I am a member of the American Library Association Reading List Award Committee. This title was suggested for the 2021 list. It was not nominated for the award. The complete list of winners and shortlisted titles is at <a href="https://rusaupdate.org/2021/02/2021-reading-list-years-best-in-genre-fiction-for-adult-readers/">

I wasn't able to read the book but I will be featuring it in a series called "I Wish I'd Read That." Text below:

Mazes of Power hooked me with its promise of political intrigue and the turmoil that follows when the whole system comes crashing down. The description reads as a modern day Game of Thrones, complete with a wild roster of characters who get gradually more intense. I’m bummed I didn’t make it into this world and would love to hear what all of you thought in the comments! Read more about the author and book below, or purchase a copy for yourself. And of course, a big thank you to DAW for the free review copy!

Thank you to Berkeley Publishing Group and NetGalley for granting me an advance reader copy in exchange for my honest review.

Mazes of Power creates a whole new world for the reader. I have to say this world caused my quite a bit of confusion at the beginning. There are many different classes of society that intermingle and determining the order without flipping back to the info page at the front was a little difficult.

That being said, once I got the hang of the new lingo, this book was pretty good. There are a lot of well developed characters and the fight between the twelve families for the right to be an heir to the throne was a great story line. Mazes of Power is filled with drama, some believable, some not. I could believe the family drama with sibling rivalry, but the pace at which people fell in love (within seconds and more than once) seemed a little questionable.

I was surprised at the end, and it was evident the author is going to follow up with another book. I was anticipating a little more change in the corrupt society by the end, but I guess that’s what we have to look forward to in book 2!

(I already directly sent my blurb to an editor at the imprint, but this is what I posted on Goodreads and LibraryThing.)

THIS BOOK IS SO GOOD. I was blessed to be sent an advance copy from the publisher, and more than happy to send back a blurb:

"Mazes of Power is a gasp-inducing political Hunger Games packed with intrigue, assassins, and stunning social dynamics. I didn't want it to end!"

Seriously, preorder this so you can get your hands on it on February 4, 2020. But don't start reading too close to bedtime, or you'll be in trouble...