Review: Labyrinth's Heart (Rook & Rose #3) by M.A. Carrick

          

Labyrinth's Heart (Rook & Rose #3) by M.A. Carrick

Orbit

Publication Date: August 15th, 2023

Paperback. 639 pages.

About Labyrinth's Heart:

"'Lush, engrossing and full of mystery and dark magic' (BookPage), Labyrinth's Heart is the thrilling conclusion to M. A. Carrick's Rook & Rose trilogy, in which a con artist, a vigilante, and a crime lord become reluctant allies in the quest to save their city from a dangerous ancient magic.

May you see the face and not the mask.

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."

You can find my reviews for books one and two in the Rook & Rose trilogy here:
Book 1: Mask of Mirrors
Book 2: The Liar's Knot

Labyrinth's Heart, the concluding book in the Rook & Rose trilogy, has proven itself to be a highly entertaining and satisfying ending to what has been a stunning series. Since this is the final book in a series, I will be keeping this review a bit sparse on the details in order to avoid any major spoilers. 

Once again, I loved diving back into this world and reuniting with all the wonderful characters created by Carrick. These characters have been through so much throughout this trilogy and I've appreciated following along everyone's resilience amidst their many respective journeys. The characters really stole the show in this book–as they often did in the previous books as well–with their compelling arcs that showcased some remarkable development. Their individual journeys were filled with so many obstacles and allowed each character to understand the importance of trust, empathy, and understanding, and it was very fulfilling to watch them all work through some of the biggest issues. Trust has been a huge component of this series as a whole and I think watching how different characters managed to overcome their doubts or uncertainties and learn to trust one another was truly compelling to follow. 

I don't mind the addition of new characters in a series, but  I didn't love some of the newer characters that were included more in this, such as more 'villain'-type characters that didn't really seem to bring all that much to the table. It was almost as if some of them were brought in more to fill a role than to really have a meaningful purpose. 

Labyrinth's Heart also does not let up on the political machinations and intrigue that have been such a core part of this trilogy, and there were plenty more to explore in this book as well. I found it immensely satisfying to watch all of the previous open plot threads finally come together and actually get so many different questions answered. It's been a long journey full of what seemed like endless secrets, deceit, and uncertainties, and I was often impressed with how Carrick managed to wrap everything up. Because there was so much to cover in this book, I found the pacing fairly consistent through, with a strong mix of action and calmer moments to enjoy. 

At the same time, however, this conclusion did at times feel a little bit as though it was written to fulfill a lot of readers' wishes. While I don't necessarily mind a little wish fulfillment meant to please readers and leave us all feeling satisfied (I mean, does anyone really dislike when a book goes how they want it??), it did sometimes feel like things were a bit too easy, if that makes sense. There were a lot of coincidences or things that just sort of seemed to magically work themselves out in ways that felt a bit too rushed or as though they were just trying to get to an ending. Again, this makes sense because there was a lot that needed to be wrapped up in this book, but I definitely still had that sense of wish fulfillment. 

Laslty, I'd like to briefly touch on how much I've enjoyed learning about this magic system and seeing it develop as our characters also learn more and more about it. There is so much history and lore associated with all the magic and the ways in which this world works that it really makes for a rich and intriguing world and experience. It's a little hard for me to keep track of all the details sometimes, but when I am able to remember everything and keep up and everything clicks into place, it's a wonderful experience and really allows me to enjoy the story to its fullest extent. 

Overall, I've given Labyrinth's Heart 4.5 stars! This has been a phenomenal fantasy series that I believe is severely underrated and I cannot recommend it enough to any fantasy fans that love strong characters and plenty of secrets and intrigue and multiple plot threads. 

*I received a copy of Labyrinth's Heart courtesy of the publisher in exchange for an honest review.*

Buy the book: Amazon | Bookshop.org

Can't-Wait Wednesday: Into Siberia by Gregory J. Wallance & The Curse of Penryth Hall by Jess Armstrong

       

Can't-Wait is a weekly meme hosted by Wishful Endings that spotlights exciting upcoming releases that we can't wait to be released! This meme is based off of Jill @ Breaking the Spine's Waiting on Wednesday meme.

