Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #3206 in Books
• Published on: 2006-01-11
• Released on: 2006-01-11
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 720 pages

Christina Koning, THE TIMES
'The author has combined an ingenious adventure story with a wonderfully detailed account of the historical background of the Languedoc ... the result is entirely compelling and full of incidental pleasures.'

Review
'a gripping holy grail quest ... the story line runs on knowledge and fun - Carcassonne never looked so good.' (Anthony Sattin SUNDAY TIMES )

'The author has combined an ingenious adventure story with a wonderfully detailed account of the historical background of the Languedoc ... the result is entirely compelling and full of incidental pleasures.' (Christina Koning THE TIMES )

'Pacey and addictive' (Kate Saunders THE TIMES )

Kate Saunders, THE TIMES
'Pacey and addictive'

Customer Reviews

Unconvincing
Whilst the subject matter is interesting to me (and also very fashionable at the moment), this book was a big disappointment. I'm baffled that the critics' reviews and comments are so full of praise for Labyrinth, when the book is poorly written. Given the author's profile in British art and literary circles, were some favours called in?

The story takes an awful long time to get going, and it was a bit of a struggle to get to grips with all the characters and their significance, if any. Whilst the medieval sections were interesting and evocative, I could not muster much feeling for the present day characters.

After forcing myself to get past half way, it all seemed worthwhile. The seeds of the plot started to come together, and for a while I was enthralled.

As the story reached its conclusion though, significant flaws in the plot became apparent, and the story just lost any credibility. At the supposedly dramatic climax, I didn't really care what happened because the plot just left me feeling so unconvinced.

Very disappointing
Like so many other reviewers on this site I had really high hopes for this book. The fact it had been on the Richard & Judy book list suggested it would be the perfect summer holiday read but sadly reading it was like wading through treacle. The idea behind the book is intriguing but it is far too long and drawn out. There are too many subplots that bring nothing to the main story and too many poorly drawn characters for you to really care about them. The last few chapters move quite quickly but it is a long slog to get there. A book like this should be a great addition to your summer holiday - instead it felt like taking on a second job.

Please don't believe the hype and waste your money!
I simply do not understand how this book found a publisher.
The basic idea is great but after that it is down hill all the way. It is the most unsatisfying, clunky, over-descriptive piece of writing I've ever read. Kate Mosse has many contacts in the literary world, it is a shame no-one had the guts to be honest with her, or to introduce her to a decent editor!