze-born are at least partly Finnish and our language is present in names and some conversations. It's kind of funny but also charming to find so much of my own language in this novella, and it's not like I couldn't relate to Finns being short and stocky cave-dwellers. 😉 Lake Gray and Willow Rabbit living in the Station Persistence, so cute.
I continue to be impressed by Ginn Hale. I consider her a master world builder, she doesn't need more than 80 pages to create a rich, vivid setting with a cavalcade of interesting characters. I'd of course love to delve into all of these universes for the length of several novels but there's already a real complex world and a story in these 80 pages. I would have only wished to linger on the romantic relationship a bit more.
The protagonist is one of those hard boiled PIs which fits very well in the world. The maze is a collection of dark, high-gravity underground tunnels, and the maze-born are a forgotten colony of people having grown up in those tunnels amongst giant cockroaches. Then a new set of humans swoop in and the end result is a literally and socioeconomically layered mixture with plenty of racism, greed and exploitation.
Personally I also found the Finnish connections interesting. The maze-born are at least partly Finnish and our language is present in names and some conversations. It's kind of funny but also charming to find so much of my own language in this novella, and it's not like I couldn't relate to Finns being short and stocky cave-dwellers. 😉 Lake Gray and Willow Rabbit living in the Station Persistence, so cute.
November 24, 2016
Rating: 3.5 stars
I sure wasn't expecting roaches.
But you know what? Only Ginn Hale could write something involving roaches and make it interesting (and not something I would run away screaming from). Anyways...
Maze-Born Trouble is a novella that demonstrates how incredible this author is when it comes to world building. I don't know any other author that comes close to the kind of construction we see in this author's works, and this novella is no exception.
Unfortunately, the great world building is cut short by the length of this story. And in a way, I feel a bit unsatisfied with Lake - I wanted to know more about him, because he's obviously an interesting person. Furthermore, the mystery wasn't particularly engaging, and the romance didn't really have enough word count to really make my heart flutter.
So overall, great world building. But lukewarm mystery and romance, and a main character that I wanted to learn more about kind of bogged things down a bit.
I sure wasn't expecting roaches.
But you know what? Only Ginn Hale could write something involving roaches and make it interesting (and not something I would run away screaming from). Anyways...
Maze-Born Trouble is a novella that demonstrates how incredible this author is when it comes to world building. I don't know any other author that comes close to the kind of construction we see in this author's works, and this novella is no exception.
Unfortunately, the great world building is cut short by the length of this story. And in a way, I feel a bit unsatisfied with Lake - I wanted to know more about him, because he's obviously an interesting person. Furthermore, the mystery wasn't particularly engaging, and the romance didn't really have enough word count to really make my heart flutter.
So overall, great world building. But lukewarm mystery and romance, and a main character that I wanted to learn more about kind of bogged things down a bit.
April 26, 2020
Reread April 2020
Hard to believe I read this book two years ago :o. Teal's review made me want to reread it, and I'm really glad to say that I enjoyed the book as much as I did the first time. Ginn Hale is amazing!
Originally read in January 2018
Hard to believe I read this book two years ago :o. Teal's review made me want to reread it, and I'm really glad to say that I enjoyed the book as much as I did the first time. Ginn Hale is amazing!
Originally read in January 2018
October 5, 2024
I’m in awe of the mind that created this completely realized scifi world with such intricate detail in this short format. More please!
June 30, 2017
Took me a while to get into this book because I couldn't really visualize the place. My spatial thinking is not that good, and I seriously wouldn't mind a bit more explanation about that space station.
But around the time the sentient roaches were introduced, I really dug in, and in the end the book proved to be very enjoyable. Roaches and everything. Once again, Ginn Hale proves to have great imagination.
Wish romance was a bit more on the front, though.
But around the time the sentient roaches were introduced, I really dug in, and in the end the book proved to be very enjoyable. Roaches and everything. Once again, Ginn Hale proves to have great imagination.
Wish romance was a bit more on the front, though.
