Reviews

The Labyrinth's Archivist by Day Al-Mohamed

libraryofdreaming's review

5.0

Rereading this again made me feel like it was only 4 stars but I still enjoyed it.

ashley_heuser's review

5.0

I loved this book! An own voices fantasy novella about a blind protagonist solving her grandmother’s murder with her detective ex girlfriend. The world building is impeccable. The characterization was compelling. And all of this with minimal visual descriptions. As a disabled person, this novella is everything I could ask for. This is a novella so the story is shorter but I would love to see more from this series.

kuranes's review

4.0

This was a very interesting story! The characters were multi-dimensional and the writing was lovely. The only downside? I want more! I'd love to read more about this world and these characters.

sadhbhprice's review

adventurous mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

reeniesreads's review

5.0

First and foremost, WOW!!!

After reading a few over-hyped booktok suggestions, I decided to find an obscure fantasy read to explore the unknown. What I stumbled upon was absolute pure gold!!! I was immediately enthralled and captivated by this novella. This story is a matrimony of star wars and the atlas six, I can explain it no other way. The initial world building in some fantasy novels can be disorienting but this author expertly conjures this world and I immediately grasped it. The plot and story are unique and I wanted more as soon as I started reading it. My sole lamentation, if I may be so bold, is that this wondrous tale concludes all too swiftly, leaving me longing for further immersion in its beguiling tapestry - I hope that the author considers delving deeper into the details of this world, I would eat it up. If you are looking for a beautiful, fulfilling journey, this is the one for you!

buttermellow's review against another edition

lighthearted mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Fire/Fire injury and Ableism

Moderate: Death and Body horror

panickedhonking's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

thecolourblue's review

adventurous mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

A very very cool world, I love a cross-road  setting, especially in a sci-fi context. Apparently this is set in a wider world that other novellas (by other authors) also take place in, but I'm not clear how they fit together or overlap, if at all.

The protagonist Azuela here is a fun, smart characters, but I did feel like the murder mystery wrapped up too quickly at the end and the romance reconciliation didn't feel earned. This is one of those novellas that feels like it would benefit from being fleshed out a bit more. It feels like just a taster of this world.

sashahc's review against another edition

adventurous funny lighthearted mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

"The Labyrinth's Archivist" by Day Al-Mohamed is a very (unfortunately) rare #book in that it is queer disabled Middle Eastern rep.  It is set in the "Broken Cities" shared world created by Falstaff Books.  Azulea is from a very long line of Archivists, those who interview and collect information and make maps of the worlds that intersect at the Hall of Gates.  Her mother is Head Archivist, but because of Azulea's blindness, she is unlikely to be ever accepted as a full archivist, despite her perfect memory and her teamwork with her cousin Peny.  When Azulea's grandmother is found dead and other disasters start to befall the archive, Azulea must find who is trying to destroy her family and home.  It's got queer second chance romance, disability community interdependence, and fantastic world building.  

enbyglitch's review

5.0

A lovely novella with a unique protagonist set in a world similar to "The Serpent Gates".

The lack of page numbers and a few fixable errors threw me early on - was a little worried at first that the cool world was just setdressing, but enjoyed the way Al-Mohamed brought in little details of the Labyrinth and its worlds.

I'm glad the author found support for her pitch of a disabled, queer protagonist of color and I hope to see more of her! Perfect setting to explore all kinds of gender issues as well, potentially.