Title: Labyrinth’s Heart
Author: M.A. Carrick
Type: Fiction
Genre: Adult, Fantasy
Publisher: Orbit
Date published: August 15, 2023
A complimentary physical copy of this book was kindly provided by Hachette Book Group Canada in exchange for an honest review.
Ren came to Nadežra with a plan. She would pose as the long-lost daughter of the noble house Traementis. She would secure a fortune for herself and her sister. And she would vanish without a backward glance. She ought to have known that in the city of dreams, nothing is ever so simple.
Now, she is Ren, con-artist and thief. But she is also Renata, the celebrated Traementis heir. She is Arenza, the mysterious pattern-reader and political rebel. And she is the Black Rose, a vigilante who fights alongside the legendary Rook.
Even with the help of Grey Serrado and Derossi Vargo, it is too many masks for one person to wear. And as the dark magic the three of them helped unleash builds to storm that could tear the very fabric of the city apart, it’s only a matter of time before one of the masks slips—and everything comes crashing down around them.
⤖ My Review ⬻
I really like the Rook and Rose series by the author team M.A. Carrick and was both excited and saddened to dive into the third and final book in the series, Labyrinth’s Heart. For those of you who haven’t read the first 2 books, The Mask of Mirrors and The Liar’s Knot, I highly recommend reading my review for The Mask of Mirrors first just to avoid any potential spoilers.
For those of you sticking around who already know a bit about the series, have read the series yourselves, or just don’t care about spoilers, the Rook and Rose series is a high fantasy series with a complex setting, plotlines, politics, and characters. I love these kinds of books and/or series when I want a challenge because it takes some work to keep everything straight and remember everything. I know it’s not for everyone, but I, for one, love it when it’s done well. I always have mixed feelings about the end books in trilogies because they can be perfect or can leave a reader wanting (like any other book, but the pressure is almost a little higher for books that wrap up series, at least in my opinion).
I’m happy to share though that I was happy with how things were handled and how things wrapped up in Labyrinth’s Heart! Everything was still high stakes, lots of action, and lots of politics and heists and maneuvering, while eventually winding down into a satisfying finale. The intricate plotting and multi-layered characters continue to shine in Labyrinth’s Heart, showcasing the authors’ talent for crafting complex and compelling narratives. The dynamics between the characters evolve and deepen as they navigate treacherous alliances and confront their own personal obstacles.
I definitely recommend Labyrinth’s Heart and the series as a whole if this sounds like it’s up your alley! M.A. Carrick created a richly imagined world filled with intrigue, magic, and unforgettable characters. I highly recommend Labyrinth’s Heart, and the Rook and Rose series as a whole, for fans of adult high fantasy.
⤖ About the Author ⬻
M.A. Carrick is the joint pen name of Marie Brennan(author of the Memoirs of Lady Trent) and Alyc Helms (author of the Adventures of Mr. Mystic). The two met in 2000 on an archaeological dig in Wales and Ireland — including a stint in the town of Carrickmacross — and have built their friendship through two decades of anthropology, writing, and gaming. They live in the San Francisco Bay Area.