Labyrinth's Heart completes the “Rook and Rose” trilogy by M. A. Carrick (in real life, Marie Brennan and Alyc Helms). The story began in the Venice-like city of Nadežra with the arrival of con-artist Ren, bent on impersonating a long-lost cousin of an aristocratic family and thereby worming her way into rank and riches. An uneasy peace between the nobility and the natives they oppress barely holds in the city. Between the Robin Hood-like Rook (which turns out to be not an individual person but a vocation transmitted through a magical mask), gangs tussling for territory, and the mind-controlling medallions left over from “the Tyrant,” Ren soon finds herself acting several, mutually incompatible roles. One of them, by the way, is a reader of special tarot-like cards, a “patterner.”

At the beginning of Labyrinth's Heart, Ren’s precarious balancing act comes crashing down with the arrival of a scheming social climber who knows her true story and will not stop at pressuring Ren to get what she wants, even at the expense of Ren’s now beloved family. Ancient malice awakens, the oppressed classes rise up against tyranny, and mystery piles upon mystery.

The three volumes weave together old evils, cursed clans, transcendent magic, political corruption, social upheaval, and a love story or two. Together, they form a long, slow simmer of a story that shines with its sympathetic characters and rich cultural setting. The cards used for “patterning” divination are particularly vivid, with a cohesion and archetypal resonance that makes them utterly believable. (The authors designed a deck of these cards that will soon be available.)

I’m a huge fan of the work of the authors and I loved these books. However, since this is a review, I must offer a few caveats. One is that the volumes should be read fairly close together. It had been several years since I read the middle book, and I found myself struggling to recall too many events, characters, place names, and clan relationships.

Two, a corollary, is that Labyrinth's Heart is not a stand-alone. There’s simply too much backstory for a book entire in itself, although the authors make a valiant attempt to supply synopses of previous books, character lists, glossary, etc.

Three is that one challenge of such a long, complex story lies in the sheer number of characters, each with a backstory. The inevitable result is that Ren, who was the front-and-center protagonist at the beginning, fades from time to time into a lesser position when everyone else’s story comes to a climax and resolution. Along with that complexity comes a multiplicity of endings. It’s a bit like the final volume of The Lord of the Rings, where the story does not end with the destruction of the One Ring or even with the hobbits returning home. Indeed, it goes on for chapter after chapter, and so, too, does the “Rook and Rose” saga. This is a good thing for readers who are sad to say good-bye to this marvelous world and its people; not so much for those who want a single, definitive “they lived happily ever after.”

A minor point is that Grey Serrado (Ren’s love interest, among other roles) has grown up thinking he was cursed (what looks like psychological child abuse turns out to have a basis in reality). How that came about and how it’s resolved play out in Labyrinth's Heart. The problem for me is that I never picked up on his being cursed in the first two books, so I was a bit taken aback when it became an important secondary thread. All these are minor quibbles, however, compared to the grand, sweeping scope of the books.

I leave you with one of the many beautiful, poetic lines from “Rook and Rose”:
May you see the face and not the mask.

This is easily one of my favorite books. The characters' relationships and their development throughout the book was endearing, and I was so invested in their stories. The magic is really interesting and kept me intrigued. The world building was a bit complex but very well done! This was such a fantastic conclusion to an excellent series.

Thank you Netgalley and Orbit Books for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!

after falling in love with the first two books in this series i was expecting the same to happen with labyrinth's heart. instead i have to admit that i was left disappointed.

the ending wasn't what i was hoping for and it was such a waste of good characters an great plot up until that point.

The strongest and best aspect of this book are the characters. They are complicated, interesting, and feel vibrant, truly a joy to experience.

Ooh, I loved this! What a fun world and interesting cast of characters. I'd heard amazing things and I really had a blast with this. Can't wait to read more and get a copy for my own shelf!

I really enjoyed this book and this whole series. What a wild ride it was. I was hooked from the beginning and could not put it down. I cannot wait to read more by M.A. Carrick.

Thank you so much to the publisher and Netgalley for the e-ARC! I will be reviewing and/or showcasing this book on my social media accounts when I can. Thanks again very much appreciated and looking forward to this book!

What a disappointment,

This book lacked depth for me and in some places it felt like reading a fan fiction. The first two book paid such close attention to detail and for whatever reason this installment just did not do the same. I was shocked.

This is officially the blueprint for the perfect fantasy trilogy. What an excellent finish to what is now one of my favorite fantasy series ever. The world in this series is endlessly fascinating, so deep and rich and full of life. There was no sophomore slump with the second book and the third book did not disappoint either. I love these characters so much and I am so sad to let them go!

This was a fantastic conclusion to a favorite series of mine. It is hard to mention anything specifically this far into a series but I can say with pretty strong confidence that if you are a fan of this series and love these characters you are in for a fantastic time!

This series has been such a treat to read. The way everything came together was absolutely perfection. I'll be thinking about this story and these characters for a long time to come.

Read this series for:
- secret identities
- political intrigue
- pretty lies
- high society drama
- vigilante energy
....& more!

Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for providing me with a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

Oh my goodness I can’t believe this series is over? What an amazing thrill ride of fantasy, romance, and mystery.

This was one of my most most anticipated reads and finales of the year. But unfortunately it failed to hit the mark. Now let me explain. I have been in a slump for most of the year and I thought this one would get me out of it. So i pushed through the book evn though I was not in the right mood for it. So I ended getting into an even worse slump. Not the book’s fault in anyway. It’s all on me. Coz the authors did full justice to the finale and the characters. It was absolutely as intricately plotted and expertly tied together as I expected it to be but unfortunately my mood didn’t cooperate. I am giving it a 3/5 for now but this is is a book I would definitely come around and reread again and I am pretty sure my rating will change drastically after that.

This series has been, in my humble opinion, extremely underrated. It’s complex, the characters are morally gray and flawed, and the world building is detailed and thorough, and the writing itself is very well done. This is what I consider a true fantasy novel. Ren is such an interesting character. I loved her arc and watching her overcome all of her struggles, both past and present.

This entire series was fantastic and such an adventure.

I loved the mixture of tarot and magic. A great and we’ll rounded ending.

I did find this info dumpy at times. I don’t mind this when it comes to world building but by book 3 I find this not necessary.

This was a fantastic book. I loved the first two in the series - the worldbuilding is so complete and extensive. I definitely had to google a refresher before reading this installment. I love all the characters, and everyone has dimension.

Thank you netgalley for providing this arc in exchange for an honest review.


I’m gonna be honest here…. This did not have an archive date set when I got it, so I thought I had time. Just now to realize it is gone… uh.. well.. sorry. Sure the books amazing though!

It felt so good to see what became Ren and the crew. I loved everything about this book. I would highly recommend this trilogy. If you are on the fence about it don’t be, just dive in head first.

Labyrinth's Heart is the final book in the Rook & Rose series. I'd been waiting for what felt like forever to read this one, and now I'm sad it's over. Many things come to a head, including the clash between the social classes. Loose ends are also tied up, even those I forgot about. There are so many things that happen in the series, but the part that lingered longest was the heartwarming end. Despite the deception at the heart of the plot, the story has always been about family and belonging. I was enveloped in warmth knowing Ren, Vargo, and Grey got the endings they deserved. I loved this series. Each book was a tome, but every page was worth it

This is one of my favourite fantasy series of all time now, and this finale capped off the trilogy in such an appropriate way! It was a joy to read and such a phenomenal ride. I would absolutely recommend the Rook & Rose to fans of intricate adult fantasy who love to be entertained!