November 15, 2016
If you’ve ever read Ginn Hale’s work, you’re already familiar with the author’s penchant for—not to mention proficiency at—building intricate alt worlds. Whether they be high fantasy or science fiction, both god and the devil are in the details, to shamelessly mix idioms, and that’s what makes Hale’s writing so impressive—even the minutest of aspects in the worlds she creates become an important, or, at a minimum, fascinating component in the story, in the way the characters are absorbed into and influence their surroundings. It’s some of the best story-crafting out there, and is the reason she’s consistently remained one of my go-to authors in the M/M genre over the years. Don’t believe me? Go read her Rifter series.
In Hale’s latest novella, Maze-Born Trouble, Lake Harmaa lives in a world that tweaked all my insectophobic tendencies—you’ll get that reference when you read the book—and at the same time left me in awe of the sheer creativity that went into layering and building his character into the framework of the setting. From his inception; to who he is when we meet him at his PI office; to the discovery of a murdered young woman—a crime for which Lake is being framed, and the investigation of which sends Lake into potentially hostile territory, not to mention coming face-to-face with his past—every detail is superbly woven into a plot that feels much richer than one might expect from an eighty page novella.
Lake’s past resurfaces in more than just his returning to the Maze and running headlong into danger. He also reconnects with the man he’d once been partnered with in Sisu Station’s Arc-level Police Department. While there is a romantic element to their story, one that had a real sentimental feel to it, the murder investigation and Lake’s returning to his roots to hunt down a killer and uncover the motives behind it make up the heart and soul of this novella. I loved not only the danger and suspense that went along with Lake’s search for answers, but that some of the scenes and the descriptions that went into their creation set my lizard brain to twitching. Every single morsel of imagery is just first rate, even if it did make my skin crawl a wee bit too, but that all goes along with great storytelling. There’s a synesthetic connection between the author’s words and the reader’s reaction to those words, and that sensory connection to Hale’s work isn’t an anomaly. It’s prevalent in her writing.
Maze-Born Trouble is loosely connected to Hale’s novella Feral Machines, which I read back February of 2011. To quote myself and my review of that story: “Drama, danger, humor, compassion, companionship, and love that overcomes adversity—I couldn’t have asked for anything more. Except for a sequel, maybe.” I didn’t get a sequel, per se, since these stories are independent of each other, but those words sum up my feelings pretty accurately about Maze-Born Trouble as well. So, so fantastic.
Reviewed by Lisa for The Novel Approach Reviews
In Hale’s latest novella, Maze-Born Trouble, Lake Harmaa lives in a world that tweaked all my insectophobic tendencies—you’ll get that reference when you read the book—and at the same time left me in awe of the sheer creativity that went into layering and building his character into the framework of the setting. From his inception; to who he is when we meet him at his PI office; to the discovery of a murdered young woman—a crime for which Lake is being framed, and the investigation of which sends Lake into potentially hostile territory, not to mention coming face-to-face with his past—every detail is superbly woven into a plot that feels much richer than one might expect from an eighty page novella.
Lake’s past resurfaces in more than just his returning to the Maze and running headlong into danger. He also reconnects with the man he’d once been partnered with in Sisu Station’s Arc-level Police Department. While there is a romantic element to their story, one that had a real sentimental feel to it, the murder investigation and Lake’s returning to his roots to hunt down a killer and uncover the motives behind it make up the heart and soul of this novella. I loved not only the danger and suspense that went along with Lake’s search for answers, but that some of the scenes and the descriptions that went into their creation set my lizard brain to twitching. Every single morsel of imagery is just first rate, even if it did make my skin crawl a wee bit too, but that all goes along with great storytelling. There’s a synesthetic connection between the author’s words and the reader’s reaction to those words, and that sensory connection to Hale’s work isn’t an anomaly. It’s prevalent in her writing.
Maze-Born Trouble is loosely connected to Hale’s novella Feral Machines, which I read back February of 2011. To quote myself and my review of that story: “Drama, danger, humor, compassion, companionship, and love that overcomes adversity—I couldn’t have asked for anything more. Except for a sequel, maybe.” I didn’t get a sequel, per se, since these stories are independent of each other, but those words sum up my feelings pretty accurately about Maze-Born Trouble as well. So, so fantastic.
