thesilmarillions's review against another edition
2.0
I received a copy through a Maximum Pop! giveaway and, honestly, I had no idea what to expect from this book. The thing that caught my attention was Icarus, the man who flies too close to the sun and falls back to earth.
It's split into three parts: Judge, Jury and Executioner. Each has it's own setting and character(s) it focusses on. The main consistency is the narrator whose name you never learn (which makes more sense when you've read the book). Whilst the names of each section work really well in the context of the story, the first part was really difficult for me to enjoy. There's very little explanation for a long time and, by the time it was explained, I'd guessed a lot for myself.
Regardless, it's a captivating concept: there's a whole city made of skyscrapers encased in walls, with the only way out through a labyrinth. The doors only open once a year, to let the Icarii (12-16 year olds chosen to enter the maze) in and on their journey to ascension.
Character-wise, they are all interesting and different. There's a fair mix of ones I like, dislike and am indifferent to. Honestly, the only thing about this book that stopped me from giving this book a higher rating is the main character herself. I really, really wanted to like her, but just couldn't. Her personality (or lack thereof) grated on me at really inconvenient times.
It's a well-paced story, with not too little or too much going on at any one time. I'm definitely interested in reading its sequels to see how the concept and world develops as, beyond giving foundations and a basic understanding, there isn't an awful lot to know. And there's always hope that the main character gets some good development too.
Full review on my blog.
It's split into three parts: Judge, Jury and Executioner. Each has it's own setting and character(s) it focusses on. The main consistency is the narrator whose name you never learn (which makes more sense when you've read the book). Whilst the names of each section work really well in the context of the story, the first part was really difficult for me to enjoy. There's very little explanation for a long time and, by the time it was explained, I'd guessed a lot for myself.
Regardless, it's a captivating concept: there's a whole city made of skyscrapers encased in walls, with the only way out through a labyrinth. The doors only open once a year, to let the Icarii (12-16 year olds chosen to enter the maze) in and on their journey to ascension.
Character-wise, they are all interesting and different. There's a fair mix of ones I like, dislike and am indifferent to. Honestly, the only thing about this book that stopped me from giving this book a higher rating is the main character herself. I really, really wanted to like her, but just couldn't. Her personality (or lack thereof) grated on me at really inconvenient times.
It's a well-paced story, with not too little or too much going on at any one time. I'm definitely interested in reading its sequels to see how the concept and world develops as, beyond giving foundations and a basic understanding, there isn't an awful lot to know. And there's always hope that the main character gets some good development too.
Full review on my blog.
meg_mazzaferro's review against another edition
1.0
I was not a fan of this book at all. It was somehow both incredibly boring and extremely disturbing at the same time. The main character is bland, boring, and useless, and every other character is horrible (and I don't mean horrible as in you do not like them, I mean they are all terrible people). I have never so actively rooted against a group of teens forced to survive in a harsh environment. The only reason I finished this novel was because I read it while I was on vacation, and had no other reading material on me.
While remaining spoiler free: the first act involves very little world building, and establishes almost nothing about the setting or society we are seeing. You learn very little about the culture or belief systems of these people, and the relationships that are supposed to impact the entire novel are very poorly established. The second act is first incredibly boring, with little happening for most of it. The main character is passive and all the things that do take place have absolutely no impact. The very end of the second act does get more exciting, but somehow the action and suspense is incredibly boring and predictable. The writing is dry and does little to engage the reader. The only time I was engaged was at a point where the writing left me incredibly disturbed (I am not a squeamish reader, and this is the only time a novel has ever made me so lingeringly uncomfortable, but I read this book a long time ago and still feel unsettled when I think about it). While the third act does pick up, and is a promising stepping off point for the sequel that the novel sets up, by the time I got to it I was already so disturbed and bored (a very unusual combination) that it could not redeem the overall novel.
