Kids Book Review - The Labyrinth of Doom by Stuart Gibbs

The Labyrinth of Doom (2022) AMZN

157 Pages, for ages 7-10

by Stuart Gibbs, illustrated by Stacy Curtis

The Labyrinth of Doom book cover

Today I review The Labyrinth of Doom by Stuart Gibbs and Stacy Curtis, which is the second book in the "Once Upon a Tim" series. The story follows Tim, a knight-in-training, and his best friend Belinda, as they embark on a quest to save Princess Grace. The princess needs rescuing again (also in book 1 of the series), and Tim and Belinda must face a series of challenges as they traverse a labyrinth, including menacing beasts like the minotaur and treacherous obstacles like chasms filled with cave sharks. Yes, cave sharks. I enjoyed the writing style a lot (maybe I like kids books ?) and found the story to be engaging. The illustrations are also fun by Stacy Curtis.

This is a great book for kids, that I recommend.

Other blog posts you might like:

The 12 Best Maze and Labyrinth Movies Of All Time

Watchmojo's Best Maze Movie Scenes

How to make over 40 types of mazes

The 5 best online maze games from Crazy Games

I admit when I need a break from creating maze art I search for maze like games. My favorite site recently for this content has been the Crazy Games site which has thousands of games (from my research the number as I write this is 5,121). So many games that you need to search by genre to find the type of game you want to play. For me, that is mazes. A search will give you 11 options. Here are my 5 favorites ! I must say my ranking are different than the sites users.

1. Beam. (Rated 8.5 by users)

Not listed as a maze game - it is exactly that, and my favorite one ! The goal is to move the internal pieces of the puzzle that will reflect the light beam from the entrance to the exit. Essentially you need to make a maze. There are 7 different types of levels but all are similar - creating a maze !

Beam Game logo

Here is a screenshot of the “gridlock” type of gameplay. You need to move the blocks to empty spaces to create a path for the beam to cross the structure ! Although the overall gameplay is simple, I really like the variety among the different types.

Beam Gameplay

2. Maze Worlds (Rated 8.7 by users)

I’m not sure this is a maze game, but I’m also not sure that it isn’t. And either way, I like it. Easy to play and understand.

Maze Worlds logo

The gameplay is simple. I actually am not sure how you lose. I just kept completing level after level. You move your player in one of the four directions with your keyboard to ‘fill’ a square. Once all squares are filled you have completed the level. Sounds easy, but as you move on things can get tricky !

Maze Worlds Gameplay

3. Maze Planet 3D. (Rated 9.0 by users)

I played a few games and enjoyed it. The 3D nature of the maze mean it takes a different skillset to solve since you are blind to what is around corners - or really around the horizon to be more accurate. No looking ahead to see which pathways are dead ends - you’ve just got to trial and error !

Maze Planet logo

Here is a screenshot of the first level. You use a soccer ball to solve a planet maze made out of bricks. As you move forward, new planets unlock.

Maze Planet gameplay

4. Maze Discover. (Rated 9.2 by users)

Dig Dug and Mr Do vibes but from above at an angle. You have a shovel and you dig out or unearth pathways into a maze, gaining gold along the way…find a key and exit from the door, etc.

Maze Discover Game logo

As you advance, you get a pick axe, find hidden passages and gems. Fun.

Maze Discover Gameplay

5. Maze Shooter. (Rated 9.2 by users)

I might be the only one of my friends that is not into first person shooter games, but this one takes place in a maze so that gives it a boost in my mind. I know that many people reading this will also like these type of games so it made the list !

Maze Shooter logo

Gameplay is what you think it would be. You just need to get used to the controls and you’ll be winning quickly !

Maze Shooter gameplay

So my order is the exact opposite of the ratings on the site ! Check them out. If you are a fan of mazes one of these games will be for you !

Maze of the Week #81 - Munson-Williams-Proctor Museum of Art Maze

Maze of the Week #81 takes us to Utica, New York with a maze of the Munson-Williams-Proctor Museum of Art. The building opened in 1960 and was designed by architect Philip Johnson.

You can learn about the Art Institute that includes the museum here.


YouTube: A short video showing the outside and inside of the museum !

Photo: flickr, Onasill - Bill Badzo. It appears this photo may have won some awards for the wonderful cloud formations in the background !

The Maze: Despite not being a colorful building, the maze came out more interesting because of the surrounding area. My favorite part of the maze ? The stairs leading to the building have transparent looking panels which I included !!

Munson Williams Proctor Museum of Art Maze

Munson-Williams-Proctor Museum of Art Maze

I hope you enjoy the maze. Maze download is available on the homepage. Don’t forget to check out my YouTube channel where you can watch this maze being made and solved!!

Coming next week:

A maze of a door in Mexico !

Book Review - Confessions of an Egyptologist

Book Review - Confessions of an Egyptologist 195 pages. AMZN.

by Erich von Däniken

Confessions of an Egyptologist book cover

Confessions of an Egyptologist by Erich von Däniken is a fascinating book that tells the story of Adel H., a 16-year-old boy who discovered a mysterious labyrinth of the old kings and was trapped for days under the Step Pyramid. The book is a mix of memoir and historical fiction, with von Däniken weaving together Adel's story with his own theories about ancient Egypt and the possibility of extraterrestrial influence.

The book is well-written and engaging, with von Däniken's signature style of blending fact and speculation. However, some readers may find his theories to be far-fetched and lacking in evidence. Additionally, the book has been criticized for its lack of academic rigor and reliance on anecdotal evidence.

Despite these criticisms, Confessions of an Egyptologist is an enjoyable read for anyone interested in ancient Egypt and the mysteries surrounding its history. Von Däniken's storytelling is compelling, and his passion for the subject matter is evident throughout the book. Whether or not you agree with his theories, the book is sure to spark your imagination and leave you with a newfound appreciation for the wonders of ancient Egypt.

What I learned in this book:

  • Was the Great Pyramid of Giza a huge library created for the people of the future ?

  • Are tomb raiders the real archeologists in Egypt ? It seems if a tomb raider uncovers a new place filled with valuable antiquities it is in their best interest to keep it to themselves and pillage it.

What this book does best: It weaves together a mix of memoir and historical fiction that includes aliens. I would say this opens your mind to new possibilities on what the pyramids were for and who built them.

I read this book as I have been seeing a lot of information recently saying that the lost Labyrinth has been found. Watch out for a future blog post on this as I continue my research.