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158th out of 5,106 books
—
14,162 voters
Labyrinth (Languedoc #1)
by
Kate Mosse
July 2005. In the Pyrenees mountains near Carcassonne, Alice, a volunteer at an archaeological dig, stumbles into a cave and makes a startling discovery-two crumbling skeletons, strange writings on the walls, and the pattern of a labyrinth.
Eight hundred years earlier, on the eve of a brutal crusade that will rip apart southern France, a young woman named Alais is given a...more
Eight hundred years earlier, on the eve of a brutal crusade that will rip apart southern France, a young woman named Alais is given a...more
Paperback, 515 pages
Published
February 6th 2007
by Berkley Trade
(first published July 7th 2005)
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As I was reading this I greatly disliked it at some times and was really into it at other times. It was hard to get into, but overall I liked it more than not.
Mosse's writing made me cringe at times. So much unnecessary description. (Who did her editing? They should be ashamed.) And the passiveness of characters telling each other the story while the reader "listens in" bugged me.
I would have preferred just to have the historical storyline. But I understand why the author needed to have the pr...more
Mosse's writing made me cringe at times. So much unnecessary description. (Who did her editing? They should be ashamed.) And the passiveness of characters telling each other the story while the reader "listens in" bugged me.
I would have preferred just to have the historical storyline. But I understand why the author needed to have the pr...more
For a long time, The Da Vinci Code put me right off books about the Cathars or the Holy Grail, so I was hesitant to pick up Kate Mosse's book. Still, I gave this book a chance, as I'd been impressed with Kate Mosse's work as an interviewer on the BBC's Radio 4. I'm glad that I read it.
This book focuses on the Cathars, a gnostic sect centered in the Pays d'Oc, (modern southwestern France). Several legends have been told about the Cathars, including that they practiced ancient mystical rituals an...more
This book focuses on the Cathars, a gnostic sect centered in the Pays d'Oc, (modern southwestern France). Several legends have been told about the Cathars, including that they practiced ancient mystical rituals an...more
19 likes · like · see review
Most of the other reviewers have compared Kate Mosse's "Labyrinth" favorably to The Da Vinci Code. I didn't read The Da Vinci Code, but given that it was impossible to avoid or ignore, I understand both books tackle some similar themes. The strongest aspect of "Labyrinth" is that the plot is well-paced and engrossing. The back-and-forth between the medieval era and the present day generally works nicely, and the transitions are smooth, or make sense in their placement and timing. Most of the cha...more
9 likes · like · see review
Book Description from Amazon.com
In this extraordinary thriller, rich in the atmospheres of medieval and contemporary France, the lives of two women born centuries apart are linked by a common destiny.
July 2005. In the Pyrenees mountains near Carcassonne, Alice, a volunteer at an archaeological dig stumbles into a cave and makes a startling discovery-two crumbling skeletons, strange writings on the walls, and the pattern of a labyrinth; between the skeletons, a stone ring, and a small leather ba...more
In this extraordinary thriller, rich in the atmospheres of medieval and contemporary France, the lives of two women born centuries apart are linked by a common destiny.
July 2005. In the Pyrenees mountains near Carcassonne, Alice, a volunteer at an archaeological dig stumbles into a cave and makes a startling discovery-two crumbling skeletons, strange writings on the walls, and the pattern of a labyrinth; between the skeletons, a stone ring, and a small leather ba...more
I've read a lot of books on the Holy Grail in my time (some may say an obsessive amount, I prefer to think of myself as thorough) from Le Morte D'Arthur to The Da Vinci Code and sadly this falls into the latter category.
The main difference between Kate Mosse and Dan Brown is that Kate appears to have done her research. Her story's relationship to legend and even actual historical events is a little less tenuous that Brown's, her grasp of English is infinitely better (not hard), as is her grasp...more
The main difference between Kate Mosse and Dan Brown is that Kate appears to have done her research. Her story's relationship to legend and even actual historical events is a little less tenuous that Brown's, her grasp of English is infinitely better (not hard), as is her grasp...more
20 likes · like · see review
Jan 30, 2012
Shovelmonkey1
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
ladies who have large handbags
Recommended to Shovelmonkey1 by:
general ubiquitousness in charity shops
Oh the inner turmoil. Did I enjoy Labyrinth by Kate Mosse or not?
