Labyrinth of Shadows

by Kyla Stone

A prince sworn to slay the monster. A princess determined to save it. Who's the real hero?
They call her the cursed princess. Daughter of a tyrant king. Sister to the monster. For seven years, she watched helplessly as her father sacrificed human tributes to the beast trapped within the maze. 

When the queen begs her for help, she knows this is her chance to prove herself--to finally break the curse and rescue her brother. But she must enter the Labyrinth herself, where darkness reigns and terror lurks... 

To survive, she'll need the help of the tributes, especially brave, heroic Theseus. Determined to free his people from the terrible blood tithe, Theseus vows to slay the monster. 

But she won't let that happen. 

And she can't let herself fall for Theseus's charms, either. Her quest may cost her everything, including her heart... 

To save her brother, Theseus must die. 

And I Darken meets Everneath in this haunting historical fantasy adventure based on Greek mythology. Perfect for fans of myths and legends, alternative histories, and strong female heroines. 

*Rated PG-13 for moderate, non-gory violence. No language and no steamy scenes.* 

"A far superior retelling than Rick Riordan's  Percy Jackson  series. This version of the Minotaur myth is more complex, compelling, and moving." -Amazon Reviewer 

"One action-packed, nail-biting, heart-pounding, pulse-racing, page-turning delight that keeps you on your toes and eyes glued to the pages!" -Amazon reviewer 

"Drama, suspense and danger run rampant as tension spirals with every terror-filled step the characters take." -Goodreads reviewer 

"Beautifully written and more than imaginative. I loved it." -Amazon reviewer 

"A captivating re-telling of the Theseus and the Minotaur myth." -Amazon reviewer 

"From the beginning, I was hooked and didn't want to stop reading. If you love historical mythologies you'll love this one." -Amazon reviewer 

"You will love this fantasy read from the first page to the last. You won't want to put this book down." -Goodreads reviewer 

"For those who love Greek mythology, Stone takes a well-known myth and spins it into a dark, haunting and beautiful story filled with characters with real flaws, the greatest love story, and brief glances into other myths that are slowly spinning into existence. This plot-driven story keeps you guessing right to the last sentence!" -Goodreads reviewer 

"Gritty and haunting and will linger in your mind for days." -Amazon reviewer 

"Five stars! The author sticks true to Greek mythology and has amazing characters and an amazing story to show for it. Well-researched and action-packed!" -Amazon reviewer 

"I highly recommend this book for those who love mythology.

Genres: Fantasy, Mythology, Greek Mythology, Fantasy Romance, Historical Fiction, Ebooks, Retellings

408 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 14, 2018

Reviews

[Suzannah Rowntree · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yup. Definitely good enough to read twice in a year.

*

I think I've found a new favourite indie author!

This book has been on my radar for a while...THAT COVER! THAT PREMISE! (A historical fantasy retelling of the Greek myth of Theseus and the Minotaur from Ariadne's POV as a bull dancing Cretan princess on a mission to save her monster bro? ALL THE YES PLEASE.) So, when the Fellowship of Fantasy Indie Book Club picked Greek myth as its theme for January, I nominated the whiskers off this baby.

Still...the world is full of disappointing books with fabulous covers and premises, right?

NOT THIS ONE. I adored it.

Where am I going to start? This book is gorgeously written and vividly described, with the kind of detail that only comes from hard research. The daylight world on Crete was vividly depicted, but I LOVED the dark, terrifying, Labyrinth, the kind of setting that's practically a character in its own right. It came alive for me as a place of death and dread, every bit as formidable as its legendary status requires. I loved it.

Or what about the tropes? This book employs a TON of YA tropes, but it does the thing where every single one of them is completely justified. For instance, the author chose to tell the story in first-person present tense, which really only works for an intense story where ghastly things happen on a regular basis - completely justified in this book. There's a tormented romance between the girl and the boy she's on a mission to slay and it felt absolutely 100% real to me, since the answer to the will-they-won't-they was genuinely in doubt for the majority of the book. You know the ending to the original myth, right? Is Theseus really in love with Ariadne, or is he just manipulating her to his own selfish ends, using her self-hatred as a tool? WE DON'T KNOW. Stone knows that we don't know...and uses it mercilessly to magnificent advantage throughout the story.