While remaining spoiler free: the first act involves very little world building, and establishes almost nothing about the setting or society we are seeing. You learn very little about the culture or belief systems of these people, and the relationships that are supposed to impact the entire novel are very poorly established. The second act is first incredibly boring, with little happening for most of it. The main character is passive and all the things that do take place have absolutely no impact. The very end of the second act does get more exciting, but somehow the action and suspense is incredibly boring and predictable. The writing is dry and does little to engage the reader. The only time I was engaged was at a point where the writing left me incredibly disturbed (I am not a squeamish reader, and this is the only time a novel has ever made me so lingeringly uncomfortable, but I read this book a long time ago and still feel unsettled when I think about it). While the third act does pick up, and is a promising stepping off point for the sequel that the novel sets up, by the time I got to it I was already so disturbed and bored (a very unusual combination) that it could not redeem the overall novel.
ifthebook's review against another edition
3.0
This book drags quite a bit in the middle, but despite this I'll be looking for a sequel. The reveals right at the end make me want to know more about what's going on. It would be nice if we got to that point faster, though.
josh1920's review
adventurous
dark
hopeful
mysterious
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
5.0
bookboss85's review against another edition
4.0
The original review can be found at: http://www.nerdprobs.com/books/book-review-children-of-icarus-by-caighlan-smith/
**A copy of this book was provided by the publishers via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.**
First off the cover of this book and the description drew me in. I have always loved Greek Mythology and I thought that this book was right up my alley. The only thing that made me a bit tentative was the suspense/thriller aspect. I have never ever been good at those kinds of things. Horror movies…NOPE…..Scary books…NOPE…..It was a big deal when I watched The Birds by Alfred Hitchcock in High School. Unfortunately I watched it before a tennis match by Lake Michigan and there were tons of seagulls. FYI: I never should’ve watched it. My fears were put to rest once I started reading. It is more of an “oh my gosh what is happening next” than a “no don’t open that door” book.
The story begins with an unnamed girl riding an elevator up with Clara to the 23rd floor. (Slight spoiler alert: Don’t get attached to Clara). Clara is excited and waiting for the name draw for the children to become angels. She had prayed to Icarus every day, multiple times a day, that her name gets chosen. The unnamed girl is the complete opposite. She prays that her name doesn’t get drawn. She doesn’t want to go into the labyrinth and become an Icarii. On the day of the name draw, Claire is so excited she takes a ribbon out of her hair and does her friend’s hair in braids just like her. Both she and Clara get their names drawn. Clara couldn’t be more excited. While the other one is not happy. She wonders if she could run away and hide. Would they notice that she was missing for Fallen Day? Immediately after being put into the labyrinth, they get attacked. The only survivors are Felix, Kyle and her. They get rescued by a group of kids that are survivors of the previous Fallen Days. Their time in the labyrinth ranges from 1-6 years. This makes her very uncomfortable. Will she ever get out? They take them back to Fates, which is what they call their home base. The first night there she dreams of Clara and calls her name out. This leads them to think her name is Clara. She has been scared mute and doesn’t correct them. Both out of fright and the fact that she likes keeping her friend “alive” in her name.
I LOVED this book. The only reason I am giving it 4 stars is because she needlessly killed off an adorable (in my mind’s eye) 8-year-old girl and because the story ended super, super suddenly. If the author writes a second one I will be delighted to upgrade it to a 5. The book is trotting right along, keeping me up way too late reading, and then BOOM it is over. I thought she could have gone on for a few more chapters and ended on a better note. The author writes the book so that it gives you all the right feels. Indignation when she is humiliated. I cried tears when the little girl, Gina, died. Shock when her friend Clara dies. “Awww poor thing” when she finds out a secret about her friend in Fates. With that being said I hope that she writes an second installment and turns it into a series. If she does I will be the first in line and possibly even pre-order it so it shows up the day it comes out in my Kindle!