Reviewed by Lisa for The Novel Approach Reviews
August 12, 2023
I love that fantasy and sci-fi novellas are really starting to come into their own these days, as publishers realize not every good book in those genres needs to be able to double as a defensive weapon. I love even more that there are some authors capable of packing in such a good story that you don't mind the length. But above and beyond that, I've discovered, there are three authors who are capable of stunningly complex world-building in novella form, where within a few pages you find yourself fully on board with a unique and unusual fantasy or sci-fi universe without much trouble at all. As far as I'm concerned, these people are magicians. P. Djèlí Clark is one. Aliette de Bodard is another. And the third is Ginn Hale.
Maze-Born Trouble is short but really packs a punch. It's noir-style mystery that takes place on a space station that has three levels, with sharply divided classes and cultures (even the gravity is different). It won't take you long to read, it's easy to picture the action, and it's a unique setting that somehow makes a lot of sense. Recommended.
Maze-Born Trouble is short but really packs a punch. It's noir-style mystery that takes place on a space station that has three levels, with sharply divided classes and cultures (even the gravity is different). It won't take you long to read, it's easy to picture the action, and it's a unique setting that somehow makes a lot of sense. Recommended.
November 28, 2016
Fascinating!
This book has a very deep and surprising world building - enough to sustain a couple of novels. The characters were complicated and interesting - I really hope that GH will visit them again! The mystery was nice though I guessed it early, but the story and the world were absorbing so it kept my interest anyway.
I would have preferred the novella to be longer, but GH wrapped the end nicely so - no complains!
Great read.
This book has a very deep and surprising world building - enough to sustain a couple of novels. The characters were complicated and interesting - I really hope that GH will visit them again! The mystery was nice though I guessed it early, but the story and the world were absorbing so it kept my interest anyway.
I would have preferred the novella to be longer, but GH wrapped the end nicely so - no complains!
Great read.
December 23, 2016
3.75 stars.
Roaches!!! Lots and lots of them! I had creeps for most of the book...and yet I enjoyed every bit of it. Only Ginn Hale can create a world with sentient roaches in it and make it fascinating.
I wish this was a full-length novel with more focus on the romance.
Or, maybe, a sequel??
Roaches!!! Lots and lots of them! I had creeps for most of the book...and yet I enjoyed every bit of it. Only Ginn Hale can create a world with sentient roaches in it and make it fascinating.
I wish this was a full-length novel with more focus on the romance.
Or, maybe, a sequel??
September 24, 2018
That one image remained in Lake’s mind; the shining foundation of a new world engulfing a fragile human mass, transforming flesh into unassailable, uncaring machinery.
Lake is the star of the book.
The romance left me wanting more. Many characters were introduced to develop the mystery but it never got as exciting as I hoped.
Lake is the star of the book.
The romance left me wanting more. Many characters were introduced to develop the mystery but it never got as exciting as I hoped.
Want to read
December 16, 2020Thank you for the gift, Red Santa!
December 3, 2016
I know I'm always going to find something strange when I pick up one of Ginn Hale's books, and I really enjoyed this original sci-fi noir story. It's set on a space station that orbits a black hole, and there's a lot of detail about the different levels of the station and the huge cultural differences that exist between the different groups of people who live there.
Lake Harmaa, the main character, is a tough private detective who grew up in the lowest part of the station, among a cult that ritually blinds its members. He can use a device that simulates vision, but he's most comfortable relying on his other senses. The writing really takes advantage of his perspective, with many sensory details that make the whole setting feel real.
As in other works I've read from this author, the world-building is absolutely top-notch, and the characters are very much products of their environments. The different groups of people in this world actually have different types of bodies, due to gravity changes, as in The Expanse series. There's some prejudice against Lake's people for a variety of reasons, and his own people don't like him much either. So he's had to work hard to make his own way in life.
He has carried a torch for his former police partner for many years. Their romance is not the focus of the story, but I feel it had a lot of emotional weight, especially since Lake is so hard-boiled otherwise. He doesn't always remember the good in himself, and he doesn't think he deserves a relationship with his love interest, whom he sees as a real paragon. But I definitely wanted them both to find a happy ending.
The main plot is a murder mystery, and both the mystery and the romance have satisfying conclusions. It's a fairly short book but didn't feel rushed or unfinished.
Content warnings for .
