Editorial Reviews and Awards

★★★★★ Literary Titan

"The Witch's Rebirth by Michaela Riley is a gripping historical fantasy novel that weaves magic, destiny, and resistance into a dark and immersive tale. Set against the backdrop of 5th-century Gaul and later 16th-century Denmark, the novel follows Anna, a midwife accused of witchcraft and a lineage steeped in mystical power. The novel explores the rise and fall of rulers, ancient prophecies, and the enduring struggle between fate and free will. Through detailed storytelling, Riley transports readers into a world where history and myth blur, crafting an evocative journey of transformation and resilience.

From the very first pages, I was captivated by Riley's ability to create atmosphere. The opening scene in which Anna is dragged through the streets of Copenhagen is harrowing and filled with raw fear and injustice. The sensory details—the cutting cobblestones, the jeering crowd, the smoke curling from the waiting pyre—make it impossible not to feel Anna's dread. The historical weight of these events is palpable, and Anna's silent suffering, followed by an unexpected, supernatural twist, sets the stage for an unforgettable transformation.

Beyond the immediate horror, what struck me most was how the novel balances its historical roots with elements of myth and magic. The story of the Merovingians, rumored to have fey blood and arcane abilities, adds a fascinating layer. The way Riley intertwines their supernatural legacy with real historical upheaval gives the book a sense of depth and authenticity. The legend of the Deep Ones, the whispers of ancient powers, and the role of the gods create an eerie and mystical undertone that lingers throughout the story. Clovis, the young Merovingian prince, emerges as a compelling counterpart to Anna's journey, bound by destiny yet desperate to carve his own path. His curiosity about his origins mirrors Anna's struggle against the fate others have forced upon her, making both storylines equally engrossing.

The writing itself is fluid and evocative and, at times, leans heavily into dramatic descriptions. The book thrives in its character-driven moments. One of my favorite aspects was Mairead, the priestess who guides the people of Gaul through prophecy and fear. Her presence grounds the novel, providing both wisdom and a sense of inevitability to the story. The villagers' uncertainty and the looming dread of the supernatural made her chapters some of the strongest. Meanwhile, the antagonist, Armaeus, a daemon with his own dark ambitions, adds a layer of thrilling menace that keeps the stakes high.

Labyrinth of Shadows: The Witch's Rebirth is a layered tale that will appeal to fans of historical fiction, dark fantasy, and stories of witches reclaiming their power. If you love novels like The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova or The Once and Future Witches by Alix E. Harrow, this book is worth diving into. Riley delivers an intricate and haunting tale filled with mystery, magic, and the resilience of those history sought to erase."

★★★★★ Literary Titan.

In 1590, as the night sky exploded in Copenhagen, Denmark, Anna Holdings was burned at the stake for being a witch. She and the crowd watching did not know magic was in play to fulfill an ancient prophecy. In 478 AD, 12-year-old Clovis dreams about a witch wanting his help to restore peace and balance in Gaul. During an ancient Celtic celebration called the Samhain in the village of Septimania, a baby suddenly appeared on the stone altar. High Priestess Mairead raises the baby as her daughter and names her Merona, as she believes she is a gift from the gods to fulfill a prophecy. Why does Mairead think this? What is the connection between Anna, Clovis, Merona, and the prophecy? What is the prophecy?

Labyrinth of Shadows: The Witch's Rebirth by Michaela Riley is an intriguing book in which the author gives significance to Celtic prophecies, runes, ceremonies, rituals, gods, goddesses, incantations, witches, dragons, and demons. Michaela Riley’s superior writing skills let me visualize the smelly demons and the forest trees with serpent-like vines twisted around their branches. Merona's fear, doubt, and resolve were palpable throughout the book. The quote by John O'Donohue, "Once the soul awakens, the search begins and you can never go back," was my favorite. I enjoyed the many thought-provoking life lessons in this book. One example is that all journeys begin with one step.

I encountered very few flaws in this book. The Kindle version does not have the apostrophe in the word "Witchs" in the header, but it does in the samples of the ebook and paperback versions. There is some repetition at the end of Chapter 5. The names Ane Holdings, Ane Koldings, and Anna Holdings were confusing because I did not know if they were typos or different versions of the same name in past lives. I assumed they were due to the character's past lives and did not consider them errors.

I gave this professionally edited book 5 out of 5 stars because none of the above negative aspects affected my enjoyable reading experience. There were only a few errors that were not distracting. The book also contains many words of wisdom that readers can learn from. I look forward to reading more books in the series.

Anyone who enjoys books about witches, demons, dragons, and Celtic mythology will enjoy reading this one. It is suitable for all readers because it combines pagan and Christian religions and is free of profanity.

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Labyrinth of Shadows: The Witch's Rebirth

Review #1: Review by Alex Ndirangu

Reviewed by:

Alex Ndirangu

Review Rating:

5 Stars - Congratulations on your 5-star review! Get your free 5-star seal!

Reviewed by Alex Ndirangu for Readers’ Favorite

In Michaela Riley’s Labyrinth of Shadows, it’s the year 494 AD. Humans are locked in deadly combat with legions from the depths of hell. When the world was young, witches were respected. They fought alongside great warriors, battled mythical beasts, and shaped the very fabric of reality. But then, a powerful dark army, unlike any they had ever encountered, rose from the depths, bloodthirsty and craving power and control. The end of days had come. To save the world from plunging into the darkness closing in, the gods sent a witch from the future: a child carrying the spirits of the ancients, the elementals, and even the fading echoes of forgotten deities. Change was coming—one that would bring destruction and salvation. The fate of all rested in Merona’s hands.

Labyrinth of Shadows by Michaela Riley is breathtakingly good. Formidable forces and distinct heroes clash in a confrontation that will shake the very foundations of history and reality itself. It is about destiny, change, transformation, friendship, love, and the price we pay to live, love, and be loved. Even deeper, the book explores past lives and offers some very thought-provoking insights into the soul and the possibility of it being eternal. Dynamic scenes and descriptions connect you with the environment, and in the first few minutes of reading, we are transported to 5th-century Western Europe. Here, we find the ancients in the process of a traditional and powerful ritual deep in the dead of night of Samhain, a time when the veil between worlds is the thinnest. When a dark force comes, the High Priestess leads her people deep into the woods in search of answers. I couldn’t shake off the feeling that something unholy lurked high up in the trees, watching. And it was! As the battles roar on and an unrelenting storm of claws, fangs, spells, and blades clash, you feel the unfolding action wrap around you. Fans of pulse-pounding thrillers, historical fiction, and magic steeped in mythology will find this book a real treat. It is brilliant.