Hold on... what Kate Moss the supermodel lady has written a book?
No, Kate Mosse the author, not THE Kate Moss ... come on, keep up people.
My two inner voices have clashed over this story and so I've given this book a middling 3 out of 5. Here is what my chatty inner voices are bickering over:
LUMPEN ADVENTURE SEEKING BOOK LOVING WEEKEND SOFA SURFER BRAIN
Brilliant. Archaeology ladies get into all sorts of European adventure hi-jinx...more
Hold on... what Kate Moss the supermodel lady has written a book?
No, Kate Mosse the author, not THE Kate Moss ... come on, keep up people.
My two inner voices have clashed over this story and so I've given this book a middling 3 out of 5. Here is what my chatty inner voices are bickering over:
LUMPEN ADVENTURE SEEKING BOOK LOVING WEEKEND SOFA SURFER BRAIN
Brilliant. Archaeology ladies get into all sorts of European adventure hi-jinx...more
21 likes · like · see review
The book, for me, really developted in the last 300 pages. It took me a long time to get past the first part of the book (mainly because of all the not so important descriptions of everything), but after that an amazing and mysterious story was created, which was what I expected when I started to read the book. I would love to give it five stars, but because of the first part I must give it four.
7 likes · like · see review
Labyrinth kept me reading in bed under a nice comfortable duvet for many nights. I love the transition between the two time periods. It was done with finesse.
ugh... this one promised to be slow.I couldn't get past ch.4.The premise has been over used lately.
8 likes · like · see review
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
LABYRINTH BY KATE MOSSE: If only Kate Mosse had published her novel not in 2006, but shortly after the astonishing success of the Da Vinci Code, it perhaps would’ve received the literary respect it deserves, instead of coming last in a slew of novels involving the subjects of the Holy Grail, the Knights Templar, and what they mean in the present day. The quote on the back of the paperback edition from the Kirkus Review really says it all: “A quickly paced adventure that wears its considerable le...more
6 likes · like · see review
This book combines all of the elements that seem to have become the rage for adventure/thriller fiction within the last few years. A Templar-esque secret society, mysterious archaeological discoveries, and drawn out cookie-cutter action scenes make up one half of this novel. the other half takes us back to medieval France where events that are the precursors of the modern story take place. The historical part is far more interesting, seeing as how the modern part consists of hardly anything but...more
what was this. what a disappointment. when i saw the blurb on the back i really thought it'd be right up my street with its historical setting. unfortunately, i didn't heed well-placed advice about the poor quality of mosse's writing. i ignored reviews before that warned about her writing, and came to regret the wasted money. the characters are hideous. their reactions to what other characters say and situations that occur are so beyond the pale it makes you want to tear the book apart. if you w...more
Andava com este livro debaixo de olho desde que saiu, mas só há pouco o comprei por 10€, aproveitando uma promoção. Tanto as opiniões que li, como o próprio livro, comparam-no com o Dan Brown, com a referência que este é mais bem escrito e baseado numa pesquisa mais bem feita. Se é certo que o livro versa sobre a já eterna questão do Santo Graal, tal como "O Código Da Vinci", não é menos verdade que é muito mais histórico que o livro de Dan Brown.
Tal como indica a sinopse, a acção deste livro de...more
Tal como indica a sinopse, a acção deste livro de...more
2 likes · like · see review
One of the biggest UK fiction sellers of 2005, it was part of a 3 for 2 offer in Borders, what the hell, might as well give it a try.
Having finished it, I was slightly disappointed. The story moves at a cracking pace, and it does grab you - I was up at 1am a couple of times, absolutely engrossed. The characters are slightly two-dimensional, but the author does seem to know her stuff when describing the various French locations and history of the region. There are some slightly annoying (and unne...more
Having finished it, I was slightly disappointed. The story moves at a cracking pace, and it does grab you - I was up at 1am a couple of times, absolutely engrossed. The characters are slightly two-dimensional, but the author does seem to know her stuff when describing the various French locations and history of the region. There are some slightly annoying (and unne...more
This pulled at me and repulsed me simultaneously. As a medievalist and amateur historian, I was addicted to learning how Mosse laid out this Grail fantasy. She treats the Cathar subjects well, clearly having spent at least a few hours on Wikipedia researching the matter. My repulsion was, however, centered on the regrettably mediocre writing. Mosse relies on heavy exposition and tosses adjectives and adverbs in like my grandmother does salt. Her characters are poorly developed, largely one-dimen...more
Rating Clarification: 2.5 Stars
Had potential to be a thrilling, page-turning read, but the story never seemed to take off. Instead, both the present and past plotlines meandered on with short moments of good suspense, then with abrupt stops containing filler that did nothing to advance the mystery. The ending, when it finally arrived, was anticlimatic.