**A copy of this book was provided by the publishers via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.**
First off the cover of this book and the description drew me in. I have always loved Greek Mythology and I thought that this book was right up my alley. The only thing that made me a bit tentative was the suspense/thriller aspect. I have never ever been good at those kinds of things. Horror movies…NOPE…..Scary books…NOPE…..It was a big deal when I watched The Birds by Alfred Hitchcock in High School. Unfortunately I watched it before a tennis match by Lake Michigan and there were tons of seagulls. FYI: I never should’ve watched it. My fears were put to rest once I started reading. It is more of an “oh my gosh what is happening next” than a “no don’t open that door” book.
The story begins with an unnamed girl riding an elevator up with Clara to the 23rd floor. (Slight spoiler alert: Don’t get attached to Clara). Clara is excited and waiting for the name draw for the children to become angels. She had prayed to Icarus every day, multiple times a day, that her name gets chosen. The unnamed girl is the complete opposite. She prays that her name doesn’t get drawn. She doesn’t want to go into the labyrinth and become an Icarii. On the day of the name draw, Claire is so excited she takes a ribbon out of her hair and does her friend’s hair in braids just like her. Both she and Clara get their names drawn. Clara couldn’t be more excited. While the other one is not happy. She wonders if she could run away and hide. Would they notice that she was missing for Fallen Day? Immediately after being put into the labyrinth, they get attacked. The only survivors are Felix, Kyle and her. They get rescued by a group of kids that are survivors of the previous Fallen Days. Their time in the labyrinth ranges from 1-6 years. This makes her very uncomfortable. Will she ever get out? They take them back to Fates, which is what they call their home base. The first night there she dreams of Clara and calls her name out. This leads them to think her name is Clara. She has been scared mute and doesn’t correct them. Both out of fright and the fact that she likes keeping her friend “alive” in her name.
I LOVED this book. The only reason I am giving it 4 stars is because she needlessly killed off an adorable (in my mind’s eye) 8-year-old girl and because the story ended super, super suddenly. If the author writes a second one I will be delighted to upgrade it to a 5. The book is trotting right along, keeping me up way too late reading, and then BOOM it is over. I thought she could have gone on for a few more chapters and ended on a better note. The author writes the book so that it gives you all the right feels. Indignation when she is humiliated. I cried tears when the little girl, Gina, died. Shock when her friend Clara dies. “Awww poor thing” when she finds out a secret about her friend in Fates. With that being said I hope that she writes an second installment and turns it into a series. If she does I will be the first in line and possibly even pre-order it so it shows up the day it comes out in my Kindle!
bookishly_faith's review against another edition
4.0
I received this arc on Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
This arc was really great! When I saw this on Netgalley, the fact that this book featured Greek Mythology and was written by a young Canadian author drew me in. Yes, there were a few little things that bugged me but otherwise, this book made me really excited to read. (I mean, I basically finished this book in about a day; so it was pretty good!)
This book is about a girl who lives in a world where you can become an angel when you're a teenage by going through a labyrinth. Her society exists because her city protects the body of Icarus, an angel who was deceived by the gods. The main character, whose name we never really know, never wanted to become an angel like her friend Clara, who wanted to find her brother. When both of the girls get picked to become angels, they realize very quickly that they were lied to about what happens in the Labyrinth. While there is death, our main character finds a new family in the Fates, a group of Icarii trying to survive the Labyrinth everyday. But she soon realizes that nothing is as it seems.
I really liked the Greek mythology elements of this story. The labyrinth had all kinds of monsters, like harpies, and also discussed some myths like the Fates. I don't know much about the accuracy of all these myths, but I found that the way they were all integrated in the book was really fun for me to read. Hearing about how to kill the monsters was really fun too.
