Sorcery of Thorns

"FWPTJYHNTJGMLWPQYTNVLMXSKQAOLPMCBRTROPAAVNCURTEPGHGSDZMVGWRQPNCBUYUYW!!" Why, yes, that <b>IS</b> gibberish for, "WOW, THIS BOOK WAS AMAZING...EVERYTHING I EVER WANTED IN A FANTASY AND MORE!!" This story left me reeling! And I so mean that in the absolute best way possible. It's one of those that you can't put down and never want to stop reading and can't bear for it to end. Yet you HAVE to continue and you HAVE to get there because you HAVE to know why everything is happening and who is doing it. (The latter half we find out relatively early.) So yes, this mystery aspect of the story was great and suspenseful, but it's not even the best part. No, the best part was the world Rogerson created. A world of sorcery in which grimoires are sentient beings...that can turn malicious. A world in which magic is the result of a bargain between humans and demons. And that magic is deemed evil. It was refreshing to read a fantasy that wasn't filled with fairies or vampires or werewolves (or any other creatures) falling in love with a virgin human girl. No. This was a richly created story filled with breathtaking descriptions, feminist undertones, a smart, kick ass female heroine, a broody sorcerer, hidden evil, powerful demon companions, and yes, there's even some room in there for romance. Again, that was another aspect that had me cheering; the romance is there, but definitely not the focus of the story. It was a subplot, but so well done that you couldn't help but enjoy it and root for it to come to fruition. I adored Elisabeth. She was an atypical fantasy main character. More than a breath of fresh air, more like a tornadic rush of uniquity. She wasn't afraid of being different. While she did want to fit in with her world, she also wasn't embarrassed by her oddities. She was closer to a modern day girl than any other I've read in popular YA. As for the story: from the very first page, I was drawn in. Compelled. It was almost as though this book was a grimoire itself and had cast me under a spell. And since I had no real expectations, I was beyond thrilled to have discovered something so magical and wondrous. From the death of the Director to the final battle scene, it's a marvelously woven tale. It has all you could want: humor, intensity, magic-filled beings, romance, take no crap females, action...and there are hidden messages here too. Not necessarily subtle, but I was more than okay with that. This book is so well-written I could weep with joy. Nothing is drawn out. The pacing is on point. The characters are relatable, believable, REAL. I didn't feel like there were gratuitous scenes thrown in for word counts and readers' expectations. Everything felt honest and purposeful toward the story. I can't possibly put into words how utterly enthralled I was. It was killing me, because as much as I wanted to get to the truth, I also never wanted it to end. It's one of those worlds you could get lost in forever. You could read about it and its characters until the end of time and never get sick of it. This is a complete story. A standalone, which is seemingly rare in this day and age. It's also one of the few times I wish there was more to come. Even as satisfying as the ending was (and it is, believe me!), I still wanted MORE. What happens next? Where is Silas? What about Nathaniel's magic? I mean, one can draw their own conclusions, but again, I have to stress how much I adored these characters and their journey. I knew it was over, but the spoiled reader inside me wasn't ready to give them up. I can absolutely let my imagination do its thing, but would I read more of these guys? Or even a Katrien spinoff? *wink, wink* I think it's quite obvious that I loved this book. <i>Sorcery of Thorns</i> is, without a doubt, my top read of 2019...and my uncontested favorite in recent memory. An outstanding, exceptional, superior fantasy, Rogerson nailed her sophomore release. I'd rate this with infinite stars!

For years, everyone has gushed over Sorcery of Thorns and talked about being one of the best fantasy standalone books. While I didn’t fall in love with it, I appreciated the solid story, great character interactions and unique magic system and lush setting. In short, Elizabeth has lived her entire life inside a magical library and wants to train to protect one of them in the future. Then things go awry and eventually finds herself in the care of Nathaniel and Silas. The book didn’t intrigue me right away, but as soon as Nathaniel showed up, my attention perked up. The trio are great with their character interactions and banter. Elizabeth is the naive yet plucky protagonist, Nathaniel is the snarky guy with a dark past and Silas is the mysterious boy with interesting views on life. I was always smiling or laughing when Nathaniel made a quip. I was a bit sad to see their story end, for more reasons than one. My only big complaint is that Elizabeth and Nathaniel would have worked better as a platonic pairing. The world building was interesting with all of the magical talking books and libraries as well as the magic system that comes into play later on. Best part is that the story didn’t feel like it stopped for massive world building, saying as much as needed and then moving on at a somewhat fast pace. The plot was interesting, though it slogged slightly in some parts (mostly near the end), but not too much. The prose is immersive and descriptive. If you’re a bookish person that likes a romance subplot to a fantastical story, check this one out.

