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Rook & Rose #3
Labyrinth's Heart
“Lush, engrossing and full of mystery and dark magic" ( BookPage ), Labyrinth's Heart is the thrilling conclusion to M. A. Carrick's Rook & Rose trilogy, in which a con artist, a vigilante, and a crime lord become reluctant allies in the quest to save their city from a dangerous ancient magic.
May you see the face and not the mask.
Ren came to Nadežra with a plan. She would pose as the long-lost daughter of the noble house Traementis. She would secure a fortune for herself and her sister. And she would vanish without a backward glance. She ought to have known that in the city of dreams, nothing is ever so simple.
Now, she is Ren, con-artist and thief. But she is also Renata, the celebrated Traementis heir. She is Arenza, the mysterious pattern-reader and political rebel. And she is the Black Rose, a vigilante who fights alongside the legendary Rook.
Even with the help of Grey Serrado and Derossi Vargo, it is too many masks for one person to wear. And as the dark magic the three of them helped unleash builds to storm that could tear the very fabric of the city apart, it's only a matter of time before one of the masks slips—and everything comes crashing down around them.
The Rook & Rose trilogy
The Mask of Mirrors
The Liar's Knot
Labyrinth's Heart
May you see the face and not the mask.
Ren came to Nadežra with a plan. She would pose as the long-lost daughter of the noble house Traementis. She would secure a fortune for herself and her sister. And she would vanish without a backward glance. She ought to have known that in the city of dreams, nothing is ever so simple.
Now, she is Ren, con-artist and thief. But she is also Renata, the celebrated Traementis heir. She is Arenza, the mysterious pattern-reader and political rebel. And she is the Black Rose, a vigilante who fights alongside the legendary Rook.
Even with the help of Grey Serrado and Derossi Vargo, it is too many masks for one person to wear. And as the dark magic the three of them helped unleash builds to storm that could tear the very fabric of the city apart, it's only a matter of time before one of the masks slips—and everything comes crashing down around them.
The Rook & Rose trilogy
The Mask of Mirrors
The Liar's Knot
Labyrinth's Heart
688 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 7, 2021
346 people are currently reading
9578 people want to read
About the author
M.A. Carrick
10 books859 followersM.A. Carrick is the joint pen name of Marie Brennan(author of the Memoirs of Lady Trent) and Alyc Helms (author of the Adventures of Mr. Mystic). The two met in 2000 on an archaeological dig in Wales and Ireland — including a stint in the town of Carrickmacross — and have built their friendship through two decades of anthropology, writing, and gaming. They live in the San Francisco Bay Area.
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December 29, 2024
ARC provided by the publisher—Orbit—in exchange for an honest review.
Labyrinth’s Heart provides a satisfying conclusion to every major characters of the Rook and Rose trilogy.
I could be wrong about this. I am pretty sure I heard from several readers that Labyrinth’s Heart, the third and final book in the Rook and Rose trilogy by M.A. Carrick, is the weakest book of the trilogy. I am unsure whether this counts as an unpopular opinion or not, but I believe this is the strongest installment of the series. I’ve seen some reviews saying they don’t like an ending that closes every plot thread and leaves no room for a potential sequel series. I am, most of the time, the opposite. I love reading a concluding installment that closes and finishes every plot thread satisfyingly, and that’s exactly what Labyrinth’s Heart did. I will leave open-ended endings or unsatisfying endings to Stephen King.
I do not think it is far-fetched to say Labyrinth’s Heart and the entire Rook and Rose trilogy have been a pleasant surprise for me. I initially read this because I wanted to test whether I would enjoy this more than The Memoirs of Lady Trent series by Marie Brennan, and I am glad I gave this trilogy a try. It is a great trilogy, even if it is a flawed one. Time to get my criticism out of the way first. The trilogy is not a smooth ride. In both Mask of Mirrors and The Liar’s Knot, there were several sections where I seriously pondered about giving up on the series. I have mentioned this plenty of times now. To put it simply... In my opinion, the series is too long for its own good. Other readers will have different opinions, but for me, in all three books (including Labyrinth’s Heart), there were some sections I did not care about. This dragged the intensity of the pacing. Fortunately, this phenomenon is rarer in Labyrinth's Heart. As I said, it is my favorite of the trilogy, after all.
I enjoy reading a trilogy that builds upon the foundation laid in the previous books. Lies, truths, and consequences have always been a strong driving factor of the narrative in the Rook and Rose trilogy. Carrick raised the stake in the second half of The Liar’s Knot, and the duo did not let this go in Labyrinth’s Heart. The heavy consequence of the lies caused by the multiple identities of Ren/Renata/Arenza/Black Rose and her actions have finally come to the climax in Labyrinth’s Heart. But going beyond that, without going into spoilers, there were key elements and storylines from The Mask of Mirrors that the author touched upon as well. All these situations do not apply exclusively to Ren. The other two characters, Grey and Vargo, are perpetrators of lies. They, too, need to fully understand that honesty and trust are a must and requisite to develop a healthy relationship and friendship between one another. Especially when they’re about to face the deadliest threats and dangers they’ve ever encountered.
Family, forgiveness, friendship, ambition. Ren’s relationship between Donaia and the Traemaentis family was a bit neglected in The Liar’s Knot, but that’s not the case in Labyrinth’s Heart. Ren’s relationship with everyone she cared about definitely received their respective spotlight. However, although Ren is the main character of the trilogy, I cannot say she is my favorite character of the trilogy. My favorite character in the trilogy (surprisingly) is Vargo. M.A. Carrick did a wonderful job developing Vargo as a character. I enjoy reading a character that is beyond their first impression. And in the case of Vargo, it enhanced my reading experience that he is, as it turns out, someone who genuinely cares about friendship. Not only with Ren and the complex conflicts with Grey. I cannot even go into the details of his bond with Alsius. This, I believe, is something readers have to read and experience themselves. But I will just say I am incredibly impressed and heart-warmed by the progression of the characters' stories up to their eventual satisfying conclusion.
Labyrinth's Heart is the strongest installment in the Rook and Rose trilogy. As I mentioned throughout my review of each book, even though it is true the series is too long for its own good, I do not regret reading this trilogy one bit. I am satisfied with it. If you often enjoy reading a character-driven trilogy with a strong focus on political intrigues, lies, and manipulations in a Venetian-inspired high fantasy setting, the Rook and Rose trilogy is worth your attempt. Labyrinth's Heart served the balance between somber, happy, and tense moments delicately. I know I will continue my reading of The Memories of Lady Trent because I know how capable Marie Brennan (and Alyc Helms in this trilogy) are as a storyteller now with endings.
Series Review:
The Mask of Mirrors: 3.5/5 stars
The Liar’s Knot: 4/5 stars
Labyrinth’s Heart: 4/5 stars
Rook and Rose Trilogy: 11.5/15 stars
You can order this book from: Amazon | Blackwells (Free International shipping)
You can find this and the rest of my reviews at Novel Notions | I also have a Booktube channel
Special thanks to my Patrons on Patreon for giving me extra support towards my passion for reading and reviewing!
My Patrons: 406Raider, Alfred, Aliysa, Ambrosius, Andrew, Andrew S, Annabeth, Anne, Arliss, Barbara, Bev, Cade, Chris, Christopher, Crystal, Cullen, Dan, Donuts, Dylan, Edward, Elias, Erich, Feanor, Francesca, Frank, Gary, Gregory, Hamad, Helen, James, Jason, Jeff, Jenn, Jesse, Johnny, Joie, Jonathan, Katrina, Kim, Kristina, Lara, Lourdes, Luis, Melinda, Michael, Michael, Mike, Miracle, Mordie, Nicholas, Radiah, Rando, RCT, Redmischief, Rue, Samiadji, Samuel, Sarah, Scott, Sean, Shawn, Stephanie, Trish, TS, Wendy, Wick, Woodman, Xero, Yuri, Zoe.
Labyrinth’s Heart provides a satisfying conclusion to every major characters of the Rook and Rose trilogy.
I could be wrong about this. I am pretty sure I heard from several readers that Labyrinth’s Heart, the third and final book in the Rook and Rose trilogy by M.A. Carrick, is the weakest book of the trilogy. I am unsure whether this counts as an unpopular opinion or not, but I believe this is the strongest installment of the series. I’ve seen some reviews saying they don’t like an ending that closes every plot thread and leaves no room for a potential sequel series. I am, most of the time, the opposite. I love reading a concluding installment that closes and finishes every plot thread satisfyingly, and that’s exactly what Labyrinth’s Heart did. I will leave open-ended endings or unsatisfying endings to Stephen King.
“Honesty: Sometimes it made things better.”
I do not think it is far-fetched to say Labyrinth’s Heart and the entire Rook and Rose trilogy have been a pleasant surprise for me. I initially read this because I wanted to test whether I would enjoy this more than The Memoirs of Lady Trent series by Marie Brennan, and I am glad I gave this trilogy a try. It is a great trilogy, even if it is a flawed one. Time to get my criticism out of the way first. The trilogy is not a smooth ride. In both Mask of Mirrors and The Liar’s Knot, there were several sections where I seriously pondered about giving up on the series. I have mentioned this plenty of times now. To put it simply... In my opinion, the series is too long for its own good. Other readers will have different opinions, but for me, in all three books (including Labyrinth’s Heart), there were some sections I did not care about. This dragged the intensity of the pacing. Fortunately, this phenomenon is rarer in Labyrinth's Heart. As I said, it is my favorite of the trilogy, after all.