The whole plot was this book was well done. Because it featured a maze of sorts, there can be a lot of comparisons made to [b:The Maze Runner|6186357|The Maze Runner (Maze Runner, #1)|James Dashner|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1375596592s/6186357.jpg|6366642], but I found that there was quite a few differences between the two. (Note: I've only seen the movie because I couldn't stand the book) Sure, some of the themes are shared, but the essence is very different as one is dystopian and the other is based off of Greek mythology. I can see how this book could be compared to [b:The Hunger Games|2767052|The Hunger Games (The Hunger Games, #1)|Suzanne Collins|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1447303603s/2767052.jpg|2792775] or [b:Lord of the Flies|7624|Lord of the Flies|William Golding|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1327869409s/7624.jpg|2766512], because of the fact children are being killed and are being forced into taking on adult roles. But again, they are quite different. I'd say the [b:Children of Icarus|29065483|Children of Icarus|Caighlan Smith|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1455707804s/29065483.jpg|49294293] is a lot darker than all of these books. (so be warned) Once you hit the middle of the book, things get REALLY dark but also interesting. If you've read anything by Greek writers in antiquity, you'll find that this book is a great reflect of Greek stories because Greek myths are about heros, journeys and violent fights. Greek stories are very much like original fairytales, in that, they don't hide the truth. I'll admit that I found this book did a lot of telling rather than showing, but it didn't really bug me while reading.
I did also really like the characters. Sure, I think some of them were just shy of being really complex, but they were enthralling nonetheless. I liked Elle, Gina and the Executioner the best. I'll admit that I really got frustrated with our main character. She has this character trait where she doesn't speak up about REALLY important things. For instance, she was really dehydrated, but couldn't make herself ask for water. She would have probably died if someone else hadn't asked. I get that she is normally quiet and she does experience some serious trauma at the beginning of the book, but I got really frustrated with her not speaking when she was perfectly capable of doing so.
Side note: there was no romance in this book at all! I kept expecting her to kiss someone but it never happened! Therefore there was no instalove or love triangle or anything and it was great!
So basically, this book had its flaws, and other than the main character annoying me with her not talking, I was able to end up really liking this book in spite of those flaws. I'm hoping there is a sequel because the way the book ended makes me really want one. I'd recommend this book to anyone looking for a dark, Greek mythology inspired story.
This arc was really great! When I saw this on Netgalley, the fact that this book featured Greek Mythology and was written by a young Canadian author drew me in. Yes, there were a few little things that bugged me but otherwise, this book made me really excited to read. (I mean, I basically finished this book in about a day; so it was pretty good!)
This book is about a girl who lives in a world where you can become an angel when you're a teenage by going through a labyrinth. Her society exists because her city protects the body of Icarus, an angel who was deceived by the gods. The main character, whose name we never really know, never wanted to become an angel like her friend Clara, who wanted to find her brother. When both of the girls get picked to become angels, they realize very quickly that they were lied to about what happens in the Labyrinth. While there is death, our main character finds a new family in the Fates, a group of Icarii trying to survive the Labyrinth everyday. But she soon realizes that nothing is as it seems.
I really liked the Greek mythology elements of this story. The labyrinth had all kinds of monsters, like harpies, and also discussed some myths like the Fates. I don't know much about the accuracy of all these myths, but I found that the way they were all integrated in the book was really fun for me to read. Hearing about how to kill the monsters was really fun too.
The whole plot was this book was well done. Because it featured a maze of sorts, there can be a lot of comparisons made to [b:The Maze Runner|6186357|The Maze Runner (Maze Runner, #1)|James Dashner|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1375596592s/6186357.jpg|6366642], but I found that there was quite a few differences between the two. (Note: I've only seen the movie because I couldn't stand the book) Sure, some of the themes are shared, but the essence is very different as one is dystopian and the other is based off of Greek mythology. I can see how this book could be compared to [b:The Hunger Games|2767052|The Hunger Games (The Hunger Games, #1)|Suzanne Collins|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1447303603s/2767052.jpg|2792775] or [b:Lord of the Flies|7624|Lord of the Flies|William Golding|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1327869409s/7624.jpg|2766512], because of the fact children are being killed and are being forced into taking on adult roles. But again, they are quite different. I'd say the [b:Children of Icarus|29065483|Children of Icarus|Caighlan Smith|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1455707804s/29065483.jpg|49294293] is a lot darker than all of these books. (so be warned) Once you hit the middle of the book, things get REALLY dark but also interesting. If you've read anything by Greek writers in antiquity, you'll find that this book is a great reflect of Greek stories because Greek myths are about heros, journeys and violent fights. Greek stories are very much like original fairytales, in that, they don't hide the truth. I'll admit that I found this book did a lot of telling rather than showing, but it didn't really bug me while reading.
