Book Review: Labyrinth’s Heart (Rook and Rose, #3) by M.A. Carrick
Cover art illustrated by Nekro XIII
Labyrinth’s Heart by M.A. Carrick
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Series: Rook and Rose (Book #3 of 3)
Genre: Fantasy, High Fantasy
Pages: 688 pages (Kindle edition)
Word Count: 220,000 words
Publish date: 15th August 2023 by Orbit
Labyrinth’s Heart provides a satisfying conclusion to every major characters of the Rook and Rose trilogy.
I could be wrong about this. I am pretty sure I heard from several readers that Labyrinth’s Heart, the third and final book in the Rook and Rose trilogy by M.A. Carrick, is the weakest book of the trilogy. I am unsure whether this counts as an unpopular opinion or not, but I believe this is the strongest installment of the series. I’ve seen some reviews saying they don’t like an ending that closes every plot thread and leaves no room for a potential sequel series. I am, most of the time, the opposite. I love reading a concluding installment that closes and finishes every plot thread satisfyingly, and that’s exactly what Labyrinth’s Heart did. I will leave open-ended endings or unsatisfying endings to Stephen King.
“Honesty: Sometimes it made things better.”
I do not think it is far-fetched to say Labyrinth’s Heart and the entire Rook and Rose trilogy have been a pleasant surprise for me. I initially read this because I wanted to test whether I would enjoy this more than The Memoirs of Lady Trent series by Marie Brennan, and I am glad I gave this trilogy a try. It is a great trilogy, even if it is a flawed one. Time to get my criticism out of the way first. The trilogy is not a smooth ride. In both Mask of Mirrors and The Liar’s Knot, there were several sections where I seriously pondered about giving up on the series. I have mentioned this plenty of times now. To put it simply… In my opinion, the series is too long for its own good. Other readers will have different opinions, but for me, in all three books (including Labyrinth’s Heart), there were some sections I did not care about. This dragged the intensity of the pacing. Fortunately, this phenomenon is rarer in Labyrinth’s Heart. As I said, it is my favorite of the trilogy, after all.
“You and Ren… you’re two birds from one egg, Grey had said. Hardened by the world, but a short drop away from cracking. Too willing to use people like tools; too wary of being used by others.
I enjoy reading a trilogy that builds upon the foundation laid in the previous books. Lies, truths, and consequences have always been a strong driving factor of the narrative in the Rook and Rose trilogy. Carrick raised the stake in the second half of The Liar’s Knot, and the duo did not let this go in Labyrinth’s Heart. The heavy consequence of the lies caused by the multiple identities of Ren/Renata/Arenza/Black Rose and her actions have finally come to the climax in Labyrinth’s Heart. But going beyond that, without going into spoilers, there were key elements and storylines from The Mask of Mirrors that the author touched upon as well. All these situations do not apply exclusively to Ren. The other two characters, Grey and Vargo, are perpetrators of lies. They, too, need to fully understand that honesty and trust are a must and requisite to develop a healthy relationship and friendship between one another. Especially when they’re about to face the deadliest threats and dangers they’ve ever encountered.
“Those bonds didn’t erase past wrongs, didn’t transform him into a better person. But they gave him a reason to try again when it all went to shit. To look for people he could trust to help him drag the chaos kicking and screaming into a semblance of order.”
Family, forgiveness, friendship, ambition. Ren’s relationship between Donaia and the Traemaentis family was a bit neglected in The Liar’s Knot, but that’s not the case in Labyrinth’s Heart. Ren’s relationship with everyone she cared about definitely received their respective spotlight. However, although Ren is the main character of the trilogy, I cannot say she is my favorite character of the trilogy. My favorite character in the trilogy (surprisingly) is Vargo. M.A. Carrick did a wonderful job developing Vargo as a character. I enjoy reading a character that is beyond their first impression. And in the case of Vargo, it enhanced my reading experience that he is, as it turns out, someone who genuinely cares about friendship. Not only with Ren and the complex conflicts with Grey. I cannot even go into the details of his bond with Alsius. This, I believe, is something readers have to read and experience themselves. But I will just say I am incredibly impressed and heart-warmed by the progression of the characters’ stories up to their eventual satisfying conclusion.
“I’m honoring what my brother said to us both. Peace can only be found in making peace between us.”
Labyrinth’s Heart is the strongest installment in the Rook and Rose trilogy. As I mentioned throughout my review of each book, even though it is true the series is too long for its own good, I do not regret reading this trilogy one bit. I am satisfied with it. If you often enjoy reading a character-driven trilogy with a strong focus on political intrigues, lies, and manipulations in a Venetian-inspired high fantasy setting, the Rook and Rose trilogy is worth your attempt. Labyrinth’s Heart served the balance between somber, happy, and tense moments delicately. I know I will continue my reading of The Memories of Lady Trent because I know how capable Marie Brennan (and Alyc Helms in this trilogy) are as a storyteller now with endings.
“We will meet again, when the road leads you home… When the river meets the sea.”
Series Review:
The Mask of Mirrors: 3.5/5 stars
The Liar’s Knot: 4/5 stars
Labyrinth’s Heart: 4/5 stars
Rook and Rose Trilogy: 11.5/15 stars
You can order this book from: Amazon | Blackwells (Free International shipping)
I also have a Booktube channel
Special thanks to my Patrons on Patreon for giving me extra support towards my passion for reading and reviewing!
My Patrons: 406Raider, Alfred, Aliysa, Ambrosius, Andrew, Andrew S, Annabeth, Anne, Arliss, Barbara, Bev, Cade, Chris, Christopher, Crystal, Cullen, Dan, Donuts, Dylan, Edward, Elias, Erich, Feanor, Francesca, Frank, Gary, Gregory, Hamad, Helen, James, Jason, Jeff, Jenn, Jesse, Johnny, Joie, Jonathan, Katrina, Kim, Kristina, Lara, Lourdes, Luis, Melinda, Michael, Michael, Mike, Miracle, Mordie, Nicholas, Radiah, Rando, RCT, Redmischief, Rue, Samiadji, Samuel, Sarah, Scott, Sean, Shawn, Stephanie, Trish, TS, Wendy, Wick, Woodman, Xero, Yuri, Zoe.