This week's upcoming book spotlights are:

Into Siberia: George Kennan's Epic Journey Through the Brutal, Frozen Heart of Russia by Gregory J. Wallance
Publication: December 5th, 2023
St. Martin's Press
Hardcover. 304 pages.
Pre-order: Amazon | Bookshop.org

From Goodreads:
"In the late nineteenth century, close diplomatic relations existed between the United States and Russia. All that changed when George Kennan went to Siberia in 1885 to investigate the exile system and his eyes were opened to the brutality Russia was wielding to suppress dissent.

Over ten months Kennan traveled eight thousand miles, mostly in horse-drawn carriages, sleighs or on horseback. He endured suffocating sandstorms in the summer and blizzards in the winter. His interviews with convicts and political exiles revealed how Russia ran on the fuel of inflicted pain and fear. Prisoners in the mines were chained day and night to their wheelbarrows as punishment. Babies in exile parties froze to death in their mothers’ arms. Kennan came to call the exiles’ experience in Siberia a “perfect hell of misery.”

After returning to the United States, Kennan set out to generate public outrage over the plight of the exiles, writing the renowned Siberia and the Exile System . He then went on a nine-year lecture tour to describe the suffering of the Siberian exiles, intensifying the newly emerging diplomatic conflicts between the two countries which last to this day. In a book that ranks with the greatest adventure stories, Gregory Wallance’s Into Siberia is a thrilling work of history about one man’s harrowing journey and the light it shone on some of history’s most heinous human rights abuses."

As we know, I love any type of survival/adventure nonfiction story, and I think the fact that this touches on some bigger historical impacts as well should make for a potentially difficult but fascinating read. 

The Curse of Penryth Hall by Jess Armstrong
Publication: December 5th, 2023
Minotaur Books
Hardcover. 336 pages.
Pre-order: Amazon | Bookshop.org

From Goodreads:
"An atmospheric gothic mystery that beautifully brings the ancient Cornish countryside to life, Armstrong introduces heroine Ruby Vaughn in her Minotaur Books & Mystery Writers of America First Crime Novel Award-winning debut, The Curse of Penryth Hall.

After the Great War, American heiress Ruby Vaughn made a life for herself running a rare bookstore alongside her octogenarian employer and house mate in Exeter. She’s always avoided dwelling on the past, even before the war, but it always has a way of finding her. When Ruby is forced to deliver a box of books to a folk healer living deep in the Cornish countryside, she is brought back to the one place she swore she’d never return. A more sensible soul would have delivered the package and left without rehashing old wounds. But no one has ever accused Ruby of being sensible. Thus begins her visit to Penryth Hall.

A foreboding fortress, Penryth Hall is home to Ruby’s once dearest friend, Tamsyn, and her husband, Sir Edward Chenowyth. It’s an unsettling place, and after a more unsettling evening, Ruby is eager to depart. But her plans change when Penryth’s bells ring for the first time in thirty years. Edward is dead; he met a gruesome end in the orchard, and with his death brings whispers of a returned curse. It also brings Ruan Kivell, the person whose books brought her to Cornwall, the one the locals call a Pellar, the man they believe can break the curse. Ruby doesn’t believe in curses―or Pellars―but this is Cornwall and to these villagers the curse is anything but lore, and they believe it will soon claim its next Tamsyn.

To protect her friend, Ruby must work alongside the Pellar to find out what really happened in the orchard that night."

I'm a sucker for anything gothic, historical, and that takes place in a creepy location. I think this sounds like the perfect gothic read for the current season.

Review: Red River Seven by A. J. Ryan

          

Red River Seven by A.J. Ryan

Orbit

Publication Date: October 10th, 2023

Paperback. 304 pages.

About Red River Seven:

"Seven strangers. One mission. Infinite horror.

A man awakes on a boat at sea with no memory of who or where he is. He's not alone - there are six others, each with a unique set of skills. None of them can remember their names. All of them possess a gun.

When a message appears on the onboard computer - Proceeding to Point A - the group agrees to work together to survive whatever is coming.