The characters were brilliant and perfectly set up, with no opportunity left unexplored. Little things you think are going nowhere pop up again at the end with a twist. Everything about this book was SO SMART.

There were also a couple of really strong thematic threads running through the story. One has to do with fate and free will, the other to do with the nature of love. It's the second one that I find most meaningful in the story. The resolution was beautiful, and had me misting up.

It was also, actually, the one part of the book that disappointed me very faintly. The ending felt like it lacked something. It's a good ending. Ariadne has a chance to speak to her brother and retrieve the healing, liberating truth of their shared past. She then realises that she wants a more self-sacrificial love than the arrogant yet attractive Theseus is able to give her, and so it becomes her choice, not his, to be left on Naxos. She also comes to believe that human destiny is in one's own hands, not in the gods'. All of this is good as far as it goes; but something about it is mildly anticlimactic to me. Ariadne's character arc feels more like a negative/disillusionment arc, the story more of a subversive demythification than a celebration of what the myth may have to say that is true about the human condition.

All that is great. What left me with that faint feeling of disappointment might have been because I longed for something more redemptive. The Minotaur gets justice, but it's a cold justice and what mercy there is in it, is mercy in death. As part of a religion that puts fervent faith in the good news that our destiny isn't ours to muck up, in the divine rescue, in redemption and resurrection and life, I guess this kind of story feels like a less than happy ending. (I've just been thinking a lot recently about villain redemption, and I apologise to the author if this review has been unfairly influenced by my RISE OF SKYWALKER irrits :P).

Despite this faint discontent, I have to reiterate that the book was brilliantly crafted with immense heart and awe-inspiring skill. If you love the ideas and premises of YA fantasy but find most of it a bit formulaic for your tastes, if you REALLY want to read a book that keeps you guessing and uses tropes responsibly, if you love dark and intense characters in dark and intense settings, and if you ever longed for a version of this myth that told Ariadne's story...this is IT.

[Savannah Jezowski · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gritty but Beautiful

I am not usually a fan of Greek mythology, but I actually enjoyed this retelling. That’s saying a lot. There are some truly chilling moments (how can there not be with a monster in a maze) and yet there are also some of the most beautiful passages I’ve read. Ariadne’s journey to discover the meaning of love was wrenching but beautiful.

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was Really Good. 4.5 stars.
Labyrinth of Shadows is an amazing retelling of Ariadne and Theseus and the Minotaur and the Labyrinth. This story is so fantastic, giving Ariadne so much agency as she descends into the labyrinth with the tributes from Athens on a secret agenda of her own. I found it extremely compelling and the author’s thoughts on fate, redemption, and love very moving. She also weaves in other recognizable Greek characters to build a full and rich world that I would love to see more of.

The romance with Theseus I found believable but at the same time very much appreciate the ending—it felt realistic and natural to resolve the book in the way the author did. I also think she wanted to stick close to the beats of the myth, infusing them with her own meaning, rather than deviate entirely from the classic story.

The only portion I think she could have improved on would be the resolution with Ariadne and her brother, the Minotaur, a very troubled creature. I think she could have redeemed him and brought him to full restoration, but that would have changed the end of the myth, and like I said, I think she wanted to stick with it. But this was an extremely compelling read. 4.5 Stars.

[Mary Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such an extraordinary and compelling story from start to finish. It is well-written and very descriptive; almost as if you were a part of the dark and mysterious Labyrinth yourself. It is a lengthy book, but this in no way detracts from the overall story that gripped me from start to finish. This is certainly a book I would have no hesitation in recommending.