“You and Ren… you’re two birds from one egg, Grey had said. Hardened by the world, but a short drop away from cracking. Too willing to use people like tools; too wary of being used by others.
I enjoy reading a trilogy that builds upon the foundation laid in the previous books. Lies, truths, and consequences have always been a strong driving factor of the narrative in the Rook and Rose trilogy. Carrick raised the stake in the second half of The Liar’s Knot, and the duo did not let this go in Labyrinth’s Heart. The heavy consequence of the lies caused by the multiple identities of Ren/Renata/Arenza/Black Rose and her actions have finally come to the climax in Labyrinth’s Heart. But going beyond that, without going into spoilers, there were key elements and storylines from The Mask of Mirrors that the author touched upon as well. All these situations do not apply exclusively to Ren. The other two characters, Grey and Vargo, are perpetrators of lies. They, too, need to fully understand that honesty and trust are a must and requisite to develop a healthy relationship and friendship between one another. Especially when they’re about to face the deadliest threats and dangers they’ve ever encountered.
“Those bonds didn’t erase past wrongs, didn’t transform him into a better person. But they gave him a reason to try again when it all went to shit. To look for people he could trust to help him drag the chaos kicking and screaming into a semblance of order.”
Family, forgiveness, friendship, ambition. Ren’s relationship between Donaia and the Traemaentis family was a bit neglected in The Liar’s Knot, but that’s not the case in Labyrinth’s Heart. Ren’s relationship with everyone she cared about definitely received their respective spotlight. However, although Ren is the main character of the trilogy, I cannot say she is my favorite character of the trilogy. My favorite character in the trilogy (surprisingly) is Vargo. M.A. Carrick did a wonderful job developing Vargo as a character. I enjoy reading a character that is beyond their first impression. And in the case of Vargo, it enhanced my reading experience that he is, as it turns out, someone who genuinely cares about friendship. Not only with Ren and the complex conflicts with Grey. I cannot even go into the details of his bond with Alsius. This, I believe, is something readers have to read and experience themselves. But I will just say I am incredibly impressed and heart-warmed by the progression of the characters' stories up to their eventual satisfying conclusion.
“I’m honoring what my brother said to us both. Peace can only be found in making peace between us.”
Labyrinth's Heart is the strongest installment in the Rook and Rose trilogy. As I mentioned throughout my review of each book, even though it is true the series is too long for its own good, I do not regret reading this trilogy one bit. I am satisfied with it. If you often enjoy reading a character-driven trilogy with a strong focus on political intrigues, lies, and manipulations in a Venetian-inspired high fantasy setting, the Rook and Rose trilogy is worth your attempt. Labyrinth's Heart served the balance between somber, happy, and tense moments delicately. I know I will continue my reading of The Memories of Lady Trent because I know how capable Marie Brennan (and Alyc Helms in this trilogy) are as a storyteller now with endings.
“We will meet again, when the road leads you home… When the river meets the sea.”
Series Review:
The Mask of Mirrors: 3.5/5 stars
The Liar’s Knot: 4/5 stars
Labyrinth’s Heart: 4/5 stars
Rook and Rose Trilogy: 11.5/15 stars
You can order this book from: Amazon | Blackwells (Free International shipping)
You can find this and the rest of my reviews at Novel Notions | I also have a Booktube channel
Special thanks to my Patrons on Patreon for giving me extra support towards my passion for reading and reviewing!
My Patrons: 406Raider, Alfred, Aliysa, Ambrosius, Andrew, Andrew S, Annabeth, Anne, Arliss, Barbara, Bev, Cade, Chris, Christopher, Crystal, Cullen, Dan, Donuts, Dylan, Edward, Elias, Erich, Feanor, Francesca, Frank, Gary, Gregory, Hamad, Helen, James, Jason, Jeff, Jenn, Jesse, Johnny, Joie, Jonathan, Katrina, Kim, Kristina, Lara, Lourdes, Luis, Melinda, Michael, Michael, Mike, Miracle, Mordie, Nicholas, Radiah, Rando, RCT, Redmischief, Rue, Samiadji, Samuel, Sarah, Scott, Sean, Shawn, Stephanie, Trish, TS, Wendy, Wick, Woodman, Xero, Yuri, Zoe.
August 9, 2023
I just need Vargo to get a happy ending. (UPDATE: )
I thought the conclusion of this trilogy was an entirely satisfying ending for the long journey we've gone on with these characters. One thing M.A. Carrick mentioned in their blog was The Rook & Rose series being the antithesis of grimdark, and I think that's certainly true to some degree. Was it the most tightly plotted story? Was the pacing totally consistent? Was every scene necessary to move the story forward? Was it the best prose I've ever read? No. But it was utterly enjoyable, the characters and their interactions were delightful, the magic system and worldbuilding continue to amaze, and by the end I felt like I'd received the answers to all my questions in a satisfactory manner.
Someone else wrote in their (less than positive) review that some of this installment felt like fanfiction, and I can actually sort of see what they mean. There were a lot of scenes/character moments that indulged the readers (and probably the writers), but they weren't distracting or badly written, so I fail to see the problem with this. I feel like most readers are left wishing for more of those scenes after finishing a series anyway.
Labyrinth's Heart is an emotional but ultimately feel-good ending to an entertaining, twisty story! I loved the emphasis on relationships, found (and true) family, and deep, loving friendships. Ren and Vargo as besties was the friendship I didn't know I needed back when I shipped them in book 1 (and 2, lol). Alsius and Vargo's deep friendship/father-son relationship was so sweet; I had been bracing myself for a sad ending for them but was surprised and pleased with how that turned out. Lastly and most importantly, Grey and Vargo's bromance was perfect and precious.
But there were so many other emotional journeys that characters took and I thoroughly enjoyed all of them. This series will be a regular re-read for me, and I hope we see more from M.A. Carrick!
___________________________
3/7/23 WE HAVE A COVER!!!!!
1/5/23 Preorders now available! Just preordered my copy! Most anticipated book of the year 🕺🏻
I thought the conclusion of this trilogy was an entirely satisfying ending for the long journey we've gone on with these characters. One thing M.A. Carrick mentioned in their blog was The Rook & Rose series being the antithesis of grimdark, and I think that's certainly true to some degree. Was it the most tightly plotted story? Was the pacing totally consistent? Was every scene necessary to move the story forward? Was it the best prose I've ever read? No. But it was utterly enjoyable, the characters and their interactions were delightful, the magic system and worldbuilding continue to amaze, and by the end I felt like I'd received the answers to all my questions in a satisfactory manner.
Someone else wrote in their (less than positive) review that some of this installment felt like fanfiction, and I can actually sort of see what they mean. There were a lot of scenes/character moments that indulged the readers (and probably the writers), but they weren't distracting or badly written, so I fail to see the problem with this. I feel like most readers are left wishing for more of those scenes after finishing a series anyway.
Labyrinth's Heart is an emotional but ultimately feel-good ending to an entertaining, twisty story! I loved the emphasis on relationships, found (and true) family, and deep, loving friendships. Ren and Vargo as besties was the friendship I didn't know I needed back when I shipped them in book 1 (and 2, lol). Alsius and Vargo's deep friendship/father-son relationship was so sweet; I had been bracing myself for a sad ending for them but was surprised and pleased with how that turned out. Lastly and most importantly, Grey and Vargo's bromance was perfect and precious.
But there were so many other emotional journeys that characters took and I thoroughly enjoyed all of them. This series will be a regular re-read for me, and I hope we see more from M.A. Carrick!
___________________________
3/7/23 WE HAVE A COVER!!!!!
1/5/23 Preorders now available! Just preordered my copy! Most anticipated book of the year 🕺🏻
September 11, 2023
I’ll be back after I’ve ✨processed✨
July 1, 2023
Let me start off by saying I love M.A Carrick the authors, they are amazing at writing stories I love their work and this review is just my personal opinions.
Having said that that though...I feel like they definitely missed the mark with this one. I have waited 18 long torturous months for this book only to be let down in the most disappointing way.
This book lacked depth for me and in some places it felt like reading a fan fiction where everything fell into place so perfectly for all the characters so easily. The whole reason why I fell in love with the first two books was because of the attention to small details and deep, emotionally charged character interactions with each other, which this book didn't have, for example....I was WAITING for Varuni and Sedge to happen, and to happen on page, and what did we get?...crumbs!
when Vargo found out about Grey being the Rook his reaction was MEH....I was so disappointed in so many places, the whole book just felt rushed like the authors just wanted it to get over and done with. Such a shame cuz I really had high hopes for this one.
AND...what a missed opportunity to have something different and make the trio a throuple but we were robbed of that as well.
However, I was happy that no one died unnecessarily and that Alsius got closure and Vargo didn't permanently lose him. (Master Peabody will always have a special place in my heart)
Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for providing me with an ARC.