2.5 stars because Mosse can write a lovely sense of place. Made even me want to visit southern France, especially the medieval walled castle city...more
Had potential to be a thrilling, page-turning read, but the story never seemed to take off. Instead, both the present and past plotlines meandered on with short moments of good suspense, then with abrupt stops containing filler that did nothing to advance the mystery. The ending, when it finally arrived, was anticlimatic.
2.5 stars because Mosse can write a lovely sense of place. Made even me want to visit southern France, especially the medieval walled castle city...more
3 likes · like · see review
I have to reluctantly admit that I bought this book (at a thrift store) mainly because of the title and cover page. I was intrigued by the idea of an historical fiction book geared towards adults. But after reading the first two chapters I threw it away. I am not certain why as I don't remember any specific details. I do remember that I thought it was better written than many New York Times best sellers but that it wasn't for me.
The inside cover stuff instantly intrigued me. I'm all about mysterious/secret, lesser-known histories. And the story of the Grail is one of the most well-known of the lesser-known histories. Or even myths. While this one doesn't go into my favorite theory, it's such a page turner.
You learn of both Alice and Alais in alternating chapters, and I really have to give the author credit, for both the creativity and the amount of research that went into this book. The language, the history. Truly amaz...more
You learn of both Alice and Alais in alternating chapters, and I really have to give the author credit, for both the creativity and the amount of research that went into this book. The language, the history. Truly amaz...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
1 like · like · see review
Though this novel starts off promising, drawing the reader into the mystery and tantalizing us with fascinating secrets, scandalous relationships, secret societies, a fantastic archealogical discovery...the intrigue pretty much ends in the first few chapters. The reader reaches the end of the book and realizes that the most exciting events in the story have been narrated through conversation of the character, denying the reader the opportunity to "experience" the climaxes of the book. I would on...more
This was very disappointing, it's at least 250 pages too long and the writing leaves much to be desired. The chapters in the past are much better than the ones in the present because things actually do happen and the history of the Cathars & daily castle life in the 1200s is interesting. It starts off intriguing and the landscape descriptions towards the end are quite lovely, but I wasted way too much time on this one. I also thought it was strange to see Mosse's next book looks & sounds...more
Mar 30, 2009
Maribel
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Lovers of the Da Vinci code type books
Recommended to Maribel by:
co-worker
Shelves:
already-read-favorites
Although I was a little dissapointed by some stinted writing and bad editing, Labyrinth still had me sitting on the edge of my seat trying to figure out what is going on. The characters tend to be two dimensional but they draw you in nonetheless. Ms. Mosse sometimes went too far with certain details (Noubel's profusive sweating - what is that about? too much info fer sure, and the sex scenes seemed to have been copied & pasted from a harlequin novel) and then did not give enough detail where...more
This is a grail mystery. There was a time not so long ago that that was all you could find in the new fiction department and so I put off reading it for a while. Thinking it was just a copycat. Having read it - I cant say that it isn't riding the coat tails of DaVinci Code but an acceptable read nonetheless!