Ariadne is the shadow princess, the cursed sister of the Monster, but she wasn’t cursed simply for being his sister, she was cursed for her fear, for her silence. King Minos only needed an excuse to throw Asterion into the Labyrinth. Ariadne understood that, but couldn’t erase the truth that her father used her to seal her brother’s fate; that her brother’s last memory of her was of her betrayal. Ariadne had come to save Asterion, but she is not the same girl who entered the Labyrinth; cowering, ruled by fear and shame, controlled by others. Now she is someone else. Someone of her own making and will not be ruled again; not by her mother, not by the Gods, not by their curses, not by fear. Finally, Ariadne sees her brother for the first time and he sees her. Asterion believes himself a Monster, unloved and unable to love, yet Ariadne has shown him the truth, and it is because of that Asterion is finally set free to find peace. Every Spring, the Harvest Festival brings royalty from the lesser lands but Athens always paid in human lives, a blood debt, for killing Androgeus, heir to the throne, and Ariadne’s older brother. For 7-years they had offered the best Athens had, but it was never enough to satisfy King Minos’ bloodlust. Among the recent Athenian tributes to arrive from Athens is King Aegeus’ only son and heir, Theseus, also the son of Poseidon; he has both royal and immortal blood. Theseus has volunteered to enter the Labyrinth to slay the Monster and free his people; he would return as the greatest hero of Athens or not return at all. There is only one man who has ever entered the Labyrinth and left it alive; the maze-maker, Daedalus, and it is he that Ariadne goes to for help; she has a plan in mind. Nevertheless, the journey into the Labyrinth is thwart with danger at every turn, as Ariadne, Theseus and the tributes make a perilous journey to the Minotaur’s lair. Ariadne came to kill the hero and save a Monster, but nothing is as it is supposed to be, losing her brother just when she found him. The Monster isn’t as evil as she once believed; the hero is flawed, but worth saving, and she came to prove she is fearless, deserving and worthy. A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book and my comments here are my honest opinion.

[Selina · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fantastic book! It's heartbreaking and hopeful, exciting and terrifying. My only real complaint was I felt the ending went on a little long, but I would highly recommend this book to anyone who loves fantasy or mythology.

[Beth Moulton · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.7⭐️ a really beautiful book. My heart aches for Ariadne but I hope she finds happiness wherever she ends up.

[Poppy Bennett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazing retelling of Greek mythology, I came into this sceptical and unsure of what I would think but I couldn’t put this down. I loved Kyla’s POV of Ariadne and how the women are never hero’s in the original stories, and still succumb to being pushed aside for the male heroes in this retelling. I thought the middle sometimes lagged slightly but that’s only a minor criticism. In all fantastic book with gripping story and beautifully written. Would recommend.

[Tigerlille · Rating 5 out of 5]

An Exceptionally well written recreation of the ancient labyrinth and Minotaur story, told from the POV of an outcast young princess of Crete, Ariadne

This recreation of the ancient story of the labyrinth and the Minotaur is retold from the point of view of Ariadne. Ariadne’s once happy family has been destroyed by tragedy, and Ariadne is portrayed as a girl who, although technically a princess, is in reality a scorned outsider. She is desperate to regain the love and acceptance of her parents and undertakes heroic missions to achieve her goal. This historical novel is exceptionally well written, and breathes life into a subject that has been reduced to dry summaries that bored school children have been forced to memorize for what seems like decades. Intimate knowledge of the classic Ancient Greek and Roman myths was once the hallmark of a well educated individual. These stories have persisted because they are dynamic, dramatic, multilayered and address universal themes. It is wonderful to see the myths reborn from the ashes of high school English classes by modern authors such as Rick Riordan, etc. Frankly, this author, Kyla Stone, does a far superior job in her retelling than the overly sensationalized and overly violent Riordan series. Her version of the labyrinth and the Minotaur myth is far more complex, compelling and moving. The book deserves wide spread recognition, which I am not sure that she will achieve as an indie author in the over populated Young Adult genre. Adults with a love for Ancient Greek and Roman myths will also be delighted by reading this book.

[Katy · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars for a well-written and interesting twist on the Minotaur story from Greek mythology. The author has made Princess Ariadne even more sympathetic than the one I remember from the original story, mainly because she has so much spunk and determination and has not let her scarred and tragic childhood suck her down into despair. She's brave enough to dance with bulls and yet cares so much about others, she's willing to sacrifice herself to save the ones she loves. Her journey through the Labyrinth was frighteningly realistic and made the story difficult to put down. The other characters are memorable, too, including Ariadne's dysfunctional family, her heroic slave, and the doomed young tributes from Athens, which include the demi-god Theseus. The most tragic part of this story is the Minotaur himself, and I love the author's take on this well-known monster. I also appreciate how she handles the less-than-savory aspects of the original story to keep this a PG-13 read.

If you are interested in Greek mythology, especially the story of the Minotaur in the Labyrinth, or love to immerse yourself in a coming-of-age story with an unforgettable brave young woman, I recommend this book!

