Asterios and the Labyrinth | Reviewed by Grant Leishman for Readers’ Favorite

By edmondthornfield@gmail.com / May 23, 2026

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.

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“Recommended for all historical fiction fans open to a unique reading experience. A style very creative and literary… language to be savored when read slowly and thoughtfully.”

—Historical Novel Society