I did also really like the characters. Sure, I think some of them were just shy of being really complex, but they were enthralling nonetheless. I liked Elle, Gina and the Executioner the best. I'll admit that I really got frustrated with our main character. She has this character trait where she doesn't speak up about REALLY important things. For instance, she was really dehydrated, but couldn't make herself ask for water. She would have probably died if someone else hadn't asked. I get that she is normally quiet and she does experience some serious trauma at the beginning of the book, but I got really frustrated with her not speaking when she was perfectly capable of doing so.
Side note: there was no romance in this book at all! I kept expecting her to kiss someone but it never happened! Therefore there was no instalove or love triangle or anything and it was great!
So basically, this book had its flaws, and other than the main character annoying me with her not talking, I was able to end up really liking this book in spite of those flaws. I'm hoping there is a sequel because the way the book ended makes me really want one. I'd recommend this book to anyone looking for a dark, Greek mythology inspired story.
bookslesstravelled's review against another edition
5.0
Source: Library
Wow, Now I have to go out and buy a copy! I just, how did it take me so long to finish this one? I started it just before it came out after I snagged an ARC from NetGalley, but it expired before I could read most of it. I finally found out that I could get it at the library, and am so glad I finally finished it! (Plus I have the second book on Kindle!)
While I hated...almost everything to do with the Fates, I felt like they were all fake, and while I understand they were kids, and kids can be mean, plus with all the violance and horror, they had to be broken, but I know how it is to have fake friends, and it's awful. On the flip side, the protaginist doesn't try to change anything, and just silently goes along with the treatment, but I can also totally relate to that.
The ending though...just wow. Not only did it make the Fates' treatment worth while, it was my favorite part of the whole book. I'm excited to read the second book now!
Wow, Now I have to go out and buy a copy! I just, how did it take me so long to finish this one? I started it just before it came out after I snagged an ARC from NetGalley, but it expired before I could read most of it. I finally found out that I could get it at the library, and am so glad I finally finished it! (Plus I have the second book on Kindle!)
While I hated...almost everything to do with the Fates, I felt like they were all fake, and while I understand they were kids, and kids can be mean, plus with all the violance and horror, they had to be broken, but I know how it is to have fake friends, and it's awful. On the flip side, the protaginist doesn't try to change anything, and just silently goes along with the treatment, but I can also totally relate to that.
The ending though...just wow. Not only did it make the Fates' treatment worth while, it was my favorite part of the whole book. I'm excited to read the second book now!
krys_and_books's review against another edition
4.0
So overall my rating is 3.5.
I liked this book, I would definitely suggest it when it comes out... but the MC was frustrating for me which drove the rating down, as did the fact that for every question that was added to the mystery very few if any answers were given.
Netgalley was kind enough to allow me to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
The book:
It is Clara who is desperate to enter the labyrinth and it is Clara who is bright, strong, and fearless enough to take on any challenge. It is no surprise when she is chosen. But so is the girl who has always lived in her shadow. Together they enter. Within minutes, they are torn apart forever. Now the girl who has never left the city walls must fight to survive in a living nightmare, where one false turn with who to trust means a certain dead end.
My Summary:
The book moves fairly fast. It starts with a myth about an angel, Icarus, that basically is this cities religious basis.