[Patrice Doten · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars (rounded up). Fantastic story. Excellent writing. I like to support indie authors whenever I can, but my academic literary background gives me exceptionally high standards of craft. And while I’ve read some incredibly inventive stories with tons of potential, without the editorial resources of a big publisher, indie books often fall far short of the craft bar for me. Not so this one.

Labyrinth of Shadows is a beautifully crafted, very original treatment of the Minotaur myth. It sucked me in from the first page, and I stayed up way too late reading. The world building is incredible, dripping with sensory detail that made me feel I was actually experiencing ancient Crete. The pacing is perfect, and kept me turning pages even when I had other things to do. The plot is intriguing and the characters super realistic, with believable, satisfying character arcs.

Was there anything I didn’t like about this book? No. I WAS hoping for a redemption theme that ultimately didn’t find its way through the Labyrinth, but that’s more a reflection of my faith than a fault in the book, which stays true to the myth, time period, and secular/pantheistic worldview. To say more would = spoilers. The book is superb in every other way.

[Marie Chandler · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a copy from the author in exchange for a fair and honest review.

I love Mythology! Earlier this year, I read the gorgeously written Circe by Madeline Miller. It made me weep, it made me shout in triumph, it gave me all the feels. It also awoke a longing for even more Mythology!

Luckily, I was offered the opportunity to read an e-arc of Labyrinth of Shadows, and I instantly jumped at the opportunity. I was not disappointed.

The book Circe has a part about Crete, and the mythical Labyrinth. I have heard various versions of this particular myth, yet has never read an in depth version of the events surrounding it. I found this version to be not only extremely entertaining, but incredibly satisfying. It stays true to much of the original material, yet manages to retain its own uniqueness, which I thoroughly enjoyed. My favorite part is that the girl who is only mentioned casually in the origins as the one who "helped" Theseus is brought to the front as the true hero.

If you love Mythology, strong women, gorgeous men, monsters, and the power of love, this will be a great book to jump into.

[ʙᴇʟᴀ.: ☾**:.☆*.:｡. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always loved all sorts of Mythology, mostly Japanese, Egyptian, Mesopotamian, Celtic. But Greek Mythology holds a special place in my heart, maybe because it was the very first I've learned about. This is the first retelling I read about Ariadne and Theseus. I've never been a fan of mythology's Theseus honestly, because well, we all know how manipulative he was with Ariadne. I always felt sorry for her...
In this retelling, Ariadne is more of a badass and I loved every bit of her, mostly her inner conflict. Theseus was actually so likable in this version, I couldn't bring myself to hate him or even resent him in the way the author presented things. It was a very well done retelling, with a YA feel but also very appealing to adults. Being stuck in a labyrinth filled with monsters surely makes your heart pound a lot because you never know what will happen next. I loved all the characters even the supporting ones, and the pace was very well done. It is mostly centered about bonds and survival, but it features a little bit of romance. I really enjoyed this book and if you're a fan of Greek Mythology or just a fan of mind-strong heroines you'll surely love this:)

[Christina Morley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a descriptive retelling of Theseus and the Minotaur that stays fairly true to the original, but tells it that much better. There are several themes to the story like taking fate into your own hands and the meaning of real love. This book has elements of a romance, but isn't. Think Greek Mythology and leave it at that!

The story is told from Ariadne's point of view. Ariadne is the strong female heroine who is controlled by her fear of failure and wanting to be loved and accepted by her horrible parents. Theseus is the male hero who is seeking glory and fame. Tarina is the brave slave of Ariadne and my favorite secondary character. The Minotaur is Ariadne's cursed brother.

There's violence and treachery, but also kindness and loyalty. Ariadne faces inner and outer conflict. The inner dialogue slows down the pacing of the story. I'm not a fan of too much inner dialogue, but most of it was well written and thought provoking. Here's an example from Ariadne's POV:
"I dance for all of us, for what we've lost and what we've gained - for joy and sorrow, life and death."

I received an ARC. This is my honest and voluntary review.

[Kaye · Rating 5 out of 5]

ONE FASCINATING TALE!!!
Wow! Talk about grabbing your attention from the start. This is one action packed, steady paced, nailbiting, heart pounding, pulse racing, page turning delight that keeps you on your toes and eyes glued to the pages. All the twists and turns, ups and downs, a few glitches here and there make for one enjoyable experience. Drama, suspense and danger run rampant as tension spirals with every terror filled step the characters take. Lies, deceit, backstabbing and betrayal are hard pills to swallow. In true Kyla form the characters are well developed, believable and so realistic you can feel their presence as well as the plethora of emotions and the fear of each event as they try to fulfill their quest. The scenes are graphic and descriptive with such realism it's easy to picture each scenario as they play off one another in perfect balance. Kyla did an amazing job bringing this read together beautifully. Excellent job Kyla, thanks for sharing this little dynamo with us.

