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athenathestorier's review
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
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
4.25
How to describe my experience with Labyrinth Lost? I guess I would say that it had this sort of novelty that was both familiar and new. Much like my experience when I opened the Percy Jackson series for the first time (oof, the nostalgia). The way that myths I was familiar with changed shape and weaved together with myths I was not knowledgeable on and the author-created worldbuilding - it all came together in this vivid new world and carried a well-delivered message of family and belief.
In it, we see our main character Alex struggle with the expectations of her family - magical expectations that scare her to the core. And we notice that all the events that follow her attempt at escape are just as much the fault of her family's toxic positivity as her "selfish" fears. We find out that even though several of her family members have had experiences and feelings similar to our MC, none of them acknowledged it. They didn't address or acknowledge her fears, worries, and trauma. Instead, they dismissed them. "It's a gift," they say, tsking and shaking their heads as they go about their business. And I suppose that it is very fitting that it was the dead that acknowledged that failing, rather than the living who, at least according to the preview for book 2, still have a lot to learn about consequences being for more than just magic. After all, it was our MC's adventure and growth, not her family's.
I loved the worldbuilding and imagery perhaps most of all. I felt like I could see myself there with the characters, and that remained the case from start to finish. I also felt like I had a firm grasp on who all the characters were and what motivated their actions. Character and relationship dynamic writing are two things that tend to take a front seat when I consume stories, and so the fact that I can imaginatively throw our MC into a whole new scenario and feel like I have a firm grasp on what she would do and think is a great indicator of how well she was written to us readers.
And while the sapphic element was a truly extremely welcome surprise (I went in pretty blind) and I found it so very sweet, I felt it was poorly led up tofrom our MC's end . And Rishi didn't have much to her character besides her unwavering devotion to Alex.
Another unfortunate is the fact that the high-tension plot points all fell rather flat. I didn't come out of them like anything was actually done. Of course, perhaps that might have been purposeful - as the climax tension seemed more tied to family acceptance than the defeat of the villain, which I guess would align with the overall message of the book being about the value of family.
Quotes:
"They say El Corazon has two hearts: the black thing in his chest and the one he wears on his sleeve."
"I'm not the encantrix everyone thought I would be. Right now, I'm just a girl, and there is also magic in that."
In it, we see our main character Alex struggle with the expectations of her family - magical expectations that scare her to the core. And we notice that all the events that follow her attempt at escape are just as much the fault of her family's toxic positivity as her "selfish" fears. We find out that even though several of her family members have had experiences and feelings similar to our MC, none of them acknowledged it. They didn't address or acknowledge her fears, worries, and trauma. Instead, they dismissed them. "It's a gift," they say, tsking and shaking their heads as they go about their business. And I suppose that it is very fitting that it was the dead that acknowledged that failing, rather than the living who, at least according to the preview for book 2, still have a lot to learn about consequences being for more than just magic. After all, it was our MC's adventure and growth, not her family's.
I loved the worldbuilding and imagery perhaps most of all. I felt like I could see myself there with the characters, and that remained the case from start to finish. I also felt like I had a firm grasp on who all the characters were and what motivated their actions. Character and relationship dynamic writing are two things that tend to take a front seat when I consume stories, and so the fact that I can imaginatively throw our MC into a whole new scenario and feel like I have a firm grasp on what she would do and think is a great indicator of how well she was written to us readers.
And while the sapphic element was a truly extremely welcome surprise (I went in pretty blind) and I found it so very sweet, I felt it was poorly led up to
Another unfortunate is the fact that the high-tension plot points all fell rather flat. I didn't come out of them like anything was actually done. Of course, perhaps that might have been purposeful - as the climax tension seemed more tied to family acceptance than the defeat of the villain, which I guess would align with the overall message of the book being about the value of family.
Quotes:
"They say El Corazon has two hearts: the black thing in his chest and the one he wears on his sleeve."
"I'm not the encantrix everyone thought I would be. Right now, I'm just a girl, and there is also magic in that."
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death, Abandonment, Gore, Bullying, and Violence
Minor: Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Body horror, Self harm, and Panic attacks/disorders
themoodreader's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Minor: Bullying, Animal death, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Self harm, and Death
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 systemkarcitis's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Blood, Violence, Animal death, Injury/Injury detail, Gore, Fire/Fire injury, Death, and Slavery
Moderate: Vomit, Genocide, Self harm, Confinement, Grief, War, Kidnapping, and Car accident
Minor: Colonisation, Classism, Bullying, Racism, Medical content, Drug use, Drug abuse, Torture, and Murder
armontheroad's review
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This book is popular for a reason! If I could give LABYRINTH LOST higher than a 5-star rating, I would without hesitation. The magic system was such an incredible, immersive thing. The queer rep was *chef’s kiss*! Also, loved how graphic and dark this got at times. Definitely was not expecting it to get as detailed as it did in some parts, but it just added to my love of this novel! Cannot wait to read the other books in this series and see where the story goes.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence, Gore, Blood, Animal death, Self harm, Car accident, Fatphobia, Animal cruelty, and Homophobia
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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