Author: Lori M. Lee
Format: ebook (Galley; honest review requested)
Pages: 335
Rating: 7 out of 10
Summary (from the gates of Goodreads): In the Labyrinth, we had a saying: keep silent, keep still, keep safe.
In a city of walls and secrets, where only one man is supposed to possess magic, seventeen-year-old Kai struggles to keep hidden her own secret—she can manipulate the threads of time. When Kai was eight, she was found by Reev on the riverbank, and her “brother” has taken care of her ever since. Kai doesn’t know where her ability comes from—or where she came from. All that matters is that she and Reev stay together, and maybe one day move out of the freight container they call home, away from the metal walls of the Labyrinth. Kai’s only friend is Avan, the shopkeeper’s son with the scandalous reputation that both frightens and intrigues her.
Then Reev disappears. When keeping silent and safe means losing him forever, Kai vows to do whatever it takes to find him. She will leave the only home she’s ever known and risk getting caught up in a revolution centuries in the making. But to save Reev, Kai must unravel the threads of her past and face shocking truths about her brother, her friendship with Avan, and her unique power.
My Thoughts:
Can I just take a moment to talk to you about how beautiful everything about this novel is? I mean, that cover is fantastic (although this is my first time seeing it.) The font, as silly as it sounds to say, was amazing. The chapter opening? Perfect for the story. I pathetically got excited every time I say the threads.
Okay, but actual stuff that we care about.
There was a perfect amount of description in this novel. I wasn't sure where the novel was going but I didn't really care all that much. I was in the moment with this one. I read it too fast, so it was a brief moment, but still it was a good time. I thought the use of language was good. It was clear that effort was put in to choose the perfect words. I liked that a lot.
It was upsetting to find another novel where this is something special about the main character but I suppose there really is nothing that can be done about that. I find as much as I tire of reading about "special" or "unique" girls, I find normal girls just as boring. This was another book with fun character names, especially when we get to Death and Famine and Conquest. Those, by the way, were a very interesting idea. I wish it was expanded upon a little bit more, but I guess that's what the next novel is for. One special thing about this novel (as small and stupid as it is) is that Avan claims its "not all about gender" sometimes. It plays a lot to the times but I don't care. Deal with it.
I hate when the main character is manipulated by people. I hate that people manipulate people. Why can't we all just get along? Huh? Why not?
Finally, I thought that the ending was find of crap. I mean, it made sense. Soon enough, I saw it coming (right before but still). Just...like, oh this is hard without spoiling anything...let it go. Move on.
Final Thoughts: This novel is beautiful with its interesting characters and fantastic description of a world so unlike my own, that I want to follow my uniquely named new found friends to find out what the solution to all of this is going to be. What is going to happen next? How is it going to end? Apparently, you don't find out until the next novel...Guess I'll have to keep an eye out for it.
This was a great introduction into a new series. Lori’s writing style is fantastic, she pulled me right in and there were many times I did not want to stop reading even though I had to, to either go to bed or go to class. I flew through this book in under 24 hours. That is how much I loved it. I’m also really glad I have a galley of the second book, The Infinite. So I can jump right into that without having to wait!
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