Lake Harmaa, the main character, is a tough private detective who grew up in the lowest part of the station, among a cult that ritually blinds its members. He can use a device that simulates vision, but he's most comfortable relying on his other senses. The writing really takes advantage of his perspective, with many sensory details that make the whole setting feel real.
As in other works I've read from this author, the world-building is absolutely top-notch, and the characters are very much products of their environments. The different groups of people in this world actually have different types of bodies, due to gravity changes, as in The Expanse series. There's some prejudice against Lake's people for a variety of reasons, and his own people don't like him much either. So he's had to work hard to make his own way in life.
He has carried a torch for his former police partner for many years. Their romance is not the focus of the story, but I feel it had a lot of emotional weight, especially since Lake is so hard-boiled otherwise. He doesn't always remember the good in himself, and he doesn't think he deserves a relationship with his love interest, whom he sees as a real paragon. But I definitely wanted them both to find a happy ending.
The main plot is a murder mystery, and both the mystery and the romance have satisfying conclusions. It's a fairly short book but didn't feel rushed or unfinished.
Content warnings for .
December 19, 2016
4.5 stars round down for sometimes hard to follow paragraph and technical stuffs.
I love this one. As per Ms. Hale usual style, this book felt melancholy, oppressive and somewhat hopeful. And atmospheric as fuck.
Despite only be less than 100 pages, Ms. Hale managed to achieve the total world building. Both with written and unwritten words. This seems to be Ms. Hale's strong point. She is one of the few who could managed this ethereal style while make it heavy and gritty.
It was quite difficult for me to get a grip of this book in the beginning. Everything felt foreign and unusual. Not to mention the undeclared connection between Lake and Aguilar. Everything sort of keep my head spin until much much later that every other details were given and I was able to built a better picture of the world in my head. I would say that this is one book that should be read twice. So you will understand the early parts better.
All the small details Ms. Hale put into this book make it more immersive than many others that I have read. Details such as the bugs, the milk spiders, the communication methods, the environments, and the biggest details yet we know only a fair bit about them, the Roaches. I never thought I would be saying that I shed a few tears when read about roaches.
Highly recommended. Ms. Hale could even make this into a series. Although it would be difficult to maintain the same intensity as this book.
I really should knuckle down and read The Rifter series already...
I love this one. As per Ms. Hale usual style, this book felt melancholy, oppressive and somewhat hopeful. And atmospheric as fuck.
Despite only be less than 100 pages, Ms. Hale managed to achieve the total world building. Both with written and unwritten words. This seems to be Ms. Hale's strong point. She is one of the few who could managed this ethereal style while make it heavy and gritty.
It was quite difficult for me to get a grip of this book in the beginning. Everything felt foreign and unusual. Not to mention the undeclared connection between Lake and Aguilar. Everything sort of keep my head spin until much much later that every other details were given and I was able to built a better picture of the world in my head. I would say that this is one book that should be read twice. So you will understand the early parts better.
All the small details Ms. Hale put into this book make it more immersive than many others that I have read. Details such as the bugs, the milk spiders, the communication methods, the environments, and the biggest details yet we know only a fair bit about them, the Roaches. I never thought I would be saying that I shed a few tears when read about roaches.
Highly recommended. Ms. Hale could even make this into a series. Although it would be difficult to maintain the same intensity as this book.
I really should knuckle down and read The Rifter series already...
August 1, 2017
Sometimes I read a book and find it so great that I want to write a specially excellent review, and then I keep postponing the endeavour till... I forget to do it.
So here we have another of the incredible universes created by Ginn Hale, needless to say the world building is excellent. And a blind detective? Well, talk about diversity... What's more, this is not only a gimmick, but the story is really from his point of view, with a richness of sensory impressions. I also loved the old woman Nam Yune, the Beetle Queen, and the roaches. In particular the moment when they recognised Lake as their former carer stayed in my mind. As for the romance part
I suppose that another writer might be stingy, but Ginn packed lots of wonderful, original ideas in a relatively short book.
Warnings: violence, mention of mutilations and rape.
