What can I say. I sobbed, laughed, gasped, felt all the emotions in between. This is a character driven story and the arcs really pay off here, with the cast’s journeys coming to a close. The various relationships in this series have such good moments in Labyrinth’s Heart. It’s angsty with all of masks unveiling and the lies coming to a head. I can’t barely put into words how much this series means to me and this world. The need to belong and the act of choosing one’s own family is woven throughout this story. Found family but at its deepest core.

Ren having a big ass family at the end, I can’t imma cry

There was a lot going on in this book, but to honest, I don’t have problems with how it was concluded. It could’ve had an extra 100 couple pages of breathing room, but I liked how tight it was.

I only wish Grey and Ren had more relationships moments before marriage talk but I’m assuming there was a bit of time jump to address that and off screen moments. I’m also a sucker for yearning and slow burn so that’s Liar’s Knot eats for me! 

The Rook and Rose trilogy juggles lush and vivid worldbuilding, multiple magic systems, and somehow creates 2 sets up for Liganti and Vraszenian customs and religion (even time system needs 2 versions!) in a detailed, intentional manner. The characters are flesh and bone. The plot twisty and layered, complex in all the best ways. At its center, it’s tackles what it means to be in an occupied city and all the identities within it, how to move forward and coexist? As well as, what is family? Where do one fit in this big mess of a world and with whom? 

Grey, Vargo, Ren probably the best trio of characters in hot minute. Their individual dynamics and relationships (and then as a trio) actually meant sm to me this book. Don’t get me started on Alsius and Vargo 😭