But as the boat moves through the mist-shrouded waters, divisions begin to form. Who is directing them and to what purpose? Why can't they remember anything?

And what are the screams they can hear beyond the mist?

Internationally bestselling fantasy author Anthony Ryan - writing as A. J. Ryan - delivers a nerve-shredding thriller in which seven strangers must undertake a terrifying journey into the unknown."

Seven strangers wake up on a boat in the middle of the sea, enshrouded by fog, with absolutely no memory whatsoever of who they are, where they are, or why they've been seemingly dropped on boat in the middle of nowhere. We, as readers, know exactly as much as each one of these characters, and we learn more information as they learn it. Because Red River Seven is a book best experienced knowing as much as the characters do–which is to say, next to nothing– I will keep this review on the shorter side and as vague as I possibly can so as not to give away anything. I'd encourage any potential reader to go into this book as blind as possible as well. 

I was excited to see what A.J. Ryan (pseudonym of the well-known fantasy author Anthony Ryan) would do with a dystopian-like thriller premise such as this, and the result has made me curious to see if he'll continue to work within some newer genres. I loved this set up and think it made for a really exciting general story to follow. I loved slowly learning more and more about each character and the "mission" the group appeared to be on. I also found myself riveted by what ended up being the big 'reveal' of what's really going on and how the author explored the concept. At first, I was worried that it was going to end up being somewhat predictable as it seemed to be following some well-worn tropes, but Ryan managed to pull out some new ideas and concepts to make things fresh and exciting, and I was really impressed. 

The eeriness of the setting is spot on and executed with precision. I felt very on edge while reading this and not knowing what was going to be coming next. It definitely helps (or doesn't help?) that there were occasional mentions of human-sounding screams that could be heard off in the distance beyond the fog that surrounds the characters. There's a strong sense of unease that really lets the readers understand just what the characters are going through, and the slow unveiling of more and more clues about what's going on only served to enhance that feeling and experience. 

Even though the characters don't seem to know anything about themselves, I appreciated the ways in which Ryan managed to bring them each to life and still convey very unique personalities and skillsets over time. Because of the way this story is set up, however, I never felt like I fully knew any of the characters, and this did slightly impact my ability to really feel connected to their roles in the story. 

I think something was lacking ever so slightly from this, and it's hard for me to really put my finger on what exactly it was. Usually, in a book with this type of urgency I'd expect to speed through it and be constantly turning pages. With Red River Seven, I felt some sort of disconnect from the story and characters that left me not as fully invested as I'd expect to be. There was something that always seemed to keep at arm's length from really getting into the story, almost as if something about the plotting or writing felt a little rough. That being said, there were still many incredibly strong aspects of this book that worked extremely well, as mentioned above. 

Overall, I've given Red River Seven 3.75 stars! This was a thrilling quest into the unknown that, although didn't quite live up to all of my expectation, still proved to be a solid and highly entertaining story. 

*I received a copy of Red River Seven courtesy of the publisher in exchange for an honest review.*

Buy the book: Amazon | Bookshop.org

Month in Review: October 2023

October has been a crazy month. It had a rough start, there have been a lot of ups and downs, and to be honest I was a little bummed that one of my favorite months was going so poorly, haha. I won't bore you all with the detail, but fortunately things have improved a bit in the last couple weeks so I'm hoping I can hold onto that. This has just been a weird year, so I'm always grateful to have books and the book community to keep me company and feeling better.

Despite a rough month, I actually read a pretty surprising and unexpected number of books! I didn't read a lot that I meant to, and I definitely didn't get to as many of the horror books I wanted to, but I'm absolutely not complaining. Some highlights from this past month include: Never Whistle at Night, Assassin's Quest, Labyrinth's Heart, and The Bell in the Fog!

How was everyone's October? Are you someone that enjoys all things spooky, or do you lay low during this month? Let me know how your month was and what you've been reading!

# books read: 15
   

Never Whistle at Night: An Indigenous Dark Fiction Anthology edited by Shane Hawk, Theodore C. Van Alst Jr.

