Set on the island of Crete during the Minoan Bronze Age some 3,500 years ago, Asterios and the Labyrinth: Mythos of Knossos by Edmond Thornfield is a tale of gods, kings, heroes, revolts, and magical powers. The Minoans, a wealthy people known for their farming and commerce, experienced some turbulence following the death of King Minos of Knossos. His son, Prince Asterios, took over, but his romantic involvement with Prince Phaistos didn't sit well with everyone, sparking a power struggle. He and Phaistos were faced with marriages of convenience to unite kingdoms, restore decorum, and secure the continuity of the royal bloodline. During a rebellion, Phaistos was captured by the enemy and subjected to humiliation. As King Asterios set sail for Kydonia to rescue him, a tale of ancient rituals, torture, and bloody battles unfolds. His mother, sister, and aunt resorted to sorcery to shield Asterios in his efforts to protect his throne. That battle won, royal weddings were followed by a new plot to overthrow the king, and his army sailed to Zakro for a showdown.

Edmond Thornfield combines mythology with archaeology in an impressive reconstruction of ancient times. It is filled with historical details and an evocative depiction of the lifestyle of the Mediterranean in that era. Asterios and the Labyrinth is a tale of ambition, envy, malice, love, treachery, and alliances against a common enemy. It describes kingly duty, political wrangling, and the exchange of hostages. The writing style reflects the ethos of the age, adding to the epic nature of the storyline and fitting its classical setting perfectly. The book is recommended for mature readers, as violence and sex feature prominently, which reflects royal privilege and the prevailing social norms, with an underlying LGBTQ+ tone. There is also no shortage of death and destruction. It will appeal to a readership that enjoys mythological fiction and is comfortable with what the author describes as complex moral and social themes.

Asterios and the Labyrinth (Mythos of Knossos) by Edmond Thornfield transports readers back to the time of ancient Greek power, of mythical beasts, sorcerers, and the battle for royal succession. Upon the death of King Minos, his son Asterios must succeed to the throne before the various warlords tear the kingdom apart in their quest for power. Despite Asterios’ commitment to his lover and fellow prince, Phaistos, he must marry a woman to bear him children and heirs to ensure the continuity of The House of the Divine Bull and Europa. With the powerful lords Koronos and Lykosander already seeking to usurp the young king, Asterios must rely on the help of his sister, mother, and aunt, all powerful sorceresses, to give him an edge over his enemies in battle. He must rely on his family’s most fearsome of allies, Echidna, the Mother of all Monsters, to help defeat Koronos and Lykosander, as he and Phaistos lay siege to the cities of Kydonia and Zakro.

Asterios and the Labyrinth is an epic, sweeping tale of Minoan culture, life, and warfare that reads like the greatest of Greek epics. Edmond Thornfield has perfectly captured the beauty, mysticism, and daily life of Minoan culture during the Bronze Age. There is no shortage of battle action, excitement, and bloody conflict; this is beautifully contrasted with the loving, soulful relationship between Asterios and Phaistos. I was equally impressed by the pair’s willingness to forgo their complete commitment to each other to take wives and procreate, thereby furthering their royal lines. That they both felt something deep and meaningful toward their women speaks highly of their characters and commitment to their roles. It was abundantly clear, however, that their love for each other was above all, and I commend the author for the loving depiction of their relationship. The sorcery and mythical monsters just added wonderfully to what was already a great heroic tale. The author’s writing style is in keeping with the ideal of an ancient tale being reenacted. Asterios's ability to navigate the many moral and cultural issues, including an element of homophobia, is part of what makes this novel so nuanced, complex, and enjoyable. I thoroughly appreciated and highly recommend it.