Having said that that though...I feel like they definitely missed the mark with this one. I have waited 18 long torturous months for this book only to be let down in the most disappointing way.
This book lacked depth for me and in some places it felt like reading a fan fiction where everything fell into place so perfectly for all the characters so easily. The whole reason why I fell in love with the first two books was because of the attention to small details and deep, emotionally charged character interactions with each other, which this book didn't have, for example....I was WAITING for Varuni and Sedge to happen, and to happen on page, and what did we get?...crumbs!
when Vargo found out about Grey being the Rook his reaction was MEH....I was so disappointed in so many places, the whole book just felt rushed like the authors just wanted it to get over and done with. Such a shame cuz I really had high hopes for this one.
AND...what a missed opportunity to have something different and make the trio a throuple but we were robbed of that as well.
However, I was happy that no one died unnecessarily and that Alsius got closure and Vargo didn't permanently lose him. (Master Peabody will always have a special place in my heart)
Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for providing me with an ARC.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 31, 2025
A truly epic and satisfying ending to this trilogy.
So much happens, the characters and world are so rich and complex, it was fantastic.
So much happens, the characters and world are so rich and complex, it was fantastic.
November 27, 2025
This review was originally posted on Before We Go Blog
4.5 stars (rounded up)
Labyrinth’s Heart is the long-awaited and highly-anticipated conclusion to the Rook & Rose series, which already established itself as one of my all-time favourites before even having a finale. Needless to say, I went into this book with extremely high expectations, equally nervous and excited. And somehow, this book managed to be everything I could ever have wished for, while also surprising me in all the most unexpected ways. And if that isn't true storytelling magic, then I don't know what is.
Book 1, The Mask of Mirrors, started out as a relatively contained story about a cunning con artist infiltrating a (supposedly) wealthy noble house to secure a fortune for her and her sister. Yet things started to escalate quickly, and by now the story has developed into an epic quest where said con artist has teamed up with a dashing vigilante and an enigmatic crime lord turned noble to save their city from the dangerous and devastating magic. It’s epic, it’s thrilling, it’s dangerous yet also utterly delightful, but most of all, it’s full of love and heart.
While I love absolutely every aspect of this incredibly unique and refreshing fantasy series, it’s truly the characters who make this story so special to me. And oh, how wonderful it was to be back with all my faves. They are all incredibly compelling to follow and I adored seeing how much they have grown over the course of the series. I also continue to be blown away by how strong each character's voice is in this series, which makes everyone just leap off the page with personality.
There are a couple of characters with multiple personas and every time they switch, it’s almost unnerving how fully they transform on the page. These authors are just so incredibly gifted at creating complex characters that you can completely fall in love with, even if they might frustrate you at points. In that sense, they almost feel like siblings to me and I feel very, very deeply for all of them.
Speaking of siblings, the found family vibes in this series, and particularly in this finale, are absolutely unmatched. The development of all the rocky and complicated relationships is so beautiful to see and I was more than satisfied with how all of their storylines were wrapped up here in Labyrinth's Heart. Though, now that these characters know all of each other’s secrets, I did somewhat miss that element of tension and intrigue that I adored in the earlier instalments, but then I also can’t deny that the strong bonds of trust and loyalty we got in return were just to die for.
I also really enjoyed exploring more of the Vraszenian culture in this instalment, because we had mostly been immersed in the Nadežran/Liganti high society with all the noble houses so far. Seeing certain characters go back to their roots and reconnect with their cultural heritage was so moving and brought me a lot of joy. The way that the mystifying Vraszenian pattern magic and their gut wrenching history ended up playing a role in this finale was also a pleasant surprise and very cleverly written if you ask me. The series' core themes of colonialism, classism, belonging and family are brought home exquisitely in this finale, resulting in a very heartwarming and hopeful conclusion.
In a way, Labyrinth's Heart almost felt a bit episodic in its storytelling, with each part wrapping up one of the unresolved story threads that were still left dangling. The pacing was spot-on, with intense moments with world-ending stakes being followed up with introspective and intimate moments that gave our characters all the resolution and closure they needed and deserved. Both the internal conflicts of each character and the overarching external conflict concerning the city, the scheming noble houses, and the devastating numinatria magic were extremely compelling, and I think they were ultimately resolved in a masterful way.
This finale is honestly so perfect that is almost becomes a bit too perfect for its own good, if that even makes sense? You see, I like my stories to end on a bittersweet note, and while there are definitely heart wrenching moments and painful losses suffered along the way, everything was just so extremely neatly wrapped up here that it almost felt a bit unbelievable. Every single storyline gets resolved in a satisfying and happy way, which is admittedly really damn impressive for a series that is SO complex and has such high stakes, yet my dark heart just wanted a bit more pain in the end.
Or who knows, maybe I am just nitpicking because I can't really believe that one of my all-time favourite series could possibly end in such a satisfying way; I was so not ready for this to be over! This story truly has everything I love in fantasy, and I think M.A. Carrick more than accomplished exactly what they set out to do with this series. I mean, they wanted to write a story that is the antithesis of grimdark, and they bloody well delivered on that.
I am more than grateful that this refreshing, diverse, queer-normative and utterly delightful story exists, and Ren, Grey, Vargo, Mr. Peabody, Tess, Giuna & Sedge will live rent-free in my heart until eternity. So, if you are looking for a character-driven high fantasy with a highly atmospheric and immersive Venetian-inspired city setting, an utterly loveable cast of characters with multiple personas, delightful found family vibes, multiple mystifying magic systems, cutthroat political intrigue, and some delicious dashes of slow-burn romance, then you have to pick up the Rook & Rose series!
Thank you to NetGalley and Orbit UK for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
4.5 stars (rounded up)
Labyrinth’s Heart is the long-awaited and highly-anticipated conclusion to the Rook & Rose series, which already established itself as one of my all-time favourites before even having a finale. Needless to say, I went into this book with extremely high expectations, equally nervous and excited. And somehow, this book managed to be everything I could ever have wished for, while also surprising me in all the most unexpected ways. And if that isn't true storytelling magic, then I don't know what is.
Book 1, The Mask of Mirrors, started out as a relatively contained story about a cunning con artist infiltrating a (supposedly) wealthy noble house to secure a fortune for her and her sister. Yet things started to escalate quickly, and by now the story has developed into an epic quest where said con artist has teamed up with a dashing vigilante and an enigmatic crime lord turned noble to save their city from the dangerous and devastating magic. It’s epic, it’s thrilling, it’s dangerous yet also utterly delightful, but most of all, it’s full of love and heart.
While I love absolutely every aspect of this incredibly unique and refreshing fantasy series, it’s truly the characters who make this story so special to me. And oh, how wonderful it was to be back with all my faves. They are all incredibly compelling to follow and I adored seeing how much they have grown over the course of the series. I also continue to be blown away by how strong each character's voice is in this series, which makes everyone just leap off the page with personality.
There are a couple of characters with multiple personas and every time they switch, it’s almost unnerving how fully they transform on the page. These authors are just so incredibly gifted at creating complex characters that you can completely fall in love with, even if they might frustrate you at points. In that sense, they almost feel like siblings to me and I feel very, very deeply for all of them.
Speaking of siblings, the found family vibes in this series, and particularly in this finale, are absolutely unmatched. The development of all the rocky and complicated relationships is so beautiful to see and I was more than satisfied with how all of their storylines were wrapped up here in Labyrinth's Heart. Though, now that these characters know all of each other’s secrets, I did somewhat miss that element of tension and intrigue that I adored in the earlier instalments, but then I also can’t deny that the strong bonds of trust and loyalty we got in return were just to die for.
I also really enjoyed exploring more of the Vraszenian culture in this instalment, because we had mostly been immersed in the Nadežran/Liganti high society with all the noble houses so far. Seeing certain characters go back to their roots and reconnect with their cultural heritage was so moving and brought me a lot of joy. The way that the mystifying Vraszenian pattern magic and their gut wrenching history ended up playing a role in this finale was also a pleasant surprise and very cleverly written if you ask me. The series' core themes of colonialism, classism, belonging and family are brought home exquisitely in this finale, resulting in a very heartwarming and hopeful conclusion.
In a way, Labyrinth's Heart almost felt a bit episodic in its storytelling, with each part wrapping up one of the unresolved story threads that were still left dangling. The pacing was spot-on, with intense moments with world-ending stakes being followed up with introspective and intimate moments that gave our characters all the resolution and closure they needed and deserved. Both the internal conflicts of each character and the overarching external conflict concerning the city, the scheming noble houses, and the devastating numinatria magic were extremely compelling, and I think they were ultimately resolved in a masterful way.
This finale is honestly so perfect that is almost becomes a bit too perfect for its own good, if that even makes sense? You see, I like my stories to end on a bittersweet note, and while there are definitely heart wrenching moments and painful losses suffered along the way, everything was just so extremely neatly wrapped up here that it almost felt a bit unbelievable. Every single storyline gets resolved in a satisfying and happy way, which is admittedly really damn impressive for a series that is SO complex and has such high stakes, yet my dark heart just wanted a bit more pain in the end.