Source: Owned | Format: Paperback

Thoughts: This was an amazing collection of dark fiction stories! I really loved that there were so many different cultures and I'm excited that I have a list of awesome indigenous authors to check out. I was glad to see some stories from Cherie Dimaline, Waubgeshig Rice, David Heska Wanbli Weiden, an introduction from Stephen Graham Jones, and so many more. 

Anoka by Shane Hawk
Source: Owned | Format: Hardcover

Thoughts: This was a collection of dark fiction I'd been saving for October and it was great. I liked that there was a nice variety and length of stories, as well. 

Assassin's Quest (Farseer Trilogy #3) by Robin Hobb
Source: Library | Format: Audiobook

Thoughts: I still think the highlight of the trilogy is the second book, but this was a really strong conclusion and I am so eager to continue on with Hobb's work. 

The King in Yellow by Robert W. Chambers

Source: | Format: Paperback

Thoughts: I'd had this on my TBR for what seems like years now and I'm glad I finally got to it because it was a fascinating collection of interconnected stories. 

The Blade Itself (The First Law #1) by Joe Abercrombie
Source: Owned | Format: Paperback

Thoughts: This is my second time reading The Blade Itself because I've been wanting to continue the trilogy, and honestly, I'm not sure it's for me? Everything about this book seems like something I should enjoy, but for some reason I can never really get into it?

Head Like a Hole: A Novel of Horror by Andrew Van Wey
Source: Library | Format: Audiobook

Thoughts: This was a pretty trippy horror that I hadn't heard of until pretty much right before I started reading it. I'd recommend it if you like some weird horror!

Red River Seven by A.J. Ryan
Source: Publisher | Format: Paperback

Thoughts: This was very promising, but wasn't executed quite as well as I'd hoped it might be. I loved all the different ideas this played with and thought the concept was really fun. 

These Burning Stars (The Kingdom Trilogy #1) by Bethany Jacobs
Source: Publisher | Format: Physical ARC

Thoughts: I didn't enjoy this nearly as much as I'd hoped, unfortunately, but I'd love to still give the series a shot once the next book is out. 

Knock Knock, Open Wide by Neil Sharpson 

Source: NetGalley | Format: eARC

Thoughts: This was such a complex and surprising horror read, I really had a great time with it. 

Labyrinth's Heart (Rook & Ruin #3) by M.A. Carrick
Source: Publisher | Format: Paperback

Thoughts: This was a wonderful conclusion to a trilogy that I've really loved and that I think is very underrated!

You've Lost a Lot of Blood by Eric LaRocca

Source: Owner | Format: Paperback

Thoughts: I didn't care for this one as much as I've liked some of LaRocca's other work, but still enjoyed the general journey we went on with it. 

The Bell in the Fog (Andy Mills #2) by Lev A.C. Rosen
Source: Publisher | Format: Physical ARC

Thoughts: I've been really loving this Andy Mills series and this was a fantastic sequel. I can't wait for more books in this series!

The Field Guide (The Spiderwick Chronicles #1) by Tony DiTerlizzi
Source: Owned | Format: Paperback

Thoughts: I never read this series as a kid, but I feel like I would've loved it. My husband had told me how much he enjoyed this series as a kid, so I decided to try it out and it was so fun! It definitely skews a little younger middle grade than I tend to read, but I would read the rest for fun, and I think there's an adaptation coming out soon that could be fun to check out as well.

The Bellwoods Games by Celia Krampien
Source: Publisher | Format: Physical ARC

Thoughts: This was a pretty spooky middle grade that I had a really fun time with. 

Falling Out of Time (Running Out of Time #2) by Margaret Peterson Haddix
Source: Publisher | Format: Hardcover

Thoughts: I recently read the first book after it and this book were sent to me by the publisher and I have to say that this definitely didn't live up to the first. It was a fun concept, but pretty much ran way too close to the plot of the first book, so it just felt like a bit of a rehash. 

DNF/To-Be-Finished:

None that I can recall!