[Becca · Rating 4 out of 5]

I nearly decided not to read this book because I was afraid would be shallow and predictable. It's not. Read it if you don't believe me! After all, the set-up sounds so obvious: a girl has to decide whether to be loyal to her slightly unsavory family or the hot warrior dude who's trying to kill her brother. We all know how that'll go down, right? Wrong. Kyla Stone took this trope and twisted it to suit her own designs, but in such a sneaky way you might not even see it coming. The themes don't stay surface level either; they're deep and messy. If you still aren't convinced, the story is full of that pulse pounding action in the best way possible. The suspense is fantastic and the action scenes are well-written with just the right amount of detail.

I loved this book, but I'm sad to see that the author hasn't written any more mythology retellings. It seems as though this book was intended to be the beginning of a series of standalones, but the author decided to focus on other stories and never went in with this series.

[Rosemary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Labyrinth of Shadows - a review by Rosemary Kenny

A modern retelling of the legend of Theseus and the Minotaur has a kick-ass feisty heroine in Ariadne, the daughter of King Minos of Crete, a hero who's going to get his butt kicked if he doesn't forget the idea of killing the legendary Minotaur, who by the way is Ariadne's brother Arterion, cursed when younger and hidden away in the eponymous Labyrinth of Shadows by their father.
How do things work out? Will Theseus get the HEA with Ari that he'd hoped for, after saving the 'weak and grateful' Princess from the fearful monster in the dreaded Labyrinth? Or does Ariadne rescue other youngsters and earn the right to break with tradition and choose her own 'Prince Charming' to spend the rest of her life with?
You'll just have to get a copy of Kyla Stone's witty and slightly irreverent retelling of this Greek epic legendary saga, that is sure to satisfy any reader's heart!

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Labyrinth of Shadows is truly a awesome story. Kyla has taken a mythological tale and turned it on its ear so to speak. Telling the tale with Ariadne being the central heroine is absolutely brilliant. Kyla's description of the labyrinth is awesome -- one I would not care to tread. Her character development is spot on, each being so vivid. From the first page to the last, you experience so many emotions. It is a book that you do not notice the passing of tine as you keep turning pages. This is a book you do not want to let pass you by. I highly recommend. Received a copy from Hidden Gems and this is my voluntary and honest review.

[Miriam Dumitra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow. If someone had told me I'd be reading a book about some teenagers stuck in a nightmarish labyrinth and loving every page... well, I probably would have believed them, but I never would have guessed just how this book would suck me in. This wonderful page turner re-invents the myth of Ariadne, Theseus, and the Minotaur. With a kick-ass female lead, real stakes, interesting characters, and a twist at the end, there's a lot to love about this book. The only thing I will say in its detriment is that I was able to predict several events (but I know I tend to really pay attention to foreshadowing). A great pick-up for any fans of greek mythology!

[Laurin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Labyrinth of Shadows is a marvelous retelling of the myth of Theseus and Ariadne. The author’s command of detail made the story absolutely engaging, and she even managed to make the Minotaur a sympathetic character!
I loved how the author made Ariadne the star, the heroine, rather than the traditional route of Theseus saving everyone. Her detailed backstories for all the characters, especially Ariadne, made them so authentic, so real, so vulnerable, you could almost believe this had really happened.
I am very impressed with Kyla Stone’s work and look forward to reading more, and I’d highly recommend you check out Labyrinth of Shadows for yourself. Happy reading! 🙂

[Nicole Brunskill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent Read!

I have always been a fan of myths of many different cultures as well as being a fan of historical fiction. This book that I stumbled upon was a marriage of both myth and historical fiction, retold in the lingo of modern times. Theseus and Ariadne is one of my favorite Greek myths, and I believe it was very well written. There's a lot of action, a mystery of Ariadne's past to solve, and a bit of romantic...tension. I look forward to more books from this series, perhaps Persephone?? Just a suggestion!😀

[Pravisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a truly enjoyable read right from the beginning. It was so easy to identify with the emotions and thoughts and doubts of the cursed princess. This story will take you through a whole range of emotions... most powerful of which is the author's skill at conveying gut wrenching sadness. The fact that it was based on Greek Mythology made it even more appealing. It would be interesting to follow the Labyrinth survivors lives to see how their second chance at life unfolds.
Thank you Kyla for a well spun tale!