From there the story starts with Clara and her Nameless shadow who is our MC. Because you never get a name for her Nameless is what I nicknamed the MC in my head. From the get go it is made very clear that Clara is a tough no-nonsense girl who is carelessly brave and our Nameless MC looks up to her and seriously lacks a backbone or anything defining real character. (She was a particularly frustrating MC to be honest, but I did feel for her throughout the book. But seriously this girl needs to grow a backbone.)
With both girls being 16 this is this last year to have their names drawn to enter the labyrinth that surrounds the city they live in to become "angels". (Because that doesn't sound potentially really bad?)
Clara really wants to have her name drawn so that she can be with the brother that entered the labyrinth years ago and of course wants her Nameless best friend to be with her so they don't have to be separated. Nameless really doesn't want either of their names picked... but of course this would have been a very boring book if they weren't.
Fast forward to the girls entering the labyrinth with several other children they've never met and they start to quickly realize that things aren't as they've been told they should be and then the attacks happen and Nameless loses Clara almost immediately.
The story quickly then becomes a story of survival... with the most hopeless MC ever. The girl makes the worst decisions ever, seriously. I became frustrated with her quite often, but again I still felt sympathy for her so there was that.
There was very little world building, lots of questions and not many answers. The ending a flurry of action and things quickly happening, which in my opinion did a lot to save this book from dropping in rating, also drove me nuts because the story is not done and I definitely have to read the sequel to see how this is going to be resolved (can it even be?).
I liked this book, I would definitely suggest it when it comes out... but the MC was frustrating for me which drove the rating down, as did the fact that for every question that was added to the mystery very few if any answers were given.
Netgalley was kind enough to allow me to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
The book:
It is Clara who is desperate to enter the labyrinth and it is Clara who is bright, strong, and fearless enough to take on any challenge. It is no surprise when she is chosen. But so is the girl who has always lived in her shadow. Together they enter. Within minutes, they are torn apart forever. Now the girl who has never left the city walls must fight to survive in a living nightmare, where one false turn with who to trust means a certain dead end.
My Summary:
The book moves fairly fast. It starts with a myth about an angel, Icarus, that basically is this cities religious basis.
From there the story starts with Clara and her Nameless shadow who is our MC. Because you never get a name for her Nameless is what I nicknamed the MC in my head. From the get go it is made very clear that Clara is a tough no-nonsense girl who is carelessly brave and our Nameless MC looks up to her and seriously lacks a backbone or anything defining real character. (She was a particularly frustrating MC to be honest, but I did feel for her throughout the book. But seriously this girl needs to grow a backbone.)
With both girls being 16 this is this last year to have their names drawn to enter the labyrinth that surrounds the city they live in to become "angels". (Because that doesn't sound potentially really bad?)
Clara really wants to have her name drawn so that she can be with the brother that entered the labyrinth years ago and of course wants her Nameless best friend to be with her so they don't have to be separated. Nameless really doesn't want either of their names picked... but of course this would have been a very boring book if they weren't.
Fast forward to the girls entering the labyrinth with several other children they've never met and they start to quickly realize that things aren't as they've been told they should be and then the attacks happen and Nameless loses Clara almost immediately.
The story quickly then becomes a story of survival... with the most hopeless MC ever. The girl makes the worst decisions ever, seriously. I became frustrated with her quite often, but again I still felt sympathy for her so there was that.
There was very little world building, lots of questions and not many answers. The ending a flurry of action and things quickly happening, which in my opinion did a lot to save this book from dropping in rating, also drove me nuts because the story is not done and I definitely have to read the sequel to see how this is going to be resolved (can it even be?).
