Reviews with content warning for Death - Labyrinth Lost

Ten years after a traumatic childhood event, bisexual (or pansexual, specific wording is not used) Brooklyn Bruja Alex comes to terms with her magic in order to save her entire family! This high stakes adventure is filled with great small moments reminiscent of classic fairytales, like a ferryman that gives you access to a boat but doesn't take the risk of being in the boat with you.
This pantheon of Gods and the explanations of how these magics work were spellbinding. I appreciated the resistance subplot in Los Lagos.
The characters are complex, and the kind of love triangle presented is one of the better ones I've read. Nova as a character brings up important conversations surrounding poverty and privilege, that's all too real. I'm looking forward to more of Rishi in the sequel as well.
One star deducted for the repeated phrase 'bipolar eyes'. What does that even mean? I don't know how something like that makes it past editing.
All in all, this was an enjoyable read and features one hell of a cliffhanger.

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marissasbooks's review

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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

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malloryfitz's review

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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!

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booksthatburn's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional hopeful tense medium-paced

Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Labyrinth Lost fits an epic journey into a story of personal growth and family strength. It feels like the first step into a rich & dynamic world, and I'm excited to spend more time there. Agosto and Madra are my favorites, I hope to see them again.

Every scene felt so purposeful, like it contained precisely what it ought so I felt settled about what happened while also craving the next chapter. I like the dynamic between Alex, Nova, and Rishi, it's a well-executed relationship triangle where every connection feels complex and complete. Nova is just the right amount of mysterious and brooding, and Rishi feels like a good fit for Alex. That isn't settled, obviously, since it's just the start, but I like how there's no reservation about Alex having feelings for both of them. I especially like how they are framed as being different kinds of feelings, but I'll watch to see how or if that changes as the series continues.

I love Agosto and Madra, they're such different but powerful leaders in a very taxing situation. I love stories about the Fae, and this take on the Underhill concept was nice. Their plights felt like natural tests of Alex's confidence and power, so that the conclusion made sense and the display of power felt appropriate. Rishi's fake wings were a cute touch, something that made her sudden entrance really feel unplanned and heartfelt.

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