[Birty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Myth Retold

An interesting retelling of the Minotaur and the famed labyrinth of Crete. Instead of Theseus being the great hero, the reader is given Ariadne, the princess of Crete finds a way to enter the labyrinth and try and save the Minotaur, who is her brother. The characters are rich in description and emotion. The story is ripe with danger, tension and fear. This is also a story of a young girl who realizes her worth is more than what her family and suitor want to give her.

[Katherine M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Princess Ariadne of Crete dances with the bulls, longing to prove herself worthy to her parents and to her people. In their eyes, she is the cursed princess who should have died. Her mother offers her a chance to prove herself. All she has to do is betray an enemy.
Ariadne enters the Labyrinth with the Athenian sacrifices. But in the dark, among the dead, with her monstrous brother hunting them, she begins to question everything she knows.
A creative retelling of Theseus, Ariadne, and the Labyrinth.

[C.O. Bonham · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a retelling of the Greek myth of Theseus and the Minotaur. It flips the myth a little bit and makes the princess Arideine the hero instead of Theseus.

I liked the story as a retelling, it was different and gave a new perspective to an old tale.

The main Characters were well developed, Theseus and Arideine, but there were too many minor characters to really get to know them. It was actually really easy to tell who would die based on how close they were to the main two characters.

I have to say that think this would make a good horror movie.

[Christina Baehr · Rating 4 out of 5]

Extremely well researched and realised YA/teen fantasy about Ariadne and the Minotaur. The depth of her knowledge of Greek mythology and Mycenaean archaeology was truly impressive, and the book is extremely well-paced, with complex characters.

Definitely an older YA, and while I wasn’t personally thrilled with some of her plotting choices late in the book, I was looking for a decent novel about Ariadne and this one hit the spot. If Stone ever writes more books inspired by Greek mythology, I will be reading them, without a doubt.

[Aria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finally something great out of my Stuff Your Kindle Day haul! I'm not familiar with the original myth, but I was hooked pretty much from page 1, and I was on edge the whole time. The writing style is amazing, and I find myself sympathizing and rooting for the characters. I love Ariadne and her determination, but also the duality of her character; my most favorite parts would be the ones with her and her brother, Asterion. I like Theseus enough, but I didn't trust him from the beginning - I'm glad they didn't end up together.

[Rachael · Rating 5 out of 5]

A rich retelling of the Greek myth, Labyrinth of Shadows if fabulously written. The characters are strong and vibrant, while staying true to the original tale.

Ariadne is fierce, but has a heartbreaking decision to make. Her journey through the story is inspirational, courageous and full of wonder.

The additional characters in the story are well thought out, the plot wonderfully written.

I'd recommend to anyone that enjoys reading!!

[Bethany Hoeflich · Rating 5 out of 5]

The ending of Labyrinth of Shadows brutally tore my heart from my chest and stomped on it.

It was awesome!

From the first page, Kyla Stone gripped me in her sorcerous clutches and I couldn't bear to put the book down. The writing is exquisitely immersive, making you feel as though you are in the labyrinth with the tributes.

Even though the storyline was wrapped up in a single book with no cliffhangers, I sincerely hope that there will be a sequel!

[B. Fleetwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

Immerse yourself in the world of Greek mythology with this re-telling of Theseus and the Minotaur. It is written from the point of view of Princess Ariadne, cursed daughter of King Minos and sister to the Minotaur, so deranged and bloodthirsty it has been locked into the Labyrinth from which there is no escape.
Kyla Stone is a brilliant writer. Her characters are real and gritty; they will draw you right into the story. Fantastic read.

[UmlautHerper · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Retelling with Unexpected Twists

I enjoyed this overall. I'm not super familiar with the original myth so I can't really compare that way but there were many unexpected elements that happened throughout the story.

I did feel like once the main story concluded the end dragged a little bit. Too many chapters sailing into the sunset for my taste once they wrre free of the labyrinth but still a lot of fun.