 

Last to Leave the Room by Caitlin Starling
The Bell in the Fog (Andy Mills #2) by Lev AC Rosen
Death Valley by Melissa Broder
Two Twisted Crowns (The Shepherd King #2) by Rachel Gillig
These Burning Stars by Bethany Jacobs
Knock Knock, Open Wide by Neil Sharpson
Last Night at the Hollywood Canteen by Sarah James

 Posts:

(other than reviews)

Month in Review: September 2023
Anticipated November 2023 Releases

Blog Memes:

Top Ten Tuesday:
Atmospheric Books

Can't-Wait Wednesday:
10/4: The Temple of Fortuna by Elodie Harper & Same Bed Different Dreams by Ed Park
10/11: The Darkness Before Them by Matthew Ward & The Fiction Writer by Jillian Cantor
10/18: The Narrow Road Between Desires by Patrick Rothfuss & The Liberators by E.J. Koh
10/25: The Kingdom of Sweets by Erika Johansen & Swarm by Jennifer D. Lyle

The Friday Face-Off:

Current Read #16–Horror

Can't-Wait Wednesday: All the Hidden Paths (The Tithenai Chronicles #2) by Foz Meadows & The End of the World is a Cul de Sac by Louise Kennedy

      

Can't-Wait is a weekly meme hosted by Wishful Endings that spotlights exciting upcoming releases that we can't wait to be released! This meme is based off of Jill @ Breaking the Spine's Waiting on Wednesday meme.

This week's upcoming book spotlights are:

All the Hidden Paths (The Tithenai Chronicles #2) by Foz Meadows
Publication: December 5th, 2023
Tor Books
Hardcover. 528 pages.
Pre-order: Amazon | Bookshop.org

From Goodreads:
"The follow-up to Foz Meadows's A Strange and Stubborn Endurance , a sultry political & romantic fantasy exploring gender, sexuality, identity, and self-worth.

With the plot against them foiled and the city of Qi-Katai in safe hands, Velasin and Caethari have begun to test the waters of their relationship. But the wider political ramifications of their marriage are still playing out across two nations, and all too soon, they’re summoned north to Tithena’s capital city, Qi-Xihan, to present themselves to its monarch.

With Caethari newly invested as his grandmother’s heir and Velasin’s old ghosts gnawing at his heels, what little peace they’ve managed to find is swiftly put to the test. Cae’s recent losses have left him racked with grief and guilt, while Vel struggles with the disconnect between instincts that have kept him safe in secrecy and what an open life requires of him now.

Pursued by unknown assailants and with Qi-Xihan’s court factions jockeying for power, Vel and Cae must use all the skills at their disposal to not only survive, but thrive – because there’s more than one way to end an alliance, and more than one person who wants to see them fail."

I absolutely adored the first book in the Tithenai Chronicles, A Strange and Stubborn Endurance, and I genuinely cannot wait to finally get a chance to read the sequel!

The End of the World is a Cul de Sac: Stories by Louise Kennedy
Publication: December 5th, 2023
Riverhead Books
Hardcover. 304 pages.
Pre-order: Amazon | Bookshop.org

From Goodreads:
"In The End of the World is a Cul de Sac the political is intertwined with the personal, as Louise Kennedy reveals how ordinary lives can get caught up in a wider, national drama.

Sarah, abandoned by her partner, sits alone in their brand new house.

Orla, facing the strange revenge of her husband, is forced to judge a contest in the local fête.

Peter raises his daughter in rural seclusion, at what might as well be the end of the world.

Louise Kennedy started writing at the age of forty-seven, and her prose is instilled with a clarity and wisdom born of her own experience. This collection announces a major new voice in literary fiction for the twenty-first century."

I've found I really enjoy checking out collections of short stories from new authors, and I'm intrigued by the theming of this one.

Review: Last Night at the Hollywood Canteen by Sarah James

  

Last Night at the Hollywood Canteen by Sarah James
Sourcebooks Landmark

Publication Date: November 7th, 2023

Paperback. 400 pages.

About Last Night at the Hollywood Canteen:

"Perhaps the best place in 1943 Hollywood to see the stars is the Hollywood Canteen, a club for servicemen staffed exclusively by those in show business. Murder mystery playwright Annie Laurence, new in town after a devastating breakup, definitely hopes to rub elbows with the right stars. Maybe then she can get her movie made.