Or who knows, maybe I am just nitpicking because I can't really believe that one of my all-time favourite series could possibly end in such a satisfying way; I was so not ready for this to be over! This story truly has everything I love in fantasy, and I think M.A. Carrick more than accomplished exactly what they set out to do with this series. I mean, they wanted to write a story that is the antithesis of grimdark, and they bloody well delivered on that.
I am more than grateful that this refreshing, diverse, queer-normative and utterly delightful story exists, and Ren, Grey, Vargo, Mr. Peabody, Tess, Giuna & Sedge will live rent-free in my heart until eternity. So, if you are looking for a character-driven high fantasy with a highly atmospheric and immersive Venetian-inspired city setting, an utterly loveable cast of characters with multiple personas, delightful found family vibes, multiple mystifying magic systems, cutthroat political intrigue, and some delicious dashes of slow-burn romance, then you have to pick up the Rook & Rose series!
Thank you to NetGalley and Orbit UK for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
October 5, 2023
4.5 stars (I think)
I read 80% of this very long book basically in one sitting because I could not put it down (why yes my brain is mush). The character moments and interactions were incredible. I sobbed multiple times while reading this.
However, I feel like the plot was really cluttered in this final installment compared to the first two. I have so many specific thoughts but in general there were just too many steps to get to the various conclusions. This may also be because I binge read over 500 pages of this book in one go.
Review to come? Idk if I’ll ever pin down my thoughts on this one. But regardless I adore this trilogy and cannot recommend it enough.
I read 80% of this very long book basically in one sitting because I could not put it down (why yes my brain is mush). The character moments and interactions were incredible. I sobbed multiple times while reading this.
However, I feel like the plot was really cluttered in this final installment compared to the first two. I have so many specific thoughts but in general there were just too many steps to get to the various conclusions. This may also be because I binge read over 500 pages of this book in one go.
Review to come? Idk if I’ll ever pin down my thoughts on this one. But regardless I adore this trilogy and cannot recommend it enough.
December 22, 2024
RATING BREAKDOWN
Characters: 4⭐️
Setting: 3⭐️
Plot: 3⭐️
Themes: 3⭐️
Emotional Impact: 3⭐️
Personal Enjoyment: 3⭐️
Total Rounded Average: 3.25⭐️
The most satisfying part of this conclusion was the closing of character arcs. Ren and Grey are able to unmask themselves, solidify their relationship, and find community. Vargo gets over his commitment issues and also learns to let go. The House Traemantis women even show growth. The characters have always been the strongest part of the series for me, and Ren is such a refreshing FMC.
I'm very torn on the setting. I love the nobility, the knots, the pattern cards, the fashion, and the melting pot of accents and cultures throughout the city. I struggle hard with the magic system, as three books in I still cannot tell you how it works, why certain people can enter the dream and others can't, and how the pattern cards actually work. I don't understand how a whole clan became magical creatures, or why some characters are locked in the dream for centuries, and others find human form there. I just accept it and move on, but it always feels confusing and random.
As for the plot, the huge knock on this series is the unnecessary convolusion. It's messy. It's complicated without payoff, and there are so many named characters, and scenes all over the city, that don't seem to lead anywhere. I check out a lot, because I'm simply not invested. Thematically, every important message is delivered in character moments and arcs, so the plot could have taken a backseat where it didn't further develop the characters. Unity, community, and authenticity are the big values in this story, and they come across beautifully. There's just a lot of noise and chaos along the way.
Check this out if you're desperate for a well-developed non-tropey FMC, in a lush setting, when you're in the mood to suspend your disbelief around whacky magic, and are prepared to be lost in the sauce on the plot. It's a fun time, but don't take it too seriously or you may end up frustrated.
Characters: 4⭐️
Setting: 3⭐️
Plot: 3⭐️
Themes: 3⭐️
Emotional Impact: 3⭐️
Personal Enjoyment: 3⭐️
Total Rounded Average: 3.25⭐️
The most satisfying part of this conclusion was the closing of character arcs. Ren and Grey are able to unmask themselves, solidify their relationship, and find community. Vargo gets over his commitment issues and also learns to let go. The House Traemantis women even show growth. The characters have always been the strongest part of the series for me, and Ren is such a refreshing FMC.
I'm very torn on the setting. I love the nobility, the knots, the pattern cards, the fashion, and the melting pot of accents and cultures throughout the city. I struggle hard with the magic system, as three books in I still cannot tell you how it works, why certain people can enter the dream and others can't, and how the pattern cards actually work. I don't understand how a whole clan became magical creatures, or why some characters are locked in the dream for centuries, and others find human form there. I just accept it and move on, but it always feels confusing and random.
As for the plot, the huge knock on this series is the unnecessary convolusion. It's messy. It's complicated without payoff, and there are so many named characters, and scenes all over the city, that don't seem to lead anywhere. I check out a lot, because I'm simply not invested. Thematically, every important message is delivered in character moments and arcs, so the plot could have taken a backseat where it didn't further develop the characters. Unity, community, and authenticity are the big values in this story, and they come across beautifully. There's just a lot of noise and chaos along the way.
Check this out if you're desperate for a well-developed non-tropey FMC, in a lush setting, when you're in the mood to suspend your disbelief around whacky magic, and are prepared to be lost in the sauce on the plot. It's a fun time, but don't take it too seriously or you may end up frustrated.
February 12, 2024
18/08/23: This book was everything I wanted. I can't believed I finished this series, I'm a mess, it was honestly SO GOOD. The ending was so satisfying, my heart is full, I sobbed at least 3 times, I feel so sad it's over, happy with how good it was and exhausted from everything that happened. There were so many layers of plot to end, so many mysteries to resolve, and the authors did all that in 600-ish pages. Labyrinth's Heart was full of emotional moments, with a big focus on the relationships, but also full of action and plot twists that made me gasp. This series is a masterpiece, my mind can't stop thinking about all the layers of complex plot and world-building, all the little details that made this trilogy so good and unique, so atmospheric and immersive. And HOW ON EARTH did the authors manage to write such a unique and impressive fantasy story? It was incredible. I'M SO SAD IT'S OVER. But so happy this book was everything I was expecting. AND MORE.
I'm gonna miss these characters so so much. Ren, Vargo, Grey.., I already miss them and I already want to reread these books, now that I know the ending. HELP 😂
Overall, this was an excellent conclusion to The Rook and Rose trilogy, and this series is on my top 3 favorite series of ALL TIME.
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GUYS. I am obsessed with this cover. I need this book NOWWWW.
I'm gonna miss these characters so so much. Ren, Vargo, Grey.., I already miss them and I already want to reread these books, now that I know the ending. HELP 😂
Overall, this was an excellent conclusion to The Rook and Rose trilogy, and this series is on my top 3 favorite series of ALL TIME.
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GUYS. I am obsessed with this cover. I need this book NOWWWW.
Want to read
June 24, 2022DID SOMEBODY SAY TITLE?
I would like this now, thank you.
I would like this now, thank you.
October 6, 2025
2025 reread:
4.5 stars rounded up!
Much like the first time around, I think this finale is the weakest book of the trilogy for me, but only by a hair. I still love all three books. This has everything I could have hoped for to wrap up the threads of this series and give a satisfying ending for our characters and themes.
It comes down to the pacing and plotting not being quite as tight and cohesive in my opinion, compared with the previous two books. There were just so many things that needed to happen in this final book! Part 1 almost feels like a different book in comparison with everything that happens later. But the story itself is great and I loved being along for the ride!
OG 2023 read:
Happy release day! Thank you to Netgalley for the eARC of Labyrinth’s Heart, my most anticipated release of this year!
4.75⭐️
This conclusion continued everything that I have loved about my experience reading this trilogy, and I really loved the book as a whole. There was the intricate magic, politics and interpersonal relationships that we have come to expect from Rook & Rose, and I was very satisfied with how M.A. Carrick managed to wrap up the many plot threads and emotional resolutions while giving everything the payoffs and care that it deserved. I really liked the emphasis on themes of family, found and blood alike, during this book, and the beauty of individual differences between people making the whole stronger.
Endings can be difficult, because I would love more from this series if I could have it, but this was very close to perfect for me! I adore the characters and I felt proud to see them adapt, learn and grow throughout this series and this book. I’m going to miss them, and this world, so I can’t wait to reread this in the future!
4.5 stars rounded up!
Much like the first time around, I think this finale is the weakest book of the trilogy for me, but only by a hair. I still love all three books. This has everything I could have hoped for to wrap up the threads of this series and give a satisfying ending for our characters and themes.
It comes down to the pacing and plotting not being quite as tight and cohesive in my opinion, compared with the previous two books. There were just so many things that needed to happen in this final book! Part 1 almost feels like a different book in comparison with everything that happens later. But the story itself is great and I loved being along for the ride!
OG 2023 read:
Happy release day! Thank you to Netgalley for the eARC of Labyrinth’s Heart, my most anticipated release of this year!