Margaret Rogerson’s Sorcery of Thorns captivates with its luscious world-building, an exciting plot, and dynamic characters. Orphaned and left on the doorstep of the Great Library of Summershall, Elisabeth Scrivener grew up surrounded by a treasure trove of books. Elisabeth has worked hard to earn her place, apprenticing until she can convince the Director of the library that she is ready to become a warden, tasked with protecting both the library and the dangerous books they keep in their underground vaults. When Elisabeth happens upon a theft, she stumbles upon a scheme to rob the six Great Libraries and bring about a cataclysmic end. With no one to turn to, Elisabeth reaches out to the sorcerer Nathaniel Thorn and his demon servant. A decision she may come to regret as she’s been taught that magic is inherently evil and those who practice it, while bound by the laws of the land, are capable of acts of great malevolence. Rogerson proved what a great world builder she was in her debut An Enchantment of Ravens. In her sophomore novel she once again impresses. Every setting is vividly drawn from the Gothic and ominous library vaults to the enchanting and mysterious Thorn Manor. Even the small glimpses we get of the Otherworld feel fully formed, readers peeking into a universe whole and dark, yet undeniably alluring. Booklovers will be in rapture of Rogerson’s magical world, where books speak and have mercurial personalities. The most dangerous whisper words of temptation, taking in the weak-minded and manipulating them. Dark sorcery of the past gifted the world with grimoires, but produced grotesque tomes made from human parts. And when one of these books is damaged, it sets free a monster capable of killing all in its path. Though Elisabeth has grown up surrounded by all the knowledge books contain, her world is very small. She learns that not everything is black and white. That it is not magic that can corrupt, but greed and power. She’s a brave heroine with just the right amount of recklessness, making you cheer, but also keeping you on the edge of your seat. Nathaniel makes the perfect love interest, he is mysterious but sardonic enough not to come across as too rigid. Much of who he is has been defined by the mistakes of his ancestors, making him a reluctant ally. Elisabeth becomes a catalyst for change in him, forcing him to finally confront the nightmares of his past. Nathaniel is also bisexual, which is something I still find really refreshing since male bisexual characters as so rare. Sorcery of Thorns also has a great pair of minor characters. Katrien, Elisabeth’s best friend, though she doesn’t get a lot of page time, is her equal in curiosity and propensity for trouble. I wouldn’t mind a companion novel devoted to her. But it’s Nathaniel’s demon servant Silas who stole my entire heart. He has been more of a friend and caretaker to Nathaniel, though it goes completely against his nature to care. He is complicated and dangerous and yet still comes across as the kindest of all the characters. Sorcery of Thorns is a lush fantasy which will cast a spell on readers and its surprisingly unrelenting action scenes will have you racing to the end.

This book swept me away and kept me turning the pages from beginning to end! We follow a young woman named Elisabeth, who has been raised in a library where living books of magic called grimoires are protected and cared for, else they will mutate and transform into monsters. When this happens to a powerful grimoire at the library where Elisabeth was raised, she is blamed for the accident and has to go on the run in order to clear her name. In her desperation and despite knowing all sorcerers are evil, she has no choice but to turn to the infamous Nathaniel Thorn for help. Together with Silas – Nathaniel’s demon companion and the source of Nathaniel’s magic – they uncover a dark conspiracy that threatens their entire kingdom. Margaret Rogerson’s writing style really brought this world to life and transported me right alongside the characters, whether they were fighting monsters, sneaking into libraries, or falling in love. The characters themselves were vibrant and full of personality, particularly the main trio of Elisabeth, Nathaniel, and Silas. I loved the friendships that developed between them and how each had their own arc and integral part to play in the plot. The romance was everything I want in a YA fantasy, with plenty of tension and no spice. The magical libraries were a fun worldbuilding element, and the grimoires added a wonderful, eerie charm to the story. Altogether this book was the perfect recipe for me, and one of my favorite reads last year! I recommend Sorcery of Thorns to readers looking for a standalone YA fantasy with lush writing, dynamic characters, a vivid setting, and a dose of pulse-pounding danger. Content: Romance - kissing, make-outs Foul Language - none Violence - fantasy violence involving magical creatures; some death, blood, and descriptions of injuries

