Labyrinthine (Thrones of the Forsaken Book 1)

Lara Loves Lit

A Thought Provoking & Emotional Read

"This brilliantly written dark fantasy romance is now one of my top reads of 2026! I was not expecting the depth and emotional turmoil Azhara’s journey and this love triangle would take me on! Just when I’d think I know which man is the best choice for her, the plot twists, the lines blur and the truth shifts. This thought provoking novel reads as a metaphor for the hard life choices we all must make that don’t come with clear answers and/or guarantees, and the courage it takes to trust yourself above all others. Set in a dark and foreboding atmosphere that enhances the anger, grief and loss that makes up Azhara’s life, this mythology inspired retelling pulled me into its grasp within the first pages and kept me throughly enthralled until the end. Azhara’s feminine rage is palpable, and I love how it fuels her independence and informs her decisions and ultimately leads to her growth and development of self trust. Both male main characters care for Azhara and offer her a choice in her fate. I fell for Mallen’s loyalty and fiery commitment to her just as I also loved Darien’s determination to see Azhara as more than a prize. Who would I choose? I'm team Mallen. This slow burn, fierce FMC driven story, is at its heart a tale of a woman chained by fate and conventions who seeks to control her own destiny. I highly recommend this one if you love a book that delivers emotional turmoil on the way to an emotionally triumphant end. ["

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May 17, 2026 Verified Purchase

Roseanna Leigh

#TeamMallen

"In this minotaur inspired tale, Azhara is a cursed princess whose fate is tied to the trials of the Reaping. She's never had a choice - until she is caught between the charming prince, Darian, and her dark guardian, Mallen, shifting a game she always thought she knew. I loved watching Azhara find her strength while navigating her own labyrinth between these two men. Holmes does an expert job of leading you to believe who Azhara will choose in one moment, only to change your mind in the next. There are twists and turns, secrets and betrayals, and an achingly epic romance that any romantasy lover won't want to miss. ["

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May 12, 2026 Verified Purchase

Kelsey Fletcher

Amazing read

"I loved this but everyone in this book is a freakin’ LI👏🏻AR👏🏻 they had me stressed lol. I loved Mallen and I loved Darian but I didn’t trust either of them at all and was so sure they had ulterior motives when it came to Azhara. Azhara’s father? The actual WORST. This was one of my first love triangle stories and I can totally see the appeal. My loyalty kept switching back and forth everytime one of them came on the page🤣 There were a lot of underlying/hidden factors that influenced the behavior of everyone and it was interesting to see how that all played out. There’s quite a few shocking turns of events throughout the story and they were really well done. I loved that Azhara was so powerful even though she had been diminished for so long. There’s not a ton of spice in this but it doesn’t feel like anything is missing because of that. The ending was really satisfying. ["

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May 12, 2026 Verified Purchase

Laura

I really enjoyed this book

"**spoiler alert** Princess Azhara lives under an unholy, blood-bound curse that has stripped her of any real choice in her own future. Each year, her father holds the Reaping—an event that sends would-be suitors into the labyrinth beneath the palace. Whoever survives the trials and emerges victorious earns Azhara’s hand in marriage and, supposedly, the power to break the curse. No one has succeeded yet, and most don’t survive long enough to try. Desperate to escape life inside the palace walls, Azhara attempts to run—only to be stopped by her longtime guardian, Mallen. When he confesses his feelings for her, Azhara is forced to reevaluate the relationship she’s always seen as protection and duty, and to consider what she truly wants for herself. For years, no contender has come close to completing the Reaping; in fact, none have made it past the second trial. This year, however, one suitor changes the pattern entirely: Prince Darian, who approaches the labyrinth with a strategy—and a confidence—no one else has shown. Darian is almost too charming. As he earns Azhara’s trust, he draws out secrets about the curse, her father, and even Mallen. With each trial he survives, the true stakes sharpen—and Azhara begins to realize the labyrinth may not be the only trap closing in around her. By the end, Azhara must choose between her kingdom, her heart, and herself. Review: I found this book really engaging, and the curse-and-labyrinth premise kept me turning pages. That said, I didn’t care for Mallen. To me, he came across as acting entitled to Azhara simply because he confessed first, and he repeatedly reminded her that she had “promised” herself to him. I also found the revelations about Azhara’s father compelling—especially that he blames her for her mother’s death and for “stealing” his magic in the attempt to save her. It really highlights how greedy and determined he is to reclaim what he believes belongs to him. I was genuinely surprised by the ending; even after everything that comes to light, Azhara still ends up with Mallen. I can’t wait for the next book to see how this all plays out. I’m also glad I was able to read the ebook while listening to the audiobook. ⭐ Rating: 4/5 Audiobook and ebook were provided by NetGalley. ["

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May 18, 2026