So good that I know I’ll re-listen over and over

This was one of those books that I listened to amidst a bunch of others from the free catalogue. Reading the title details I was instantly captured by the idea of a female who hadn’t met a game she couldn’t win, a puzzle solver in a high stakes life-death competition with labyrinths.

I’m always hoping to read books about intelligent and strong willed females, even more so if they have had to fight for who they are and to live life in a way that works for them - and this book did not disappoint, in fact it continued to impress with insightful and nuanced depictions of characters, a well thought-out geo-political situation, a well balanced and layered plot and solid world and universe build.

The stories of each character’s history, appearances and ends were all wonderfully integrated throughout. The ending was delicious! Tying the stories of the characters up within a story, a greater context, of the beginning, middle and end of the world and universe.

It is a book complete unto itself - often I’m left wanting more when I read a stand-alone book but this once was brought to completion well after the place I expected it to end. I was so happy and intrigued to see how many hours of reading were left after I reached that point.

Those extra hours did not disappoint. I didn’t once feel the story was being dragged out after a point of possible completion. The story moved further into the future to close all the open loops and stories of each character. It left me feeling satisfied and impressed by the sense of completion rather than an unpleasant longing for more.

The narrator did a fantastic job. I didn’t think of the narration, or cringe once - a sign for me that the narrator was well chosen and skilled at her craft.

If the idea of a high integrity female (who can change her appearance at will?! So cool) applying her mind and will for purposes that change and deepen in meaning as her experiences evolve; creating true change by being true to herself and her sense of justice; growing through the facing her past, self and demons whilst unexpectedly capturing the attention of a strong male who softens within the rightness of finding the ‘right’ woman who strengthens, supports and grows in pride and respect for his female - appeals to you, then this might be worth a read

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1 person found this helpful

loved it

A nice surprise. The description doesn't do it justice. Other books would have diluted this by turning it into a series, but I loved that instead it's a quality novel with a little politics, space, biological warfare, well played out personalities as well as the central romantic comedy. I'd love to listen to more by this author.

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