4.75⭐️
This conclusion continued everything that I have loved about my experience reading this trilogy, and I really loved the book as a whole. There was the intricate magic, politics and interpersonal relationships that we have come to expect from Rook & Rose, and I was very satisfied with how M.A. Carrick managed to wrap up the many plot threads and emotional resolutions while giving everything the payoffs and care that it deserved. I really liked the emphasis on themes of family, found and blood alike, during this book, and the beauty of individual differences between people making the whole stronger.
Endings can be difficult, because I would love more from this series if I could have it, but this was very close to perfect for me! I adore the characters and I felt proud to see them adapt, learn and grow throughout this series and this book. I’m going to miss them, and this world, so I can’t wait to reread this in the future!
Read
February 9, 2024no words yet, so grateful to experience these characters and this world.
derossi vargo u will always be famous. 🤍
derossi vargo u will always be famous. 🤍
March 2, 2025
3.75/5
This was a step down from book 2 but not as bad as people say. The stakes felt lower even when this one was more important than the Liar's Knot.
Of course the only person who could reveal the con had to appear, but seeing her behaviour and personality I expected her to be more of a problem.
My major complaint with this series is how easily Ren solved everything. I know sometimes it wasn't her but the people she had helping her, but I don't know, a bit too easy.
I nonetheless enjoyed the story and the characters, very unique, very sweet even at its darkest. I'd definitely recommend it.
This was a step down from book 2 but not as bad as people say. The stakes felt lower even when this one was more important than the Liar's Knot.
Of course the only person who could reveal the con had to appear, but seeing her behaviour and personality I expected her to be more of a problem.
My major complaint with this series is how easily Ren solved everything. I know sometimes it wasn't her but the people she had helping her, but I don't know, a bit too easy.
I nonetheless enjoyed the story and the characters, very unique, very sweet even at its darkest. I'd definitely recommend it.
September 15, 2023
Phenomenal! This is the last book in an exceptional fantasy trilogy. I reread the first two before commencing it is as the story is complex, multi-layered and has a cast of thousands. This was a totally satisfying conclusion. I am so impressed with this collaborative work and I really hope we see more from this writing duo. The world created was so rich and inclusive,but not one to be sped through. The characters were such a wonderful range and thoroughly explored. Many thanks to Netgalley for an arc of this book.
August 9, 2025
yes the stakes felt lower than in book 2, yes many scenes were indulgent and didn’t necessarily drive the plot forward, yes i gave it 5 stars anyway because it was such a wholesome conclusion i felt stuffed with sunshine by the end of it
i’m going to miss ren, grey, and vargo so much 💔
i’m going to miss ren, grey, and vargo so much 💔
July 13, 2023
Labyrinth's Heart was one of my most anticipated reads of the year. I absolutely loved the first two books in the series and was looking forward to getting to see more of these characters.
The biggest strength of the first two books was the balance of politics and character/plot development, with a sprinkle of magic to move it along. While the books were slow paced, they moved at an even pace and developed things in a consistent cadence across the books that made me hooked.
Unfortunately, I do not think that this book was plotted nearly as well as the first two. My main issues with it are:
- I found the pacing to be very inconsistent. Some parts that ultimately had little to no effect on the story felt like they dragged on, but some scenes had way too much going on and didn't give the reader enough time to process going on. This made the reveals extremely anticlimactic.
- There was way too much time spent on the magic as opposed to the characters. Adding the fact that this is a soft magic system, this made my eyes glaze over in scenes in which I wanted scheming but I got hand waving about how a certain magic was performed. I wish we had spent less time with the actual magic and more time with them all being morally grey human beings.
- I loved bits and pieces of Vargo's character development, but he was previously my favorite character and he kind of felt like he had the personality of a wet paper towel in this book. It doesn't feel like he did very much on his own and was just a vessel to move Ren forward. His reaction to finding out who the Rook was, and then the way he revealed he knew who the Rook was, was also very anti-climactic and out of character.
- I wish that the plot about Tanaquis had been fleshed out much more. That was the most interesting part but we barely got to see any of it until the end of the book.
- I feel like characters just "got over" things that should have been very shocking way too easily without any conflict.
I did like how some plot lines ended, like Tess', but ultimately this book fell flat for me compared to the previous two.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the gifted eARC!
The biggest strength of the first two books was the balance of politics and character/plot development, with a sprinkle of magic to move it along. While the books were slow paced, they moved at an even pace and developed things in a consistent cadence across the books that made me hooked.
Unfortunately, I do not think that this book was plotted nearly as well as the first two. My main issues with it are:
- I found the pacing to be very inconsistent. Some parts that ultimately had little to no effect on the story felt like they dragged on, but some scenes had way too much going on and didn't give the reader enough time to process going on. This made the reveals extremely anticlimactic.
- There was way too much time spent on the magic as opposed to the characters. Adding the fact that this is a soft magic system, this made my eyes glaze over in scenes in which I wanted scheming but I got hand waving about how a certain magic was performed. I wish we had spent less time with the actual magic and more time with them all being morally grey human beings.
- I loved bits and pieces of Vargo's character development, but he was previously my favorite character and he kind of felt like he had the personality of a wet paper towel in this book. It doesn't feel like he did very much on his own and was just a vessel to move Ren forward. His reaction to finding out who the Rook was, and then the way he revealed he knew who the Rook was, was also very anti-climactic and out of character.
- I wish that the plot about Tanaquis had been fleshed out much more. That was the most interesting part but we barely got to see any of it until the end of the book.
- I feel like characters just "got over" things that should have been very shocking way too easily without any conflict.
I did like how some plot lines ended, like Tess', but ultimately this book fell flat for me compared to the previous two.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the gifted eARC!
Read
October 17, 2023Read. This. Series.
That is all.
That is all.
June 10, 2025
woah look at me, actually starting and completing a series in a reasonable time.
And what an amazing series it was! Every book in the Rook & Rose was a five star read for me, and Labyrinth's Heart was a great finale.
I really hope we get more books set in this world!
And what an amazing series it was! Every book in the Rook & Rose was a five star read for me, and Labyrinth's Heart was a great finale.
I really hope we get more books set in this world!
October 11, 2025
A 5-star series that has possessed my soul like an Ažerais' Dream.
Can't wait to convince more people to read it! 😈
Can't wait to convince more people to read it! 😈
September 17, 2023
3.5/5, but decided to round down due to the difference of final satisfaction compared to the 2 previous books.
Is there anything obvious wrong with the book?
The answer is no. However, I think it fell into the classic hole of trying to keep the quality up for an entire trilogy and that is very very hard to achieve. On the bright side, this is still better than your average YA book, it is just that the story started being a bit too much on a lot of fronts. While 1st and 2nd book are expanding the plot to new ways while also having their own little ending, the 3rd book had the sole responsibility of closing every loose thread, which was hard to balance since at the same time it tried to introduce new plot points.
The main trio of characters are what keeps the story going that far without really getting tiring. Ren, Grey and Vargo have been through a lot in the first 2 books and this one, finally points them to more heartwarming scenes between them and among other people. Vargo continues to be my favorite, because after everything he was the single character that had the courage to do the dirty work and still be a decent person. It is amazing to have such a well-rounded character and he never disappointed until the end. Ren and Grey have a more predictable development even as some new twists appear.
Unfortunately, the story development in this book doesn't seem as detailed as in the previous ones. For example you have this character appearing at the start of the book, causes issues and by the end of it, we don't really have a conclusion. They are just there to force the story towards a specific path and then... *shrug* Then, we know Ren is a special enough existence, but there should be a limit HOW special she is, because in this book she is involved in literally everything without even asking for it. And of course, you have very good timing on many occasions for all characters. Even some twists you see them coming, because the story stops being indirect and basically just keeps adding things, but our characters are seemingly oblivious and stop thinking a bit smart, but then you also need to have a happy ending for most things, so you force events again and... *shrug*
There is no extra world building in this book, but the whole Vraszenian culture and mix with others continues to be a fresh breath. I might not understand everything, especially since a lot of things rely on "magic" let's say, but there is such care into showing us their world and this will never stop being a great point for me.
Thankfully, there wasn't a bunch of romance, so the few scenes we get here and there are only adding to the plot. It is nice for once to have romance as the cherry on top and not as an integral part of the plot. Above all, they are people with their own personalities and the story revolves heavily around their actions related to Primordials and political scene. And by now, we do have many characters to check, but all I still care about is Vargo always having the best life he can get <3
Is there anything obvious wrong with the book?
The answer is no. However, I think it fell into the classic hole of trying to keep the quality up for an entire trilogy and that is very very hard to achieve. On the bright side, this is still better than your average YA book, it is just that the story started being a bit too much on a lot of fronts. While 1st and 2nd book are expanding the plot to new ways while also having their own little ending, the 3rd book had the sole responsibility of closing every loose thread, which was hard to balance since at the same time it tried to introduce new plot points.
The main trio of characters are what keeps the story going that far without really getting tiring. Ren, Grey and Vargo have been through a lot in the first 2 books and this one, finally points them to more heartwarming scenes between them and among other people. Vargo continues to be my favorite, because after everything he was the single character that had the courage to do the dirty work and still be a decent person. It is amazing to have such a well-rounded character and he never disappointed until the end. Ren and Grey have a more predictable development even as some new twists appear.
