Book Review: Sorcery of Thorns

Margaret Rogerson has truly solidified her spot on my favorite authors list with her sophomore release, Sorcery of Thorns. I thought I loved An Enchantments of Ravens, but it was nothing like my experience with this book.

All sorcerers are evil. Elisabeth has known that as long as she has known anything. Raised as a foundling in one of Austermeer’s Great Libraries, Elisabeth has grown up among the tools of sorcery—magical grimoires that whisper on shelves and rattle beneath iron chains. If provoked, they transform into grotesque monsters of ink and leather. She hopes to become a warden, charged with protecting the kingdom from their power.

Then an act of sabotage releases the library’s most dangerous grimoire. Elisabeth’s desperate intervention implicates her in the crime, and she is torn from her home to face justice in the capital. With no one to turn to but her sworn enemy, the sorcerer Nathaniel Thorn, and his mysterious demonic servant, she finds herself entangled in a centuries-old conspiracy. Not only could the Great Libraries go up in flames, but the world along with them.

As her alliance with Nathaniel grows stronger, Elisabeth starts to question everything she’s been taught—about sorcerers, about the libraries she loves, even about herself. For Elisabeth has a power she has never guessed, and a future she could never have imagined.

First off, let me just say how happy it makes me when a book revolves around the love of books. Like I immediately connect so well with the story and characters when they share that same joy with me. With that being said, when I first found out this book is based around a library and books that are basically living creatures, I knew that I was going to love it. And I was right.

I think Rogerson, once again, has created such an interesting world. It was really interesting in how the magic system works in this world, with magic being controlled by the sorcerer’s and their connection with demonic beings. I loved how she was able to add some darker elements like that to the story… Gimme all the darkness! The world was so interesting but we only got to see and learn about this one small area, which I would’ve preferred a bit more about some of the other countries that they mention going to war with multiple times. I like to think that that means there’s room to explore more in this world in other books (even though Rogerson states this is only a standalone).

I just love Elizabeth as a character. She isn’t perfect and more than a little bit awkward, due to having grown up in the library with no social interaction really besides fellow librarians. Also, her relationship with books in general is a MOOD. The only difference is that her books can respond to her, while mine are still just inanimate objects. Dammit. But even though I love Elizabeth, Thorn is my baby. He has the best dry/sarcastic personality, constantly throwing out these witty one liners. I live for characters like that and he just gave me exactly what I love in my fictional boyfriends. And last but not least is Silas, the mysterious servant. Silas is actually the glue that keeps all of our characters together. He’s very quiet and polite, but with an edge.

You can really see the growth of her writing in Rogerson’s sophomore novel. I thought the overall plot was much more engaging from start to finish than An Enchantment of Ravens. I never felt like the plot was too rushed or too slow, but moved at a steady pace throughout the story. I appreciated the length of the novel, as it allowed us to really immerse ourselves in the world and gave us enough time to really get to know the characters. The ending was really well done as well. It gave me just enough to leave me satisfied but also wanting more. Not really sure if that makes sense or not, but there it is.. Just know that you really need to read this book, especially if you weren’t completely satisfied with An Enchantment of Ravens.

Final Verdict: 5/5 Stars

Have you read Sorcery of Thorns? Did you enjoy it more than An Enchantment of Ravens? Are you as obsessed with Thorn as I am?