Book: Labyrinth of Shadows by Michaela Riley
Reviewed by Jill's Twisted Spicy Reads
Rating: 4/5
⭐️ 4.5 Stars
🎧 Narration: 4 Stars
Labyrinth of Shadows: The Witch’s Rebirth Part I by Michaela Riley was an amazing immersive read!
Merona still dreams about being executed in 1590 Copenhagen, when she lived as Anna Koldings. Now she has been reborn as something older and more powerful—someone foretold by ancient seers and hunted across centuries by the demon Armaeus.
Born on a sacred altar on Samhain night, Merona must separate who she is now from who she was in her past life. The labyrinth marking her arm pulses with inherited power, while memories of injustice and flames continue to haunt her. If she cannot reconcile her past-life memories with her present purpose, Armaeus could destroy everything she was reborn to protect.
This book blends epic dark fantasy, Celtic mythology, reincarnation, forbidden magic, ancient prophecy, and a fated romance that spans millennia. I loved the deeper question at the heart of the story: Is destiny something that happens to you, or is it something you choose to fight for?
The world-building is incredibly detailed, and I felt completely transported into Merona’s dark and dangerous world. There is a lot of history, mythology, and lore to absorb, but it gives the story an enormous scope and makes Merona’s journey feel like only one piece of an ancient war that has been raging for centuries.
Abby Filsinger’s performance earned 🎧🎧🎧🎧 from me. Her narration brought additional emotion and atmosphere to Merona’s story and made this a wonderful book to read and listen to together.
This is Part I of an incomplete eight-book series, but Cauldron of Dagda Part II and Spear of Lugh Part III are already available—and I am absolutely continuing this journey!
Labyrinth of Shadows has also earned incredible recognition, winning the Big Book Award in Fantasy and being named a FAVORITE in the Epic Fantasy category at the 2026 Independent Press Award.
If you love epic dark fantasy, witches, Celtic mythology, past lives, ancient prophecies, powerful heroines, demons, and fated love that stretches across lifetimes, this book belongs on your TBR!