It is the story of 2 young womens lives. One is 13th century France and one, a young British woman vacationing in modern day France. It includes mystery, betrayal, rituals and knights. The In...more
It is the story of 2 young womens lives. One is 13th century France and one, a young British woman vacationing in modern day France. It includes mystery, betrayal, rituals and knights. The In...more
(unabridged audiobook read by Donada Peters): A word of warning: if you're sick of books about the Holy Grail, it'd be best to skip this one. The sad part is that this really didn't need to be about the Holy Grail at all. It could have been called anything. Like so many other recent interpretations, this Grail isn't the cup of Christ, and indeed has nothing to do with Jesus at all. The closest you get is the story of the Crusaders versus the Cathars in 13th century France, whose narrative is int...more
I have mixed feelings about this book. Having heard it compared to The Eight by Katharine Neville (which I loved 20 years ago) and The Da Vinci Code (not so much), I decided to read it. A ruthless editor's pencil would have made it much better; crisper writing would have moved the plot along and made it less confusing. The parallel story lines (1209 and 2005 in Languedoc) that converge deal with the Holy Grail, the Crusade of 1209 (northern France against 'heretics' in Southern France and allege...more
This book is too long, too slow and takes itself way too seriously! I got about halfway through the book and i was still waiting for something to happen! The author was still developing the characters 200 pages into the book.
This book had the potential to be historical fiction, suspense or romance and the wuthor's wrtiing style leaned a little too close to the romance genre for my tastes. Her characters were too typical and too perfect. They were either perfect good people or perfect villians an...more
This book had the potential to be historical fiction, suspense or romance and the wuthor's wrtiing style leaned a little too close to the romance genre for my tastes. Her characters were too typical and too perfect. They were either perfect good people or perfect villians an...more
Labyrinth tells parallel stories, one set in the present concerning Alice Tanner, a volunteer at an archealogical dig in France, the other about a seventeen year old girl named Alais and set in thirteenth century France. On her last day at the dig, Alice stumbles into a mysterious cave where she finds two skeletons and a ring with a labyrinth design engraved on it. Before long she's being questioned by a mysterious official, chased by strange men, and having vivid dreams about the past. The drea...more
I read this book some time ago, and have recently been reminded of its sorry existence by the fact that a dramatisation is due to be screened in the not so distant future. Personally, I am proud of having made to the end where so many others fallen in the effort. The writing was diabolical, the plot completely over-blown and all over the place, and the characters were pitifully one-dimensional. Although, I do think it takes a special kind of genius to come up with something this bad, I really do...more
"It is an echo of the past"
The idea of building the plot by having two connected stories, one from the 13th century and one from the 21st, is definitely a good one. The fact that characters from the present, such as Alice, are echoes from ones of the past, as Alais, is not great, but it's OK. However, the main problem this book has is the dichotomy in terms of its quality. it is as if you could tell that Mosse has a lot more fun writing the historical, having to do with the Cathars and the Crusa...more
The idea of building the plot by having two connected stories, one from the 13th century and one from the 21st, is definitely a good one. The fact that characters from the present, such as Alice, are echoes from ones of the past, as Alais, is not great, but it's OK. However, the main problem this book has is the dichotomy in terms of its quality. it is as if you could tell that Mosse has a lot more fun writing the historical, having to do with the Cathars and the Crusa...more
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Is this a time-slip with A Wheel of Stars? | 3 | 23 | Apr 06, 2013 08:22am | |
| Time Travel: Anyone else read "Labyrinthe" by Kate Mos. | 2 | 19 | Mar 17, 2013 06:51pm | |
| as i read | 19 | 155 | Feb 07, 2013 05:12pm |
Kate Mosse is an English author and broadcaster. She is the author of a novel, Labyrinth, which has been translated into more than 37 other languages.
-Wikipedia
Her debut book, Labyrinth has been turned into a two part mini series for television starring Merlin's John Hurt and Katie McGrath and Harry Potter's Tom Felton.
More about Kate Mosse...
-Wikipedia
Her debut book, Labyrinth has been turned into a two part mini series for television starring Merlin's John Hurt and Katie McGrath and Harry Potter's Tom Felton.
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“What we leave behind in this life is the memory of who we were and what we did. An imprint, no more.”
—
35 people liked it
“Do you believe you can change your destiny?' he (Sajhë) said, seeking an answer.
Alice found herself nodding. 'Otherwise, what's the point? If we are simply walking a path preordained, then all the experiences that make us who we are - love, grief, joy, learning, changing - would count for nothing.”
—
13 people liked it
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Alice found herself nodding. 'Otherwise, what's the point? If we are simply walking a path preordained, then all the experiences that make us who we are - love, grief, joy, learning, changing - would count for nothing.”
Feb 15, 2013 03:47pm
Feb 20, 2013 01:26pm