I received an ARC of this book via Netgcalley from Margaret K. McElderry Books in exchange for an honest review. Thank you! In no way does this affect my rating and review. All included quotes have been taken from an ARC and may not match the finished publication. Content Warning: Death, Summoning "If she does not suffer from the lack of company, I fear it is because she sees grimoires as her friends in place of people." If there were ever a book to warm a book lover’s heart, Sorcery of Thorns would certainly be one to do so! Do you like a book about books? Well, look no further. Not only is Sorcery of Thorns brimming with magic, sorcery, demons, and the like, but books--grimoires to be specific--take front and center. Elisabeth Scrivener (an ironic name, no less), was raised in the great library. Having been taken in as a orphan, she grew more accustomed to books than people. What I noticed shortly into this read was that, while Elisabeth always remains front and center, the weight shifts from her to another character. This shift takes place about halfway through the story, and gives a sort of disjointed feel in the story’s arc. I did like, however, that the story wasn’t all about the main character. It felt similar to how Brienna in The Queen’s Rising and it’s sequel is stationed. Besides Elisabeth, Nathaniel and Silas are the other more prominent characters found in the story. Nathaniel, a sorcerer, and Silas his...aid...become entangled with Elisabeth when a grimoire is disturbed and breaks free from the library, wreaking havoc. Elisabeth, sworn to protect the world from these monstrous books, sets out to stop the creature, but is blamed for the entire incident. This leads to an investigation of the library, and in turn, uncovers a deadly plot that a powerful figure has in mind. In order to stop more bad from happening, Elisabeth begins to question what she has grown up knowing, and if this knowledge is actually the truth. This story represents how we may grow up knowing one thing, but that doesn’t exactly make it true or the right thing. Furthermore, the idea that something is only black or white, good or evil, is challenged and dissected. "He wasn’t attempting to disguise the fact that he was evil, only clarifying the nature of his misdeeds. Strangely, that made her feel that she could trust him, in this matter at least." This, in particular, is represented by (my favorite aspect of this entire book) Silas’ character. He’s complex, mysterious, and allegorical. Beautifully written, his character brings about its own unexpected difficulties with his upfrontness and honesty. While the reader is told he is one way, one hopes that he’ll magically change his nature. But he can’t. What I thought was so interesting, and applaud-worthy, was how Rogerson wove so many ideas into one. I like how she kept many typical ideas about demons (i.e. they are bad, their service requires a grave cost, they aren’t human, etc.) and used it to further the complexity of her story. Despite the majority of what I liked, two things stood out to me that caused issue. First is the world-building. While there were some details given, there could, and should have been so much more included in the setting. I felt that I could figure out where I located, but the surroundings were murky and not instrumental in any way. Secondly, that odd shift halfway through the book that I mentioned earlier simply didn’t sit well with me. I believe it is because the plot progression also slows quite a bit at this point, and makes the read disjointed. Even with these issues, however, I really enjoyed this story. The characters, the topics, and how they all interacted was engaging, and very enjoyable. Vulgarity: None. Sexual content: Kissing only. Violence: Moderate, but with minimal gore. My Rating: ★★★★

Interesting book. There are several things it did very, very well and because of those, I kept reading. The rest was a bit of a mess though. So the good: The world building of the library and the books was amazing. Yes, it was just a tad Harry Potter-ish, but I loved it and the take was unique. I also loved the protag's relationship with the library and the books. I would have preferred a novel more about her transforming (ha!) within the library rather than what we got. I loved Silas. He was by far the most interesting character in the book. And here is where the problems start. Because Silas was neither the protag nor the love-interest. And I wanted him to be. Really, I wanted him to be the love-interest. Alec, the actual love-interest was boring and whiny in comparison. The romance between Alec and Elizabeth was also rather uninteresting and felt kind of forced. I never got why these two liked each other. There was a weird three-some vibe between Silas, Elizabeth, and Alec that never really made sense and never went anywhere and I almost wanted it to happen just for Silas's sake (and I say that loathing three-somes, ick, yuck, no. HEA all the way). The rest of the characters and world-building were bland and undeveloped with tons of holes. I never understood why those that worked in the library had such a naive, incorrect understanding of the sorcerers (I mean, the libraries weren't THAT big and they functioned as part of a bigger society). I never understood how society worked other than there were rich people and poor people. I never understood the demons or the houses. I never understood why the bad-guy was trying to end the world (the logic of his motivation made no sense) The magic itself was of the crackling-green-lightening bolt variety that ended up being able to do whatever Alec and Elizabeth needed it to do in a way that felt a little too convenient. (A number of things plot-wise also felt just a little too convenient). The writing itself was overloaded. By that I mean I bet I skimmed half the book only reading the first sentences of paragraphs and I didn't miss anything. The author really likes details, but most of them are unnecessary. I don't need to know in detail about Elizabeth leaving the house, walking to the carriage, the carriage ride, etc. Just sum the entire thing up in 'She took the carriage to...' There was lots of this very mundane happenings. And lots of detailed descriptions that weren't terribly relevant to anything. The writing was smooth and readable, but a bit of a slog. Cutting this book by 40% would have done wonders for it. Oh and the metaphors. The author really likes metaphors. And I love metaphors in writing. But they have to be zingers that are so clever and so on-the-nose that they get to the heart of an idea in a way that makes me smile. The author didn't do that. Her metaphors were at best insipid and occasionally outright puzzling (in a 'what is she trying to say here?' kind of way). Many were cringe-worthy. So I'm not going to be reading another book by this author any time soon. But at the same time, I really did enjoy the libraries and the books. The author has a great imagination and maybe in another ten books or so, I'll be willing to give her another chance.

