Review copy was received from Publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Labyrinthine by CJ Holmes Narrator: Paige Reisenfeld
Series: Thrones of the Forsaken #1
Published by Tantor Audio on May 12, 2026
Genres: Fantasy Romance
Length: 12 hours, 44 minutes
Format: Audiobook
Source: Publisher
Goodreads
Amazon,Ā Audible,Ā Libro.fm,Ā Barnes & Noble,Ā Apple
Princess Azhara was born cursed. Marked by ancient magic. Promised to an unholy bargain sealed in blood. When the Reaping begins, suitors will descend into the labyrinth beneath the palaceāeach one fighting to win her hand or die trying.
She's never had a choice. Not in the Reaping. Not in her future. Not even in the power buried beneath her skin.
Until now.
The golden prince arrives with charm too slick to trust and eyes that gleam with secrets. Her quiet guardianāonce her only constantāhas begun to keep dangerous truths from her. And as the labyrinth trials unfold, Azhara realizes the maze isn't her only trap.
What I was really hoping for was a deep dive into the Labyrinth from Greek mythology. Ā The twisting maze, the monstrous Minotaur lurking at its heart, and the deadly trials within. Instead, Labyrinthine the first book in a new series Thrones of the Forsaken by C.J. Holmes leans heavily into a romance driven love triangle between Princess Azhara, her lifelong guard Mallen, and Prince Darian, the handsome outsider who arrives to break the kingdomās curse. The story is far more about longing, jealousy, and romantic choice than about adventure or the mythic maze itself.
My 20-to-25-year-old self would have devoured the tension between the stoic, protective guard who has stood by Azhara since she was ten and the charming prince who sweeps in to solve the Labyrinth and win both the kingdom and the princessās hand. At nearly double that age, though, Mallenās fierce guardianship started to feel more like possessive imprisonment.Ā Heās willing to kill anyone who threatens āhisā prize.Ā While Darianās polished courtship simply offered a different kind of cage.
The romance itself moved quickly for my taste. Mallen declares his love almost at the outset, drawing on years of shared history that are gradually revealed. For Azhara, who has been so sheltered, this is her first real experience of romantic attention. When Prince Darian arrives with his smooth politicianās charm, sheās suddenly torn, wondering if she could feel something for him too. The insta-love elements and the rapid emotional whiplash kept me from fully investing in the triangle.
Where the book shines is in its writing and emotional core. C.J. Holmes delivers lovely prose and evocative imagery throughout, perfectly capturing Azharaās desperate longing: her need to escape the chains and curse binding her to the kingdom, the dangerous magic trapped inside her, and above all her yearning for someone who will love her, not the title she carries. One line in particular stayed with me:
āHe saw the ruin in me and called it cathedral. He survived the storm of me and named it beautiful.ā
What the story was lighter on and what I missed most, was actual adventure inside the Labyrinth. The prince is supposedly sent on a deadly quest to break the curse or die trying, yet he still gets plenty of unhurried time to court the princess. The Labyrinth trials are divided into three distinct events, with two needing to be passed before the final challenge, but they never quite delivered the immersive, high-stakes maze experience Iād been craving. I would have loved to see that portion expanded or handled differently; it was the element I was most excited about going in.
I also wish the magic system had been explained more clearly. Azharaās power is fascinating (she leaves death in her wake) but I never fully understood how it worked or why until possibly the very end, after she enters the Labyrinth herself.
Overall, Labyrinthine is a strong choice for readers who want a character-focused fantasy centered on romance, longing, and a love triangle rather than magic systems or mythic action. The writing is beautiful, the emotional payoff at the end is satisfying, and Azharaās final romantic decision is given the space it deserves. If youāre in the mood for heartfelt yearning over pulse-pounding adventure, this one will deliver.
āSome women want to shine like stars,ā he says slowly, ābut I think you want to be the lightning that splits the skies.ā
Narration:
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Sound Effects: none
Paige Reisenfeld is a new to me narrator.Ā She is the solo narrator of the book as it is told only from Azhara’s PoV.Ā I enjoyed her voice and character voice choices.Ā She did a good job differentiating between the three main male characters:Ā The King, Mallen and Darian making each of there voices distinctive.Ā I liked her performance, but the pacing was a little slow for me.Ā I usually listen to books at a 1.5x speed, but I needed to bump this up to 1.75x to make the flow right for me.
Listen to a clip: HERE
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It sounds like the ‘deep dive’ into Greek mythology you were hoping for might not be exactly what the story delivers, which can sometimes be a mixed bag for listeners. However, the twist that the labyrinth itself is a trap, alongside the secrets kept by her guardian, really adds a compelling layer of psychological tension to the plot.
Greek mythology!!!!!
Sorry this one didn’t live up to what you’d hoped for. But glad it at least had some aspects you did enjoy. Great review!
Thanks…I think 25 year old me would have had a blast with this though.