But Hollywood proves to be more than tinsel and glamour. When despised film critic Fiona Farris is found dead in the Canteen kitchen, Annie realizes any one of the Canteen's luminous volunteers could be guilty of the crime. To catch the killer, Annie falls in with Fiona's friends, a bitter and cynical group―each as uniquely unhappy in their life and career as Annie is in hers―that call themselves the Ambassador's Club."

Hollywood glitz and glamour, mystery, hidden affairs, greed and murder–Last Night at the Hollywood Canteen has it all and more. It's 1943 and playwright Annie Laurence has just arrived in Hollywood to try to revamp her career. Annie quickly makes some new acquaintances, but all are in for a shock when one of them, a harsh film critic not loved by many, is found dead at the popular Hollywood Canteen club. 

What I liked: Sarah James brought the world of 1943 Hollywood to life and I felt completely transported to this cutthroat world where everyone is doing whatever they can to be noticed. There's a pretty large cast of characters in this book and it's a little overwhelming at first, but I soon found them all oddly endearing and couldn't wait to see what role each character would be playing in this murder mystery. I really enjoyed getting to know all of them and their individual personalities. This book is chock full of drama, so it's easy to stay hooked while everything slowly unfolds. It was also highly entertaining getting to dive into this time period of Hollywood and explore the Hollywood Canteen, which was a realclub for servicemen entirely staffed by members of showbusiness. 

What I didn't like: The only real critique I have for this book is that sometimes it felt as though there was just slightly too much going on at times and I sometimes felt myself struggling to keep up with everything. There are so many ties between so many of the characters that you have to make sure you're really paying attention, which is the case for most mysteries, I know, but there were times when I felt like it was a little hard to keep up. 

While this wasn't the most groundbreaking or original historical fiction mystery I've ever read, but it was absolutely worth the read and I had a great time. Overall, I've given Last Night at the Hollywood Canteen four stars!

*I received a copy of Last Night at the Hollywood Canteen courtesy of the publisher in exchange for an honest review.*

Buy the book: Amazon | Bookshop.org

Anticipated November 2023 Releases

Another month needs more new releases! As usual, as we move into the November/December months releases tend to slow down a bit–but that just means we have a better chance of keeping up with them, right? (...right?) I'm looking forward to all of these, but my most highly anticipated release is probably The Temple of Fortuna, the third book in Elodie Harpers incredible Wolf Den trilogy. Anyway, here are some of the many awesome releases being published next month, and be sure to let me know which releases you're most looking forward to (even if I forgot it on this list!). 

The Temple of Fortuna by Elodie Harper || November 23rd -- Amazon | Bookshop.org

The Darkness Before Them by Matthew Ward || November 7th -- Amazon | Bookshop.org

The Narrow Road Between Desires by Patrick Rothfuss || November 14th -- Amazon | Bookshop.org

The Kingdom of Sweets by Erika Johansen || November 28th -- Amazon | Bookshop.org

Same Bed Different Dreams by Ed Park || November 7th -- Amazon | Bookshop.org

The Fiction Writer by Jillian Cantor || November 28th -- Amazon | Bookshop.org

Swarm by Jennifer Lyle || November 7th -- Amazon | Bookshop.org

The Liberators by E.J. Koh || November 7th -- Amazon | Bookshop.org

Godly Heathens by H.E. Edgmon || November 28th -- Amazon | Bookshop.org

Data Baby: My Life in a Psychological Experiment by Susannah Breslin || November 7th -- Amazon | Bookshop.org

The Favorites by Rosemary Hennigan || November 14th -- Amazon | Bookshop.org

The Manor House by Gilly Macmillan || November 7th -- Amazon | Bookshop.org

Warrior of the Wind (The Nameless Republic #2) by Suyi Okungbowa || November 21st -- Amazon | Bookshop.org

Tonight, I Burn by Katharine J. Adams || November 7th -- Amazon | Bookshop.org

Last Night at the Hollywood Canteen by Sarah James || November 7th -- Amazon | Bookshop.org

What are your anticipated November releases?