So here we have another of the incredible universes created by Ginn Hale, needless to say the world building is excellent. And a blind detective? Well, talk about diversity... What's more, this is not only a gimmick, but the story is really from his point of view, with a richness of sensory impressions. I also loved the old woman Nam Yune, the Beetle Queen, and the roaches. In particular the moment when they recognised Lake as their former carer stayed in my mind. As for the romance part
I suppose that another writer might be stingy, but Ginn packed lots of wonderful, original ideas in a relatively short book.
Warnings: violence, mention of mutilations and rape.
November 18, 2016
3.75 stars
Thank you for bringing thought of roaches army-filled town to my head, Ginn Hale. XP
As always, the author brought another world - and not a pretty world - to life. Add in the subtle second-chance romance between characters of two different species, making this novella an enjoyable tale to read.
My only regret was - because of the length of the story - this left quite some details on things (like Jun-Sang or Lake's past in police force) and how I feel Lake didn't show his best here, that he seemed to have an endless supply of good luck to escape harm (and he did got harmed A LOT).
Perhaps ...I hope, this to be a prequel to a whole new adventures of Lake and Aguilar. One could only hope. ;-)
Thank you for bringing thought of roaches army-filled town to my head, Ginn Hale. XP
As always, the author brought another world - and not a pretty world - to life. Add in the subtle second-chance romance between characters of two different species, making this novella an enjoyable tale to read.
My only regret was - because of the length of the story - this left quite some details on things (like Jun-Sang or Lake's past in police force) and how I feel Lake didn't show his best here, that he seemed to have an endless supply of good luck to escape harm (and he did got harmed A LOT).
Perhaps ...I hope, this to be a prequel to a whole new adventures of Lake and Aguilar. One could only hope. ;-)
December 19, 2016
Very fascinating world building, good pacing for a novella, mild romance that could still give you a stir, and satisfying ending.
January 17, 2017
Very cool. I really enjoyed this. Ginn Hale's imagination is amazing and her stories never disappoint. This was fascinating and so vivid. The cover is so great.
August 14, 2017
Sci Fi isn't my thing but this one was really good. I enjoyed it despite the cockroaches... roaches, really?? They're animals I can't stand, I have nightmares about them. Where I live, due to the hot weather, in summer there's a lot of them, they come flying up the sky and fell into my patio... and from there they make their way into the house... and it's horrible T___T. You know the saying... everybody is brave until de cockroach flies... well, If they're involved, I'm not brave even when they don't fly :P So I had this weir feeling everytime a roach was mentioned in the book, I can't wrap my mind around the fascination Lake has about gigant roaches...
But well, coming back to the story, I enjoyed it a lot. The characters are good, they have unique voices, the mystery is also a good though I had prefered if it had been a bit longer, and the worldbuilding, as always, is impressive. I also enjoyed a lot the little bits about Finnish language she uses through the story, nor that I understand Finnish, but as a language freak, I love that!
But well, coming back to the story, I enjoyed it a lot. The characters are good, they have unique voices, the mystery is also a good though I had prefered if it had been a bit longer, and the worldbuilding, as always, is impressive. I also enjoyed a lot the little bits about Finnish language she uses through the story, nor that I understand Finnish, but as a language freak, I love that!
January 13, 2021
This wasn't bad, but I really needed it to be longer to get invested or interested in the mystery at all. I feel like the seeds for a satisfying romance were there, but, again, needed more. I liked their backstory and the hesitancy between the two of them, and the scene where was super sweet, but needed more. I mean, I knew going in that this was a novella, but even for a novella it felt short. Even a prologue chapter would've helped, I think. idk, this was decent, just not completely satisfying.
November 10, 2016
Maze-Born Trouble both compels and overwhelms with its amazing and fascinating world building. It is very unique and has some wonderful ideas. Or maybe I should rather say, all the ideas are wonderful. Seriously, it’s a delight to see how this world in space functions and which kind of people and beings live there. I really hope that there will be many more books in the same universe. It’s so complex and well-thought out, I think there would be lots of possibilities. But I also said it is overwhelming and I think a longer story would have made the reading experience less exhausting. Well, maybe I was just tired (I was!), so I had to take two breaks from this book (which I usually never have to do, and I don’t like it!), because I just couldn’t process everything I was reading and ended up missing too much. So more pages and time to discover everything would have been really nice.