Loved the way this book brought me into an interesting world. The author gave the perfect amount of information to allow the imagination to roam and feel satiated.

Guys, wow! Just WOW! I haven’t loved a book like I love this book in months, maybe years. This book gave me the same magical, homey feeling that Harry Potter has always given me. The writing style was so amazing, so poetic, and flowed so well throughout the course of the story. It was very visual, with descriptive language and phrases that were used to pull me right into the story and helped me picture what was happening inside my own head. Some of the descriptive writing was actually rather funny. In a good way, as it added to the scenes. If you read it, you’ll see what I mean! I did not get lost, nor bored, nor was I able to predict the many twists and turns that took me through this book. And believe me, there were MANY. I found myself flying through chapters at a time without even realizing I had read so much. SPOILER-FREE SUMMARY Elisabeth is an apprentice to be a warden at the Great Library when we start, and throughout her world there’s five libraries and wardens within them that protect the magical, spell-holding books within their vaults. These books are called Grimoires, and they can transform into a Malefict (a sort of demon/monster) and can wreak havoc on humanity if not contained. Before her life changes, Elisabeth wants to be a warden, defending the world from the seemingly dangerous books and the sorcerers that use them. That is until she meets and is forced to work with Nathaniel Thorn, an infamous sorcerer, with a demon servant named Silas, who is oddly posh, sarcastic, and rather caring of Nathaniel, whom he has raised since he was a boy after his family’s death. Nathaniel is the last Thorn in his line, and he and Elisabeth have to work through their differences to save humanity from a sorcerer who wants to summon the world’s strongest demon. Needless to say, I loved all three of our main characters. Elisabeth, Nathaniel and Silas did not always get along but their relationship growth was fun to witness throughout the series. Elisabeth is a headstrong, brave yet reckless girl who Nathaniel always calls a “menace,” which is fitting for her. She gets into trouble whenever she goes. Nathaniel is a sarcastic sorcerer, and it seems like being serious is very difficult for him. His humor is morbid, dry and very witty. Silas is his demon servant, who owns a portion of Nathaniel’s life for his service. He is very smart and polite, but will crack his humor and wit like a whip when he feels like it. He’s not like most demons in this universe. That’s all I’m going to say. I really hope that this book turns into a series because the ending left me wanting SO MUCH MORE. But the book overall was satisfying, and I recommend you read it if you’re a fan of YA Fantasy, and books with scenic and very magical world building. One of the best books I’ve read this whole YEAR!

I really really love the book. It's really worth it. The female lead is really fantastic. I love her character. The plot was mind blowing.

中世の異世界Austermeerには、秘密の魔術書を収める大図書館がある。Elisabethは、生まれて間もなく、その図書館の一つSummershallに捨てられ、そこで育てられた。彼女の夢はいつか図書館の管理者になること。しかしその夢は、ある事件をきっかけに大きく崩れてゆく。魔法使いと悪魔が絡む大きな陰謀に巻き込まながら、Elisabethは、自分の力を信じ、形見として預かった剣Demonslayerで、人類滅亡の危機に立ち向かう。 ハリー・ポッターの魔法学校と魔法図書館に置き換えたといえば、それまでだが、主人公Elisabethや、魔法使いのNathaniel Thorn、そしてキュートな悪魔のSilasなど人物描写が面白い。この世界では、人間である魔法使いは、悪魔との取引によって魔法を得ている。だから、悪魔は魔法使いの召使であると同時に、取引の条件である主人（魔法使い）の命を握っている、というちょっと怖い世界。 １０段階に機密度（＝危険度）が分類された魔法の書に隠された秘密、そして数々の危機を乗り越えるElisabethの機転が、この小説の面白さだと思う。 １巻完結のようであるが、物語の最後を読むと、その続きがあってもおかしくない余韻のある終わり方なので、いずれ続編がでるかもしれない。

Loved it so much! It gave me Howel's moving castle and Harry Potter vibes. 5 🌟, wholesome characters, great humor!

I loved this book, the world building was interesting and the characters were well developed. I’d recommend the other books by this author too!

The item came in good condition with the front & back cover of the book bearing neither tears nor bends!! Pristine condition, thank you!