Review: The Beast's Labyrinth

The Beast Labyrinth is the last book I had left to read in Abigail Manning's Fairymyth Chronicles, which combines fairy tales with Greek myths. Now that I have read them all, I have to say this series is fantastic! Every myth is combined with the perfect complementary fairy tale. This book blends "Beauty and the Beast" with the myth of King Minos, turning the Beast into the Minotaur. Many elements from both stories are woven into this book so intricately that I couldn't put it down! It's a heartwarming love story with an unexpected twist at the end.

Theabelle's unwanted suitor takes his courtship a step too far when he threatens to throw her father into a labyrinth-like prison for a crime he didn't commit unless she agrees to marry him. She is faced with an impossible decision that she solves by taking credit for the crime herself, avoiding both the marriage and undeserved punishment for her father. Ceyden, the suitor who framed her father, regrets his actions and gives Thea a rose that is said to hold the key to escaping the labyrinth. In the labyrinth, she encounters Zared, the beast who executes all the criminals who enter it to Underworth. When he learns that Thea isn't actually a criminal, he is perplexed about how to handle her unique situation.

Even though the story doesn't take place in a castle, this book gives strong "Beauty and the Beast" vibes. Anyone who enjoys the romance from the fairy tale will likely enjoy the romance here as well. Thea is selfless, brave, and intelligent, while Zared is misunderstood and troubled by his tragic past. Once they take the time to understand each other, Thea becomes determined to break Zared's curse, while the only thing Zared cares about is freeing her from the labyrinth. From there, the story takes some unexpected turns that make it a staple of the Plot Twist Queen's traditional writing style.

Another thing I enjoyed about this book is the way that all the characters are connected, which goes beyond the traditional stories it's based on. Zared, the Beast, is the brother of Ceyden, the Gaston character, and their father is the creator of the labyrinth. The twist at the end pertains to these connections as well, giving the book a cohesive overall storyline where all the pieces fit perfectly into place and resolve in a satisfying conclusion. It was a pleasure to unravel all the mysteries of the labyrinth until every loose thread got resolved at the end.

The Beast's Labyrinth is a strong entry in the Fairmyth Chronicles, but I think this entire series is fantastic! I highly recommend it to anyone who loves fairy tales and Greek mythology and wants unique retellings that capture the tone of the original stories with new surprises to offer. It was gratifying to see Thea and Zared look past their differences and work together to learn new things about themselves and each other. I also have a newfound appreciation for their cameo in The Dozen Damsels, which is another reason to read the whole series!