Unfortunately, the story development in this book doesn't seem as detailed as in the previous ones. For example you have this character appearing at the start of the book, causes issues and by the end of it, we don't really have a conclusion. They are just there to force the story towards a specific path and then... *shrug* Then, we know Ren is a special enough existence, but there should be a limit HOW special she is, because in this book she is involved in literally everything without even asking for it. And of course, you have very good timing on many occasions for all characters. Even some twists you see them coming, because the story stops being indirect and basically just keeps adding things, but our characters are seemingly oblivious and stop thinking a bit smart, but then you also need to have a happy ending for most things, so you force events again and... *shrug*
There is no extra world building in this book, but the whole Vraszenian culture and mix with others continues to be a fresh breath. I might not understand everything, especially since a lot of things rely on "magic" let's say, but there is such care into showing us their world and this will never stop being a great point for me.
Thankfully, there wasn't a bunch of romance, so the few scenes we get here and there are only adding to the plot. It is nice for once to have romance as the cherry on top and not as an integral part of the plot. Above all, they are people with their own personalities and the story revolves heavily around their actions related to Primordials and political scene. And by now, we do have many characters to check, but all I still care about is Vargo always having the best life he can get <3
July 10, 2023
But the Rose ought to have her Rook.
♣️🃏
Thank you to Little Brown Book Group for providing an arc in exchange for a review.
Rejoice: there is a recap of the events leading up to this book, because, admittedly, there is a lot to remember.
This has been one of my most anticipated since book 2 released so I squealed when I received the arc!
This is an epic conclusion wrapping up everything Ren has been trying to cultivate with what at first started as a con.
She has finally achieved a sense of belonging, semi-stability, friendship, love, identity, community, and family… then her ‘mother’, Letilia, comes to the city to threaten her deception and throw a wedge between Ren and everything she has built.
You're not broken until you agree you are.
Oh, did I miss the teasing and banter between our main trio! Our guy Vargo steps up to fake court Renata so that Grey can win her hand by winning the hearts of the Upper and Lower citizens through a trial set up by Renata and friends so they can marry without scandal.
Throughout it all, they’re trying to discover where the remaining medallions are and how they can destroy them.
”Wanted: Survivor of Event Nobody Talks About? Seeking Man in Possession of Lead Disc and Thoughts of Death? Show Us Yours; We’ll Show You Ours?”
This book has so many high points that there’s barely a chance to breathe. Just when you think everything is resolved but notice there’s still chunk of the book left, Carrick surprises with another revelation, another riot, another betrayal, another mystery.
Sedge was getting tired of problems he couldn't solve by beating them up.
Rankings:
Mask of Mirrors: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Liar’s Knot: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Labyrinth’s Heart: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (3.75)
Bookstagram
♣️🃏
Thank you to Little Brown Book Group for providing an arc in exchange for a review.
Rejoice: there is a recap of the events leading up to this book, because, admittedly, there is a lot to remember.
This has been one of my most anticipated since book 2 released so I squealed when I received the arc!
This is an epic conclusion wrapping up everything Ren has been trying to cultivate with what at first started as a con.
She has finally achieved a sense of belonging, semi-stability, friendship, love, identity, community, and family… then her ‘mother’, Letilia, comes to the city to threaten her deception and throw a wedge between Ren and everything she has built.
You're not broken until you agree you are.
Oh, did I miss the teasing and banter between our main trio! Our guy Vargo steps up to fake court Renata so that Grey can win her hand by winning the hearts of the Upper and Lower citizens through a trial set up by Renata and friends so they can marry without scandal.
Throughout it all, they’re trying to discover where the remaining medallions are and how they can destroy them.
”Wanted: Survivor of Event Nobody Talks About? Seeking Man in Possession of Lead Disc and Thoughts of Death? Show Us Yours; We’ll Show You Ours?”
This book has so many high points that there’s barely a chance to breathe. Just when you think everything is resolved but notice there’s still chunk of the book left, Carrick surprises with another revelation, another riot, another betrayal, another mystery.
Sedge was getting tired of problems he couldn't solve by beating them up.
Rankings:
Mask of Mirrors: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Liar’s Knot: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Labyrinth’s Heart: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (3.75)
Bookstagram
September 3, 2023
Review to come. I cried 20 times reading this (happy and sad) so my emotions need just a minute!
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"Labyrinth's Heart" by M.A. Carrick marks the compelling conclusion to the Rook & Rose trilogy. Set in the enchanting city of Nadežra, this book weaves together intricate layers of mystery, tarot and astrology-based magic, and captivating characters.
Ren, the con artist, has assumed various identities, each representing a different facet of her complex life. As Renata, she's the heir to House Traementis; as Arenza, a pattern-reader and political rebel; and as the Black Rose, a vigilante fighting alongside the legendary Rook. Together with allies Grey Serrado and Derossi Vargo, they face the consequences of their actions, as dangerous ancient magic threatens to consume the city they call home and bring their world to its knees.
From the very first book, the Rook & Rose trilogy captured my heart with its lush world-building, multi-dimensional characters, and enthralling storyline. The authors continue to focus on family bonds in this queer-normative setting in a masterful way. The intricate web of narratives within this series culminates in a satisfying and complex conclusion that resonates deeply.
As the trilogy draws to a close, "Labyrinth's Heart" unravels the threads of the characters' lives, evoking a rollercoaster of emotions from heartbreak to joy. This series has left an indelible mark on me, and I'm grateful to the authors for crafting such a beautiful and immersive world filled with memorable characters. "Labyrinth's Heart" is a fitting finale that captures the essence of family, connections, and the power of bonds, leaving readers with a lingering and bittersweet book hangover. I'd do it all over again in a second. My only complaint is that I was really, really hoping for an OT3, but it was still amazing.
Farewell, Vargo, Ren, and Grey. May you see the face and not the mask. I hope to see you all again someday.
Thank you to Netgalley for the eARC and Orbit Books for the physical copy. This is my honest review.
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"Labyrinth's Heart" by M.A. Carrick marks the compelling conclusion to the Rook & Rose trilogy. Set in the enchanting city of Nadežra, this book weaves together intricate layers of mystery, tarot and astrology-based magic, and captivating characters.
Ren, the con artist, has assumed various identities, each representing a different facet of her complex life. As Renata, she's the heir to House Traementis; as Arenza, a pattern-reader and political rebel; and as the Black Rose, a vigilante fighting alongside the legendary Rook. Together with allies Grey Serrado and Derossi Vargo, they face the consequences of their actions, as dangerous ancient magic threatens to consume the city they call home and bring their world to its knees.
From the very first book, the Rook & Rose trilogy captured my heart with its lush world-building, multi-dimensional characters, and enthralling storyline. The authors continue to focus on family bonds in this queer-normative setting in a masterful way. The intricate web of narratives within this series culminates in a satisfying and complex conclusion that resonates deeply.
As the trilogy draws to a close, "Labyrinth's Heart" unravels the threads of the characters' lives, evoking a rollercoaster of emotions from heartbreak to joy. This series has left an indelible mark on me, and I'm grateful to the authors for crafting such a beautiful and immersive world filled with memorable characters. "Labyrinth's Heart" is a fitting finale that captures the essence of family, connections, and the power of bonds, leaving readers with a lingering and bittersweet book hangover. I'd do it all over again in a second. My only complaint is that I was really, really hoping for an OT3, but it was still amazing.
Farewell, Vargo, Ren, and Grey. May you see the face and not the mask. I hope to see you all again someday.
Thank you to Netgalley for the eARC and Orbit Books for the physical copy. This is my honest review.
August 21, 2023
This book (the series, really) is imperfect, but my goodness, I’m incredibly impressed by this level of creativity and smitten with this intricate cast of characters.
Like I’m (still) struggling to understand the types of cards (and the versatile power behind them), some of the political world building and I had to flip to the cast of characters more than I want to admit, but in the end I was rewarded with such rich storytelling.
IMHO, M. A. Carrick has proven two minds can be better than one. I respect this dynamic duo for what they are doing to the category, the industry and our bookish escapism. I confirmed with them on Twitter that they are brewing up something new for our future TBR pile. 🤞
Recommended when you are looking for heavier fantasy.
Book series hangover starting 3… 2… 1…
4.5/5 (Rounded up, because I’d love more of my high-fantasy friends to read this series.)
Like I’m (still) struggling to understand the types of cards (and the versatile power behind them), some of the political world building and I had to flip to the cast of characters more than I want to admit, but in the end I was rewarded with such rich storytelling.
IMHO, M. A. Carrick has proven two minds can be better than one. I respect this dynamic duo for what they are doing to the category, the industry and our bookish escapism. I confirmed with them on Twitter that they are brewing up something new for our future TBR pile. 🤞
Recommended when you are looking for heavier fantasy.
Book series hangover starting 3… 2… 1…
4.5/5 (Rounded up, because I’d love more of my high-fantasy friends to read this series.)