Spoiler
For the safety of the reader I would like to warn that there is the threat of rape in the story and a lot of abuse among the group of kids that are trying to survive in the labyrinth. Death is definitely something that happens.... and the monsters scared the bejesus out of me. Wasn't expecting that.wordwoonders's review against another edition
3.0
Full Colorful Review on my blog : Word Wonders
*I received an eARC of this book from the publishers through Netgalley in exchange of an honest review*
Final rating : 3.5 stars
See that blurb, guys? It gives NOTHING away. It is intriguing sure, but I had no idea what to expect when diving into this. I just knew that it was Greek Mythology inspired and the huge lover in me just jumped at the occasion. Now, I wish there were some kind of warning, a big red marking all over the book for how graphic this book is. It has death, A LOT of it. Torture. Harassement. I’M SCARRED FOR LIFE. This is the most disturbing, morbid book I’ve ever read in my life and not expecting it made that impact even more striking. This book messed me up real bad, but not in a way that it breaks you and mends you. Nope. It breaks you and laughs at your crushed soul.
That writing though. I think if this were written any other way, it wouldn’t have had the effect it had, this is very crude, nothing is sugar coated, violent scenes (and believe me, there’s plenty of those) are not only written in but they’re very detailed, every wound, every drop of blood, which was sometimes too much to be honest. Other than that the writing is really fitting the story. The only complain I have is that there was an overuse of periods where comas would’ve been better, I know it was probably done for the dramatic effect but most of the time it just disturbed the reading flow.
Now to the good stuff *evil laugh* . I seriously was set on a 2 star rating or lower for the first half of the book , I was just too horrified to think clearly about how GOOD actually the story is. It is so clever and unlike anything I ever read. Nothing is fairytailed (I am making that a word for the purpose of this review), everything is SO REAL, I think that is the reason for me -and anyone- to be disgusted, this is everyone’s worst nightmare. It shows how people can go crazy, become inhumane when in harsh circumstances. It gives me chills just thinking about it. Maybe I got used to it. Maybe I crossed to the dark side. But this book completely won me over, the plot in itself is brilliant, gripping and the action had me sucked in from early on and the pace stays steady and fast through the whole thing which is really hard to maintain so I’d have to give credit to the author for that.
Something that kind of disappointed me though is that I expected the mythology to be more present, to feel and see it at every page turn but it wasn’t, sometimes I almost forgot about the whole thing, until there is some myth or story about the labyrinth’s not so human inhabitants and I got excited, I really loved those and learning more about all the tales and creatures.
The characters are all crazy. No joke ! Every one of them is deranged in a way or another, and all of them in different ways. Exception made of the Main Character. She annoyed me endless amounts of times. First of all the author doesn’t give her a name which really throws me off at first but I quickly get used to it, it is a very clever move to make anyone identify with her. But that’s it. Nothing is clever about her. First of all she’s mute throughout most of the book, she’s weak and has no personality. I realize that the author wanted to keep it real and not create an almighty know-it-all MC but this is too far on the other end of the spectrum. But by the end, things start to look up, when a certain someone forces her to confront the horror that her life became, to embrace it and to actually start working for her own survival. I can’t say I started liking her, but she was alright.
Elle seriously freaked me out, she was like a creeper straight out of a horror movie, the kind that befriends you and turns out totally mental and starts killing everyone that gets too close. And she lives in denial of everything.
The guys were the most frightening though. At least for Ryan I knew from the beginning that he was bad, and then he turned full psychopath but I at least expected it. But Collin, OH BOY! I thought he was the sane, the right-minded one out of the bunch, I had my suspicions about him but I didn’t expect THAT, what made it worse is how cool about his sadist behavior he was.
One character that I actually liked is The executioner. This one LOOKS and is named like a psychopath serial killer but is far from being one. She’s so kickass, very harsh and seems unlovable but it’s all in her actions, I am not going to go into detail because I don’t want to spoil for anyone who gathers the courage to read this book.
I was one of those people who immediately thought of the Maze Runner a couple chapters in, but as the book went on i forgot all about that book, because aside from being a bunch of teenagers inside a labyrinth with horrifying creatures, the two books have nothing in common. I would definitely see this being a series, and hope it will be considering how this book ended.
