Loved this book to bits! 5 out of 5 stars
Red Rising (first book) meets The Name of the Winds meets Hunger Games. Doesn't feel derivative though, it feels fresh.
Normally, I don't like the first person limited and present tense, but it works here. One would think this is trope gallore, but strangely it isn't. Yes, all the tropes are there, but they are worked out really well and believable.
Vis and Darrow could be twins. Same simmering anger. Vis is Kvothe, but without the Gary Stu vibe. Maybe because we're seeing him work at things, failing at things, even though that is as flimsy as it can be? I don't know.
The last part has Vis as Katniss, but without the whining and pathetic love triangle.

James Islington doesn't leave too many Tjechov's guns on the mantle piece unused, which is nice after reading Martha Wells Murderbot Series. I did expect Cyrol (audiobook, don't know the spelling) earlier in the book though, maybe as an eyeless helper in the Labyrinth. This was better though. Glad he could make it :-D
The ending was a bit confusing. I may have to re-read that part to understand. I get that Vis was copied. I understand now the writing on his arm. But what was it with the snowy world? There seemed to be three of him, not two. Confuzzled.

Can't wait for the sequel!