Another very important factor, apart from the world building, plays the protagonist Lake, whom I kinda really adore. I think he’s very likeable and an interesting character with much depth and history to him. The relationship to his friend and later lover is beautifully tender and made me all tingly and happy. I enjoyed this part of the book very much, although I want to mention that it’s not the center of the story.
The case and murder investigation… Hm. I have to say I’m not quite sure about it. Or better about the resolution, I think. Like, it’s kinda nothing to shout out about, nothing really new. But it’s also not entirely a let-down or anything. But compared to the unique setting it lacks invention.
I’ve listed quite some content warnings and want to add that, yes, all of this is in the book, but it’s not overly descriptive or anything.
To sum this up, I think the world building is wowing, if a bit too dense for a novella, the characters are really great, as is their romance, and the case is quite good but no novelty. Fans of Ginn Hale should definitely check out her excursion into space and I really wish there will be follow-up stories. I would not mind spending more time with Lake at all!
___________________________________
Genre: Science Fiction, Romance, Novella
Tags: M/M, Gay, Dark, Friends to Lovers, Second Chances
Content Warnings: Violence, Recording of Rape (Child), Mention of Body Mutilation, Mention of Child / Abuse, Mention of Domestic Abuse, Giant Insects
Rating: 3.5 stars
Blog: Review for Just Love Romance
Disclosure: ARC for Review
Another very important factor, apart from the world building, plays the protagonist Lake, whom I kinda really adore. I think he’s very likeable and an interesting character with much depth and history to him. The relationship to his friend and later lover is beautifully tender and made me all tingly and happy. I enjoyed this part of the book very much, although I want to mention that it’s not the center of the story.
The case and murder investigation… Hm. I have to say I’m not quite sure about it. Or better about the resolution, I think. Like, it’s kinda nothing to shout out about, nothing really new. But it’s also not entirely a let-down or anything. But compared to the unique setting it lacks invention.
I’ve listed quite some content warnings and want to add that, yes, all of this is in the book, but it’s not overly descriptive or anything.
To sum this up, I think the world building is wowing, if a bit too dense for a novella, the characters are really great, as is their romance, and the case is quite good but no novelty. Fans of Ginn Hale should definitely check out her excursion into space and I really wish there will be follow-up stories. I would not mind spending more time with Lake at all!
___________________________________
Genre: Science Fiction, Romance, Novella
Tags: M/M, Gay, Dark, Friends to Lovers, Second Chances
Content Warnings: Violence, Recording of Rape (Child), Mention of Body Mutilation, Mention of Child / Abuse, Mention of Domestic Abuse, Giant Insects
Rating: 3.5 stars
Blog: Review for Just Love Romance
Disclosure: ARC for Review
November 16, 2016
Review can be read at It's About The Book
Private investigator Lake Harmaa tries to keep his head down and just do his job. Lake’s life begins to get interesting when his old partner, Aguilar, shows up to discuss a murdered girl, Holly. A couple of other guys show up trying to kill Lake. Life has suddenly become very complicated for Lake. Lake grew up at the center of Sisu Station raising roaches in the crèche. After some extraordinary actions, Lake was able to leave that life and became a cop. After Lake left the police force he became a PI, and does his best to not get noticed by anything or anyone from his past. With Holly’s death, all aspects of Lake’s past come crashing down on him at once. Lake realizes he’s become a very convenient scapegoat. What began as trying to find out who murdered Holly and sent assassins after him quickly becomes a race to stay alive.
I want to say everything about this book, and nothing is good enough. It has so many layers and distinct components that work beautifully and in concert with each other. I especially like how things contrast themselves. Lake is thoroughly a product of his childhood in the maze, but he can never go home again. Aguilar is the one that got away, and the one Lake was meant to be with all along. And possibly one of the most powerful things in the book is the concept that some of the most comforting and spiritual aspects of a culture can be horrifying to the people not from it. Seriously, I had my very own Indian Jones moment. Why did it have to be roaches?
Much of the allegory here is easy to see. There is an underclass who face almost unbearable pressures while those above them face fewer pressures. However, it’s easy to gloss over the fact there isn’t a group in any part of Sisu Station that is without its very own problems. There are no innocent victims in this book. Sometimes victims are really horrible people.