August 28, 2023
I want to first commend the authors for addressing all the loose ends and remaining conflicts, both major and minor, in this book. It's ambitious considering how many of them there were. But it also made this book kind of a mess. It's like we keep hopping from this problem to that to the next and back to the first and then to another as everything gets resolved. So rather than feeling like one story, it feels like an anthology of endings. The relationship conclusions felt too convenient and clean. The plot ones, convoluted and rushed.
I think the authors wanted to give everyone a happy ending. And that's nice! Not everyone writing adult fantasy has to slaughter their cast, but it's downright unrealistic the way pretty much EVERYTHING seems to get solved. Magic is totally abused in Labyrinth's Heart to fix things that, by all reason, should have been unfixable.
I also hate how the romances are treated in this book. The main one is a constant presence. Their relationship is drastically escalated unnaturally quickly and suddenly they are always nice and soft around each other and finding comfort in one another and supporting each other. Like they just skipped all the messy parts of falling and being in love. Meanwhile, nearly everyone else's relationships are completely ignored save for a few throw-away lines here and there to the point that they might not have been there at all. I would have been fine with only one romantic dynamic in this trilogy, but instead, the authors seemed intent upon pairing up EVERYONE but not willing to commit to developing any of those relationships but their favorite.
The relationship that gets the second most attention is Tess and Pavlin, which also completely skips the messy parts. Tess went from feeling betrayed to wanting to have his babies very quickly. Listen, I love a nice, supportive relationship. It's refreshing to see healthy dynamics in fantasy fiction. But I still want them to be realistic. No relationship is free of conflict, no matter how good for each other the partners are.
Additionally, I appreciated the queer rep in this series, but the way those relationships are treated compared to the straight ones is frustrating. Yes, one of the primary three characters is bi and I love that, and I love him. But Vargo was involved with the same man in books 1 and 2 and yet despite Iascat actually being present for a good bit of book 3, we never hear any of Vargo's actual feelings about him. Why. What. Explain. Giuna, likewise, flirts with a girl in one scene, kisses her in another (with no interactions/developments between the two of them between these two chapters) and then...that's that? (Not to mention that this love interest is basically a perfect clone of another existing character.) This absence of development wouldn't be an issue if romance wasn't a focal point of these books for anyone. Yet we spent so much time reading about the great LOOOVE of our main (straight) couple. AND this book contains, not one, but TWO straight weddings. This leaves the queer rep feeling like a half-hearted attempt at diversity. Like the authors weren't willing to commit to telling queer stories despite casting queer characters.
I'm glad Vargo and Giuna are queer. I'm not suggesting they should have just made everyone straight. I love that they're not. But I was satisfied by the state of Giuna and Sibiliat's relationship in Liar's Knot. I didn't need this weak attempt at giving the lesbian a happy ending. And it wouldn't have been difficult to spend a little more time on Vargo's feelings about Iascat. We get to read more about his feelings for Alsius and Varuni in this book. So why are we left to one quick sentence about Vargo being mad that I don't need a third (queer) wedding in this book. I just want some emotion. Vargo doesn't have to fall in love with Iascat, but Vargo has more emotion about Sedge and ARKADY in this book than him. He doesn't even have to SAY anything to anyone about it. Just something (anything) in his narration would suffice. All we get is some open-ended comment that they'll probably sleep together again at some point in the future. I feel robbed.
And while I'm complaining about Vargo, the Ren favoritism from book 1 also comes back hard as this book wraps up. Somehow, despite being basically an entire book of tying up loose-ends, Vargo is the only one of the main three who feels like he ends the book unhappy. Did he gain things over the course of the book? Yup. But his last POV segment is spent on him mourning and self-isolating. It's not even hopeful. It's just a bummer. Of all things in the whole book to be realistic about...this one? Why.]
Additionally, the only character who suffers permanent injury (that isn't cured by magic) is one who did Bad Things, which doesn't sit right with me at all, since it feels like disability being used as narrative punishment. Also, all of my complaints about knowing nothing about Sedge's life from my last review still stand.
To wrap up all my complaining: this should have had fewer POVs if the authors weren't willing to commit to them all, queer rep is lousy, disability rep gives me the ick, too many magical conveniences, too much plot, not enough realistic emotional conflict or development, and Vargo deserves a spin-off.
I think the authors wanted to give everyone a happy ending. And that's nice! Not everyone writing adult fantasy has to slaughter their cast, but it's downright unrealistic the way pretty much EVERYTHING seems to get solved. Magic is totally abused in Labyrinth's Heart to fix things that, by all reason, should have been unfixable.
I also hate how the romances are treated in this book. The main one is a constant presence. Their relationship is drastically escalated unnaturally quickly and suddenly they are always nice and soft around each other and finding comfort in one another and supporting each other. Like they just skipped all the messy parts of falling and being in love. Meanwhile, nearly everyone else's relationships are completely ignored save for a few throw-away lines here and there to the point that they might not have been there at all. I would have been fine with only one romantic dynamic in this trilogy, but instead, the authors seemed intent upon pairing up EVERYONE but not willing to commit to developing any of those relationships but their favorite.
The relationship that gets the second most attention is Tess and Pavlin, which also completely skips the messy parts. Tess went from feeling betrayed to wanting to have his babies very quickly. Listen, I love a nice, supportive relationship. It's refreshing to see healthy dynamics in fantasy fiction. But I still want them to be realistic. No relationship is free of conflict, no matter how good for each other the partners are.
Additionally, I appreciated the queer rep in this series, but the way those relationships are treated compared to the straight ones is frustrating. Yes, one of the primary three characters is bi and I love that, and I love him. But Vargo was involved with the same man in books 1 and 2 and yet despite Iascat actually being present for a good bit of book 3, we never hear any of Vargo's actual feelings about him. Why. What. Explain. Giuna, likewise, flirts with a girl in one scene, kisses her in another (with no interactions/developments between the two of them between these two chapters) and then...that's that? (Not to mention that this love interest is basically a perfect clone of another existing character.) This absence of development wouldn't be an issue if romance wasn't a focal point of these books for anyone. Yet we spent so much time reading about the great LOOOVE of our main (straight) couple. AND this book contains, not one, but TWO straight weddings. This leaves the queer rep feeling like a half-hearted attempt at diversity. Like the authors weren't willing to commit to telling queer stories despite casting queer characters.
I'm glad Vargo and Giuna are queer. I'm not suggesting they should have just made everyone straight. I love that they're not. But I was satisfied by the state of Giuna and Sibiliat's relationship in Liar's Knot. I didn't need this weak attempt at giving the lesbian a happy ending. And it wouldn't have been difficult to spend a little more time on Vargo's feelings about Iascat. We get to read more about his feelings for Alsius and Varuni in this book. So why are we left to one quick sentence about Vargo being mad that I don't need a third (queer) wedding in this book. I just want some emotion. Vargo doesn't have to fall in love with Iascat, but Vargo has more emotion about Sedge and ARKADY in this book than him. He doesn't even have to SAY anything to anyone about it. Just something (anything) in his narration would suffice. All we get is some open-ended comment that they'll probably sleep together again at some point in the future. I feel robbed.
And while I'm complaining about Vargo, the Ren favoritism from book 1 also comes back hard as this book wraps up. Somehow, despite being basically an entire book of tying up loose-ends, Vargo is the only one of the main three who feels like he ends the book unhappy. Did he gain things over the course of the book? Yup. But his last POV segment is spent on him mourning and self-isolating. It's not even hopeful. It's just a bummer. Of all things in the whole book to be realistic about...this one? Why.]
Additionally, the only character who suffers permanent injury (that isn't cured by magic) is one who did Bad Things, which doesn't sit right with me at all, since it feels like disability being used as narrative punishment. Also, all of my complaints about knowing nothing about Sedge's life from my last review still stand.
To wrap up all my complaining: this should have had fewer POVs if the authors weren't willing to commit to them all, queer rep is lousy, disability rep gives me the ick, too many magical conveniences, too much plot, not enough realistic emotional conflict or development, and Vargo deserves a spin-off.
August 20, 2023
I was granted an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Rook and Rose has been a really interesting series but one that I always feel like I should love more than I do. I don't know what it is exactly that leaves me on the outside looking in, but I always want more from it.
The Magic:
I think some of that stems from the magic system. Tarot based magic is a hard sell for me since it always feels so wishy washy and almost irrelevant (or at least unable to impact any given situation). The other magics here are a little more solid, but also not the magics the authors are interested in so I feel that they're really underdeveloped.
The Pacing/Plot:
I struggled the first 70% of this very long finale because it's not very plot-driven. And as a whole, I think I would recommend this series for character-driven readers, not plot-driven ones. Much of the time felt spent on worrying about outcomes that eventually happened anyway and were quickly/easily dealt with once they did (eg outing of secrets).
The book did pick up around the 80% mark, but there were so many different things happening that I didn't feel like there was a lot of weight given to any one.
The Characters:
There were some lovely character growth moments, but the cast has grown so large by this book that many of the characters I prefer to follow had barely any screentime in this entry.
Peabody and Vargo were probably my favourite bit. <3
Overall:
Ultimately I think that I can recommend the first book in the series-- it does a decent job wrapping up the contained story elements, you learn about the world and the characters, and that was when I felt the most depth, connection, and interest in the story.
