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karcitis'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
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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