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A review by bookish_olga
Labyrinth by Kate Mosse
adventurous
emotional
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Labyrinth by Kate Mosse is an ambitious tale of dual timelines, mysticism, and ancient secrets. Set in both the 13th century and 2005 France, it follows the parallel journeys of Alais, a young woman caught in the chaos of the Cathar persecution, and Alice, a modern-day archaeologist. While the historical backdrop and grail-inspired quest are intriguing, does Labyrinth manage to weave all its elements seamlessly?
What I liked:
✅ Dual Timeline Intrigue – The concept of intertwining two storylines separated by centuries is fascinating. Mosse does a good job of linking Alais and Alice's stories, creating a sense of mystery that spans generations. There’s something captivating about watching these two women’s lives gradually converge, each unraveling pieces of the same ancient puzzle.
✅ Better Than Dan Brown – Let’s be honest: Labyrinth does have a bit of that Dan Brown vibe with its grail quest, secret societies, and sinister villains. But where Mosse succeeds is in the writing itself, which feels richer and more thoughtful. The prose is more polished, and the historical elements feel a touch more grounded.
✅ Well-Researched History – The historical sections, particularly the parts set during the Cathar persecution, are vividly written. You can tell Mosse put a lot of effort into bringing the medieval world to life, from the siege warfare to the religious tensions that shaped that era.
🆗 Too Ambitious – While the dual timeline structure is interesting, it often feels like the story is trying to juggle too many characters and plotlines. With so much going on, the focus on Alais and Alice gets diluted, and I found myself wishing Mosse had tightened the narrative to focus more on these two strong female leads.
🆗 Familiar Territory – As much as I enjoyed the story, it does feel a bit too familiar, especially if you’re well-versed in grail quests and archaeological mysteries. While Mosse certainly elevates the material with her writing, it doesn’t entirely escape the shadow of other similar books in the genre.
Labyrinth is a solid historical thriller with a mystical twist, but its ambition occasionally gets in the way of delivering a more focused story. If you're a fan of dual timelines and love a grail quest, you’ll enjoy the ride. Just be prepared for a bit of Dan Brown-esque territory, but written with a lot more finesse!
What I liked:
✅ Dual Timeline Intrigue – The concept of intertwining two storylines separated by centuries is fascinating. Mosse does a good job of linking Alais and Alice's stories, creating a sense of mystery that spans generations. There’s something captivating about watching these two women’s lives gradually converge, each unraveling pieces of the same ancient puzzle.
✅ Better Than Dan Brown – Let’s be honest: Labyrinth does have a bit of that Dan Brown vibe with its grail quest, secret societies, and sinister villains. But where Mosse succeeds is in the writing itself, which feels richer and more thoughtful. The prose is more polished, and the historical elements feel a touch more grounded.
✅ Well-Researched History – The historical sections, particularly the parts set during the Cathar persecution, are vividly written. You can tell Mosse put a lot of effort into bringing the medieval world to life, from the siege warfare to the religious tensions that shaped that era.
🆗 Too Ambitious – While the dual timeline structure is interesting, it often feels like the story is trying to juggle too many characters and plotlines. With so much going on, the focus on Alais and Alice gets diluted, and I found myself wishing Mosse had tightened the narrative to focus more on these two strong female leads.
🆗 Familiar Territory – As much as I enjoyed the story, it does feel a bit too familiar, especially if you’re well-versed in grail quests and archaeological mysteries. While Mosse certainly elevates the material with her writing, it doesn’t entirely escape the shadow of other similar books in the genre.
Labyrinth is a solid historical thriller with a mystical twist, but its ambition occasionally gets in the way of delivering a more focused story. If you're a fan of dual timelines and love a grail quest, you’ll enjoy the ride. Just be prepared for a bit of Dan Brown-esque territory, but written with a lot more finesse!