*I received an eARC of this book from the publishers through Netgalley in exchange of an honest review*
Final rating : 3.5 stars
See that blurb, guys? It gives NOTHING away. It is intriguing sure, but I had no idea what to expect when diving into this. I just knew that it was Greek Mythology inspired and the huge lover in me just jumped at the occasion. Now, I wish there were some kind of warning, a big red marking all over the book for how graphic this book is. It has death, A LOT of it. Torture. Harassement. I’M SCARRED FOR LIFE. This is the most disturbing, morbid book I’ve ever read in my life and not expecting it made that impact even more striking. This book messed me up real bad, but not in a way that it breaks you and mends you. Nope. It breaks you and laughs at your crushed soul.
That writing though. I think if this were written any other way, it wouldn’t have had the effect it had, this is very crude, nothing is sugar coated, violent scenes (and believe me, there’s plenty of those) are not only written in but they’re very detailed, every wound, every drop of blood, which was sometimes too much to be honest. Other than that the writing is really fitting the story. The only complain I have is that there was an overuse of periods where comas would’ve been better, I know it was probably done for the dramatic effect but most of the time it just disturbed the reading flow.
Now to the good stuff *evil laugh* . I seriously was set on a 2 star rating or lower for the first half of the book , I was just too horrified to think clearly about how GOOD actually the story is. It is so clever and unlike anything I ever read. Nothing is fairytailed (I am making that a word for the purpose of this review), everything is SO REAL, I think that is the reason for me -and anyone- to be disgusted, this is everyone’s worst nightmare. It shows how people can go crazy, become inhumane when in harsh circumstances. It gives me chills just thinking about it. Maybe I got used to it. Maybe I crossed to the dark side. But this book completely won me over, the plot in itself is brilliant, gripping and the action had me sucked in from early on and the pace stays steady and fast through the whole thing which is really hard to maintain so I’d have to give credit to the author for that.
Something that kind of disappointed me though is that I expected the mythology to be more present, to feel and see it at every page turn but it wasn’t, sometimes I almost forgot about the whole thing, until there is some myth or story about the labyrinth’s not so human inhabitants and I got excited, I really loved those and learning more about all the tales and creatures.
The characters are all crazy. No joke ! Every one of them is deranged in a way or another, and all of them in different ways. Exception made of the Main Character. She annoyed me endless amounts of times. First of all the author doesn’t give her a name which really throws me off at first but I quickly get used to it, it is a very clever move to make anyone identify with her. But that’s it. Nothing is clever about her. First of all she’s mute throughout most of the book, she’s weak and has no personality. I realize that the author wanted to keep it real and not create an almighty know-it-all MC but this is too far on the other end of the spectrum. But by the end, things start to look up, when a certain someone forces her to confront the horror that her life became, to embrace it and to actually start working for her own survival. I can’t say I started liking her, but she was alright.
Elle seriously freaked me out, she was like a creeper straight out of a horror movie, the kind that befriends you and turns out totally mental and starts killing everyone that gets too close. And she lives in denial of everything.
The guys were the most frightening though. At least for Ryan I knew from the beginning that he was bad, and then he turned full psychopath but I at least expected it. But Collin, OH BOY! I thought he was the sane, the right-minded one out of the bunch, I had my suspicions about him but I didn’t expect THAT, what made it worse is how cool about his sadist behavior he was.
One character that I actually liked is The executioner. This one LOOKS and is named like a psychopath serial killer but is far from being one. She’s so kickass, very harsh and seems unlovable but it’s all in her actions, I am not going to go into detail because I don’t want to spoil for anyone who gathers the courage to read this book.
I was one of those people who immediately thought of the Maze Runner a couple chapters in, but as the book went on i forgot all about that book, because aside from being a bunch of teenagers inside a labyrinth with horrifying creatures, the two books have nothing in common. I would definitely see this being a series, and hope it will be considering how this book ended.