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emily_mh's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
The good things I have to say about this book are that it was well-paced (it always felt like we were moving onto the next thing, but not in a hurried way) and had that classic fantasy quest structure (so it felt comforting to read). Unfortunately I struggled with the rest of it.
I found Alex’s powers way too convenient. She was capable of doing anything with no training, so whatever sticky situation she found herself in I knew she’d use her powers and get out of it. Not only was this repetitive, but it felt unearned. There’s always a risk that a “chosen one” trope will play out like this as they are given their special status without having to do anything.
The love triangle was awkward. I didn’t want to watch two teenagers verbally spar over a third but that was what I got. Alex had better chemistry with Nova, probably because he’s a fully realised character with a backstory, but I found him to be insufferable. He was very much the type of person to invalidate your pain because it’s not as bad as his. Rishi was the much more likeable LI but Córdova doesn’t flesh out her character beyond being a love interest, hence the lack of chemistry between her and Alex.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence, Animal death, Car accident, Panic attacks/disorders, Abandonment, and Blood
Minor: Grief, Gore, Ableism, Misogyny, Sexism, Death of parent, Alcohol, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Self harm, Child abuse, Fatphobia, Physical abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Drug use, Domestic abuse, Gun violence, Body shaming, Racism, and Vomit
Moderate: death of pet Minor: internalised misogyny, homelessness, menstruation, fainting, self-injury, foster care systemaceofsphades_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
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? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Animal death, Death of parent, and Violence
Moderate: Blood, Body horror, and Grief
Minor: Child abuse, Murder, and Bullying
littlewishling's review against another edition
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
5.0
A really fun and heartwarming adventure about self acceptance bursting with magic. I love the magical world Córdova’s created and I look forward to reading more of it.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Violence
Minor: Child abuse
marissasbooks's review
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Blood, Death, Gore, and Violence
Minor: Bullying, Physical abuse, and Child abuse
malloryfitz's review
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.75
Premise- (4/5) I heard a lot of buzz about this book when it came out, but then it sort of fell off my radar. I was looking for a $10 book to add to my Barnes & Noble giftcard load when I came across it again and it seemed like the perfect seasonal read. I love a good urban fantasy, especially witches, and I'd heard good things about the representation.
Characters- (3.5/5) Flipping the 'Chosen One' motif to have a protagonist who actively says "I don't want that" can often be fun, as it was here. Alex underwent so much character growth from the start to the end of the book both magically and emotionally, and though it was on occasion a little melodramatic (or...maybe I'm just getting...old to read about sixteen-year-olds...scary), it was a satisfying journey. I liked the balance of her relationships with Rishi and Nova, though I think there could've been more depth in each. I also really liked Alex's relationships with her family. I'm also one of three sisters, so I always like seeing what different authors do with that dynamic.
Plot- (4/5) This was a solid quest plot, which made good use of a few different tropes. But they were really well done, with a wide variety of magical creatures, both helping and hindering Alex and her friends. I also thought the opening part of the novel was really well done with the build-up and jump into the quest. We got a strong look at what Alex's world was so we knew what was at stake, and that made Alex's quest more personal and important for me as a reader.
World- (4.5/5) I really, really enjoyed Córdova's world, especially the urban fantasy part that took place in our world. The blending of magic with our own world was so, so awesome. Córdova drew on several different cultures for her system of magic, and there was a lot of detail without getting bogged down. The world of Los Lagos was also very well done, overflowing with magic and packed full of interesting settings.
Writing- (3/5) The writing was a little juvenile for me. Maybe I'm just getting old, but there were a few passages or phrases that made me roll my eyes a little. But there were also some lovely passages. Not a whole lot to say otherwise.
Overall- (3.8/5) Labyrinth Lost was a great adventure story, full of magic and growth. Though the supporting characters could've been a bit more fleshed out, they made a good team, working with Alex to rescue her family and fix her magic. The plot was strong, and Alex was a good protagonist, but my favorite part was Córdova's world building, especially the way she wove the magic in with our own reality. Labyrinth Lost was a great read to get me ready for spooky season, and I will be keeping an eye out for the sequel!
Characters- (3.5/5) Flipping the 'Chosen One' motif to have a protagonist who actively says "I don't want that" can often be fun, as it was here. Alex underwent so much character growth from the start to the end of the book both magically and emotionally, and though it was on occasion a little melodramatic (or...maybe I'm just getting...old to read about sixteen-year-olds...scary), it was a satisfying journey. I liked the balance of her relationships with Rishi and Nova, though I think there could've been more depth in each. I also really liked Alex's relationships with her family. I'm also one of three sisters, so I always like seeing what different authors do with that dynamic.
Plot- (4/5) This was a solid quest plot, which made good use of a few different tropes. But they were really well done, with a wide variety of magical creatures, both helping and hindering Alex and her friends. I also thought the opening part of the novel was really well done with the build-up and jump into the quest. We got a strong look at what Alex's world was so we knew what was at stake, and that made Alex's quest more personal and important for me as a reader.
World- (4.5/5) I really, really enjoyed Córdova's world, especially the urban fantasy part that took place in our world. The blending of magic with our own world was so, so awesome. Córdova drew on several different cultures for her system of magic, and there was a lot of detail without getting bogged down. The world of Los Lagos was also very well done, overflowing with magic and packed full of interesting settings.
Writing- (3/5) The writing was a little juvenile for me. Maybe I'm just getting old, but there were a few passages or phrases that made me roll my eyes a little. But there were also some lovely passages. Not a whole lot to say otherwise.
Overall- (3.8/5) Labyrinth Lost was a great adventure story, full of magic and growth. Though the supporting characters could've been a bit more fleshed out, they made a good team, working with Alex to rescue her family and fix her magic. The plot was strong, and Alex was a good protagonist, but my favorite part was Córdova's world building, especially the way she wove the magic in with our own reality. Labyrinth Lost was a great read to get me ready for spooky season, and I will be keeping an eye out for the sequel!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death
Minor: Child abuse, Self harm, and Slavery
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