But each subsequent novel felt less and less focused as they fray in multiple different directions the authors want to follow, and no single plot is strong enough to feel solid.
Rook and Rose has been a really interesting series but one that I always feel like I should love more than I do. I don't know what it is exactly that leaves me on the outside looking in, but I always want more from it.
The Magic:
I think some of that stems from the magic system. Tarot based magic is a hard sell for me since it always feels so wishy washy and almost irrelevant (or at least unable to impact any given situation). The other magics here are a little more solid, but also not the magics the authors are interested in so I feel that they're really underdeveloped.
The Pacing/Plot:
I struggled the first 70% of this very long finale because it's not very plot-driven. And as a whole, I think I would recommend this series for character-driven readers, not plot-driven ones. Much of the time felt spent on worrying about outcomes that eventually happened anyway and were quickly/easily dealt with once they did (eg outing of secrets).
The book did pick up around the 80% mark, but there were so many different things happening that I didn't feel like there was a lot of weight given to any one.
The Characters:
There were some lovely character growth moments, but the cast has grown so large by this book that many of the characters I prefer to follow had barely any screentime in this entry.
Peabody and Vargo were probably my favourite bit. <3
Overall:
Ultimately I think that I can recommend the first book in the series-- it does a decent job wrapping up the contained story elements, you learn about the world and the characters, and that was when I felt the most depth, connection, and interest in the story.
But each subsequent novel felt less and less focused as they fray in multiple different directions the authors want to follow, and no single plot is strong enough to feel solid.
August 15, 2023
Rating: Absolutely Loved It
Labyrinth's Heart is the conclusion to the Rook and Rose series, and it is one of my absolute favorite series of all-time. I think this is probably my least favorite of the three books, but it gave me all the emotions, and I really did love every second of it.
I feel like this book really highlights all the growth in our three main characters. I think that we saw that to some extent in Liar's Knot, but in this one we really see how far they've come, especially Vargo. He will forever be my favorite character in these books, and I just want all the best for him.
I will say that the pacing was somewhat weird in this one. It reminded me a little bit of The Return of the King movie in that there were like 12 endings. It didn't bother me too much though because I was just enjoying spending time with my characters. I also think that we introduced too many strings in this last book when there were already a lot of loose ends to tie up, but ultimately it all came together and was a very satisfying conclusion.
I don't have a lot of additional specifics to share because most of my thoughts while reading this were AHHH FEELINGS with no real coherent review thoughts. Overall, the characters in this series are so well realized and are among my favorites in fantasy. I love the world, and I love that one of the magic systems is incredibly regulated and hard and the other is a little more wibbly wobbly and intuition based. This was just a really cool world and a fantastic adventure.
Overall, I really enjoyed this series, and I will continue to dive into both authors' backlists. I highly recommend!
Thank you to Netgalley and Orbit for an advance copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Labyrinth's Heart releases on August 15, 2023.
Labyrinth's Heart is the conclusion to the Rook and Rose series, and it is one of my absolute favorite series of all-time. I think this is probably my least favorite of the three books, but it gave me all the emotions, and I really did love every second of it.
I feel like this book really highlights all the growth in our three main characters. I think that we saw that to some extent in Liar's Knot, but in this one we really see how far they've come, especially Vargo. He will forever be my favorite character in these books, and I just want all the best for him.
I will say that the pacing was somewhat weird in this one. It reminded me a little bit of The Return of the King movie in that there were like 12 endings. It didn't bother me too much though because I was just enjoying spending time with my characters. I also think that we introduced too many strings in this last book when there were already a lot of loose ends to tie up, but ultimately it all came together and was a very satisfying conclusion.
I don't have a lot of additional specifics to share because most of my thoughts while reading this were AHHH FEELINGS with no real coherent review thoughts. Overall, the characters in this series are so well realized and are among my favorites in fantasy. I love the world, and I love that one of the magic systems is incredibly regulated and hard and the other is a little more wibbly wobbly and intuition based. This was just a really cool world and a fantastic adventure.
Overall, I really enjoyed this series, and I will continue to dive into both authors' backlists. I highly recommend!
Thank you to Netgalley and Orbit for an advance copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Labyrinth's Heart releases on August 15, 2023.
August 13, 2023
For those of us who have been waiting for the finale of the Rook and Rose trilogy, I have good news for your future. If you’re looking for the bad, or that which is neither, you won’t find it here. Marie Brennan & Alyc Helms (collectively known as M. A. Carrick) absolutely nailed the landing.
Past here: BEWARE OF SPOILERS for the first 2 books.
The story begins (not a spoiler because it’s literally in the first few pages) when who should show up in Nadezra but none other than Letilia Traementis, loudly and publicly delighted to be reunited with her *darling daughter* Renata. Letilia is determined to reclaim her place in Nadezran high society, and who better to grease the wheels than Renata Veraudux Treamentis? With, naturally, the threat of consequences if Ren doesn’t help her to the best of her abilities.
While trying to manage Letilia, Ren also is agonizing over when and how to admit everything to Donaia and Giuna. She’s sick of having to sneak around with Grey, and wants to embrace him publicly - which would be an enormous scandal for a Liganti noblewoman to be involved with a Vraszenian. Grey is struggling with the destruction of the Rook triggered by his unwillingness to sacrifice Ren to destroy the medallions. The Vraszenians in general, and the Stadnem Anduske in particular, are getting restive in advance of the approaching Great Dream.
Oh yeah, and those medallions drawing on primordial spirits of chaos are still all over the city with no one knowing how to destroy them.
Everything is, once again, a terrible tangle. It’s got everything you know and love about the Rook and Rose trilogy, though this entry tends more towards the political maneuvering and away from the swashbuckling compared to earlier volumes. There’s excitement, and romance, and truly *delightful* flirtations, and an obscene twelve year old.
I don’t want to give much away, but I will share this. My favorite scenes in this series have generally been the moments when characters decide to be *honest* with each other and share what they’ve been hiding. That continues here, as expected, but probably my favorite moment of all is when the lies and deceptions have gotten *so* tangled that one character reveals a major secret to another simply because *they lost track of who knew it and who did not.* I love it.
As for the actual ending: extremely satisfying all around.
Highly, highly recommended.
My blog
Past here: BEWARE OF SPOILERS for the first 2 books.
The story begins (not a spoiler because it’s literally in the first few pages) when who should show up in Nadezra but none other than Letilia Traementis, loudly and publicly delighted to be reunited with her *darling daughter* Renata. Letilia is determined to reclaim her place in Nadezran high society, and who better to grease the wheels than Renata Veraudux Treamentis? With, naturally, the threat of consequences if Ren doesn’t help her to the best of her abilities.
While trying to manage Letilia, Ren also is agonizing over when and how to admit everything to Donaia and Giuna. She’s sick of having to sneak around with Grey, and wants to embrace him publicly - which would be an enormous scandal for a Liganti noblewoman to be involved with a Vraszenian. Grey is struggling with the destruction of the Rook triggered by his unwillingness to sacrifice Ren to destroy the medallions. The Vraszenians in general, and the Stadnem Anduske in particular, are getting restive in advance of the approaching Great Dream.
Oh yeah, and those medallions drawing on primordial spirits of chaos are still all over the city with no one knowing how to destroy them.
Everything is, once again, a terrible tangle. It’s got everything you know and love about the Rook and Rose trilogy, though this entry tends more towards the political maneuvering and away from the swashbuckling compared to earlier volumes. There’s excitement, and romance, and truly *delightful* flirtations, and an obscene twelve year old.
I don’t want to give much away, but I will share this. My favorite scenes in this series have generally been the moments when characters decide to be *honest* with each other and share what they’ve been hiding. That continues here, as expected, but probably my favorite moment of all is when the lies and deceptions have gotten *so* tangled that one character reveals a major secret to another simply because *they lost track of who knew it and who did not.* I love it.
As for the actual ending: extremely satisfying all around.
Highly, highly recommended.
My blog
November 26, 2024
4.5⭐️
what a series. i’m literally so obsessed with these characters that i can’t even talk about it ✋🏻✋🏻
i’m a fan, im a stan, im an apologist of the convoluted plot
everyone, please i am begging you to READ THIS SERIES (and pls be aware that the first book is the worst in the series by far- it only gets better from there)
💕💕💕
what a series. i’m literally so obsessed with these characters that i can’t even talk about it ✋🏻✋🏻
i’m a fan, im a stan, im an apologist of the convoluted plot
everyone, please i am begging you to READ THIS SERIES (and pls be aware that the first book is the worst in the series by far- it only gets better from there)
💕💕💕
August 26, 2023
4 ⭐️ While I really really liked part three and the overall conclusion to this trilogy, I was really frustrated by part 1 which felt kind of superfluous and not relevant to the larger plot to me. That being said, the twists, turns, reveals and conclusions make the Rook and Rose a truly fantastic political fantasy. If you love banter, found family, political scheming, and Batman in Venice type vibes you should DEFINITELY check out this trilogy.
Want to read
July 24, 2022I wonder if this will be the conclusion? I'd be happy if this were 3rd in a 6 volume series!!! I am so impressed with this world, characters, and ideas 👍👍
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