This book goes from heebie-jeebie inducing fight scenes to the realization a cactus can thrive under the right care. I want to say something more powerful than simply telling people to read the book. Multiple exclamation points don’t even seem adequate. So just, read it. I mean, it’s a mystery with a cynic who finally gets the man he loves and there are roaches and cactus! This can’t be missed.
Private investigator Lake Harmaa tries to keep his head down and just do his job. Lake’s life begins to get interesting when his old partner, Aguilar, shows up to discuss a murdered girl, Holly. A couple of other guys show up trying to kill Lake. Life has suddenly become very complicated for Lake. Lake grew up at the center of Sisu Station raising roaches in the crèche. After some extraordinary actions, Lake was able to leave that life and became a cop. After Lake left the police force he became a PI, and does his best to not get noticed by anything or anyone from his past. With Holly’s death, all aspects of Lake’s past come crashing down on him at once. Lake realizes he’s become a very convenient scapegoat. What began as trying to find out who murdered Holly and sent assassins after him quickly becomes a race to stay alive.
I want to say everything about this book, and nothing is good enough. It has so many layers and distinct components that work beautifully and in concert with each other. I especially like how things contrast themselves. Lake is thoroughly a product of his childhood in the maze, but he can never go home again. Aguilar is the one that got away, and the one Lake was meant to be with all along. And possibly one of the most powerful things in the book is the concept that some of the most comforting and spiritual aspects of a culture can be horrifying to the people not from it. Seriously, I had my very own Indian Jones moment. Why did it have to be roaches?
Much of the allegory here is easy to see. There is an underclass who face almost unbearable pressures while those above them face fewer pressures. However, it’s easy to gloss over the fact there isn’t a group in any part of Sisu Station that is without its very own problems. There are no innocent victims in this book. Sometimes victims are really horrible people.
This book goes from heebie-jeebie inducing fight scenes to the realization a cactus can thrive under the right care. I want to say something more powerful than simply telling people to read the book. Multiple exclamation points don’t even seem adequate. So just, read it. I mean, it’s a mystery with a cynic who finally gets the man he loves and there are roaches and cactus! This can’t be missed.
January 3, 2018
4.5 stars
Synopsis: Lake is a native to a planet that was sort of abandoned and then rediscovered. He was born below in the Maze, and when the planet was put back on the radar and people from earth came to resettle the planet, the inhabitants had other ideas. Lake helped overcome the inhabitants by being a snitch. He went above ground and became a cop, but then left and became a PI. He still has friends on the force, particularly Aguilar, who was his partner. When one of Lake's cards is discovered on a dead body of a girl from an influential family, Aguilar comes to ask him about it. While Aguilar is there, men come to try and kill Lake. Lake and Aguilar try and figure out what exactly is going on, and it may involve Lake heading below grounds for the first time since he helped to put the rebellion down.
What I liked: The world building. I liked Lake and Aguilar and their friendship. I also liked how Lake was willing to do everything he could to find answers, even if it meant putting himself in danger. I liked that Lake still felt an affinity for the Maze, even though there was a price on his head there.
What I didn't like: How quickly everything was wrapped up; it felt a little rushed.
Synopsis: Lake is a native to a planet that was sort of abandoned and then rediscovered. He was born below in the Maze, and when the planet was put back on the radar and people from earth came to resettle the planet, the inhabitants had other ideas. Lake helped overcome the inhabitants by being a snitch. He went above ground and became a cop, but then left and became a PI. He still has friends on the force, particularly Aguilar, who was his partner. When one of Lake's cards is discovered on a dead body of a girl from an influential family, Aguilar comes to ask him about it. While Aguilar is there, men come to try and kill Lake. Lake and Aguilar try and figure out what exactly is going on, and it may involve Lake heading below grounds for the first time since he helped to put the rebellion down.
What I liked: The world building. I liked Lake and Aguilar and their friendship. I also liked how Lake was willing to do everything he could to find answers, even if it meant putting himself in danger. I liked that Lake still felt an affinity for the Maze, even though there was a price on his head there.
What I didn't like: How quickly everything was wrapped up; it felt a little rushed.
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